She’s my darkest obsession. And my only salvation.
Violence shattered us.
But she’s the one who stomped on the pieces.
Now, she thinks time, distance, and hiding from me means she’s escaped our games.
She’s wrong.
This time, when I catch her, I wont be letting go, no matter how hard she begs.
At least, that was the plan, until I realize I’m not the only shadow hunting her.
But she’s my prey. My obsession. She belongs to me, and me alone.
Our dark games have only just begun, printsessa.
And this time, there are no rules.
The Hunted Queen is a dark Bratva book. Readers are advised to read the TW inside. This is book two in a two-part duet. The Hunter King should be read before this book. The completed duet includes a HEA.
A reader first and foremost, Jagger Cole cut his romance writing teeth penning various fan-fiction stories years ago. After deciding to hang up his writing boots, Jagger worked in advertising pretending to be Don Draper. It worked enough to convince a woman way out of his league to marry him, though, which is a total win.
Now, Dad to two little princesses and King to a Queen, Jagger is thrilled to be back at the keyboard.
When not writing or reading romance books, he can be found woodworking, enjoying good whiskey, and grilling outside—rain or shine.
Plot Summary : Tiatiana thought that running away from the man she loved was the solution to her problems. It's not as if he loved her back. He used her. Right from the start. And not to mention the fact that he has been using her as his prey too. After so many years of being away from him , you would think that their pull is gone. Not at all. When they meet , sparks fly. Only this time there is only hate between them. From her end and from Kristoff's end too.
Kristoff knew that falling for a mafia princess has its complications but he was ready to face it all. Until he knew about her past. Nothing could have prepared him for the shock of learning how she ruined him. And the one person he loved. So he could not love her like that , he could only hate her. And the fact that she still ran away after breaking him? She was going to pay. And this time , there was no happy ending for her.
Overall Opinion : The second part of the duet is here! My god , what a rollercoaster this duet has been. We have a time leap through the story and those are my favourite parts! The angst once the characters reconnect is nothing like I have seen before. Some are for Kristoff and Titania. This time z they know the truth. They know how they are connected and how they destroyed each other . Or so they think. Is this another manipulation by their enemies? Another story to break them?
The ending of this duet is amazing the way the author opened a possible plot for another story for my favourite side character of this duet? Amazing! I do want her book badly! Definitely recommending this one to all the dark romance loving people out there!
Part two of the duet was also two and a half to three stars. There was an inconsistencies that bothered me. In this book she finds out he used to play guitar and then tell them how she would have gone back to Harvard and he's all surprised that he didn't know she was at Harvard. It doesn't come across as sarcastic or joking, if it was meant to be, because in the first book he tells her when he's faking her death that she's not going to be able to go back to harvard. Oh there's one or two other inconsistencies like that or in the timeline. Small things but they annoy me. I guess some of the other inconsistencies and the bad guy in the book even points it out is at one point the bad guy finds them and she's crying screaming and Frozen, when everywhere else she's been able to react even just a little bit to defend them or herself. And then because she scream and crying and carrying on in the helicopter she gets knocked out and tied up and the bad guy makes fun of how she was one of the best at one point. And any sort of training she seems to have had just goes out the window in the last part of the book. On the whole an enjoyable read and I like the Primal play and the connection on the overall between the two characters and the side characters.
I couldn’t out this duet down. Literally had my phone out in drive thru’s, school pick up lines, and even when waking up at 2am. If only to get a few more pages in before falling back asleep. I loved seeing old characters making appearances and things clicking into place when it came to some of those names from past stories. There is no doubt about it, this duet will have you thinking and thinking until nothing makes sense anymore. Lie and truths will blur together until you can’t trust anyone at all.
The romance? Mind-blowingly dirty and dark and utterly consuming. Everything between them is all about the chase. The hunter and the hunted. Cole was seriously unlocking kinks I never knew I needed.
The plot? Ho-ly hell. My mind is a broken. My heart is shredded. And that’s even after Cole giving us a happily ever after. I have a feeling it’s going to a couple days to recoup.
The Hunted Duet was just an all around amazing, page turner of a sexy read. One that chases you into a delicious darkness and holds you captive. 5 Stars!!
With this continued deep, dark, twisted take of Snow White and the Huntsman (but not) - I almost gave this four stars again just because of the lack of proofreading and some details I questioned but since I’m not really the type to give spoilers away I can’t in good faith complain. (Unless I truly despise a book and it was so awful that I DNF, lol)
This book is exactly what the author does best, the twists and turns the surprises… When I think I know, then I’m not sure, then I’m like 🤯🤯 And then saying No Way! It’s crazy how Jagger Cole can do that with his story telling. The 🔥🔥continues. And a sneaky suspicion tells me a dark, modern Beauty and Beast is on the horizon 😬😬🤞🏼🤞🏼.
First book was amazing this book not soo much. Excessive conflict/miscommunication/lack of trust. The couple doesn’t reunite for a too long. this book was definitely more kinky than the last one but I didn’t get all the feels like I did the first.
•.¸( *•.¸💙¸.•*´)¸.•*´🖤`*•..¸(*•.¸💙¸.•*´)¸.• ✨*•🖤... MY 5-⭐ REVIEW...🖤•*✨ .•*(¸.•*´💙`*•.¸)`*•.🖤¸.• *(¸.•* 💙 ´*•.¸)*•.
🌟 WHAM! WOWZA! WAY TO GO JAGGER COLE! WHAT A UNFREAKINGREAL EPIC 5🌟 ENDING TO THIS DUET! 🌟
GEEEEEEEEZE! I CAN'T EVEN!!!! JAGGER COLE ROCKS MY WORLD ONE MORE TIME WITH THE HUNTED QUEEN. A MAGNIFICENT UNFREAKINGREAL, UNCONVENTIONAL AND UNBELIEVABLE ROMANTIC SUSPENSE LOVE STORY. AN EPIC THRILL-FILLED DUET! A TRULY WONDERFUL 5-STAR READING EXPERIENCE! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I was so eager to start this book because the first book blew me right out of the water. I'm still reeling from how affected I was and still am. It is important to mention that this book is not a standalone. You must read The Hunter King first as this is a duet.
I love dark romance suspense and this book fits that bill for sure and then some. This book is dark, decadent, dirty and deviant. Please be aware that this book contains some very dark subject matter that could be triggering to some such as extreme fantasy role play and flashback child abuse. Although some scenes can be hard to read, they play an intricate role in the storyline and are necessary to tell. If you trigger easily please proceed with caution.
Good gawd man! This duet was so superbly written. The Hunted Queen, book 2 in The Hunted Series by author Jagger Cole takes place 5 years after the cliffhanger events took place at the end of book one. Let me tell you something... book two is equally if not even more exciting than book 1.
Since this is part two of the duet, I won't go over every detail that took place in book one because you should already know what's going on. I'll provide a recount surrounding the cliffy that we were left at...
At the end of the hugely exciting book one, we were left dangling on the jagged edge when truths were revealed about the death of Tatiana's father and Kristoff's part in it. As well as the truth about Kristoff's sister Nikita's death and Tatiana's role in that. Jana had taken Tatiana and that's when the truth was exposed. Kristoff crashes in to save the day. When he reluctantly confirms his part in her father's death, Tatiana, now Harriet, shoots him and he falls off the 8 story balcony. After another confession by Jana an explosion takes place, killing her and blowing Tatiana out over the balcony into the night sky and sending her into the frigid Thames river.
IN THE HUNTED QUEEN YOU GET:
One woman with many lives and many names.
One man's craving to have them all.
One lie that ripped them to shreds.
One truth that could reignite a passion that once burned so bright but was snuffed out far too soon and for far too long.
One woman who ran.
One man who chased.
One woman who believed she killed a man.
One man who believed the love of his life perished during an explosion.
One couple, each believing the other was dead, go in different directions not knowing the other survived.
One couple who defied everyone who tried to keep them apart, even in death.
One love that has the power to obliterate and destroy everything and everyone who tries to get in their way, including each other.
One cross to bear.
One family with secrets, lies and betrayal.
One other family biding their time.
One throne waiting for its rightful ruler.
One psychopathic evildoer with a deadly agenda.
One man's sick organization built to destroy and maim.
One villain so evil that even Satan himself takes notice.
One Glass Slipper. But this is no fairytale.
One woman and a heart shattering ultimatum.
One deal made with the devil to protect the one they love.
One monster back on the hunt. Determined to take down and destroy anyone who gets in the way of him finding his prey.
Put that altogether and you've got yourself one pretty amazing dark romance/romantic suspense that shook me up, left me spinning out of control with my mind racing. Take my word for it, there are no dull moments in the pages of this book. It's the whole dark romance enchilada. By the story's end my mind was exhausted and my heart felt so completely and joyously full, satisfied and I was left with a GINORMOUS book hangover.
Along with psycho Mikhail being, well Mikhail, so comes forced ultimatums, deadly threats, and demanded silence.
Misunderstandings, miscommunications, and believed betrayal keep this couple apart, along with some perceived jealousy, hate and hard feelings. But the hate is only surface hate, not soul deep. The love this couple share is so powerful that their overwhelming "need" for each other overcomes the power to hate. Even if they can't admit it to each other or even to themselves.
The dynamics of the relationship between Kristoff and Harry (formally Harriet and Tatiana) is a complicated one in book two. Hate plays a huge role. Kristoff battles himself and his perceived feelings of hate for Harry. He struggles with what she's done yet can't stay away. The magnetic pull he feels towards Harry is very strong.
However, he also wages a war with the monster caged within himself. He's so conflicted. Both loving and hating the truest love of his life. Because of his conflicting feelings towards Harry he becomes cold. His distant behavior and bitterness towards her after their "encounters" hurts her and leaves me wondering just how much she'll take from him before she's pushed too far. If I'm being honest I'll admit he was really ticking me off when he acted that way. I wanted to shake him and knock some sense into him. But I know that he believes she betrayed him in more than one way and has to come to terms with what she did and what she's doing in order for them to say goodbye to the hate and move forward.
But he's not alone in his misery. Harry is also struggling with what she's done to Kristoff as well as his family. But there is no question of her loyalty to him. They're both battling wars inside of themselves for different reasons.
One unknown sinister force hops on board this crazy train who proves to be very problematic for Harry. A dark force with even darker intentions who follows, toys, threatens and chases her. This adds another eerie and suspenseful element to an already suspenseful story that gave me full on body chills.
Evil always seems to be one step ahead of Harry. Whether the evildoer is the lunatic sociopath Mikhail whose blackmail scheme to take over the Balagula Bratva Empire is set in motion or another evildoer taunting and threatening Harry. The possibilities of evil are endless.
Harry is no china doll. But even the strongest can feel vulnerable. She's no exception. Even with the level of self defense training she's had, it appears not all safe places can keep evil out. Will this evil break down her reinforced walls that have kept her physically safe and emotionally distant even from her closest friends? When evil comes out to play, will she dance with the devil and put her training to some good use? I really can't say. But what I will say is never underestimate the power of a woman with an ax to grind and a man to love.
Evil in some form or another is always there watching, lurking, and there sure doesn't seem like there is an end to this madness in sight for our heroine. Her spidey senses are on high alert and she feels uneasy. It chases her. Keeps her running from something. Something unknown, something equally devious and dangerous and there is no peace for her, not even in sleep.
There's only ever been one place that Harry's ever felt truly safe. In the arms of the only man she's ever loved. The one man she vowed to protect. The only man who truly knows her pain and aids her in chasing her pleasure. The one man who can never know the truth. The price to pay for love can be great. Sometimes too great a price to pay.
Harry and Kristoff are a resourceful and power couple of a different, dangerous and deadly kind. They're no cookie cutter couple that's for sure. Two people who burn hotter than the sun for one another. Their unique bond is wild. They are and always will be powerful, predatorial, untamed and lethal.
They are one couple who fight and fight hard. For each other. For themselves. For everyone they love and have lost. They share a visceral bond so strong, so lethal that not even one's death could break them. Or could it? That's a good question but my lips are spilling no beans.
This love is a force to be reckoned with even while they're apart. Separately they can stand strong on their own. But together they are unbeatable. Their determination is unstoppable. Their thirst for retribution is undeniable.
Even after being faced with a barrage of complications, misunderstandings, challenges and monkey wrenches, once the truth is discovered, they stand tall, they remain steadfast and they fight evil together.
All the ruthless evildoers would do well to stand clear of this dynamic duo even if it appears they're in their weakest state. Their inner strength empowers them. Their passion drives them. Their love fuels them and their desire ignites them. And when the gloves come off it's going to be a deadly knock down dragged out reckoning. A determined fight for their well deserved and long awaited happily ever after.
Will the devils get their due?
What I've learned while reading this duet is to always expect the unexpected. Things aren't always what they seem. When you let your guard down even for a second, that's when it happens! Just when I thought nothing else could surprise me...
BIG......... BANG......... BOOM!!! In true Jagger Cole fashion, he went and WALLOPED me over my already spinning head by dropping what "I thought" was the mother load of a HUGE FREAKING TWIST in my lap. But then came another and then another and down the rabbit hole I went... AGAIN! It was shockingly fascinating and spellbinding to say the least. Now everything makes sense. The way it was all cleverly woven together was brilliant.
Once the twists were revealed, and my brain was functioning on all cylinders again, I felt not only exhilarated but re-energized as it all led into ONE HELLUVA EPIC SHOWDOWN AND SUPERNOVA FINALE!
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
~ I was really laughing out loud reading the first half of chapter 27. It was perfect. Perfectly hilarious! I was going to add a snippet of that chapter here but then I thought to myself, this is too good, too funny. You really have to read it for yourself.
~ I really loved the relationship between Kristoff and Misha Tsavakov. I thought their friendship was more like family. It was really special to see Kristoff take him under his wing, always wanting the best for him and his success. I was giggling a helluva lot at the hilarious banter between the two.
~ It was really awesome seeing some old friends again.
~ Gus and Jack really had me laughing. They were my favorite supporting characters.
~ I loved how Kristoff was like a thief in the night. I call him a stealthy night ninja.
~ I absolutely loved the amount of spine tingling suspense there is in this duet. I mean good grief! I swear the author was trying to send me into cardiac arrest.
~ The twists. Oh my freaking gawd the twists! I was fist bumping the air at the twists and reveling in my " Man I love twists happy place".
~ Our hero and heroine, Kristoff and Tatiana/Harriet/Harry (I swear she has more lives than a cat.) are fanfreakingtastic characters. Their characters were well developed and had so much depth to them. They now rank right up there as one of my all-time favorite couples.
SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST:
Mikhail Arakas, a villain like no other.. His character was so brilliantly written. May I just say that I thought I'd seen/read it all. He sure isn't your average everyday villain either. Nope! He was a perfect villain for a million reasons. What made his character so great, so alarming was the calmness he maintained with every word he uttered. He really creeped me out. Who knew just saying "Hello Tatiana" would give me chills?!
He was one terrifying cold fish I'll tell you. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do. No one was safe around him. He'd kill you for a quarter and smile while doing it and think nothing of it. Nothing meant more to him than himself and his agenda. He's a conniving classic narcissist. He held no loyalty towards anyone, towards mankind. That word is simply not in his vocabulary.
Everyone was a target to him, including everyone in The Ghost Syndicate and even his family members. He was so dang evil, so disturbing, and let me tell you he was without a doubt one of the worst evil doers I've ever come across.. His depraved indifference to human life boggles the mind and almost did me in. What he did I just can't say. Loose lips sink ships and all. But as horrifying as it was to read those parts it was necessary and a vital part to this storyline.
His frightening mannerisms made me love to hate him all the more. He just checked all the boxes for me and is now my #1 all-time favorite villain.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Little did I know what was coming my way when I chose to read this duet. What I did know was that I loved intense dark suspenseful romance. As soon as I started reading I was whisked away and lost to the amazing world of Kristoff and Tatiana. Tatiana wasn't the only one taken. In a way, I too was kidnapped right along with Tatiana along with my heart, mind and soul.
I was "all in" and taken on this journey right along with Kristoff and Tatiana. And as corny as it might sound, I swear it felt like I became a part of it all. Imagining I was right there with Tatiana, lurking around every corner, watching over her. I wonder if the heroine's spidey senses "felt" me there as well too?! That thought makes me smile.
The Hunted Duet is one of the best duets I've had the pleasure of reading and reviewing. The Hunted Queen is another great escape. For me, this read was a truly wonderful 5-star reading experience. A magnificent unconventional love story and thrill-filled romance duet.
If you're like me and can't get enough sizzling hot dark suspenseful romances then DO NOT PASS THIS BY. Read this duet.
THE HUNTED QUEEN is the second instalment in Jagger Cole’s contemporary, adult THE HUNTED dark, erotic, Bratva romance series set in the author’s Bratva Heirs, and Bratva’s Claim worlds. This is the continuing story of Bratva princess/heir Tatiana Fairist aka Harriet Marshall, and assassin Kristoff Zima. THE HUNTED QUEEN should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book one THE HUNTER KING.
WARNING Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Harriett and Kristoff) using present day and memories from the past, THE HUNTED QUEEN advances the series approximately five years. At the end of book one, Tatiana Fairist now known as Harriet Marshall discovered that everything she thought was the truth, was a lie. On the run for five years, staying one step ahead of the man she once loved, Harriet owns a local bar where she has re-established herself as someone else but the past has found our story line heroine, and as the only surviving heir to the Balagula Bratva, Harriet, once again, finds herself the target of power and greed. As Harriet struggles with a future that could end her life, the future of the man that she once loved is now in the hands of someone else. As the truth about the past is slowly revealed, Harriet’s life begins to unravel when her memories return revealing a past she doesn’t remembers, and someone she no longer recognizes.
Meanwhile Kristoff Zima struggles with the perceived betrayal by the woman he loved but continues to search for the one person he lost years before. Secrets and lies exposed reveal a deeper connection to our story line heroine, a woman whose life is out of her control.
The relationship between Kristoff and Harriet begins as an enemies to frenemies to lovers in the wake of betrayal and pretense. Harriet doesn’t remember the events of the past, and it is the past that reveals the truth about a secret organization that destroys the lives of so many, so young. With Harriet and Kristoff’s relationship struggling to survive, a familiar face is hoping to inflict as much pain as humanly possible. The $ex scenes are aggressive and provocative with some scenes of questionable consent.
The secondary and supporting characters are charismatic and intense, playing a significant role in the fall-out, both past and present, of our story line couple.
THE HUNTED QUEEN is a haunting story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and acceptance, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is gritty, raw and climactic; the romance is a second chance at forever; the characters are broken, heart breaking, and deadly.
4.25 stars--THE HUNTED QUEEN is the second instalment in Jagger Cole’s contemporary, adult THE HUNTED dark, erotic, Bratva romance series set in the author’s Bratva Heirs, and Bratva’s Claim worlds. This is the continuing story of Bratva princess/heir Tatiana Fairist aka Harriet Marshall, and assassin Kristoff Zima. THE HUNTED QUEEN should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book one THE HUNTER KING.
WARNING Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Harriett and Kristoff) using present day and memories from the past, THE HUNTED QUEEN advances the series approximately five years. At the end of book one, Tatiana Fairist now known as Harriet Marshall discovered that everything she thought was the truth, was a lie. On the run for five years, staying one step ahead of the man she once loved, Harriet owns a local bar where she has re-established herself as someone else but the past has found our story line heroine, and as the only surviving heir to the Balagula Bratva, Harriet, once again, finds herself the target of power and greed. As Harriet struggles with a future that could end her life, the future of the man that she once loved is now in the hands of someone else. As the truth about the past is slowly revealed, Harriet’s life begins to unravel when her memories return revealing a past she doesn’t remembers, and someone she no longer recognizes.
Meanwhile Kristoff Zima struggles with the perceived betrayal by the woman he loved but continues to search for the one person he lost years before. Secrets and lies exposed reveal a deeper connection to our story line heroine, a woman whose life is out of her control.
The relationship between Kristoff and Harriet begins as an enemies to frenemies to lovers in the wake of betrayal and pretense. Harriet doesn’t remember the events of the past, and it is the past that reveals the truth about a secret organization that destroys the lives of so many, so young. With Harriet and Kristoff’s relationship struggling to survive, a familiar face is hoping to inflict as much pain as humanly possible. The $ex scenes are aggressive and provocative with some scenes of questionable consent.
The secondary and supporting characters are charismatic and intense, playing a significant role in the fall-out, both past and present, of our story line couple.
THE HUNTED QUEEN is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and acceptance, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is gritty, raw and climactic; the romance is a second chance at forever; the characters are broken, heart breaking, and deadly.
I received this book as an ARC but all thoughts and opinions are mine alone. What a great book and duet!
First, I wanted to say that I appreciate that Jagger Cole gave us two books each around 400 pages. My pet peeve is when authors break up books into duets of 200 pages each. It feels like a money grab to me and I much prefer it this way.
This book has EVEN more twists and turns than the first book so definitely hold on to your seats when reading. The final twist, I didn’t see coming and I was gasping in surprise. I wouldn’t be shocked if others figure it out beforehand but I sure didn’t.
There are multiple time jumps throughout but I found it relatively easy to navigate as long as you finish The Hunter King and start this book ASAP so it’s still fresh. It was also lovely to see old friends again from other books show up. There were also some clues as to the next book MMC so I got excited for that.
Now, I feel like this book was more Second Chance Romance as Harry and Kristoff have to figure out if they can learn to love each other after the events of the first book. We see in the first book their bond to one another, and that bond is tested in this book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this duet. It was easy to read, had many twists and turns and held my interests throughout. Jagger Cole has been one of my consistent favorites for Mafia Romance and each book/series gets better and better.
Part two of the hunted duet. Jagger Cole knows how to do it! Thank God both of these books released the same day because the cliff hanger from book one was painful! This book starts immediately after the events of The Hunter King. The anxiety I had from book one rolled right on over to the beginning of book two. I could not put this book down. Great plot with lots of forward momentum and a spicy romance. Harriet and Kristoff are such an explosive couple and I couldn’t get enough. I didn’t realize these characters were from other books in this universe and now I want to devour all of these books. There really were so many twists in this story and I enjoyed the way this book wrapped up all of those lose ends so well. Make sure to check trigger warnings as this is a dark mafia romance. Thank you to Jagger Cole for providing an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I will be completely honest here. This story grabbed me from the beginning and wouldnt let go. I know I have said that many times before, but it is true each and every time. Tatiana/Harry and Kristoff have a chemistry that can only be explosive and level anything that gets in their way. They both overcame so many hurdles and even when it looked like they lost everything, they found a way to keep going. I cant really so much without giving everything away BUT I will say, I never saw that twist coming and I typically figure out the main conflicts fairly easily. I havent ever really been able to do that with any of Jagger's book which I absolutely LOVE. I can't wait to reread this duet again soon! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would.
The finale is as explosive as beginning! There are twists and turns that you have to keep your head on a swivel so they don’t pass you by. Secrets were revealed and lies exposed. It’s wonderful how The characters evolved over time. I can’t wait for whatever this author puts out next!!
Wow! What an adrenaline rush! So many twists and turns! Then bombshell after bombshell, so many unexpected turns! Had me on the edge of my seat! Explosive and Carnal! Awesome duet!
The Hunted Queen is the fifth book in the Kings & Villains series and the second book of the Hunted Duet.
Having been the heir to the throne in a Bratva empire, many would kill to have a chance to rule by Tatiana's side. After years in hiding, she makes one mistake that has a ripple effect that she didn't expect.
This is purposefully vague synopsis. I can't tell you about the plot of this book without spoiling the first book and also spoiling the big surprise that you learn at the beginning of this book. When I realized what happened, my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe that I didn't see it in the other books in this series. I love it when books are tied together but you don't know it until it's revealed!
Jagger Cole weaved a tangled web in the Bratva world that became more and more complicated as the story unfolded. This book had big revelations that I didn't see coming from book 1 and I really enjoyed how Cole brought it all together in the end. The messy journey in this book was drama and intriguing suspense and I couldn't put the book down.
Make sure to read The Hunter King (book 1 of the Duet) before you read this one. Buckle up, because you'll be in for a wild ride!
The Hunted Queen is a 2nd instalment in The Hunted Duet. It's the finely crafted ending to Kristoff and Harriet (formerly known as Tatiana) story, captivating from the beginning and keeping on the edge of the seat throughout the reading, with all those secrets, lies, manipulations, drama in place. Slowly missing pieces start falling into puzzle, uncovering buried deep hidden truths. When I thought I got all the answers given on the silver tray, Mr Cole threw so many different twists that I was questioning again what is what. And the final blow… was something I wouldn't have expected whatsoever while reading. Despite the fact that 5 years passed since that fatal night (ending of book 1) and that both thought the other one is dead, Kristoff and Harriet cannot deny their connection, strength of their affection, chemistry, lust and passion, it never lessen - even if it’s mixed with hatred, betrayal, scorn. Together they embrace their darkest desires, pushing their limits, feeding the craving of a depraved game of chase, hunter and the prey, finding their fulfilment in raw, rough, brutal and so demanded release. The Hunted Queen is flawlessly written dark mafia, age gap romance, with such intriguing plot, and with Mr Cole writing expect unexpected. Another one of his I simply couldn’t put it down.
This book is the rest of the story started with the Hunter King. The author adores his readers so much we get both books on the same day (even though it did take me two days to read them both). Let me just start by saying, when I started this duet I didn't realize the interaction of these characters with those from a previous story. Wow, I love this so much. So anyway, this book gives us the rest of the story, what happened to these two characters. There are soooo many spoilers, I can't say much other than, I guessed one of the twists, but not the other. This story was action packed but smexy kinky as well. Just loved the action (both kinds, LOL). Great HEA.
I received a copy of this book from the author and I'm voluntarily leaving this honest, unbiased review.
Just didn't deliver. The first book's ending set up for a good second. Yet I felt this book dragged on, the twists were too obvious (all of them) and the smut was so repetitive I just ended up skipping it.
I had enjoyed the Heirs series so I assumed I would like the rest, but this seemed to turn me off of the rest of Jagger Cole's books.
After the explosive ending of book 1, The Hunter King, we jump 5 years ahead where Tatiana, now Harriet, is the owner of the Glass Slipper. I love how the author has woven in past characters from his previous novels/series - I was already a fan of Harriet when she was simply the boss and friend of Ella Ransom (from the Kings and Villains Duet). Now we have a deeper understanding of what she was going through during that time and how fierce of a woman she truly is.
Kristoff is a lethal man with a dark past but I appreciated how quickly he recognized his feelings for Harriet. Even while finding themselves ensnared in the twisted schemes of their enemies they had an all consuming hunger for each other that neither could resist.
"Run, little one. Run hard. Run fierce. It only makes me hungrier to catch you." - Kristoff
"...she bangs on the bars holding back my demon and completes my darkness..." - Kristoff
Jagger Cole delivers sensual and creatively lush erotic scenes throughout the Hunted Duet. The scene of them crashing together at the Glass Slipper where Kristoff marks Harriet in his scent is a personal favorite!!! I'm pretty sure I highlighted the entire chapter in my Kindle *smirk*
Of course with any dark romance novel you want to feel the passion between the protagonists but it's also important to show tender moments. For example, Kristoff mentions how he will later tend to Harriets scrapes after one of their kink-filled chases across his private island. I was glad to see this; these more intimate and caring moments make all the difference in elevating a good story to a GREAT ONE. Overall I was impressed with how well balanced Kristoff and Harriet's romance was portrayed, which regrettably I feel isn't always true for every JC novel.
As for the conclusion, I thought the author did a great job of providing a satisfactory and clever ending to this duet. I did not foresee all the surprising twists. Reading how Dexter got his comeuppance was another personal highlight of mine!
TW's provided inside the novel include a chase kink, CNC, and breath-play, as well as graphic depictions of past trauma.
No cheating, some OW/OM drama - hero and heroine are respectful of each other IMO and stay true to each other throughout their separation. I enjoyed the jealous and possessive moments between these two as well.
A highly recommended duet for anyone looking for their next naughty romantic escape!
I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the author's ARC team; I am voluntarily sharing my honest review.
Book 2 of this amazing duet picks up 5 years later in London where Tatiana is now Harriet (Harry) and she is working in her bar and trying to forget Kristoff and everything that has happened on the island. She still urns for him but she knows if he was still alive he would come for her but she can’t allow herself to think that. She has to focus on the present and her future without him. She dreamed that maybe he survived and would come for her but 5 years later those hopes are slowly being diminished!
Mikhail has tracked her down and there is no escaping the Council and she is being forced to marry his second in command Decker because it’s the only way for her to claim her throne and then hand it over to Mikhail. She wants nothing to do with anything Bratva related but if she doesn’t do as he wants she will be killed as well as everyone she cares about and she will not let anymore blood be shed because of her. She agrees to his terms and then waits for him to give her his next step of directions. She knows she can’t get away from Mikhail so she does what she has to in order to survive.
Kristoff believes Tatiana died in the blast and he can’t believe what he is seeing her with Mikhail makes his blood boil over. Their reunion is not all hearts and roses. They are both so mad at each other that in true Kristoff & Tatiana fashion they yell, scream, fight & get lost in each other because they belong to each other even though both of them are too stubborn to admit it!
Kristoff has to learn the truth behind her father’s death and he must be true to Misha and his Bratva because he deserves his loyalty! However, when he learns that she’s alive he goes on the hunt because she won’t be escaping him this time. She is his and only his so even if he has to kidnap her again she will only belong to him! Kristoff is keeping a secret of his own and he has to tell Harriet what that is if they have any chance of them making this relationship work!
Harriet can’t believe he’s here and he’s alive. She is both angry and overjoyed at the same time. She knows she has to reveal the truth behind Mikhail’s threats but she can’t lose him again.
This duet will leave you breathless at times. Other times the suspense and drama along with the various secrets and betrayal that come to light. You will never see some of these secrets and twists that will leave your heart spinning. As always this duet is beyond amazing. The characters are phenomenally written and you will love the plot twists that will end in the HEA that you have been hoping for since you first met them in Book 1! Happy Reading!!
The second book to the hunter duet was not as addictive as the first but thankfully Kristoff and Tatianna (or if you prefer the god-awful name Harriet) find their own happy ending.
I think the problem I run into with The Hunter Queen is that it feels extremely repetitive. There are plenty of slow reveals throughout the book which would be fine but I have a problem when books dangle the unknown several times in a chapter like what happened with Oliver.
There are a couple of other things I notice:
- We experience predictability as we find out that Kristoff and Tatianna didn’t kill each other’s family. I’m thankful for that conclusion but I can’t say I didn’t see that coming clear as day. - How did Tatianna avoid pregnancy throughout the series with him spilling into her every spice scene? lol. - Why didn’t Decker stab Kristoff in the neck when he had the chance? (I mean with as many pages we have left I get why it wouldn’t make since for Kris to die now but I would think this character would try harder with the amount of anger he harbored). - How was Tatianna unable to fight Decker off when she’s been training so hard and was the best fighter in Mikhail’s class? Doesn’t she know how to dismantle a gun in seconds? - There are some inconsistencies such as Kristoff’s surprise that Tatianna was in Harvard but he knew + mentioned this in the first book. - The twist related to Mikhail (I have mixed feelings on this one as i’m all for plot twists but this one the plot feel even messier)
And even with these few issues, there were other things I clearly enjoyed:
- Banter, romance and growth of Kristoff and Tatianna. - More of Anastasia and Misha’s story (I plan on checking out their books if there are any). - I love Oliver and I’m not even sure why. - The twist related to Kristoff’s sister? man, i love a HEA. - The steam was steaming.
This duet was a ride that I won’t forget. There are some scenes in the book that make me raise an eyebrow but I’m glad I took a chance on because I found another couple I genuinely loved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Dnf @68% yeah i really tried to finish it but this has been sooo stretched out that i just can’t.
Someone just pull a gun and put a bullet in Mik’s head and be done with it.
{ I exhale for the sister that was taken from me. And when I breathe in again, I inhale peace. "My brother-" she chokes, looking away. "I have no hate for your brother," I murmur. "I can't hate a weapon. But I can hate the man who built it, and loaded it, and gleefully pulled the trig-ger." I reach out and put a hand on Anastasia's shoulder. }
Okay so its okay to hate a 14 year old Tatiana who was forced to kill your sister but its okay to immediately forgive anastasia’s brother? Kristoff killed two kids his age at fourteen. How is that different? Because its Nikita? I feel like this is very hypocritical. Yes Anastasia’s brpther might have died while in training so there is no reason for hate, yes it’s different when you think the person who killed your sister is also who you try to kiss so i understand hpw that was an obstacle for him but come on. Mik forced kids to fight and kill each other. KRISTOFF HIMSELF killed two other kids. How can he go from being angry and throwing killing his sister in Tatiana’s face to then be all blasé about it in an instant. I just don’t like it at all. Tatiana has been traumatised, forced and turned into a weapon and forgot and instead of relating to what she went through, what they BOTH went through, he’s throwing it in her face and making her feel like shit about it. I mean yeah at least he didn’t shoot her in the chest like Tatiana did when she thought Kris had killed her father. At some point, i just feel like they need to say fuck it and put the past in the past and live in the moment and the future. There is just too much shit and miss communication and over the top drama for me. I mean the first time jump was somewhat acceptable. I got that. I could live with that. But then the next book began with ‘5 YEARS LATER’ i almost said bye bye.
Inevitably, i am saying bye bye at 68%
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received this free eARC novel from the author. This is my honest review.
I binged this duet in 13 hours, and while I wished I could have savored it a bit longer, I had this uncontrollable NEED to see how everything came together. I don't regret my rushed, obsessed reading I just did one bit because, y'all, this duet is amazing!
I usually get mad at characters when they don't communicate with each other, and while I did get a bit frustrated with these two, in the end, they were listening to other characters and it was just messing them up. I don't think any amount of talking would have helped since they "thought" they were getting legit information from outside sources. But the amount of back and forth information was like watching a tennis match, and I got a bit discombobulated at times.
Everything wrapped up and we got the REAL answers by the end. I did actually stumble upon a big discovery 2 pages before the reveal, which I was really proud of myself for haha.
Kristoff and Harriet are strong, amazing characters. They are true fighters that will do anything to find the truth and find each other, no matter how they feel in the moment towards each other. Their pasts were really messed up and I wish people like Mikhail are never born, but sadly that's just not real life.
I fell for everything in this book, the good, the bad, the darkness, the light. I feel like a ton of readers are going to get sucked into this story just as hard as I did in the last 2 days and I'm looking forward to the next intense adventure this author will take the readers on!
This duet was nothing short of spectacular. This world that Jagger has created is dark, lethal and absolutely addicting. The Russian Bratva is the baseline of his most current stories. Even though these stories could be read as standalones, you will have greater fulfillment reading them in the recommended sequential order. The relationships between the characters in all of the books tie together so well. I love this world!
The particular characters in this duet are strong, determined and confident. You must read Hunter King before this book. I’m Hunter King, Kristof, a Russian assassin is hired to take the life of a young Russian Bratva Princess in order to gain information of a very personal nature, where his younger sister’s final resting place lies. Unfortunately, when he goes to complete this assignment, he can’t go through with it and kidnaps her instead, clearly putting a kink into the plan.
Things get complicated as the plot thickens. Harriet and Kristof both, have had tragic loss in their lives and refuse to let anyone tear down their walls that they built so securely around their hearts. In the Hunted Queen, a big turn of events send them separate ways. Will they be able to forgive themselves and each other when light is shed on these tragic events? Will time heal those wounds?
These books are hot with lots of kink. If you like dark romance with kink, this duet will not disappoint!!! Jagger has grown so much as an author over the last couple of years, his books only get better and better! This was a phenomenal read!! I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Thank you Jagger for this amazing conclusion of the Hunted duet! I was lucky enough to get advanced copies of both books of this duet to read for my honest review, and boy was I happy I did not have to wait for two separate releases! If you can, try and read his story in the Darkly Ever After anthology and the Cinder duet first to get the full experience. Back to this epic duet! The first book ended on a major cliffhanger, so The Hunted Queen kicks off addressing the aftermath, then takes a time jump to years after the incident. Kristoff and now Harriet are both living their own lives, thinking the other is gone, until the past comes knocking at their door again and they are reunited in a hot chase! The emotions are a rollercoaster as they navigate this new relationship that has such a complicated past and still so many truths and lies intertwined within it. Jagger does an amazing job answering all of the questions you have from the first book and finally letting everyone in on the truth, and boy were those twists and turns worth the wait! The chemistry has not fizzled during the time they spent apart and if anything just heightens in this book and I enjoyed every second of their hunting and chasing scenes 🥵 Overall this duet was everything and I highly recommend it! Very difficult to not give away any spoilers, so all I will say is your mind and heart will be all over the place in the best way possible throughout both books!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "THE HUNTED QUEEN" I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into this book after that shooking cliffhanger needed to know what happened, this still has so many secrets, lies, intrigue, suspense, danger, passion, angst, heartbreak, vengeance, forgiveness, obsession, its a page turner for sure. Tatiana Fairist now Harriet Marshall has been running for 5yrs not knowing if Kristoff was dead after that fateful night, she now the proud owner of a Bar she wanted when he found her before its now a reality, until she's found once again being the only heir of Balagula Empire she's targeted for the power & greed. Kristoff Zima is still reeling from the betrayal of the woman he loved he's been searching for her for 5hrs he still doesn't know Tatiana/Harriet never knew she was part of Ghost Syndicate all thise years ago but he wants answers. Harriet finally runs into Kristoff after so many years both thinking the other was dead how they hated each other for what they thought each other did until the truth is revealed & forgiveness comes slowly. I definitely recommend to get this brilliantly written Dark Twisted story I loved "Kristoff & Tatiana/Harriet they had a connection that couldn't be broken, but still so many twists & turns so many secrets & lies to come out can these two get a HEA in the end you must get this book. LOVED LOVED IT
in the first book I tried to understand Tatiana's behavior. She believed easily and was easily deceived because she was young. But when the second book started For the third time, she was so easily convinced by someone's words. make me want to scream Okay...it's possible. But...I think she should think and reflect carefully. She had made a mistake with the life of the man she loved at stake. I think she will learn a lesson. But not at all... She still believes the lie. not just Tatiana, but also Kristoff, although he is better than her. But it's not that he won't be deceived. I think the character Both Tatiana and Kristoff were the best students at the special training school. But why is it so easily deceived? Why did they allow Jana and Mikhail to sow the seeds of lies in their minds? Until they have to hunt and misunderstand each other? This is what confused and contradicted me the most. I almost stopped reading But I think Jagger's novel always surprises me. So I kept reading, and yes, the content after that is unpredictable. both twisted and complicated especially Peter and Mikhail. Although some scenes are like retelling with only changing characters, however, I still enjoy this novel.
Wow! What a ride reading this duet. I loved the intense action-packed story as well as the characters. Even the villains were interesting. Kristoff is quite the character. He’s practically invincible; a real terminator but there is also the gentle giving and possessive side to him. Then, for Tatiana, there is a dark monster lurking behind his baby blues and this is the thrilling side that gets to Tatiana, aka Harriet. Their chase & catch sexcapades are very 5 alarm fire HOT! Many of the characters are just puppets being played by the evil Mikhail. This puppet master controls all. He always seems to be one step ahead of everyone else. Mikhail has ruined, corrupted even killed many children at his “school” while teaching them to become his mercenary army. His evil training deeply damaged young Kristoff and Tatiana and Nikita to name a few. This dark story is full of suspense and mystery; you never know what’s going to happen. With all the shocking things you learn, you just can’t put this story down... BUT...it still has a happy ending. I received a free advanced copy of this story from Bookfunnel and am leaving my honest opinion. Linda