Falling into him was a dance with destiny; little did she know it would be her unravelling.
Zina at 24 and fresh out of the academic world, arrives in London for a new paralegal job. She is thrown for a loop when her chance at something new and uncomplicated is threatened from the moment she meets business magnate, Niklaus Clarke.He wants more from her than she’s willing to give, because giving … she’s willing to give, because giving him more means undoing her past which she’s been running from. Unable to resist the undeniable attraction she feels or the allure of the unyielding billionaire who didn’t get to where he is by giving up, Zina surrenders.
What should have been a mere awakening turns into blurred lines and shattering of boundaries. Until their secrets, lies and half-truths threaten the gravity that pulls them toward each other.
Bridges will be crossed, bridges will be burnt. But, will bridges be rebuilt?
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Eyta Jade did a wonderful job with her debut book AWAKENED BY HIM, I really enjoyed Zina and Niklaus the only thing that kept me from really connecting with the book was the language barrier. You see there were a ton of words and sayings that I just didn’t understand because I live in the United States and our two main characters are from the UK and Nigeria. This was not as big of an issue when I first started the book because I was able to look it up on google translate and other sites but on the second day we lost power and internet due to Hurricane Isaias so I was left to guess at what was being said at times.
Zina has just moved to London after completing University in Manchester to take on a position as a paralegal in a well respected law firm. On her way to work the first morning she has a little run-in and this is where she meets Niklaus for the first time. I have to say they connection was great, you could feel the chemistry right from the start and it made for some pretty great encounters.
NO SPOILERS because no one likes knowing what happens before it happens but I will tell you there is a cliffhanger and it’s a big one if you are piecing things together, I had my suspicions on how this book would end and I have to say I was pretty close. I am really looking forward to the second book TETHERED TO HIM to see how things play out.
I would recommend this book to all of my UK friends because you will have a better grasp on the wordage, anyone that enjoys Interracial Romance, and if you enjoy Age Gap (10+ year age difference) Romances this one is for you too.
Happy Reading!!!
The storyline was well written and the characters were so well rounded that I was hooked from the very beginning! The chemistry between the characters kept me turning the pages until the very last page! This was the first book that I have read from this author and it definitely will not be the last!
Awakened by Him is an international romance with Zina being relocated to London for a new job. It’s also a billionaire romance since Niklaus falls into that category. There are a few other tropes thrown together for an interesting mix in romance, including some erotica. Then, as an added bonus, we get to check out a brand new author in Eyta Jade, and that’s always a treat for me. The dialogue felt a little bit stilted to me – almost formal, which was kind of off given the story, but other than that, the writing and pace are good. The characters are likable, but I’m still a little on the fence about how I feel about them as a couple. The steamy fun is well done, which does show some chemistry, but there’s still just some niggling something that I’m not sure about. This is the first in a duet, so expect a cliffy. That doesn’t bother me – well, okay, it bothers me. I mean, we all want things tied up in a neat little bow when we read the last page, but we don’t get that here. I suppose what I mean to say is that it doesn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story. I expected it going in, so it wasn’t a big shock. All in all, I’d say Awakened by Him is a good start for a promising author, and I’ll be interested to see her growth with future books.
3.5 stars—AWAKENED BY HIM is the first instalment in debut author Eyta Jade’s contemporary, adult ZINKLAUS erotic, multi-cultural romance series focusing on forty year old, billionaire Niklaus Clarke, and twenty-four year old, paralegal Zina Wright.
Told from first person perspective (Zina Wright) AWAKENED BY HIM follows the forbidden relationship between forty year old, billionaire Niklaus Clarke, and twenty-four year old, paralegal Zina Wright. First day on the job at the Burton Bright Law Firm, and our heroine Zina Wright comes face to face with her future but working as part of the legal team for billionaire Niklaus Clarke brought the complications of racism and xenophobia as it pertained to his family, his employees, and Zina’s roommate’s questionable boyfriend. As an African -British (Nigerian) woman Zina knows discrimination first hand but never expected to be accused of selling out her own race as a prelude to climbing the ladder with a billionaire white man. As her relationship with Niklaus Clarke takes on a life of its’ own, our couple’s secrets grow and spiral out of control. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Zina and Niklaus, and the potential fall-out as neither one comes clean about their pasts, and the secrets that could tear them apart.
The relationship between Zina and Niklaus is erotically charged; highly sexual in nature with very little in common between our leading couple. Although Niklaus wants to know everything about our story line heroine, Niklaus is reluctant to reveal the intimate details about himself, details that could affect their relationship going forward. The $ex scenes are passionate, erotic and intense but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word in my romance story lines.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Zina’s immediate boss Mrs. Amelia; roommate and co-worker Evelina Rodriguez and her ‘boyfriend Jayce; via phone-her best friend Ashraf, and her brother Robert; Niklaus’s sister Perla, and their parents Burton and Michaela Hughes.
AWAKENED BY HIM is a story of discrimination, racism, secrets and lies-secrets and lies that have yet to be revealed. From the outset, the slow building premise did more telling than showing, then gradually changed direction largely focusing on the sexual relationship of our leading couple, and the fact that our heroine is a curvy, woman of color in a relationship with a billionaire white man, a relationship that will begin to struggle with the possibility of a hidden agenda. The characters are charismatic and energetic; the romance is aggressive and provocative. There is plenty of cultural jargon and slang (American, British, Nigerian, East Indian).
I did have a couple of issues including the perceived lack of any real chemistry between our leading couple. Yes, there are plenty of sexual situations but I didn’t feel any real palpable sexual energy. Niklaus has a need to control both in and out of the bedroom, almost Dominate in nature to a less than submissive heroine but a heroine who is willing to submit at all times. I would have also like to have had more information regarding the business interests of Niklaus Clarke, something I that I hope will be revealed in the second instalment. There is also an issue with the spoken language that didn’t feel or read like normal conversation but a stilted need to use proper grammar-contractions are in every day speech are allowed in fictional story lines 😉
Awakened by Him ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.
A great first book to this series. I love age gap romances and add in erotica made for one exciting and steamy read. Niklaus is one hot dominant man and sweet as well. I loved the sexual chemistry between Zina and Niklaus. Overall, a great read and that cliffhanger at the end left me wanting more.
London Calling: A Debut Billionaire Romance
*arc generously provided by the promo team in exchange for an honest review*
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Zina is comfortable in her life. Or so it appears. She moves to London for a new paralegal job and she doesn’t expect her world to be turned upside down. But Niklaus makes sure that’s exactly what happens when he sweeps her off her feet. Their whirlwind affair will turn into something more. Something that overwhelms the both of them.
This is my first Eyta Jade read. This is also her debut novel. This is a steamy contemporary romance set in London. The cast is diverse and there are lots of messages seeping through that you don’t get from your average white girl lead. I personally enjoyed the setting. There were lots of London Easter Eggs throughout the novel and it took me on a journey to a city that I love! It’s a fast-paced romance; an insta-love scenario with a couple that will definitely woo you. Zina is a strong woman and her past is somewhat of a mystery; she doesn’t reveal too much about herself. I’m sure she will unfold even more in the coming books. Niklaus is a billionaire in London. Now, what can we say about that? He’s a player, but he falls for our lead girl and their chemistry goes BOOM. I didn’t always see eye to eye with him on certain things. It was tough for him to win me over. But Zina saved all of that.
Eyta Jade’s debut novel takes you on a ride through London! This story is energetic and powerful. Zina and Niklaus will captivate you. That ending will leave you begging for more.