From USA Today bestselling authors L.J. Shen, Parker S. Huntington, and Ava Harrison comes a collection of three full-length standalone romances, featuring filthy anti-heroes and the sassy women who tame them. Includes never-before-seen bonus epilogues!
Shattered Dynasty by Ava Harrison
Trent Aldridge is the devil. Rich. Arrogant. Sinfully handsome. He holds my inheritance in his hands. Twenty-two million dollars I didn’t even know about. I met him at a funeral. As one life ended, mine unraveled. Because he has one goal—to ruin me. And Trent Aldridge never loses. My present is gone and my future is in ashes. All because of a past that's not even mine. Control. Power. He has it all now that I'm his maid. He’s rude, sarcastic, and well…the hottest man I’ve ever met. Lust is a dangerous game to play. Where there's smoke, there's fire. And I’m about to be consumed.
Bastiano Romano by Parker S. Huntington
…and so the cruel prince fell in love with the liar.
Bastiano Romano. Cruel monster. Secretive mafia prince. And my new boss.
My first day at work, he humiliates me in front of the staff. My second day, he leaves me craving his touch. My third day? I don’t think I’ll make it that far.
I’ve been sent to discover his secrets. But I have secrets of my own. And he’s determined to unravel them.
The Kiss Thief by L.J. Shen
They say your first kiss should be earned. Mine was stolen by a devil in a masquerade mask under the black Chicago sky. They say the vows you take on your wedding day are sacred. Mine were broken before we left church. They say your heart only beats for one man. Mine split and bled for two rivals who fought for it until the bitter end. I was promised to Angelo Bandini, the heir to one of the most powerful families in the Chicago Outfit. Then taken by Senator Wolfe Keaton, who held my father’s sins over his head to force me into marriage. They say that all great love stories have a happy ending. I, Francesca Rossi, found myself erasing and rewriting mine until the very last chapter. One kiss. Two men. Three lives. Entwined together. And somewhere between these two men, I had to find my forever.
Authors' Note: This collection includes three steamy enemies-to-lovers romances with brand-new 1,500- to 2,000-word bonus epilogues for each book. Fair warning, these crackalicious anti-heroes have filthy mouths and know how to use them.
Ava Harrison is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. When she’s not journaling her life, you can find her window shopping, cooking dinner for her family, or curled up on her couch reading a book.
one of the few things lj shen did right in her life was giving us wolfefrancesca. the bonus epilogue was such a treat and started with a jealousy scene—need i say more? if only she could just write bonus epilogues for the og couples rather than publishing one subpar book after the other
“Some people just need a tight hug. Around the neck.”
I loved both the witty banter, and balance of inner monologue, between Francesca and Wolfe. Ms. Shen is well known for this skill, ensuring characters are engaging.
Sparks flew back and forth from their first encounter, setting up a seemingly perfect protagonist/antagonist relationship.
Frankie at nineteen, Wolfe, 30, was more of a lack of experience than age gap for me, despite the V card. Nothing unusual in a normal relationship. Frankie as the only child was indulged, everyone she came into contact with, vetted, as the head of the mob’s only daughter should be.
Soft mafia theme. Not the gritty, violent, in your face style I adore. It lulls readers into believing this is mafia. Criminal underworld is mentioned, you’re not in the midst of it. Banter borders on rom-com at times. Sweet HEA fairytale ending kind of read. 3.5 ⭐️
Three full length romances from best selling authors. A good way to test the waters for new authors or simply indulge into three bad boys. Even if you have read the stories inside there is a bonus epilogue at the end of each book.
A good story but it didn’t blow me away, most of the story promises a good enemies to lovers but the climax isn’t as good as the expectations. The angst between Trent and Payton is stronger compared to when they actually end up together, I was waiting for a crescendo but I only got an adagio. The last part of the story is too fast and rushed and not well proportioned to the whole tale as if the author was in a hurry to wrap things up but was too slow in setting things in motion.
The FBI agent that falls in love with the mafia prince, albeit not an original plot Parker draws a good story, solid beautifully flawed characters, their development isn’t easy, their growth paved with obstacles and the authors paints a captivating tale.
I wasn’t too keen on the mafia background info which seems to stem from misconceptions and an all American idea/style of mafia yet it’s still referenced to Italy. I wish authors had the guts to admit defeat and stop perpetrating misinformation. I guess Italian immigrants when they stepped into American soil shaped an idea of mafia which has become typical of that State, it’s also okay, for the sake of truth, to take responsibility and stop blaming others; still thinking Italian mafia has anything to do with what we see in movies or the Godfather. A sample of some cringey naming such as “caporegime” (it doesn’t have a meaning in Italian) or “mafia bunny” (really?) also the names are wrong… Bastian(o) is it Sebastiano? How about Niccolaio 🫣 is it “Nicola” “Nicolò” and Ranieri (in Italian is a last name) it should be Raniero, however, I’m glad Parker doesn’t take it too far, she spares us grandiose and fantasy filled scenarios and most importantly stereotypes. That said I personally think Parker is a great story teller and awesome author she definitely gives her best outside of mafia scenarios, and I hope she’ll explore that area more in the future.
The story of Wolfe and Francesca will capture you and not let go, it’s passionate, raw and brilliant and so touching it makes you want to stay with them and look into their lives endlessly.
opened this just for wolfe and francesca’s epilogue and what about it??? and opening the scene with a jealous wolfe? yea right, you bet i ate that shit RIGHT UP
5+++++ This is one of the best Anti-heroes collection I have read in 2022. I love this genre but have found that many authors have grown predictable and boring. That wasn't the case with these three stories. I can't say enough about the characters and the storyline in each of these stories. Each was unique in it's presentation and each had a different storyline/plot. Each author in the series provided an original story to the collection that had a MMC who you love to hate but end up loving by their stories' end and MFC characters that were strong, witty, outspoken and knew when to hold em' and when to fold um'. Some of the women were very young but were capable of thinking on their feet and capable of winning over men who didn't seem capable of love or a relationship due to their histories and baggage. There is plenty of suspense and content throughout all three stories and plenty of angst and desire for any reader who enjoys this genre.
I really enjoyed the first 2 books and the third as well. Especially the male mc Wolfe in the third book, but by the end of the book, the female mc was so weak it pissed me off. Im sorry i loved her fighting back, i loved her going to college and learning to drive. I absolutely hated that after everything ahe knew about her husband and her father, that she did not burst in to her Dads office, tear him a new one and allowed her husband to get down in his knees b4 the man that tried to murder her husband, murdered his brother & his adoptive family years later and then kept them apart and lied to him. Then shes not grown enough and worldly enough to get on the pill, even after the 1st pregnacy. Ends on 4 kids and no mention of her having a career as an attorney. I was raised italian catholic and this was just too much. She stronger at the beginning of book 3 then the end. I was totally disappointed.
Really good stories - I will read more from all these authors.
The Anti-heroes Collection by Various:
Shattered Dynasty by Ava Harrison: 5 Stars Payton/Trent. I loved the push and pull in this story, and the building chemistry was perfect. There’s a theme in this story of “looking in the wrong places”, but all is resolved and wraps up with a very nice HEA. Loved it!
Bastiano Romano by Parker S. Huntington: 5 stars! Loved this story Bastian/Ariana’s story is a well written slow burn, angsty and edgy story that kept me reading. It has all he feels, and a wonderful HEA. Very good!
The Kiss Thief by L. J. Shen: 5 stars Francesca/Wolfe - so very different. Age gap, and mob family vs powerful senator with a mission. A vendetta, and a slow burn. A love story and justice. Really good! —PTators
Previously read the first book so will just review last two. I enjoyed the cat and mouse game between Ariana and Bastiano. The undercover agent working for a man to spy on he and his criminal family but falls in love with the man and his family due to her lack of any friends or family. L.Shen never disappoints. The Kiss Thief is captivating from beginning to end. There are twists and turns , ups and downs, lies, backstabbing, deceit and criminal as well as political misbehavior and sabotage. There are many contributing characters involved in the magnificently woven tell about Wolfe Keaton and Francesca Rossi. It is a page turner and holds one's interest.
And he definitely stole more than a kiss from mafia princess, Francesca Rossi. In L. J. Shen’s The Kiss Thief, Wolfe Keaton is a powerful man with all the traits of Chicago’s most desired man. And when Wolfe sets his sights on securing the young beautiful daughter of his enemy, the antihero is challenged by the very minx he desires.
If you enjoy enemies to lovers romance with an age-gap, then I highly recommend this story in The Anti-Heroes Collection. I look forward to reading the other stories included.
I loved this book. Three stories with hot alpha anti-heroes can’t be beat. The Kiss Thief by LJ Shen is one of my favorites by her. Bastian Romano by Parker Huntington was really good also. Bastion was a cold, arrogant and just plain mean man (he has his reasons) but definitely HOT. Perfect for Ariana, I guess, because she had some major issues, too. I do love reading mafia books, and there’s this major problem that Ariana IS an FBI agent working undercover!!! You’ll have to read to find out how THIS hot mess turns out! Lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I have never read this genre before, but I liked these stories more than I expected to, love stories more than gratuitous violence. "Bastiano Romero" was my favorite. Complex characters and a deep need between the "families" to connect, forgive, support and love. It was mesmerizing.
I have enjoyed the work of all these authors but this is a very good collection. It could be an introduction to anyone who hasn't read their books before. Each is able to build the tension with the main characters and still create a believable background full of believable twists peopled by honest characters. You won't be disappointed.
The first book is so awful I'm flabbergasted that the writer thought women would read it. I made it to less than 10%. Dialogue? Trash! Plot? Trash! Believability? None! Awful writing. I love LJ Chen books, but I can't get through the first story to get to hers. Its a waste of time.
Two of the three authors included in this book were first time reads for me. Also, some of the tropes were not my go to’s I.E. virgin female lead, but wow each book was so good. The stories unfolded in such interesting ways and I could hardly put this book down. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
4 stars why? I wasn't to happy with the MC in the first book but in the end was able to forgive his meaness. 2nd, I mostly disliked Wolf through the entire book. I would have chosen Angel. I couldn't find any redeeming qualities with Wolf and Francesca is too submissive for my liking.
My review is for Shattered Dynasty by Ava Harrison. I have thoroughly enjoyed every single book that Ava has written and this one is another home run. Trent is the devil in disguise and you are in for a delicious treat.
I can't believe I wasted my time. 😑 I just don't like dnf'ing books. I should have stopped. Especially with Wolfe and Francesca story. Trigger warnings through all 3 and don't read the last if you don't like cheating in your books.
The Anti-Heros collection is hot, saloon worthy, dark enjoyment. Reading each story is worth the the page turning addiction. The hard won HEAs each villain gets will bring a smile to your face and make rooting for the the bad guy enjoyable fun!
I love her style of writing. She always manages to include reality with everything else too. This along with the other stories I've read by her all all good reads.
I hate that i can't rate the books i read with stars without writing at least a twenty word review! All I can say is that each book was awesome, never a dull moment.