I dnf'd this at 49% and I'm sorry I wasted that much time on this book. I thought I wanted to know more about Kyle's backstory, but his behavior is so despicable that I finally didn't care. Rai is an entitled airhead who doesn't seem to understand the reality of her situation (neither does the author). ( )

Rai is out to prove herself in a man’s world. She must put on the facade of being brave, strong, smart, and ruthless for the Brotherhood to think she belongs, and she is in fact all these things, yet she must work extra hard for it. When Rai decides to put herself out there so her best friend and cousin Ana doesn’t have to marry before she is even ready the last person, she expects to see is a ghost from her past. She has just agreed to marry the man that left years ago without a word and now she has no other option other than to marry him, but she always has to keep her guard up. We don’t know why he is back or what his intentions are, he has a plan and it’s up to Rai to figure out what is going on. Rai wants to hate him, but her feelings never really disappeared, and all her anger is starting to turn to more, but she can’t show any weaknesses and he just may be her own demise. A ruthless world where everyone fights to survive can Rai and her own ghost filter out the lies, truths, snakes, and tormenters or will they be doomed to fight wars for the Brotherhood or each other? This read was so intense that I couldn’t put it down and dying to see what will happen next because it does end on a cliffhanger. Another epic read with an amazing storyline that takes us into the heart of the Brotherhood and leaves us wondering what will happen net for Rai and can she ever come back from this. “The road to the throne is paved with thorns, blood, and casualties. To win, I’ll risk it all. My heart included.” ( )

4.1 stars

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am a huge fan of this author. I am always recommending her to my friends when they ask for something to read. She, and her books, have pulled me through many a funk moments in my life. So, when I say I was ready for this story since Rai was first introduced eons ago in Reina's book is an understatement.

However, As much as I wanted to connect with these characters and the storyline, I just didn't as much as I wanted to in this book. Don't get me wrong, it still was very good. Something just felt different in the fluidity of the story and in the writing style. Both Rai and Kyle didn't click individually for me in the first part of the book. Yet, by the time they came together, it had clicked. These two chemistry wise was HOT. Their steamy times were also hot. Crikey were they hot.

The book does end on a cliffhanger (it is a duet for those that might have missed that). The storyline definitely called for it to end where it did because it leaves it open to pick up the next book answering these questions and smoothing over the misunderstandings that the characters have. I am very curious to see what Kyle had planned and how that plan changes because of Rai.

Even though this was not my favorite book by this author, it still has piqued my interest and I look forward to seeing how it concludes. ( )