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Fixer-Uppers #3
The Beast
He's a cold-blooded killer, devilishly hot and wildly dangerous.
Most people would tell me I'm crazy. Most people would call him a monster and tell me to run. But in the broken world I live in, that's the only sort of man a woman wants.
When he found me in a puddle of blood, at the mercy of my mobster husband's thugs, I was ready to die. I just looked at him with empty eyes, giving him permission to keep walking and never glance back. But instead, he told me to look away and then took care of business. My nails dug into his steel-hard arms as he carried me to his car and declared I was now his.
Of course I knew who my dark knight was.
Andrei f$$$ing Kowtisch.
Feared assassin. Merciless beast. A man who fights fire with fire.
I guess that means it's payback time, because nobody touches Andrei's property. Unless you're the most dangerous mobster on the East Coast who swore to get me back no matter the cost . . .
This book contains sexual content, a dark hero, and profanity. No cliffhangers, no cheating, and no menage. Recommended for 18+
Tropes: Mafia, antihero, dark romance, possessive alpha hero, booktok recommendation, spicy dark romance
Most people would tell me I'm crazy. Most people would call him a monster and tell me to run. But in the broken world I live in, that's the only sort of man a woman wants.
When he found me in a puddle of blood, at the mercy of my mobster husband's thugs, I was ready to die. I just looked at him with empty eyes, giving him permission to keep walking and never glance back. But instead, he told me to look away and then took care of business. My nails dug into his steel-hard arms as he carried me to his car and declared I was now his.
Of course I knew who my dark knight was.
Andrei f$$$ing Kowtisch.
Feared assassin. Merciless beast. A man who fights fire with fire.
I guess that means it's payback time, because nobody touches Andrei's property. Unless you're the most dangerous mobster on the East Coast who swore to get me back no matter the cost . . .
This book contains sexual content, a dark hero, and profanity. No cliffhangers, no cheating, and no menage. Recommended for 18+
Tropes: Mafia, antihero, dark romance, possessive alpha hero, booktok recommendation, spicy dark romance
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2023
1843 people are currently reading
1179 people want to read
About the author
Denise Daye
24 books884 followersWant access to free content, enter a giveaway, or get the latest news? Sign up for Denise's newsletter here: www.timelesspapers.com/newsletter.html
You can learn more about Denise online at www.timelesspapers.com
Denise graduated with a master’s in Social Work from an ivy league school and has spent many years of her life working with families and individuals in need of assistance. She has always had a passion for writing, but it wasn't until she went through a difficult pregnancy and was on bedrest that Denise turned her passion into her profession. Whenever Denise is not typing away on one of her books, you can find her caring for her son, binging Netflix with her beloved husband, or chasing after her puppy (who should technically be an adult dog by now).
You can learn more about Denise online at www.timelesspapers.com
Denise graduated with a master’s in Social Work from an ivy league school and has spent many years of her life working with families and individuals in need of assistance. She has always had a passion for writing, but it wasn't until she went through a difficult pregnancy and was on bedrest that Denise turned her passion into her profession. Whenever Denise is not typing away on one of her books, you can find her caring for her son, binging Netflix with her beloved husband, or chasing after her puppy (who should technically be an adult dog by now).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
March 31, 2023
DNF at 60%
I desperately wanted to enjoy The Beast because the author was so sweet when she reached out to me asking if I’d read her newest book. Unfortunately, this left way too much to be desired.
My biggest issues:
• a truly unnecessary number of exclamation marks
• cringeworthy dialogue and descriptions, ex. “He was H-O-T.”
• spice scenes that felt like I was reading the first draft. Why were they so short and so rushed? Why did the characters speak like robots? Where was the emotion? At a bare minimum I should have understood who was where and the sensations they felt.
Everything (and no, that’s not hyperbole) felt half-baked.
Continuing on would have been like going through the motions and that’s really not the energy I’m looking for in a hobby.
I desperately wanted to enjoy The Beast because the author was so sweet when she reached out to me asking if I’d read her newest book. Unfortunately, this left way too much to be desired.
My biggest issues:
• a truly unnecessary number of exclamation marks
• cringeworthy dialogue and descriptions, ex. “He was H-O-T.”
• spice scenes that felt like I was reading the first draft. Why were they so short and so rushed? Why did the characters speak like robots? Where was the emotion? At a bare minimum I should have understood who was where and the sensations they felt.
Everything (and no, that’s not hyperbole) felt half-baked.
Continuing on would have been like going through the motions and that’s really not the energy I’m looking for in a hobby.
March 12, 2023
The author's style of writing left me cold
The whole premise of the story's plot was that the main characters were running. One was running from an abusive husband and the other from the CIA. You would think this would be a great plot and it was, only the story was told in such a banal way it was actually boring to read and I skipped HUGE chunks to get through it. It lacked aggression, passion, intrigue and good dialogue.
In other words it was emotionless.
The abusive husband (who was supposedly a brutal mobster) didn't appear in the story at all until the last chapter and even then only in the distance. The danger Andrei was in was a non starter too.
I couldn't become interested enough in the main characters and their relationship. The author's style of writing just left me cold.
The whole premise of the story's plot was that the main characters were running. One was running from an abusive husband and the other from the CIA. You would think this would be a great plot and it was, only the story was told in such a banal way it was actually boring to read and I skipped HUGE chunks to get through it. It lacked aggression, passion, intrigue and good dialogue.
In other words it was emotionless.
The abusive husband (who was supposedly a brutal mobster) didn't appear in the story at all until the last chapter and even then only in the distance. The danger Andrei was in was a non starter too.
I couldn't become interested enough in the main characters and their relationship. The author's style of writing just left me cold.
February 27, 2023
Well that was unexpected! I honestly thought this would probably be a typical Bratva trope; plot light and lots of steam.
Well there's steam that's for sure but what I wasn't expecting was a fast moving thriller set in different countries with more than one unexpected plot twist. I literally gobbled it up!
We have our shadowy, hunk of hero Andrei a Russian assassin reputedly the most wanted sniper in the world and on the run...then meet Elise, young beautiful American also on the run for one of the East Coasts most evil crime bosses. Our character's worlds collide when they meet in the unlikely setting of South Africa. Here truly begins our tale.
I won't add any major spoilers here because the plot is so well crafted it has to be enjoyed not ruined by reviewers (!) but suffice to say our 2 leads have to find a way to navigate being hunted and do they do that together or apart?
There is chemistry and heart felt steam aplenty, but it's the events that will keep you turning the page as you vaguely think to yourself 'what would I do in those were my circumstances, or 'this can't end well'....
There is angst agogo. There is a heartbreaking moment. There are life changing events and life changing meetings...What more do you want?
I wanted to give this 5 stars but I felt there were gaps in the natural backstory. How did Elise meet the mob boss? Why was he so obsessed with her? Why not just let her go? Who was she really before all this? If those gaps had been filled in it would have been a solid 5 stars all the way.
This story features a brooding, broken hero, that is both as wily and tough as nails as befitting 'The Eagle' his sniper nickname, but who is truly a Knight. One for the ladies.
Read and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Well there's steam that's for sure but what I wasn't expecting was a fast moving thriller set in different countries with more than one unexpected plot twist. I literally gobbled it up!
We have our shadowy, hunk of hero Andrei a Russian assassin reputedly the most wanted sniper in the world and on the run...then meet Elise, young beautiful American also on the run for one of the East Coasts most evil crime bosses. Our character's worlds collide when they meet in the unlikely setting of South Africa. Here truly begins our tale.
I won't add any major spoilers here because the plot is so well crafted it has to be enjoyed not ruined by reviewers (!) but suffice to say our 2 leads have to find a way to navigate being hunted and do they do that together or apart?
There is chemistry and heart felt steam aplenty, but it's the events that will keep you turning the page as you vaguely think to yourself 'what would I do in those were my circumstances, or 'this can't end well'....
There is angst agogo. There is a heartbreaking moment. There are life changing events and life changing meetings...What more do you want?
I wanted to give this 5 stars but I felt there were gaps in the natural backstory. How did Elise meet the mob boss? Why was he so obsessed with her? Why not just let her go? Who was she really before all this? If those gaps had been filled in it would have been a solid 5 stars all the way.
This story features a brooding, broken hero, that is both as wily and tough as nails as befitting 'The Eagle' his sniper nickname, but who is truly a Knight. One for the ladies.
Read and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 7, 2023
I really enjoyed this short and steamy read! First, let me say that if you’re behind on your reading goal pick this up. This is definitely a dark, steamy read so if that’s your thing I like suggest you pick it up! I was on the edge of my seat during this suspenseful, interesting read. It weaved in taboo elements with suspense really well!
March 2, 2024
Was this even a finished draft?
I'm not sure I can point to just one thing that was off about the writing in this book. At times it seemed like it was a paper in a middle school English class where they just learned about descriptive writing. The first few paragraphs mentioned "New York mansion" and "luxurious" twice each. The FMC had a "sleek" Benz and we know the designer brand of her bags as she was packing to leave. Providing the setting of the "perfect" life she was leaving could have been achieved with simpler phrases only used once.
At other times, it felt like English--especially American English--wasn't the author's first language. Obviously this isn't an issue by itself but there were far too few contractions which made the dialogue extremely stilted and formal as if it had been put through a cheap translation service rather than being reviewed by a human editor who worked with American-English literature. Lots of phrases and words were British or even Canadian.
The spicy scenes were honestly not that great. They were very brief and with the aforementioned stilted writing, awkward and cringe as hell.
Finally, the FMC was bordering on TSTL. While she had a sheltered upbringing, she had been out the world for at least a few years for college and married to a big time mob boss. She also idiotically puts herself in a very dangerous position by sitting on a park bench alone in the dark by a seedy motel to sort of wait to get back into her room instead of asking for a spare key at the front desk??? While being actively and successfully hunted by her Don husband??? Make it make sense!
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
She's got a nursing degree but doesn't question her inability to get pregnant when it's assumed that she's the infertile one and not her former husband. Of course no testing would have been done because it could have reflected poorly on the mob husband so it's all assumptions. So she and MMC had daily marathon sex sessions and then she's shocked when she ends up pregnant 🤔🤔.
We barely get to see/interact with the big more fearsome terrifying mobster on the East Coast and even the MMC's weird thing with the CIA feel so out of left field in its resolution.
I'm not sure I can point to just one thing that was off about the writing in this book. At times it seemed like it was a paper in a middle school English class where they just learned about descriptive writing. The first few paragraphs mentioned "New York mansion" and "luxurious" twice each. The FMC had a "sleek" Benz and we know the designer brand of her bags as she was packing to leave. Providing the setting of the "perfect" life she was leaving could have been achieved with simpler phrases only used once.
At other times, it felt like English--especially American English--wasn't the author's first language. Obviously this isn't an issue by itself but there were far too few contractions which made the dialogue extremely stilted and formal as if it had been put through a cheap translation service rather than being reviewed by a human editor who worked with American-English literature. Lots of phrases and words were British or even Canadian.
The spicy scenes were honestly not that great. They were very brief and with the aforementioned stilted writing, awkward and cringe as hell.
Finally, the FMC was bordering on TSTL. While she had a sheltered upbringing, she had been out the world for at least a few years for college and married to a big time mob boss. She also idiotically puts herself in a very dangerous position by sitting on a park bench alone in the dark by a seedy motel to sort of wait to get back into her room instead of asking for a spare key at the front desk??? While being actively and successfully hunted by her Don husband??? Make it make sense!
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
She's got a nursing degree but doesn't question her inability to get pregnant when it's assumed that she's the infertile one and not her former husband. Of course no testing would have been done because it could have reflected poorly on the mob husband so it's all assumptions. So she and MMC had daily marathon sex sessions and then she's shocked when she ends up pregnant 🤔🤔.
We barely get to see/interact with the big more fearsome terrifying mobster on the East Coast and even the MMC's weird thing with the CIA feel so out of left field in its resolution.
March 23, 2023
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Note 2: This is a series, so characters do make cameos in other novels. Please read in order.
Triggers: human trafficking, drugs trafficked, domestic violence, violence, political scandals with CIA.
Ah, this novel reminded me so much of Jack reacher, but with probably more sexual chemistry, romance, and an emotionally charged couple at the ready.
I loved how the hero was one of those guys who didn't overlook a woman being beaten up for her existence and defying her husband, and rescues her. Ah what gentlemen, shows how unreal they are in life honestly.
And takes her on a then Knight and Day sort of adventure to avoid cops, and thugs from her husband, and try to not act on their feelings at the same time.
But fate is a b- so feelings naturally come, can't be avoided.
I loved the action, the unexpectedness of it all at times, the chemistry, the romance, and learning about each other's pasts and how they embrace it all, and touch base on how the CIA is nothing but..well you know.
I cannot wait to read the other novels now, honest to god. After his sister's book is mentioned, thus why he's on the run haha, poor guy. Can't wait for the rest!!
Until the next read,
TMR
Note 2: This is a series, so characters do make cameos in other novels. Please read in order.
Triggers: human trafficking, drugs trafficked, domestic violence, violence, political scandals with CIA.
Ah, this novel reminded me so much of Jack reacher, but with probably more sexual chemistry, romance, and an emotionally charged couple at the ready.
I loved how the hero was one of those guys who didn't overlook a woman being beaten up for her existence and defying her husband, and rescues her. Ah what gentlemen, shows how unreal they are in life honestly.
And takes her on a then Knight and Day sort of adventure to avoid cops, and thugs from her husband, and try to not act on their feelings at the same time.
But fate is a b- so feelings naturally come, can't be avoided.
I loved the action, the unexpectedness of it all at times, the chemistry, the romance, and learning about each other's pasts and how they embrace it all, and touch base on how the CIA is nothing but..well you know.
I cannot wait to read the other novels now, honest to god. After his sister's book is mentioned, thus why he's on the run haha, poor guy. Can't wait for the rest!!
Until the next read,
TMR
July 28, 2023
2.5 stars
Meh... probably should rate it lower, but I'm feeling generous, I guess 🤷♀️
There was something about the book that felt off. The dialog, spicy scenes, interactions with other people.. it was just kind of cringy at times.
I thought the book started pretty strong, with Elise running from her abusive husband right into Andrei... then it all fell apart. Andrei was like a completely different person from book 1 to this one. He gave off those dangerous alpha vibes, and in this one, he seems just a little lame/ wishy-washy/ boring.
I don't think I'll read the next in this series 😕
Meh... probably should rate it lower, but I'm feeling generous, I guess 🤷♀️
There was something about the book that felt off. The dialog, spicy scenes, interactions with other people.. it was just kind of cringy at times.
I thought the book started pretty strong, with Elise running from her abusive husband right into Andrei... then it all fell apart. Andrei was like a completely different person from book 1 to this one. He gave off those dangerous alpha vibes, and in this one, he seems just a little lame/ wishy-washy/ boring.
I don't think I'll read the next in this series 😕
June 14, 2023
Enjoyable
They met in the strangest of way but as the saying goes like calls to like. And I am so glad they found each other. I would have liked Marcello to suffer more as I feel his end was too easy after everything he did. But they both got their freedom and that’s what I wanted for them.
They met in the strangest of way but as the saying goes like calls to like. And I am so glad they found each other. I would have liked Marcello to suffer more as I feel his end was too easy after everything he did. But they both got their freedom and that’s what I wanted for them.
March 16, 2024
So cute
I loved this book. The characters were great. He truly did whatever it took for her. But he also has a conscious he didn't just kill the good guy for no reason. Sometimes I wonder if the "good" guys like CIA and FBI are really the good ones.
I loved this book. The characters were great. He truly did whatever it took for her. But he also has a conscious he didn't just kill the good guy for no reason. Sometimes I wonder if the "good" guys like CIA and FBI are really the good ones.
April 21, 2024
Wasn't terrible. Just felt really rushed and vague.
April 24, 2024
This is my first dark romance and I was not at all sure I would enjoy it. After all how could I fall in love with a main character who was a murderer, even if he only murdered bad guys. But somehow I fell in love with the characters in this book and struggled to put it down. I was rooting for Elise & Andrei to get their happy ending despite how impossible it seemed.
November 7, 2023
There isn't much to say about this book.
It was...okay. I had a 3 day weekend where I just couldn't budge from the couch and this book was great for such a weekend.
It was a "pallet cleanser" for the dark reads that I've been plowing through. This was tamed. Overall it was good ish.
It was...okay. I had a 3 day weekend where I just couldn't budge from the couch and this book was great for such a weekend.
It was a "pallet cleanser" for the dark reads that I've been plowing through. This was tamed. Overall it was good ish.
September 21, 2023
It was a very good book, perfect amount of detail during the intimate scenes. Got confused and lost track of whereabouts the story was going at times but it found it ways back in the end. I’m a lover of very dark books it’s how I got into reading and this book had an amazing amount of dark moments that were phenomenal!!
January 26, 2024
The Beast by Denise Daye follows Andrei and Elise as they fall in love. He's running from the CIA, she's running from an abusive mob boss husband. While part of a series, the blurb states the book can be read as a standalone. I love the idea of this story, but the execution isn't great.
The story is not a standalone. Roughly a quarter of this book refers to things that happen in book 2 which are not elaborated on enough for a new reader to have any idea what's going on. We don't know why Andrei is running from the CIA, and we never find out. I'm guessing it's a plot point in book 2.
There are several time jumps which don't make logical sense. The story skips the entire first month that Andrei and Elise are together in favor of stating they had sex every day. The book also has issues with telling vs showing. We're told Andrei is the scariest assassin in the world. But there is nothing to show this.
Elise comes across like she's 12. She did not know the man she married was the number 1 mob boss in the US. The story blames her naivety on her strict Mormon parents, who sheltered her to where she never matured to adulthood. This idea is obvious at the end of the story when side characters are brought in to babysit Elise. They aren't capable of protecting her, just babysitting.
The dialogue in the story is repetitive, making it a struggle to follow. This as Elise's immaturity has her hitting the reader over the head with the "I can't get pregnant" trope. And true to the trope that happens.
If you want to give this book a try, I strongly suggest reading the previous books first. I didn't and I felt like I was missing half the story.
The story is not a standalone. Roughly a quarter of this book refers to things that happen in book 2 which are not elaborated on enough for a new reader to have any idea what's going on. We don't know why Andrei is running from the CIA, and we never find out. I'm guessing it's a plot point in book 2.
There are several time jumps which don't make logical sense. The story skips the entire first month that Andrei and Elise are together in favor of stating they had sex every day. The book also has issues with telling vs showing. We're told Andrei is the scariest assassin in the world. But there is nothing to show this.
Elise comes across like she's 12. She did not know the man she married was the number 1 mob boss in the US. The story blames her naivety on her strict Mormon parents, who sheltered her to where she never matured to adulthood. This idea is obvious at the end of the story when side characters are brought in to babysit Elise. They aren't capable of protecting her, just babysitting.
The dialogue in the story is repetitive, making it a struggle to follow. This as Elise's immaturity has her hitting the reader over the head with the "I can't get pregnant" trope. And true to the trope that happens.
If you want to give this book a try, I strongly suggest reading the previous books first. I didn't and I felt like I was missing half the story.
June 5, 2023
DNF 42% I wanted to like this book, I really like the premise of it. Two people on the run for different reasons, one running from an abusive husband the other running from the CIA. But the plot was just weak. It wasn't built up enough and there was really no suspense except for the fact they were running. You only see Lorenzo her husband's enforcer once and of course her hero the assassin puts a bullet in him. I skimmed ahead all the way to the end and found out that you really don't see the CIA at all and from what I understand her husband shows up at the very end. And of course the ending was predictable where you knew the male character would get off and be free and her husband would get it at the end too. The smexy scenes were short and painful to read almost like the author did not know how to write two people having sex. I also didn't like the fact that she never bothered telling him what was going on with her but she snooped around and found out information about him. I didn't like her hiding the truth from him. And I really didn't care for her that much either. For a mob boss's wife yes she was abused but she was a little too stupid to live at times. TW!! Conversations about domestic violence, memories of abuse, scars on her body are proof of that. And by the time I stopped there was only one scene of her being attacked at the very beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2023
Painful read
This plot had such great potential but it was a big flop. The main character, Elise, was too naive and stupid to be believable as a mob boss. Andrei was not believable as a ruthless hit man. The dialogue was juvenile and the sex scenes were short and painful to read. I read the book in a couple hours hoping it’d get better but I just wasted time I will never get back.
This plot had such great potential but it was a big flop. The main character, Elise, was too naive and stupid to be believable as a mob boss. Andrei was not believable as a ruthless hit man. The dialogue was juvenile and the sex scenes were short and painful to read. I read the book in a couple hours hoping it’d get better but I just wasted time I will never get back.
April 26, 2023
DNF for me
I, like many, enjoy a dark mafia romance. I enjoy the suspense, the violence, the plot, the aggressive smut… but this just wasn’t doing it for me. There’s a definite plot and spice, but I can’t get past how it’s written. It reads like an unskilled FanFiction. It’s not bad, but it just didn’t suck me in and I had to give up about half way through. I’m sure others love it, but it just didn’t hit the marks for me.
I, like many, enjoy a dark mafia romance. I enjoy the suspense, the violence, the plot, the aggressive smut… but this just wasn’t doing it for me. There’s a definite plot and spice, but I can’t get past how it’s written. It reads like an unskilled FanFiction. It’s not bad, but it just didn’t suck me in and I had to give up about half way through. I’m sure others love it, but it just didn’t hit the marks for me.
April 28, 2023
Just no
Seriously, don't bother with this book.I could only read till chapter twelve. In those chapters I found absolutely no reason to continue. I can't help it if a book can't pull me into reading more by that point, l just close the book and move on to another. Shirley
Seriously, don't bother with this book.I could only read till chapter twelve. In those chapters I found absolutely no reason to continue. I can't help it if a book can't pull me into reading more by that point, l just close the book and move on to another. Shirley
dnf
May 8, 2023DNF @ 10%
Do I not like mafia books or have I just not found the right mafia books??
I didn't like the writing or the inner monologues of either of our main characters, so even though it's only a little over 200 pages I'm not wasting my time.
Do I not like mafia books or have I just not found the right mafia books??
I didn't like the writing or the inner monologues of either of our main characters, so even though it's only a little over 200 pages I'm not wasting my time.
July 29, 2023
Disappointing
Weird sentence structure. Several misspellings. Too simplistic characters and plotline. I get that these are meant to be about the spice but even that was truncated and one dimensional.
Weird sentence structure. Several misspellings. Too simplistic characters and plotline. I get that these are meant to be about the spice but even that was truncated and one dimensional.
March 2, 2023
You can read my review of The Beast on my blog, here: https://thepaperworlds.blogspot.com/2....
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE BEAST by Denise Daye Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
This is a spoiler-free review! I have received a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
For anyone that knows me, I love a good dark mafia romance book. The tension, the taboo, and the high stakes catch that always causes some trouble. The Beast is no different, and delivers a suspenseful story about Elise, a mobster's wife on the run, and Andrei, the deadliest assassin being hunted by the CIA. The synopsis had me hooked from the start, and I could not wait to get into their story. While this is the third installment in the Fixer-Uppers series, it can be read as a standalone.
The smut is definitely present, but it does not overpower the plot of the story -- we have a pretty solid combination of the two, which made the progression of the book work smoothly, as well as giving Elise and Andrei time to get to know one another. Angst can usually go south if not done correctly, by Daye was able to add the element into her book effortlessly as she transitions the story from will-they-won't-they to that they cannot live without one another.
Elise's story influences Andrei's, in the sense that without her, he would not have ended up with the ending that he received. Her very presence is a catalyst for him really discovering who he is and what he wants from the world. In the very same sense, Andrei's introduction into Elise's life is the saving grace she needed to get away from her abusive husband, and if not for a chance meeting in South Africa, both Elise and Andrei may be living very different lives.
Both characters are given their own stories that allow them to grow individually and together. The author does an excellent job showing that while when they are together, they thrive, but also when they are apart, they are able to work on themselves and reflect. I do wish that we would have had a little more time in between Elise and Andrei meeting each other and them advancing their relationship, but the pacing was on spot and did not make the reader feel as if they were pushed right into their story.
I loved the settings of this book -- since they were moving around a lot, we get to see a few different cultures and learn more about the areas compared to being set in only one location. Both Elise and Andrei get in depth backstories and character development as their story goes on, and it was nice to see that our main characters were not just thrust together randomly, but rather fell into place with one another at the perfect time for both of them.
If you are looking for a fast-paced, suspenseful mafia romance, then The Beast is the book for you. Daye provides a quick read filled with twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages until you've reached the end of the book.
You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads (maddymartinelli), Instagram (@thepaperworlds), Twitter (@thepaperworlds), and following this blog in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more!
March 1, 2023
Book Review
Title: The Beast by Denise Daye (Fixer-Uppers Book 3)
Genre: Dark, Erotic, Romance
Rating: 4.25 Stars
Before I get into my review I need to disclose a few things, first this review isn’t going to be long because the book itself is pretty short and I don’t want to spoil anything about the book. Second, me and dark romance especially smut have a complicated history, when it comes smut, the contemporary kind, I can read just about anything but dark smut needs to be done really well and within certain boundaries for me to enjoy it. Finally, while I was expecting more smut and less plot as is the case with a lot of the books I was pleasantly surprised by how well Daye crafted a intense thriller with a ton of exceptionally well written smut.
We are following Elise and Andrei, Elise is saved by Andrei early on and we learn she is on the run from one of the evillest crime bosses around and crossing paths with Andrei doesn’t seem like something good in the beginning. However, Andrei is also on the run and he has a reputation as an assassin and sniper that is following him and they figure there’s safety in numbers and they stick together on this epic adventure around the globe.
These two have to navigate not only the logistics of being hunted and surviving without being caught but they also have to decide more than once do they stick together or take their chances going their separate ways. In between the high octane action there is so much spice I had to take a break every now and again and unlike many books I’ve picked it these scenes are cringey and are written exceptionally well and it is a real page turner. Despite being the third book in a series I understand that these can be read as standalones and I like that since I didn’t have to read the first two books and potentially have them impact my enjoyment of this book.
One thing is these types of books that I usually don’t like is a lot of angst but here it felt natural. There were tense and even heart-breaking moments as they go through these life changing events and that leads to a lot of angst but it never felt like too much or too heavy. While in my heart I wanted to give this book five stars in my head I knew there were a few issues. First it felt like there were chunks of backstory missing or overlooked that I could have done with especially surrounding Elise’s circumstances at the beginning of the book but that might be explained in another book, I don’t know. I also felt the relationship dynamic of a broody hero and caged heroine has been overdone I would have preferred more grumpy x sunshine vibes as it would have fitted the characters and also added in a few more light-hearted moments especially during the smut scenes. Overall, it was a great book not quite on the level of Harley Laroux for me but damn near close.
Title: The Beast by Denise Daye (Fixer-Uppers Book 3)
Genre: Dark, Erotic, Romance
Rating: 4.25 Stars
Before I get into my review I need to disclose a few things, first this review isn’t going to be long because the book itself is pretty short and I don’t want to spoil anything about the book. Second, me and dark romance especially smut have a complicated history, when it comes smut, the contemporary kind, I can read just about anything but dark smut needs to be done really well and within certain boundaries for me to enjoy it. Finally, while I was expecting more smut and less plot as is the case with a lot of the books I was pleasantly surprised by how well Daye crafted a intense thriller with a ton of exceptionally well written smut.
We are following Elise and Andrei, Elise is saved by Andrei early on and we learn she is on the run from one of the evillest crime bosses around and crossing paths with Andrei doesn’t seem like something good in the beginning. However, Andrei is also on the run and he has a reputation as an assassin and sniper that is following him and they figure there’s safety in numbers and they stick together on this epic adventure around the globe.
These two have to navigate not only the logistics of being hunted and surviving without being caught but they also have to decide more than once do they stick together or take their chances going their separate ways. In between the high octane action there is so much spice I had to take a break every now and again and unlike many books I’ve picked it these scenes are cringey and are written exceptionally well and it is a real page turner. Despite being the third book in a series I understand that these can be read as standalones and I like that since I didn’t have to read the first two books and potentially have them impact my enjoyment of this book.
One thing is these types of books that I usually don’t like is a lot of angst but here it felt natural. There were tense and even heart-breaking moments as they go through these life changing events and that leads to a lot of angst but it never felt like too much or too heavy. While in my heart I wanted to give this book five stars in my head I knew there were a few issues. First it felt like there were chunks of backstory missing or overlooked that I could have done with especially surrounding Elise’s circumstances at the beginning of the book but that might be explained in another book, I don’t know. I also felt the relationship dynamic of a broody hero and caged heroine has been overdone I would have preferred more grumpy x sunshine vibes as it would have fitted the characters and also added in a few more light-hearted moments especially during the smut scenes. Overall, it was a great book not quite on the level of Harley Laroux for me but damn near close.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2024
Technically DNF.
Love the characters
Love the chemistry
Love the storyline
The fact that they fell in love immediately and that they had sex immediately and now are just together felt so unreal and took me so out of it that I just couldn’t finish it which stinks cuz it’s good but not? I don’t know. I started it and stopped it a bunch. I just wasn’t invested. It felt like one of those spy movies where the romance seems like it’s the focus but ultimately it’s not and then the woman served the plot for the broken man to get revenge/fight harder (cuz she’s either dead or thought she was dead) but this isn’t like that although it feels like that.
I just feel like I need to talk to these characters like a therapist…. “but you are a trust no one spy/mafia/hitman/sniper on the run and she’s an innocent woman whose been abused by a powerful dangerous man. Sure chemistry but neither of you have doubts other than ‘what’s he/she gonna think of me?’….
Neither of you are worried who the other is working for? And you young lady I get a woman trying to survive but you are acting like an heiress not a battered broken woman on the run. And I am all for a guy who can see past her faults and grow into love despite his own faults and past….and a gal who moves forward despite her trauma who is willing to not only survivor but thrive…. And yet…. I feel as though, neither of you are behaving like people with your level of traumas would? You are both worried about what the other would think about physical things… things that represent your trauma like the burns on your stomach or the tattoos on his chest. But you both seem to be unaffected by the actual damage of what those scars/tattoos truly trigger? And as someone who has thankfully not been in your level of trauma but has had trauma and knows what it’s like to avoid your trauma… neither of you feel like that either. To be honest, I feel more wary of you both for it feels like you are both spies or actors who got a list of cover stories and you are playing the part without any true emotional depth….. I don’t believe either of you and it’s sad because I want to!”
Okay I feel like I get angry when I really want to like something and it’s not sticking…. I write these reviews for me so that I don’t pick things back up again or when someone (since I am an avid reader) asks me for recommendations I can say “yea you might like this but I found the characters seemed to lack the depth of being in a book and felt more one dimensional as though they were in a movie where other than a stray well meaning glance we truly do not know what is going on in the characters mind….so if that’s your bag”
So if you read all this, um thanks? Sorry? Lol
Love the characters
Love the chemistry
Love the storyline
The fact that they fell in love immediately and that they had sex immediately and now are just together felt so unreal and took me so out of it that I just couldn’t finish it which stinks cuz it’s good but not? I don’t know. I started it and stopped it a bunch. I just wasn’t invested. It felt like one of those spy movies where the romance seems like it’s the focus but ultimately it’s not and then the woman served the plot for the broken man to get revenge/fight harder (cuz she’s either dead or thought she was dead) but this isn’t like that although it feels like that.
I just feel like I need to talk to these characters like a therapist…. “but you are a trust no one spy/mafia/hitman/sniper on the run and she’s an innocent woman whose been abused by a powerful dangerous man. Sure chemistry but neither of you have doubts other than ‘what’s he/she gonna think of me?’….
Neither of you are worried who the other is working for? And you young lady I get a woman trying to survive but you are acting like an heiress not a battered broken woman on the run. And I am all for a guy who can see past her faults and grow into love despite his own faults and past….and a gal who moves forward despite her trauma who is willing to not only survivor but thrive…. And yet…. I feel as though, neither of you are behaving like people with your level of traumas would? You are both worried about what the other would think about physical things… things that represent your trauma like the burns on your stomach or the tattoos on his chest. But you both seem to be unaffected by the actual damage of what those scars/tattoos truly trigger? And as someone who has thankfully not been in your level of trauma but has had trauma and knows what it’s like to avoid your trauma… neither of you feel like that either. To be honest, I feel more wary of you both for it feels like you are both spies or actors who got a list of cover stories and you are playing the part without any true emotional depth….. I don’t believe either of you and it’s sad because I want to!”
Okay I feel like I get angry when I really want to like something and it’s not sticking…. I write these reviews for me so that I don’t pick things back up again or when someone (since I am an avid reader) asks me for recommendations I can say “yea you might like this but I found the characters seemed to lack the depth of being in a book and felt more one dimensional as though they were in a movie where other than a stray well meaning glance we truly do not know what is going on in the characters mind….so if that’s your bag”
So if you read all this, um thanks? Sorry? Lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2023
This is a story about two people on the run, who fall in love in the process. It's about people who aren't what they seem; men who've done bad things but have good in them, men who are supposed to be good...on the right side of the law...but do bad things. It's about a young woman who realizes too late that the charming man she married is actually a monster.
The MMC is Russian. A former hitman for hire known as the Eagle. He has quite the reputation. Hard, cold, unforgiving and always gets his target. But...he has morals and no matter who hires him (Mafia, CIA, the wealthy, etc) he makes sure the target deserves it. Unfortunately, the secrets he knows about the people who hire him, particularly the supposed legal ones, now have him on the CIA wanted list. He's being hunted...so he retires and never stays in one place too long. Currenty he's lying low in South Africa. (I have to admit, he's supposed to be a "beast", and maybe he was in his former life as a hitman, but we don't see that part. The man we do see, although quite capable of killing and protecting her, seems more a sweetheart to me, and is one to her (the MFC).
The MFC is the wife of an abusive mafia capo. The control and abuse gets worse each year. Fearing she'll end up dead, she has no choice nut to run. After emptying the one joint bank account he allowed her, she buys an airline ticket on the first flight out of the country. Yep, to South Africa. But the hubby isn't going to let her go so easily and has his goons searching for her. It isn't long before she's found by his goons. They, drag her to an alley beat her. But the H (MMC) hears the commotion in the alley. Always alert he goes to check it out and saves her.
From New York, to South Africa, then another escape on a cargo ship bound for Indonesia where his past catches up sending him back to New York. Danger and double crosses abound before these two get their HEA.
The MMC is Russian. A former hitman for hire known as the Eagle. He has quite the reputation. Hard, cold, unforgiving and always gets his target. But...he has morals and no matter who hires him (Mafia, CIA, the wealthy, etc) he makes sure the target deserves it. Unfortunately, the secrets he knows about the people who hire him, particularly the supposed legal ones, now have him on the CIA wanted list. He's being hunted...so he retires and never stays in one place too long. Currenty he's lying low in South Africa. (I have to admit, he's supposed to be a "beast", and maybe he was in his former life as a hitman, but we don't see that part. The man we do see, although quite capable of killing and protecting her, seems more a sweetheart to me, and is one to her (the MFC).
The MFC is the wife of an abusive mafia capo. The control and abuse gets worse each year. Fearing she'll end up dead, she has no choice nut to run. After emptying the one joint bank account he allowed her, she buys an airline ticket on the first flight out of the country. Yep, to South Africa. But the hubby isn't going to let her go so easily and has his goons searching for her. It isn't long before she's found by his goons. They, drag her to an alley beat her. But the H (MMC) hears the commotion in the alley. Always alert he goes to check it out and saves her.
From New York, to South Africa, then another escape on a cargo ship bound for Indonesia where his past catches up sending him back to New York. Danger and double crosses abound before these two get their HEA.
March 5, 2023
Part of the Fixer-Uppers each book can be read as a standalone with a sexy to intervene when needed and finds more than they he imagine. Please know before reading there is physical abuse and jerk who orders it but he may just get what he deserves. Elise’s life wasn’t what she ever planned it to be married to a man who is just plain horrible, she is such a strong woman escaping the situation but never finding the peace she wanted because he always found her but the last time, he might just kill her and may have if it hadn’t been for the one cold blooded dark knight. Andrei sexy as all get out ruthless, cold blooded, but also protective of those he care about, and deadly when he needs to be to those he feels like have wronged him or someone he cares about. Being an assassin, Andrei never thought he would find love, or anyone could see past his job, his ruthlessness, and his reputation until he saved Elise. She accepts every part of him including his darkness but he in returns accepts all of her they are perfect for each other the chemistry is hotter than fire and if you stand to close you may just get burned but him on the run from the CIA, she is on the run from her husband will they survive, will they find much needed peace, and can they find happiness somewhere on their escape from it all?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 27, 2023
Elise is running from an abusive husband when a chance encounter with Andrei, who himself is on the run from the CIA changes her life’s trajectory.
These two are adorable together! Andre is a fearless assassin but he is a big softie for Elise and becomes a puddle of a mess when he is around her. He might try to fight his feelings and push her away, but with her spunk and bravery, he falls completely for her charm. Likewise, Elise is smitten with Andrei, her dark knight. She is a tough cookie and puts her full faith and trust into a man who stepped in to help her, no questions asked. She also helps Andrei see that he deserves to be loved despite what he’s done, and she automatically accepts who he is. Indeed, this story has you rooting for this couple from page 1!
Along with the romance we get a story filled with suspense, wondering if each of them will escape the clutches of those they are running from. The tension kept the pages flying and the writing flowed well.
I also have not read the other two books in this series; and while there are connections between some characters, I don’t think it’s necessary to read those beforehand. But I definitely will now since I am curious.
Overall and exciting read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
These two are adorable together! Andre is a fearless assassin but he is a big softie for Elise and becomes a puddle of a mess when he is around her. He might try to fight his feelings and push her away, but with her spunk and bravery, he falls completely for her charm. Likewise, Elise is smitten with Andrei, her dark knight. She is a tough cookie and puts her full faith and trust into a man who stepped in to help her, no questions asked. She also helps Andrei see that he deserves to be loved despite what he’s done, and she automatically accepts who he is. Indeed, this story has you rooting for this couple from page 1!
Along with the romance we get a story filled with suspense, wondering if each of them will escape the clutches of those they are running from. The tension kept the pages flying and the writing flowed well.
I also have not read the other two books in this series; and while there are connections between some characters, I don’t think it’s necessary to read those beforehand. But I definitely will now since I am curious.
Overall and exciting read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 23, 2023
This book was sooo good. It was more about how two people form the same world..different parts of it..wanted the same thing freesom and what they had to do to get it.
Elise was running from a husband that was evil, cruel and hell bent on finding her and makeing her pay. Andrei was a mna on the run from the CIA, FBI and any other acronym you can think of along with some unsavory people. Neithe knew about the other however when Andrei came tothe rescue of Elise, that was it. His iniital plan was to send her on her way but something kept them pulling at each other. He knew his life was not safe but she was willing to accept anything but going back to her husband. So Andrei set out to soleve the issue, but not until her founf out that he would get the dream that he thought was not for him...Elise was making him a father..everything has changed. He may not get to raise his child or see his child but at the very least, Elise will be free from that sack of poo husband.
I have to say the book was engaiging form the first pasge to the last and there was no idea what twist or turns that may come up but what you did see was the love between Elise and Andrei and how he would burn the world to ashes for her....THAT IS LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Elise was running from a husband that was evil, cruel and hell bent on finding her and makeing her pay. Andrei was a mna on the run from the CIA, FBI and any other acronym you can think of along with some unsavory people. Neithe knew about the other however when Andrei came tothe rescue of Elise, that was it. His iniital plan was to send her on her way but something kept them pulling at each other. He knew his life was not safe but she was willing to accept anything but going back to her husband. So Andrei set out to soleve the issue, but not until her founf out that he would get the dream that he thought was not for him...Elise was making him a father..everything has changed. He may not get to raise his child or see his child but at the very least, Elise will be free from that sack of poo husband.
I have to say the book was engaiging form the first pasge to the last and there was no idea what twist or turns that may come up but what you did see was the love between Elise and Andrei and how he would burn the world to ashes for her....THAT IS LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 22, 2023
𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭, 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘺. 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘐𝘈.
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘪𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘴 “𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘭𝘦” 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦, 𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘪𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺. 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘴 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘴 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴.
𝘈 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘰. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦’𝘴 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘰𝘯, 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦. 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵, 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.
𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮.
𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥. 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘭𝘦.
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𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘪𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘴 “𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘭𝘦” 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦, 𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘪𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺. 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘴 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘴 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴.
𝘈 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘰. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦’𝘴 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘰𝘯, 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦. 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵, 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.
𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮.
𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥. 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘭𝘦.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ STARS
ᴛʀᴏᴘᴇs: ᴀɴᴛɪʜᴇʀᴏ, ᴅᴀʀᴋ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ, ᴍᴀғɪᴀ, ᴘᴏssᴇssɪᴠᴇ ᴀʟᴘʜᴀ ʜᴇʀᴏ, ғᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀᴏxɪᴍɪᴛʏ
March 5, 2023
Even though this is the 3rd part in a series, the book is fine to read without having read previous books, although I understand that some passing characters were central to previous stories.
This is the story of Elise and Andrei.
Elise has fled from her husband who abuses her. But you don't just run away from a powerful mafia man and she is found by one of his helpers.
Andrei flees from the CIA and is convinced they have found him. But when he sees a woman being beaten up, he steps into the situation and rids her of her attacker.
Now she's his!
Andrei knows that he has many sins and deaths to his credit. An ordinary life is not possible for him, but he feels something for Elise and cannot just let her go.
Elize finds out Andrei's true identity but that doesn't frighten her. On the contrary. She knows that he is a man who can protect her from her husband's hands.
Together they try to build a life until Andrei can't help but sacrifice himself to the CIA in the hopes of protecting Elise forever, even if the price is his life.
A beautiful story with spicy scenes.
Andrei, a man you can rely on when you have his heart. Beautifully placed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the story of Elise and Andrei.
Elise has fled from her husband who abuses her. But you don't just run away from a powerful mafia man and she is found by one of his helpers.
Andrei flees from the CIA and is convinced they have found him. But when he sees a woman being beaten up, he steps into the situation and rids her of her attacker.
Now she's his!
Andrei knows that he has many sins and deaths to his credit. An ordinary life is not possible for him, but he feels something for Elise and cannot just let her go.
Elize finds out Andrei's true identity but that doesn't frighten her. On the contrary. She knows that he is a man who can protect her from her husband's hands.
Together they try to build a life until Andrei can't help but sacrifice himself to the CIA in the hopes of protecting Elise forever, even if the price is his life.
A beautiful story with spicy scenes.
Andrei, a man you can rely on when you have his heart. Beautifully placed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 1, 2023
This is book 3 in the Fixer Upper Series. At the time of this reading and review of this book, I did not know this was a series. This book can be read as a stand alone, although I would recommend reading in order as there are mentions of previous characters and events from other stories.
This follows Elise, an abused, mobsters wife and Andrei, and elite assassin. A chance encounter throws them in a race for their lives. Together they form a bond and relationship that nothing can break.... Both on the run for different reasons, they try to navigate their escape without getting killed. Can they survive being on their own or will they have to make sacrifices in order to survive?
This was a fast paced book filled with action, adventure, romance and wonderfully spicy scenes. I was rooting for them the entire book. The heartbreak that was Elises life was so tragic and the abuse she suffered was horrifying. I loved how possessive that Andrei was of her. His careful nature and love was so sweet. I even loved how he had morals as an assassin. I did find that I had a hard time connecting with the characters as much as I would like to have. I think that had to do with the length of the book as its pretty short and didn't have enough to to feel invested. having said that, The story and romance were great and I truly enjoyed the book. I give this one 4 stars.
This follows Elise, an abused, mobsters wife and Andrei, and elite assassin. A chance encounter throws them in a race for their lives. Together they form a bond and relationship that nothing can break.... Both on the run for different reasons, they try to navigate their escape without getting killed. Can they survive being on their own or will they have to make sacrifices in order to survive?
This was a fast paced book filled with action, adventure, romance and wonderfully spicy scenes. I was rooting for them the entire book. The heartbreak that was Elises life was so tragic and the abuse she suffered was horrifying. I loved how possessive that Andrei was of her. His careful nature and love was so sweet. I even loved how he had morals as an assassin. I did find that I had a hard time connecting with the characters as much as I would like to have. I think that had to do with the length of the book as its pretty short and didn't have enough to to feel invested. having said that, The story and romance were great and I truly enjoyed the book. I give this one 4 stars.
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