How does a chance encounter (one that’s steamy as heck) lead to warring with your inner demons?
The internationally known deviant, Bruce Canyon, is one smooth bad boy and he doesn’t care who knows it. In fact, he relishes in the attention, which only adds to his sexy nightclub entrepreneur persona—it’s good for business.
But when he meets Mariam Abbas, a bright, attractive woman who knows what she wants (him, and only once), he finds himself out of his league. Sparks snap, crackle, and ignite between them as they give in to their carnal needs, but Bruce finds himself in an unfamiliar position: wanting more. Much to his own surprise, he goes out of his way to stake his claim on her.
Mariam Abbas prefers “one and done,” never committing to personal relationships, or looking back for that matter (despite how mind-numbingly good the experience was). Is this a little cold, perhaps a little calculating? Maybe, but it’s how she goes about her neat and orderly life. A chaotic past won’t allow her to veer toward coloring outside the lines. Not even a man-child, though attractive and sensual as sin he may be, who can’t take “no” for an answer.
What begins as a game of cat and mouse turns into an unlikely friendship until circumstances push them into each other’s arms.
It’s not all hearts and roses, though. Inner, dark demons emerge while secrets come out to play, wrecking what brief joy they may have found in one another.
But they say everyone deserves a second chance. The question is, are Bruce and Mariam deserving of theirs?
Khushi T. Saha is a notorious daydreamer. And ask anyone close to her and they’ll tell you she’s a positive, mushy person, too. Enter in ‘writing romance novels’: what began as self-care to overcome personal trauma, ended up evolving into something much more fulfilling. Bringing stories of angst, personal growth, and passion (the steamier the better!) with some snarky humor to romantics all around has become a hunger she can’t seem to satiate😊. In fact, once she’s done with a story, there’s already another one a-brewin'. And because she’s a first-generation Bangladeshi—born and raised in the US—the connection to the motherland is fierce. You’ll find South Asian nuances/representation purposely sprinkled throughout her novels. When she's not writing, she's managing her craft business, obsessed with gardening in the spring and summer months, running around with her boys, and binge-watching murder shows/podcasts.
Get ready for the most exciting, relentless game of cat and mouse!
I first got a glimpse of Bruce while reading The Liberation Series so I was pumped when I found out he was getting his own book!
“Bruce had tried to forget about Mariam, had tried to push down his feelings for her, but it was proving to be a daily struggle and harder than he remembered.”
I’m a sucker for the bad boy/playboy being hung up on the girl especially when the girl is the one to end things.
Mariam is a badass set on only having one night stands nothing long term, can Bruce convince her what they had is worth more than one night?
Can they both put the hurt and anger from the past behind them and let love win?
I enjoyed this steamy enemies to lovers. Khushi T. Saha has once again created an unputdownable book that brings out all the emotions! I can definitely say I love the “drama” infused in her books and I can not wait to see how book two ends!
So, I have always wanted to read a Romance book with South Asian characters! Honestly, there are far and few between! But oh my gosh I was so happy to read this book! I love Miriam and Bruce. Their connection and chemistry is electric! The story was easy to read and flowed really nicely! I have such a soft spot for Miriam and it’s super nice to see representation! I am looking forward to see what happens next between Bruce and Miriam and I am definitely looking forward to reading more from this author!
Mariam knows what she wants and gets it. She doesn't do long term, and she's happy with all of that. Bruce owns the club. He's sexy and he's 100% taken with Mariam. Mariam and Bruce were very enjoyable characters. They share chemistry, but things end up happening or coming out, and Mariam is upset and hurt, while Bruce is mad. I thought the book flowed nicely and that the characters developed nicely as well. I'm excited to see what will happen next.
This Duet was recommended to me by a friend and it isn’t something I normally pick up, but I’m sooo glad that I did. I loved how this author develops the scene and the characters. I fell in love with Mariam and Bruce and crave their HEA but then the ending . . . . ARGH!!! Khushi! What have you done to my heart??? Thankfully the next book is out and that’s what I’m 1 clicking next. I truly recommend this book to people to read!
This is one of the first books I have read surrounding Asian characters and it won’t be the last. I loved every moment of this story and will be adding this author to my one click list. This is a very well written story and pulls at the heartstrings. I simultaneously loved and was angry with the characters, which makes for an exciting read.
Oh I loved this story so much. It was a little back and forth but wow. I loved all the elements and the chemistry was top notch.
Mariam and Bruce were so good together and I was rooting for them all along. I hope they get their HEA coz they deserve it. Both are damaged, both have a bad past but both love with their whole heart, body and soul. Their banter, sexual tension, wow! Loved it. Jumping straight to book 2.
Oh also, I'm Indian so I loved all the culture facts and the wedding. I loved all the little details the author had put in, like the chapter numbers in Hindi/Sanskrit numericals. Kuddos to that.
I'm definitely looking forward to the continuation of the story and also checking out Simran and Marcus' story (I didn't know about it until I saw the blurb attached at the end of this book)
Highly recommended to everyone who loves a messy, passionate and painful romance with lots of spice.
I have to say that this was not like any romance I’ve ever read before and that doesn’t happen often considering I’ve been reading romance for over half my life.
This was my first time reading this author and I loved her work. She’s got a way with words! Fucking fantastic sex scenes and that dirty fucker Bruce? He more than lives up to his reputation! Mariam is not only his match in every way, but she gives him a run for his money.
The book is unputdownable! I literally read the first 4 chapters in a matter of minutes and once life stopped getting in the way, devoured the last 50% of the book in a matter of hours! If I didn’t have a toddler who wakes up at night and the pesky need to sleep and eat and work a job, I wouldn’t have stopped reading this book. It’s definitely one I would’ve read in one sitting. I’m literally diving into book 2 as soon as I finish this review. It’s that fucking good!!!
And that twist? That MOTHERFUCKING TWIST!!! The Monster? I 100% didn’t see that coming and I normally can. I’m either losing my touch or she’s just that fucking good and my money is on the latter! Off to finish the duet so I can get some answers because I NEED them!!!
Desires Unravelling book 1- tells the story of Mariam and Bruce❤️💙
I really enjoyed the dual timeline aspect, I felt it gave the story a good pace and it was fun to see the full history of the two characters develop in that way.🙂💐
All of the characters were really likeable and there was the right amount of spice. The ending leaves you wanting more and I’m intrigued to see how things play out for Bruce and Mariam!🌹💕
I really enjoyed this book! I absolutely adored the little snippets into the life of Simran and Marcus nice to bring other into the story. 🙂
As always, I loved the dual timelines. I liked getting to see into the past of Bruce and Mariam.❤️💙
It was awesome getting a closer look at Bruce’s character.💙
Mariam was an amazing FMC, we love a FMC who knows what she wants!!🙂
Their connection was undeniable, which made the spice so hot, and Bruce’s dirty mouth 🥵🥵😜😜 aye papi
Overall it was a great read, there was spice, drama, and a ton of tension! What more do you want. 😜😂
Khushi has quickly become one of my favourite authors who writes romance novels where the main characters are women of colour.
I really enjoyed this first book in her latest series. I loved that there were glimpses of Simran and Marcus (from the Liberation series), as well as the dual timelines. The double standard regarding relationships and intimacy that many women face is addressed in this book beautifully. The fact that Mariam was so unapologetically herself is fantastic, and the relationship between her and her mom is very heartwarming. Mother-daughter relationships don’t need to be fraught, and it was so refreshing to see a South Asian mom that is not only supportive of her daughter in every way, but also forward-thinking when it comes to love, sex and intimacy.
I can’t wait for Book 2, and I’m hoping Mariam and Bruce get their HEA!
Khushi’s writing, as always, is amazing. If you’re looking for a spicy romance with depth, I highly recommend this one!
This book was breathe taking it was so good it had me wanted more . It has romance and the guy was so charming and handsome and the girl was so beautiful They feel in love and no one was going to stop them for be together. This book will take you to whole new world of love and romance again. It was a page turner and I could put it down or stop reading it. This author did a great job with these characters.
I loved this book so much. Told in dual POV and switching from present to past and back again you are swept up in both the angsty slow burn of their building relationship and the wreckage of the aftermath.
I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on the next book and see if Mariam and Bruce can both face and heal from their past and possibly find their future together.
I'm also excited to go back and read the books for Simran and Marcus.
This is the first time I have read anything from this author, and she writes in a captivating and enjoyable way. She gives the characters fantastic development and details that make them very relatable. The pace of the book was well thought out and gave us exactly what we needed with the right amount of steam mixed in. You fall for Bruce and Mariam and can't wait to see what's in store for them in the future and how things are going to turn out. Mariam is a woman who wants what she wants and doesn't do long term. Bruce is the sexy club owner bad boy who is taken and becomes obsessed with Mariam. When she finally lets him in thing come out and they become hurt and angry will they get their HEA. Can't wait to see what comes to light in the next book. I was given this book as an ARC for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! I absolutely adored the little snippets into the life of Simran and Marcus! As always, I loved the dual timelines. I loved getting to see into the past of Bruce and Mariam. It was awesome getting a closer look at Bruce’s character, since he was first introduced in the Liberation series. Mariam was an amazing FMC, we love a badass FMC! Their connection was undeniable, which made the spice so hot, and Bruce’s dirty mouth definitely a bonus! Overall, there was spice, drama, and a ton of tension! I am anxiously waiting for the next book!!
Desires Unravelling tells the story of Mariam and Bruce. I really enjoyed the dual timeline aspect, I felt it gave the story a good pace and it was fun to see the full history of the two characters develop in that way. All of the characters were really likeable and there was the right amount of spice. The ending leaves you wanting more and I’m intrigued to see how things play out for Bruce and Mariam!
4.5 stars, well that was array of emotions. Miriam and Bruce have chemistry and despite her revelations from her past she allows him in. However there are things that come out and yikes, she is hurt and he is angry. I can’t wait to see what happens next after that ending.
Tropes: Two timeline ; second chance romance ; frenemies to lovers ; cat and mouse
Review : The plot thickens as the pages goes. It’s a then and now romance. Mariam is artsy and Bruce is all biz , gives a Lucifer vibe. What started as a one time thing later burns more passionately.. Baby face is a true baby after all behind his tantrums. It’s so cute when the unemotional one gets all emo. They become friends and timely comes the monster of Bruce’s past to wreck things up. What begins as a game of cat and mouse turns into an unlikely friendship until circumstances push them into each other’s arms. It’s not all hearts and roses, though. Inner, dark demons emerge while secrets come out to play, wrecking what brief joy they may have found in one another. But they say everyone deserves a second chance. The question is, are Bruce and Mariam deserving of theirs? .
**I received an e-book copy of this book from @breysbooktours in exchange for my honest review.
This is my first book by this author and it did not disappoint. Desires Unravelling is everything a romance reader loves. This book will pull you in from the very beginning and make you fall in love with the characters within its pages. Mariam and Bruce's story is written in dual POV with a past/present timeline that reads perfectly. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good romance with plenty of spice and a shit ton of emotions to be brought to the surface. And OMG...be prepared for the ending to have you screaming at your Kindle! I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
I really enjoyed how Saha introduced aspects of her culture in fun and interesting ways. Immersing us in the wedding, and the over-involved Aunties - showing us traditions and rituals some of us may be unfamiliar with. Mariam and Bruce have an explosive relationships right from the beginning. I love how their emotions come through so clearly on the pages. She does it well with Simran and Marcus too - their feelings for one another ring out loudly. I need to know how they resolve their issues! I wish I could go straight to book 2! At times the miscommunication, or lack of communication, was a bit too much for me. It seemed the same issue over and over. I was hoping the characters would develop a little bit more in this - but maybe they are getting there.
First can I just say how much I love the cover art?! 😍😍😍 it is gorgeous! This book was recommended to me as a friend and it did not disappoint!
It start our with Mariam attending her friends wedding. When she has to see her ex, Bruce, old feelings are brought up on both sides. They both miss each other but hate each other at the same time. Both of them prefer one timers, until they meet each other 😏
As they fall for each other, their relationship reveals their true feelings not only about each other, but about everyone else in the story as well.
Told in dual timelines a year apart, you get both when they are first together falling in love and the aftermath of them healing their own hearts ❤️🩹
I fell In love with the characters from the first chapter. They are so well written and just make my heart so so happy!!!
The ending is just 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼
And I now also love blueberry bagels 🥰 and I’m starting book two ASAP! 😍
I see a lot of my own personality in Mariam and I love her spunky personality. She doesn’t take anything from anyone. For the most part, she says exactly what she thinks. And I like that we get to delve into her personal history and talk about her struggles with her identity.
Bruce is definitely a playboy, but there’s soft emotion underneath that exterior. And I love that Mariam can bring that out in him. He has a strong determination to work hard and to also play hard. He actively works to be a different person and to develop into a more mature man.
I’m definitely excited for the second book! I’m ready to hear more about their story!
I loved the book. Mariam and Bruce all the ups and Downs. I love them both. And Rita don’t even get me started. Ugh. I can’t wait to read the next one to see where Mariam and Bruce’s story goes. Mark and simian were an amazing couple. I loved all the characters In the book.
What a wonderful story full of tugging emotions trying to learn how to let go and become something. It took me a while in the beginning to really understand where the direction of the story was going but not in a bad way. The way the past and present was written was exceptional. And the end.
Bruce, partner in a development company, met Mariam, an art director, at an art gallery run by one of his friends. As the story progresses their lives become entangled, their feelings are barely wrangled, and their choices cause a wreck that may not be untangled. Desire’s Unravelling is a tangled mess of emotions for a romance reader to dive into feet first.
How does a chance encounter (one that’s steamy as heck) lead to warring with your inner demons? What begins as a game of cat and mouse turns into an unlikely friendship until circumstances push them into each other’s arms. It’s not all hearts and roses, though. Inner, dark demons emerge while secrets come out to play, wrecking what brief joy they may have found in one another. But they say everyone deserves a second chance. The question is, are Bruce and Mariam deserving of theirs?
Bruce and Mariam are both unique characters with questionable pasts and confusing lives. I liked the writing style, where it skipped back and forth between past and present, even if it felt weird not knowing details at times. I am interested to see how Mariam and Bruce deal with the fallout of this book because personally, I don’t know if I would be able to forgive Bruce. This is a second-chance romance duet, so the characters were together, and then separated. It was really interesting for me to see some aspects of Indian culture, as I don’t think that is often represented in romance books. Overall I enjoyed the book and will read the sequel.
Holy smokes... What an epic story full of tugging emotions. It took me a moment in the beginning to find ground, really understand where the direction of the story was going but not in a bad way. The way the past and current intertwined together was masterful and engaging. Always making me want to read one more page, one more chapter, convincing myself I don't need sleep. And the ending... I almost threw my kindle! I am on the edge of my seat waiting to find out how this will end?
This is a dual POV, the flashes of the past with the present is executed well. I really enjoyed the characters, the story is a slow burn but you will be so wrapped up into their story you wouldn’t care. Mariam knows exactly what she wants in life and is content with it. However, Bruce is opposite of that and he wants her for himself. Their story will pull on your heart strings and emotions for sure. The spice was placed well. I’m ready to start the sequel to know how their story ends. Amazing job author!
Mariam has been having a lot of one night stands with various men. When she has one with Bruce, she doesn't know they have the same friends. They begin to get to know each other and it's hot right away.
This book is GOOD! I am intrigued to see how their story goes in the next one.