Summary
My forbidden husband.
I kissed my father’s best friend and it kind of didn’t go well.
Not only because he’s eighteen years older than me—but he also didn’t like it.
Not one bit.
In my defense, I didn’t mean to fall for him. It just happened.
Nathaniel Weaver is the most attractive man I’ve ever seen with enough charisma to blind the sun.
He’s bigger than the world, owns half of it and conquered the other half.
He was forbidden.
Wrong.
So I totally got over him. Or so I told myself.
Until we’re forced to get married.
Now I’m trapped.
But maybe he’s trapped too.
Because we’re both reaching for that forbidden fruit dangling between us.
Excerpt
The thing about ambition is that it can’t be stopped, measured, or contained.
There’s always something to do and a power to pursue. No matter which direction I take, there’s a goal to reach and a situation to conquer. However, ambition can’t be blind or else it’ll become destructive.
I’m currently toying with that line.
The need for more and the fear of less.
The constant pulses of energy and the downfall of the subsequent emptiness.
Truth remains, ambition is my driving force, and yet I still have no clue how I ended up standing on its edge, staring into a dark, foggy abyss.
Its smoky tendrils swirl around me, waiting to drag me under. This isn’t the first time I’ve stared into that abyss and it’s stared back. Whenever I’m at a crossroads, I’m reminded of how I ended up here.
I’m reminded of my “privileged” upbringing and all the shackles that came with it. Isn’t it said that no worthwhile benefits come without sacrifices?
Still, this isn’t the time to have such images or thoughts. After all, this is supposed to be a cheerful occasion. The keyword being supposed.
Coming to my friend’s place to celebrate his daughter’s eighteenth birthday is the last thing I wanted to do. Not only do I have countless case files sitting on my desk, but I also have a structural planning meeting at the firm. However, if I told my best friend/partner that I prefer the firm over attending his little princess’s birthday, he’d have my balls on a platter. The fact that it’s also his firm means nothing on the sacred day of her birthday.
Fifteen minutes.I tell myself as I step out of my car and button my jacket. I will only stay around for that amount of time and then make up an excuse to leave.
My partner inherited his mansion from his father after he kicked his “evil” stepmom out with all sorts of legal suits. I’ve never seen the appeal of this ancient property. Yes, it’s vast and has two pools, but he spent a fortune to renovate it and bring it to its current shape.
The house is white with a prim and proper porch that’s decorated with colorful exotic plants and extends to the large garden where the birthday party is being held.
There’s a long table near the pool that’s surrounded by countless people. Some of them are partners and associates from our firm. They’re all over the occasion, not missing a chance to kiss Kingsley’s ass.
The man himself, the rogue bastard—whom I often bloodied my knuckles fighting when we were in high school—steps out of the house, wheeling a huge pink cake that’s almost taller than he is, and when he starts singing Happy Birthday, everyone else joins in.
I stop near the house’s entrance, waiting for the whole charade to end. Yes, I came to the fucking birthday, but that doesn’t mean I’ll enjoy the happy-go-lucky crowd.
Happiness isn’t my scene.
Neither are birthdays. Not when mine was supposed to be a funeral.
Review
(audiobook) I liked it, due in large part to the narration, though there were many elements I enjoyed.
Let’s start with my main complaint. I’m kind of tired of the “alpha male who never loved anyone but who finally falls in love” trope–I mean, people can love multiple times in their life. It’s especially annoying with the cold hearted alpha. Why has this particular person touched you and changed your heart? Usually, it’s because they “aren’t like the others”. Yeah, right. That’s the case for everyone. But whatever. I just had to accept it as it was and move on.
The main characters were interesting. On one hand, there was Nate, the broken older guy–in his thirties, not a senior–who never experienced love in any way, even in his close relationships. He even kept his colleague Aspen at arm’s distance, and his friendship with King was tainted with violence and anger. And let’s not talk about his relationship with his family. He only accepted the role of mentor because that kept him above the others. And on the other hand, bratty Gwyneth, King’s daughter. Damn she was a handful, so annoying that she became endearing, because she forced Nathaniel outside of his boundaries. Plus, her mental health troubles were dealt with with some respect, though I could have done without Gwyneth calling herself crazy.
The author develops nicely how they slowly move toward each other, Gwyneth becoming more reliable and a real support for Nate, while he discovers he has a heart and can use it. It’s very sexual at first, which maintains a barrier between them, until they can’t deny their deeper feelings.
On top of their inner struggles, there’s another reason their relationship isn’t supposed to work: Nate is Gwyneth’s father’s best friend. He’s much older than her, he’s known her since she was an infant, and she’s called him uncle for as long as they’ve known each other. Talk about forbidden, almost incestuous even. Which makes for a couple of interesting confrontations once their relationship is out in the open. And of course it forces them to prove their feelings for each other, which is always quite romantic.
So yeah, there’s definitely some sweet romantic stuff, but it’s mostly scorching hot! Nate and Gwyneth have an explosive relationship. Keep a cold beverage on hand, or even a cigarette. Good erotica here.
Though source of a couple of twists and revelations that keep the book interesting, I felt the plot was a bit loose, full of unbelievable coincidences. The romance part was well done, the family stuff not so much. It felt like watching a bad soap opera.
With King getting some chapters, it was nice to have three narrators. Three really good narrators, should I add. Gwyneth’s bratty attitude was spot on, while the male narrators brought Nate’s and King’s colder behavior to life with an even tone speckeled with deeper emotions.
Quickie
- Series: Empire #1 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #billionaire romance #office romance #erotica #forbidden romance #father’s best friend #age gap #fake marriage #virgin
- Triggers: car accident, some psychological abuse, mental health problems, depression
- Main couple: Gwyneth Shaw & Nathaniel Weaver
- Hotness: 5/5
- Romance: 3/5
- + I loved watching Nate’s cold heart thaw
- – can we stop with “baby girl” please?
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