We were only kids when I made the vow to protect her. First from the monsters hiding under the bed and then the ones roaming the world freely. My obsession with Dove wasn’t normal, it toed the line on psychotic but my love for her overshadowed that. I’d killed, destroyed and hurt those that had done her wrong. I’d watched her for years wanting to claim her but refusing too. I was both her … was both her guardian angel and the demon lurking in the shadows.
She was mine, even though she didn’t know it yet.
I had planned to let her live her life, while I watched from afar.
Until one night, everything changed, and I was forced to kidnap her.
She doesn’t remember me.
She begs me to let her go.
But I can’t. I won’t.
There are things she doesn’t know. Secrets I cannot tell her but one thing is clear.
I’ll die before I ever let her slip through my fingers.
This book is not suitable for all readers due to violence, sexual content, and mature themes.
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OMG. I can not deal with how much I loved this book! Zane and Dove’s story is one of my favorite tropes. The plot was fast-paced and full of secrets and heat and tension. That ending, though. Gah! I need the rest of the story right now!
This is the first book in this series and it had me engaged throughout. A dark and twisted obsession with a woman, turns zane into a madman to protect her from herself and the world. Dove constantly feels she is being watched but when she is taken, her life is turned upside down. I love zane’s intensity, his pure love and devotion to dove. That it borders on crazy. Dove although seems weak, has much more strength in her character than she believes. This books ends on a cliff hanger that I can’t wait to read next. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and truly enjoyed it.
Cruel Obsession (The Obsession Duet 1)
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An interesting storyline about obsession, kidnap, and secrets. I liked that the heroine was mysterious and tortured. She annoyed me a little but it was bearable to read. Didnt seem realistic that they both were in their early twenties and lived so much.
I guessed the identity of Zane/Michael from the beginning, her childhood protector. Love the possessive, protective hero. A bit creepy but its all for love so I wont question the sanity.
This book ended in a cliffhanger. For some reason I wasnt expecting it even though its part one of a duet. I should have known. Having said that, the way it ended left me on the edge of my seat. I cant wait to get my hands on book two; Deadly Obsession.
Deadly Obsession (The Obsession Duet 2)
Wow! What a read.
Well! well! well! After all the things he has gone through to keep his Dove safe. What will be next.
Did Zane seek help from the right person or did he jump from the frying pan it the fire?
These ladies slay me. Every time they release a new book, it’s better than the others. And what a way to start a new duet. This book was amazing and it’s darkness made it much more thrilling. Another great book by these ladies and I can’t wait for the next one.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
Zane has the ability to shut off his emotions when it counts and in his line of work, that is an added bonus, no one wants to hire an emotional hitman. In everything that Zane is and does, he always watches out for his little bird and will always protect her. But as long as he is in the shadows, she is safe, but is she really safe? Or will she fall right into his life with him being the only way out?
Dove had a rough upbringing, but always regretting not doing more to protect William a kid she met in an awful foster house. He saved her as much as she saved him. But growing up an orphan, brings you closer. But when she gets adopted, she will always be grateful. But now when her life in suddenly changed and she must trust a man named Zane, how will she survive this?
This story will pull you in from the beginning and hold onto you until the very end and then some. This will keep you on an emotional rollercoaster. This is an intense love, with dark and twists moments and it is full of twists and turns, love, lust, romance, mystery and so much more. This ends in an explosive cliffhanger that left me ready for the next in the series! Just wow!!!! I received an ARC of this book from the author.
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This was an enjoyable read. If you’re into mafia books and sexy s, you’ll love this one.
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is obsessed with . Literally. He goes beyond boundaries with his Obsession. He Interferes in her life in so many ways. He follows her, has cameras in her house, he even has a key to her house which he uses A LOT. And yes, SHE HAS NO IDEA ABOUT THIS!!!
He’s a hitman, he kills people when he’s ordered to do so. He kills and tortures without mercy. His only weakness is .
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workes in an animal shelter. She was raised in a foster home, she had an accident when she was young that left her with a trauma and a big scar in her stomach.
She is paranoid and always has this sensation of being watched. Which later on we discover that it was watching her from the beginning. .
kept lurking in the shadows and protecting for so many years now. Until he was forced to reveal himself to her, because his own boss haired him to kill her.
And this is the part where things gets existing !!!
kidnaps her and keeps her locked in a safe house with him .
I loved how she was always drawn to him even though she knows it’s kinda wrong and weird. And the way acts with her is just soooooo cute !!!
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This book was totally amazing!! I really enjoyed it. And with that ending, God!!!!!
I need book 2 ASAP!!!
Oooh! Cruel Obsession is full of suspense and mystery. Zane is the dark and Dove is the light. Complete opposites but yet they just fit together. This dark, intense read had me on the edge of my seat. I loved how sweet Zane was with Dove but when he showed his dark, dominant, alpha male side I was swooning. He is sexy af and his willingness to do everything possible to make him happy was just WOW! This book is so good! I need book 2 now!!
4.5 stars _ Yes, I hate cliffhangers. I openly admit it. At the same time, some of the best stories I’ve enjoyed span multiple books. This feels like it’s going to be one of those. Secrets are slowly, painfully revealed and the chemistry between Zane and Dove explodes. I need the next part… STAT! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I loved it. It’s and emotional read with a dark and twisted side. Definitely a page turner. Under all the layers its a love story. I’m hooked, I cant wait for the next book
Loved the book it was great, the story was well written and the characters are interesting. Once I started I could not put the book down from start to finish you just could not get enough left you wanting more twists and turns hot and steamy like a rollercoaster ride of emotions that makes you want more. Zane and Dove new each other when they were very young. Zane works for the mob and had always promised himself to protect Dove, and that is what he had been doing.
Thank you for allowing me to review your book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a great story. It was well written and fast paced. The chemistry between the characters was sizzling hot. This book has everything you need to keep you turning pages hot sexy men, steamy scenes and some conflict thrown in. I cannot wait for what this author writes next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He takes her to protect her but can he keep her safe from himself
*** 4 1/2 Stars ***
Cruel Obsession is the first book in The Obsession Duet by the writing duo of J.L. Beck and Cassandra Hallman. Be warned going in that this book does end with a cliffhanger so the story of Dove and Zane and the story could be too dark and twisted for some and others it may not be quite enough.
Zane is a mafia hitman who really takes his job seriously and is exceptionally good at it. He basically has no feelings or thoughts about what he does other than it is a job and he takes pride in his abilities. Just a little warped on that one but we are going with it for the story. But he does have one think that he is obsessed with and that is Dove. He looks out for her, protecting her in the only way he knows how, and also providing for her in ways she does not know. Actually she has never met him.
Dove (what a beautiful name for a character) is a young woman that has had more than her share of traumatic events both emotionally, psychologically and physically that have scarred her for life after growing up in foster care and not the best situations to say the least. But now she leads a simple but good life that she is okay with. But she does not have love and never has as every time she thinks there is the possibility it does not go anywhere………….I wonder why??? She also has a feeling that she is being watched but can never see anyone. But there is that sixth sense that makes her uncomfortable.
When Zane is given a new hit with Dove’s name on it things are about to go real strange real fast. He will protect her in any way that he thinks he needs to to ensure “his light” does not go out. This includes Zane kidnapping Dove and to buy time until he can find out who wants her dead. As he has always watched Dove he has a place already prepared for them which includes all of the things that she loves and uses, again nothing creepy about that???
As Zane holds Dove their battle of the wills ensues. But it is also a battle of their emotions as he desires him to the bottom of his soul and even though she is scared like heck of him Dove finds herself being oddly attracted to Zane.
This is a well written book with an engaging story-line. I found it was a bit slow to warm up but once it got into the fast lane it just flew low. There is darkness and some dubious things, with possibly some triggers for some readers. But it is not as dark as some things I have read so I would put it sort of middle to high on the darkness scale. I can’t wait to see where Dove and Zane end up on their journey and how it all finishes for them. Will she reform him? Will he corrupt her? Will they end up together or will he let her go? After all he did say she would never be free of him now that he had her.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
How could you do that? I’m just floored at the way it ended! I need more ASAP! You both really know how to write a page turner.
Zane and Dove have both had a rough upbringing that has shaped their lives. This is an intense roller coaster ride of emotions and deeds. Zane is a dark guardian angel until events force him to reveal himsef to Dove and take actions that change their lives yet again.
Obsessive, relentless and dangerous he will let nothing hurt or take her from him. Dove will be drawn into Zane’s world and reality and where they both go from there is one gripping and compelling story. I can’t wait for book two!
Cruel Obsession (The Obsession Duet, #1)
by J.L. Beck C. Hallman
5 STARS
So far, Cruel Obsession is my favorite book from these incredible two authors. It was so incredibly good and mouth watering. So freaking
It was raw, it was dark.
CRUEL OBSESSION is the first book in The Obsession duet. It is written in dual POV.
I wouldn’t put it on the dark side, because for my tastes it wasn’t dark at all. It was a great read, but not dark.
I didn’t see Zane as a psycho, a stalker yes, obsessive alpha male yes, raw, ruthless and savage killer yes. I truly saw his point and understood him.
I liked Dove a lot, especially because she was sassy and sarcastic.
The story had action, suspense and steam wich made it for me a great read.
I can’t wait to read the next book and see what will happen.
I really liked the starting of this dark romance. The H attitude is very well written, very real of how someone would behave in her situation. Until she feels a connection with the H and things start to change and heat up.
*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)
Dove is being watched and protected by Zane. Until one day, Zane must act. He kidnaps her, taking her away from her world and introducing her to his.
I’m not new to Beck & Hallman! This story is part of a duet. The next instalment in the Cruel Obsession Duet is called Deadly Obsession and it comes out March 20, 2020! Watch out! I sure as hell will because this story ends in a cliffhanger that is very very naughty. Why do authors do this to me? I ALWAYS BECOME A CLIFFY VICTIM. This was another quick Beck & Hallman read for me. It had less steam than I’m used to from these ladies and it felt like a nice change, to be fair. The story focused on how Zane approached Dove and how Dove is taken out of her environment. Their chemistry is good, but it’s not at an all time convincing point for me. Perhaps book 2 will enlighten me further into why I should ship these two.
I recommend this read to anyone who enjoy the lovely reads by Beck & Hallman, stalker romance, innocent leading ladies and obsessed leading males willing to risk it all for their lady.
He watched and protected her because he loved her!
by sewsummore
As children in the same foster home, William and Dove protected each other, when William’s life was threatened she stepped in front of the knife and instead was hurt in his place. For Years afterward, William, now called by his second name Zane protected and cared for the girl he loved. She never saw him and never knew of his continued care until a hit was put on her head. That was when he kidnapped her and took her to a place where they could be safe. They would have remained there except the woman who had cared for Dove was near to death and she had been to say her last goodbye. That was when the unthinkable happened, Zane was shot and Dove was captured by the very man who wanted her dead. The book ends here, to be continued. Zane was a Killer for the mob, at first I disliked him intensely, he spied on her and monitored all aspects of her life. What he did was for love, he refused to rape her and kept his volatile temper controlled. As the two of them spent more time together, Dove accepted her captivity and felt safe sleeping in his arms. There must be more to learn in future books to explain why she was to be killed, I look forward to more of the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
If you like dark and twisted reads, this is the book for you!!!
Zane is obsessed with Dove, completely and utterly obsessed. We get a glimpse as to why but not the full story yet. Poor Dove is so confused by the whole situation. She’s been kidnapped by this man who knows so much about her but doesn’t know why. All he will tell her is that it is for her protection. I really like Zane but part of me wanted to punch him in the face for not explaining things to her!! So yea, I can’t wait for book 2 of this duet.