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The Land Where Sinners Atone
Once upon a time she became mine. Mine to destroy.
I used to have it all.
Successful career.
Loving husband who adored me.
A future full of possibilities.
A perfect fairytale nothing could break.
Until one day, life as I knew it was crushed into tiny little pieces.
I was charged with a murder I didn't commit.
And no matter how much I begged for justice, no one believed me.
Least of all the man who promised to stand by me through anything.
And the husband of the woman I allegedly killed?
He vowed for me to live in a hell on earth–and even then it wouldn’t be enough to atone for my sin.
His words rang in my ears every single day as life became an endless nightmare.
With time, I grew to hate him so much my heart burned from it.
Until three years later new evidence was found.
And everyone believed my truth.
I might be free but I’m still part of a twisted game the monster is playing.
And the only way I can survive in it?
Trust a man who I promised to hate till my last breath.
I used to have it all.
Successful career.
Loving husband who adored me.
A future full of possibilities.
A perfect fairytale nothing could break.
Until one day, life as I knew it was crushed into tiny little pieces.
I was charged with a murder I didn't commit.
And no matter how much I begged for justice, no one believed me.
Least of all the man who promised to stand by me through anything.
And the husband of the woman I allegedly killed?
He vowed for me to live in a hell on earth–and even then it wouldn’t be enough to atone for my sin.
His words rang in my ears every single day as life became an endless nightmare.
With time, I grew to hate him so much my heart burned from it.
Until three years later new evidence was found.
And everyone believed my truth.
I might be free but I’m still part of a twisted game the monster is playing.
And the only way I can survive in it?
Trust a man who I promised to hate till my last breath.
441 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2020
About the author
V.F. Mason
33 books2,073 followersVisit me on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2e1wFpE
Reader group: http://bit.ly/2iXZd0l
Website: vfmason.com
Instagram: authorvfmason
Twitter: @Author_VFMason
V.F.Mason always loved reading books and had quite a few fights with her mama over the genre she liked (romance, duh!) She studied filmmaking and thought that would feed her desire for stories, but that didn't happen.
Finally, when she was tired of all those voices in her head, she sat down and wrote a book. It was a huge decision to make and she thanks her friends and family for supporting her in it.
When she is not writing, she can be found with her friends doing all sorts of crazy things or reading recent romance books that were written by her favorite authors.
Reader group: http://bit.ly/2iXZd0l
Website: vfmason.com
Instagram: authorvfmason
Twitter: @Author_VFMason
V.F.Mason always loved reading books and had quite a few fights with her mama over the genre she liked (romance, duh!) She studied filmmaking and thought that would feed her desire for stories, but that didn't happen.
Finally, when she was tired of all those voices in her head, she sat down and wrote a book. It was a huge decision to make and she thanks her friends and family for supporting her in it.
When she is not writing, she can be found with her friends doing all sorts of crazy things or reading recent romance books that were written by her favorite authors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 560 reviews
June 11, 2023
repost bc GR deleted my review. 😬
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After sleeping on my previous rating (2.5/3 stars), I'm bumping it up to 3/3.5 stars because I read it in one sitting and, despite the following rant, really enjoyed it.
Warning : I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book and this review rant will probably contain major spoilers as I try to make sense of my feelings.
Song : Hurt Me by Lapsley
First of all, I have been meaning to read this authors' work for a long time now. She writes mostly about serial killers, my unhealthy obsession and object of fascination since forever, and having watched/read/devoured
That being said, the cover/blurb of this book grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go when I saw them all over my FB feed. I knew this would be my introduction to this author and was super excited.
You know that feeling when you read the first chapters of a book, and feel like this is gonna be one of your favorites? Your heart starts beating, your eyes fly over the words but then you force yourself to slow down, to savour every word? That was me.
I looked at my bff with tears in my eyes, next to me on the bed, and told her omg i think this is gonna break me and im scared, also i love Pheonix (the h) and i want her to be the happiest person alive
Pheonix Hale's (how kickass is her name huh? ❤️) life was destroyed the day she was accused of murdering Angelica King, wife of business mogul and billionaire Zachary King. Abandoned by her husband and her best friend, facing a long prison sentence and becoming public enemy number 1, everything Pheonix worked so hard for, for so long-overcoming a rough childhood in the system and defying all the odds- shattered before her eyes. As if all of that isn't enough, she also becomes the target of all the hate and rage of one very cruel, very ruthless Zachary King.
The things he does are monstrous, and during those first chapters, my heart was in my throat, at least the small part of it that didn't break from the events taking place.
Now for the characters
Zachary King
*takes a deep breath and then expels all the hate felt towards this guy*
*fails miserably*
I have no fucking idea why my reaction to this guy is this severe. I mean, he's not the worst hero I've ever read about, and he can be even labeled as a harmless kitty next to some of my favorite anti-heroes. Maybe I hated him because of how much my heart felt for Pheonix? I gotta admit I connected to her on a surprising level and had all kinds of protective mama bear feelings where she was concerned. But she's next. Now, we're talking about Zach, the guy that legit gave me an acid reflux (glamorous, ain't it) every time he referred to Emmaline as his daughter.
Having lost his beloved wife, I understood his rage and his pain. But I just couldn't, for the life of me, get past what he did. Maybe if he'd have suffered more, if Phoenix made him work for it more or at all, he could've been redeemed in my eyes. But that sadly didn't happen.
Now, I'll be honest and say that I really dug his possessiveness towards Pheonix (more like loved it but i hate him remember? so dug it it is), even if their romantic feelings were not developed enough. I mean one day they hate each other and the next they're in love? Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope but I can assure you that, with all their baggage, it just didn't happen in a convincing way.
I just wish he grovelled or asked for forgiveness, or apologised. Just give me something, ANYTHING! 😩
Pheonix Hale
Girl, all I wanted was for you to kill them all and be happy. Fuck HEA's, and coming from me, who never ever reads anything without a guaranteed HEA, that is saying something!!!
You started out so well, I was rooting for you and just fucking wishing you could heal and find the happiness you deserve. Shame on you, author, for dumping all of these struggles on my girl. 😭
Pheonix is smart, was once upon a time a renowned and well respected psychiatrist and I had a girl crush on her strength and resilience. 💜💜
Up until 40%, she was on her way to becoming my new favorite heroine, but sadly, sex happened. Betraying body syndrome happened. And the worst part is the excuses/reasons/arguments she kept making up, trying to explain herself to us. Like girl, you fucked up and are actively fucking up, just own it. Just don't try to manipulate me with some psychobabble, because I ain't fooled.
I know you guys are gonna end up together, I know you forgave him (even if he never, not once, apologised or asked for forgiveness!!!!) but I told myself, relax Mina, just wait for the big secret reveal, surely she'll fuck him up and he'll grovel and you'll be able to overlook her past weaknesses. LOL JOKES ON MEEEE because
Pheonix Hale, you disappointed me. 😞
The Unsub
Having been raised by SSA Jason Gideon and SSA Aaron Hotchner, I figured out the identity of the serial killer early on. I enjoyed this aspect of the book, even if I think it could've been executed better.
Also, at times, I couldn't quite connect with the writing style as it seemed a little choppy in certain parts. And the grammar nazi in me (you can't tell by my review I know but trust me, she's in there somewhere) couldn't help but pick up on every small mistake.
The weird thing is, despite the long rant and all the issues I had with this book, I still enjoyed it very much. Because it certainly made me feel, and in my book, that counts for something.
If you've made it this far in the review, congratulations you're a saint and you deserve a cookie.
January 14, 2023
My heart bled for poor Phoenix and the living hell she endured abandoned by everyone and not a single soul on her side that believed in her innocence. This really was emotional stuff and I was deeply invested in the unfolding story. My heart continually broke for Phoenix’s pain and it was only the sheer strength of her will that propelled her through her nightmares. Her compassion and heart shining through like a beacon.
Zach was a complex one while I understood why he’d behaved the way he had and I hurt for his pain in losing his wife I still wanted to annihilate him and grind him into the dust beneath my feet. I wanted him to get down on his knees and beg Phoenix for her forgiveness, his previous actions outweighing my sympathy. The deep guilt he felt after the fact was small atonement for his sins but at the same time, his holding himself accountable for his past deed’s knowing he had done wrong and he himself is a fixture in Phoenix’s nightmares in itself was a punishment.
This was passionate and intense and oh so tragic but also deeply emotional and eventually healing. It was a rollercoaster of such intensity a backwards journey to an elusive happiness.
I hadn’t the foggiest who the unsub actually was and did change my mind constantly. I had suspicions but nothing concrete and this kept me guessing right till the very end.
I’m glad that Zachary came through for Phoenix and despite my initial anger in his direction I couldn’t help but fall for him, when he loves he does it with his entire being his heart and his soul and I ended up adoring them both equally.
This was fantastically intense and so enthralling.
A massive thumbs up from me. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of The Land Where Sinners Atone.
Zach was a complex one while I understood why he’d behaved the way he had and I hurt for his pain in losing his wife I still wanted to annihilate him and grind him into the dust beneath my feet. I wanted him to get down on his knees and beg Phoenix for her forgiveness, his previous actions outweighing my sympathy. The deep guilt he felt after the fact was small atonement for his sins but at the same time, his holding himself accountable for his past deed’s knowing he had done wrong and he himself is a fixture in Phoenix’s nightmares in itself was a punishment.
This was passionate and intense and oh so tragic but also deeply emotional and eventually healing. It was a rollercoaster of such intensity a backwards journey to an elusive happiness.
I hadn’t the foggiest who the unsub actually was and did change my mind constantly. I had suspicions but nothing concrete and this kept me guessing right till the very end.
I’m glad that Zachary came through for Phoenix and despite my initial anger in his direction I couldn’t help but fall for him, when he loves he does it with his entire being his heart and his soul and I ended up adoring them both equally.
This was fantastically intense and so enthralling.
A massive thumbs up from me. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of The Land Where Sinners Atone.
June 5, 2021
Okay so this was probably one of the worst books I’ve come across in a while. It started out well but just went down hill immediately. Basically, Phoenix is sent to prison for murdering a rich man’s wife. She claims she is innocent. Zachary is a billionaire hellbent on revenge so he orders a hit on Phoenix her first day in jail - not to be killed, but basically. Lo and behold, Phoenix was 6 months pregnant (only she knew), and because of her severe beating, she loses the baby. She knows Zach ordered her beating and hates him more than anyone - including her husband and colleagues who turned on her after she was charged with murder. Three years later, it becomes clear that Phoenix was in fact innocent and is released with the help of Zach’s sister, a lawyer. Zachary is furious with himself for how he treated Phoenix while in mourning, but REFUSES to apologize for it, amongst other way more important things, like uh STEALING PHOENIX’S BABY AND RAISING HER AS HIS! WHO DID NOT DIE IN FACT! BUT WAS STOLEN WHILE SHE WAS IN A COMA AND BECAUSE HE IS A BILLIONAIRE, HE CAN! And of course, what a coincidence, the killer is back on the loose, and the only way to stop him is you guessed it - working together...... lord. This could have worked. It really could have. But holy shit Ms Mason, bring some tension angst SOMETHING! Phoenix should have held on to her anger and hatred for Zachary. Point blank period, without even knowing about her daughter. Because of him, she was brutalized in prison and almost died and she lost her baby. Yeah she says she hated him but did she act like it? Absolutely not, especially when she found out about her daughter. (Again, I’m not a parent but I have eyes and I know just by looking at someone if they are related. How can you look at this little girl and not see yourself in her IMMEDIATELY?!?! Wtf!) Ughh and let’s not get started on the repetitive phrases holy shit. For the love of god WHO SAYS DARLING UNDER THE AGE OF 80???!! Let me know!! So fucking annoying! Who talks like this?! “Take me to the land where sinners atone..” SERIOUSLY?! Who speaks this way???? Like every other word out of their mouths was either about Zachary not apologizing for stealing the baby, calling each other darling, or finding this aforementioned land! Gah! So fucking cringe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 6, 2021DNF 80%
This book made me sick to my stomach.
At first. It was 5/5. The writing was great. The suspense was insane. Phoenix was amazing. I disliked Zach but loved Phoenix. I hoped it will get better.
But let me tell you something. This book isn’t romance. What Phoenix and Zach have isn’t romance. It’s vile and toxic and honestly disgusts me.
Let me put the plot is a more…appropriate wording, without all the romance rose colored glasses bullshit.
Here are the facts:
Zach ordered a hit on a women in prison, when that women turned out to be pregnant and her baby was born prematurely because of his hit, he trafficked that fucking child and hid it away from her true mother AND father, letting her believe that child is dead and never telling the father in the first place. Worse than that, he doesn’t think what he did is wrong.
So here it is. What he didn’t to Emmeline wasn’t mercy, it was child trafficking. Kidnapping. Whatever term u like best.
Let’s not forget the fact after Phoenix got released, he lied to her. In fact, he actually never told her and she found out from another source.
I’ll tell you what. Zachary is a narcissist evil human being that can’t be ‘atoned’ because he doesn’t have one single redeemable quality in his body.
He genuinely didn’t show one single good character. He’s possessive, entitled, unforgiving. He treats his family like shit. He treats everyone who goes against his saying like shit. He manipulates everything to his tastes, and he has the money to do it. He has no moral qualities to speak of.
You know what’s worse? After she found out all that? It took her half an hour and she came back to his arms and confessed her love.
So they can enjoying their fucking disgusting romance they have. Honestly it’s fucking sad that people would see this at romance it genuinely makes me sick.
This book made me sick to my stomach.
At first. It was 5/5. The writing was great. The suspense was insane. Phoenix was amazing. I disliked Zach but loved Phoenix. I hoped it will get better.
But let me tell you something. This book isn’t romance. What Phoenix and Zach have isn’t romance. It’s vile and toxic and honestly disgusts me.
Let me put the plot is a more…appropriate wording, without all the romance rose colored glasses bullshit.
Here are the facts:
Zach ordered a hit on a women in prison, when that women turned out to be pregnant and her baby was born prematurely because of his hit, he trafficked that fucking child and hid it away from her true mother AND father, letting her believe that child is dead and never telling the father in the first place. Worse than that, he doesn’t think what he did is wrong.
So here it is. What he didn’t to Emmeline wasn’t mercy, it was child trafficking. Kidnapping. Whatever term u like best.
Let’s not forget the fact after Phoenix got released, he lied to her. In fact, he actually never told her and she found out from another source.
I’ll tell you what. Zachary is a narcissist evil human being that can’t be ‘atoned’ because he doesn’t have one single redeemable quality in his body.
He genuinely didn’t show one single good character. He’s possessive, entitled, unforgiving. He treats his family like shit. He treats everyone who goes against his saying like shit. He manipulates everything to his tastes, and he has the money to do it. He has no moral qualities to speak of.
You know what’s worse? After she found out all that? It took her half an hour and she came back to his arms and confessed her love.
So they can enjoying their fucking disgusting romance they have. Honestly it’s fucking sad that people would see this at romance it genuinely makes me sick.
November 7, 2021
Is everyone who gave this a good review f***ed in the head or something? There is literally NOTHING good about this book. Nothing!! I can usually find one thing I like, for instance dialog or descriptions or even a character. Looking for something good in this book felt like digging through a pile of sh*t. I know it's mean statement to make especially if the writer ever reads this, but as a fellow writer i can tell they need an honest review instead of a pile of heart emoji's she recieves because of the man on the cover or the endless burden of daddy issues the readers of this thing seem to face on a daily basis.
You mean to tell me that this successful psychiatrist was falsely accused of manslaughter, went to prison only to be tortured there by the people some billionaire send after her because that man is clearly brain dead and lacking any mental capacity to function. He goes on to prove this by watching the camera footage of her being beaten into a coma and feels satisfaction at how broken she is after she finds out she lost her baby. But it doesn't end there!!! NO! He STEALS her child and tries to raise it as his own 🤢🤮 while the real parent of this child is still being bullied in PRISON. When billionaire psycho finds out she really was innocent as she continued to claim he does a 30% angle change at BEST not even a whole 160 🙄 After she finally gets out he continues to taunt her, mistreat her and disrespect her because why not? I guess it's charming to be abused. That's not even the worst part. He continues to say that he will NEVER apologise for what he did! Straight to her face!! The FL only claimes she hates the man who ruined her live but takes absolutely no action to show this hatred and quite quickly falls in love with him. I mean come on! What is this sh*t? This is on par with the wattpad books you find on the bottom of the barrel, writen by people who have absolutely nothing to do so they write something about a rich and attractive man to pass the time because why not? and then it's read by people who lack cognitive function, critical thinking and the ability to read. This is by far one of the worst books I've ever read. I usually don't review anything, but I hated this so much I just couldn't keep it in. The characters are one-dimensional and weird. The relationships between the characters is even worse and the descriptions and pacing of the story is also off-putting. If there was an option to give it zero stars I would.
You mean to tell me that this successful psychiatrist was falsely accused of manslaughter, went to prison only to be tortured there by the people some billionaire send after her because that man is clearly brain dead and lacking any mental capacity to function. He goes on to prove this by watching the camera footage of her being beaten into a coma and feels satisfaction at how broken she is after she finds out she lost her baby. But it doesn't end there!!! NO! He STEALS her child and tries to raise it as his own 🤢🤮 while the real parent of this child is still being bullied in PRISON. When billionaire psycho finds out she really was innocent as she continued to claim he does a 30% angle change at BEST not even a whole 160 🙄 After she finally gets out he continues to taunt her, mistreat her and disrespect her because why not? I guess it's charming to be abused. That's not even the worst part. He continues to say that he will NEVER apologise for what he did! Straight to her face!! The FL only claimes she hates the man who ruined her live but takes absolutely no action to show this hatred and quite quickly falls in love with him. I mean come on! What is this sh*t? This is on par with the wattpad books you find on the bottom of the barrel, writen by people who have absolutely nothing to do so they write something about a rich and attractive man to pass the time because why not? and then it's read by people who lack cognitive function, critical thinking and the ability to read. This is by far one of the worst books I've ever read. I usually don't review anything, but I hated this so much I just couldn't keep it in. The characters are one-dimensional and weird. The relationships between the characters is even worse and the descriptions and pacing of the story is also off-putting. If there was an option to give it zero stars I would.
February 18, 2021
For me, he crossed the line with the baby thing
November 11, 2021
3.5 stars ⭐️
June 15, 2020
image: 
★★★𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤★★★
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝑽.𝑭. 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏
𝑅𝐴𝑇𝐼𝑁𝐺: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡, 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐧.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥.
𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭… 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐈 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐧.
𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡… 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐙𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠.
.
This story consumed me from the very first chapter. It was beautifully written and so captivating. By chapter three I had already drained all my tears. LITERALLY. My heart chattered into tiny little pieces and that's when I knew I'll never be the same after this book.
You know when you read a magnificent book and everything changes for you. I could count in one hand the books that evoked this feeling in me, and this one was definitely one of them.
.
Let me tell you this, you are going to hate Zachary King so much that you would want him to be real so you can literally kill him. I kept wondering how the author is going to make him redeemable, like how?? But if you give him a chance just like I did, you'll fall head over heels in love with him. Just like I did.
.
The story is about Phoenix who is accused of murdering the wife of the notorious billionaire Zachary King. Even though she claims she's innocent, all evidence point at her. She ends up in prison losing her husband and all her friends for something she didn't even do. But Zachary is not satisfied because she gets to live and the woman he loved died, he ends up doing something atrocious that hurts her in the worst possible way.
.
Three years later she's found innocent and the real murderer is on the loose. Since she was his very first victim, he's still not done with her and the only was to catch him is if she collaborates with Zachary.
.
𝐀 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡?
𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭.
.
Phoenix finds herself attracted to Zachary in a way neither of them can comprehend.
She tries to fight it but eventually she gives in cause the heart wants what it wants.
.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟?
.
As a character, I really loved her. No matter what life threw her way she kept fighting bach and she held to that silver lining of hope. And Zachary did atone his sins all thanks to the power of love and forgiveness.
Both of them were greatly hurt but at the end love prevailed.
.
𝐍𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬.
.
To say this book was phenomenal would be A HUGE UNDERSTATEMENT.
This was my first read by 𝐕.𝐅. 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 and it won't definitely be my last.
★★★𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤★★★
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝑽.𝑭. 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏
𝑅𝐴𝑇𝐼𝑁𝐺: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡, 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐧.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥.
𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭… 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐈 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐧.
𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡… 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐙𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠.
.
This story consumed me from the very first chapter. It was beautifully written and so captivating. By chapter three I had already drained all my tears. LITERALLY. My heart chattered into tiny little pieces and that's when I knew I'll never be the same after this book.
You know when you read a magnificent book and everything changes for you. I could count in one hand the books that evoked this feeling in me, and this one was definitely one of them.
.
Let me tell you this, you are going to hate Zachary King so much that you would want him to be real so you can literally kill him. I kept wondering how the author is going to make him redeemable, like how?? But if you give him a chance just like I did, you'll fall head over heels in love with him. Just like I did.
.
The story is about Phoenix who is accused of murdering the wife of the notorious billionaire Zachary King. Even though she claims she's innocent, all evidence point at her. She ends up in prison losing her husband and all her friends for something she didn't even do. But Zachary is not satisfied because she gets to live and the woman he loved died, he ends up doing something atrocious that hurts her in the worst possible way.
.
Three years later she's found innocent and the real murderer is on the loose. Since she was his very first victim, he's still not done with her and the only was to catch him is if she collaborates with Zachary.
.
𝐀 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡?
𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭.
.
Phoenix finds herself attracted to Zachary in a way neither of them can comprehend.
She tries to fight it but eventually she gives in cause the heart wants what it wants.
.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟?
.
As a character, I really loved her. No matter what life threw her way she kept fighting bach and she held to that silver lining of hope. And Zachary did atone his sins all thanks to the power of love and forgiveness.
Both of them were greatly hurt but at the end love prevailed.
.
𝐍𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬.
.
To say this book was phenomenal would be A HUGE UNDERSTATEMENT.
This was my first read by 𝐕.𝐅. 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 and it won't definitely be my last.
January 16, 2023
The blurb sets this up, Phoenix is accused of a crime she didn’t commit and loses everything including her freedom. Zach (spouse of deceased) HATES her and is determined to make her life hell. She’s released and the two must now work together to bring down a killer.
The writing/editing is pretty good, but there’s a fair amount that you’re just going to have to go with/accept. 1- The actual crime/set up is far-fetched/unbelievable and it’s not really explained. 2- The couple’s feelings for each other (especially Zach’s) switch on a dime with little development, like I hate you so much to you are mine- POOF. 3- The couple's history is a stretch/series of coincidences.
Also, Zach does something that many found unforgivable. He was unaware of certain details, but FYI if you’re not the forgiving type. (several spoiler reviews out there- just search the low ratings- or message me if you want deets)
Despite the relationship feeling manufactured, the author did a good (IMO) of handling the dead ex. It’s a tricky balance to honor the dead ex while not making the h feel like second best… and I think she nailed it.
I loved my wife. I loved her in a way a lot of women dream of, gave her all of me and threw the world at her feet. She was a remarkable woman who, with her smile alone, had the power to soothe the rage inside me….Beautiful, kind, sweet. I’ll forever thank God for her and want to avenge her death, the injustice done to her…. But my wife is dead. And I’m very much alive. So she has no place in whatever it is I have with Phoenix right now, and I won’t let her drag Angelica into our mess. I’m not having a threesome in this relationship.
My biggest complaint was the ending. The conflict goes to the very end and leaves us with a cliffhanger to be addressed in the epilogue. It FFW’s 15 years, then most of the epilogue was wasted on teasing/stringing us a long which was a little annoying because I wanted updates not filler. (and it was obvious what happened)
Bottom Line- Ok, I liked parts better than others. The characters felt a smidge flat, and I wasn’t totally invested. It’s free to try with KU.
The writing/editing is pretty good, but there’s a fair amount that you’re just going to have to go with/accept. 1- The actual crime/set up is far-fetched/unbelievable and it’s not really explained. 2- The couple’s feelings for each other (especially Zach’s) switch on a dime with little development, like I hate you so much to you are mine- POOF. 3- The couple's history is a stretch/series of coincidences.
Also, Zach does something that many found unforgivable. He was unaware of certain details, but FYI if you’re not the forgiving type. (several spoiler reviews out there- just search the low ratings- or message me if you want deets)
Despite the relationship feeling manufactured, the author did a good (IMO) of handling the dead ex. It’s a tricky balance to honor the dead ex while not making the h feel like second best… and I think she nailed it.
I loved my wife. I loved her in a way a lot of women dream of, gave her all of me and threw the world at her feet. She was a remarkable woman who, with her smile alone, had the power to soothe the rage inside me….Beautiful, kind, sweet. I’ll forever thank God for her and want to avenge her death, the injustice done to her…. But my wife is dead. And I’m very much alive. So she has no place in whatever it is I have with Phoenix right now, and I won’t let her drag Angelica into our mess. I’m not having a threesome in this relationship.
My biggest complaint was the ending. The conflict goes to the very end and leaves us with a cliffhanger to be addressed in the epilogue. It FFW’s 15 years, then most of the epilogue was wasted on teasing/stringing us a long which was a little annoying because I wanted updates not filler. (and it was obvious what happened)
Bottom Line- Ok, I liked parts better than others. The characters felt a smidge flat, and I wasn’t totally invested. It’s free to try with KU.
January 20, 2023
Yo simplemente amo este libro, no tengo mucho que decir en esta relectura 💜
Solo que está señora si que mete a muchos personas de otros libros y apenas me di cuenta 🤭
22/07/21
4.5 🌟
Este libro es justo lo que necesitaba
Casi todo el libro me la pase pensando en quién era el asesinó y cuando estaba segura de quien era resultó otro diferente lo cual me sorprendió. Desde el inicio se van revelando varias cosas de los personajes que te dejan un poco en shock y te mantiene atrapada siempre.
Otra cosa es ver como los personajes van sanando con el pasó del libro fue muy lindo.
Ame a Zachary, no importa que en ocasiones fuera posesivo, me gustó todo de él. 😍
Solo que está señora si que mete a muchos personas de otros libros y apenas me di cuenta 🤭
22/07/21
4.5 🌟
Este libro es justo lo que necesitaba
Casi todo el libro me la pase pensando en quién era el asesinó y cuando estaba segura de quien era resultó otro diferente lo cual me sorprendió. Desde el inicio se van revelando varias cosas de los personajes que te dejan un poco en shock y te mantiene atrapada siempre.
Otra cosa es ver como los personajes van sanando con el pasó del libro fue muy lindo.
Ame a Zachary, no importa que en ocasiones fuera posesivo, me gustó todo de él. 😍
July 15, 2021
4 solid stars!
Shelved as 'dnf'
September 27, 2022DNF 47%
There are way too many things wrong with this book.
As much as I love anti-heroes, I don't think I could forgive Zachary.
For a brief plot summary ( spoilers included):
The heroine, Phoenix, is wrongly accused of an accident that caused the death of Zachary's wife, she finds herself in prison abandoned by everyone including her own husband while pregnant.
Zachary, blinded by grief and revenge, orders fellow inmates to beat her up. She falls into a coma and when she wakes up, she is told that she has lost her baby.
For added suffering, Zachary took her child and told her her child was dead.
Phoenix spends 3 years in prison and is finally released when the truth is revealed, that's when Zachary decides to "join forces" with her to find the real person responsible for his wife's death.
I don't see how I'm supposed to like a hero who not only was extremely cruel to the heroine, but who doesn't even have the decency to apologize! Where is the groveling?
The heroine who went through hell because of the hero sleeps with him after two days, is this a joke?
Not to mention the heroine's ex-husband who gets a happy ending with one of Zachary's sisters after cowardly abandoning his wife. I honestly don't care if he's not a bad person. Maybe I'm petty, but I wanted him to suffer.
The dialogues are also ridiculous, the heroine is supposed to be a psychiatrist and spends most of the time doing pseudo-deep psychology, which made me cringe.
In short, I'm not likely to try another book by this author.
There are way too many things wrong with this book.
As much as I love anti-heroes, I don't think I could forgive Zachary.
For a brief plot summary ( spoilers included):
The heroine, Phoenix, is wrongly accused of an accident that caused the death of Zachary's wife, she finds herself in prison abandoned by everyone including her own husband while pregnant.
Zachary, blinded by grief and revenge, orders fellow inmates to beat her up. She falls into a coma and when she wakes up, she is told that she has lost her baby.
For added suffering, Zachary took her child and told her her child was dead.
Phoenix spends 3 years in prison and is finally released when the truth is revealed, that's when Zachary decides to "join forces" with her to find the real person responsible for his wife's death.
I don't see how I'm supposed to like a hero who not only was extremely cruel to the heroine, but who doesn't even have the decency to apologize! Where is the groveling?
The heroine who went through hell because of the hero sleeps with him after two days, is this a joke?
Not to mention the heroine's ex-husband who gets a happy ending with one of Zachary's sisters after cowardly abandoning his wife. I honestly don't care if he's not a bad person. Maybe I'm petty, but I wanted him to suffer.
The dialogues are also ridiculous, the heroine is supposed to be a psychiatrist and spends most of the time doing pseudo-deep psychology, which made me cringe.
In short, I'm not likely to try another book by this author.
June 14, 2020
So much potential, squandered. DNF at 40%. So many things wrong. The writing for starters. I have no idea why the author needs to explain everything. Every thought explained. Every sentence almost a paragraph. Many beautifully orchestrated descriptives and poetry, yet, just no substance. Secondly, the heroine, despite all her turmoils, jumps into bed 2 days later with the man that orchestrated it. 2 days! Lady, at least play hard to get. Less is always best! Slow burn is the best way to go. Especially with her delicate situation. The Hero's motivations are all over, the chemistry non-existent, the dialogue also lacking. I do give you props for the cover page, very nice to look at.
February 6, 2023
ReRead in 2023 and I can't believe we are getting more of Phoenix & Zachary. So excited.
“My worst nightmare… but my only salvation. The devil and the angel, the man I hate and love at the same time.”
(Nov.4,2021) 1st read.
Booktok made me do it!!
I loved this book but i wanted more i wish it would have been a duet so they could have served me more animosity more anger more hate just more. Its a standalone so things felt rushed to me. But at the same time i enjoyed it so much. I liked the criminal minds aspect the fact the hero hated the herione so much. I cried so much during the first couple of chapters.
“My worst nightmare… but my only salvation. The devil and the angel, the man I hate and love at the same time.”
(Nov.4,2021) 1st read.
Booktok made me do it!!
I loved this book but i wanted more i wish it would have been a duet so they could have served me more animosity more anger more hate just more. Its a standalone so things felt rushed to me. But at the same time i enjoyed it so much. I liked the criminal minds aspect the fact the hero hated the herione so much. I cried so much during the first couple of chapters.
March 20, 2022
3.8 ⭐
Mi instinto me dijo quien era el sospechoso en lo que conocí al personaje y no fallé.
La historia me gustó, tiene esa trama y suspenso que te hace armar teorías con cada capítulo que pasa, PERO sentí que la relación entre Zach y Phoenix se dió muy rápido, me hubiera gustado que ella tuviera una etapa de duelo más sentida, ¡y que le hubiera puesto las cosas más difíciles a Zach! (El merecía recibir un poco de su propia medicina).
Es un lectura rápida y al final casi me da un paro cardíaco! 💔
Mi instinto me dijo quien era el sospechoso en lo que conocí al personaje y no fallé.
La historia me gustó, tiene esa trama y suspenso que te hace armar teorías con cada capítulo que pasa, PERO sentí que la relación entre Zach y Phoenix se dió muy rápido, me hubiera gustado que ella tuviera una etapa de duelo más sentida, ¡y que le hubiera puesto las cosas más difíciles a Zach! (El merecía recibir un poco de su propia medicina).
Es un lectura rápida y al final casi me da un paro cardíaco! 💔
June 10, 2020
Spoiler Alert. PLEASE BE WARNED
Wooooo Child!!! Is this book for freaking real?
This book started out so strong, my heart in my throat reading the unimaginable hell Phoenix is being put through because of King. I told myself yes, this will be ABSOLUTELY great. Even though knowing in the end they'll fall in love with each other, I still looked forward to the world's biggest grovelling King would have to make towards Phoenix because her level of hate should have been through the roof for every wicked thing he allowed done to her in jail. Phoenix should have been a mess, a wreck, after all those beatings & purportedly losing her child because this man wanted her to suffer so bad.
Then when her innocence is found out & she's released from jail, he seeks her out but instead of the grovelling, I get high-handed arrogance from King even knowing Phoenix was innocent of all this. Her acceptance of him entering into her life was wayyyyyyy too easy & then later finding out King adopted her supposedly dead child & she again had a mini melt-down which should have been epic but to my utter disappointment, the reactions that I expected to happen in the book did not happen.
I really had to get that off my chest but WHAT A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT when it had so much potential to be really great
Wooooo Child!!! Is this book for freaking real?
This book started out so strong, my heart in my throat reading the unimaginable hell Phoenix is being put through because of King. I told myself yes, this will be ABSOLUTELY great. Even though knowing in the end they'll fall in love with each other, I still looked forward to the world's biggest grovelling King would have to make towards Phoenix because her level of hate should have been through the roof for every wicked thing he allowed done to her in jail. Phoenix should have been a mess, a wreck, after all those beatings & purportedly losing her child because this man wanted her to suffer so bad.
Then when her innocence is found out & she's released from jail, he seeks her out but instead of the grovelling, I get high-handed arrogance from King even knowing Phoenix was innocent of all this. Her acceptance of him entering into her life was wayyyyyyy too easy & then later finding out King adopted her supposedly dead child & she again had a mini melt-down which should have been epic but to my utter disappointment, the reactions that I expected to happen in the book did not happen.
I really had to get that off my chest but WHAT A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT when it had so much potential to be really great
March 18, 2021
I went into this blind, I confess choosing this for the cover and WOW what a gem. I couldn’t put this down, reading off and on all night . This is romantic suspense at its finest. I’m sooo excited I have a new author to stalk. 5 stars!
October 13, 2022
the synopsis sounded so good and the beginning was solid BUT the execution was lacking.... when I don't cheer for romance and what is supposed to be the main couple then I count that as a fail... a huge one..
February 27, 2023
So very striking
I really loved this story. It was a true romantic suspense, strong, mature writing, visual. Phoenix finds herself behind bars for the vehicular murder of Zachary's wife. Allegedly, Phoenix had been drinking and driving. But there is more to this emotional story than what appears. There are sad beginnings, childhood memories, penpals and friends, vengeance and loss that tie the main characters, along with riveting mystery subplot.
Zachary was an antihero, an alpha jerk, but what he wasn't was penitent enough. He wasn't deserving enough. The storyline didn't develop the character sufficiently to feel satisfied that he was both sorry and deserving. An antihero doesn't necessarily need to say he's sorry, but in the case of this story -- with the magnitude of what he did, some kind of amends was warranted. "I apologize" just isn't enough, even from a man who never apologizes. I don't need a grovel, but I need more than a couple of hours and he's forgiven. Was he redeemable? Perhaps. Did the heroine deserve more, yes. And that was the next issue I had with this story.
Phoenix was sweet and kind, altruist, but way too forgiving; she rationalized the wrongs of others and their mistreatment of her too easily. Sure, she had outbursts of emotion, but her hurt, her absolute devastation were not commensurate to any suffering on the part of others. From her sad beginnings, to her loss of her husband and child, to Zachary's change. It was simply not authentic enough for me to suspend disbelief. The story development wasn't believable enough to satisfy the ease with which she forgave those who wronged her. And, in fact, almost everyone wronged Phoenix. Literally, there was no one who genuinely did right by Phoenix until they decided they wanted to.
I would have expected Phoenix's character to have been more resolute, more feisty, much stronger, even embittered. It would have made sense for the plot and all she endured. She simply rationalized everything, and that might have worked if the story had arrived there. But in the case of this one, she was distraught, emotionally ravaged, but over it within hours.
Despite all that, its intrigue and the inventive storyline were some of the best I've read. If fact, one of the better romantic suspenses I've read in years, almost film noir. Additionally, it was so bittersweet, so emotionally provoking, and so selfless that I couldn't help but root for the main characters, who did love each other. The spice was good, though the actions at each encounter were almost identical. The couple's attraction felt real and tangible. I simply wish the resolution were more equitable and organic. The bittersweet epilogue helped to redeem the story.
A very touching romance, and one that I will stay with me.
I really loved this story. It was a true romantic suspense, strong, mature writing, visual. Phoenix finds herself behind bars for the vehicular murder of Zachary's wife. Allegedly, Phoenix had been drinking and driving. But there is more to this emotional story than what appears. There are sad beginnings, childhood memories, penpals and friends, vengeance and loss that tie the main characters, along with riveting mystery subplot.
Zachary was an antihero, an alpha jerk, but what he wasn't was penitent enough. He wasn't deserving enough. The storyline didn't develop the character sufficiently to feel satisfied that he was both sorry and deserving. An antihero doesn't necessarily need to say he's sorry, but in the case of this story -- with the magnitude of what he did, some kind of amends was warranted. "I apologize" just isn't enough, even from a man who never apologizes. I don't need a grovel, but I need more than a couple of hours and he's forgiven. Was he redeemable? Perhaps. Did the heroine deserve more, yes. And that was the next issue I had with this story.
Phoenix was sweet and kind, altruist, but way too forgiving; she rationalized the wrongs of others and their mistreatment of her too easily. Sure, she had outbursts of emotion, but her hurt, her absolute devastation were not commensurate to any suffering on the part of others. From her sad beginnings, to her loss of her husband and child, to Zachary's change. It was simply not authentic enough for me to suspend disbelief. The story development wasn't believable enough to satisfy the ease with which she forgave those who wronged her. And, in fact, almost everyone wronged Phoenix. Literally, there was no one who genuinely did right by Phoenix until they decided they wanted to.
I would have expected Phoenix's character to have been more resolute, more feisty, much stronger, even embittered. It would have made sense for the plot and all she endured. She simply rationalized everything, and that might have worked if the story had arrived there. But in the case of this one, she was distraught, emotionally ravaged, but over it within hours.
Despite all that, its intrigue and the inventive storyline were some of the best I've read. If fact, one of the better romantic suspenses I've read in years, almost film noir. Additionally, it was so bittersweet, so emotionally provoking, and so selfless that I couldn't help but root for the main characters, who did love each other. The spice was good, though the actions at each encounter were almost identical. The couple's attraction felt real and tangible. I simply wish the resolution were more equitable and organic. The bittersweet epilogue helped to redeem the story.
A very touching romance, and one that I will stay with me.
November 5, 2021
i have quite some thoughts on this one
1. the plot loved it from the start was kind of crying by chapter 3.
2. It was close to being 3 stars because the romance was way too fast paced.
3. the lust at first sight kind of didn’t sit right with me in this scenario but the scenes were super hot and the chemistry was good so i kind of forgave them for it.
4. the epilogue had me in the first half i almost cried but i adored it so all over a good fun read i loved it.
5. ALSO I REALLY LOVE THE NAME OF THE BOOK.
1. the plot loved it from the start was kind of crying by chapter 3.
2. It was close to being 3 stars because the romance was way too fast paced.
3. the lust at first sight kind of didn’t sit right with me in this scenario but the scenes were super hot and the chemistry was good so i kind of forgave them for it.
4. the epilogue had me in the first half i almost cried but i adored it so all over a good fun read i loved it.
5. ALSO I REALLY LOVE THE NAME OF THE BOOK.
June 21, 2022
Phoenix Hale is convicted of manslaughter for the death of Zachary King’s wife, and he, unsatisfied, arranges to make her life an endless torment. But it turns out Phoenix is innocent, and when she is released, the pair are forced to work together to stop a serial killer before they can strike again.
I am not one much for BookTok, but it is a fun way to find books I’d probably not come across otherwise. The video about this book attracted me immediately because of how batshit it was. The heroine being framed as a drunk driver by a serial killer? Revenge turned to love? A STOLEN BABY?? Unfortunately, though, I did not enjoy this book as much as I hoped.
There were certainly things that I enjoyed about this book. The author did a fair job of keeping the suspense going, and I was engaged throughout the story with the question of who the serial killer was. I liked how the love that Phoenix and Zachary had for their past spouses was not dismissed or diminished, as is often the case in romance – especially Sebastian, who could have been villainized very easily.
However, the main characters did not have much personality, and I did not like how Phoenix forgave Zachary so quickly and with so little groveling. This is perhaps a mighty hurdle in the hands of any author, considering Phoenix believes for most of the book that Zachary caused the death of her child, but I thought the insta-lust/love formula that was used really didn’t work. I did not see how the characters were in love.
Leaving this aside, I also did not really like the writing, which was rather melodramatic and sometimes repetitive. And the resolution of the mystery was really odd. Surely Zachary would have already known the crucial fact revealed at the climax? The way that Phoenix is looped into the serial killer’s fantasies was also really flimsy.
Overall, not a bad book, but I doubt I will read more by this author.
I am not one much for BookTok, but it is a fun way to find books I’d probably not come across otherwise. The video about this book attracted me immediately because of how batshit it was. The heroine being framed as a drunk driver by a serial killer? Revenge turned to love? A STOLEN BABY?? Unfortunately, though, I did not enjoy this book as much as I hoped.
There were certainly things that I enjoyed about this book. The author did a fair job of keeping the suspense going, and I was engaged throughout the story with the question of who the serial killer was. I liked how the love that Phoenix and Zachary had for their past spouses was not dismissed or diminished, as is often the case in romance – especially Sebastian, who could have been villainized very easily.
However, the main characters did not have much personality, and I did not like how Phoenix forgave Zachary so quickly and with so little groveling. This is perhaps a mighty hurdle in the hands of any author, considering Phoenix believes for most of the book that Zachary caused the death of her child, but I thought the insta-lust/love formula that was used really didn’t work. I did not see how the characters were in love.
Leaving this aside, I also did not really like the writing, which was rather melodramatic and sometimes repetitive. And the resolution of the mystery was really odd. Surely Zachary would have already known the crucial fact revealed at the climax? The way that Phoenix is looped into the serial killer’s fantasies was also really flimsy.
Overall, not a bad book, but I doubt I will read more by this author.
July 19, 2021
"𝐄𝐥 𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐨, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐨 𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫, 𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐢ó𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐝. 𝐘 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐢ó𝐧, 𝐡𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐮𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚, 𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐫 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚 𝐥𝐮𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐨 𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐮 𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐚 𝐦í 𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐦á𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞."
Me encanto, una historia muy buena.
Sinceramente nunca pensé que esa persona era el villano, me toco desprevenida.
Aunque ame muchísimo a Zach, tiene todo lo que me gusta en un protagonista, en el fondo de mi corazón ¡ALERTA SPOILER! quería que Phoenix quedara con Sebastian y vivieran felices para siempre, se que fue un idiota pero todos tienen derecho a una segunda oportunidad... Pero bueno, no me molesto que quede con Zach como dije lo ame con locura,
Me encanto, una historia muy buena.
Sinceramente nunca pensé que esa persona era el villano, me toco desprevenida.
Aunque ame muchísimo a Zach, tiene todo lo que me gusta en un protagonista, en el fondo de mi corazón ¡ALERTA SPOILER! quería que Phoenix quedara con Sebastian y vivieran felices para siempre, se que fue un idiota pero todos tienen derecho a una segunda oportunidad... Pero bueno, no me molesto que quede con Zach como dije lo ame con locura,
May 17, 2020
4 stars
Wooo! This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I absolutely loved both books. V. F. Mason creates beautifully dark, enthralling characters. This 100% would be a five star book except for the fact that there’s flashbacks. Now I like flashbacks if they’re done correctly, but these were sporadic and not really that relevant to the story. Overall I loved the book and would recommend.
Wooo! This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I absolutely loved both books. V. F. Mason creates beautifully dark, enthralling characters. This 100% would be a five star book except for the fact that there’s flashbacks. Now I like flashbacks if they’re done correctly, but these were sporadic and not really that relevant to the story. Overall I loved the book and would recommend.
February 26, 2023
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
Star Rating : 4 / 5 Stars
POV : Dual
Cliffhanger : None
Hero : Zach
Heroine : Phoenix
Pace of the story : Moderate
Angst Rating : 5/10
Heat Rating : 5/10
Triggers Involved : Abuse , Betrayal by the hero , grovel , prison , lot of trauma
Plot Summary :
Phoenix had it all once. Until she was framed for a murder she did not commit. And her life turned to hell. Abandoned by everyone she knew and thrown into prison , her life was a misery. And on top of that she was about to endure a fresh hell by the one man who wanted her dead. The husband of the woman she was accused of murdering. He ruined her life and took whatever light she had in her life.
After some years her innocence was finally proved and she was out. But the killer was not yet caught and torturing her was still a pastime of his. Her only way to survive? Was to be with the man whom she hates with everything she had. The one man who took her reason of living and is now back to make her be with him.
The husband of the woman she was accused of killing. Zach.
Overall Opinion :
Omg. I swear I hated and Loved this book in equal measures 🤣🤣
Phoenix and Zach are amazing and this is the second time I am reading this book. I absolutely loved the angst in this book. My heart broke for Phoenix. She deserves so much better ugh. And then there was zach. There were moments when I loved him but there were also some parts where I hated him more than anything and those hateful parts were far more occurring.
His holier than thou attitude made me want to hit him. Why couldn't he just admit he did wrong? I mean yes he was consumed by hate but then shamelessly pursuing the woman he had hurt so badly without any regrets just seemed wrong to me. He had to grovel so much more. He made me so mad Ughh. He was always too selfish for me to like as a character.
That being Said , the angst in this book can make anyone go mad and I absolutely loved it! Douchebag hero aside , you all will love this standalone if you read it as an angsty second chance romance!
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March 18, 2023
3/5 Stars.
The Land Where Sinners Atone
First, the cover is beautiful, it denotes a person praying, from it’s title, why is he praying? For atonement? Of what sins? Then I went with this blind.
The story goes like this,
The heroine was sentenced to life in prison because of an accident.. Her husband and all of her known friends turn their back on her. She was left alone to deal with the billionaire husband of the woman she accidentally killed. Zach King the husband of the woman the heroine accidentally killed, vowed to take revenge by putting her into so much misery even inside the prison. Unknown to anyone, Phoenix Hale was 6 months pregnant. Zach King ordered for her to be beaten while inside the prison, was beaten mercilessly and she had a miscarriage. Unknown to the man about her being pregnant, he found out about the miscarriage. The baby survived and he adopted it. Phoenix was told her baby died. After 3 years, her case was reopened with the help of Zach’s half sister and she was released in prison because the real suspect has claimed Phoenix was innocent. Zach and Phoenix made a deal to know and put the real suspect in jail.
The first part of the story made my heart hurt for a lot of reasons. I feel it was too much for a person to take all those punishments. I despised the Hero with all my heart even though he was also a victim. I find his revenge towards Phoenix unacceptable and him not apologizing to what he did is downright deplorable.
Having said that, the story has a lot to offer. I love the heroine, Phoenix is like the mythical bird, her namesake. To experience the unbearable pain of losing a child to knowing how those who she loved left her, she still has the will to survived. She doesn’t move with emotions hence she judge her life through logic probably because of her being a psychiatrist.
With Zach, I try to understand him, his love for his wife. He did feel remorse about his ways towards Phoenix, I just hope he grovel more because what he did is just too much. The romance part of the story is done well, I like that they both have connections from the past. Having read that, it lessen my doubt about them being each other’s second chances.
The story also tackles the psychology part of a person’s action towards a crime and how to deal with it.
Overall, great plot with twist and the angst and smut are done well.
“If you ever have the chance between hell and the land where sinners atone…
Go to the land where sinners atone.
It’s pretty fucking good here.”
The Land Where Sinners Atone
First, the cover is beautiful, it denotes a person praying, from it’s title, why is he praying? For atonement? Of what sins? Then I went with this blind.
The story goes like this,
The heroine was sentenced to life in prison because of an accident.. Her husband and all of her known friends turn their back on her. She was left alone to deal with the billionaire husband of the woman she accidentally killed. Zach King the husband of the woman the heroine accidentally killed, vowed to take revenge by putting her into so much misery even inside the prison. Unknown to anyone, Phoenix Hale was 6 months pregnant. Zach King ordered for her to be beaten while inside the prison, was beaten mercilessly and she had a miscarriage. Unknown to the man about her being pregnant, he found out about the miscarriage. The baby survived and he adopted it. Phoenix was told her baby died. After 3 years, her case was reopened with the help of Zach’s half sister and she was released in prison because the real suspect has claimed Phoenix was innocent. Zach and Phoenix made a deal to know and put the real suspect in jail.
The first part of the story made my heart hurt for a lot of reasons. I feel it was too much for a person to take all those punishments. I despised the Hero with all my heart even though he was also a victim. I find his revenge towards Phoenix unacceptable and him not apologizing to what he did is downright deplorable.
Having said that, the story has a lot to offer. I love the heroine, Phoenix is like the mythical bird, her namesake. To experience the unbearable pain of losing a child to knowing how those who she loved left her, she still has the will to survived. She doesn’t move with emotions hence she judge her life through logic probably because of her being a psychiatrist.
With Zach, I try to understand him, his love for his wife. He did feel remorse about his ways towards Phoenix, I just hope he grovel more because what he did is just too much. The romance part of the story is done well, I like that they both have connections from the past. Having read that, it lessen my doubt about them being each other’s second chances.
The story also tackles the psychology part of a person’s action towards a crime and how to deal with it.
Overall, great plot with twist and the angst and smut are done well.
“If you ever have the chance between hell and the land where sinners atone…
Go to the land where sinners atone.
It’s pretty fucking good here.”
November 14, 2021
I love when a book is recommended to me and blows my expectations out of the water! That was this book ten fold and all I could do was let it consume me!
"I’m a survivor of many things, but even survivors know when to give up."
Oh this book had me so intrigued.....from reading the blurb, to the gorgeous cover and then the incredible story that unfolded which left me stunned. Once I started reading this book I was captivated, I couldn't stop. I had read through the first few chapters and knew this book would be a top read, it was just that UNPUTDOWNABLE! This is definitely one that would stay with me and one that I highly recommend.
“You’re a poison that’s slowly killing me from the inside out, a curse I don’t know how to break.”
Phoenix Hale is a woman that goes through hell and back after a devastating event changes her life but rises stronger and ready to start living her life again. Zachary King is the one man you will hate more than anything in this story wondering how he can redeem himself, until you don't hate him, until you realize the relationship that forms between him and Phoenix is inevitable given their history. This book is an enemies to lovers, dark romance about forgiveness, finding love again and one that is an absolute MUST READ!
'Love has the power to heal everything inside us, give new meaning to the world around us, while the person who understands you the most stays by your side."
"I’m a survivor of many things, but even survivors know when to give up."
Oh this book had me so intrigued.....from reading the blurb, to the gorgeous cover and then the incredible story that unfolded which left me stunned. Once I started reading this book I was captivated, I couldn't stop. I had read through the first few chapters and knew this book would be a top read, it was just that UNPUTDOWNABLE! This is definitely one that would stay with me and one that I highly recommend.
“You’re a poison that’s slowly killing me from the inside out, a curse I don’t know how to break.”
Phoenix Hale is a woman that goes through hell and back after a devastating event changes her life but rises stronger and ready to start living her life again. Zachary King is the one man you will hate more than anything in this story wondering how he can redeem himself, until you don't hate him, until you realize the relationship that forms between him and Phoenix is inevitable given their history. This book is an enemies to lovers, dark romance about forgiveness, finding love again and one that is an absolute MUST READ!
'Love has the power to heal everything inside us, give new meaning to the world around us, while the person who understands you the most stays by your side."
September 21, 2022
This is awful. The guy's wife died and he wants revenge on the woman responsible (even though she's innocent) and he puts a bounty on her head and let other women at prison to abuse and beat her almost to death.
That's fine, I read book with that premise before buttttt in this book SHE WAS PREGNANT. So of course she lost the baby. What an awful disgusting person. How am I suppose to enjoy the romance between these too???? Why is there even a romance??
Not only that but the baby didn't actually die and he fucking kidnapped the kid from her. Excuse me. WHAT?????
There is even no warning or triggers. Like why couldn't the author add that? I'm just so uncomfortable and upset about the plot of this story.
That's fine, I read book with that premise before buttttt in this book SHE WAS PREGNANT. So of course she lost the baby. What an awful disgusting person. How am I suppose to enjoy the romance between these too???? Why is there even a romance??
Not only that but the baby didn't actually die and he fucking kidnapped the kid from her. Excuse me. WHAT?????
There is even no warning or triggers. Like why couldn't the author add that? I'm just so uncomfortable and upset about the plot of this story.
July 19, 2021
I had so many issues with this book. Mainly the reaction of the heroine after all that has happened to her because of Zachary. I couldn’t in good conscience give this book 5 stars because there’s no way a woman would lose all that and go through so much after being convicted of murder and not want to kill that man and her ex husband. I understand Zachary’s pain and why he did what he did but the book didn’t explain who paid the money for the rest of her time in prison.
March 24, 2021
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