Alta Hensley

This was a fast read, but that's about the best thing I can to say about, I'm afraid. It's certainly reminded me to take that line about someone being a 'USA Today Bestselling Author' with a grain of salt since, to be honest, I can't imagine reading this and running out to buy more of Hensley's work.

All told, I just take issue with the lack of depth. The first half of this felt like a straightforward presentation of tropes and stereotypes, and when the twist came, that was a pleasant surprise...but it also felt more like the author had been playing with the reader than anything since the POV she'd chosen should have shown her hand much earlier. I hate the feeling of an author playing games with a reader instead of allowing a story to unfold naturally, twists included, so that was a major point against the book for me. But even beyond that, the way Hensley stuck to the stereotypes of the characters and didn't really show us anything more than instalove made for a fairly dry book, and characters that were difficult to believe in as the book got further in. Emotions weren't given time to develop, and we'd go from anger to forgiveness after a few frantic pages of interior monologue. That's the other issue--all of the character development depended on nothing more than frantic inner monologue, beyond fully developed scenes and the progression of any real feelings or relationship.

I've got another book by Hensley already sitting on my shelf. I'm honestly not sure I'll read it, given that it's already there, but I won't be buying more of her books.… (más)

I listened to this on a car journey and it did keep me awake - it was an ideal listen to make the kilometres pass quickly.

I'm not sure that it left me with much, and more importantly, I'm not sure if I finished it??? as I don't recall the ending - before it returned to the library.

So I'm kinda surprised that i'm giving this 3.5 stars, but if I gave it less it might be discrimination on my part! against romance novels about billionaires! I find that sub-genre one of the most embarrassing for an intelligent (!) woman to be reading....X@#$! So, 3.5 stars it is.

And of course, very good narrators. Samantha Prescott, whom I don't know, but gave the heroine some substance, and Teddy Hamilton - say no more - if anyone can improve the calibre of a billionaire novel, it's him. I love the chutzpah and swagger in his voice.

Later: thanks to the comments below, I do recall an ending where Kenneth, the Spiked Roses GM, reveals he's in love, not just lust, for Anita. Love is always touching - I'm not knocking it, even here! it was wonderful - but in the context of these characters it did require a suspension of disbelief, given the unattractive machine Kenneth was before his smiting by Anita!… (más)

A powerful rich family including twins and a homicidal sister. Tragedy strikes with betrayals, secrets, & loads of hot sex. Does Daphne really know who her husband Apollo really is? Will she live to tell the tale and get out from the shadow of a family that hates her? Twisted, shocking, dark, & kind of unbelievable in some aspects (I won't explain because of spoilers). Daphne was a little unlikable and not a very good decision maker. The book ended in a cliffhanger featuring Daphne's sister.… (más)

Athena's story. The ice cold business queen of the Godwins is looking for her mother after Phoenix's reveal at the end of his book. Finding she has just actually died and Athena is in the will uncovers dark secrets between the Godwin parents. Showing up for the reading of the will she encounters four would be "brothers" that know her mom and have lived with her all of these years. Eros, Heph, Paris, & Perseus. All are gorgeous with different qualities and all of them hate her and will do anything to get her to leave as they fight for inheritance. Wild stipulations have Athena moving in and doing her business best to put the men in their place. It turns into a seduction with multiple partners that will thaw the ice cold queen and awaken her desires. Decent story but I missed the warnings for swords crossing and bisexual stuff so I skimmed that because no thanks. OK ending but the twist felt rushed to make someone the bad guy and wrap stuff up… (más)