I was kidnapped on my honeymoon by three masked men.Blindfolded.Bound.Destination unknown.I was told to stay silent and abide by their rules. But they didn’t realize I wasn’t a victim…not anymore.The open sea was my backdrop for nine torturous days. During that time, glimmers of my fate were revealed by a man with the mysterious chartreuse-colored eyes. He should have scared me, but he didn’t.He … should have scared me, but he didn’t.
He intrigued me. And I intrigued him.
He punished me when I didn’t listen, which was every single day. But beneath his cruelty, I sensed he was guarding a grave secret.
I was sold.
And in a game of poker, no less.
My buyer? A Russian mobster who likes to collect pretty things. Now that I know the truth, I only have one choice.
Sink or swim.
And when one fateful night presents me the opportunity, I take it. I just never anticipated my actions would leave me shipwrecked with my kidnapper.
He needs me alive. I want him dead.
But as days turn into weeks, one thing becomes clear—I should hate him…but I don’t.
My name is Willow.
His name is Saint.
Ironic, isn’t it? He bears a name that denotes nothing but holiness yet delivers nothing but hell. However, if this is hell on earth…God, save my soul.
**BAD SAINT is a DARK ROMANCE containing mature themes that might make some readers uncomfortable. It includes: kidnapping, captivity, strong violence, mild language, and some dark and disturbing scenes.
This twisted tale is not intended for the fainthearted. So, if you’re game…welcome to the madness.
“Sinful and compelling, Bad Saint takes you on a darkly romantic, emotionally tense ride that will leave you aching for more” – New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy
“Shipwrecked on a deserted island with a beautiful, tortured villain? Sign me up!” – K.A. Tucker, USA Today Bestselling Author of Ten Tiny Breaths
“Bad Saint is a dark and emotional romance that you are sure to love.” NYT & USA Bestselling Author – Kylie Scott
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Bad Saint is a dark and emotional romance that you are sure to love.
Sinful and compelling, Bad Saint takes you on a darkly romantic, emotionally tense ride that will leave you aching for more
OMG y’all this book is G-O-O-D Good!!!! I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!!!
Bad Saint: All the Pretty Things Trilogy is the first book in this trilogy. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book and the day it was delivered to my Kindle is the day I started reading it!
Willow has not had it easy in life. So, when she is kidnapped on her honeymoon she doesn’t make it easy for her kidnapper, Saint. She is a fighter and refuses to be a victim. Willow doesn’t make it easy for Saint. Saint is to take her to her buyer, a Russian mobster. They had a few detours on their journey because Willow wasn’t sitting down being a victim. She was trying to escape.
Now for Saint I just want to shake him until I found out why he was so determined to deliver Willow to her Russian buyer.
I ignored my family today to read Bad Saint and it had me glued to my seat!
Bad Saint is a must read if you love dark romances!
I knew going in that this book was the first book in this trilogy so, I shouldn’t have been surprised by the ending! 5 “I gotta have the next book” STARS!
This is the first Monica James book I have read. The characters in this novel are scary and believable. The story line is dark, dangerous, sexy and engaging. Willow is terrified. Saint and his cohorts are terrifying. Those two ideas create a mix that makes this a must read and a page turner for anybody who can read dark without pause. And if you need to pause you will be compelled to return to it and finish it. The narrator Yvonne Syn did a great job bringing the characters and emotion of this novel to life. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
OMG this book was absolutely amazing. A gripping dark romance that I devoured in one go. I just couldn’t stop reading it. This book had me captive to it from the beginning. I was glued to the pages and could not turn them fast enough. I couldn’t wait to find out what will happen next.
Ahh Saint…I loved him so much. At the beginning I didn’t know what to think of him. There was so much mystery around him. I was wondering why he did the things he did. At some parts I was so mad at him I wanted to punch my ereader, but then when I found out why he did all those things I loved him with all my heart. Their love was slow burning. He kidnaps Willow on her honeymoon and he held her captive on a boat while he train her to be a slave for the man she is sold to..a very powerful russian mobster. And while they spend days and weeks together in the sea feelings start to grow between them, feelings none of them is expecting.
There were some twists why she was sold and I was really shocked to find out about it. God I really loved that book and as it’s book one of a trilogy it ends in a clifhanger and I so can not wait to read the second book. For dark romance lovers I highly recommend it. Must read. That is why I love dark romances..you can never go wrong with them as long as they are dark and twisted. Well done to the author.
First of all I will say I usually stay away from what is considered Dark reads and this one is dark but not as dark as I was expecting. Some scenes could seem like it was about to be extremely awful and dark but then it would take a turn and surprise you. This book really wow’ed me, I felt like I was watching a movie and some scenes were intense with possible triggers for some readers but trust me if I can handle it anyone can. Poor Willow finds herself in an awful situation by being kidnapped on her honeymoon, and as the days turn to weeks nothing seems to get better. Her only saving grace is a cruel yet kind kidnapper, which sounds contradicting, but Saint is rough and mean for a reason. I loved this read and I am so ready for the next books. It is part of a trilogy so it ends on a cliffhanger. The best parts to me was Willow finding herself, digging deep becoming brave, being relentless, and showing Saint that he isn’t all bad there is some good and compassion in him.
Holy shit…
Monica James is an outstanding author, she’s always been able to suck me into a plot and keep my attention on it all the way through, and this book was no exception. It was a little different for her, but a good different. She has gone above and beyond with this dark and steamy romance. Anyone that knows me well enough, knows that I am OBSESSED with dark romances, the darker and twisted the better, in my opinion. I love it when an author who writes a book that can have your mind on overdrive, and this book did that.. and more, there were moments I had to take a step back, gather my thoughts and take a breather, but I could never stay away for long, the story sucked me in so down hard. I went in to this blind, not knowing what to expect, and I was not disappointed one bit and I WANT MORE, I NEED MORE…. NOW!!
I was on my toes about Saint from the beginning, there was something about him that I could not put my finger on but I was intrigued and I was obsessed on finding out more about this character, and the deeper I got into the plot, the more I figured things out about him, and why he was and is the way he is and god damnnnnnn… He is everything I love about a dirty, dark and dangerous alpha male lead character and I was SMITTEN with this dangerous, filthy, dark, and gritty man.
Willow was an intense character for me, she was empowered, and strong, and she knows who she is and what she wants. I loved that about her, but I’m not going to lie, she had me all bent out of shape, in ways I can’t explain, other than she’s not like most heroines in a dark romance books, there was something special about her and I was damn smitten with her too.
Willow and Saint together were fireworks, they were insanely hot, intense, forbidden, all-consuming and downright delicious… and Jesus Christ the angst between the two of them. It was such a push and pull, the mystery and all the unknown, it almost drove me crazy and it had me flipping page after page wanting to know what happens next.
Saint knew there was something about Willow from the beginning and the claim he now feels he has on her, and the struggle on passing her over, he’s possessive of her, and he’s knows what he feels for this woman isn’t something he can find with anyone else. He wants HER.
All in all, the author delivered an amazing dark romance and start to what is going to be an incredible trilogy, with amazing characters, I loved the way she worked her way up with both Saint and Willow, from the start I didn’t know what to expect and that continued all the way through the book with twists and turns at every possible corner there was, and I loved every second of it!
5 Stars!
EEppp, I am the #100 reviewer on here!!! lol
I finally got to pick this book up and read and ohhh my lord I was consumed with this one!!!
Bad Saint by Monica James definitely kept me on the edge of my seat wanting…DYING to know what was going to happen next!!! Talk about a crazy roller-coaster ride of ups and downs and twists and turns. Geezzee I even think my heart might have stopped a few times..lol
All I can say is that I am soooo happy that all 3 books are out cuz the cliffy did kill me and it would have been a hell ova lot worse if I would have had to wait on book 2 to come out!!! lol
5….nooo like 10 Stars for sure!!!!
I literally couldn’t put this book down, even when it my eyes kept watering and I knew I should get some sleep. This dark romance takes you on an epic adventure, with danger around every corner (chapter), and plenty of action both in and out of the sheets.
I never knew I could go from cheering for a character, to crying with them, to wanting to slap the ever-loving sh!t out of them – and that was all in the same chapter, on several occasions. Well written and will captivate you from the first chapter. Dark romances aren’t my norm, but I’m SO glad I took a plunge with this one.
There are some scenes that could be triggers for some readers, so be aware as you dive in, but holy cow – I’m definitely a new convert to Monica James! Knowing that it’s a trilogy when you start, I found myself mildly prepared for how the book ends, but I can’t wait until the next one.
What a great start to what I think will be a great series.
This is a page-turner dark romance, is a mild one, but still a dark romance nonetheless. It hit me with high intensity from the beginning, I cringe, I can feel all the fears, and my heart racing most of the time and let’s not forget about Saint, he’s the big mystery, his hot and cold makes me want to kick and kiss him at the same time, he’s the reason I love this book. Well who doesn’t love a bad guy and Saint is really good at being bad, and after I found out why he did what he did, I can’t not love him more. Yup great characters, great story, definitely can’t wait for the next book.
If you’re looking for a dark romance or want to start a book in dark romance genre, this is the book for you.
*I voluntarily received a review copy of this book and am giving an unbiased review
When Willow is kidnapped and taken to a ship on her honeymoon, she never imagines her captor will engender anything in her other than hate and rage. But somehow, Saint shows a bit of kindness that her other captors don’t, and that kindness sets her heart and body off in confusing ways.
But is Saint really just a good guy in the form of a villain or does he have a hidden agenda? Is the darkness inside him going to overwhelm the innate goodness Willow sees in him sometimes? Why does he cruelly push her away after letting some of his humanity bleed through?
“This cruelness is the only kindness I can show you.”
When the two are stranded on a desert island, more feelings develop, and Willow’s body keeps betraying her. She wants Saint badly, even as she fights it, knowing she should be doing everything she can to stay away from him. But as they slowly start opening up to each other, she gets more and more glimpses of what lies beneath his gorgeous outer surface. But he keeps so much bottled up that she’s not sure she’ll ever get the full Saint, the real Saint that her body knows owns her. Will she get her chance to uncover all of him before they’re rescued?
Gah, so many conflicting emotions are swirling around inside me. Bad Saint absolutely riveted me. I was on the edge of my seat as Willow proved herself to be one hell of a strong woman, never giving up on finding a way out of her predicament, never stopped fighting to get home, even while keeping her humanity, her big heart, intact. I loved her struggle to reconcile what she knew she should be feeling for Saint, and what she actually felt about him. And Saint? Whew, that man is broody af, tortured and despicable, but still I saw in him what Willow did – his heart that was hidden beneath his pain and the darkness that had slipped over him because of all the things he had been forced to do to survive, to get back the one person who meant the most to him. I seriously am not sure I can wait until July when Fallen Saint, the next installment, is supposed to be released.
Monica James’ new release, Bad Saint, is an apt moniker for Willow and Saint’s story, and as the plot unfolds, readers learn how Willow became the fierce fighter that she is, why she refused to play the victim from the moment she was taken, and how her inner strength gave her the willpower not to break, even when that’s exactly what her captors demanded of her.
Even though the events that happen to Willow on her honeymoon are truly frightening, they don’t quite capture the full gravity of her situation; there have been people orchestrating her abduction, working behind the scenes for reasons unknown to Willow and readers, to ensure that the kidnapping occurs exactly as planned and as her days of captivity head into the double-digits and small clues are provided as to why it occurred in the first place, what we do learn is that Willow’s kidnapping is part of a much bigger plan, and it seems that not even Willow’s main captor has a choice in what’s going to happen to Willow once she’s handed over to the man who bought her and who plans to make her his slave.
Monica James masterfully explores the unusual dynamics of Saint and Willow’s relationship as he prepares to make her submit to his every desire and works to mold her into a compliant submissive. And while readers get the entirety of Saint and Willow’s story solely through her perspective, the additional insights that are provided at the beginning of each chapter help to provide much needed information from a person whose stake in this situation is more significant than anyone realized, and it’s these details that allowed me to see what both sides are fighting against and for and what that means for the bond that Saint and Willow are forming regardless of the fact that he’s to blame for her disappearance.
The further into the story I got, the more questions I had and the more information I needed to unpack, so when I finally reached the end of volume one, the situation didn’t seem any less confusing, especially with what’s revealed in the last few pages, which means that I need volume 2 as soon as possible so I can figure out what the newest revelations mean for the angel and her ‘bad saint.’
4.5 Poison Apples
Wow! What did I just read?!?!?!
This suspenseful dark romance story took me for quite a ride. It was quite slow to start, but ended up picking up pace near the middle and left me frantically turning pages until the end. This would definitely be classified as a slow burn! There was a lot of story building and scene setting before the drama kicked up a notch and you were thrown into utter chaos. Lies, betrayal, violence, manipulation, this book had it all and more!
I really liked Willow, the heroine in the story. Despite being a model and desperately in love with her new husband whom she’d only met 6 weeks prior, she was quite the resourceful and stubborn woman her captors did not expect! Time and time again she blew me away with her determination and gumption.
Saint, the bad boy you love to hate! He was so, so wrong but oh so right. I knew I shouldn’t like him, based on his role in the story but how could you not? He showed slivers of his humanity and empathy when you least expected it. He didn’t WANT to be the bad guy but he had no other choice. Kill or be killed. As the story progressed, I felt more and more compassion for his character and what he was trying to accomplish.
Beware, this is the first book in a trilogy and does end in a cliffhanger.
5 STARS
Bad Saint seized my attention right from the beginning and straight to end, which left me greedy for more!
This is the first book that I’ve read from Monica James, and it will definitely not be the last. I would highly recommend you start All The Pretty Things Trilogy.
The dynamic between the two main characters, Saint and Willow is tempestuous at best, which I find quite ironic considering they are at sea for the majority of the book and eventually are shipwrecked together. I really enjoyed how Willow’s character grew stronger despite the situation she is forced in. Most would submit and accept their fate, but not Willow. She falters a few times, but she continuously proves how fierce she is in the face of her captors.
Saint, is not who you expect especially with a name as reverent as his.
“Ironic, isn’t it, that someone who bears a name denoting nothing but holiness can deliver nothing but hell.”
He equally wanted to punish and protect Willow. Though with every punishment he administers he starts to lose part of himself.
“Each time I punish her, I feel whatever small shred of humanity I have left slip away.”
Near the end of the book, it seems as if they’ve weathered the storm. Unfortunately, it may just be the calm before the tempest as we are left with a cliffhanger. I can vouch that this dark romance is an EPIC read! I am eager to dive into the next instalment, Fallen Saint when it is released. Bad Saint is Volume One in the All The Pretty Things Trilogy by Monica James, and it will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
~Thank you to the author for generously providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.~
Willow is kidnapped by three men while she’s on her honeymoon. She meets Saint, the ultimate anti-hero. He is determined to break her and she’s determined to escape. These two are electric together. A wealthy Russian businessman wants Willow as one of his pretty things he likes to collect. After ending up with Saint on an island things start to change for them. Will Saint finally break Willow? Can Willow eventually escape her fate? A great story full of suspense and danger. Looking forward to the next book in this couple’s story.
I’d say I’m completely in love with this story but I don’t think it captures my feelings about it correctly, because, to say that I’m obsessed with it, is an understatement.
This was my first book by the author and you can bet it WON’T be the last. From the very beginning I was captivated by it. I’ll be honest and say that I’m not one to read a lot of dark romances because, sometimes, I just don’t want to handle the suspense and the angst that usually comes with this type of story, but, from time to time, I come across a dark romance book that I fall in love with, and, when I read the blurb for Bad Saint, I knew I had to read it. It called me. I’ve read amazing books in this genre, and Bad Saint is not an exception. I wanted to know everything about the characters, every aspect of their lives, the decisions that led them to their current reality and the events they went through that had a hand in shaping who they are right now.
Saint and Willow captured my mind, heart and soul and while I was reading the story, I became addicted to them, and the suspense they were currently living. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to learn more about the situation there were currently in but also, because I was dying to get more of their undeniable and electric chemistry. They connected with each other from moment one. They are too, captivated with each other. They had my heart beating faster and the sincere and honest connection they share throughout the story took my breath away. I couldn’t get enough of the two of them. The passion, the sizzling moments they share, the angst in their hearts, it’s all so intense and so capturing! They crave each other, and you crave more of them and the story.
This story is an emotional rollercoaster. The journey is dark and intriguing, and filled with angst. This story is not just a story, it’s an experience. An incredible one.
Intriguing, captivating and intense.
Bad Saint is the first book in the All the Pretty Things Trilogy by one of my favorite authors, Monica James! When she announced she was writing a dark romance I was so excited. I can’t read them every day but I do crave them. The synopsis explains so much so I will make this fast.
Willow was happy for the first time in a long time. Her career was showing her the world as a model. She was married to the man of her dreams after a whirlwind courtship. She was on the top of the world and on her honeymoon. Then, three masked men entered her fairytale turned nightmare. She was kidnapped on her honeymoon in the middle of nowhere. She didn’t know where they were headed except it was by the sea.
They thought they kidnapped a delicate flower. They know nothing. Willow was anything but delicate. She was not going to be a victim. She was going to fight even if it means she loses her own life. She will not go quietly. She will not obey. She might have been sold but she would not be owned by anyone.
THIS BOOK IS SO FUCKING ADDICTING!!! Beginning to end. I had to know what was going to happen next. The characters are mysterious. Hot and cold. I mean Saint is one of the kidnappers. She should hate him. Want him dead. But there is something different about him. Both, Willow and Saint are intrigued by the other. And after being shipwreck they are all they have left.
Ok. That’s really all I can say except…thank you Monica for releasing the next book in July! So happy it’s not a long wait.
Quotes:
I’m testing his patience, but I won’t roll over and die. I did that once, and I won’t ever do it again. If he wanted a docile little hostage, then he kidnapped the wrong girl.
“You will break, ангел.”
“I should punish you,” he declares, dangerously low.
“You being here is punishment enough.” My words may seem big and strong, but I’m trembling.
This book…OMG, this book. It’s so hot and dirty you’ll need multiple cold showers but it’s full of angst so be prepared to be left unsatisfied multiple times. Willow and Saint have a very love/hate relationship. He is her kidnapper. She is his captive, but that doesn’t stop the amazing chemistry between them.
This book will leave you on the edge of your seat, wanting more, and feeling all the emotions Willow feels.
This book does contain a cliffhanger and multiple TRIGGER warnings! I recommend at your own risk!
It has been a while since I have read and dark romance, I have to be in the right frame of mind. I am usually more a girl who likes rom coms or contemporary romances but I like to step out of my comfort zone too. Monica James pulled me in from the very beginning. I knew after reading the blurb I had to read it and I loved it. This is my first time reading this author and it won’t be the last time.
These characters Willow and Saint were everything. I didn’t expect to like Saint and I couldn’t wait to learn more about him. He’s an intense man that you can’t help but like even when consumed with violence and pain.
Willow was the perfect heroine, she was not going to just sit there and let them take her. She is full of fire and not afraid to fight for herself. She never thought her honeymoon would be ruined by being kidnapped and told she will soon be sold to a Russian mobster. She is up for the fight of her life now, will she be able to make it out alive?
Bad Saint was an all-consuming dark romance that I highly recommend. After that ending oh man I need book the next book now!!
The minute I read the blurb to Monica James’ Bad Saint I could not jump on this book fast enough. Anyone who knows me knows that dark romance is my jam. I devour and consume them as fast as I can get my hands on them. Add in a sassy heroine and a hero who is as mysterious as he is dangerous and I am sold! I loved the push and pull between Saint and Willow and felt their fire right off the pages. I could not get enough!
I love that James did not pull her punches with this story. It was dark, raw and shocking at times. Saint and Willow were written very well and their chemistry was almost palpable. I loved how she was strong and sassy and gave as good as she got. The suspense element in the story was an added cherry on top! This book had an edgy, dark and sexy feel that I loved but it also had an amazing historical romance vibe of marauding pirates and kidnapped maidens. And that ending?! I need book two now! 4 stars! ~Ratula