I don’t know what it’s like to feel.To hurt.The ability was stolen from me in my youth. I consider that theft a gift.Feelings got in the way when you were building an empire. Amassing power.I had the empire.I had the power.Until one night in an alley.Everything that took over a decade to amass was snatched away in a second.He killed for me.But he didn’t save me.
Doyenne
By annemalcom
Wow! Speechless. I have no idea how to even review this masterpiece.
This is Anne’s best work to date.
Malcolm went all out with her words, dragged me into the world she’d created, and I’m still there. I don’t want to leave Char and Jacob. This was an emotional, raw, gritty, suspenseful, at times painful, but utterly beautiful story.
This has left me with a book hangover that I’m not sure I’ll come back from any time soon. Go in with your eyes closed, fall in love with Charlotte, because you can’t not. She’s beautifully broken in every way, and when Jacob steps into the picture, you’ll fall all over again. He was the ultimate alpha male in his serious, dark demeanour, but he was everything!
Well done, Anne, this was the ULTIMATE page turner with violence, rage, emotion, steam, and pain. Everything you could ever want in a book packed in these pages.
5* Powerful Imperfect Stars
I went into this book blind and I am glad that I did because the ride it took me on was a high octane rollercoaster.
The story of Charlotte and Jacob was gritty, imperfect and powerful. I loved and admired the very complex and ruthless Charlotte.
I wondered how the broody dark and silent Jacob would fit into Charlottes life when he was everything she was not. The authors writing was magnificent and will keep you turning the pages to find out how these two will come together and compliment each other in the realms of the dark.
I absolutely loved this book, the title and the cover.
Charlotte clutches control like a miser. She’s learned that the hard way that loss of control leads to destruction. So she’s worked her way to the top, living out her lofty dreams behind the walls of her ivory tower, reigning over her empire with the cunning and calculation most men wish to possess. She’s the envy of everyone. The billionairess no one wants to displease. She’s cold… she’s brutal… but can she be lethal? Someone’s out to kill her and they’re not giving up. A stranger keeps stepping in to save her life. Who is he? What are his motives? And can the woman who depends on no one count on him to keep her alive?
While I found Charlotte abrasive and really, really rude most of the time, I admired the heck out of her. She was fierce and didn’t allow for failure. She had high expectations for herself and for those around her. She didn’t wait on people to do things for her that she could do herself. She didn’t allow herself to show weakness, not even to family. She lived in a straight line and had no time for anything or anyone who tempted her to veer from that path. Until Jacob. This fine, hot, sexy, deadly combination of a man was the opposite of everything she held dear. He was control and with him she had none. He couldn’t be caged, he couldn’t be dictated to, and he wouldn’t follow orders. I loved how completely he wrecked her. These two were such beautiful chaos.
Steeped in suspense and death, this story was unlike anything I’ve ever read before and I liked how unpredictable it was. I had no idea what would happen next and had no clue how it would end. It was full of pain and little glimmers of hope and these characters were realists who understood that happily ever after was for fairy tales. I was charmed by how raw this story felt and I wouldn’t mind seeing Jacob pop up again in another book.
***5 Stars***
This book was an experience
That is honestly the only way I can sum up what this book put me through and yet it still doesn’t totally do this book justice.
I’m not sure there is a word that can. But saying that it is an ‘experience’ does, at least in my mind, give it the credit it is due because doyenne hooked me from the start and had me falling into adoration with the two of the most perfectly imperfect characters I have ever met and wishing i could spend a fuckton more time with them.
….
So I’m going to do something I don’t think I’ve done before. I’m gonna leave things right they *points up to the words above the four dots*
Why?
The experience. To say anymore would ruin the book. At least that’s what the reason should be, and is on a certain level.
The truth?
I honestly don’t have the words to describe just how wonky it left my heart and mind and I’m not even going to attempt to verbal vomit my way out of it…
This is a romance, of sorts, it is dark…in its own way. It’s mystery and suspense. But in the end it is a story of broken, battered, bruised and flawed characters that you simply can’t get enough of…
~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
This was my first read by Anne Malcom and it won’t be my last! doyenne was a phenomenal, emotional read! and I am not talking about a few teary moments. I am talking about deep emotion. The full on ugly cry tears! This book is filled with beauty and pain and everything in between. The heartache and beauty of the story is truly unique and one I won’t forget for a very long time. This review will not include any info on the plot as I do not want to give anything away but what I can say is the heroine Charlotte is fierce and strong, but also broken inside she never expected the hero and he never expected her. Their connection was insanely intense! These two broken people coming together and healing each other in a completely unique way was beautiful to read and kept me engaged and invested the whole time. Their is a powerful message behind this story. One that I would recommend immensely and urge you to read this to find out for yourself. Needless to say this book deserves all the stars! Way more than 5 if I could! I look forward to more books by this author in the future.
I felt as though I held my breath throughout this book. It wasn’t for fear around every corner but for the intensity of Charlotte’s life. Oddly enough, I saw parts of me in Charlotte and I wondered how? The characters were each so vividly defined, but none more so than Charlotte, Jacob and Molly. This is not a story that you can figure out the who, what and when’s. It’s a story that consumed me and has me looking over my shoulder.
Yes, I know! Another book I got on release day and then let sit on my kindle! What was I thinking?!! I wasn’t, clearly!
But Jesus, now I am not sure if I am even able to think coherently after reading this. And I mean that in a totally good way! This book had taken everything, and then some, from me! This book has wrung me inside out!
An emotional masterpiece!
WOW! Just WOW!
Initially, I found it hard to review Doyenne because the story would be quickly spoiled if I said too much… just the same this book absolutely wowed me. Anne Malcom’s Doyenne was a fantastic story and yet it that took me nearly a week to find the right words to offer those seeking reviews! If you’ve never read something from Anne’s catalog, and you like dark romance, you’re definitely missing out. The stories she pens are unlike any other I’ve ever read and I read a lot… Her writing style has a cadence to it that’s equally beautiful and dark with vivid imagery. And regardless of the tropes, every story she writes is truly unique. While I have come to expect sharp writing as a cornerstone to her storytelling, the level of sexy varies book to book and they are often not for the faint of heart.
First and foremost, Doyenne will not be for everyone. It’s unapologetically dark and gritty with themes of violence and rage and a plot that is unquestionably an Anne Malcom original. The characters—Charlotte and Jacob—are exquisitely damaged. Charlotte is fierce with more emotional baggage than readers often find in a heroine. She’s complex and her story drew me in quickly with her invisible scars and just how different I found her from the majority of heroines I read. Jacob is the ultimate alpha whose raw, heartbreaking past leaves both visible and invisible scars on this hero. He’s fiercely attracted to Charlotte from the get-go and angry that anyone has the kind of hold over him that Charlotte seems to. There’s a tangible connection between these characters right from the start, and the sexual chemistry grows until it’s exploding off the charts. I legit worried my kindle would burst into spontaneous flames as the tension built and built until breaking in a glorious, albeit brutal and dark fashion. (Keep a change of panties on hand if you’re reading this one… you will definitely be needing them and/or a cold shower!!! ) Jacob and Charlotte are truly kindred spirits that both form an unmistakably dark puzzle. And if you’re reading Doyenne, be prepared, because you too will be gorging yourself on this book, page after page, unable to get through this story quick enough. I was deeply immersed in the fast-paced plot full of intrigue and suspense and loved that this book reminded me that not all characters are seeking a traditional HEA and not all stories tell one! Five Fantastic Stars! One-Click this one immediately!!!
I just finished reading DOYENNE by Anne Malcom. This is the 1st book that I have read by this author. But since I was blown away by this book, I will be looking into some of her other titles. And because I’m still thinking about this one, I thought I would write a review.
I went in blind except for reading the blurb. I will just say that this is the Ice Queen meeting the Alpha King. This is not a match made in Heaven. Just the opposite. After he saves her life, not once, but twice. She hires him to protect her, but no one can protect her from him. This is a dark story, with Charlotte and Jacob being so broken and damaged. They are so much alike, that it seems to be the thing that draws them to each other. They have a deep connection, but there is nothing sweet about it. More like who will conquer who. There will be no winner. This book will be going on my list of Best Books of 2019. Maybe as the Darkest Best Book of 2019.
This book totally threw me off, it wasn’t what I
was expecting,at all!!!
Charlotte was a very strong heroine, knew how to
play the game. She broke barriers without apologies.
Both Charlotte and Jacob were so wrong for each other.
They were everything that they were both longing for without
realizing it. She took all that was thrown her way
like a boss, even when the game was changed, she just
kept charging. Definitely not your typical romance, but
that’s exactly why I enjoyed it.
WOW. That is what I’m left feeling after reading this book. Just… WOW. “Doyenne” is not your average romance. Actually I wouldn’t even call it a romance of love, but a romance of POWER. Anne Malcom delivers a very raw, gritty, dark tale stripped of the usual emotional layers, but yet the story and characters are SO complex. Charlotte Crofton is badass… a doyenne of the business world, whose power and need for control have brought danger to her life. She’s strong, yet broken… determined and undoubtedly relentless. To say anything more would just spoil it. If you are a fan of plot twists, then enter this as blind as you can and hold onto your seat because you’ll never see them coming. Beautifully dark and unpredictable, I loved every minute of it!
I don’t even know where to start with this one. Charlotte is the epitome of anti-heroine and Jacob is just as cold, what a pair they make. These characters you love to hate and hate to love. One of the darkest books I’ve read this year and I would recommend it to anyone who loves dark reads.
I didn’t know what to expect going into this book. It is dark. The characters are not your typical romance novel fodder. They have dark pasts and in some places dark presents. Their chemistry is set the pages of the book on fire hot and sometimes it is so hot it is brutal. They are each messed up in their own ways but that makes them all the more engaging and interesting as characters. The whole thing is beautifully paced to keep you wanting to read more and more of the story. I couldn’t put this book down once I started. It is beautiful and it is brutally dark. It is a reminder that not all love stories are about hearts and flowers; after all that isn’t how real life works and this really reflects the difficulties of love. I really love the female lead in this. She seems cold but she really is the definition of a boss lady. She is in charge and in control of her world. It is interesting to watch that control slip throughout the book.
This is not an easy lighthearted read but it is incredibly interesting, engaging and worth reading. If you love romance on the darker end of the spectrum then you will love this book as much as I did. It is beautiful, brutal, nuanced and ensnaring. If I could give it more than five stars I would. Wonderful read.
*A TOP READ OF 2019*
*FOREVER FAVORITE*
*MUST READ*
Holy hell, she did it again…
From the first page, I knew this one was going to grab me and never let me go. I’m still thinking about this story. One of the darkest reads I’ve ever read, this author has delivered yet another darkly beautiful story that still has my head spinning after reading.
The flow, the story, the characters are nothing short of perfect – making you want to turn page after page. I was questioning everything throughout this one. The balance with these characters is truly stunning. And the steam… GAHHHHHH the steam…
Another item that needs to mentioned…. The writing continually grows with every single book this author writes. Every. Single. Book.
No one on this planet can do dark like Anne Malcom can. NO ONE.
I can’t recommend this book enough!!!!!
Every time I open one of Anne Malcolm’s books, I never know what to expect, but I am always more than excited to get into it and see where the story take me. This book was emotional, raw and exhilarating all at the same time. Charlotte was deep and emotionally driven in all aspects of her life, being a CEO and a woman, she was always at the top of her game. While her twin Molly was carefree, sweet and the complete opposite of her sister. Jacob was a total Alpha, broken in so many ways. He was like a magnet, with his mystery, you wanted to know him and peel off the layers. I was completely blown away with this book and all it brought to the table. I know Anne can write Dark but this one says something she’s never written. Loved it and am still feeling it today.
Have you ever come across a book that changed your perspective on almost everything? A book that you didn’t expect, that you didn’t think you’d even like until one moment changed your entire perspective?
doyenne. by Anne Malcom is such a book. It’s a standalone novel that has transcended the standards of dark romance. It’s gritty, dark, raw and so real. It’s confronting in all the best ways. It is completely unlike anything this author has written in the past and I have honestly loved every moment on it. Reading this book took a heavy toll on my mind and soul, so I cannot even imagine the toll it took on this author when she wrote it. To portray such a heavy mindset and incorporate it into a novel astounds me.
Her characters are challenging, complex and so pure, my heart literally ached in their presence. Charlotte is the literal embodiment of a fierce, independent woman. A CEO and a ruthless businesswoman, it’s a hard thing being a woman in a man’s world. She is strong, cold and quite menacing, but it’s because, in her life, it was the only way to survive. She doesn’t do feelings and no one has ever fought past her cold exterior, trust is rarely given because the only person you can count on is yourself. But a violent incident shatters that exterior when she comes across Jacob. Broody, quiet, possessive Jacob. The events that follow bring them closer, much to her displeasure but she fights every step of the way. I won’t say much more because of spoilers but just know that it’s not your normal romance.
It also contains other unexpected characters. And the relationships were filled with so much love, just reading about these interactions made me cry. I couldn’t even handle how genuine and pure that love was. A love so unconditional, so real & true, I dare you to look away. Be ready for a dark story. It’ll probably ruin you. You’ll probably be traumatized, it might envoke some really dangerous feelings within you, but it’s apart of the journey. And what a journey it is. Anne Malcom has really outdone herself. Every book released better than the last and I’ve literally been with her from the beginning. Watching the growth in not just her writing, but her personality, it is so inspiring to me and I can’t wait to see where she takes it from here. Bravo Anne! You’ve really outdone yourself.
I can’t begin to put into words how amazing this book truly is. I’ll try because if my review gets even one person to read it, then I’ve accomplished my goal. doyenne evoked so many different emotions that not all books or authors manage to achieve. This book touched my soul; something that only a very small percentage of the books I read manage to do.
I was enchanted by this breathtaking tale of a woman unlike any other that I’ve ever read about. Charlotte has to be one of the strongest heroines (if not the strongest!!!!) that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Not often do you read about a heroine that is so brave and strong, so powerful yet also so alone. Able to do whatever it takes to succeed, without depending on anyone to get her there. Seeing her brave the scariest moments that could break a normal person down into a hollow shell. She stands up, dusts her skirt off and goes back to work because just who she is. Jacob, finding her just moments before she would have died. A regular woman would have immediately latched on and held on for dear life. These two are drawn to each other because of the monsters who live inside them. The twists and turns are blinding, shocking and heartbreaking.
I cried for her…for him….for the other characters in this book that you’ll meet and see are so worthy of our tears. There were moments I didn’t even realize I was crying until I saw the tears puddling on my screen. There was even a moment where I got chills…a moment where anyone could have walked by and caught me completely off guard because I wasn’t living in my world but instead in this world that Anne Malcom created inside doyenne.
It was my first book by this author and I can say I truly feel like I’ve been missing out by not having read her work before. Although at the same time I’m scouring her book list now finding the next one that I’ll read. How fabulous it is to find a new author that you’ve never read before that wins you over with the first book you read of theirs. Her writing was magnificent, the entire time I was reading it was as if I was living inside this book. Her words and the feelings that those words evoke created a world for me to visualize.
How do you rate a book that you both hated and loved at the same time? That might seem odd? Yet, it is a fact. I had a very hard time with Charlotte. Her ice-queen demeanor and how she treated people rubbed me the wrong way a lot of the time. Yet, in the same breath, I admired her. There was nothing soft about her. Other than her body being feminine she was unfeeling. It wasn’t until halfway through the book that it dawned on me the dichotomy of this amazing story. So often, I am drawn to stories where it is a man that piques my interest because he is unfeeling and ruthless and yet up to this point in the story I was put off that Charlotte acted the way that she did. How hypocritical is that? It was in that realization that I realized how this amazing author had spun this tale to show how unequal life is for a woman in a man’s world.
The stunning and accurate portrayal of both Jacob and Charlotte was mesmerizing, to say the least. The depth in detailing who they were as people was staggering. This was largely because the author has such a distinct style and cadence to her writing style that it tends to lure the audience in because there is something so alluring about mixing chaos with destruction and love mixed with redemption which is exactly what she does when she consciously chooses the words that she does. Their love story is both shocking but also perfect. They feed each other’s soul and they bring the quiet out in the other, which in itself says a lot because these two NEED the quiet with a side of mayhem. Even their moments of steam where animalistic juxtaposed with tenderness if tenderness can be construed as primal. Yet, it was poignant and beautiful and somehow this author tapped into that.
There are moments that had me clutching my chest and that brought tears to my eyes. I wouldn’t have expected anything less from this author. It is for that reason that I always have to prepare myself to read one of her books. Even as I am counting down the minutes for when she is going to release new words I still have moments of trepidation. This is because I know she is going to stir up my emotions and make my jaded heart feel and make me think about the story long after it is over.
So in answer to my question, I cannot rate a book that I both loved and hated with the mere standard of five stars. Those aren’t enough. Did I love this book and characters as much as I loved others? No, and yes. These characters are definitely not like anything that she has written before. Yet therein lies the beauty of this author that I have devoured every book (except an anthology that was released before I discovered her and is no longer available) because she is ALWAYS evolving and creating new and different characters and stories that will appeal to certain people more than others. It is kind of like ice-cream, everyone has a certain flavor that is their favorite but regardless of what it is ice cream is still delicious no matter the flavor. it is for that reason that even though these characters don’t own my heart the way other characters have (I am talking to you Heath and Polly) it is still a book that I will remember for a very long time and in my opinion that is all I need to know on whether a book is worthy of such being one of the best of 2019. I implore everyone to read this.
Kudos to this author for again proving why she is one of the best out there in this field.
This book was so different than what I’ve come to expect from Anne, BUT it’s was fabulous! My heart broke for these two. It’s a tragically beautiful love story.
A dark utterly satisfying story full of heartache and devotion. Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
This was my first story from Anne Malcom … No disappointment here. If you love a dark soul and devotion you are going g to love this story. I will be reading more of Anne’s stories. I’m utterly satisfied and my love for a dark read is quenched!