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Unexpected #1
His Unexpected
Blaise Aoide didn't think demons were real, and she certainly didn't expect them to run the international crime syndicate, the Decagon. But when her father trades her to notorious billionaire and supermodel, Ash Augustine, for a seat at the table, she discovers that beneath the world she knew lies the paranormal, and that she herself might be more than human.
Ash Augustine isn't only one of the richest, most powerful men on the planet. Beneath his model exterior lies a secret— a dark secret that's kept his family brewery thriving for centuries. But both he and the beast inhabiting his soul find themselves thrown off balance when a lowly mob boss presents his unruly daughter as the token in a trade. Now, Ash must face not only the woman living in his home, but the implications of falling for a mortal while sharing a body with the damned.
A plot to undermine the Decagon brews behind velvet curtains, and as acting head of the table, Ash must find a way to both stop the usurpation, and secure himself as permanent leader of the syndicate.
Ash Augustine isn't only one of the richest, most powerful men on the planet. Beneath his model exterior lies a secret— a dark secret that's kept his family brewery thriving for centuries. But both he and the beast inhabiting his soul find themselves thrown off balance when a lowly mob boss presents his unruly daughter as the token in a trade. Now, Ash must face not only the woman living in his home, but the implications of falling for a mortal while sharing a body with the damned.
A plot to undermine the Decagon brews behind velvet curtains, and as acting head of the table, Ash must find a way to both stop the usurpation, and secure himself as permanent leader of the syndicate.
230 pages, ebook
First published November 22, 2022
104 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Bailey Elizabeth
14 books33 followersBailey Elizabeth started her first novel at the age of twelve and never stopped writing. She is author of the paranormal UNEXPECTED SERIES, romantic suspense duology V IS FOR VIOLET + V IS FOR VENICE, cosmic horror novella, PANE, possession novella, I KNOW YOU'RE STILL IN THERE, and more.
Bailey can be found editing for her day job, studying for her graduate courses, or trying to manage six different book projects at once. When she isn't writing, she's looking for the next great horror video game, adventuring outdoors, or painting, all while trying to keep her two dogs and kitten from eating her acrylics. She plans to start her own business and become a creative writing professor, but until then, she'll do what she knows best; type until her fingers fall off.
Find her on most social platforms for publishing news, extra content, rough drafts, and pet pics.
Bailey can be found editing for her day job, studying for her graduate courses, or trying to manage six different book projects at once. When she isn't writing, she's looking for the next great horror video game, adventuring outdoors, or painting, all while trying to keep her two dogs and kitten from eating her acrylics. She plans to start her own business and become a creative writing professor, but until then, she'll do what she knows best; type until her fingers fall off.
Find her on most social platforms for publishing news, extra content, rough drafts, and pet pics.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 30, 2023
Demon mafia boss? Let's go!
I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into this. The beginning reminded me a bit of the "my family sold me to [insert famous person here]" and not in a bad way. The main characters have chemistry in their interactions even before they ramped up to making out. I think my only nitpick is that I wish some scenes had been expanded into full chapters to give the characters more time together. Overall, I enjoyed them together.
The plot beyond the romance is kind of like background noise. It's interesting, and I want to know what happens, but my main investment is in the characters.
This ended up being a really fun read, and I read it in one sitting, and I'm going right into the second book from here.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into this. The beginning reminded me a bit of the "my family sold me to [insert famous person here]" and not in a bad way. The main characters have chemistry in their interactions even before they ramped up to making out. I think my only nitpick is that I wish some scenes had been expanded into full chapters to give the characters more time together. Overall, I enjoyed them together.
The plot beyond the romance is kind of like background noise. It's interesting, and I want to know what happens, but my main investment is in the characters.
This ended up being a really fun read, and I read it in one sitting, and I'm going right into the second book from here.
August 13, 2023
Wavering a little on the rating for this one because I feel like there were a lot of factors at play.
If you're looking for a fast-paced paranormal romance to just fall into, this is probably the one. It's gripping from page one, the exposition is worked very easily into the dialogue, and the magic helps strengthen the connection between the characters in a way that was very well-executed.
There were a lot of elements, like the very conversational style of the prose and alternating POVs, that I liked personally. There were some elements, like the world-building, that I appreciated from a critical level, even though they weren't for me. Having the mafia tropes tied into the demon underworld in this contemporary fantasy was clever, and effective for establishing both the plot and environment.
It wasn't what I was looking for when I requested the ARC, but I think it's exceptionally well done for what it is. It gets right into the story and is so fast-paced, it's exactly the sort of romance that you can eat right up.
There were a few elements that would have made me like this book better. I'd have loved to get a better feel for who Blaise was as a character before her life was uprooted, and generally I would have liked to get a deeper look at the characters. I thought the setting was unique, but I would have loved to see more of that paranormal presence in the exploration of the environment. There were some dark undertones to the story that I think could have been hit harder. (Coming at this as someone that read a lot of horror, that's often something I WANT in all stories, but here I think it would have given more complexity in a genuinely compelling way.)
Of course, I think implementing any of these changes honestly might have made it less compelling for the intended demographic. As someone new to the paranormal romance genre, there are a lot of times where I feel the paranormal to romance ratio doesn't quite work for me one way or the other.
Overall, I'm glad to have read this, and am looking forward to checking out the second one later down the line as well. I think going into that with a better understanding of what the series has to offer is going to help me get in the right headspace for the quick, romance driven plot.
If you're looking for a fast-paced paranormal romance to just fall into, this is probably the one. It's gripping from page one, the exposition is worked very easily into the dialogue, and the magic helps strengthen the connection between the characters in a way that was very well-executed.
There were a lot of elements, like the very conversational style of the prose and alternating POVs, that I liked personally. There were some elements, like the world-building, that I appreciated from a critical level, even though they weren't for me. Having the mafia tropes tied into the demon underworld in this contemporary fantasy was clever, and effective for establishing both the plot and environment.
It wasn't what I was looking for when I requested the ARC, but I think it's exceptionally well done for what it is. It gets right into the story and is so fast-paced, it's exactly the sort of romance that you can eat right up.
There were a few elements that would have made me like this book better. I'd have loved to get a better feel for who Blaise was as a character before her life was uprooted, and generally I would have liked to get a deeper look at the characters. I thought the setting was unique, but I would have loved to see more of that paranormal presence in the exploration of the environment. There were some dark undertones to the story that I think could have been hit harder. (Coming at this as someone that read a lot of horror, that's often something I WANT in all stories, but here I think it would have given more complexity in a genuinely compelling way.)
Of course, I think implementing any of these changes honestly might have made it less compelling for the intended demographic. As someone new to the paranormal romance genre, there are a lot of times where I feel the paranormal to romance ratio doesn't quite work for me one way or the other.
Overall, I'm glad to have read this, and am looking forward to checking out the second one later down the line as well. I think going into that with a better understanding of what the series has to offer is going to help me get in the right headspace for the quick, romance driven plot.
October 2, 2023
Can Ash Augustine just come and sweep me away too, please?
His Unexpected follows Blaise- the daughter of a nefarious mobster on quite possibly the worst day of her life. Traded for a seat of power by someone who was supposed to love and care for her and not just to another person in a position of power, oh no, but to a demon. But what starts out seeming like a complete nightmare ends up being a blessing in disguise. Ash Augustine has power, fame, good looks, notoriety- everything. But something about Blaise is special. Without revealing any spoilers, the two find something in the other that they were lacking, forming an unlikely partnership and a deeper bond than either expected. With twists and turns, likable and relatable characters, His Unexpected is the first in a romance series and I simply can't wait to read the rest.
Blaise, our protagonist, might be the most relatable woman in a romance novel (though to be fair, I do not often read romance!). She's likable, kind, smart, funny, and imperfect. Her struggles to overcome anxiety, fear, and new challenges leave us cheering for her to do well, to excel. Ash Augustine, at first, seems too good to be true because who doesn't want to fall for a sexy famous model, right? His relationship with his demonic half is complex and intimate. Reading from both character's points of view gives a deeper understanding of their motives and emotions. Both characters are incredibly likable and leave you wanting more.
The writing is snappy and descriptive- the characters are well written and realistic, which is one of my favorite things about it. Characters who solve problems in ways that people would actually solve problems! A rarity in this genre. The side characters are all entertaining so far and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series to find out what happens to them.
When I first started reading I had no idea what to expect and was delighted and eager to check out the rest of the author's work once I had finished.
Overall, I highly recommend His Unexpected. An engaging read with heart-pounding tension, likable characters, and a quick pace. If you're a fan of paranormal romance, check it out! Even if you don't usually read romance, I recommend it. By the end, it felt like the characters were old friends.
His Unexpected follows Blaise- the daughter of a nefarious mobster on quite possibly the worst day of her life. Traded for a seat of power by someone who was supposed to love and care for her and not just to another person in a position of power, oh no, but to a demon. But what starts out seeming like a complete nightmare ends up being a blessing in disguise. Ash Augustine has power, fame, good looks, notoriety- everything. But something about Blaise is special. Without revealing any spoilers, the two find something in the other that they were lacking, forming an unlikely partnership and a deeper bond than either expected. With twists and turns, likable and relatable characters, His Unexpected is the first in a romance series and I simply can't wait to read the rest.
Blaise, our protagonist, might be the most relatable woman in a romance novel (though to be fair, I do not often read romance!). She's likable, kind, smart, funny, and imperfect. Her struggles to overcome anxiety, fear, and new challenges leave us cheering for her to do well, to excel. Ash Augustine, at first, seems too good to be true because who doesn't want to fall for a sexy famous model, right? His relationship with his demonic half is complex and intimate. Reading from both character's points of view gives a deeper understanding of their motives and emotions. Both characters are incredibly likable and leave you wanting more.
The writing is snappy and descriptive- the characters are well written and realistic, which is one of my favorite things about it. Characters who solve problems in ways that people would actually solve problems! A rarity in this genre. The side characters are all entertaining so far and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series to find out what happens to them.
When I first started reading I had no idea what to expect and was delighted and eager to check out the rest of the author's work once I had finished.
Overall, I highly recommend His Unexpected. An engaging read with heart-pounding tension, likable characters, and a quick pace. If you're a fan of paranormal romance, check it out! Even if you don't usually read romance, I recommend it. By the end, it felt like the characters were old friends.
January 24, 2024
I was instantly drawn to the premise of a billionaire demon who is a mafia boss and his empath assistant. That just sounds amazing and this did end up being a very enjoyable read. It's very quick paced, which I liked, and it is shorter, just a hair over novella length. With dark subjects like the mafia, demons, and hints at other supernatural elements, I thought this book would be darker. It started heading that direction toward the end and that definitely entices me to keep reading the rest of the series.
I would have kept reading either way because I really did enjoy Ash and Blaise's friendship. They've forged a tentative relationship, built on trust and understanding, but there is still an intense attraction. I wish a little more time was spent at the beginning on Blaise's background, and her situation with her mother and father. A lot about Blaise is revealed in bits and pieces, but I guess I just wanted to know more. I really liked how her anxiety is addressed, with her difficulty in social situations, being overstimulated by interactions, and being overtaken by her thoughts. This was so relatable for me and it made me feel more connected to her. I loved Ash recognizing when Blaise was being pushed too far and being there for her in whatever capacity she needed.
Looking forward to reading the next book!
I received a reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I would have kept reading either way because I really did enjoy Ash and Blaise's friendship. They've forged a tentative relationship, built on trust and understanding, but there is still an intense attraction. I wish a little more time was spent at the beginning on Blaise's background, and her situation with her mother and father. A lot about Blaise is revealed in bits and pieces, but I guess I just wanted to know more. I really liked how her anxiety is addressed, with her difficulty in social situations, being overstimulated by interactions, and being overtaken by her thoughts. This was so relatable for me and it made me feel more connected to her. I loved Ash recognizing when Blaise was being pushed too far and being there for her in whatever capacity she needed.
Looking forward to reading the next book!
I received a reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 22, 2024
This was such an incredible read I absolutely loved it! Blaise is such a strong character I loved her so much she went through a lot and still came out stronger than ever. I can relate to Blaise a lot with the anxiety and how sometimes it can take control over you when you don’t want it to. I enjoyed following the journey of how Blaise was learning new things about her self she didn’t know.
I didn’t like Blaise farther. The way he treated Blaise was horrible. I wish we got to know and little more about Blaise mom and her feelings on everything going on.
Ash Augustine’s I freaking loved him. I loved how he took Blaise in and was so patient and soft with her and didn’t force her to do things she didn’t want to do. He was such a caring character which I really loved. I thought it was great how he was able to control his demon and not let things get out of control.
I know for a fact the is going to get added to my favorite book list of 2024. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
I didn’t like Blaise farther. The way he treated Blaise was horrible. I wish we got to know and little more about Blaise mom and her feelings on everything going on.
Ash Augustine’s I freaking loved him. I loved how he took Blaise in and was so patient and soft with her and didn’t force her to do things she didn’t want to do. He was such a caring character which I really loved. I thought it was great how he was able to control his demon and not let things get out of control.
I know for a fact the is going to get added to my favorite book list of 2024. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
January 23, 2025
I liked the book. It was different from what I expected. Ash is half demon and a famous model. Blaise is traded by father to Ash for a seat at the table of a very powerful group. Blaise finds herself working for Ash. Their attraction grows and Ash wants to keep his distance from her. The book ends before anything happens with them.
April 16, 2024
An amazing read!
I'm not normally a paranormal romance reader, but this book was amazing. It kept me hanging on every chapter. I finished in one sitting. It's definitely a must read!
I'm not normally a paranormal romance reader, but this book was amazing. It kept me hanging on every chapter. I finished in one sitting. It's definitely a must read!
May 5, 2024
Such a great introduction to this series. I loved the introduction to Blaise and Ash. I love their focus on growing trust and their bond. Can’t recommend this series highly enough.
August 13, 2024
excellent read
Can’t wait to finish the series. I’m wondering what does Blaise father have in mind or does Ash and Blaise finally fall in love!!
Can’t wait to finish the series. I’m wondering what does Blaise father have in mind or does Ash and Blaise finally fall in love!!
March 18, 2025
Like very much. Ready second book now.
December 25, 2022
This book is such an excellent start to the Unexpected series. I loved Blaise immediately, how she's been sheltered her whole life and is naturally introverted and self-conscious, but still has a level of confidence that lets her be honest with Ash and stand strong through the sudden upheaval of her life. Seeing her get to be her own person and have the freedom to explore her interests for the first time in her life was so heartwarming. Another highlight was her first meeting with Mandy, who I'm excited to see more of in the next books!
On to Ash, he is such a refreshing change from the kind of hero I'd expect (no pun intended) to see in a paranormal billionaire romance; he immediately recognizes and values Blaise for her talents, and is super respectful of her, giving her space when she needs it and just generally being supportive in the wake of her father's shittiness. The slow-burn build of their relationship over the course of the book was well-paced while leaving plenty of room to keep developing as the series goes on.
With hints at the paranormal world that lurks under the surface, this book had a satisfying arc in itself while also making clear this is only the beginning, and I can't wait to see Blaise and Ash face whatever comes next.
On to Ash, he is such a refreshing change from the kind of hero I'd expect (no pun intended) to see in a paranormal billionaire romance; he immediately recognizes and values Blaise for her talents, and is super respectful of her, giving her space when she needs it and just generally being supportive in the wake of her father's shittiness. The slow-burn build of their relationship over the course of the book was well-paced while leaving plenty of room to keep developing as the series goes on.
With hints at the paranormal world that lurks under the surface, this book had a satisfying arc in itself while also making clear this is only the beginning, and I can't wait to see Blaise and Ash face whatever comes next.
January 4, 2025
I thought the FMC was an interesting twist on the “normal brunette girl who gets thrown into the billionaire world” since she obviously has more of an understanding of the dark underbelly of the mafia world than she let on, and her own unique gift that is useful to the MMC, and not just in a “I’ve just met this random average woman and I MUST have her now” kind of way. His demonic side seemed kind of sanitized in this book, save for the penultimate chapter (which I thought was possibly out of place? It made more sense for the demon meeting with Arthur to be the epilogue) which hinted that future books might show more of that dangerous side to the MMC’s dark passenger, making it a dark romance. I just wishlisted book 2 for later, so maybe I’ll come back to this.
July 20, 2023
This book was incredibly fun to read! It took me back to the Wattpad era of rampant mafia fan fiction, but it was done in a way that didn’t feel toxic or weird or scummy. Ash is a ✨gentleman✨ and as per usual, I immediately wanted them together. The tension in this book is *chef’s kiss*. Great from start to finish. Can’t wait for the next one!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews