Book picks similar to
The Masks We Break (Emerald Falls, #2) by Lee Jacquot
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Skin of the Night
Claire D. Bennett - 2021
Her drive, her ambition, her independence. She’s an enigma, and people often hate what they don't understand. But, to William, she's the perfect woman, and he will stop at nothing to solve the mystery of her.Cara is a top law student in London. She's got her life together and is dead set on realising her ambitions, so finding a romantic partner is not among her priorities – at least for now. Besides, she’s whole all on her own – she doesn’t need a man in order to feel complete. With loyal, genuine friends, a supportive family and an overall comfortable lifestyle, Cara is happy with her life as it is. So, when William crosses her path, it throws a real spanner in the works.The dashing lawyer boasts the most merciless tongue Cara has ever come across, whether it’s in debate or in bed. Blunt and sharply clever, he ticks every box, and even adds some of his own – things Cara never knew she desired in a man. Before long, he puts her convictions on trial, and he drives a ferocious prosecution. Cara finds it hard to resist him, but being together could have disastrous consequences. If William wins the trial, she may lose more than just her heart.Packed with complex characters, steamy scenes and cheeky dialogue, The Night series is sure to bring you on a journey of laughter, frustration, tears, and deep reflections you won't forget anytime soon.
Warning:
This is not your typical romance story. Consider skipping this book if you’re looking for a wholesome, comfortable read. The characters are very flawed and are written that way intentionally, as this series has a particular focus on character complexity and development. It is not a plot-driven story.This book contains several sexually explicit scenes. It is intended for mature audiences.Skin of the Night is the first book in The Night series. Books 3 & 4 haven't been published yet.
The Roommate
Rosie Danan - 2020
The Wheatons are infamous among the east coast elite for their lack of impulse control, except for their daughter Clara. She’s the consummate socialite: over-achieving, well-mannered, predictable. But every Wheaton has their weakness. When Clara’s childhood crush invites her to move cross-country, the offer is too much to resist. Unfortunately, it’s also too good to be true.After a bait-and-switch, Clara finds herself sharing a lease with a charming stranger. Josh might be a bit too perceptive—not to mention handsome—for comfort, but there’s a good chance he and Clara could have survived sharing a summer sublet if she hadn’t looked him up on the Internet... Once she learns how Josh has made a name for himself, Clara realizes living with him might make her the Wheaton’s most scandalous story yet. His professional prowess inspires her to take tackling the stigma against female desire into her own hands. They may not agree on much, but Josh and Clara both believe women deserve better sex. What they decide to do about it will change both of their lives, and if they’re lucky, they’ll help everyone else get lucky too.
The Awakening
Caroline Peckham - 2019
And apparently it's in ours. As twins born in the month of Gemini, we're a rare breed even in this academy of supernatural a-holes.Changelings were outlawed hundreds of years ago but I guess our birth parents didn't get the memo. Which means we're totally unprepared for the ruthless world of Fae.Air. Fire. Water. Earth.No one has ever harnessed all four of them, until we arrived. And it hasn't made us any friends so far.As the rarest Elementals ever known, we're already a threat to the four celestial heirs; the popular, vindictive bullies who happen to be some of the hottest guys we've ever seen. It doesn't help that they're the most dangerous beasts in the Academy. And probably on earth too.Our fates are intertwined, but they want us gone. They've only got until the lunar eclipse to force us out and they'll stop at nothing to succeed.We never knew we had a birthright to live up to but now that we do, we intend to claim our throne.We can't expect any help from the faculty when it comes to defending ourselves. So if the dragon shifters want some target practice, the werewolves want someone to hunt or the vampires fancy a snack then we have to be ready. But we've been looking after each other for a long time and fighting back is in our blood.Today's horoscope: totally screwed.This is a full-length medium burn novel that is the first in a university-age academy series. Expect forbidden love and bully romance with mature content suitable for upper YA readers and onwards.
Ruthless Saint
S. Massery - 2021
His gaze steals my breath.Even if my heart thinks this could work, my brain knows better.We say “I do” with his brother’s blood on our clothes,and the bars of my gilded cage slam closed.Our wedding vows are forever – ’til death do us part.But with enemies closing in from all sides, death might be closer than we think.Please note: this book contains dark content that some readers may find distressing.
Alliance
Natalia Lourose - 2021
LanaI’ve done everything right.Playing the part of the demure famiglia daughter,And hiding my pain beneath makeup and pretty dresses.But marrying a man ten years my senior?Whose words cut like knives,And lips taste like poison.This is the one thing I can’t do. IgnazioI’ve done nothing right.I’m not a virtuous man,I balance on the line between light and dark.My past is littered with sins,Each of them is haunting me.I’m not worthy of the angel with long hair and hazel eyes.And yet, I’d burn the city to the ground to hold her in my arms.What’s a sinner to do?
Heart of a Monster
Shain Rose - 2021
And he made it clear by being the monster everyone knew him to be:Cruel, ruthless, and cold.My gut told me to leave, but my soul wanted to stay. I gravitated toward the man no one understood because the monster in him risked it all to rescue me.So, I opened the cage where his demons lived. I set them free.And then I took the biggest risk:I handed my heart to the monster to see if he’d rip it apart.This book is the first in a duet. 80000+ words of love, angst, steam, and mafia romance. Their happily ever after will come in the next book set to release this summer.
Chasing Red
Isabelle Ronin - 2017
Until a chance encounter with a siren in a red dress changes everything. Until he meets the woman he dubs Red.Veronica Strafford's past makes it hard for her to trust anyone. Now, kicked out of her apartment, she reluctantly accepts Caleb's offer for a place to stay.Caleb feels intensely drawn to Veronica. And, for the first time in his life, he really wants something—someone. Too bad Veronica's heart might just be the one thing Caleb can't win.
Carnage
Sarah Bailey - 2021
A girl. Scarlett.She was one of us until she was ripped away from her life. The only trace of her was dust in the wind.One day she returned to the city and sought us out. Scarlett couldn’t remember who we’d been to her, but we recalled her all too well.If she knew what was good for her, she would have never come back. The moment she stepped through the doors of Fortuity, it was the beginning of her end. And the start of our reign over the girl who wanted us dead.A dark reverse harem contemporary retelling of the four horsemen of the apocalypse set in Sarah Bailey's Dark Universe with cliffhangers and a HEA in the final book.This is a DARK romance and therefore comes with a content warning. Please see the author's website for full details.
Crowned Crows of Thorne Point
Veronica Eden - 2021
My hope is cracking and I’m running out of options.But there’s a rumor on campus.And I’m desperate enough to seek out the Crows as my last resort.Wren Thorne’s reputation precedes him, but I won’t take no for an answer.𝘞𝘳𝘦𝘯The night belongs to us.We run this town.Wear the rumors like crowns.But after losing the most important thing, my brothers are all I have left.Our bond runs deeper than blood.When Rowan comes looking for our help, I do one thing I shouldn’t: 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴.She asked for monsters? I’ll show her one.Crowned Crows of Thorne Point is a dark new adult enemies to lovers college romantic suspense intended for mature readers. This book is the first in the Crowned Crows series following a gritty brotherhood of antihero bad boys and the feisty heroines that capture their hearts. The plot continues across the next novels and each book in the series should be read in order. If you’re not a fan of morally bankrupt book boyfriends, steer clear. This mature new adult romance contains dubious situations, crude language, and intense sexual/violent content that some readers might find triggering or offensive. Please proceed with caution.
Kiss of War
Clara Elroy - 2021
His eyes fostered demons solely reserved for me. They craved to own my soul.And for the longest time, I took it, I bore his cruelty alone.But then... then I grew thorns of my own.And now?Now it's time for his torment to taste my kiss of war.Kiss of War is a complete standalone and a part of the City of Stars series.
Freestyle
Bea Paige - 2020
Dance is in my blood.It’s what keeps me sane, out of trouble. It used to keep them out of trouble too. A group of boys I grew up with.Xeno, York, Zayn and Dax.We were a crew once and we ruled the clubs.Separate we were insanely good, together we were unbeatable. F*&ing on fire. I was their girl and they were my Breakers.Until they did something they promised they never would; break my heart.We were sixteen when they left me.You see, for kids like us, dance was all we had.Growing up in a rundown housing estate in London with no prospects can make you view the world differently.It can make you choose the wrong path.I chose dance, and they chose crime.Three years later I’ve won a scholarship to Stardom Academy. I try to forget my past.But how can I do that when the four boys who hurt me are back?And this time they won’t walk away even when I ask them too.Freestyle is book one of this new gritty, contemporary reverse harem academy trilogy for 17+ readers and deals with adult themes and some subjects you may find upsetting. If you love dance, your men on the criminal side, alpha hot holes and the enemies-to-lovers trope, this is for you. Contains foul language and sexual scenes.
Under Her
Samantha Towle - 2017
I’m used to being in charge. In and out of the office. So, when my parents go behind my back and hire a co-CEO to help me manage my family’s business, let’s just say, I don’t take it too well. Especially not when the woman they’ve hired is the one girl who hated my guts in college. She thinks I’m an overprivileged, womanizing man-whore. I think she’s an uptight, stuck-up bitch. And, now, she’s here, in my office, telling me how to run my company. I don’t think so. It doesn’t matter that she has legs that go on for days or that I keep imagining bending her over my desk and showing her just how bossy I can be. I’ve worked my ass off and paid my dues to get to where I am, and she’s not taking it from me. No freaking way. Morgan Stickford is about to learn the hard way that Wilder Cross is the only boss around here.
Red Thorns
Rina Kent - 2021
Handsome. Bastard.Everyone’s attention flocked toward him and all the girls dreamed to be with him.Not me.At least, not until he made a move on me.See, I thought I was stronger than Sebastian’s charms.I thought I could survive being his target.I thought wrong.Little did I know that he will make my most twisted fantasies come true.Fantasies I didn’t know existed...Red Thorns is a dark new adult book that contains dubious situations some readers might find offensive and/or triggering.This book is part of a duet and is not standalone.
The Dare
Harley Laroux - 2019
Please review the full content warning below.Jessica Martin is not a nice girl. As Prom Queen and Captain of the cheer squad, she'd ruled her school mercilessly, looking down her nose at everyone she deemed unworthy. The most unworthy of them all? The "freak," Manson Reed: her favorite victim.But a lot changes after high school.A freak like him never should have ended up at the same Halloween party as her. He never should have been able to beat her at a game of Drink or Dare. He never should have been able to humiliate her in front of everyone. Losing the game means taking the dare: a dare to serve Manson for the entire night as his slave. It's a dare that Jessica's pride - and curiosity - won't allow her to refuse. What ensues is a dark game of pleasure and pain, fear and desire.Is it only a game?Only revenge?Only a dare?Or is it something more?This dark erotic novella is written in First Person POV and is about 32k words in length.This book contains intense fantasy scenes of hard kinks/edgeplay, graphic sex, and harsh language. It is intended only for an adult audience. Beware: this is a dark, weird, kinky read. The activities depicted therein are dangerous and are not meant to be an example of realistic BDSM. Reader discretion is advised.Kinks/Fetishes within: erotic humiliation, fearplay, painplay, knifeplay, consensual non-consent (CNC), orgasm denial, boot worship, spanking, crying, blowjobs, clowns, group sexual activities, spit, bondage, public play, bloodplay.
Cruel Prince
Ashley Jade - 2019
But four years later, here I am...back to finish my senior year at Royal Hearts Academy.And forced to face Jace Covington. My first friend. First crush. First kiss. The one I left behind.Only—he isn't the same boy I gave my heart to.This new Jace is as cruel as he is gorgeous.And he's determined to make my life a living hell. Along with the rest of his glorified family and crew of tyrants.They expect me to worship the ground they walk on like everyone else, but I'd rather eat dirt.If Jace Covington wants me gone...he'll have to try harder. Because I've never been the kind of girl to play by the rules.WARNING: Royal Hearts Academy is a New Adult/High School series of standalones filled with drama, a touch of angst, and boys who are bad to the bone. And when I say bad, I mean they are assholes with a capital A. If you're looking for a safe, sweet romance, this series is NOT for you. At all! Please don't say you weren't warned.WARNING: Royal Hearts Academy is a New Adult/High School series of standalones filled with drama, a touch of angst, and boys who are bad to the bone.This series is recommended for mature readers due to graphic language and sexual content.