Ruthless Game by Piper Stone

Piper Stone returns with a standalone for fans of the fake relationship or marriage and enemies to lovers tropes. Ruthless Game features Christian and Vanessa, two headstrong and independent characters who constantly butted heads with each other. They had previously met, but he does not remember. I actually liked Christian and Vanessa. Although they were unlikeable at first due to their personalities, they eventually grew on me. Christian initially came across as this arrogant and cocky player, but he does go through some character development through the book. The same can be said for Vanessa who disliked Christian for rejecting her attempt at working for his company in the past. I thought it was childish of her for holding such a grudge, but it became clear that she had always been attracted to Christian since the beginning. She just didn’t like that he never gave her a chance.

“You are everything to me. There’s no sunrise as beautiful as your smile, no twinkle of stars able to ignite the fire within like your touch. You’re the air I breathe and in my every thought.”

In the end, this was an enjoyable read for those who like the marriage contract trope. Christian and Vanessa’s type of relationship can be considered cliché at times, but I was mostly reading it for the spice and the author certainly delivered on that. These two characters definitely had chemistry because some of their scenes were super steamy. That window glass scenes? Wow. I also loved the fact that Christian called Vanessa his wildcat because she always wanted to argue with him. Fans of Piper Stone or those who would like to read a spicy palate cleanser will be satisfied with this book. Christian and Vanessa had a lot of pent up emotions and frustrations, which resulted in them "taking it out on each other." Overall, this book had everything I was looking for—it was fun, dramatic at times, romantic, and spicy.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Corrupted Memories by B. Sobjakken

B. Sobjakken returns with Corrupted Memories, the second book in the Made Men of Manhattan series, featuring Sebastian and Gianna. Sebastian was one of the side characters in Rian and Isabelle's story, and he was somewhat of a morally gray character who I thought was interesting. In this latest installment, readers are able to explore his intense obsession for the woman he was never able to forget. I enjoyed Sebastian and Gianna's relationship because it was full of animosity, uncertainty, longing, and tension. We're given a few glimpses of their past together, which were all really sweet and romantic, until she ran away from him that one night and never came back. Since then, he did everything he could to find and chase her. It's clear that Sebastian and Gianna had some deep communication issues. I was frustrated with their dramatics because she should have communicated with him instead of making assumptions, while he was deluding himself into thinking that he was never in love with her.

“Gianna is my obsession. I can’t get her out of my mind. They aren’t healthy or loving thoughts. My body physically burns for her. It craves her to survive, but I know it isn’t love. I don’t know what it is, but it’s not that.”

In the end, I enjoyed this one and was satisfied with Sebastian and Gianna's relationship. The story did get a bit repetitive in the later half since Gianna kept asking Sebastian to confirm his feelings for her. He never told Gianna that he loved her, which played a central role in her insecurities and was one of the reasons why she ran away from him. The whole Jeremy situation was awkward and weird, so I wasn't a fan of it. At least their love scenes were incredibly spicy. I did wish there was more to their relationship since it felt more physical than emotional at times. They entered in a “relationship contract,” but Sebastian was unwilling to let Gianna go so the threats were unnecessary. The situation between the Irish and Italians are ramping up. It also looks like we might be getting books for Luca as well as Gio and Matt who are Gianna’s brothers. Fans of mafia romance and dark romance will certainly enjoy this book—especially if you like heroes who are possessive and obsessive with their heroines.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger

J.T. Geissinger returns with a brand new story and take on the gothic horror romance genre. I was completely enthralled by Blackthorn's story and characters—even if they frustrated me at times with their distrust of each other. I understood it, but I also wanted them to move on from their past and reconcile as well. Nevertheless, Maven Blackthorn and Ronan Croft's romance was toxic but also incredibly sexy. Fans of the author will be happy to know that the banter between the main characters was simply hilarious and they constantly bickered with each other. There was tension, chemistry, and deep longing between these two. This had everything I wanted in a second chance romance and enemies to lovers type of story. In addition to the romance, there were many twists and turns throughout the book that kept me on the edge of my seat. I also really loved the mysterious and creepy atmosphere of the book because it made it seem like Maven and readers were descending into madness together. This book was a wild ride that centered around the question, “real or not real?”

“I know I’ll never be able to extricate myself from him. No matter how far I might run or how eloquently I might lie, my heart belongs to this man. I love him.”

In the end, we’re given a “happy for now” ending for Maven and Ronan, but some mysteries and questions remain unresolved. For the sake of spoilers, I won't say it in this review, but I'm hoping the author will write another book for this incredibly interesting and unique world that she has created. I also would have liked more scenes of Maven and Raven’s past. I wanted to know their entire history and what they were thinking. Instead, we only got brief glimpses of their past relationship and what transpired. In addition, more of Ronan’s POV would have been appreciated. He was such a mysterious and contradictory character. I couldn’t make sense of him and why he loved Maven so much but ended up disappointing her. Perhaps to him, she was different from everybody else and was the only one who made him feel something. Overall, I enjoyed this creepy and mysterious take on the dark romance genre. Fans of J.T. Geissinger will absolutely love this book because it has all the banter, spicy love scenes, and tropes that the author is known for.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Branded by Saffron A. Kent

Saffron Kent returns with a brand new release that tells the story of a young and naive woman who falls hopelessly in love with a bad man. It's a tale as old as time. However, the author adds unexpected twists and turns to the story including mistaken identities, letter exchanges, revenge, and finding love with the most unexpected person. While I enjoyed Branded, I thought that Arsen Grayson and Reverie Bell's relationship could have benefited from more time and connection between the two. I loved that Reverie was sassy to Arsen, but he would always end up having the last word. This made me struggle to connect with the characters and relationship because while they were growing closer, it was all built on lies. Reverie hid her identity from Arsen to protect her best friend, but he continued to contradict himself at every turn by telling false truths. There were a lot of misunderstandings and "fighting" between Arsen and Reverie—much of it would lead to an intense and dirty moment for them. Nevertheless, I did really love the letters that Arsen and Reverie exchanged with each other in the beginning. It brought a lot of insight into their characters and built a good foundation for their potential romance—unfortunately, that all shattered when they met and he kidnapped her for revenge. 

“Love is an adventure. It has highs and lows. It scares you. It makes you feel safe. It’s reckless and thoughtful. It’s the biggest contradiction there is. Love is you. Because you’re the biggest contradiction of my life.”

In the end, Branded was a revenge story that eventually became a love story. The animosity between the Grayson's and Turner's was interesting, but I would have liked more lore and additional context as to why they became enemies in the first place. I also really liked the secondary characters and found them to be more interesting than Arsen and Reverie. Radisson and Peyton will make for a dynamic couple and I can't wait to read their story. Also known as the Quiet Mustang, Rad is this brooding, silent, and protective cowboy who fell in love with the outspoken, sassy, and troublemaker that is Peyton Turner. I'm also looking forward to reading about Marsden and Haven's strange but interesting marriage. They didn't seem like a married couple at all. Fans of Saffron Kent will absolutely enjoy this new and world and series that has all of her tropes and sexiness. Although the love scenes were not as explicit as A Wreck, You Make Me, they still made for some erotically charged moments between Arsen and Reverie.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Release Blitz: A Wreck, You Make Me by Saffron A. Kent

Title: A Wreck, You Make Me

Author: Saffron A. Kent

Genre: Dark Forbidden Romance

Tropes: Bully Romance, Blackmail, Forced Proximity

Morally Grey Hero, Praise/Degradation Kink, Soccer

Release Date: August 8, 2025

BLURB

I have been in love with Shepard Thorne since I was twelve. 

He’s my best friend’s hot older brother, and I am the weird redhead who low-key follows him everywhere. He’s soccer’s bad boy, and I am stuck in a dead end job, serving drinks at the local strip club. 

Our paths aren’t meant to cross. 

Until one day I catch him getting a lap dance at the club and jealousy makes me ruin his fun. 

Now he’s made it his mission to make my life hell and no matter what I do, there is no escape. 

Everywhere I turn, there he is, waiting for his payback. 

He threatens to kiss me one second, and choke me the next. 

He promises to bring me to my knees and make me beg. 

What started as a little harmless prank turns into a twisted game of blackmail that’s toxic but oh-so-good. 

But it has to end. 

Because I have a secret... 

That ties me to my tormentor in an irrevocable way, and if he ever finds out, it will wreck everything I now crave. 

Even his revenge.

Note: This is a STANDALONE set in the world of Bardstown

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

UNIVERSAL / ALL LINKS

Free in Kindle Unlimited

AUTHOR BIO

Saffron A. Kent is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary and New Adult romance.

She has an MFA in Creative Writing and she lives in New York City with her nerdy and supportive husband, along with a million and one books.

WEBSITE