The Book Beehive: Book Review and Giveaway for Violent Triumphs by Jessica Hawkins

VIOLENT TRIUMPHS
by JESSICA HAWKINS

I’ve become a queen to the forsaken, a leader to thieves, and the wife of a man who instills fear in all who cross his path. He was the husband I didn’t want. Now, I can’t fathom life without my king.

I should’ve been ready for anything. Like the caterpillar that feeds on poison during metamorphosis, I was raised in the dangerous world of cartel crime. But nothing could’ve prepared me for Cristiano de la Rosa, his brother’s poison, or the Calavera cartel.

This is still a story about a love strong enough to topple households, unite enemies, and divide brothers. Resilient enough to bring down those who would try to destroy it . . . and selfless enough to make the ultimate sacrifice.

But I was warned, and so were you. Death’s day always comes. This time, it will find what was once a caterpillar is now a butterfly—and hell hath no fury like the White Monarch.

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My Thoughts...
I've gone back and forth with this review for a few days now. It's been very hard to get my feelings out and to explain myself, so please, bear with me. I willingly admit that the six month break in between the second and third book caused me to forget a few details - so some things coming out later, I had to jingle my brain a bit. I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it.

Only could I/would I be willing to allow my favorite author to test my reading comfort with regards to an arranged/forced marriage or marriage of convenience - my least favorite trope out there. Hmmm...Tell me a story, Jessica. I'll listen. I happily go into every one of her books with an open mind because I know how she pulls at my emotions, spoon-feeds me angst, and delivers an epic love story worthy of a book hangover. Never once have I questioned what I know her books can do to me. With the first two books sucking me in with mystery and intrigue, this one was sure to give me all the feels. I was sure of it. Unfortunately, I didn't get any of the feelings that Jessica is known for giving me. I just didn't. What’s most frustrating is that I didn’t love this book, but what’s equally frustrating is that I didn’t get the book hangover everyone else did. I just felt....underwhelmed, and that saddens me beyond my own understanding.

“You make me lose control.”
----
“And you make me powerful when others would have me powerless.”

I will say, this final book showed a cool, calm and collected Cristiano - but he was very calculated. He had a seriousness to him that I cannot even begin to imagine; way beyond my comprehension. What a heaviness to digest at all times. Individually, Cristiano was amazing. Natalia was strong. Diego was always a douche. Costa loved his daughter so hard. His Princessa, his baby girl. Barto and Alejo and Pilar have a story and I need it ASAP - please explore that one!! There were so many elements working for this book and it was a busy and fantastic storyline.

But let me dig a little deeper.

Cristiano made me smile. He was the man that you know will always have your back. He took care of everything. He was the unwavering strength in the dark, unknown abyss of an ever-changing world of the cartel and he made sure to take care of his own. Oh, and he had a mouth worth craving. I did like his naughty tongue. I loved every single thing about him. Even the softer side of him that buckled to Natalia's desires. Natalia, herself, was a brat. Straight up brat. <sigh> But Natalia grew on me. Slowly. Very slowly. I know I have to keep in mind that she was only 20, so I can't hate her. But, what I ended up feeling the most conflicted about her character was the change from an insolent child to a queen, seemingly overnight. She didn’t settle, but you can’t all of the sudden grow into a queen if you’ve never tried on the crown. While Natalia irked me in the past two books, I could understand where she was coming from and I knew she would grow, so the buildup that Cristiano’s gruff determination promised me made me fall in love with their dynamic. Yes, I realize the circumstances dictated this change in her confidence, but I struggled with that because for two books, I saw one side of her and then the switch was flipped immediately - and voila! She was a strong, confident woman standing beside her powerful man. Maybe it was the nature of the circumstance that made her "realize" this, but I definitely understood why Jaz questioned her loyalty and truthfulness.

With the extravagance of circumstances surrounding them, I knew there was going to be some things happening that I wouldn't know about, like behind the scenes activities and such. I mean, it's a world I hope to never encounter, so I definitely read on with wonder and Jessica didn't spare any details when it came to building this empire for Cristiano and Natalia. What I didn't appreciate was Diego's role in this book, nor did I understand the ending AT ALL. Like, at all. I didn't understand why Cristiano made it a black and white decision for her, and then changed the plan. That was completely out of character to me, so I had a hard time compartmentalizing this change. The adrenaline rush of the last 25% was fast and almost felt too uneven for me. I was excited, anxious, and all around nervous for what was going to happen - which is the best when your head is spinning with possibilities!! I knew Cristiano was The Devil in disguise.....or no disguise, but he was evil and exacted revenge with precision, so I couldn't deny that I was intrigued with his actions and how he handled certain scenarios.

"There's only the underworld for people like us. But down here, we don't burn. We rule."

Some of the analogies were....interesting, but the way she told the story was definitely in-depth, down to the most minute of details. She was quite articulate as Cristiano amassed a world of chaos and destruction within, all the while including a love that was indestructible. Trust me, I know that Jessica's writing is superb. I've read every book and have walked away star-struck each and every time. But I was looking for more with this one. I was hoping for an ending that made me scream and feel like I needed to jump around and discuss this. In the end, it just felt...done. That’s never happened with one of her books. Ever. This does NOT mean I don't want to read the probable spinoffs from the other characters in this world. On the contrary. I am looking forward to exploring more. I couldn’t stop turning the pages and I couldn’t put it down, no denying the pull it had. But...overall, it ended without flair for me.

I’m very sad that I didn’t get the book hangover that was promised me and I’m sad that I feel so blah about it. That’s probably the most heartbreaking part for me, seeing as this is my favorite author and I’ve never given her a low rating before. I wanted to savor the ending as a book hangover. I wanted to be stuck in a love that held me captive and held me back from moving on. I don’t feel like I got that. Was it good? Hell yeah! It was well written. It was a great ending. But, based on all the glowing reviews, this is just a me thing - obviously.

It is NO secret. I don't hide it. I can't deny it. I love Jessica Hawkins' books. She is my #1 author out of my Top 5 Favorite Authors. Constantly. Continually. Jessica does trilogies well. Jessica does epic love stories well. Jessica writes her men exceptionally well. I love Jessica's books. I can't say it enough. So it bothers me to no end that this one didn't wow me like I was anticipating. This one, I built it up so much in my head, and the first two books ramped up this story to the point that it couldn't go any way other than fantastically amazing. I’m heartbroken that I didn’t love this one. Heartbroken. For this reason, I am giving this book a 3.5 STAR review. Too much didn't work for me to love it, but it was still a great story.

"Don't mistake strategy for weakness."
~BEE

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~The Series~

VIOLENT DELIGHTS
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.

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VIOLENT ENDS
by JESSICA HAWKINS

I had a life, love, and future to give.

Until my enemy took a wife.

The devil has a name, and it’s Cristiano de la Rosa. On my wedding day, he was the last man I expected to see standing at the altar. He wants to make me his queen. His brother wants to rescue his princess.

Getting Cristiano to lose control becomes the name of the game, and the stakes are life and death. But as truth and lies blur, loyalty is tested, and our chemistry threatens to reach the melting point, the prize grows less clear. Either freedom no longer means what I think it does, or Cristiano is as devious as everyone says, and he’s mastered the art of playing my mind.

All I know for certain is that nothing is certain. And all you need to know? This is a love story.

But even love stories have to end.

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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.

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