From Top 20 bestselling author Parker S. Huntington comes a steamy, slow-burn love story full of unexpected love and banter.It started with my bladder.I didn’t mean to witness a shady deal in the restroom hallway.I didn’t think twice when I called the cops.And I certainly didn’t know who the club belonged to.Asher Black.Former mafia hitman.Billionaire CEO.New York’s most eligible bachelor.When he … hitman.
Billionaire CEO.
New York’s most eligible bachelor.
When he shows up at my college, looking for the girl who called the cops on his business, I know I’m as good as dead. What I don’t expect is his offer–he’ll pay for my tuition, set me up with a cushy job after I graduate, and all I have to do is… be his fake fiancée.
Asher Black is a 90,000-word standalone novel in The Five Syndicates mafia romance series.
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Oh Asher Black. I didn’t know what I was missing. First, Lucy is so sassy and spunky. I loved her character. This book is not at all what I was expecting! I thought maybe Dark Mafia romance, but nope! Largely because of Lucy’s quirkiness this book was a fun contemporary romance with some mafia elements. And second, my God, Asher is my new book boyfriend. He’s elusive and intimidating at first, but you know when the unattainable man starts to catch the feels? It makes for the best kind of book. I loved Asher Black, and I’m glad to see some of the characters have books if their own! Now to binge on the rest!
STOP EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING!!! I REPEAT, S T O P!!!
Because, this is a fr*aking steamy, angsty, incomparable story wrapped up in a package of full perfection.
Somebody needs to explain me WHY, I waited so so LONG to read the work of this author. I feel like I’ve been missing out a talent like no other.
Asher Black is a book that you DEFINITELY need to read before anything else. Like, seriously.
I was so invested in the story, that I was less productive in my job because reading this book was definitely more important lol. THAT GOOD IT WAS, PEOPLE. THAT GOOOOOD.
“I don’t run from you”
Lucy is a character that impressed me since the very first pages. After everything that happened to her and all the baggage she has on her shoulder, she pushes herself to BE MORE. Studying a career that could look like out of the ordinary and getting a scholarship, which is definitely not that easy, she shows us how UNIQUE she is. Add it the unapologetic sense of humor and her outbursts each time something is not the way she envision and you will have one of the best female characters I’ve seen in my entire life. And that says A LOT. I lost count of how many books I’ve read and it’s super rare to remember female characters like I will remember her lol
Lucy is someone you won’t choose to EVER forget.
“I’ll always do anything to protect you, and I’ll always do anything to protect my family”
Asher Black…MARRY ME (swooning as I type this)
Yeap, THAT BAD hahaha
Seriously, how can I have an Asher Black in my life? Minus all the killing and with the intelligence and sexiness he has lol
Asher Black left a VIP room in my heart just for him. That’s all I have to say lol
He’s not your typical billionaire, that’s for sure. He is more than what people say about him. With a past that can change your life forever but with a heart that is capable of risking all for the ones he cares about, this character is going to change the way you see the book world FOREVER.
The characters development was absolutely FANTASTIC. You will feel connected with them in a whole new level. Proving us once again that Parker S Huntington is not going to hold back in giving us stories with a writing quality we are looking for.
I’m ready for more of this author’s flawless writing style, more unique characters and more unforgettable stories.
5 stars for Asher Black by Parker S Huntington. This is book 1 in Five Syndicates Series. Lucy is sees something she shouldn’t have seen and then calls the cops, little does she know she is calling the cops on Asher Black a member of the mob. What is she gonna do when she learns she owes Asher a favor. Now she is Asher’s fake fiancé and has to deal with everything that entails. I do not wanna say to much and spoil the suspense on what is to happen , but I am going to say that this book kept me guessing on what was to come. I absolutely loved the story and can’t wait to check out more from this author.
I’m a little torn by this book while I enjoyed the story for the most part I had some issues.
The reason I picked this book to read was the description of the book peaked my interest with mafia, danger, murder, fake fiance and hitman.
Yet I wouldn’t call this book mafia by any stretch of the imagination. Yes it mentions mafia in the storyline but it has nothing to do with the mafia life.
The story was good but at times it dragged then it left some important moments hanging like the buildup between Monica and Lucy then WAM nothing no confrontation no real closure. I also thought it would of been better if it would of had Asher’s point of view instead of just Lucy’s. I didn’t understand how he had his hands all over her at 6% into the story then nada zip until a kiss at 65% then 82% BAM !!! With that being said this was my first book by this author and the author’s first book and I will definitely read another book everyone deserves another chance.
3.5 stars
“Being afraid doesn’t make you a coward, just like being fearless doesn’t make you brave.”
Everyone needs an Asher in their life. Alpha. Loyal. Protector. Intelligent. Sexy. Courageous. Pleaser to those he fiercely loves.
As much as I have absolutely loved these books I have to admit…every other book so far I’ve immediately been captured by. Asher took me a bit to get into, but once I did I couldn’t put my book down. Stick with it you’ll be missing out if you give up on this book. Maybe I was channeling my Lucy…took a little convincing to sell me.
“You still are the big, bad wolf.”
“Never to you. Never to you.”
Already have Niccolaio Andretti cued up…this should be an interesting read…I’m very intrigued by the slight introduction we’ve had of him.
This is the first novel I’ve read by Parker S. Huntington and it was brilliant. No matter what happens in the first 5 minutes, this book is the epitome of slow burn, and I loved every minute of it.
Lucy unfortunately overhears what she believes is someone being hurt at a mafia owned club the night before she starts her junior year at university. After a month she believes she has escaped unscathed, but Asher Black shows up to disabuse her of that notion.
I love the action in this book, how whip smart both Lucy and Asher are, and how sexy they are together. Parker S. Huntington has given me a whole new mafia series to fall in love with, and I can’t wait to read the next one!
I liked this book for the most part. I liked Lucy’s character and her mental ramblings, I wish we had gotten some of Asher’s POV though. And man talk about a SLOW burn! After that first scene I was hopeful for more but there wasn’t much else until close to the end, those few scenes were very hot though!
I was pulled in from the beginning. For a new author this was an amazing read. Lucy and Asher’s story is unique and intense. Lucy is a strong female but a runner from things……but she doesn’t run from him ! A must read !! Now on to the other books in the Syndicates…..
Lucy Ives was a foster kid, she didn’t have an easy upbringing, floating from foster home to foster home. She hightailed it out of the country to volunteer abroad as soon as she turned 18 to escape her awful life and what it had become. She’s back now, and her roommate talks her into going to a club on her first night back. When the unthinkable happens and Lucy is stuck in a situation, she makes a call to the cops which she realizes belatedly was the absolute wrong thing to do. When the mafia’s fixer comes to take care of her, he ends up doing her a favor and sparing her life. Now he tells her she owes him a favor, play the role of his fiance or he will finish the job he was suppose to do in the first place.
Asher Black is the mafia’s fixer, he works for the Romano family. He is cold, calculating, and oh so dream worthy! He spares Lucy’s life realizing he can use her to his advantage.
Lucy and Asher have an instant gravitation towards each other. They keep you rooting for them the whole time. When things start to fall into place everything just feels right in the world. Lucy realizes she wants this thing between her and Asher to be real and she keeps reminding herself it’s just for show, even though the signals Asher are giving don’t seem fake.
This book blew me away. It was sweet and dark and suspenseful and loving and just everything all wrapped up in one. Of course I do have a soft spot for mafia romances, they are always the books I am drawn to. I love the suspense of them and the sweetness as well. You get to see both sides of the coin when it comes to the male lead. You see the lethal side and the loving side and realizes they are really just one in the same, they are lethal because they are protecting those they love.
Asher was the epitome of perfection! I was taken with him from the start and I never looked back!
This book was a favorite for sure and one I will revisit often. I loved it with all the action/drama/romance.. I just can’t get enough of the Romano family. Parker really has a way with words and knows how to keep you engulfed in a book so much to where you forget where you are. You feel as though you are there immersed within the pages, living along side the characters. They feel so real it’s as though you know them personally and are a part of their lives.
I am reviewing this audible book for Audiobook Obsession, the author Parker S. Huntington, also Lacy Laurel the narrator, thank you all.
Lucy Ives, is extremely intelligent, but naive, captivatingly funny, her inter-monologues will have you in stitches, as will her straight forward no nonsense attitude. She takes no punches from the man Asher Black that gives her an ultimatum, if she doesn’t do as he proposes. You don’t mess with the kind of people that Asher Black deals with and live.
She unknowingly did in a back alley romp, and a wrongly made phone call, which lands her in this predicament.
Asher Black may have been born on the wrong side of the tracks, is definitely loyal to a fault to the man who took him in, he is also deadly when necessary, but above all he was a gentleman to Lucy till she caved to his charm.
I have to add, Lacy you did a wonderful job with the characters in this story, you had me in stitches with Lucy’s chatter to herself and Amy’s phone calls, texts with her indiscreet questions.
This was a riveting romance. Of course, Lacy Laurel’s voice was top notch as usual. I was worried this would be all mob/mafia but it was more on the outskirts. Huntington did a great job making an amazing man personable and loveable. I loved every part of this book and look forward to more from both Lacy Laurel and Parker S Huntington!
A Review of Asher Black by Parker Huntington
To mob or not to mob – 4.5 stars
Parker Huntington is a new to me author, so I was excited at how quickly she drew me into the story. This is no quick wham bam, thank you ma’am story. It has a lot of meat to it and it’s NOT all about sex either. Lucy is a 20 year old woman that was bounced from foster home to foster home, until her last foster father tried to be more than a guardian to her. She was lucky that she had a case worker that believed in her and was able to help her life in safety until she aged out of the system and was even able to help her get her name changed. She spent the last two years doing volunteer work in parts of Africa and now she is back in the US to pursue her degree at Wilton University, where she has big dreams and plans.
Luckily she really hits it off with her new roommate, who is also a transfer student and Junior like her. Aimee is a little on the wild side, but when she insists that they celebrate their new beginnings at the hottest club in New York, Lucy is ready. That’s when her life takes a change from what she had planned. She meets Asher Black that night, since Rogue is his club. Little does she know that he is affilated with the mob or that a phone call to the police to help someone she thinks is being attacked will drastically alter the rest of her life.
I really like Ms. Huntington’s writing style, as it makes you feel like you are actually part of the scene. I really appreciated the way Asher didn’t push Lucy about sex, even though they were living together and sharing the same bedroom for about five months Even though there was a partial sexual encounter between them within the first chapter, they didn’t really have sex until much later in the book. There are a lot of twists and I still have a few questions I would like to see answers to, so I’m hoping the next book in the series will touch on them again.
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**Honest review voluntarily provided from a Complimentary Copy**
Brilliant Read! Brilliant Listen!!
Asher Black
The Five Syndicates, Book 1
By: Parker S. Huntington
Narrated by: Lacy Laurel
I love, love, love this book, entertaining & interesting from start to end! This is one of the best romantic suspense stories I have read in a while, there are some intense moments, some funny & some hot!! This is my first Parker S. Huntington book and will not be my last. Her writing style is awesome, there is a lot of depth to the story and the characters. I hope this is not the last I hear of Lucy & Asher Black!! Thank you Ms. Huntington for this great read!!
I listened to the Audible edition, Lacy Laurel delivers another fabulous performance!! She performs all the different voices, switches characters effortlessly and helps bring them & their story to life right off of the pages. She is a true talent and enhances a great story even more. Thank you for another great listen!!
I am totally blown away that this is a debut novel from this author. She is certainly one to look out for in the future! Lucy is a strong and courageous female, who is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Asher is a former hit man, now billionaire CEO. This is a well written story, which is filled with suspense, humor, action, and is a witty and entertaining read. I was totally hooked and intrigued throughout this addictive page turner, and I cannot wait to read more from this talented author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It was all supposed to be fake…until it wasn’t. A simple arrangement, with both parties getting what they need. That was the plan, before feelings got involved.
I am a sucker for a mafia romance and this checked my boxes!
Lucy is just a girl trying to make her way in the world. Struggling through college to make a better future than the life she had growing up. Raised in foster care, she’s completely on her own with no family. One night, being in the wrong place, at the wrong time, changes everything. She reported a crime that was happening right in front of her and now she owes the wrong guy as payback.
Asher Black is a man to be feared. He’s affiliated with the mafia. He’s a man that can make things happen and people disappear. However, things aren’t always exactly what they seem.
Asher needs Lucy’s help to get what he needs. A mutual agreement to be his fiance and he’ll her her out with school expenses. The perfect plan.
This story definitely delivered on the heat! The tension between these two built until it finally exploded and boy was it worth the wait! Asher was a total alpha who was all about protecting those he loves. Soon enough, Lucy becomes part of that inner circle. She was so much more than Asher expected. Smart, gorgeous and able to handle herself…she was the complete package. This was my first book by this author, but it won’e be my last. I enjoyed her writing style as well as the storyline. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I had a hard time digesting the first half of the book. At first, I was not a fan of the heroine Lucy or her mental ramblings… gets annoying. Why would anyone in their right mind be lusting after the assassin who was sent to kill you? I just don’t get it. It also irks me that she avoids confrontation to the bullies that live at her dorm and then to Asher. She has a habit of running away from her problems instead of facing them or even thinking about dealing with the. I don’t get it. And another thing, how can she be fearing for her life and still have time to think Asher is being spiteful? It doesn’t make any sense. But then I start reading the second half of the book and suddenly am draw into the story-line, drama, danger and action. I truly enjoyed the second half of the book. My take on Lucy improved. Despite her fears she stood up for herself and for Asher. She truly became an asset to Asher. She put more of herself into their contracted relationship than she had to. On an overall basis it is an OK book. But if I was not reviewing this for Booksprout I would pass it up. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great read!
This is a slow burn, explosive love story between college student Lucy and alleged mafia fixer Asher Black. There is deceit, suspense, a smart mouth, speaks her mind roommate, mean girls, body guards with a sense of humor and hidden pasts. Some of the words that come to mind when I think of Asher Black are protective, intuitive, thoughtful, and dangerous. I love the playful back and forth banter between Lucy and Asher. For all that they’ve both been through their sense of humor is still intact. Their chemistry is off the charts hot!!
Lucy is quirky with a funny internal dialogue that had me laughing. She is exactly the strong, willful, and dependable woman that Asher needs by his side.
This was a strong debut novel for Parker. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series.
“I don’t run from you.”
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am a bit of a newbie in the mafia genre, but after reading Asher Black I can confidently tell you that I won’t be a newbie for long. This book had everything that I live for in books; a scary mysterious hot guy, a strong female protagonist, a suspenseful and thrilling plot and last but not least, a dramatic romance.
I liked the different upbringing Lucy had, having been raised in the foster system. It was a clever touch, because it reflected well with her personality and the actions and choices she made in the story. It played very well in her relationship with Asher as well since she had trust issues and a bad habit of fleeing when trouble struck. That helped create and strengthen that drama that I just adore in a really good romance book. What really made my toes curl though was seeing them and journey along as the two started to loosen up and get to know each other. The tough cold Asher developed to a more fun carefree guy who could trust her with his troubled past and would do anything to keep her safe. And the running, cowardly orphan Lucy described herself as both accepted and could see beyond his darker sides, joke around and trust him with her life. Even defend his life with hers. A good developing romantic relationship that stays exciting throughout the book is difficult to write, but Parker S Huntington succeeded with flying colors!
While there was chemistry and a very distinctive emotional bond between Asher and Lucy that made the love story very addictive, something was still missing in the drama department. The buildup for the revelation of the past that Lucy was hiding from Asher was spot-on and very exciting to follow. As well was the moment and the circumstances of which it finally took place. However, it was just dropped after that which was so unsatisfying for me. Asher had told her personal stuff about him all along and yet she had not trusted him with her past. I would have liked some sort of confrontation or argument. At least they could have talked through it, but they didn’t. Hell, she never even told him her real name which was a moment I had been waiting for from the beginning. Same goes for the buildup with Monica. I wanted and expected something super climatic dipped in the best drama considering how the hostility and jealousy was growing more and more. But no. It turned out to be almost anticlimactic, so I was a bit disappointed in the end.
Beggars can’t be choosers, nor sore losers. So, despite the fact that I wished for more drama, I did really love the story, the characters and most of all the romance. It easily outweighed all the other minor issues I had and therefore I give this book four stars.
The start to an explosive series of books you’ll die to get your hands on. Each one continues to the next, full of the history between all the characters as you go along. Amazing how things go and the futures that they hold. I’m addicted and can’t wait for the next in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.