500+ PAGES OF “CAPTIVATING” AND “UTTERLY CONSUMING” STANDALONE ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS ROMANCEOnce upon a cold, dark night, a Russian killer stole me from an alley.I’m dangerous, but he is lethal.I escaped once.He won’t let me do it twice. The revenge is his. The betrayal is mine.But so are the lies to protect the ones I love. We’re cut from the same twisted cloth. Both merciless. Both damaged. In his … same twisted cloth. Both merciless. Both damaged.
In his embrace, I find hell and heaven, his cruelly tender touch destroying and uplifting me at once.
They say a cat has nine lives, but an assassin has just one.
And Yan Ivanov now owns mine.
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When two of your favorite authors get together and write a book, it becomes a top of the list read. Let me just say that both Charmaine and Anna didn’t disappoint.
Yan and Mina’s story is one of darkness, danger and full of emotion. Their chemistry is Hot hot hot!! I love Yan’s possesivness towards Mina.
The characters developments was superb. You will feel for Mina on multiple occasions, you will understand why she is the way she. I can’t say much more without giving anything away. But what i can say is this is a book you will absolutely love.
4.4 stars
Anything that Anna Zaires writes I will read. Anything. She is one of the best at this trope. I was looking forward to this story because Yan and Iyla intrigued me. Of course, they would, because hello TWINS. I had initially thought this would be a story where they shared the woman. I am glad to say that was not the case, which is good because hopefully, that means Iyla will get his story too. Anything to keep this author writing all the words about these amazing characters.
There is not much I can say without giving a spoiler. What I will say is that in traditional fashion, this author managed to, yet again, create a suspenseful story that teeters between dark and suspenseful and powerful and raw. Yan is definitely very possessive but he is also yummy as hell. Mink was a little bit more of a challenge for me to like as I wanted to feel more of a connection between the backstory of her parents and something she was personally dealing with. The story felt rushed in places but for the most part (and is the main reason that this book did not score 5 stars), this was another amazing book for this author to add to her amazing collection of books that she has written.
I have only read one other book by Charmaine Pauls (Beauty in the Broken) and it left me thinking about it for DAYS after reading it, so this collaboration was fantastic. I honestly couldn’t tell who wrote what. I would highly recommend both of these authors and this book in a heartbeat.
If I had to combine 2 of my favorite authors it would be Anna Zaires and Charmaine Pauls. As individuals they write the most captivating books that I devour and now as a duo they managed to just elevate that to an even higher level.
Yan and Mina are both complex characters who were written very well. The impressive plot full of turns and twists I didn’t see coming. The undeniable chemistry between the two main characters and the unpredictable plot definitely makes this a great read!
WOW! OMG! Darker Than Love is intense, all-consuming, and addictive. Darker Than Love took me two days to read, and that also included reading the prequel, Sweeter Than Hate. I highly recommend reading Sweeter Than Hate first; it will whet your appetite for the darkness that you will experience in Darker Than Love. Plus, Sweeter Than Hate is free on Kindle! I am a huge fan of Charmaine Pauls’ books, so when the opportunity was given to me to read and review her latest book, I was thrilled, to say the least. However, shocking as it may seem, I have never read anything by Anna Zaires, what was I thinking? What I am thinking right now – I have found another fantastic author. These two authors have come together to write the superb, intense, dark love story with lots of tension and suspense.
Without giving away too much of the story, because there are surprises, and I will never give away a great surprise! Mina and Yan’s paths cross one night, at a bar, where she overhears something that she was not meant to hear. Yan’s solution to the problem is simple, kidnap Mina and keep her captive.
“Yes, a soulmate. That would’ve been a fitting description if I hadn’t captured her like a bird in a cage.” ~Yan
And so, it begins, this dark, complex possessiveness Yan has for Mina. These two characters have troubled broken pasts that have hardened their hearts and souls, leaving them cold and calculating. Even though they are cold and calculating, these two see something in one another they don’t understand and can’t control.
“Ours is not a sweet romance. It’s larger than love. Darker than love.” ~Yan
The attraction between them is seductive, erotic, and deliciously dark. I was mesmerized by the way these two authors weaved these two broken people into two people who, even with all their faults, could find a love that healed their hearts, minds, and souls.
“Surrendering to Yan is the most meaningful act of my life”. ~Mina.
“It’s a sense of belonging, of having found the female version of my soul.” ~Yan
Although Darker than Love is portrayed as a dark romance, it is so much more. The plot is filled with suspense, twists, and turns. This story is also filled with heartbreak, deception, greed, revenge, retribution, betrayal, and evil cold-blooded people. These two authors seamlessly write with a sense of raw authenticity, keeping the reader on edge and the pages turning. This book is not your granny’s sweet, warm, and fuzzy romance. I highly recommend Darker than Love for all who love to read books that are on the wild side. Time to embrace the dark side of romance!
** Please note the quotes in my review are subject to change once the book is published**
*** I graciously received this book from Charmaine Pauls. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. ***
What a thrilling love story. We met the Russian twins Yan and Ilya in previous books by Anna Zaires. Yan, the extremely good-looking one and Ilya, with the skull tattoos. Mina, while waitressing at a bar overhears the twins talking and realizes they are killers. The twins spot her listening and from then on it is a page-turner. Unknowing to the twins, Mina has numerous secrets in her life which kept me on the edge. Yan is captivated by Mina throughout the book but doesn’t want to acknowledge it. It’s a magnificent love story confronted with danger through-out the entire book.
When I started reading I couldn’t put it down.Anna Zaires and Charmaine Pauls are magnifysent and amazing writers.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can’t wait for the next book.Mina is the perfect for Yan.There is chemistry between them.Mina is an assassin.
Once again, I am blown away by the storytelling skills these authors possess! I’ve only read one other book by Anna Zaires but I know Charmaine’s work very well and this story is exactly what you would expect from her! Ruthless and passionate and all-consuming. I learned a while ago to not start a book like this at night because it will consume you. You can tell just from the synopsis that the story will be passionate and fast-paced. It was all of that and then some!
These two ladies make an unbeatable team and I am hoping against hope that they team up again to collaborate. If you’re looking for strong layered characters that explode off the pages, you’ve found them! If you’re looking for a creative and mind-engaging storyline that keeps you on your toes, you’ve found it. If you’re looking for a sexually driven story full of raw power and emotion, you’ve found it.
Go forth and enjoy. You won’t regret it! #TRUST
This was fantastic there’s no way of putting this down once you start Yan and Mina are explosive to the point of danger possessivness with Yan being a huge Alpha no sharing.
The chemistry of soul mates is off the charts with so much emotional angst your nails are gonna be gone and the danger of the job Will have your heart racing a mile a minute not knowing what’s coming next. The ending is pure perfection more then I could of ever asked for. I loved it.
“WOW”I’m just in awe of these two amazing authors who have given us this brutal, dark erotic read which has a complex plot that is so compelling, it’s full of suspense intense drama with twists and betrayals you don’t see coming. It’s a fast paced story that keeps you on the edge of your seat making you an emotional wreck. Yan one of the twin brothers from the Tormentor mine series (where we met and fell in love with Peter Sokolov) and Mina are top assassins working independently find themselves at cross purposes when they first meet, neither trusting the other but the chemistry and passion is HOT, however Mina disappears only to be thrown together again some time later. The attraction is even stronger but they now have a job to complete together but again trust and lies cloud decisions making the mission dangerous and putting lives at risk. Will the truth eventually reveal the real villain and how will it impact on Mina and Yan getting a HEA. Maybe there is more than a bad apple to worry about???? I was given this as an ARC by the authors in exchange for a voluntary honest review which I am happy to leave.
Two favorite authors collaborate to bring us this fantastic story. These 2 working together were the perfect match for Yan’s story! Thrilling, super hot scenes and a page turning plot that had you turning the pages.
Absolutely enjoyed reading this and would love to see these two work together again in the future.
This story has a little of everything, sweet romance, sexy overbearing and frustrating alpha make and a beautiful woman who has the right heart and spirit. Thoroughly enjoying and entertaining.
“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.”
When two of your favorite dark authors collaborate. You just know it’s going to be dark, twisted, and definitely steamy!
Mina is strong and not to be underestimated. He has had hard life and has a sad back story but all makes her who she is.
Yan is a ruthless assassin, mercenary doesn’t have time in life right now for love.
They have a one night stand and Mina never planned on seeing Yan again. Until she is kidnapped by Yan and his gang.
This dark enemy to lovers is a must read!
I loved this story and always wanted Yan to get his own story I hope the whole gang gets their own. If you have read Anna’s Tormentor mine series you already knew about Yan. That series is a must read!
This is everything you expect from Charmaine and Anna. Thank you for bringing me Yan’s and Mina story!
A little dark, a lot of danger and plenty of emotion, this book kept me captivated from the first page!
’Ours is not a sweet romance. It’s larger than love. Darker than love.’
When Mina overhears a conversation she should not have, she finds herself in a dangerous situation. But after a night that she’ll never forget, she’s on the run. Months later and she’s now the prisoner of the man who both terrifies her and excites her.
Mina was an incredible heroine. Her past has left her isolated on the inside and as a result she’s a total bada–. When Yan forces himself into her life the ice wall that she’s built around her soul begins to thaw and we start to see what she’s truly made of it.
Yan is the type of anti-hero that I love. Even as he walks on the darker side of life, he’s completely possessive of Mina. If you enjoy a hero that will threaten a man simply for looking at his woman, you’ve found him in Yan. He doesn’t deal with gentler emotions but as time passes what he feels for Mina along with his burgeoning concsience makes this dark hero impossible not to adore.
While this is considered a dark read, it doesn’t consume the story. There’s a fine dance that takes place between Mina and Yan and within those steps is where the darkness presents itself. I couldn’t get enough of it!
’It’s devastation and reverence all in one, an explosive mix of dark lust and beautiful passion. It may be wrong, unconventional, but that’s how it is between us. However twisted, this is who we are when we become one, and I’m already greedy for more.’
This is filled with danger and excitement as well and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The plot is multi-layered, just the way I like it, so don’t expect your cut and dried dark thriller. This isn’t it. This is fresh and original with characters that will pull you in even as they live life in a gray area. Overall, this book is freaking amazing and I can’t recommend it enough!
Kudos to the person that came up with the idea of this collaboration!
Wow these 2 authors teamed up to deliver one heck of an awesome dark romance with Darker Than Love! The story of Yan and Mina is whirlwind of emotions filled with angst, deceit, revenge and steamy hot scenes. These characters have immediate chemistry and Yan refuses to let her go, regardless of the betrayal he feels. The emotions pouring off the pages are so written written by Charmaine Pauls and Anna Zaires. I look forward to reading more of their collaborations!
⋆ ARC kindly provided by the authors for an honest review ⋆
“The ruby is red like the blood she shed for me, red like my love for her.”
Welp. I knew I should’ve bookmarked my favorite parts for this review. But I didn’t. I remembered too late. Ugh. I was too engrossed reading and I devoured every words.
I’ve always been a huge fan of Anna Zaires and Charmaine Pauls, but them collaborating?
I will add more to this review once I’ve gathered my wits.
P.S.
I love Mina. One of the best heroines I’ve ever read.
P.P.S.
And Yan. Omfg, Yan! And… Okay, Ilya. You too. You big teddy bear.
My most anticipated read of 2020, Darker Than Love, delivers in everything I want to see in a dark romance novel. When the brilliant minds of Anna Zaires and Charmaine Pauls come together to collaborate on a piece of fiction they produce fire works! I’m simply in awe of how smooth and sinfully delicious this collaboration was written.
Mina and Yan’s lust story (oops I meant love story ) is so unconventional, but when you start to see how each character affects the other you’re waiting in anticipation for that moment of realization to strike them. The possibility of conventional… The character development is flawless. When we’re indulged with snippets of Yan and Mina’s inner most thoughts imagining the possibility of a “conventional” relationship it’s so unexpected and raw; the emotions read on the pages of this book are palpable. Both Yan and Mina don’t know how to deal with or understand what they could possibly be feeling for each other apart from they’re physical need to be consumed by one another. Words are not their friends, but their actions speak volumes; a beautiful dance between two combative souls who can’t fathom the notion that real human feelings could possibly exist within. Maybe my words are a bit whimsical, this is after all a dark romance, but this story gave me so many feels and I really loved how neither would lay it out on the line. It was so perfectly Yan and Mina!
And that’s really all I can say without starting to tread on spoiler territory.
Yan and Mina’s lust-love is so wicked and tantalizing that you won’t get enough of their sultry tango… or at least that’s how I envisioned it.
You’ll actually wish Darker Than Love wasn’t a standalone. I wanted more story yet at the same time was extremely satisfied by how this book was so tightly written between the two authors anything more would be pushing it. But would you expect anything less from these two talented authors?
I hope to see more collaborative works from these two brilliant writers!
Oh and how could I forget to mention the appearance of Julian, Lucas, Peter and co. from Anna Zaires’ other trilogies in the TwistMeverse? SPECTACULAR!
Received ARC from Author for Honest Review.
I Give this Book a 4/5 Star Rating.
Please note: Have Kleenex.
HEA(?): Yes!
Romance: 4-4.5/5
Heat: 3.5-4/5
Drama: 4/5
Suspense: 3.5/5
Dark: (To Me) 2/5
No Spoilers!
Such a good read, it flows very well and isn’t hurried in the least, I really enjoyed Yan and Mina as a couple.
I Honestly Hope Ilya Gets His own book, I would love to read it!
I Definitely recommend this book and authors!
I thought that this was an absolutely stunning read. Everything about this book was perfect. From the tension and danger fueled story line, to the complex characters. It is all well crafted and thought out. Even the title was perfection. What Yan and Mina share is so much more than the simple descriptive tag of love can describe. It is dark and intense, hot and sweet, brutal and yet tender. It is not just a joining of hearts. It is a joining of hearts, minds and yes, even souls. It is finding that one person that can see you. The you with all those broken pieces, the jagged wounds you carry inside and out and the ugly that you hide and ignore and try so desperately to pretend simply doesn’t exist. The whole you, the real you and still not flinch away but embrace it and most importantly help you to embrace it also. This is not a rainbows and kittens romance. It is raw and sometimes violent with its passion and its emotion. It is a book that keeps your nerves stretched to the breaking point and furiously searching for every and any spare moment to just read even a few more words. Even with a migraine I had to try to keep reading (Yes, it is just that addictingly good!) Witnessing these two closed-off, flawed characters open up and find love was really beautiful. They stole into my heart and left me swooning and I truly believe they will do they same to you.
Oh Yan!!! The brooding alpha Russian gets his story! This book had it all from tears, to laughing at the witty banter to the heart stopping suspense. Turns you never knew could be taken and paths you hoped for but weren’t sure would happen. Great story!
An enemies to lovers trope that pitted real enemies not just “I don’t like you” against each other. I have read a lot of Charmaine’s stories and this one is a bit different. Even though I loved the story, it felt a bit rushed. Things were happening so fast that I did not feel that we got the entire backstory stories of both of Yan and Mina. Mina’s backstory was revealed for the most part but Yan’s was not. The prequel was contained in this story and gave some background for Mina. I wanted to know the whys of what they were doing. And bless her heart, Mina goes through so much that I wonder if she can make it through. The ending of the story along with the epilogue are sigh-worthy with the hope.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.