She’s a take-charge woman. But he’s a master of control.Skye Manning knows what she wants. Her job as assistant and photographer for a major social media influencer isn’t perfect, but it’s a rung on the ladder to bigger and better things. She’s confident she’ll one day take feature photos for National Geographic.Self-made billionaire Braden Black didn’t get where he is by taking no for an answer. … where he is by taking no for an answer. When a chance encounter with the refreshingly innocent and beautiful Skye piques his interest in more ways than one, he’s determined to make her submit.
Dating a billionaire soon has Skye in the middle of a Cinderella story…until the clock strikes midnight and Braden reveals his dark side. Heat sizzles between them, and Skye finds herself falling hard.
But Braden Black is no Prince Charming, and his dark desires are far from his only secret.
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Christian Grey who? Meet Braden Black. Follow Me Darkly will instantly captivate you, it will consume you and you’ll never want this story to end!
Skye is the assistant and personal photographer to an heiress. She is talented in her own right and really doesn’t get the credit she deserves. She is hardworking and has dreams of being a photographer for National Geographic. Braden is wealthy, he is gorgeous and the man all the women want. However, he didn’t come from money. He earned it with hard work. He is somewhat mysterious and I feel there is still so much to learn about this man. But he is 100% alpha male and will see what he wants and will get what he wants.
From the moment Skye and Braden meet there is something between them. You can feel the chemistry brewing and the tension. Skye tries to avoid Braden, however, the man is persistent. There is something about Skye that is drawing Braden in, something that makes her different from anyone else.
There is some mystery and some drama sprinkled in with all the steaminess! I can’t wait to see where things go for both Skye and Braden! If you love a steamy, erotic romance with a little bit of mystery and darkness this one is a MUST READ!
Did this book give me Fifty Shades and Crossfire vibes?
Yes, yes it did.
Did I still really enjoy it though?
Yes, yes I did.
Now the plot of this book isn’t new but it is a favourite of mine and I’m sure a favourite of many others if the success of the two other series I’ve already mentioned is anything to go by.
Both Braden Black and Skye Manning are wonderful characters with off the charts chemistry.
Skye is an aspiring photographer working as an assistant for influencer Addison Ames.
And Braden Black is a billionaire who has a past with Addison; but nobody will talk about it. All we know is that Skye keeps being given plenty of warnings about Braden’s dark past.
I am excited to have learned that this book is the first in a trilogy as I am really anticipating where this story will go. The writing flowed and the story definitely kept me interested.
The reason I marked this down and gave it four stars is due to the fact that this book has over fifty chapters. Although they weren’t long, I do find a book with more chapters harder to enjoy. I always look at chapter count prior to starting a book and sometimes it makes the book seem daunting or too long. This is a personal preference though.
I do recommend this book to anybody who loves a Billionaire BDSM romance as I truly believe this trilogy will deliver when complete!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the 1st in a new series and is Braden and Skye’s story. Skye’s dream job is to be a photographer, bit she is working at present for a prima donna media influencer, and when Braden arrives in the office to see her boss, his whole persona is a commanding presence of control and possession, and as soon as they lock eyes the attraction is instant. Braden is a sexy and domineering alpha, who brings out the dark side of Skye. This is a well written dark and intense story which is an addictive page turner, and I look froward to reading more in this fascinating series.
Wow! Loved the start of this series. So intense, addictive, delicious, full of desire, passion, nerve wracking tension and sizzling chemistry as these two characters fight for ultimate control. I am so invested in Skye and Braden. These characters really worm their way into your heart, while also totally consuming your mind. This riveting story quickly captivates and pulls you into this dark and sexy world. Can’t wait for more!
Received a early copy through NetGalley for a honest review.
What an intriguing start to this new series.
Skye and Braden sure have some intense chemistry. There’s so many questions and unknowns right now.
This story is steamy and has a great emotional element. I feel like there’s so much more to Braden and I can’t wait to uncover him. I need those layers peeled but something tells me Skye has her work cut out for her. This is not a simple relationship and there’s so much to come. Braden has secrets, Addie has a secret, what’s up with Braden’s past and his family? There’s so much I want to know! Looking forward to the next book.
Can it be January already? Or better yet.. May? I need the next two books like I need air to breathe. So so many questions!! I flew through these pages far too fast and now I’m left reeling and in need of more. Skye and Braden are perfection. Their characters, their story. From beginning to end they intrigued me like few other characters have succeeded in doing. I need answers, I need more. I almost wish- almost- that I would have waited until all three books were out because these next two will be sweet torture to wait for. The revelations at the very end has my head spinning. As you can tell, I loved it. It was perfect. Perfect ratio of storyline and melt your kindle moments. A must read. One of my all time favorites, not just this year but ever!
Follow Me Darkly is a a nice story of a billionaire and a social media influencer. I enjoyed the way the two characters meet, their influence and attraction to each other and the way the story flowed. I think the author did a great job of creating a world and setting the scenes. I also enjoyed the personalities of the main characters for what they were and how young they seemed. I have to say this book read extremely familiar to many other stories but it did have a few really great moments. I didn’t care for the influence aspect of the story; for me it made the leading lady, Skye, seem younger and must less interesting? I not know exactly how to explain but it didn’t work for me. I did like Braden, he was mysterious and different, taught he felt younger this his years as well. The story is light for being dark and it flows well. It didn’t take long to read and it was an fun story.
P. S. While, I have never read nor seen that 50 story I have to say that what I do know about it came to mind the entire time I was reading this story, I could not shake the comparison; not that that is a bad thing just hard to really enjoy one story when you are thinking of another. I received an ARC via Entangled Publishing and I am leaving an honest review.
The cover instantly drew me in. The promise of the unknown the depth of dominance yet to be revealed.
The characters have the ability to keep me captivated through their journey into the unknown pleasures and pain of the kinky style of the mysterious side of Branden Black.
Skye Manning is the personal assistant to a hotel heiress social media. However Skye’s passions lie in her dreams of being a photographer.
A chance meeting at he her work brings Branden Black into her life. He is dominating controlling everything that would normally have Skye running in the opposite direction, however this man has her infatuated with him. A billionaire who seems to want her a country girl from Kansas. People give warning her to not to caught up in the darkness that surrounds him. I’m looking forward to reading more.
Follow Me Darkly was a sexy, mysterious romance that touched on issues of control and possession. Skye is instantly attracted to Braden Black and when he makes it clear, he wants her, too, she can’t resist him.
Skye was a kindhearted, naïve girl who liked to be in control in all aspects of her life. When she meets Braden, he challenges her need for control and when she finally acquiesces to his demands, she truly finds freedom.
Braden is a mysterious character who I don’t feel like I truly got to know since the book was only in Skye’s POV. I want to know what his secrets are and what he’s truly feeling and thinking.
This story drew me in and kept me entertained. I was invested in the characters and want to know more. I’m eagerly awaiting the next chapter in their story and hope to find out more about what Braden is hiding.
I loved this book! I couldn’t put it down, the story intrigued me so much and it was so sexy, I read it in one sitting.
Oh Helen Hardt really stole the show with Follow Me Darkly. It’s a beginning that you don’t want to miss between Braden and Skye, it will leave you wanting this book not to end.
I have to say that when I usually read the first paragraph in a book, it will tell me if I’m going to be hooked or bored and this one freaking hooked me.
I loved everything about this book, the suspense was killing me with the secret that Braden and Addie have and don’t want to share. See, Skye worked for Addie and she was the one who was getting her social media going strong. When Skye and Braden first met, she made quite an impression on him and he instantly knew that he had to pursue her. Now, it wasn’t hard for him to achieve that persuasion but getting her to relinquish her control was a whole other story. Addie and Braden have a history and neither one cares to share what happened between them but they share animosity towards one another.
The thing is, once Skye gives in and allows Braden to control her completely, will their love continue as strongly or will Braden break her?????
This book had me in pins and needles with the suspense, but once I found out what that secret was, I was like “oh I see now” and in the 2nd book (Follow Me Under) comes out I am so looking forward to Braden and Skye’s continuation and if things will fall apart or get even darker!
5 Follow Me Stars
This was a great intro for a new to me author and after finishing Follow Me Darkly, I’m quite invested in this series. Skye and Braeden’s story doesn’t hold anything back and it hits the ground running from the very beginning.
Helen definitely doesn’t hold back on the steam when it comes between Skye and Braeden, Skye definitely isn’t a damsel in distress of any kind. She’s curious, driven, and needs to have control in her life. But the more time these two spend together in bed, Braeden wants her to let all of that control and leave it to him. Things definitely pick up between them by the end.
So, I haven’t read a billionaire romance like this since maybe Sylvia Day’s Crossfire series, definitely akin to E.L. James 50 Shades of Grey series as well. And there’s a social media aspect because of what Skye does for her job and what turns into something she falls into. Social media in a book isn’t quite my favorite thing to read about, so I found myself coming out of the story during that.
As much as I wanted to feel the chemistry between Skye and Braeden, it just wasn’t there for me. And I’m not exactly sure why that it is, it all definitely came down to personal preference and what I love to see. But it definitely felt more like a physical relationship to me.
However, Helen’s writing kept me going, she really pulls you in with her words and I’m rather invested in this series. By the end, I have about a million questions because there are some secrets being kept, and dang it, I need to know what they are.
Although this wasn’t a huge hit for me, I’m definitely looking forward to the next book
Follow Me Darkly is a fabulous read to the new series Follow Me. I can already feel how addicting this series will become after reading this one. I love Braden and Skye together. There is such a spark from the very beginning that you feel grow stronger and stronger through the whole read. There is something about Braden and Skye’s instant connection that draws you in. I love how Braden brings out more in Skye and shows her you can be more. I loved this so much. I can’t wait to see what is in stored for the rest of this series.
Small town girl- who wants to be a photographer. Only to be working as a media pa for a heiress. Until B enters the picture.
This new series has a little bit of it all. Of course with a little bit of Helens twist and turns. You get one hot little read, can’t wait for more!!
OMG, this book may make you say move over Christian Grey there is a new man in town! What a fabulous introduction to this new series from Helen Hardt. From the first moment the description was released, I knew I had to read it. This is one author who shows her writing chops as she seamlessly enters a new world that is bound to be exciting for those who care to “follow” her. Braden Black is a self-made man who has never forgotten his roots nor the value of hard work. Skye Manning is an aspiring photographer, who works for Addison Ames an Instagram influencer, with the hope of one day taking pictures for National Geographic. From the first instance Skye saw Braden’s picture, there was something that called to her made stronger when she came across him in person. Braden was instantaneously drawn to Skye. However, there was one thing standing between them…CONTROL, Braden wants it and Skye does not want to let it go. Reading this storyline, one can feel the undercurrents flowing as Braden and Skye banter back and forth. Each one is keeping some secrets from their respective pasts that heighten the drama and will keep you glued to your seat. This book is all encompassing and will have your skin heating up. It does end in a cliffhanger but I will definitely make sure to pick up my copy of the next installment. I highly recommend this book! I volunteered to read a copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
Dark is the perfect description of Braden Black! He is a brooding self-made Billionaire who goes after what he wants. What he wants is Skye. She is an unassuming photographer working for a hotel heiress / Instagram influencer. She has a simple life and then meets Braden. Worlds collide, passions explode and her heart is on the line. But his secrets make her wary. Just not wary enough to walk away from what she wants and what she wants is him in all of his darkness.
This book kept me turning pages and waiting to see what he would do next. Now there is more on the line than her heart and I hope he won’t destroy it. I am greatly anticipating Follow Me Under!
I don’t know what to think because a lot of times the relationship seems one sided. Braden seems like a man with a lot of potential in a relationship but he doesn’t allow himself to invest effort in it. His want for control over Skye and possessiveness is too powerful. It’s like if he has blinders on. But since I can still read that Skye is all in and is trying to keep a normal and leveled out relationship, I’m rooting for her. Forget all the unsupporting people around them! I want them to succeed. For that to happen Braden needs a wakeup call and a few lessons in loosing some battles, but is not impossible. In the meantime there is definitely a lot of hot and sexy, fan yourself moments.
Erotic. Braden is a billionaire with a need for control and a dark past. Skye is the small town girl who has captured his attention. This is a story of push and pull where public opinion and sex are the controlling factors. This is the first in the series and there are a lot of factors in play that are yet to be decided.
Voluntarily reviewing an ARC of this. All opinions are objective and my own.
This is my first novel by Helen Hardt. For the most part, I was impressed. It’s like 50 Shades but more intense.
I was very hooked by the story. There’s a small level of mystery in it, surrounding Braden to keep it really interesting. I had no complaints about Skye. She’s got a bit of spunk to her, she’s funny, and she fights back against Braden. What I disliked in this book, was Braden. While everyone critiqued Christian Grey and Edward Cullen, I enjoyed their characters, so my critique of Braden surprised even me. There’s sexy control and then there’s being mean, and I felt Braden fell into the mean category, especially at first. He talks down to her often, orders her around, and only seems to humor her want of a relationship, but not actually be in it. There was many scenes that unfortunately had me cringing. On the other hand, I also liked how refreshing he was. After the first time they have sex, he gets her a car home and it’s over. No snuggles, no emotions, and she doesn’t even stay in the house, but elsewhere, and for his type of character, this does make sense.
Skye is working for a media influencer as the photographer. Through Addison, she meets Braden who is instantly smitten with her and this starts her whirlwind romance. Again, she’s great for resisting at first. The romance has its sweet moments, but I did find it super realistic. She’s a woman in like, and he’s fairly ‘whatever’ about it. After reading the cliffhanger, I wonder if it’s truthful, because his character is aligned with those beliefs. His actions toward her throughout does suggest the cliffhanger having more truth to it than not.
The sex is insanely hot. I really enjoyed how it worked up to the BDSM and it wasn’t a fact right away. He always knew his goal with her, but didn’t scare her off.
All in all, it’s a good read and I definitely want to read the rest of the series. I enjoyed it quite a lot, save for Braden.
I have to admit that I didn’t like Braden. We see a few things that were redeeming, but I still was on the fence. Skye didn’t judge, but she knew what she wanted. She needed confidence. I loved that he became her cheerleader. I can’t wait to see what’s next. I might have started out unsure, but now I want the next part of the story,