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Jesi Blanco

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second chance at love

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-01-25

Devious Vows is the second book in the Venomous Gods series but my first book by Jagger Cole. It was easy to follow along. The story of Alistair and Eloise captured my attention from the blurb alone—it's why I signed up for an ALC. They are both forced to be reckoned with.

Alistair is dominant as a lawyer and as an underground fighter. Eloise sustains an unwanted marriage dealing with an abusive husband for her sister (who doesn't even deserve it). Their chemistry is off the charts. Alistair may be an a-hole but Eloise knows how to handle it.

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the spitfire to the mafioso

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 07-10-24

Jaelyn and Sergio were something lol... They get at each other’s throats hoping one will surrender. Sergio always seems to find himself in iffy situations. Jaelyn and her brother are no different. Though there were dark elements to the story, their story was not very dark. Yes, this was a mafia romance and there was action. There was everything in it that would make it dark but Jaelyn and Sergio were anything but that. They were pretty contemporary.

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I just needed a hug after this

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 07-09-24

"Do you believe in soulmates?"

I am emotionally distressed. I cannot even express how much this book had me f-d up. I had to talk about it with my sister. I was shocked. She was shocked. I... I needed a hug after reading this book. I've never had a more violent reaction after reading a book than what I felt with Under Your Scars and I've read some dark, graphic, and messed up books. I sobbed. I wanted to throw up. I wanted to reach into the book and just hold sweet baby Caroline because she deserved so much better than the hand life gave her. She's only four *crying* This book is not about her but her tragic story begins here, with her foster parents, Christian and Elena.

Christian and Elena's story is fast-paced. You will get a lot of their relationship in 62 chapters, including the prologue and epilogue. Within the struggles the author was going through in real life, she managed to pull and write a bittersweet story. Christian and Elena were exceptional. I loved them so much. Elena is a strong MC who always finds out how to navigate whatever lemons life throws at her.

And Christian... The Silencer... well, they're complex characters that for their own reasons lure you in. Christian has that rich, billionaire charisma that every reader will love. He loves to spoil Elena with anything she wants, even if she only jokes about it. The Silencer -- well, he's Elena's stalker. He's a serial killer and with his chapters you see, you hear, you feel his deranged mind to light.

But The Silencer is not the only one Christian and Elena must worry about. There's someone else lurking in the dark waiting to strike. When he does... well, it's not something you'll make it out of.

"Now until I met you."

*spoiler* In case you haven't gotten the memo yet: this is not an HEA. Christian and Elena, unfortunately, became another Shakespearean Romeo and Juliet.

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...but I only see you

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 06-25-24

The boss x nanny trope was what attracted me to this book so I took the opportunity to sign up for the audiobook tour. Though I didn't cry like I had seen others, I did resonate with both protagonists to a certain degree. Being a Latina/Hispanic woman with undiagnosed mental health issues (and years of battling suicide ideation) is not easy and will never be easy in this day and age.

Rafa and his son, Nico, have been dealt a bad hand. Rafa's ex has not been the greatest mother or wife. She doesn't show up for Nico -- not even in his worst moments. Rafa must navigate Nico loosing his sight all on his own because she only cares about the money Rafa can prove her.

Having Ellie in their lives has been most needed. Nico connects with her through music. Ellie, herself, has her fair share of childhood trauma. This is something she and Rafa eventually bond over, along with his own traumas. Their relationship is a slow burn and they must jump over obstacles but they always found a way to each other. Not to mention that even Ellie is about 3 years younger than Rafa, he was her high school crush.

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agh, they were too cute 🤚🏻😭

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-15-24

"I would give anything for her to feel a fraction of the same way toward me."

Sure, things were rough because she's strict with her professional relationships, but he managed to convince her to, at least, trial date him. Wow, that's a new romance trope for me. He was so soft and kind to Sloane. He listened to her troubles and vice versa. I love absolutely loved that he set up a hang out dsy with her sister, despite her estranged relationship with her parents. Xavier was always there supporting her.

Personally, having to deal with people asking me why I'm so serious or to smile more every other week mads feel seen through Sloane and the beautiful book dedication. I showed it to my sister and told her I felt seen. There was no hesistation on her side to agree. She knows all about it and why I absolutely abhor it. Sloane has been one of the most unique but also relatable characters I've read. She doesn’t cry. She never has throughout her whole life. Not even when her mother died. Sloane gets critiqued over this and her serious personality. She never once made an irrational decision that would make her dislikable to the reader. She knew about the cliche stuff and was aware of her insecurities. Much like Xavier does with her, she's supportive of his decisions about his new business endeavor.

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older sibling territory

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-19-24

Conrad Thorne. The oldest Thorne sibling. It comes with the territory that he'd be a bit intense and domineering but that mouth, bro. Bronwyn Littleton is an artist. She tends to be a bit naive but she's been sheltered all her life. Her parents don't want her to be an artist and have prohibited it in their home.

When Bronwyn meets Conrad one fateful night, she becomes infatuated with him, despite not knowing who he was. Then over a year later, they meet again... at St. Mary's where he is now their soccer coach. What are the odds? Well, you can blame Arrow for quitting in the previous book lmao. Anyways. She sets her mind to seducing him *wink, wink, nudge, nudge* But there are two problems: she thinks he's still hung up on his ex (a teacher at St. Mary's and her counselor) and, 2, she's doing all of this behind Callie's back.

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an action packed conclusion!

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-05-24

*this review is for the duet as a whole*
Nothing will stand in the way of a man trying to protect what's his... not even his flesh and blood.

Kostas and Talia have been arranged to marry to clear Niles' -- her father -- debt to Kostas' father. If Talia were to refuse then Niles would die. Of course, as much as Talia may love her father she's not too keen on making herself complacent to this arrangement, especially not when she's made a life of her own and has a partner she loves. But the Demetriou's won't take no for an answer so when Talia watches Kostas brutally beat a man to death, she finds herself in a position to accept her fate. Kostas is immediately infatuated with Talia. Her sass turns him on. They'll go down the aisle and bind themselves together. But things are not easy as usual in a mafia romance. They're being attacked on all sides.

Hidden Truths ends on a cliffhanger and Stolen Lies picks up one year later. Kostas has become a shell of what he once was but when he leaves the bottle behind, he's back to being his usual self. Nothing will stop him from finding and protecting his beloved. Kostas must sober up to find her. Stolen Lies is much more action-packed than Hidden Truths. Talia rises to be a mafia queen, as she should be. She, too, will do anything to escape the life she's had to endure for a year and protect her baby.

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wow that cliffhanger!

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-05-24

*this review is for the duet as a whole*
Nothing will stand in the way of a man trying to protect what's his... not even his flesh and blood.

Kostas and Talia have been arranged to marry to clear Niles' -- her father -- debt to Kostas' father. If Talia were to refuse then Niles would die. Of course, as much as Talia may love her father she's not too keen on making herself complacent to this arrangement, especially not when she's made a life of her own and has a partner she loves. But the Demetriou's won't take no for an answer so when Talia watches Kostas brutally beat a man to death, she finds herself in a position to accept her fate. Kostas is immediately infatuated with Talia. Her sass turns him on. They'll go down the aisle and bind themselves together. But things are not easy as usual in a mafia romance. They're being attacked on all sides.

Hidden Truths ends on a cliffhanger and Stolen Lies picks up one year later. Kostas has become a shell of what he once was but when he leaves the bottle behind, he's back to being his usual self. Nothing will stop him from finding and protecting his beloved. Kostas must sober up to find her. Stolen Lies is much more action-packed than Hidden Truths. Talia rises to be a mafia queen, as she should be. She, too, will do anything to escape the life she's had to endure for a year and protect her baby.

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bittersweet romance

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-21-24

*this review is for the duet as a whole*

Jacob and Pria's relationship started so sweet and romantic. They knew their love was living on limited time, as Pria would eventually leave Seattle when her sister started her treatment. Beyond the cute relationship they had while it lasted, there was heartbreak, life-altering situations, and addictions that were bound to change their lives forever.

Their HEA took time. It was tested in many ways through other people around them but also by them. There was a lot of resentment and questioning of life that broke them. Yet they found a way to make it work and return to the love they once had. Of course, it wouldn't be the same. They were apart for long and changed a lot but they made it.

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a bittersweet love

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-21-24

this review is for the duet as a whole

Jacob and Pria's relationship started so sweet and romantic. They knew their love was living on limited time, as Pria would eventually leave Seattle when her sister started her treatment. Beyond the cute relationship they had while it lasted, there was heartbreak, life-altering situations, and addictions that were bound to change their lives forever.

Their HEA took time. It was tested in many ways through other people around them but also by them. There was a lot of resentment and questioning of life that broke them. Yet they found a way to make it work and return to the love they once had. Of course, it wouldn't be the same. They were apart for long and changed a lot but they made it.

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