Vengeance and destruction are all he has left.Lianna Mercier has everything. She’s beautiful, well-educated, her father is rich, powerful — and she works for him. The perfect little princess, raised to be just like daddy.But it’s all a lie.A bloody, screwed up lie, and David Gethen is about to tear it all down and destroy Lianna in the process. He wants revenge, he wants to finish the plan his … in the process. He wants revenge, he wants to finish the plan his father started years ago — but after he takes her, after he tortures her, he begins to realize just how wrong he may have been.
Publisher’s Note: This book is a dark romance that contains intense scenes, graphic language, and capture fantasy which may be disturbing for some readers. Please choose another book if this is not your cup of tea!
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Jennifer Bene is a mistress of dark erotica, and Destruction is as good as it gets!
Lianna Mercier lives a charmed life, or so it seems. She seems to have everything. Rich, famous, a fabulous job at her father’s company. Then why does she feel abandoned and alone? She’s her daddy’s princess. He tells her often enough. But she feels left out, pushed aside. She may be her father’s princess, but she doesn’t have his respect. She thought working for her father might at least gain her the recognition she’s rightfully earned. How could it not? But as her father breaks yet another promise and shuts her out again, she begins questioning her choices, weighing other options. Alone, uncertain, vulnerable, locked in her penthouse apartment, a man in black, from his mask to his gloves to his boots, appears out of nowhere and attacks. She fights, kicking, screaming, trying to take him down, but she’s no match for his strength. She’s soon out like a light. When she awakens, she’s in hell. But why? Why her? She’s never harmed anyone. As she soon finds out, nothing is as it seems, and her nightmare has just begun. Alternately filled with rage, fury, hopelessness, despair, and the ever growing realization that she might never escape from this chamber of horrors, can there be any hope? Even when the identity of her captor is revealed, there’s no recognition, no understanding, and no way she can escape. Her kidnapper doesn’t just want her. She’s a pawn, a means to an end. He seeks cold-hearted revenge, and she’s the one to pay the price. There’s an agenda, a perceived reason, behind the madness into which she’s been thrust. Decades of planning to take apart lies built upon lies. But can Lianna believe anything this apparent psychopath says, especially after the torture and agony he’s put her though? How do you reason with a madman? Who’s telling the truth? Can she believe anyone or anything? One thing is clear. If Lianna is to survive, she’s going to have to reach deep within herself, look at everything her life’s been, and make decisions she isn’t sure she’s capable of making. Her very survival is at stake.
Jennifer Bene is one of my favorite authors. Very few can write dark erotica the way she does. Destruction takes you to the heights and depths of what the human soul can conceive of and the darkness and light inherent inside each of us, even if we’re unwilling to admit it. Lianna’s story is full of conflict on every level. Her relationship with her father is one of great love and yet great need as well. Her captor is filled with blackness, hatred, the very definition of evil. Yet even he has reasons, justifications, for his actions. To say this story is complicated would be an understatement. Yet in the end, Jennifer Bene has scored another winner by showing us the intricate complexity of humanity. All of us have light and dark in our souls. This story highlights that no one is totally innocent, nor is anyone totally evil. I love how the dark and light play off each other, slowly growing, changing, coalescing into something far beyond what you could expect from any of these characters. Ms. Bene has again shown her brilliance in this genre. I absolutely loved this story from beginning to end. It more than deserves five stars. Thank you, Ms. Bene, for yet another deliciously dark and convincing story showing us just what being human is all about.
One final note. Please be an informed reader and consumer! This is an ADULT book. It contains explicit language and some extremely dark, nonconsensual sexual scenes. If you don’t enjoy this genre, think hard before buying any book you know you won’t enjoy. There are book synopses and reviews available on Goodreads and all booksellers’ websites. Use these resources. DON’T LEAVE A NEGATIVE REVIEW WHEN YOU KNOW YOU WON’T ENJOY THE BOOK. It’s not fair to the author. She works extremely hard to provide a quality work product. If you know you’ll object to the book’s subject matter before you buy it, you’re doing yourself and the author an extreme disservice.
Thanks for reading my review and happy reading
I’m obviously as messed up as Lianne to also fall for David
I have had Destruction sitting on my kindle, waiting to be read for quite some time. Life, arc reading and buying too many books has meant that I just hadn’t gotten around to reading it. However I do know the author is working on completing the second book, so I decided it was time I got myself caught up.
The title is very fitting in so many ways, including the devastation to my soul. This is a pretty dark read, with non-con (albeit it’s enjoyed, but she definitely says no), sadism, violence and what is possibly a healthy dollop of Stockholm Syndrome.
David is an antihero of the first order, doing bad things for misguided reasons. He and Lianne share some very warped but extremely hot chemistry. There are passages that make for uncomfortable reading – because you really shouldn’t be turned on by such depravity but you are. Lianne is very easy to like and connect to, their is a very natural and likeable feel to her character. I disliked David for so much of the book, but that’s because he is written to BE hated, until you don’t.
The writing held my attention, the characters interested me, whilst the plot and suspense was well paced so as to hold my attention. I was huddled in the corner of that dank, concrete cell. I was chained across that thin, worn mattress. The skill of the author put me into the middle of the story, had me screaming in the dark and crying in misery alongside Lianne.
If you’re looking for your next dark erotic read then you’ve found it here.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review.
David Gethen is a man out for revenge. He hates with a passion Robert Mercier who has the perfect daughter, Lianna Mercier. She has got it all. Beauty, educated, powerful all because of her dad. She is the perfect little princess and raised to be just like her father. David is going to destory everthing Robert has and taking hsi precious daughter is just thr ticket to do this. She after all has to be just as bad as her father. What he doesnt expect is her her to be so sweet and innocent. This is one wild ride that will take you to places you never expect to go. I am so torn on what to say about this book . I don not want to gove anything more away than what I have. This is a book that need to be experienced first hand. Just buckle your seat belt and hold on for dear life. It is one wild ride, a ride well woth taking though if you love dark books. Jennifer Bene has rocked my world and blown my mind with Destruction.
I don’t know what to say. I am completely and utterly speechless. Leave it to Jennifer the Queen of Darkness to drag us all into the dark side and not let go. The more I read, the more I love this book.
This is a book in two halves, in the first half David Is hell bent on revenge and is destructive and dangerous. In the second half, he recognizes that Lianne was innocent of her father’s crimes and he educates her but he no longer wishes to destroy her. For her part, Lianne starts out as an innocent and is terrified, but ends up caring for David and despising her father.
The reader is never aware of who Harry is, nor of the full story, but it doesn’t matter. This is a story that is about two people discovering their truth and developing a relationship based on mutual desires. It is a deeply dark and disturbing story but none the more fascinating because of it.
Ms Bene is a new author to me. I enjoyed the unravelling of this story and don’t want to leave any spoilers. That said, Lianna is a Daddy’s princess. She has grown up with everything (except her mother who died when she was three) and is now being groomed to take over her father’s business. Her biggest frustration is that her father breaks plans with her for business and doesn’t invite her along.
Then she gets kidnapped. This part was a bit of a mind f$&k and I got a bit uncomfortable but press on because amazing things happen. You think you know people, you think you know your life, your history-what if the concept of your world is so skewed that nothing fits anymore? I loved the growth of both Lianna (“Well? Do you think you’ve broken me yet?”) and David.
If you like dark romances that are dark and twisty, (be aware there is a bit of dubcon and torture thrown in), you’ve got to try this. While it’s not a cliffy by any means, there is a whiff of potential trouble brewing at the end and I can hardly wait for the next book!
I received a copy of this book; this is my honest opinion.
For me, it was a new book from a new writer. I had no idea what to expect. The dark romance is totally my genre even if I like softer and more emotional stories too.
Read more: http://inbookeden.blogspot.com/2017/11/jennifer-bene-destruction-arc-review.html
Itching for something dark and twisty to read and Bene doesn’t disappoint at all!
David Gethen is a man out for revenge, vengeance. He’s twisted and mysterious and intriguing.
He brings destruction into his the life of the wealthy and powerful man, Robert Mercier. He takes his time by kidnapping and breaking down his daughter, beautiful and strong and yet gullible and naive, Lianna Mercier.
But who knew David would desire Lianna as much as he did?
Destruction kept me on my toes! I kept on thinking… OMG! What’s going to happen next?
Bene has a way of taking you into the deepest, darkest corners and craving more of the darkness. She writes dark anything amazingly well! I’m living for it!
This is a dark, intense psychological thrill wrapped in an erotic bow.
That was a wild and intense read! Jennifer Bene never fails to shock you and turn you on all in the same paragraph…She doesn’t disappoint here either.
This was a series i was só ready to read!
Having read Louise’s reviews,i wanted it….badly!
But knowing i needed the whole story,i knew it was better for my health to wait until the last book was published….
And now that it has,i can finally indulge,WOOHOO!
First off,i need to warn you this is not an easy read.
It deals with some very dark stuff like abuse and rape…
Now how to review without saying too much…hmm…
Lianna’s only family is her father,and she’s doing her best to make him a proud father.
She works for him,but it’s not easy for a couple of reasons….
When she’s kidnapped,she thinks it’s for a ransom.
Her kidnapper enjoys making her scream,making her plead with her father to do whatever he demands.
But the torture,and everything else he does to her,not only hurts,it also confuses her.
She tries to escape,but fails….
David has lived most of his life working towards revenge for his family.
Now that he has Lianna,her reactions make him realise she’s not the girl he thought her to be.
In fact,her entire demeanor is not what he expected.
When he shares his reasons,everything changes…..
Damn,i am só glad i have the series!
Now i can go straight to Inheritance!
This is the 1st in a new series and what a dark and intense beginning this story is. Lianna has a wealthy father who she works for and she is content with her life until she finds out the life as she knows is a lie. David hates her father and he is on a journey of vengeance, and when he kidnaps Lianna whom he preserved to be just like her father, he realises how wrong he is. This is a well written tale with an intricate and in-depth plot which is dark, intense, emotional, lies, suspense, and secrets, which all lead to a riveting and all-consuming read. Be aware there may be triggers for some readers. I look forward to reading more in this series as this is truly a magical and addictive page turner.
Telling secrets can destroy a family and more…
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. This is my 5th book by the author, and I will keep on reading her books. Lianna is upset that her father is backing out on their vacation for business. David was a child when his mother was killed and his father slowly ruined by Lianna’s father. David plans his revenge on Lianna’s father by kidnapping Lianna to slowly tear apart his businesses while destroying the daughter. But what if Lianna knows nothing of her father’s ways and captor and captive mesh in a crazy mixed-up way? Will they be able to come out on the other side together? You have to read to find out. Note: this is the 1st part of a series and the next book is available.
Dark, suspenseful, frustrating, did I say dark? Heed the trigger warnings!! If you like it dark then I promise you won’t be disappointed. A tale of revenge, regret, and heartbreak that will make you feel everything the characters feel. I don’t know if I would be as forgiving, but I wasn’t disappointed in her choice. I am hoping there will be a continuation or spin off or something because while there is finality at the end, there could be so much more to follow. Great dark read! And I love this author’s work!
Angry, dark, dirty delicious !!!
Bloody freakin fireballs! How does the woman do it ?!
Every time, with every book, Ms Bene makes my insides curl in on themselves, and then slap me in the back of the knees!
With unrelenting accuracy she describes the quest of one extremely pizzed off male, heaping his very own brand of revenge on a unsuspecting girl.
Starting out with rage and cruelty, the story ends somewhere completely different. In between those antagonistic positions we get to explore the dark, delicious underbelly of a twisted relationship.
Congrats you did it again ! Marvelous writing!
Jennifer Bene has written another dark romance that captures the readers attention and doesn’t let go.
The characters are true from beginning to end. The sexy scenes are brutal and erotic!
To me, Jennifer Bene is the Queen of Darkness and this book doesn’t disappoint. The dynamics she creates between characters and the tales she weaves are truly for fans of the dark who enjoy steamy scenes and a well thought plot. I recommend this book and look forward to the continuation of Lianna and David’s romance.
When I read DESTRUCTION, at the time, it had become my new favorite Jennifer Bene story. Lianna’s world is flipped upside down when everything she thought she knew about her father, his company… herself is torn apart leaving her exposed in ways she never dreamed were possible. Paralleling the tale of Rapunzel and her tower, which you will key in on, Ms. Bene takes dark and twisted to an engrossing new level that will leave you rapidly tapping those pages and unable to put the story down. *Of note, if things of dubious consent and dark and twisted don’t have you squirming in your seat, this may not be the story for you. But if it does, one-click. Do it now.
It is a dark story and may not be for you but for me I loved it. Lianna works for her father and has lived a good life. David, not so much. He has an axe to grind with them.. David kidnaps Lianna. She goes through things she could never imagine. There are very deep, dark secrets that threaten her life. Take the journey with Lianne and David as they make life altering choices. Despite all that happens they find a HFN ending.
As with most books by this author, I enter with caution. Always gritty, usually dark and every time mesmerizing in its storytelling, this book is no exception. The journey for our main character is one of devastating darkness that runs through a gambit of emotions both for the character and myself as the reader. Some scenes are hard to read but are necessary to show the depths of her despair and the reasons behind her reactions. He was a difficult character to like and I hated that she was made to suffer through no fault of her own. Another great story and a beginning of a series that once again makes me think about just what could happen when you least expect it.