by JESSICA HAWKINS
In the de la Rosa family, old grudges run deeper than loyalty, and betrayal is a three-letter word: war. But this feud isn’t between enemies. It’s between brothers. And I’m the prize.
I was born a princess among criminals. An untouchable among thieves. Heiress to a life others have killed for, and one I'm prepared to trade for my freedom. I vowed not to leave without Diego, my first love and best friend, but if his ruthless brother has his way, I won’t leave at all. Cristiano de la Rosa is a man as big and bold as his legend. Once upon a time, he was our cartel’s best soldier . . . until he became my family’s worst enemy.
A man like Cristiano will bend fate to his will to get what he wants. Even if it means dragging me to hell—and tearing me from his brother's arms.
“She is mine.” Three words from two different men.
A life, future, and love I don’t get to choose.
"Some things can't be taken. Some things must be given."
Yet again, another winner. SO worthy! Jessica Hawkins' words can totally make me mad in one instance, yet she has the ability to immediately soothe me with her next words. Seeing all the intricacies that are weaved so deep within this story makes me excited for the possibilities for the next two books - my head is already spinning!! I have so many thoughts running through my mind, and so many questions to correlate with those thoughts. Great opener to this newest trilogy and I think it was a fantastic beginning. This was definitely the kind of book you need to go in blind, but also...the kind that you can't help but want to discuss in depth afterwards.
I can definitely appreciate that I was able to pick a team instantly because while one brother was cold and calculating behind a façade, the other one was just cold and calculating with a goal in mind. SO, the cold and calculating one got my vote. HAHA! I love how this story is taking shape already. I can only imagine the amount of discussions I can and will have in the SPOILER ROOM. I know that I've already spilled my guts in there on a few posts, and I see that the conspiracy theories are aplenty. There was so many layers to divide and dissect, and it makes for fun discussions. I won't lie, but it read too quickly for my wants. I was certainly NOT done enjoying this first part of their story....but it ended too quickly! You know a book has you wrapped up when you can discuss all the many different aspects of it and still come away with different thought processes. Some discussions will change my mind on what I think can/will/did happen, and some of it makes me shake my head at the ideas! That's Jessica's writing though. Completely turned my world upside down in one day and now I am left waiting until June, rummaging through my mind with possibilities and conspiracy theories. ABUNDANT, I may add. This wasn't very twisted like I thought it was going to be, so no mind-fuckery was happening, but I will tell you that the twistedness that are these two brothers is pretty crazy. I can feel the angst building up, but this one wasn't too terribly angsty to start, but when Cristiano touches her....ohmygosh. I can *feel* the sexual tension rolling off them and I can't wait to explore it!!!
Jessica provided me a story ripe with manipulations and lies, but scattered in between were some seriously heavy truths as well. I mean, to already be so invested in these characters and to question the meaning behind the most trivial of things, I am shaking my head. Pay attention to the scores!! I loved that I was able to be super angry at the way something was happening - like, seeing red angry, but other times I was under a spell and just knew I was in it for the long haul. Even understanding that there was a discussable meaning and reasoning behind all the happenings didn't make some of the hard parts easy to swallow, and that was a big deal for me. I want those twists and turns. I want that anger and emotional confusion - and Jessica does that soooo well. While it was somewhat predictable at times, the layered truths that Jessica gave us to look forward to unraveling in the next two books left me giddy! I always say I'm such a slow reader, but then I get Jessica's book in my hands and I can't help but fly right through it. Argh!!! I'm all sad now. Is it JUNE yet?? Because NOVEMBER is going to be a loooong wait!! I will need ALL the cookies to survive this wait. She got me good. Real good.
This book ended on a gasp and I was fuming but oh-so-intrigued, so I have NO doubt that the next two books will be heart-poundingly good! I'll admit, for a non-lover of cliffies, this was a great cliffhanger! I'm sure I'm going to be pulled out of my comfort zone here soon. As a matter of fact, I'm counting on it. This is most definitely a case for having to trust the author with the plot because with three books to get through, this first one was rather rough on the heart in a few spots. There is so much to think about and so much to ponder. I am so ready for more!!
"My brother's using you to light the fire, but don't forget - a match also burns."
~BEE
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~MEET JESSICA HAWKINS~
Jessica Hawkins grew up between the purple mountains and under the endless sun of Palm Springs, California.
She studied international business at Arizona State University and has also lived in Costa Rica and New York City. To her, the most intriguing fiction is forbidden, and that's what you'll find in her stories. Currently, she resides wherever her head lands, which is often the unexpected (but warm) keyboard of her trusty MacBook.
~CONNECT WITH JESSICA~
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Great review Bee!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Timitra!!!
DeleteGreat review. I can’t wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Ezinwanyi
I hope you enjoy it!!
DeleteGreat review ❤️❤️
ReplyDelete