Venom and Lace

by Dani Antoinette

Not all monsters hide under your bed. Some of them entice you into theirs.

I’ve been blackmailed into being the fake fiancée of Chicago’s most eligible bachelor, but that’s nothing compared to what’s coming. Ryzen Goodacre’s ruthless quest to be number one has made him one of the richest men in the city, but I’m about to pay the price for his ambitions.

Most women would kill to be in my shoes. Unfortunately for him, I’m not like most women. I have to prove to the world we’re madly in love – and follow his rules: No cursing. No visible tattoos. And absolutely no talk about the personal wellness store I own. Otherwise, he’ll destroy my business.

But there’s one thing I haven’t counted on. And by the time I see him coming, it’s already too late.

Haunted by scars that can never be healed, Cian Blackwood has a bitter rivalry with Ryzen. He’s got me trapped in a twisted game where the line between right and wrong is more than just blurred. It’s downright sinful.

Possessed by the need for revenge, Cian will destroy anyone who stands in his way.

Including me.

And my heart.

Please note this book ends on a cliffhanger. Boot two in the series, Venom and Velvet, will be released on June 26th, 2023.

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Ebooks, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Fake Dating

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2023

About the author

A total bookworm and a hopeless romantic, Dani Antoinette likes to write the kind of stories she loves to read—stories about hot alpha males who embrace the thin line between right and wrong, and the strong, fearless women who are able to handle them. When Dani isn’t devouring books by her favorite authors at her local café in downtown Chicago, she spends her time interviewing prospective characters out loud in public places, all while planning her takeover of the romance world.

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Reviews

[Britt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley & Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.

Venom and Lace is so bad it almost makes me angry.

Nova is the most infuriating character. All talk, no action; she changes her mind based on who spoke to her last. Ryzen, Cian, Juliet - they gaslight, manipulate, and straight-out lie, and she turns around and asks for more. Ignoring the truth right in front of her, Nova always makes the wrong decision and jumps head first into terrible choices like it’s her kink.

If the characters being terrible wasn’t enough to dissuade you, let’s talk about the writing. Simple and repetitive, every chapter is a slight variation on the one before. We go back and forth over the most boring details without making progress and then end on a cliffhanger that should’ve been in the middle of the book, not the end. Venom and Lace is a romance novel. It’s not epic high fantasy, a complicated family saga, or even the mafia thriller it so desperately wants to be. It doesn’t get to have a cliffhanger with no resolution and expect people to pick up another book to go around in circles with this infuriating woman again. Romance series finish with one couple and then move on to a related one in the next book. Or, in rare cases, fast forward in time to an important time/event with the same couple. You don’t get more than one book to figure out a love triangle. Especially not a crime adjacent Pride and Prejudice retelling with less appeal than Mrs Bennet’s scheming.

I should’ve given up after the third time Nova pretended to be sex-positive while judging someone else. Or the fifth time she flip-flopped on who she was going to trust. Or when her ‘very best friend’ is so naive she can’t figure out she’s being manipulated to manoeuvre her friend. Or when she tries to explain that she can’t discuss a contract with a lawyer because it’s confidential and speaking to a lawyer would break confidentiality. I honestly couldn’t make this up. No one should have made this up.

One star. I’d give negative stars if I could.

Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.

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[Joana (joanasbookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

my god. this book 🫶🏻 this was so good, you need to read this one. billionaire romance and fake marriage? YES, sign me up.

but then you start reading and OH MY, this plot 🤌🏻 the twists and turns? PERFECT. my head was spinning all the time
this book was just the perfect balance between a cute and fun romance, spice, mysteries and friendship.

a warning that there’s a cliffhanger in the end of the book. truly can’t wait to read the rest of this series 🤌🏻

thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
the views expressed are my own, freely given.

[Jess Twibey · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN TO BE CONTINUED?! The book is short enough for more! I read this book in a day and just want more, nova is just a good girl who runs a sex toy business looking to expand and keep her mind off men and on her work.. until she falls for a bad daddy. Rivals Ryzen and Cian both turn her life upside down in all the best and worst ways, leaving her catching her breath on what (or who) to do and who to trust

[Ivelisse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fake marriage where you think you have it all figured out but you really don't... this is it!

There's Nova who runs into Ryzen while moving into an apartment... well they get stuck in the elevator and then a paparazzi snaps a picture of them sooo... said compromising picture is now on the tabloids and Ryzen needs to prove he's all good boy now needs Nova to marry him so he can buy this huge hotel chain. That is just like the beginning few chapters.

Then Cian shows up and he is perfect... another book boyfriend to add to my long lists of boyfriends.

Cian and Ryzen knew each other since they were kids. Ryzen claims one thing about their fallout, Cian claims another. Cian and Nova had an intense night 9 months prior that she only realizes it's him halfway through the story. So Ryzen needs Nova to be able to buy this property. Cian is trying to save Nova from Ryzen. Nova does not know who to believe. And I have to wait for book 2...

[Tanya Blinova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and netgalley for arc copy. I was intrigued because this is an enemies to lovers story. Did not disappoint! Read the book within 24 hours. I thought I knew where things were going, so some of the plot twists were great. Okay, but the ending?! Way to end, I want a second book now!!! Can't wait to see what happens next in the series.

[Random · Rating 4 out of 5]

Venom and Lace - a book that starts with close quarters and a suitcase full of vibrators. Let’s just say I’m primed for a good read.

This book was a fun and mysterious twist on an engagement of convenience trope that I generally like. The book had great twists along the way and really has you trying to untangle the truth along with the main character. A nice balance of spice and plot in my opinion. I really enjoyed the read but the end felt a bit rushed and convoluted. I’m hooked enough and enjoy the authors style that I’ll be keeping my eye out for book 2.
Also, any idea where I can find the toy used in chapter 17? Asking for a “friend”. ;)

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Oksana (myreadsjournal) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet heavens and all that's sacred in this world, where should I even begin?? First off MY MIND IS STILL BLOWN AWAY, I'M SHAKING, I WANT TO SCREAM AND BREAK SOMETHING BECAUSE THIS BOOK WAS SO FREAKING GOOD AND I CANNOT HOLD IT IN ME! GAH!!!

Okay, but seriously, where should I actually begin?! Wow, wow, wow! Just WOW!

So I definitely didn't expect this rollecoaster of emotions, I didn't expect the book would take such turns when I started reading it, it's super different from your typical romance books, and I definitely didn't expect I'd become obsessed with Venom and Lace but here we are AND I AIN'T EVEN SORRY! OBSESSED AND FREAKING HAPPY!

The author's writing is fantastic-amazing-perfect! Seriously. Such an easy read, the pace is perfect, everything is perfect!

Okay! Okay. Let's start with a motherfucking queen here aka Nova La Roux because GURL this character is literally motherfucking GOALS! Gosh, she's so fucking confident, she's such a badass, she's bossy, she's powerful, she's sexy AS FUCK, she's funny - SHE'S LITERALLY THE DEFINITION OF GOALS Y'ALL!! I absolutely love her!
I also absolutely get her confusion, because if I were in her shoes I'd probably (most definitely) flee the country. Yup.

Okay, Ryzen Goodacre - not gonna lie, I fell hard for his charm, all gentleman-like-self, and being completely honest - give me a sexy af billionaire and I'm a goner. Yup, that easy.

And then enters Cian Blackwood with his majestic entrance and I knew that it was it for me.

I seriously don't want to give any of the story away because this book is so so good that I genuinely-one-million-percent recommend you picking this up. But let me tell you what annoyed the shit ouf ot me: TO BE CONTINUED?! ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?! I literally almost threw my Kindle against the wall BECAUSE HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME! TO US! *ugly-crying-and-sobbing-in-the-corner-thank-you-very-much*

I so cannot wait for the second book. And the third. And the fourth. And however many more books Dani Antoinette is willing to give me BECAUSE I'M HERE FOR IT ALL! GIMME, GIMME, GIMME!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Victory Editing and Dani Antoinette for providing me the early copy of this book!

[Mireya · Rating 5 out of 5]

R. U. KIDDING. ME?
This book had me hooked since the first chapter. Throughout the book, I didn’t know who to trust, there was so many manipulations, one person blaming the other, lies after lies. It will make you question every characters intentions. This is freaking GOLD.

The chemistry between the FMC and the villain was off the charts. I thought it was going to be a cliché between the FMC and the MMC, but no. The smut was S E N S A N A T I O N A L.

Nova is owner of a sexual wellness company, who sells sex toys, and on the way to her new apartment, she bumps into a hot guy, Ryzen, in the elevator who turns out to be the richest real state developer in Chicago, they are photographed together and he takes advantage of that to close a deal he’s looking forward to, and proposes to Nova to be his fake fiancée for 4 months. But… she did not intended to be caught on this mess and falling for the archenemies of his, Cian.

Oh boy, does this Cian know how to make a woman crave something she never had. I was in love with him since day one. He gave me major Zade Meadows vibes, and the pet name he gave her? Girllll. Yes.

This book. God. AMAZING.
I ate this book up.

P.S.: it ends in a cliffhanger, so can’t read as a stand-alone.

[Cheyenne Mcdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy of this book to read and review. All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nova is caught in a bad boy love problem. Cain and Ryzen are rivals and both want the same girl. Nova is stuck between going with her heart and going with what she thinks is right. Both men have misled her in different ways and she doesn’t know who she can trust.

Man, what a whirlwind this book put me through. I can not wait for the second book in this series. It literally had me on my toes and that ending….oh my lord I need the next book like yesterday. Also Grams is a ride or die. Loved her!

Also, I’m team Cain for now. I don’t really trust either one of them but Ryzen has been a douche canoe and I’m not fan girling over him like I am Cain.

4 stars!!!!

[Baylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy of venom and lace by dani Antoinette. I love love love this. It started as girl falls into a situation for a romance book and quickly turns into a mystery of who's who. Ryzen tells her about this horrible ex friend. She meets ex friend cian and he gives her the same story and reverse but both are hot and she only has feeling for one. The ending wow. I cannot wait for a second book.

[Books Tea Magic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn I enjoyed this book! Super sexy characters, twists, turns, and spice galore. I didn’t expect to be as invested in Nova’s life as I became. The main protagonist is the co-owner of a sexual wellness shop. She’s sassy, outrageous, a badass lioness, and curiously relatable. I love her style. Total escapism with a killer cliffhanger — you know how you have different book friends? I know exactly who I’ll be recommending this one to. Only problem now… the wait for the next one.

[Kirsten Flint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billionaire Romance with fake fiancés, enemies to lovers, slow burn with mucho spice and plot 💋 (chef’s kiss)!

I couldn’t put it down once I started. The story is fantastic with rough and tumble men that could melt panties with every word and a woman who is smart and sassy but still somehow gets caught in a web of deception. Twist and turns and a cliffhanger ending.

Can’t wait for the rest of the series. Publish date March 13th 2023

Thank you NetGalley for this wonderful ARC

[L.B. August · Rating 5 out of 5]

Venom and Lace by Dani Antoinette
Out now on Kindle Unlimited!
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (3+ detailed scenes, toys)

Blurb: Nova La Roux's life was finally getting good. Her sexual wellness business with her best friend was taking off, and she was moving into a new, upscale apartment. Everything was looking up until she ran into Ryzen Goodacre, and her world was flipped upside. Agreeing to a fake engagement to Chicago's most eligible bachelor was going to be more than she bargained for. Ryzen's friend turned arch-nemesis, Cian Blackwood, was determined to get his revenge no matter the cost. Unfortunately, Nova was right in the middle of the brewing storm.

This is book 1 of a new romantic series by Dani. This book is told from the female main character's, Nova's, POV. There are some dark topics discussed, which include child abuse and drug use. Be sure to read trigger warnings before indulging.

Thoughts: Venom and Lace had me from the literal first sentence all the way to the last! This book is full of twists and turns, mystery, hidden villains, and a stalker. Nova is a strong, sex positive, and sassy female main character you just have to love. Cian can call me whatever nickname he wants any day of the week, and I will answer 🥵. This is a fast-paced, excellently detailed story allowing the reader to easily envision the events unfolding and get sucked right in. When Dani says it ends on a cliffhanger, she meant a heart pounding, what in the heck is going on kind of cliffhanger. In the last 40 pages, my heart was racing, trying to figure out what was going to happen, and the end had my jaw on the floor, followed by a very loud "NO." I did not want it to end, and I cannot wait for the next books to come out.

Thank you NetGalley, Dani, and Victory Editing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Dani Antoinette]

Update: Book two releases on June 26th! :)

Not all monsters hide under your bed. Some of them entice you into theirs.

Eek! Venom and Lace is live! Thank you all for all your shares, likes and comments! I can't wait to share Venom and Lace with everyone! Your reviews are making me cry - no seriously - I am so grateful that so many of you are loving VL and can't wait to share book two!

Amazon: https://bit.ly/VenomandLaceAMZ

[Amanda Nicoletta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!

This book was addicting. I read it in one sitting I couldn't put it down. And that cliffhanger?!?!?!? The pacing at times was a little weird but other than that it was a great book! I had a great time reading it and I can't wait until I can read book 2!!!

[Melissa Kennard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally could not put this book down. Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review and most of all Dani Antoinette for writing such an incredible book! That cliffhanger tho! Can't say I wasn't warned.

Life must really have it out for Nova, because when billionaire Ryzen offers her a fake engagement in exchange for her to keep her office location, she can't turn him down. Enter Cian, the once best friend turned enemy of Ryzen. Cian and Ryzen have a painful history, and Nova gets thrown right in the middle of their revenge on one another. How much will Ryzen ask of his fake fiance to get what he wants? How much pain must Nova endure to secure everything shes worked so hard for? And to what extent will Cian go to get back at the one who took everything from him?

This book has it all; love, lust and spice. Lies and betrayal. Success and failure. I picked this book up one afternoon, read a couple chapters, picked it up the next morning and had it finished by mid afternoon that same day. This book is so amazing. Dani Antoinette's writing is incredible! A style that flows easily and a story line that's paced perfectly. I will and am very anxiously be waiting for book 2.

[Tayler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Dani Antoinette, NetGalley & Victory Editing for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest and willing review.


3.5/5 Stars
3/5 Spice Rating

I won't lie, I grabbed this book because of the cover more than I did the description. It's a beautiful book cover and the description is captivating.

The insides of the book were not at all what I had expected walking in to this story.

This is a singular, fake engagement/marriage, billionaire, grumpy/sunshine esc story.

Nova has a whirlwind experience a few months prior to the current timeline in this book, with a man she doesn't know the identity of. However, her current predicament has lead her into the arms of Ryzen Goodacre, a billionaire who's proposed an arrangement of a fake engagement to win over one of his clients.

The spice in the book is pretty good, the story was a little lackluster at the beginning but around 40-50% in I couldn't put it down. I had to know what was happening.

This book does end on a cliffhanger, which I'm not a huge fan of, but because I have to know I will probably need the second book.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars
3/5 spice
I do not know where to begin.
First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this book.

I honestly feel so conflicted with how I feel about this book.
Was the plot amazing? yes.
Did I love the Heroine? yes
Do I hate confusions? yes

HOWEVER, I do love a good adult romance filled with drama and angst. This book does end with a cliffhanger, which I totally understand.
But do I hate having to wait for the next book? yes 😂 yes I do. But for this series, I'm willing to wait.

Would recommend this book to anyone is looking to have a quick angsty slow burn with a dash of spice.

A word of advice before jumping into this book, "Trust no one. Absolutely NO ONE".

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here in lies a witty piece of adult fiction. Entertaining to read. Brilliantly brings so mainly familiar book/movie themes and ideas together under one cover. Nova is co-owner of Shiver Box, a sexual wellness company. In trying to help her business she finds her self in trouble asking herself one big question - Who you gonna to trust? The blurb is upfront honest there is a cliff hanger, but you could read this as a stand alone - you will know how Niva gets herself into trouble but you just won’t she gets out of it. Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took a completely different direction than I had initially suspected. It’s different from your typical romance as there were twists and turns that I was not prepared for!

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the sex positivity with Nova being the co-owner of a sexual wellness store. I also loved how this was so much more than a romance book where I constantly had no clue who to believe and which things were lies.

This book was so interesting and intriguing with a big ass cliff-hanger that I can’t wait for the next book to see where the series goes. I need so many answers!!

[Meagan Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Venom and Lace is such a good read. This story had lots of twists and turns that shocked and surprised me.

Nova has an unexpected run in with a wealthy business man, Ryzen, that turns her world upside down. Nova and Ryzen form a fake engagement in order to help both of their businesses. However, things get complicated very quickly.

This story has a lot of intense moments and a shocker of an ending. There is a huge cliffhanger at the end that left me wanting to read the second book asap!

Thank you NetGalley, Dani Antoinette and to the publisher to let me read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Sjoukje Vandenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me be honest and tell you, the only reason I requested to read this book is because of how beautiful the cover looked. But boy or boy, did I go for a ride!

The first chapter! I laughed, read it to my husband, he laughed!

I love the main character, I love the “love triangle”. Fake dating, the tension with the “boyfriends” rival!

So fast paced. I could not put this book down! And by 90% I was holding my breathe! I The ending! Making me wish there was more! Can’t wait to continue reading this story in the future!

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was pure temptation, and I was more than happy to take a bite. Sinful, seductive and sultry, this book lured me in and had me completely consumed. Cian, Nova and Ryzen will steal your breath, send your temperature soaring, put your emotions through the spin cycle and have you clinging to the edge of your seat. Which way is up and who can be trusted??!! I guess we'll find out in book two. This is my volitional, forthright review.

[Deb Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

Loved this book, very well written. The characters are awesome. So many twists and turns. Can't wait til second book comes out. On the downside, I am not really a fan of "series" books, especially when a lot of time passes until the next one comes out. How can a reader keep track of all the "series" books we read? Without even a title to post in a calender with a future date.

[The Norwegian Person · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This book made my head hurt, in a good way. We follow Nova, a sex-toy shop owner, who ends up in a conundrum regarding her business, seemingly only solved by a handsome rich bachelor named Ryzen. Only Ryzen isn't exactly who he sets out to be, or is he?

I cannot wait for the second book, I desperately need to know who and what to believe in this twisty, spicy (🌶️🌶️🌶️/5) story about Nova!

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book!! I love the characters and the way they interact. It was so fun to read!! I am looking forward to the next connection in this series!!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Andréa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay but why did I not read that little thing on the bottom of the cover saying book 1?! Gosh as I was getting to the end there was just pure panic as I realised not all of that could be resolved in a handful of pages.

Sigh... now I have to wait... impatiently that is... because I need to know what happens next. Like need it like I need oxygen. Dani Antoinette did amazing with this I was swooping left and right not sure with guy I wanted her to be with. At a certain point I put all my chips in with a certain masked man 😍 who, I honestly thought was going to be someone else. The twists kept me on my toes! I LOVE that!

Loved the characters! Even loved the characters I hated... certain manipulative asshole and bitch sister... that's when you know it's good. You even love the people you imagine terrible things happening to because of their evil-ness

I got an ARC and I'm so thankful but now I'm so depressed I have to wait so long for the next one! 😭😭😭

Excuse me while I go cry

But 5 stars. The pain is so good 😂😭

[Saucypotatosalad · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one shoulda stayed on wattpad

[Ashley Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

whiplash??? gobsmacked???? gooped and gagged???

immediately onto the next goodbye!!!