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Beyond Buttons #5
Buttons & Despise
I'm Vanessa Barsetti, the daughter of the infamous Crow Barsetti.
My father taught me how to fight. If a man lays a hand on me, I'll put him in his grave. As a Barsetti, I'm proud, stubborn, and don't take nonsense from anybody.
I walk home from a bar and take the wrong path.
And witness a brutal crime.
The murderer won't let me go. He's handsome, lethal, and terrifying. With tattoos on his forearms and a presence full of threat, he's a shade of evil I've never encountered. And then he tells me the most terrifying thing of all.
His name is Bones.
My father taught me how to fight. If a man lays a hand on me, I'll put him in his grave. As a Barsetti, I'm proud, stubborn, and don't take nonsense from anybody.
I walk home from a bar and take the wrong path.
And witness a brutal crime.
The murderer won't let me go. He's handsome, lethal, and terrifying. With tattoos on his forearms and a presence full of threat, he's a shade of evil I've never encountered. And then he tells me the most terrifying thing of all.
His name is Bones.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2018
1777 people are currently reading
1688 people want to read
About the author
Penelope Sky
76 books6,525 followersA New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Penelope Sky is known for her dark romance that makes you fall for her characters….no matter how dark they seem. Her books are being translated into several languages around the world, and she’s sold more than a million books worldwide. She lives in a small town in California with her husband, where she spends most of her time writing on the back porch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
January 16, 2022
Bones & Vanessa>>>>> my second time reading and I still adore them
June 7, 2018
Holy shit.
Like many others I've been a true and loyal Penelope Sky fan. I've read all the Button's books and The Scotch King series. I've read all Conway and Sapphire's books and before I picked up this book today, after finishing Lingerie #4 last night, I thought-- how much am I going to like this one....
...well dear god. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. I loved it! I loved loved loved it!
Screw Crow, Cane, Conway and Carter--I am all about some Bones #2.
For real!
I think this book is honestly one of the better books of all the Barsetti books, and I know I can't be the only one that thinks that. I was completely and totally hooked from the very first chapter and let me tell you why...spoilers ahead.
Like all the other previous books (Buttons and Lingerie) the men are always in this predicament where they have captured or somehow had a woman fall into their laps that is running for her life in some way. Pearl from Bones. Adeline from Tristan. Sapphire from Knuckles...and they have become these controlling guys who pretend they don't care but they really do (well Cane cared) ...but this shit was instantly different.
I love how Vanessa wasn't running from anyone or in any predicament where she was saved from someone who treated her vile so it would make her appreciate her capture more...she just so happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and so happened to be Vanessa Barsetti.
Difference #1
I loved that within, what the first chapter? They were already making out and it was hot... she put a bullet into his arm after he dumped a body into a lake and BOOM they were sucking face on the side of his van.--I wasn't expecting that.
Difference #2
I loved that Bones was going to kill her. He laid out the tarp, turned on the video camera, stripped her naked and held a knife to her throat, asking for her final words. Cane, Crow and Conway never did that, they may have been assholes but they never were about to execute their ladies.--so that was fucking awesome.
Difference #3
Bones is unlike any of the Barsetti men. He is actually very sweet. Taking her out to breakfast, cooking for her, face timing her, giving her a painting room, making her promises, comforting her and wiping away her tears, asking her what positions she wants during sex, and even giving her confidence CONSTANTLY....---ah I would fall in love too Vanessa don't feel bad.
The Barsetti men liked to hide behind closed doors and never really gave their woman much-- except for fancy clothes and a nice view--they kept them under lock and key. No you can't get a job. No you can't go into the city...and I am talking about at the beginning too. They were pricks..I am not getting that vibe from Bones. I get that they both "hate" one another because of the blood war but this connection between them and how he treats her, I am digging it!
Difference #4
Wow. I am done. I am getting so worked up I can't even think right now..so I will leave with these parting words.
June 17th is ten days away and I will be on to the next book with pure excitement with my unanswered question---I will update you with my new review on what I think may or may not happen and my questions I want to know the answers to but for now I need to turn my mind off.
Like many others I've been a true and loyal Penelope Sky fan. I've read all the Button's books and The Scotch King series. I've read all Conway and Sapphire's books and before I picked up this book today, after finishing Lingerie #4 last night, I thought-- how much am I going to like this one....
...well dear god. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. I loved it! I loved loved loved it!
Screw Crow, Cane, Conway and Carter--I am all about some Bones #2.
For real!
I think this book is honestly one of the better books of all the Barsetti books, and I know I can't be the only one that thinks that. I was completely and totally hooked from the very first chapter and let me tell you why...spoilers ahead.
Like all the other previous books (Buttons and Lingerie) the men are always in this predicament where they have captured or somehow had a woman fall into their laps that is running for her life in some way. Pearl from Bones. Adeline from Tristan. Sapphire from Knuckles...and they have become these controlling guys who pretend they don't care but they really do (well Cane cared) ...but this shit was instantly different.
I love how Vanessa wasn't running from anyone or in any predicament where she was saved from someone who treated her vile so it would make her appreciate her capture more...she just so happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and so happened to be Vanessa Barsetti.
Difference #1
I loved that within, what the first chapter? They were already making out and it was hot... she put a bullet into his arm after he dumped a body into a lake and BOOM they were sucking face on the side of his van.--I wasn't expecting that.
Difference #2
I loved that Bones was going to kill her. He laid out the tarp, turned on the video camera, stripped her naked and held a knife to her throat, asking for her final words. Cane, Crow and Conway never did that, they may have been assholes but they never were about to execute their ladies.--so that was fucking awesome.
Difference #3
Bones is unlike any of the Barsetti men. He is actually very sweet. Taking her out to breakfast, cooking for her, face timing her, giving her a painting room, making her promises, comforting her and wiping away her tears, asking her what positions she wants during sex, and even giving her confidence CONSTANTLY....---ah I would fall in love too Vanessa don't feel bad.
The Barsetti men liked to hide behind closed doors and never really gave their woman much-- except for fancy clothes and a nice view--they kept them under lock and key. No you can't get a job. No you can't go into the city...and I am talking about at the beginning too. They were pricks..I am not getting that vibe from Bones. I get that they both "hate" one another because of the blood war but this connection between them and how he treats her, I am digging it!
Difference #4
Wow. I am done. I am getting so worked up I can't even think right now..so I will leave with these parting words.
June 17th is ten days away and I will be on to the next book with pure excitement with my unanswered question---I will update you with my new review on what I think may or may not happen and my questions I want to know the answers to but for now I need to turn my mind off.
November 23, 2022
2.75 stars ✿
❛Why did you kiss me?❜
❛Why do you care?❜
❛I shot you. I expected you to punch me, not kiss me.❜
I have a love-hate relationship with this book.
❛Why did you kiss me?❜
❛Why do you care?❜
❛I shot you. I expected you to punch me, not kiss me.❜
I have a love-hate relationship with this book.
July 24, 2021
It just screams true love when you're threatening to kill her and then kiss her two seconds later and when she tries to murder you while having sex with you Shakespeare take notes
January 22, 2022
Bones y Vanessa. Hasta ahora ustedes son mi pareja favorita.
March 20, 2020
Am I the only one who thinks all these story lines are so similar? This book is told from Vanessa and Bones' Jr perspective. I like Vanessa, she is a strong, stubborn woman. Just like the rest of the family Barsetti. I didn't think the author could change my mind about Bones, because of his fathers actions. But I do like him! He's not like the Barsetti men, they couldn't show their emotions and they wouldn't say they like the other. Bones is different, he knows there's something between him and Vanessa and he doesn't deny it. I'm curious what will happen in the next book.
June 29, 2021
Por dios, que hermoso! Tenia miedo de caer en lo mismo una y otra vez, y otra vez. Pero noooo, cambio todo y para mejor!
Una de los mejores enemies to lovers que leí.
Vanessa, digna hija de pearl.
Y bones, es bones. Maldito malo hermoso.
Necesito saber como sigue todo esto.
Una de los mejores enemies to lovers que leí.
Vanessa, digna hija de pearl.
Y bones, es bones. Maldito malo hermoso.
Necesito saber como sigue todo esto.
August 11, 2018
4,5 💖💖💖💖⚡️🌟🌟🌟🌟s❣️❣️❣️
Wonderful!!!!! Barsetti vs Bonus!!!! ⚡️💣⚡️
Wonderful!!!!! Barsetti vs Bonus!!!! ⚡️💣⚡️
id-rather-kiss-drake
January 29, 2022Bones was...........icky in the "Button series".
So imma skip this book.
Besides, i don't have the safety issues.
So imma skip this book.
Besides, i don't have the safety issues.
June 5, 2018
Wow. Okay...where to begin? This book. Man THIS book. You know how you start some books and you just KNOW that they’re going to be ones you never forget? Like, you’re just reading along and then...bam!...it hits you that you’re reading greatness? Well, that’s how Empress in Lingerie is. The book grabs you from the very first page and doesn’t let you go. This fifth book in the incredible series by Penelope Sky begins the story of Vanessa Barsetti and Bones. Their story is one that I’ve been looking forward to the most since it was announced that the Buttons series, also by Ms. Sky, was getting a spinoff. (While you don’t have to read the Buttons series to enjoy this one, I’d highly recommend you read it as well. It’s one of my all-time favorite series.) Man, this book did not disappoint!!!
After witnessing a murder, Vanessa is taken by the mortal enemy of her family, Bones, and from the moment these two meet, it’s undeniable, inexplicable fireworks. Vanessa’s spirit matches Bones’s malice inch for inch and they find themselves blurring the lines between hate and passion, attraction and annihilation, and ultimately, life and death. The inner struggles both Vanessa and Bones face in light of such combustible erotic energy will leave you empathizing with and rooting for, albeit in very different ways, each of them. Theirs is a seemingly impossible connection, yet it’s undeniably there. We also get a visit with the rest of the Barsettis, as Vanessa comes to terms with the long-held truths that her parents have hidden from her.
I could not put the book down and this one is, by far, my favorite yet in the Lingerie series. Penelope writes in such a way that you feel a plethora of emotions for her characters. You relate to them. You hate them. You love them. And you love to hate that you hate to love them. Who is a true villain and who is a true hero? Can a villain become more? Must children always pay for the sins of their parents? Penelope will make you questions all of this and more in this explosively charged fifth book in the series. I truly am counting down the days until the release of Fantasy in Lingerie, as I MUST read more about Vanessa and Bones. They are both volatile and passionate and theirs will become a love story for the ages. This is where it begins. You don’t want to miss one of the best books of the year so start reading. Now. Trust me. This one is NOT to be missed!
After witnessing a murder, Vanessa is taken by the mortal enemy of her family, Bones, and from the moment these two meet, it’s undeniable, inexplicable fireworks. Vanessa’s spirit matches Bones’s malice inch for inch and they find themselves blurring the lines between hate and passion, attraction and annihilation, and ultimately, life and death. The inner struggles both Vanessa and Bones face in light of such combustible erotic energy will leave you empathizing with and rooting for, albeit in very different ways, each of them. Theirs is a seemingly impossible connection, yet it’s undeniably there. We also get a visit with the rest of the Barsettis, as Vanessa comes to terms with the long-held truths that her parents have hidden from her.
I could not put the book down and this one is, by far, my favorite yet in the Lingerie series. Penelope writes in such a way that you feel a plethora of emotions for her characters. You relate to them. You hate them. You love them. And you love to hate that you hate to love them. Who is a true villain and who is a true hero? Can a villain become more? Must children always pay for the sins of their parents? Penelope will make you questions all of this and more in this explosively charged fifth book in the series. I truly am counting down the days until the release of Fantasy in Lingerie, as I MUST read more about Vanessa and Bones. They are both volatile and passionate and theirs will become a love story for the ages. This is where it begins. You don’t want to miss one of the best books of the year so start reading. Now. Trust me. This one is NOT to be missed!
February 9, 2022
Comme je l’ai déjà dit un énorme coup de cœur pour le personnage de Vanessa. J’aime son côté rebelle, orgueilleuse et courageuse surtout en ces débuts de chapitres. Complètement différente de notre belle Sapphire, mais on ne peut pas leur en vouloir de venir de deux mondes différents. En revanche, j’ai eu une légère déception. Bien évidemment, on savait que Vanessa allait sauter le pas avec ce beau Bones, mais je ne pensais pas aussi vite, et encore moins, venant d’un chantage. J’aurais voulu que leur premier abat arrive beaucoup plus tard. Puis connaît le caractère de Vanessa, je ne pensais pas qu’elle succomberait aussi facilement (aïe). J’ai aimé la suite. En revanche, ce livre parle uniquement de la relation entre Vanessa et Bones, rien d’autre. À part leurs ébats, il n’y a rien d’autre. Pas d’histoire.. Il faut voir avec le tome suivant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2021
5 stars
“All is fair in love and war.”
I loved this book so much!!
“All is fair in love and war.”
I loved this book so much!!
August 12, 2022
J'ai commencé cette saga pour connaître l'histoire de Muse et de Conway, et je dois dire qu'en terminant cette partie de la saga, je n'avais pas vraiment envie de continuer sachant que la suite suivrait Vanessa. Me voici un an plus tard, plus curieuse que jamais par rapport à cette histoire. Beaucoup de gens m'avaient dit de continuer, car l'histoire de Vanessa et de Bones avait un petit quelque chose en plus. Et je suis d'accord, même si dans les faits, c'est toujours un peu la même chose. La seule différence notable est que Bones est le plus grand ennemi de la famille. Ce tome donne donc les bases sur lesquelles vont se dérouler cette histoire. La tension entre les personnages est plus présente au niveau sexuel qu'au niveau de l'alchimie, mais pour le moment, ça me conviant.
La plume de l'auteure est toujours aussi fluide, il me tarde donc de lire la suite pour voir où cela va me mener.
La plume de l'auteure est toujours aussi fluide, il me tarde donc de lire la suite pour voir où cela va me mener.
November 22, 2021
Four "really liked it" stars
I admit it- I liked the first four books of this series, but I was a little disappointed in the way they followed an exceptionally similar storyline as compared to the Buttons series (which is basically two trilogies that share a rather similar storyline). It's a damn good storyline, don't get me wrong- but I was hoping for the stories to be more different.
THEN we get to book five of this series- and it was a gamechanger! Okay, it had one of the same main elements in it, but there were some serious differences as well. It made it exciting! I am so here for the angst and the chemistry, the suspense and the action. I am all about Bones (Jr.) and Vanessa. I didn't think I would feel this way, but it certainly helps that he doesn't physically hurt her. That's a huge nope for me. He hit her one time early on, and that was it. I found it forgivable since it didn't keep happening (obviously in real life even one time is not okay, but this is a work of fiction).
Anyway, I was ready to throw in the towel, but saw that the next book would have Bones (Jr.) in it. I had to read it, and now I'm back in the game, already started on book six! I have no idea why I sat on these books for so long without reading them.
Trigger warning: dub-con, references to r*pe (off-page, not the heroine)
I admit it- I liked the first four books of this series, but I was a little disappointed in the way they followed an exceptionally similar storyline as compared to the Buttons series (which is basically two trilogies that share a rather similar storyline). It's a damn good storyline, don't get me wrong- but I was hoping for the stories to be more different.
THEN we get to book five of this series- and it was a gamechanger! Okay, it had one of the same main elements in it, but there were some serious differences as well. It made it exciting! I am so here for the angst and the chemistry, the suspense and the action. I am all about Bones (Jr.) and Vanessa. I didn't think I would feel this way, but it certainly helps that he doesn't physically hurt her. That's a huge nope for me. He hit her one time early on, and that was it. I found it forgivable since it didn't keep happening (obviously in real life even one time is not okay, but this is a work of fiction).
Anyway, I was ready to throw in the towel, but saw that the next book would have Bones (Jr.) in it. I had to read it, and now I'm back in the game, already started on book six! I have no idea why I sat on these books for so long without reading them.
Trigger warning: dub-con, references to r*pe (off-page, not the heroine)
October 3, 2022
It would be 5 stars, but I only give 2.
This series was rated great, so I started reading it. To make it easier for you this is the book order:
Crow Barsetti and Pearl story:
Buttons and Lace
Buttons & Hate
Buttons and Pain
Cane Barsetti and Adelina story:
Buttons and Shame
Buttons and Blame
Buttons and Grace
The sequel to this series is the Lingerie series.
Lingerie 1-4: Conway Barsetti (Crow's son) and Sapphire story.
Lingerie 5-8: It was supposed to be the story of Vanessa Barsetti (Crow's daughter) and Bouns Jr (Griffin). In my opinion their story is the best. It all started great, but in book 8 their story does not end, it continues in the book 9, 10, 11, 12. I was so disappointed. If I had known, I wouldn't have even started reading it.
After book 8, I mean it's all mixed up.
In book 9 we read again about Conway, Sapphire, Crow...and new guy Antonio (I don't like Antonio), there is also a new story about Carter (Cane's son) and Mia and the story of Vanessa and Griffin is not over yet.
The writer didn't finish one story and started another, and we just want to know what happened to Vanessa and Griffin, we want their own HEA. The plot becomes dragged out and sometimes boring.
Also there is story about Carmen Barsetti (Cane's daughter) and Bosco Roth (Lingerie 13-15).
Sorry for the mistakes, english isn't my first language.
This series was rated great, so I started reading it. To make it easier for you this is the book order:
Crow Barsetti and Pearl story:
Buttons and Lace
Buttons & Hate
Buttons and Pain
Cane Barsetti and Adelina story:
Buttons and Shame
Buttons and Blame
Buttons and Grace
The sequel to this series is the Lingerie series.
Lingerie 1-4: Conway Barsetti (Crow's son) and Sapphire story.
Lingerie 5-8: It was supposed to be the story of Vanessa Barsetti (Crow's daughter) and Bouns Jr (Griffin). In my opinion their story is the best. It all started great, but in book 8 their story does not end, it continues in the book 9, 10, 11, 12. I was so disappointed. If I had known, I wouldn't have even started reading it.
After book 8, I mean it's all mixed up.
In book 9 we read again about Conway, Sapphire, Crow...and new guy Antonio (I don't like Antonio), there is also a new story about Carter (Cane's son) and Mia and the story of Vanessa and Griffin is not over yet.
The writer didn't finish one story and started another, and we just want to know what happened to Vanessa and Griffin, we want their own HEA. The plot becomes dragged out and sometimes boring.
Also there is story about Carmen Barsetti (Cane's daughter) and Bosco Roth (Lingerie 13-15).
Sorry for the mistakes, english isn't my first language.
June 19, 2020
After reading Books 1-4 about Conway Barsetti, now this book 5 focuses on Conway's sister, Vanessa Barsetti. I guess the children do suffer for the sins of the fathers. Vanessa and Bones hate each other and willing to kill each other but they can't explain the feeling they have for each other. How f**ked up is that? 😆 Absolutely amazing!
June 13, 2020
Vanessa and Bones Jr.'s story was even better than Buttons series and Buttons series is one of my favorite. I can't get enough of this couple, they are at the TOP of my favorites list. 5 BIG stars *****
August 8, 2019
Empress follows Conway's younger sister, Vanessa. After the events in Queen in Lingerie, Vanessa has missed a few classes but is able to finish out the semester. It's December and when she is walking home thinking about the holidays with her family she see something she shouldn't.
His name is Bones & he has a score to settle with Vanessa's family. Her father & uncle killed his father, Bone wants to take revenge by killing Vanessa! But the tension between these two is electric. What will win put, revenge or love?
His name is Bones & he has a score to settle with Vanessa's family. Her father & uncle killed his father, Bone wants to take revenge by killing Vanessa! But the tension between these two is electric. What will win put, revenge or love?
June 11, 2018
3.5 stars
2nd part of serie with Vanessa Barsetti story
Skiped the 1st part of the serie because Sapphire was TSTL, but Vanessa is her mother daughter and Pearl is one of my favorite character ever!
Vanessa is an independent woman, strong, resourceful and tough! Just a month after escape a kidnapping because of her brother dumb girlfriend (Sapphire), she is in the wrong place at the wrong time!
Fate brings her face to face with the son of her mother greatest ghost!!
Bones, like his father is a hard, cold man! Afters his father is murdered by Vanessa mother, he and is mother where let with nothing and his mother ends ups in prostitution to pay the bills, she was killed by a client and he blames the Barsetti family for his childhood in the streets!!!
Vanessa is one tough cookie in the first time they meet she managed to shoot him in the shoulder without hesitation!
Bones is confused with such strong beautiful woman and ends up using her family to blackmailing her into being his "sex toy" since their attraction and sexual chemistry is of the charts!!!
The story drags a bit in this book i was just hoping that something actually happen! The push/pull was to much and to little story development!!
2nd part of serie with Vanessa Barsetti story
Skiped the 1st part of the serie because Sapphire was TSTL, but Vanessa is her mother daughter and Pearl is one of my favorite character ever!
Vanessa is an independent woman, strong, resourceful and tough! Just a month after escape a kidnapping because of her brother dumb girlfriend (Sapphire), she is in the wrong place at the wrong time!
Fate brings her face to face with the son of her mother greatest ghost!!
Bones, like his father is a hard, cold man! Afters his father is murdered by Vanessa mother, he and is mother where let with nothing and his mother ends ups in prostitution to pay the bills, she was killed by a client and he blames the Barsetti family for his childhood in the streets!!!
Vanessa is one tough cookie in the first time they meet she managed to shoot him in the shoulder without hesitation!
Bones is confused with such strong beautiful woman and ends up using her family to blackmailing her into being his "sex toy" since their attraction and sexual chemistry is of the charts!!!
The story drags a bit in this book i was just hoping that something actually happen! The push/pull was to much and to little story development!!
January 22, 2025
I strictly gave 4 stars due to the poor gun safety in this book. Everything else is written beautifully, well researched and just *chefs kiss* this series makes me want to visit Italy more and more every day.
I also think Bones is now my #1 book boyfriend 🤫
I also think Bones is now my #1 book boyfriend 🤫
June 25, 2018
3 STARS
August 16, 2020
Oh my word! For me this beats the Sapphire and Conway story. Vanessa and Bones are crazy. I think what I like best about Penelope Sky is the way she makes psychopaths relatable and somewhat likable.
July 15, 2021
“I shot you. I expected you to punch me, not kiss me.”
THIS ROMANCE WAS EVERYTHING & it's not even the end of their story!!
Wow!!
THIS ROMANCE WAS EVERYTHING & it's not even the end of their story!!
Wow!!
August 13, 2024
That last chapter made the entire book because that whole interaction in the end was STUNNING!!!!
It would’ve gotten a 5 star but through the whole book nothing really happened but the last 4-5 pages of the last chapter took the cake! I hope the next books continue on that vibe!!
It would’ve gotten a 5 star but through the whole book nothing really happened but the last 4-5 pages of the last chapter took the cake! I hope the next books continue on that vibe!!
February 10, 2025
It was good but not good enough to make me want to read the others in the series
August 22, 2025
Enemies to lovers?! Sold. Yes just yes. I LOVE VANESSA. Her story is playing out to be just as good as I expected it too.
May 2, 2024
A true enemies to lovers
I’m excited to see how Vanessa and Bones’ story unfolds and how the Barsetti men respond when they discover what’s been happening under their noses.
I’m excited to see how Vanessa and Bones’ story unfolds and how the Barsetti men respond when they discover what’s been happening under their noses.
September 12, 2019
Well Vanessa Barnett comes into the picture now. She started getting more airplay in Conway and Sapphire’s story toward the end. She helps bring down Sapphire’s kidnapper and nightmare, Knuckles. Now she has another run-in with trouble and it’s Bones. He snatches her after he murdered someone and even though he can’t believe his luck of nabbing a Barsetti, he wasn’t prepared for the attraction he would feel toward her. Her attitude, bossiness, and straight up badass ‘tude turns him on like no other woman ever could. Even though he has to kill her he will enjoy her until then. Vanessa will kill Bones because no one threatens the Barsetti’s and gets away with it. But how does she say goodbye to the feels and passion he incites in her? Why did she have to find her killer attractive?
Penelope Sky does it again. Another story that you will read so fast you will be wishing for the next book!
Penelope Sky does it again. Another story that you will read so fast you will be wishing for the next book!
June 20, 2019
Vanessa can’t catch a break now can she? First she was kidnapped and almost murdered by Knuckles – the guy who had a vendetta against Sapphire, and now she crosses paths with Bones Jr who has a vendetta against the entire Barsetti family. Poor girl. No matter how good of a fighter she is, she’s gotta cave at some point. or does she?
we know from the last book that the family discovered that Bones (the one who bought Pearl) had a son, but they didn’t know much about him. What we learn here is a bit more about who he is, what his life has been like and why he’s got a chip on his shoulder. He’s drawn the short stick because his mother was Bone’s mistress, and when he was killed by Pearl and family, she was left with nothing. When she was forced into prostitution to support her son, well that didn’t turn out well either and she was murdered and Bones was left on his own.
Where we are now in present day is just shortly after Vanessa’s horrible situation with Knuckles, she’s back to her old life and trying to really move past everything. She’s back at school, she’s getting involved with men again, but her guard is up. She takes different routes home every night in case someone is trying to follow her and wait to scoop her up, she’s taken precautions again in her home, but unfortunately for her, the route she takes home one night is the wrong one. Because she comes across a man murdering another man in an alley, and her life is changed forever. She’s kidnapped and when the man realizes who she is, things get worse fast.
Bones knows who Vanessa is, and while he’s got this score to settle with the family, he wasn’t actively pursuing her. She fell into his lap and that’s the best blessing he could have hoped for. He has his plan to kill her on video, send it to her parents and make them suffer. The problem though, as we’ve seen with Pearl and Adalina, these women are able to exude confidence, sexuality, power, and all of those things combined make their keepers unable to follow through in what they wanted to do. Vanessa makes a pea for Bones to let her go by offering herself to him, and from that point, we see a corner that they’ve turned.
The balance of the story that we have here is the endless question of what Bones is going to do with Vanessa and what chance will she have at freedom. The game that he’s playing is an interesting one because he keeps her hostage for about a week, and then allows her to go home, to live her life, have her phone, interact with her family, but if she breathes a word of anything to them, they are all dead. You can only imagine the complexity here since this is a family that doesn’t hold anything back, and doesn’t lie.
While she has her freedom though, he’s claimed her. Vanessa is his and no one is allowed to have what he wants and has. This is really where their chemistry becomes something unimaginable. It’s powerful, and intense ,to a level that none of the other couples have shared yet in my opinion. While they need each other as things progress, they also have this hatred and distrust that is a layer that’s unique to their story. The question that you have to remember is who will die since you know someone has to and how is it going to happen. Every time Vanessa thinks that she has the upper hand, she learns that Bones is a step ahead of her.
There are so many other spokes to this story that make me intrigued. For one, Vanessa keeps asking Bones what his real name is and he’s so opposed to sharing. i think there’s a story there that we don’t know yet. Next, Bones has always wanted to know who killed his mother so he could get revenge, and when things are narrowed down, it’s someone who’s maybe too powerful to take down.
The dynamic though of Vanessa and Bones is something that keeps this story moving so quickly. If you remember, Bones the elder was HORRIBLE. he was disgusting, inhumane, and vile. Bones Jr is really trying to be something different because he doesn’t believe in all that his father did, but he has to keep some sense of power because that’s what’s necessary to survive. Because he’s his own man though, we see so many redeeming qualities to Bones and want him to be a better man.
The moments when that man comes out, he is tender, romantic, sweet and really gives Vanessa everything that she could need. But he still has his bite. Vanessa on the other hand is Barsetti through and through and never gives up fighting for what she believes is right either physically or in spirit. The way that she’s able to get through to Bones during certain moments is intense, and that makes their passion and magnetism even more intense. Their scenes are completely reflective of how they are – when they come together, their heat and passion is explosive, hot and well….one of my favorite pairings in the series so far.
So many questions, so few answers. Will the Barsettis figure out what’s going on without Vanessa telling them and what will it mean? Who will come close to killing the other first and what are the repercussions? Will Bones survive trying to avenge his mother’s killing, and will Vanessa be caught in the crossfire? So much to wonder, so now i need the next book.
we know from the last book that the family discovered that Bones (the one who bought Pearl) had a son, but they didn’t know much about him. What we learn here is a bit more about who he is, what his life has been like and why he’s got a chip on his shoulder. He’s drawn the short stick because his mother was Bone’s mistress, and when he was killed by Pearl and family, she was left with nothing. When she was forced into prostitution to support her son, well that didn’t turn out well either and she was murdered and Bones was left on his own.
Where we are now in present day is just shortly after Vanessa’s horrible situation with Knuckles, she’s back to her old life and trying to really move past everything. She’s back at school, she’s getting involved with men again, but her guard is up. She takes different routes home every night in case someone is trying to follow her and wait to scoop her up, she’s taken precautions again in her home, but unfortunately for her, the route she takes home one night is the wrong one. Because she comes across a man murdering another man in an alley, and her life is changed forever. She’s kidnapped and when the man realizes who she is, things get worse fast.
Bones knows who Vanessa is, and while he’s got this score to settle with the family, he wasn’t actively pursuing her. She fell into his lap and that’s the best blessing he could have hoped for. He has his plan to kill her on video, send it to her parents and make them suffer. The problem though, as we’ve seen with Pearl and Adalina, these women are able to exude confidence, sexuality, power, and all of those things combined make their keepers unable to follow through in what they wanted to do. Vanessa makes a pea for Bones to let her go by offering herself to him, and from that point, we see a corner that they’ve turned.
The balance of the story that we have here is the endless question of what Bones is going to do with Vanessa and what chance will she have at freedom. The game that he’s playing is an interesting one because he keeps her hostage for about a week, and then allows her to go home, to live her life, have her phone, interact with her family, but if she breathes a word of anything to them, they are all dead. You can only imagine the complexity here since this is a family that doesn’t hold anything back, and doesn’t lie.
While she has her freedom though, he’s claimed her. Vanessa is his and no one is allowed to have what he wants and has. This is really where their chemistry becomes something unimaginable. It’s powerful, and intense ,to a level that none of the other couples have shared yet in my opinion. While they need each other as things progress, they also have this hatred and distrust that is a layer that’s unique to their story. The question that you have to remember is who will die since you know someone has to and how is it going to happen. Every time Vanessa thinks that she has the upper hand, she learns that Bones is a step ahead of her.
There are so many other spokes to this story that make me intrigued. For one, Vanessa keeps asking Bones what his real name is and he’s so opposed to sharing. i think there’s a story there that we don’t know yet. Next, Bones has always wanted to know who killed his mother so he could get revenge, and when things are narrowed down, it’s someone who’s maybe too powerful to take down.
The dynamic though of Vanessa and Bones is something that keeps this story moving so quickly. If you remember, Bones the elder was HORRIBLE. he was disgusting, inhumane, and vile. Bones Jr is really trying to be something different because he doesn’t believe in all that his father did, but he has to keep some sense of power because that’s what’s necessary to survive. Because he’s his own man though, we see so many redeeming qualities to Bones and want him to be a better man.
The moments when that man comes out, he is tender, romantic, sweet and really gives Vanessa everything that she could need. But he still has his bite. Vanessa on the other hand is Barsetti through and through and never gives up fighting for what she believes is right either physically or in spirit. The way that she’s able to get through to Bones during certain moments is intense, and that makes their passion and magnetism even more intense. Their scenes are completely reflective of how they are – when they come together, their heat and passion is explosive, hot and well….one of my favorite pairings in the series so far.
So many questions, so few answers. Will the Barsettis figure out what’s going on without Vanessa telling them and what will it mean? Who will come close to killing the other first and what are the repercussions? Will Bones survive trying to avenge his mother’s killing, and will Vanessa be caught in the crossfire? So much to wonder, so now i need the next book.
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