What do you think?
Rate this book
When your best friend is murdered, I recommend not falling for the serial killer responsible.
A hot new dark crime romance perfect for lovers of JT Geissinger’s Queens & Monsters series and Sophie Lark’s Underworld Series.
Serial killers, secret identities, an unhinged crime boss with a dirty mouth and one explosive enemies-to-lovers romance.
When Harlow is a witness to her best friend’s murder by the serial killer terrorizing June Harbor, she grows frustrated with the police’s lack of progress and decides to take matters in her own hands.
She soon falls head first into in intricate plot of deception, dark family secrets and one dangerous criminal who is dead set on making her his.
This is a dark, spicy romance, for a detailed list of content please visit author's website.
A hot new dark crime romance perfect for lovers of JT Geissinger’s Queens & Monsters series and Sophie Lark’s Underworld Series.
Serial killers, secret identities, an unhinged crime boss with a dirty mouth and one explosive enemies-to-lovers romance.
When Harlow is a witness to her best friend’s murder by the serial killer terrorizing June Harbor, she grows frustrated with the police’s lack of progress and decides to take matters in her own hands.
She soon falls head first into in intricate plot of deception, dark family secrets and one dangerous criminal who is dead set on making her his.
This is a dark, spicy romance, for a detailed list of content please visit author's website.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2022
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,990 reviews
October 8, 2026
someone shoot me… this was going good until he called her a bitch during sexy time…more than once. eugh brother eugh
November 6, 2022
the disappointment you guys…never trust a tiktok recommendation
they make it sound like the fmc is one bad ass bitch but all we get is a dumb crybaby
they make it sound like the fmc is one bad ass bitch but all we get is a dumb crybaby
November 30, 2022
make me unread this
February 17, 2025
3.5 ☆
i thought i was desensitized to smut by now, but i was seriously shook. every minute i read about what cash and harlow were doing in this book... i felt like i dislodged an organ. but anyway, the romance seemed too instant and lust-focused without proper development which is why i'm giving it a 3.5 but nonetheless, i still found the premise fun.
*check Tws if you plan on reading.
i thought i was desensitized to smut by now, but i was seriously shook. every minute i read about what cash and harlow were doing in this book... i felt like i dislodged an organ. but anyway, the romance seemed too instant and lust-focused without proper development which is why i'm giving it a 3.5 but nonetheless, i still found the premise fun.
*check Tws if you plan on reading.
December 18, 2022
I cannot with the daddy kink.
November 23, 2022
4.25⭐️
If you're into insta love, a bit of boy obsessed and loads of smut, then this is the right book for you. This is my first read by Summer and it def won't be my last! There were points in the story were things felt a bit off and sudden along with the abrupt ending - not to mention the fact that the author kept referring to other male characters frequently as "white man"...I felt it to be uncessary but whatever. The plot wasn't solid either since this book was supposed to revolved around the mystery of Beth's actual killer - the reveal was a tad bit disappointing imo. Along with this, I felt like the daddy kink was a bit overused and cringey at times (personally, I'm not a huge fan but I don't mind it when it's done properly) hence the 4.25⭐️. Nonetheless, this was a decent and pretty enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more about the Fox brothers🥰
P.S. Get you a man who'll seduce you in Gaelic and calls you "a chuisle"😩
If you're into insta love, a bit of boy obsessed and loads of smut, then this is the right book for you. This is my first read by Summer and it def won't be my last! There were points in the story were things felt a bit off and sudden along with the abrupt ending - not to mention the fact that the author kept referring to other male characters frequently as "white man"...I felt it to be uncessary but whatever. The plot wasn't solid either since this book was supposed to revolved around the mystery of Beth's actual killer - the reveal was a tad bit disappointing imo. Along with this, I felt like the daddy kink was a bit overused and cringey at times (personally, I'm not a huge fan but I don't mind it when it's done properly) hence the 4.25⭐️. Nonetheless, this was a decent and pretty enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more about the Fox brothers🥰
P.S. Get you a man who'll seduce you in Gaelic and calls you "a chuisle"😩
July 30, 2023
that'll make ya p***y throb. THAT WILL DO ITTTTTT.
this was cuckoo for cocoa puffs, spicy as all get out, and off the rails in the best way. crime boss/mafia boss x enemies to lovers x he's obsessed with her x he's rich x he's down SOOOO bad when he notices she's following him, he starts walking so it's easier for her.
this was hot and crazy. just the way i like it.
this was cuckoo for cocoa puffs, spicy as all get out, and off the rails in the best way. crime boss/mafia boss x enemies to lovers x he's obsessed with her x he's rich x he's down SOOOO bad when he notices she's following him, he starts walking so it's easier for her.
this was hot and crazy. just the way i like it.
November 11, 2022
3.3 stars.
Uhhhh…meh?
This was…toxic, is really the only thing I can think of.
Harlow and Cash’s relationship was just absolutely toxic.
It started out pretty promising, with the murder and the stalker getting stalked right back. That was fun. Really entertaining.
Then they got together, and it all kind of went to shit.
The sex is admittedly hot. But it just felt empty and hateful since there was Zero aftercare throughout the Entire book.
The whole degradation thing only works when it’s followed by care, love, praise…literally anything besides what Cash did 99% of the time. Which was leaving her wherever she was and not talking to her for a while. So it didn’t feel like he was just talking to her like that to get her and him off, it just felt like he had zero respect for her.
Which was a total contradiction from his thoughts. He was all lovey dovey in his head, but None of his actions actually matched that energy, so what was the point?
Then the murder mystery…There was no trust in this relationship, whatsoever. Harlow really fucked things up. And then Cash punished her…but it wasn’t an actual punishment because he didn’t forgive her afterwards…?
I just.
Wow.
I feel icky after all that toxicity.
This took me on a ride, that’s for sure.
It was fun for a while, and then it just got progressively worse while I kept reading, hoping something would switch.
Let’s just say, I will not be continuing with the series.
Uhhhh…meh?
This was…toxic, is really the only thing I can think of.
Harlow and Cash’s relationship was just absolutely toxic.
It started out pretty promising, with the murder and the stalker getting stalked right back. That was fun. Really entertaining.
Then they got together, and it all kind of went to shit.
The sex is admittedly hot. But it just felt empty and hateful since there was Zero aftercare throughout the Entire book.
The whole degradation thing only works when it’s followed by care, love, praise…literally anything besides what Cash did 99% of the time. Which was leaving her wherever she was and not talking to her for a while. So it didn’t feel like he was just talking to her like that to get her and him off, it just felt like he had zero respect for her.
Which was a total contradiction from his thoughts. He was all lovey dovey in his head, but None of his actions actually matched that energy, so what was the point?
Then the murder mystery…There was no trust in this relationship, whatsoever. Harlow really fucked things up. And then Cash punished her…but it wasn’t an actual punishment because he didn’t forgive her afterwards…?
I just.
Wow.
I feel icky after all that toxicity.
This took me on a ride, that’s for sure.
It was fun for a while, and then it just got progressively worse while I kept reading, hoping something would switch.
Let’s just say, I will not be continuing with the series.
Read
April 30, 2023DNF at 35%
Dang. I had high hopes for this one after all the reviews I saw. But sadly, I couldn't get into this story to save my life.
1. The overuse of "white" as a descriptor when it come to the FMC's POV. I need good visuals for my characters, but this is the laziest and blandest way to describe anyone, especially when in the 40% I did manage to read didn't include any other skin color. White man, white middle aged man, white woman, blah blah blah. Then there was this one Speaking of average. This white man is exactly that. OK?
I have no idea why that's even needed. Call him a man and move on. It adds absolutely nothing to the story, particularly for random characters that aren't even secondary. Once or twice is fine, but after a while, it seriously began to grate on me.
2. The ridiculous stereotype of Russian mob didn't help.
A tall, white man with a buzzed head comes in, dressed in a red Adidas sweat suit that immediately catches my attention.
I mean, all he was missing was a bottle of vodka and a gold chain, and we have ourselves a 90s villain.
And you know, we got to throw in "Putin lover" as an insult, to fully complete this. Am I being nitpicky? Yes. But as someone who grew up in the previous USSR with family from Ukraine and Russia, this grated on me.
All that aside, I could have moved past it if the story gripped me. But sadly, I wasn't connected to either character or the story. The insta love that came out of no where just sealed the deal sadly.
I'm sure many would love this one, but it wasn't the book for me. shrugs
Find me on:
Dang. I had high hopes for this one after all the reviews I saw. But sadly, I couldn't get into this story to save my life.
1. The overuse of "white" as a descriptor when it come to the FMC's POV. I need good visuals for my characters, but this is the laziest and blandest way to describe anyone, especially when in the 40% I did manage to read didn't include any other skin color. White man, white middle aged man, white woman, blah blah blah. Then there was this one Speaking of average. This white man is exactly that. OK?
I have no idea why that's even needed. Call him a man and move on. It adds absolutely nothing to the story, particularly for random characters that aren't even secondary. Once or twice is fine, but after a while, it seriously began to grate on me.
2. The ridiculous stereotype of Russian mob didn't help.
A tall, white man with a buzzed head comes in, dressed in a red Adidas sweat suit that immediately catches my attention.
I mean, all he was missing was a bottle of vodka and a gold chain, and we have ourselves a 90s villain.
And you know, we got to throw in "Putin lover" as an insult, to fully complete this. Am I being nitpicky? Yes. But as someone who grew up in the previous USSR with family from Ukraine and Russia, this grated on me.
All that aside, I could have moved past it if the story gripped me. But sadly, I wasn't connected to either character or the story. The insta love that came out of no where just sealed the deal sadly.
I'm sure many would love this one, but it wasn't the book for me. shrugs
Find me on:
November 6, 2022
The story started out sooo well I'm so disappointed on how the main characters' love story developed! The insta love was very forced on the ML, the FL was in real need of a therapist after what she witnessed and not some verbal abuse from the dude, the progression of their love story really was bs.. the namecalling felt off...(again I've read a load of weird shit) he really didn't need to call her such dirty names after having been romantic and doting on her like a paragraph prior lol.
Don't even get me started on the 'daddy' shit omg I was cringing from the inside-out!!!
Don't even get me started on the 'daddy' shit omg I was cringing from the inside-out!!!
November 9, 2022
5 mouth watering 💦⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ♾️
❝ I’m not a religious man, but goddamn if she didn’t make me want to drop to my knees in worship❞
Super intense 🔥🔥🔥
Play list heaven
EVERYONE SHOULD RUN and start
reading this. Because HOLY SPICES 🍆🍑💦🌬️🔫🩸🥵🥵🥵
❝You said there was nothing holy about me, but being inside you is fu©king heaven ❞
All the best parts that make a good read are there
Immaculate writing.good storyline, plot. Twists at every turn, sassy, bada$$ heroine and a man obsessed. Everything is equal parts of swoon , dark, lntense ana also informative. Because this author made sure we are aware of solitary confinement violations in UN (Well
done Summer 🙏🏼🙏🏼)
❝ Without you, my heart wouldn’t beat, a chuisle mo chroí❞
Cash and Harlow are so unique. Their story is way far from the stereotypical relationship construction it was funny at times. But again, So0000 intense and fire 🔥🔥🔥🥵🥵
❝ We’re endgame, baby, and if you don’t see that, you better put that bullet in my head right now because I’m gonna ruin all other men for you when I worship every inch of your body.” ❞
🔥Kidnapping
🔥Daddy 😵
🔥$pitting
🔥Hand necklace
🔥 $lapping
🔥🍆🍑
🔥All THE FU©KING HEAT
🔥Mystery/crime
🔥Mafia (Russian X Irish)
🔥OTT JP HERO
🔥 OBSESSED 😩
Alsooo a huge appreciation for the constant
white person mention because authors usually
only bother to point when a POC makes an appearance S000 thank you for that.
❝ I’m not a religious man, but goddamn if she didn’t make me want to drop to my knees in worship❞
Super intense 🔥🔥🔥
Play list heaven
EVERYONE SHOULD RUN and start
reading this. Because HOLY SPICES 🍆🍑💦🌬️🔫🩸🥵🥵🥵
❝You said there was nothing holy about me, but being inside you is fu©king heaven ❞
All the best parts that make a good read are there
Immaculate writing.good storyline, plot. Twists at every turn, sassy, bada$$ heroine and a man obsessed. Everything is equal parts of swoon , dark, lntense ana also informative. Because this author made sure we are aware of solitary confinement violations in UN (Well
done Summer 🙏🏼🙏🏼)
❝ Without you, my heart wouldn’t beat, a chuisle mo chroí❞
Cash and Harlow are so unique. Their story is way far from the stereotypical relationship construction it was funny at times. But again, So0000 intense and fire 🔥🔥🔥🥵🥵
❝ We’re endgame, baby, and if you don’t see that, you better put that bullet in my head right now because I’m gonna ruin all other men for you when I worship every inch of your body.” ❞
🔥Kidnapping
🔥Daddy 😵
🔥$pitting
🔥Hand necklace
🔥 $lapping
🔥🍆🍑
🔥All THE FU©KING HEAT
🔥Mystery/crime
🔥Mafia (Russian X Irish)
🔥OTT JP HERO
🔥 OBSESSED 😩
Alsooo a huge appreciation for the constant
white person mention because authors usually
only bother to point when a POC makes an appearance S000 thank you for that.
March 31, 2023
2.25
Insta-love on the guys pov.
“if she protested, I’d shove her face into the pillow so I wouldn’t have to hear it.” 🚨🤚😯
“You would have fought me at first. And it would have only made me harder—“🤨👊
Also 54% in he just started calling himself daddy at random.
70% = smut or talking about sex
5% = chasing the serial killer
25% = nothing.
“A chuisle, I would shoot my own dick off if it meant you were safe,” then do it😐
Didn’t feel their chemistry.
The ending was anticlimactic.
Insta-love on the guys pov.
“if she protested, I’d shove her face into the pillow so I wouldn’t have to hear it.” 🚨🤚😯
“You would have fought me at first. And it would have only made me harder—“🤨👊
Also 54% in he just started calling himself daddy at random.
70% = smut or talking about sex
5% = chasing the serial killer
25% = nothing.
“A chuisle, I would shoot my own dick off if it meant you were safe,” then do it😐
Didn’t feel their chemistry.
The ending was anticlimactic.
December 26, 2022
Over the top, instant obsessed hero and I had a great time.
4 stars
4 on the spice scale
CW: dubcon
4 stars
4 on the spice scale
CW: dubcon
Read
November 22, 2022tiktok lied. again.
DNF at 41%
DNF at 41%
October 19, 2022
ARC Review - 5✨
Well, I read this book in a go. I couldn’t stop even if I tried. Its the first Summer’s book I have read and I really liked the writing style. First of all, tropes.
-Criminal syndicate
-Possessive mmc with ‘touch her and you die’
-Obsessed mmc since the beginning.
-Impact play
-Daddy Kink
-Spitting :p
-Praise and degradation
-Breath play
-Edging
-Stalker(ish) fmc
-Body inclusive with plus-size fmc
Its safe to say I love all of the above. If you like any of that, give this book a read. I was invested in the story since the beginning, I wanted to know who killed our fmc best friend, but I also needed DESPERATELY for Harlow and Cash to interactuate and be together. I loved their personalities and especially how ruthless but loving Cash was. Harlow made me think of myself. She’s strong, fierce and stubborn. The mafia, mystery and romance plots were balanced so it didn’t feel like something was missing. I laughed and also got really emotional, I had this hot pressure in my chest during all of it, which is what I get every time I’m loving and living a story I’m reading. Hence the 5 stars. Also, there’s a playlist with great music and the author lets you know when to listen to the songs, which I personally adore.
Last but not least, the spice in this book… girl give me more of that because I swear to god I needed to call my boyfriend afterwards 🥵❤️🔥
Well, I read this book in a go. I couldn’t stop even if I tried. Its the first Summer’s book I have read and I really liked the writing style. First of all, tropes.
-Criminal syndicate
-Possessive mmc with ‘touch her and you die’
-Obsessed mmc since the beginning.
-Impact play
-Daddy Kink
-Spitting :p
-Praise and degradation
-Breath play
-Edging
-Stalker(ish) fmc
-Body inclusive with plus-size fmc
Its safe to say I love all of the above. If you like any of that, give this book a read. I was invested in the story since the beginning, I wanted to know who killed our fmc best friend, but I also needed DESPERATELY for Harlow and Cash to interactuate and be together. I loved their personalities and especially how ruthless but loving Cash was. Harlow made me think of myself. She’s strong, fierce and stubborn. The mafia, mystery and romance plots were balanced so it didn’t feel like something was missing. I laughed and also got really emotional, I had this hot pressure in my chest during all of it, which is what I get every time I’m loving and living a story I’m reading. Hence the 5 stars. Also, there’s a playlist with great music and the author lets you know when to listen to the songs, which I personally adore.
Last but not least, the spice in this book… girl give me more of that because I swear to god I needed to call my boyfriend afterwards 🥵❤️🔥
February 22, 2023
“daddy’s fucking ravenous for you”
i wanted to dnf this book so many times it’s not even comedic. he wasn’t even toxic in a good way
i wanted to dnf this book so many times it’s not even comedic. he wasn’t even toxic in a good way
December 18, 2022
This cannot be real.
DNF @ 88%
DNF @ 88%
February 24, 2023
this went from a 4 star read in the first ten chapters to a 2 star read by mid-point and i‘m salty about it
January 3, 2023
this book was bleh. it started out so well but the main characters were pretty much together at 30% so there was no buildup causing the story to drag on longer than it needed to.
July 30, 2024
“I don’t want your apologies. I want your goddamn soul.”
4.5/5 ⭐ 3.5/5 🌶️
This book was such a chaotic ride! In a good way. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Cash Fox, but he delivered , that’s for sure. Among the whole Fox family, he’s definitely the craziest one, which is saying a lot because all the Fox boys are their own kind of OTT.
I really liked the plot, especially the messy crime investigation that Harlow attempted, even it made me that famous "Second-hand embarrassment". Harlow was a fun character to read, easy to like with both vulnerable and badass sides.
I was a bit confused by the insta-love aspect of the story. While their story remained endearing, I wish the falling in love part had taken a bit more time because it happened so suddenly that it took me a few chapters to fully get into the book again. That said, the book is a spicy slow-burn. I don’t know how spice, slow-burn, and insta-love can be combined, but Summer sure did it, and I actually had so much fun with it.
And of course... Cash. I can easily say he was the cherry on top, but he was actually the whole dessert . He was hot-headed, crazy, and hot AF. He made the spice extra spicy just for us, and I can almost say he might win the best Fox brother title over Finn. Maybe...
Did I like it? Yeap.
Would I reread it? That’s … a maybe.
4.5/5 ⭐ 3.5/5 🌶️
This book was such a chaotic ride! In a good way. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Cash Fox, but he delivered , that’s for sure. Among the whole Fox family, he’s definitely the craziest one, which is saying a lot because all the Fox boys are their own kind of OTT.
I really liked the plot, especially the messy crime investigation that Harlow attempted, even it made me that famous "Second-hand embarrassment". Harlow was a fun character to read, easy to like with both vulnerable and badass sides.
I was a bit confused by the insta-love aspect of the story. While their story remained endearing, I wish the falling in love part had taken a bit more time because it happened so suddenly that it took me a few chapters to fully get into the book again. That said, the book is a spicy slow-burn. I don’t know how spice, slow-burn, and insta-love can be combined, but Summer sure did it, and I actually had so much fun with it.
And of course... Cash. I can easily say he was the cherry on top, but he was actually the whole dessert . He was hot-headed, crazy, and hot AF. He made the spice extra spicy just for us, and I can almost say he might win the best Fox brother title over Finn. Maybe...
Did I like it? Yeap.
Would I reread it? That’s … a maybe.
October 19, 2022
Make Me was a 300 million star read for me.
This is one of those books that will have your heart beating so fast because of the anticipation of what comes next.
Cash has all the ingredients of a PERFECT mafia man. He is crazy, possessive, cocky, with a soft spot for our FMC. Harlow is strong and witty and not afraid to stand up to the scary Irish Mafia man.
The plot was great, the chemistry was fantastic, and there were so many things that made me giggle.
Truly an amazing mafia romance literally would not change a thing.
I need the next book NOWWWWWW!
This is one of those books that will have your heart beating so fast because of the anticipation of what comes next.
Cash has all the ingredients of a PERFECT mafia man. He is crazy, possessive, cocky, with a soft spot for our FMC. Harlow is strong and witty and not afraid to stand up to the scary Irish Mafia man.
The plot was great, the chemistry was fantastic, and there were so many things that made me giggle.
Truly an amazing mafia romance literally would not change a thing.
I need the next book NOWWWWWW!
Did Not Finish
April 8, 2026READING TRENCHES continues 🤸
October 19, 2024
"You're the blood that pumps in my veins, the pulse of my heart, and I am forever yours."
𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘺
Harlow witnesses her best friend’s murder, but an airtight alibi saves the guy she witnessed do it. Not willing to let him get away with it, she decides to take matters into her own hands and stalk the killer until she can prove his guilt. But Cash Fox is a very dangerous man, and unbeknownst to her, he’s been watching her too.
𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 & 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴
The audiobook was good, but this book didn't work for me at all. I've read plenty of spicy scenes, but him calling her a b***h multiple times during intimacy literally gave me the ick; I think it's safe to say it definitely wasn't for me. Other than that, this was mid; there was nothing special or memorable about this. Which sucks because the premise was promising, and it’s been on my TBR for years.
𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘦𝘴
🦊 dark romance
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴
🦊 stalking
🦊 serial killer
🦊 secret identity
🦊 crime syndicate
🦊 murder mystery
🦊 plus size heroine
🦊 touch her and you die
𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘺
Harlow witnesses her best friend’s murder, but an airtight alibi saves the guy she witnessed do it. Not willing to let him get away with it, she decides to take matters into her own hands and stalk the killer until she can prove his guilt. But Cash Fox is a very dangerous man, and unbeknownst to her, he’s been watching her too.
𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 & 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴
The audiobook was good, but this book didn't work for me at all. I've read plenty of spicy scenes, but him calling her a b***h multiple times during intimacy literally gave me the ick; I think it's safe to say it definitely wasn't for me. Other than that, this was mid; there was nothing special or memorable about this. Which sucks because the premise was promising, and it’s been on my TBR for years.
𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘦𝘴
🦊 dark romance
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴
🦊 stalking
🦊 serial killer
🦊 secret identity
🦊 crime syndicate
🦊 murder mystery
🦊 plus size heroine
🦊 touch her and you die
Read
January 21, 2025.⋆⁀➷ dnf @ 17%
too much insta-love, for me.
too much insta-love, for me.
April 26, 2023
idk who lied and said this was about finding a serial killer
July 19, 2023
dnf at 50%…
just too much sex, no chemistry & insta love & obsession was just weird 😕
also the dirty talk just weird & degrading & not in a good way like he’s just a loser 🤦
just too much sex, no chemistry & insta love & obsession was just weird 😕
also the dirty talk just weird & degrading & not in a good way like he’s just a loser 🤦
Did Not Finish
November 6, 2022DNF, I read up until 41%.
I was really excited when I came across the book blurb and saw the glowing reviews. It looked like my kind of book.
But this book didn't work for me. I had to bail out by end of Chapter 12.
Positives - Loved the cover, liked the premise of the story. 😊👍
Why I DNF'd?
Character descriptions - (See below some examples, from heroines pov).
Too much emphasis on skin colour, as a descriptor.
Occurs in every chapter that i read, with exception of ch9 & 11.
Skimmed the rest of the book, this pattern continues.
*Pace of the story, bit slow, imo
*Hero fell hard for the heroine too fast... before they officially met. So there wasn't any real connection when he deemed her 'his Queen' early on.
*Hero was a bit flippant, when talking about his brother being shot. I thought the brothers were supposed to be close?
*********** ****************
Chapter 1
"The detective, a 'white man' named Liam or Smith or something,
speaks calmly despite the escalating tension pulsing in the concrete room."
Chapter 2
"I’m about to leave when a 'white man' dressed in an all-black suit
walks up to the hostess."
Chapter 3
"A 'white man' steps out, and my heart stops until I realize it’s not him. "
Chapter 6
"She turns to leave, but almost runs into a young, 'Black woman' with
crochet locs that are dyed blonde at the tips."
Chapter 7
"Speaking of average. This 'white man' is exactly that."
Chapter 10
"I’m saved from responding when a middle-aged 'white man' walks in."
I was really excited when I came across the book blurb and saw the glowing reviews. It looked like my kind of book.
But this book didn't work for me. I had to bail out by end of Chapter 12.
Positives - Loved the cover, liked the premise of the story. 😊👍
Why I DNF'd?
Character descriptions - (See below some examples, from heroines pov).
Too much emphasis on skin colour, as a descriptor.
Occurs in every chapter that i read, with exception of ch9 & 11.
Skimmed the rest of the book, this pattern continues.
*Pace of the story, bit slow, imo
*Hero fell hard for the heroine too fast... before they officially met. So there wasn't any real connection when he deemed her 'his Queen' early on.
*Hero was a bit flippant, when talking about his brother being shot. I thought the brothers were supposed to be close?
*********** ****************
Chapter 1
"The detective, a 'white man' named Liam or Smith or something,
speaks calmly despite the escalating tension pulsing in the concrete room."
Chapter 2
"I’m about to leave when a 'white man' dressed in an all-black suit
walks up to the hostess."
Chapter 3
"A 'white man' steps out, and my heart stops until I realize it’s not him. "
Chapter 6
"She turns to leave, but almost runs into a young, 'Black woman' with
crochet locs that are dyed blonde at the tips."
Chapter 7
"Speaking of average. This 'white man' is exactly that."
Chapter 10
"I’m saved from responding when a middle-aged 'white man' walks in."
November 25, 2022
this book was just not it for me. harlow and cash relationship was so toxic and hateful, like im so confused as to why they treat each other like that. cash would be so disrespectful towards her majority of the time but his thoughts are like "my one and only queen i love you" like huh??
and then harlow so hot and cold she can't figure out if she love him or hate him.....
I know harlow didn't like that she was being perceived as dumb throughout the book but some of the stuff she did had me like be fucking fr girl PLEASE 😭
I'm not the biggest fan of degradation, like it's alright but in this book it made me so uncomfy. like atleast comfort her or give aftercare after saying some of the most vile stuff 💀
they both pissed me off so many times in this book it's crazy I need a drink and a cigarette....
and then harlow so hot and cold she can't figure out if she love him or hate him.....
I know harlow didn't like that she was being perceived as dumb throughout the book but some of the stuff she did had me like be fucking fr girl PLEASE 😭
I'm not the biggest fan of degradation, like it's alright but in this book it made me so uncomfy. like atleast comfort her or give aftercare after saying some of the most vile stuff 💀
they both pissed me off so many times in this book it's crazy I need a drink and a cigarette....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2023
I’M IN FUCKING LOVE WITH MY FOXES 🦊 🔥 are you kidding? Like ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? An immaculate mix of spice & plot. I was never bored with this book once & the spice had me 🥵💦🫠 truly some of my favorite spicy scenes I’ve ever read. This is an absolute delight of a book & Summer truly knocked this out of the park. FLAWLESS ABSOLUTELY NO NOTES! Cash & Harlow own me now ❤️
September 11, 2023
This was ruined for me by one thing - the constant teasing of sex, without the act being performed until almost the 80% mark. You think that's not a big deal, but imagine your partner getting so close, right until the edge, and then stopping..... 20 times. There were other issues that I would have been willing to ignore if the author had stopped with the constant hot/cold of the FMC.
Harlow (writer, has a lot of free time on her hands, can't make up her f*cking mind) witnesses her BFF (who happens to be related to the Bratva) being murdered by a serial killer. The only identifying mark that she can remember is a tattoo. She feels like the police aren't doing their job so she decides to investigate herself. Guess who she finds? Cash (some sort of mob guy?) owns several night clubs and restaurants and just happens to have a really unique tattoo on his hand. He notices this girl following him for weeks. He's immediately attracted to her, hires her as a waitress, a lot of nonsense ensues.
The mystery wasn't really a mystery. You could guess from the very beginning who the real killer was. It was actually a decent story for the first quarter of the book. Then they ran into a stagnant period. They stayed locked away in his apartment for several days, where nothing happens. Why aren't they investigating what's going on during that time? It didn't make sense. That took up a giant portion of the book. That and the NO SEX. Like I said - sex is important in this kind of book. I actually would have rated this book higher if the author hadn't continued to tease sex. Plus, Harlow was so damn annoying. Almost every single time she'd let him get all hot and heavy with her until she climaxed and then she'd say, "I'm sorry. I can't do this." and run away. She was the definition of a tease.
Other issues.
So Cash is some "king" of that town and nobody should mess with him. He's Irish, but it never actually says he's part of some mafia type world. He just rules everyone. But the biggest thing is the Bratva just bows down to him. When have you ever known the Bratva to just let things go?? Then, she's been BFFs with the girl who's family is basically the head of the Bratva, and they don't come to talk to Harlow at all about the death? None of that added up.
The author constantly said "white man". It was weird. 15 times a person was described as a "white man". I get the description, but there are other ways to do that. I have never read that in any other books. If it's repeated so much that I actually want to count the # of times it's used, then it's def noticeable.
Cash forgave Harlow way too much. She was a tease and kind of crazy.
Then there was the whole verbal degradation. During sexual situations he'd just call her his dirty whore or slut or bitch. I'm not a fan of that. I usually don't hold that against a story because I know it's a kink for some people and I try not to judge kinks. But since I was so pissed off, I'm going to mention it.
So even though I liked some parts of the book, the sex thing was too big of an issue for me.
Harlow (writer, has a lot of free time on her hands, can't make up her f*cking mind) witnesses her BFF (who happens to be related to the Bratva) being murdered by a serial killer. The only identifying mark that she can remember is a tattoo. She feels like the police aren't doing their job so she decides to investigate herself. Guess who she finds? Cash (some sort of mob guy?) owns several night clubs and restaurants and just happens to have a really unique tattoo on his hand. He notices this girl following him for weeks. He's immediately attracted to her, hires her as a waitress, a lot of nonsense ensues.
The mystery wasn't really a mystery. You could guess from the very beginning who the real killer was. It was actually a decent story for the first quarter of the book. Then they ran into a stagnant period. They stayed locked away in his apartment for several days, where nothing happens. Why aren't they investigating what's going on during that time? It didn't make sense. That took up a giant portion of the book. That and the NO SEX. Like I said - sex is important in this kind of book. I actually would have rated this book higher if the author hadn't continued to tease sex. Plus, Harlow was so damn annoying. Almost every single time she'd let him get all hot and heavy with her until she climaxed and then she'd say, "I'm sorry. I can't do this." and run away. She was the definition of a tease.
Other issues.
So Cash is some "king" of that town and nobody should mess with him. He's Irish, but it never actually says he's part of some mafia type world. He just rules everyone. But the biggest thing is the Bratva just bows down to him. When have you ever known the Bratva to just let things go?? Then, she's been BFFs with the girl who's family is basically the head of the Bratva, and they don't come to talk to Harlow at all about the death? None of that added up.
The author constantly said "white man". It was weird. 15 times a person was described as a "white man". I get the description, but there are other ways to do that. I have never read that in any other books. If it's repeated so much that I actually want to count the # of times it's used, then it's def noticeable.
Cash forgave Harlow way too much. She was a tease and kind of crazy.
Then there was the whole verbal degradation. During sexual situations he'd just call her his dirty whore or slut or bitch. I'm not a fan of that. I usually don't hold that against a story because I know it's a kink for some people and I try not to judge kinks. But since I was so pissed off, I'm going to mention it.
So even though I liked some parts of the book, the sex thing was too big of an issue for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,990 reviews