Nefarious

B723 #3

by Hazel Grace

This book is a standalone from the suspense, angst series of the B723 series.

I was minding my own business.
I was.
Out with my closest family, drinking and dancing the night away.
Then I awoke—vision blurred, throat dry, head throbbing like someone was taking a sledgehammer to my skull except it wasn’t a hangover I was suffering.
It was a kidnapping.
They said I was their only hope to save their dad.
You think that would at least give me a meal for such a feat. Not kept against my will, chained to a wall, and taunted with freedom.
Then she appeared.
Copper hair, luscious lips, and beautiful green eyes.
I had hope.
She crushed it.
She lied to me.
She promised me a way out of the hell I was enduring.
So I stayed, wasting away day by day, praying to God B723 found me.
They did.
Then I created every way in my head to destroy her, them, and every single hard-on I had…for her.
She thinks her sisters are bad.
They’re a joke compared to what I’m capable of when pissed.

*Nefarious is a dark romance and contains dark elements. This book also may also have, what can be considered, triggers. Please read with caution.*

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance

722 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2021

About the author

Hazel Grace is an avid music lover, an undefined human being, and hardcore Oakland Raiders fan from the mitten state of Michigan.
Always surprising her readers with weird Michigan sayings (they have their own cuss words) and writing "what the f*ck" storylines.
When she's not writing, she's on Spotify finding new bands, working on her Camaro or watching shows with her kids with annoying songs attached to them.

Check up on Hazel on the following platforms:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hazelgraceauthor
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hazelgraceauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/hazel...
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dlYOgn

Reviews

[vxhexn reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READ: 9.20 - 9.22.2021
Mills has been the one character I’ve been curious about since I first read Overcast. He was the man in the forest with Stormi. Flirtatious yet protective. Rambunctious yet focused and lethal when it counts. He was also the fake baby daddy for Emmy Lou’s twins. Continually devoted to the children he had no hand in creating but took care of for months as if they were his own. He’s caring, compassionate, and most definitely not a manwhore. When he loves he loves deeply.

This love story isn’t what you’ll be expecting. Living up to its title nefarious thing happen that set the tone for the revenge and retribution that plays out in the story. Being held captive by some French woman and her daughters is never where Mills though he’d end up. I mean how the heck does a covert government assassin get got by some rich bitches?! Yet it’s the things they do to him during his captivity that ratchet up the need for revenge and blood.

In true B723 fashion Mill and the family go to work and set to destroying people one at a time. And the number one target was Amirah, the beauty Mills’ called Rusty and couldn’t forget or forgive. His stalking, bullying, and protecting start to blend as he begins to realize not all is as it seems. Facts are revealed that paint a more sinister picture than I could have imagined. Thankfully in the end everything comes to light and the real villains get the complete B723 treatment.

🔥 Covert govt assassin H
🔥 Fashion Designer h
🔥 enemies-to-lovers
🔥 noncon & dubcon


BETA READ: 7.27 - 8.10.2021
Previewed this story in beta and fell in love with Mills’ story. It’s unlike anything I’ve read to date and it tackles a touch issues from a different perspective. Can’t wait to see the final draft!!



𝓋𝓍𝒽𝑒𝓍𝓃 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝓈
Instagram | Facebook | Bookbub

[Lager Lefse Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hazel Grace: destroyer of souls, evil maniacal genius known to take readers through the paces and loves to take them on a wild ride. Mission Completed.

Nefarious: It was all that and more! PLEASE go into this book spoiler-free, because I did, and I was hooked. I was anticipating what was next to come but was off base and I loved it. I love all the boys (and girls) from B723, but Mills had me totally intrigued. He’s tough, protective, yet fun and nutty. What was his story and how could he be such a dichotomy? Nefarious brings us to a whole different level and Mills story is one I never saw coming. I. Am. In. Love. With. Mills and his story!

As per usual, Hazel’s writing is on point. The storyline flows from one situation to another, and her plotline is captivating. Overall, Nefarious is a very enriching read that pulls your imagination along for the ride. What happens to Mills, happens to you. I felt that I was with him through all his encounters and because of this I could not put Nefarious down. Another successful book by Hazel Grace.

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book.... It was full of ups and downs. This is Mill's story and it's not pretty. Everything what he went through and he still found a way to love. He could have been so much different after everything but I think she saved him somehow. I really liked this book and can't wait to see what comes next.




An ARC was provided in exhange for an honest review.

[Varya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am going to rant. Again. Cuz I am pissed off. Again. Theme of the month!

1) This turned into a goddamn mind-numbing soap opera after 40%. I see a pattern developing here👀 (Bishop's book went to shit at a similar time)

2) Amirah - This woman ruined the entire fucking book for me. I hate her with a raging passion (and not cuz of her being a rapist....as cold-hearted and disgusting as it may sound to some....cuz I could understand self-preservation and protecting your family .....we are all selfish beings at the end of it all)
But her attitude afterwards....arghhhh, I wish I could dive into the book and strangle her.
I mean, there's sweet and forgiving but then there's naive and stupid. Not to mention bitchy and judgemental as fuck.
I could NOT with her. Her sisters raped her man, they raped her brother throughout his childhood, murdered a guy by choking him to death and blamed her for it, then blackmailed her over it, oh and also, the kicker.....they sent two guys to rape her (yup their own sister). Now, I don't know if I am a grudge holding bitch and not human enough or whatnot, but if even half of that happened to me, I'd shank the bitches myself.
But nooooo, Amirah here was a saint who achieved self-actualisation early....cuz she couldn't even give Mills the green light to kill them. But that's not enough, oh no ....she wouldn't let Mills kill them behind her back either (the poor soul wanted to save her from the guilt of the kill), by making him believe that he would lose her if he did. GOD, WHAT A CUNT.

3) I have zero, zilch, nada respect for Amirah's father. He finds out that 2 out of his 3 daughters raped his own son during his whole childhood, and kidnapped another guy and raped hin too....and his reaction is to lecture them and cut their allowances. My face was twisted in disgust towards him the whole time this scene took place. Just no.
You are a parent, you can't hand over your children to the police...fine.....atleast ship them off to a cushy psych or correctional facility. I am sure there's something there to cater to the rich. 🤷

4) The author needs an editor like yesterday. It's a mess. Besides the obvious misspellings, non-existent punctuation and wrong words ....there were inconsistencies in the story itself. It was mentioned that Amirah and Laurent were adopted but then Amirah would say she can't kill her sisters cuz they shared "blood". Adopted or not?!



The only saving grace of this book was Mills. He was such a beautiful soul.....I loved him so much. I know bad men are my jam but sometimes the good ones are so sweet that they just become special. Mills was that. He had a heart bigger than the entire fucking universe and seriously didn't deserve Amirah's stupid shit.


Mills was amazing and carried the whole book on his strong, muscled shoulders but I still can't, in good faith, recommend this. Amirah killed my remaining miniscule faith in humanity for the month.


PS- I'll still give Blue and Kyson's books a try when they come out cuz I really loved Marty and Stormi,.....and this author has potential to write a great great story....but I am dnf'ing them at the first sign of the story going downhill. My faith and heart are shaken.

[Sofia´s Beddable Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this was a rough one.

I should know by what Hazel Grace is capable of but man, does she keep surprising me.
Talk about “all the feels.”

Geez.

Following in the steps of “Ovecast” and “Deceit” while also stepping it up a few notches, “Nefarious” is D.A.R.K.

Like, seriously.

Intense to the nth degree.
The things Mills and Amirah go through - both together and by themselves – are a very particular kind of effed-up.

And it’s freaking sad.

Still, I totally agree with the author when she mentions in her acknowledgments that “the only person in B723 that I thought could handle this situation and not completely crumble was, indeed, my Mills.”

What he goes through…
You can feel it all: the discomfort, the disgust, the misplaced guilt and shame.
The way he deals with the trauma shows you so much about his mind, his strength.


With Amirah things are slightly different. We catch yourself feeling as conflicted as she does most of the time.
All the unspeakable things she’s suffered at the hands of her sisters – disgusting.
But they are family nonetheless.
Furthermore, Amirah is neither ruthless nor cruel.


Mills and Amirah’s relationship is born out of extreme circumstances and it all adds to its uniqueness.
Their chemistry is palpable, as it’s the sexual tension.
This whole book in one word: turbulent.


Cue the hangover.


Every time I finish a book by Hazel Grace I’m left feeling numb for a while.

That’s how powerful her stories are.

The plots are original, the characters multidimensional and real, the couples’ chemistry is always off-the charts and, with the B723 gang in particular, the sense of unity and family is deeply felt.

We’ve been getting get to know them little by little throughout the series, yet not much is revealed at once; just teasing your curiosity.

In my opinion and general experience, that’s when I know the writing is good: when the secondary characters are as interesting as the main ones, without being to distracting from the main storyline; when I’m reading book one and I’m already excited by the slim chance of book 2 happening and letting me know all about these new people I’ve been eyeing from a distance.

“Nefarious” was no exception in that department; Kyson got more and more intriguing and Blue remains a mystery.


My dear author, I’ll be ready when you are. 😈

[SCBookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start out by saying that when Hazel Grace tells her readers, "Buckle Up Buttercups," take head because she excels on taking us on a rollercoaster ride with our emotions.

As a reader, I beg you not to read the spoilers. Go in blind, grab a strong drink (you'll need it), and let the twists and turns take you on the ride the author intended on you taking.

I truly thought I knew where Hazel Grace was going to take us with Mill's story and the first chapter had me thinking I was right. Then everything flipped upside down.

For a good portion of the first half, I was mad at what the author did. This is Mills! He's the fun one, the comedic relief, the one is readers have been falling for. I should have known it wouldn't be pretty because this is a dark, twisted series but still, it's Mills!

This one hurt me. Hazel Grace's writing style had us take the journey right along with Mills - good and bad. I honestly wasn't sure I was going to be okay at the end.

But she did her magical thing and everything worked out. There wasn't a pretty bow at the end but there was a bow - it was just a little tarnished and frayed.

This book is dark and twisted and has possible triggers. Be warned because this isn't fade to black and the things aren't implied. No - it's spelled out for us. If you can't handle it, then this isn't for you.

If triggers don't bother you, I can't recommend this series enough! It's dark, gritty, full of suspense and angst. This is the third book and each one has had its own feel. Each character has their own personality that doesn't alter in the following book. I seriously can't get enough of the B723 crew!

Hazel Grace has this ability to make me so mad I want to throw my Kindle and yet when I've finished, I can't stop gushing about them and looking forward to her next release.

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - 4.25 Stars!

After having read Deceit back in May I've been so looking forward to more! As soon as this one was announced I couldn't wait to read it! I got back into the B723 world right away like no time had passed at all. I enjoyed this third book so much!

When I found out Mills was getting his very own book I was so happy! I was so glad that i got to get into his mind.

Mills and Amirah's journey was different and I so enjoyed how i got into their story! I really liked how the ball got rolling and hooked me. It was dark and not easy. I wasn't sure what all was going to happen throughout and it most definitely kept me on my toes. I loved that I felt all kinds of things with these characters!

With Nefarious, Ms.Grace has created such a good and unique read! I can't wait to pick up what she releases next! If you haven't gotten into the B723 world yet you so need to this year!


*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from the author*

[Karja26 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mills holds a special place in my heart

Mills holds a special place in my heart and to read what he went through in this book hurts me.
Amirah personally I am not a fan of at all, I was blowing steam whenever she entered the scene.
I won’t lie it was a hot, and at times tricky reads.
Amirah sisters and mom are totally crazy!!! and I would have liked if they had a more gory end, I really would have liked Marty and the B723 crew to be let loose on them all.

[Atlanta Whitlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can never get enough of Hazel Grace’s work; she just knows what readers want and always manages to keep us hooked on her work. This time is no different as she has written another amazing book that you can’t help but love the characters and the storyline. Mills is the fun loving one of B723 and I was really interested in getting to read his story because whilst he tends to do his best to make everyone else happy, seeing him happy is all you want for him. Plus after reading how things were in the last book, it’s interesting to see how things progressed between Mills and Bishop considering they didn’t exactly have the best relationship towards the end of the book.
I honestly think that Hazel did an amazing job with this book, plus how she handled the topic of the fact that males can be victims too was incredible as it shows us that males too can be abused and it’s not a thing that just happens to us females, it’s a real thing and some people don’t actually acknowledge that it can happen to males. I honestly think that this book is essentially an important message, even though Hazel has just given us another amazing story to fall in love with, I’m just hoping that it actually makes people aware at how things can truly be, but to also realise that they aren’t alone, and there are others out there that go through this.
Mills goes through so much in this book and you can’t help but feel for him, plus everything that he experiences it shows you that it does have an impact on him, and you can’t help but see the change that does occur in him.
I honestly think that she did a good job at telling Mill’s story and I can’t help but still love how sweet he is, even though he does change through the book.
I honestly couldn’t fault this story and literally loved every minute of it, I have no idea what she plans to do for the other books in B723, but if it’s anything as good as the first three then I’m super excited to give them a read.

Mills and Bishop aren’t exactly on the best of terms still even though Bishop now knows that Mill’s never laid a hand on Emmy, but that still doesn’t change the fact that Mills went along with the lie for so long. With wanting to just let loose for the night Mills can’t get over that he’s sitting at a table with Bishop, Emmy and Bishop’s sister (Scarlett), but even still he’s determined to make the most out of this night.
What starts off as an epic night quickly turns into the worst nightmare ever when he wakes up the next morning and has discovered he’s been kidnapped. With having no clue where he is, he is dertemined to figure a way out of there, but clearly his captors have different ideas. But when he spots eyes on the copper-haired girl, he can’t help but be enhanced by her, but also he can’t believe the luck he’s going through. However, he doesn’t realise that Amirah is going through her own type of personal hell.
With having her sisters drag her into the mess that both them and their mother has caused, she can’t help but feel sick to her stomach when it becomes apparent that she assaulted him too, but when it’s clear that her sisters aren’t giving her much of a choice otherwise she’ll lose everything, all she wants to do is find a way to help free him. But with Mills not wanting anything to do with any of them, or even having them near him, will she get the chance to make things right???
Will they be able to help each other out?? Or is Mills set to destroy everything that is her so called family?
Will it be her sisters or Mills who is down to getting Amirah kicked out of school and making her life so much worse?
Will Mills ever see the truth behind everything or is he too broken to even see what’s right in front of him???

[Katy Halsema · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the 3rd book in the B723 series. It isn't necessary to read the previous two books but it will give you a better understanding of the characters and a few things that are mentioned in Mills' story.

Rhett Mills is part of B723. It comes to light he has a very rare blood type after he's been kidnapped. He had no idea until it was revealed to him. Mills is kidnapped and held against his will along with a few other things. Amirah is an unknowing participant in his captivity thinking he is one of her sister's twisted play things and not actually a captive.

Amirah is so different from her sisters Odette and Solange and even her mother Juliette. The only people in her family she actually likes are her brother and father. You learn during the story some of the horrible things her brother has shielded her from. All I'm gonna say, her family is some type of screwed up!

This story is so far outside the box with everything that happens. I LOVED reading this story and getting to know Mills and Amirah. There were several spots I was shocked at while reading. Mills and Amirah are both bada$$ characters. Amirah starts out as what I would call a meek character. She doesn't really stick up for herself and she definitely isn't a fighter. There are moments when the firecracker comes out in Amirah and I really didn't expect it.

I sure didn't expect a few of the twists that are in here. Betrayals. Love. Lust. Torture. Fun. Fashion. It all rolls into one heck of a story. Definitely recommend

[Melissa Gloria - Meli’s Books and Coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been patiently waiting for my man Mills after reading the first two B723 books and let me tell you, Ms. Hazel Grace did not disappoint!! I was fired up from the very beginning while reading this book and I couldn't put it down. I made myself pace myself since I didn't want to rush it, but still I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. Mills finds himself in a horrible predicament after a night out drinking. First off let me just say, I have never wanted to go through a book and cut a character. Amirah is in a league of her own. She doesn't want to be like her mom or her sisters. She wants to finish college and make her father proud. Too bad that her mother and her sisters are bat shit crazy and have her fearing for her life. Mills and Amirah's story had me on a crazy rollercoaster ride that I didn't want to get off on. The book is intense, dark and steamy AF! These are fire and Mills still remains my favorite to this day. Now I can't wait for Blue and Kyson's story and I just know Hazel is going to hit us with all of the emotions with them.

[Brittney Carvalho-Whalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read this story I was seriously blindsided and kept asking myself what the hell did I just read? The best possible advice I could give someone would be to go in blind but beware of triggers. We met Mills in previous books and our happy, sweet, goofy man brings the spice and dangerous side we’ve been dying to see from him in this book. I loved seeing the darker and edgier side of Mills we didn’t get in prior books. After a night on the town with his friends and family he wakes to find himself in a bat shit crazy situation that flips his world inside out. Despite the circumstances he finds himself drawn to one of his (unaware) captives and it’s a thin line between lust and disgust between these two. As the situation unfolds and emotions get involved both start to question what exactly is it they’re fighting for and who they want to be as people. Buckle up cause this one is a crazy ride.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal...

I had the absolute pleasure of reading Mills' story. Nefarious by Hazel Grace ... as all of her books are phenomenal, this one was ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!

I was captivated from the start and I knew I wouldn't be able to put this book down...I wanted to savor Mills and oh my had to read it until the very end in one day! 

Mills goes out with his bestie and friends. He partied hard that when he woke up he wasn't in Kansas anymore. He found himself in a situation that an assassin shouldn't be in. Hazel style, she loves to take you on a wild ride, this one is no different, with some dark and twisted moments, be warned there could be triggers....
B723 family set to destroy people BUT and the number one target was Amirah, Mills’ beauty he calls Rus.

Go ahead and read... you won't be disappointed!
Suggestion, start with Overcast,  Deceit and then Nefarious !

[Ashley Helton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hazel Grace where do you come up with amazing story lines for each book?

I'm always amazed how different each story is, but the words always capture the character perfectly.

Mills and Amirah are the definition of opposites attract. Mills finally deserves someone for himself, and only Mills would fall in love with a woman who would do something so off the charts to him.

The love they have for each other is amazing and something most people strive for and will never have the chance to know.

I feel head first into their story and wanted more, I had trouble putting the book down not wanting to miss the next thing to happen.

Such an amazing book!

You did it again Hazel Grace!!

[Dorothy Bircher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously what can I saw except for Mills!! I absolutely love Mills, but I love every man in B723 in their own way. Mills has definitely stood out with his his humor. HG pulled me in right from the start that I couldn't put this book down. I was sad to see Mills lose that spark and humor but it was replaced by rage and revenge. I'm never disappointed when I'm on a HG ride because I know it's going to be a wild one. I definitely needed some convincing on Amirah but in the end she won me over. Definitely a must read!! You need Mills in your life!!

[Mimi Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Cow! Mills is my boy crush now🥰

I don’t know how she did it to make me want to hunt those psycho women down and gut them myself! Even in his darkest of time Mills has a heart! To want to hurt someone who would dare try and dim someone’s light😠I caught myself yelling at my kindle, tossing my kindle then picking it back up then mumbling to myself about all the the many ways to dispose of bodies...🤦‍♀️ Love the book, Definitely LOVE Mills and Amirah.... can’t wait to see how Hazel gets us with the next one and if you’ve Never read any of her books then you’ve been missing out! Hop to it! The sooner you start reading the sooner you discover your inner assassin! Lol

[Syn Barbosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed!

I absolutely adore Mills!! I was so excited to read his story! However.... I abso-fu*ing-lutely HATE Amirah! Like for real, if she wasn't a fictional character I'd hunt the bitch down and pull a Bishop on her ass! So insufferable! I cursed her out in every single one of her chapters. Mills deserved someone so much better!!! *sigh*. I really hope the next one isn't so disappointing.

[Tara Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Mills since he appeared in Overcast. His story is filled with unspeakable evils and vile happenings. Not for the faint of hear for sure. Nefarious is about Mills being thrown into horrendous events, how he over comes them and and finds his dream girl. A man broken only to reclaim his sanity and tranquility.

[Shelly G.]

I may try to pick this back up at a later date, but to have Mills put into the situation that occurs in the first 25% of the book was really disturbing. He is such a great fun loving character in the other books and it really bothered me he was put into such an awful scenerio.

[Booksesive · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book, I love this series. But I disliked Amirah lol

[Brittiany · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I’m still not a fan of the writing at all times, I’m still loving the story itself and can’t wait for the next one in the series.