She was the wood. He was the flame. After this, they would be ash. A cruel twist of fate leaves Jasmine Hennessy stranded in a remote cabin with her worst nightmare—her ex-husband, James Roth, who she hasn’t seen in five years. He isn’t acting like the man she married, but did she ever really know him? One night together kicks off a series of events that threatens her freedom as Roth seeks … events that threatens her freedom as Roth seeks vengeance on those who ruined him seven years ago. He’s determined to bring her back into the world she left behind where money is king, reputation is everything, and people will kill to keep their secrets.
Author’s Note: This is a dark romance novel with triggers and mature themes that may make some readers uncomfortable.
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5+ Stars.
Goodreads says I’ve read 1,400+ books to date. Fourteen Hundred and not one of them was like Bitter Heat. I loved this book. Absolutely loved it. If I could rate it higher than 5 stars, I would. This is going to another one of those books that I don’t shut up about for months – I can already tell.
Bitter Heat had EVERYTHING I love in a story.
I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading a well-written book with a strong as hell heroine. I am a HUGE sucker for a divorced couple reconciliation story, so this book was right up my alley, add in the perfectly written heroine with an interesting storyline – Hook. Line. Sinker.
Also, can we just take a minute to address how GORGEOUS the cover is – I love how fitting it is for this book!!! Beautiful – the cover artist did an amazing job.
Okay, moving on.
Bitter Heat was just so raw and just different for me. There were moments I felt the author speaking to me thru her characters, which is something I’ve never read before. Honest to god, I had quite a few moments of where I was like “This is a first for me…” while reading.
The rawness of the characters, the heartfelt internal dialogue, the twists and turns within these pages had a lot to offer me as a reader. I didn’t even have any “stalling” moments where it would be possible to put it down to resume later. I BINGE read this book, and once I was done – I read it again because that ending blew my mind.
Hindsight is 20/20 they say and for Jasmine, it couldn’t be truer.
Jasmine’s rose-coloured glasses came off and we got to witness her view the relationship she had with Roth thru new eyes. Her character growth was beautifully written. She is no longer the lonely 23-year-old begging for affection. She’s grown so much stronger and learnt a lot from her past and heartache she experienced.
Everything I thought I knew about the hero was questioned by the end of the book. I seriously thought I had him pegged while reading the first 80% and then – BAM – the author ripped the rug out from under me and now I have no idea of what to think of him.
The story is set in the present time with the perfect amount of flashbacks into the past to get an understanding of what transpired years ago. I felt like not only was I – the reader, trying to figure out their relationship and how genuine it actually was but so was the character. Until this book, I had never read about a character that I connected with so much. Not in a way that would mean we were similar, because we aren’t. But I felt like the details of the story made me feel like I was living it.
I felt her heartache, I felt her strength, I felt her confusing – I honestly mean it, this story was beautifully written – even if it was in a tragic sort of way.
I can’t recommend this book enough. I am so excited about what is to come for Roth and Jasmine.
This story sucked me in from the first sentence and didn’t let me go until the last word. Jasmine is a wonderful female lead who sacrificed everything only to get the raw end of the deal, not once, but twice. Is Roth nothing but a cold-hearted monster, or is he capable of loving Jasmine as she deserves? I love the well fleshed-out scope of emotions that ranges from lust and desire to despair and resilience. The descriptions placed me in the heart of the settings, bringing all my senses alive. I hope Ms. Knight won’t make us suffer too long for the conclusion.
Oh my goodness, what did I just read?? This book was so good! Somewhat unexpected, full of suspense and secrets and betrayal…I need to know more, to understand what’s going on! I have so many questions! Roth is an enigma… he’s so dark and sexy and mysterious, and I don’t know if I should be afraid of him or not! I need book two, now!!
Mia Knight is a name that I connect with amazing books. She amazed me before with the crime lord series, but this book put her over the top. To say I devoured this book is an understatement. I got nothing done while reading this book.
I loved the struggle the characters went through. Mia does an amazing job of capturing each character perfectly and dragging you in from the first word. The plot, the struggle, the angst, all come together and create and amazing masterpiece written by Mia Knight. You need to read this author and her books pronto!!
Jasmine is your ideal, strong female character. She stands up for herself and is amazing. Roth was a tougher character to handle. You have ups and downs with how you feel about him. He’s the alpha that wants things the way he wants them. Together, it creates a vision of twists and turns that you will never expect. Warning: ends with cliffhanger, but you will wait (not so) patiently for the next book. Mia Knight, well done!!
Great read! Lots of things going on and secrets that I can’t wait to find out as the story goes on! Can’t wait for book 2!
Holy Crap! What did I just read?! Bitter Heat was the first Mia Knight book I read but it honestly will NOT be my last. This book is pure Five Star gold!! I read it in one sitting and could not get enough!! I am OBSESSED with James Roth and Jasmine Hennessy and seriously could not get enough of their uber hot story!!
Honestly when I went into this story I had no idea what to expect. When Jasmine and Roth are reunited years after an acrimonious divorce, the sparks between them could not be denied. But when Jasmine is forced to surrender her will to a man full of hate and on a quest for vengeance, she has no idea about the explosive secrets being kept from her.
OMG what a story! Roth and Jasmine were pure FIRE. I loved the push and pull in the story and the heat between them. Despite the anger and the bitterness between them there was something about one another that drew each other in like moths to a flame. It was insanity!! This story was all combustible chemistry, drama and secrets. And that ending?! OMFG!! Mia Knight dropped a mic with that crazy ending and left us all floundering for more!! This was fantastic!! I seriously can not wait for more!! Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula
Bitter Heat is raw, unbridled and unpredictable. James Roth’s single-minded focus in getting what he wants and his unflinching brutality in both business and his personal life makes him the ultimate anti-hero or villain — depending on how you look at it. Roth unapologetically sets on a course he has waited to execute for years. While he and Jasmine, his ex wife, sizzle between the sheets, they can’t seem to find common ground otherwise. I thoroughly enjoyed the unique complexity of these characters and the world they have to survive in. There’s a passionate frenzy and obsession that permeates Jasmine and Roth with a toxic proclivity due to their emotional divide. I was hooked from the first page and can’t wait to see the unfolding of this savage world in the books to follow. Don’t expect hearts and flowers because this story is about raw obsession, vengeance and a layered dose of secrets that are waiting to be revealed.
I just finished this book, and I am beside myself wanting the next book right now! I think this is Mia’s best book yet, and she has written some darn good books. This one takes it to the next level. The two main characters are Jasmine and Roth, and they are both well written and extremely interesting people. They have quite the history and I think history is going to rewrite itself by the time they are done. Roth is an extremely alpha guy. I started off thinking how freaking sexy and dominating he is, really liking his character then we get to the end of the book and I basically go WTF??? Was I wrong about him? I guess we will have to wait and see. And poor Jasmine has had a tough time of things. And I am positive things are going to get worse before they get better for her. I can’t wait to see what is next for this coupl
Could not put this book down – Can’t believe I have to wait for Bitter Secrets!
Fire!
Are you kidding… who had time to think. I was completely pulled into this book. I love it, had me turning pages in trepidation but I loved every chapter. And then Mss. Knight
Tsk tsk . Let’s just say March 2021 is way to long a wait. Great Read
Anxiously awaiting the next installment. The story line and the characters stay with you even after you have read it!!!!
Excellent first book to Mia Knight’s new series. I loved her Crime Lord series and have re-read it several times. Bitter Heat is a little different in that the Hero, Roth, is not a hero at all. I can say with full honesty that I don’t like him and I don’t think there is anything redeeming about him at all. Our female MC, Jasmine, is in a clusterf**k of epic proportions and I can’t wait for book 2 to come out and see how she handles the mess she has been forced into (probably sometime next year, hopefully sooner).
A must read if you are a fan of dark romance. There are triggers so be warned this is not for the faint of heart. Jasmine and Roth’s story is a dumpster fire of hate, vengeance, lust and heartbreak and it is intense and it will burn you.
Scorching hot read with interesting unpredictable twists…this book will leave you reeling and craving the next book in the series!
Once again, Mia Knight has woven a twisted tale that pulls you in and lets you live through the characters in her book. This is one wild ride that you won’t want to get off of and will leave you with a delicious cliffhanger. You will not regret looking at the world through the eyes of James Roth and Jasmine Hennessy, the main characters in Bitter Heat.
Mia’s work captured my attention with the Crime Lord series, and Bitter Heat was just as sensational. It took me a day to finally sit down and write a review. My mind is still trying to process everything.
The build of this story is intense and I never expected anything less than a 5 star read. It’s dark, provocative, thrilling, and written with great trepidation!
I love the characters and James is at the top of that list.
A narcissist that is out for revenge on his ex-wife’s family. His dynamic character is anything but unpredictable, yet very intriguing! This man alone peeks my curiosity.
Once again, I will patiently wait for book two in this trilogy.
I can’t wait to finish this series once it’s published I can tell just by the first book this is going to be another Mia masterpiece
Blown away, like a shot to my head! Even better than Crime Lord and I can wait, while I chew my fingernails off, for Bitter Secrets to come out. But not too long, please. I hope you’re not having the same writer’s block that Jasmine had. You will keep me informed, right. I’d be heartbroken if I missed the sequel. Again, I’ve been blown away by your characters, the unfolding story, the family nuances, and the recently revealed plotting of Roth’s personality quirks. Keep the stories coming, Mia. I could and did read you all day and night.
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: 3rd POV, second chance, angst, arranged marriage, hate to love, sassy heroine, steam
I went into this blind, after an awful book slump, and it blew my mind. One of the best reads ever!!
The book follows the journey of a divorced couple, Jasmine Hennessy and James Roth, that after 5 years apart they meet again and things go from there.
Secrets, misunderstandings and old feuds broke them apart, but some of them get solved as the story progresses.
I absolutely adore Jasmine!! She is a badass strong heroine, who does the best for her family and works hard to own her money.
As for Roth, he is a major d*uche, but when it comes to Jasmine, he becomes so passionate and does whatever it takes to get his girl.
Together they have off charts tension and the funniest interactions ever, specially when she snaps at him.
I cannot wait to find out what’s going on and see their new journey as a couple. Highly recommend it!!!
Mia Knight just knows how to write dominant and possessive assholes with a hint of vulnerability. James Roth is just that and so much more. I’ve been holding off reading Bitter Heat because it ends with a cliffhanger but now I just couldn’t wait any longer. I’m so glad I finally read it cause wowza what an intense, steamy and entertaining story. Addictive as hell. I just couldn’t stop reading.
Jasmine and Roth are two fantastic and intriguing characters and their chemistry is insane. Explosive and jumping off the pages making my heart beat faster with every word.
Mia Knight has created a compelling story where I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough just to get deeper into the story and into the minds of Jasmine and Roth.
Bitter Heat is just the top of the iceberg when it comes to these characters and this story. I’m on pins and needles for the sequel. So grateful that it will be here soon. I need more Roth and Jasmine. I’m beyond obsessed! What a ride.
5 Addictive & Obsessed Stars
In a way this book is romantic, but not in the “normal” way. It is so twisted you don’t know whether to root for the male character or not. I feel sorry for the female character as every time she breathes she gets hit by something else. I can hardly wait for the next book.