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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Why did I wait so long to read this book. From the start I was completely hooked. Saint is definitely a character you will not want too forget. Saint & Willow are definitely a couple I will be rooting for. I can’t wait too read what’s going to happen next.
I can’t believe I just read that. This book was sugar and spice and everything delicious in the middle. From beginning to end, I was completely hooked. Looking forward to #2.
Five exquisite stars! Sin dancing in the darkness…
When a writer decide to write dark romance for the first time, I get very excited to read their first attempt to this complex and obscure and sometimes chaotic genre. And Monica James nailed it with Bad Saint! She penned a captivating story and created a dark, intense and an enigma of a book boyfriend called Saint and a heroine with an innocent look called Willow who had a rough childhood and worked hard to be better but the good girl vibe going around her got her in trouble, turning her life upside and down.
Bad Saint blasted into me with a force I never saw coming, but one I felt in my soul, heart and body. With its deliciously dark and chaotic storyline, fast-paced plot that ticked off every box on a dark romance lover like me. Gritty, gripping and addictive, this book left a sinful mark on me. The pull between the characters is lustful and very hot. It is like sin dancing in the darkness. Pain playing with pleasure.
Monica James’s made me feel every word, relishing pain, anger, bad decisions and pleasure in a slow burn tale through the pages of this masterpiece. I couldn’t get enough of it. I was a goner since I read the synopsis and the flawless cover seal the deal! I lost myself piece by piece.
Saint and Willow’s story is deliciously dark, twisty and full of emotion. The stocolm syndrome painted in scorching hot attraction, sins, betrayal, survival and lust. Monica James played very well her cards crating such complex characters. Saint is a dangerous enigma of violence and hidden secrets. Everything about him is so secretive, misterious and complicated that it makes you want to peel every secret out of him until you find his truth. He embraces the darkness to survive the devil things he is done. And Willow is a strong-willed woman. She is as fierce as stubborn. She won’t break easily. She was kidnapped to be delivered to a Russian mobster but she won’t accept her cruel fate. She will fight hard. Saint won’t be his knight in shining armour. He is her captor. The man who will deliver her to a monster. He is cruel and cold. But beneath all his darkness, he will show a side that was hidden for his own survival although there is more about him.
There is something magnetic about Saint that you won’t resist. Willow didn’tso why will you? You will want hate him but the glimpses Willow’s give us will make it hard for you to hate him. Yea he is bad with capital letter but he is an exquisite contradiction of a man.
For a lover of dark romance, this book will wreck you! This book is one of those kind of books that take you to the edge. It balances the cruelty and passion in one, breaking your soul and putting the pieces back together at the same time. It pulls you into sins, anger and lust. It makes you craving more and more until you can’t take more. It calls you. It possesses you.
Highly recommended read!!!!
**As a warning, this book does explore graphic themes and triggers.**
Willow is a strong and resilient heroine. Her troubling childhood didn’t hold her back from gaining a modeling career and entering a new marriage. But things take a downturn when she is kidnapped by 3 masked men, while vacationing on a yacht near Greece.
Saint is our masked anti-hero turned hero that has landed himself in the employ of one of the most ruthless Russians. His job is to kidnap and deliver a new prize to his boss, but is set back by this beautiful treasure.
Bad Saint is a slow burn romance story of two people falling for each other in two desperate situations. And while stranded on a remote island, these two characters are reluctant to give into their feelings for each other.
This is my first time reading Monica James, and as I prefer dark romance, I decided to start with Bad Saint. I was pleasantly surprised with this setting and the author’s writing style! I was easily drawn in to the book and next thing I knew, I was finished in just a few hours. Even though it was entertaining the story seemed a little too drawn out for the outcome.
I decided to switch from the ebook and the audiobook since it was available through audible escape. The narrator, Yvonne Syn, was terrific. I highly suggest listening to the audio version if your a fan.
Bad Saint is the first book in the All The Pretty Things Trilogy by Monica James.
“Each scar tells a story, showing the world you were stronger than whatever tried to beat you.”
I have had this book on to be read but I was honestly putting it off because I have been in the mood for light romance, but I won a free eBook copy of this book by Monica James herself on a Facebook group. So I thought why not start now. I am new to Monica James and this is my first book from her. I didn’t know what to expect at all, but I opened the book with an open mind. I love dark romance and she captured this perfectly.
“I need the darkness to survive. It’s the only way I can live with what I’ve done.”
Willow is a fierce and strong heroine. She is kidnapped on her honeymoon. She watched her husband get beat up and got blind folded, but she is not weak. She keeps fighting to get off the boat she was thrown into no matter how much they try to break her. Saint is certainly an enigma. He is full of mystery with heavy violence and much heavier pain. He’s cruel. He’s violent. He’s angry. He’s dominant. He was completely savage, yet he was very captivating.
“Saint is entirely wayward and rebellious, but more than anything…he is absolutely epic. A bad boy every mom warns their daughters about.”
There was so much mystery in the book that I couldn’t help but just keep going. Bad Saint was such a suspenseful ride. Monica James took me on a roller coaster ride. My heart was beating out of place. This is definitely a dark romance and I can’t wait to read the next book in the trilogy.
“It means…angel.”
Good concept, just not well executed.
Filled with intrigue and suspense, this book will have you guessing until the very end. The reader never knows who can be trusted as alliances blur and shift. I highly recommend.
Bad Saint #1and Fallen Saint #2
I had to restrain myself from reading this series before because I wanted it all.
I wanted to binge read all 3 books in one go.
And wow! It’s good that I’ve waited, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to wait for part 3 in this absolutely gripping and terrible emotional series. It would kill me to wait for the grand finale.
I just finished the second book and have to take a breath before I delve in the 3rd and last book. @elle_love_books said I’ll love it and she never disappoints . I loved every second so far. This series is packed with so much drama, action and heartbreak, that it’s a wonder I’m able to write right now. I love dramatic books, but this is drama with capital D.
From sunny and happy beginning to kidnapping, enslaving and killing without remorse, this books have all of this and much more.
It’s a dark and brutal story that shows the world from the worst side. What it shows too is, that even in such a world, there are people who have heart and soul. I’ll forever associate a beach with this series
I’m about to start the third book. It’ll definitely be a long sleepless night for me
The review will be continued after the last book
This was my first Monica James book so wasn’t sure what I was in for. I am not usually a fan of dark romance but I was pleased this wasn’t as dark as I expected. Willow was fighter and wasn’t going to give up until she was back home with her husband. Saint was her kidnapper but Willow felt he didn’t really want to hurt her. Saint was torn between breaking her before delivering her to her new master and showing her kindness.
Bad Saint was well written and kept me on my toes wondering what would happen next. I loved that Willow was determined to escape no matter the cost. Saint was hardened by his past but still allowed his humanity to come through occasionally. Great characters. This is book one in a series so leaves you with a cliffhanger.
Wow!!! What can I say I loved this book from beginning to end. Willow is a young beautiful girl who is on her Honeymoon and is taken by three masked men. Her husband tries to help her but is beaten by one of the men. What happens next is a story of betrayal, survival and lust. Willow is a fantastic character she is strong willed, feisty and her desire to survive over rides everything. She is definitely no damsel and is one of my favorite h’s. Saint is one of the masked men and he’s delicious. He is definitely not what he seems, he carries many secrets and while at times he’s mean he’s also compassionate. Willow will surprise him at every turn and their dynamic will definitely change over time. Overall awesome book one that I would definietly reccomend and a new to me author that I will definielty start stalking. The story ends on a cliffhanger but I already started book 2.
This book was dark, gritty, and exactly what I’ve
been looking for in a dark romance.
My goodness, it was definitely unexpected.
The journey that Saint and Willow take is
rough and hard. I loved all the twists and turns.
Saint starts off as the bad guy but becomes the
unexpected anti-hero.
Willow was a very strong heroine that sees
the very best in people, even the ones
that put her in her situation.
I just about screamed at that cliffhanger though.
Really enjoyed this book! Excellent audio narration. Going to start the next book immediately!!
I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while now and wow, what a sexy thrilling dark ride it was. Within the first few pages I was hooked and could not put it down.
We see our heroine, Willow, being kidnapped on her honeymoon by 3 masked men and whisked away on boat where she is held captive, bound for Russia. One of the men, Saint, seems to be her saviour in this hell and although he punishes her, there is something in the way he looks at her and treats her.
Willow, although having a rough upbringing and still holding onto those scars, she is such a strong resilient character. She does not bow down to her captors, fighting back and always trying to escape.
One fateful night when things take a turn for the worse, she takes matters into her own hand to save herself and Saint. This results in her capsizing their boat and being left to survive on a deserted island.
The time Willow and Saint spend with each other is filled with such love and hate and the undercurrent of sexual tension between just builds and builds. At times I really felt for Willow with Saints cruel words but I understand why he did what he did. Ultimately he still needs to deliver her to his boss in order to save someone important to him but she is also becoming important to him and he’s at at loss.
Saint is an absolute dream to read, he’s bad, rough and cruel but we also see little bits of who he is that will leave you wanting more and more of him.
This book has so much going on, it’s intense and totally captivating. I was an addict to James’ words. The book ends on a cliffhanger and I just had to dive straight in. I need their story!
Harriet Pot Pie
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Overall Ratings;u2063
First Sex Scene @ some sexy time, no sex though – it’s part of the story
POV – First, heroine
Hero –
Heroine –
Story –
Angst –
Steam –
Chemistry –
This book was intense and the sexual tension in the book was addicting!
I don’t read very many dark romances in general, but my goodness, this book could convert me! The beginning of the book seemed very sweet and romantic, and then all of a sudden shit hit the fan and from then on I was on the edge of my comfy chair and could not take my eyes away from reading what was going to take place next.
Christian Grey did not prepare me for Saint. But, man, Saint is bad and good, with everything in between, but highly favors the bad—in a good.
This was my first read by Monica James, and when I was asked to help in the cover reveal for BAD SAINT, the cover is what really drew me to the book. So i signed up to receive an arc. I am so glad I did because I can’t wait to read the second book (which comes out this summer!).
Willow is a girl who is living life in the moment since she just arrived at the place she is spending her honeymoon on. She and her boyfriend jumped into getting married after not dating but a couple weeks. She is just loving the romance and just getting excited about finally losing her virginity to her husband. When too soon after their arrival, she is took hostage and taken upon a ship that is sailing for who knows where and why. Though she doesn’t miss that one of her captors in particular is treating her a little differently than the others.
She goes through being tied and locked up under deck with no idea where they are taking her and why, and she goes through being bossed around like she is someone’s submissive…only to realize that her so-called “nice” captor is only preparing her what lies ahead of her.
What happens when the one who prepares you for the “BOSS” becomes the person whose touch you crave and who happens to feel the same way, even with many reasons why they can’t.
One of my top 2019 reads! Prepare for all the twists and alpha bad ass deeds of one swoony book hero!
Holy Saint!!! If I could give more than 5 stars I would! This is my first Monica James book, and I’m trying to figure out why!! This book is everything I love!
Willow’ story is twisty, engaging, dark, emotional! Monica draws you in from the start. The lies, secrets, twist, death, torture, steamy build up is everything! I could not put this book down!
I was pleasantly surprised how tough Willow turns out to be! Her character is relatable and makes you love her more. You learn about her not so great childhood very early on. My heart felt for her and what she went through. Then bam while she’s on her honeymoon with Drew she watches her husband beat to death and is kidnapped.
And then there is Saint!!! I do love the hot asshole and he is that! If he kidnapped me I’m not sure I would complain. Every asshole has a reason to be an asshole and then you just love him more. Saint is no different. But what happens when assholes grow hearts?
The tension and chemistry between Willow and Saint is explosive, and combined with Willow’s inner battle about wanting him is like a ticking time bomb, and you can only wait for the boom!
The cliffhanger, the cliffhanger, the cliffhanger, I need to know! So many things I need answers to! Monica definitely left me unsure of if I’m going to recover from this book. The anticipation I already have for book 2 is unreal! I’m not going to lie I need the next book like now! She can drop that book on my kindle anytime!
Bad Saint is the first book by Monica James that I have read and definitely won’t be the last.
This book had me hooked from the start! I didn’t want to put it down.
Willow is just about to start her honeymoon and her happily ever after when she is suddenly kidnapped.
Saint, has been sent to take Willow to Russia where she will become the new pet of a rich and powerful man.
She refuses to play the victim though and is fighting with everything she has. They wanted to break her but she is determined to stay strong and fight.
In a turn of events that neither of them saw coming, they find themselves relaying on each other if they both want to survive.
This is book one in a trilogy and I am so ready to read book 2!
Bad Saint just wrecked me.. It’s twisted, cruel, dark, and will send you in a tailspin.
I am SO GLAD that I read this after Fallen Saint has been released because now I can jump straight into book two. I completely devoured this book. It took be about 6 hours to finish this book and I didn’t move from my reading book. I didn’t eat, I didn’t talk to anybody.. I locked myself away and got lost in this book.
This isn’t your typical read.. it’s gritty and cruel. Saint. That man is so.. so.. UGHHH, I don’t even know how to describe him. He had my emotions everywhere. I didn’t know what he was thinking or feeling other than the little snippets that Monica gave us.
And Willow.. Willow is not a lay down and take it kind of woman. She fights back. She will not submit. She will not be handed over willingly. This quote gave me chills..
“He’s leading a lamb to the slaughter, but the one thing he doesn’t realize… is that I’m not a lamb. And I never will be.”
That is all you need to know about Willow. She is strong, fierce, and independent.
I can’t wait to read Fallen Saint. I want.. no.. NEED to know what happens next! I’m sucked in.
“Bad Saint: Volume One” (All The Pretty Things Trilogy #1) by Monica James is a great read. I enjoyed Saint and Willow’s story. I normally don’t read dark romance, however, this story grabbed my attention and hooked me. I can’t wait to see what happens next in “Fallen Saint: Volume Two”. Highly recommend to all fans of dark romance, suspense, twists and turns, and trilogies.
I’ve read books by Monica James before, so I already knew that her books and characters are brilliant, but she went and truly upped her game with this one. Like what the hell did I just read and also please pause while I wipe the drool from my chin after meeting Saint. Anyways, Monica James went way over to the dark side for this one and oh boy, she did dark and twisted just the way it should be. It was so, so good and so very twisted. I don’t want to go into much detail and give anything away but the author did give some content warning but if you crave a mind*uck of a dark romance like I do this book is for you!
“Authors Note-This twisted tale is not intended for the fainthearted. So, if you’re game…welcome to the madness. God save your soul.”—-I’m over here like hell yes count me in!
This one did end on a cliffhanger and I need the second book like yesterday but luckily it is releasing soon. Can’t wait for more Saint and Willow and to see where the Author takes us next on this crazy ass dark ride! Loved everything about this book!
“I need the darkness to survive. It’s the only way I can live with what I’ve done.”