⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. This is the beginning of a new series built around an innovative fantasy world idea, and dark romance readers will find plenty to love.

Information is power, and those who control it live like gods. My name is Alana Beaumont, and due to a recent tragedy, I’m the sole heir to Aquarius Social, a family business being systematically dismantled by an unseen enemy. My father’s solution is to give me in marriage and create a coalition with a competing family, so I’m torn between my thirst for revenge and my duty. Now I just have a week to finish my hunt before the wedding.

There’s nothing like an assassination attempt to cut short the best of plans, even worse is my unwanted rescue by Thorn Beathach, the Beast whose social media empire is driving Aquarius under. The richest, most ruthless of them all, he protects his realm with an iron rule: no one sees his face. When he shows himself to me, I know he’ll never let me go.

Thorn may think he can lock me in his castle forever, but I’m not the docile Beauty he expects. If the Beast wants to tie me up, I’m going to take pleasure from every minute of it, and we’ll just see who ends up shackled.

MY THOUGHTS

I’m more on the fringe when it comes to dark romance, but I’m a huge Rebecca Zanetti fan, so there’s no way I was missing out on this book.

The meld of magic and technology that this world is based on was brand new to me. I found the idea of social media interaction fuelling the power and influence of the four founding families very intriguing. The world building was thorough and consistent, although it took a while to make sense of how it all worked, and it was difficult at times to imagine it visually.

Thorn was menacing, paranoid, obsessed, and delightfully predictable in his actions towards Alana. I think I would’ve liked it better if Alana had embraced her own dark attraction to Thorn right from the start and used it, instead of posing some token resistance on multiple occasions and then inevitably giving in to her feelings.

I was riveted by the concept of this world, the intense feelings, and the nail-biting action. If you like your heroes possessive and brooding, then this super hot dark romance is just the thing.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Fantasy Romance
Published: June 25, 2024
Sensuality Rating: Scorching
Series: Grimm Bargains