One dark and handsome control-freak sports star meets one smarty pants bioengineer with hair to match her fiery temper. It’s an experiment straight out of sexual thermodynamics.Every good scientist knows the second law of thermodynamics: the universe’s disorder, entropy, is always increasing. Professionally and personally speaking, Nairne’s familiar with the principle. After a streak of costly … principle. After a streak of costly fame, now she’s set on saving the world, microscope in hand, and there’s no time for romance. Problem is, when a rude, despicably sexy Adonis shows up to run their board meeting, chemistry and its ensuing chaos become more than a formula—now they’re a burning hot reality.
Mafia prince. Professional footballer. Bad boy demeanor and a reputation for being as talented between the sheets as he is on the pitch. Rumors are the man’s an absolute brute. And he turns out to be just as demanding, controlling and vicious in person as he is on paper. The Law of Attraction’s proven true, as Nairne finds herself accepting Zed’s proposal: rough, wild stress release, more orgasms than she can count, and most importantly—no falling in love.
Agreement in place. End date secured.
No attachments. No forever.
What could possibly go wrong?
Book One in the Tough Love Series—an enemies to lovers, suspenseful romance, full of sexy Italians, bedroom negotiations, feisty heroines, and an ending that’ll both satisfy you and leave you ready for more!
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One overbearing hero and one feisty heroine makes for one incredibly hot story! With her debut book, Chloe Liese has quickly put herself on my must-read list!
Zed was an insanely hot Italian-American playboy soccer player who possessed hidden depths. Chapter by chapter, the many layers that made up his personality became clear. He was intense, loyal, considerate, intelligent, compassionate, moral, and incredibly sexy. He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders and pain was just another moment to live in. He lived by a set of rules and his relationships had to follow them. So why is he so wildly attracted to a woman who was so different? She didn’t bow, submit or surrender. Her fiery temper matched her red hair and he couldn’t get enough. She pushed, he pulled, and together they made magic. I LOVED Zed!!
Nairne was a passionate Scottish lass with extraordinary acuity. Honestly, her brain was fascinating. Despite her disability, she was larger than life and I admired the heck out of her. A dark past gave her the reason to reinforce her walls. Never again would she be at the mercy of a man. And most definitely not the cocky, arrogant, ridiculously attractive man who was Zed. No matter how irresistible he is or how enticing his offer may be. Nope. Not doing it. But she could only hold out for so long. Pretty soon, she too sees the stunning and fascinating man we’ve come to know. And then it’s beautiful chaos.
Mafia trouble was mentioned here and there, and though it obviously weighed heavily on Zed, this story was about two people who couldn’t be more incompatible coming together to give each other exquisite pleasure. While this was supposed to be a fling, the heart can’t help but muck things up. I enjoyed the journey of this story from beginning to end. Whether it was the banter, the internal thoughts of the character, or how this story flowed so fluidly that I didn’t miss a step, I really liked this book. I may not be the biggest fan of the D/s relationship being explored in books (I usually pass on these types of books), the author made it almost seem natural. Despite Nairne’s initial instinct to fight it, which was a realistic response, it did work for her and Zed and I’m looking forward to seeing more of these characters in the books to come.
Zed really is a brute! If you like your heroes a bit OTT with a heavy side of kink, you’ll love him just as much as I do!!
I love supporting independent artists and self employed people. After my years in financial management, I have so much respect for the tenacity one must have to succeed in this lane. After reading several reviews on HE’S A BRUTE, I was more than excited to dive in to the story and downloaded a copy from Kindle Unlimited. Now, typically I am not pulled toward “mobster” stories but after reading the synopsis I didn’t get that vibe. Our hero, Zed, is trapped in a cycle he doesn’t agree with due to familial ties. This story, in my opinion, does glorify or perpetuate the “sexy mobster” stereotype. I’ll hop off of my soapbox now. This book really is quite unique. The heroine has sustained a traumatic spinal injury in her past and now suffers from paralysis. She is in a wheelchair which is not something you commonly see is romantic fiction. She is also a great representation of women in STEM fields. Although there were heavy subjects presented in this story, it was still the bit of escapism I enjoy when reading fiction.
This title is available through kindle unlimited for those of you that subscribe. I enjoyed the heck out of this book and am looking forward to the authors next realease.
*I read the kindle unlimited version of this title. All comments/opinions are my own.
When you first start reading He’s a Brute, you’re not quite sure what you’re supposed to feel for Zed. He comes across as too everything. Too macho, too strong, too confident. And then we’re introduced to Nairne, who is no less stubborn, and yet also so very different from Zed. The connection between these two is so jolting and so immediate that you can feel the sizzle between them even off the page.
Nairne and Zed meet when they discover they work at the same company. Zed is the chair of the board of the company and Nairne is the the biomedical engineer who is also working as his public health consultant. They immediately hate each other, but oh how the sparks fly.
As each chapter progresses we learn how complex both Nairne and Zed are. Zed is a business man, a football (soccer) player, but more importantly he is also the Mafia prince of New England. He has a certain lifestyle and his reasons for staying and continuing the be in the mafia are complicated at best. Nairne also has her reasons for coming to the US from Scotland. She has a prior injury that led her to MIT and wanting to make the health system better.
I loved these two together. There was so much passion and heat between them and I was here for it! Be aware that there is some BDSM, and although I don’t usually care for it, it somehow worked between these two.
I’ll be honest and tell you right off the bat that I hate books that have cliffhangers, but He’s a Brute didn’t read like that. I didn’t feel incomplete once I finished it, I just needed to know more about where Zed and Nairne were heading. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Tough Love Series, She’s a Spitfire.
**Gifted copy provided by the author in exchange for my honest review**
This is my first read by this author. I found the book to be interesting and really liked the characters. Zed is a bit of a control freak and then he meets Nairne who drives him a bit crazy. Full of intense moments, suspense and sexy times made this an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars****
*****I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by NetGalley*****
A very solid 4.5 stars for this debut novel! I am so glad that I saw a random post about it as I was scrolling Facebook because it jumped out at me and I just had to read it. Loved the storyline, this one was unique and unlike anything else I’ve read before. The storyline kept me enthralled the whole way through and I cannot wait for book 2!!
Chloe Liese has a way of creating fascinating characters and Nairne and Zed are definitely that. Nairne is a mature twenty one year old who’s currently living with her disability and making the best of it. She’s strong and determined. Has suffered and experienced a lot despite her young age. So has Zed who’s twenty six. He’s a consigliere in the mafia, plays soccer and head of the board for his late mother’s organization.
Nairne and Zed immediately feel an attraction and the chemistry is tantalizing. Zed is a dominant and Nairne is a submissive, at least in the bedroom. At work and outside the bedroom she gives Zed enough resistance and I had so much fun with them. Also with Nairne and Zed’s friends and family.
I was very intrigued with the whole premise. Zed’s life and then his dominant side. He’s such an interesting character. He’s dominant towards Nairne but she craves it. Needs it. Also he’s so attentive and cares so much. It was so well balanced and made me more invested with them as a couple and as individuals.
This was book 1 and there’s still so much story left. I’m ready for more!
4 Intelligent & Dominant Stars
Interesting storyline! Narnie has relocated temporarily to the US after some devastating loss in her life and while there, meets Zed. With a lot in common, the pair fight their attraction and chemistry, but per usual, that never works and they end up in a relationship with an expiration date as Narnie is almost done with her student visa. While the premise of this storyline isn’t unique, the way this story was written and the complexities of the characters bring a new twist and light to it and makes it a better read. The level of suspense with Zed’s mafia portion of the story, while also maintaining a level of normalcy in soccer really added to the depth of the character and storyline. I also loved how Narnie, while disabled, was proud, independent, and strong even with someone wanting to step in and help her. It was interesting the strength both of them exemplified yet in different ways. While some parts of the storyline were unclear and confusing, utilizing context clues and eventually things were explained somewhat, it made it a little difficult to read. I’m interested to see where this storyline goes, hopefully a HEA for these two!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Original review: https://myshelfbooks.wordpress.com/2019/08/03/hes-a-brute-chloe-liese/
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am a newbie at NetGalley, so I’m guilty of comitting the mistake of being too tempted but that cute “Request” button that knows my name and has the alluring voice of a siren. I have clicked it too much and now I have a big pile of ARCs that I need to review. I’m so late that they can’t barely be called ARC now!! So, my summer goal is to get rid of as much of those as I can without changing my reading habits. And stop clicking that damn button!!
This book is the first one in a trilogy where we follow the misadventures of Nairne, a former athlete (soccer player) who was injured and had to reamke her future as a brilliant scientist. While she is studying, she is also gaining experience working for a non-profit company. The big boos of that company is not other than Zed, a current soccer star, businessman and mafia boss. Sparks fly between them the moment they meet. Can Nairne deal with the special flavour of Zed’s lifestyle? Just one way to know…
I have to take out of my chest my impression of tthe book after finishing it: very disappointing!. It is a huge shame, because the author had gold between her hands: wonderful characters, original situations, chances of good banter… But everything is eclipsed with the BDSM part of the story. Yes, Zed is a dominant out and proud with an army of subs to do with them as he pleases. He wants to add Nairne to that roster and he doesn’t really have to work much to get it. Most of the book is just sex with those two. One bossing around the other: do this, wear that… obey, obey, OBEY!! The sex was underwhelming, even though I have to say it’s pretty well written, but that realtionship is not what the characters deserve. That focus on the dominant/sub rutine does a huge disservice to the interesting background where everything takes place.
I’m not a fan of Romance books where the mafia is involved. It’s a bit weird to follow the feelings of a character when one or all of them is a criminal. But in this case we are presented the usual story with a twist: Zed is working behind the scenes to get rid of the worst part of that world. I was 100% ready to read that story, that looked very promising and with endless possibilities. I guess I can still get that side of the tale in the following books, because in this first part is barely developed. Zed was a really great character already, with many facets and enjoyable quirks. That is why adding the dominant part feels so frustating. And much more when it is that part that takes the front row of the storytelling. He didn’t need it.
I also have to take my hat off to congratulate the author on that surprising character named Nairne. She is not the usual female character in a Romance book. I think this is the first time I have read a story of that genre with a disabled character. The dynamic of the main couple feels pretty original thanks to that detail. I love the fact that the wheelchair hasn’t made Nairne stop and take things easy. Nope. She has jumped head on to a new life and embrace all the possibilities of it. And I also love that Zed’s attitude doesn’t change when he discovers her paralysis. Eveytime the athor drops the dominant/sub bullshit, the couple is really awesome.
I feel mostly cheated by this book. It hasn’t told me what I expected after reading the blurb. I hope the next ones are focused on something else that Zed’s lifestyle as a dominant, because it lacks interest and cuts down time of the other plots that are more enjoyable. She’s a Spitfire is among my pile of ARCs, so I guess I will read it sooner rather than later.
I actually didn’t realize that She’s a Spitfire was a second in a series when I heard about it, so instead I ended up reading book one, He’s a Brute. This was a good read. If you know my normal reading tastes, I don’t do a ton of mafia stories, or the Dominant and Submissive types of romances either. However there was a lot about this one that I did like. The way that Zed put forward his expectations for the relationship sounded like something that I could see being enjoyable. But I totally got where Nairne had a hard time with his orders and commands when they were outside of the bedroom. I would have an issue with that myself. And when she talked about being self-sufficient and her own person, and that’s why she couldn’t deal with that, I totally got it. So I’ll have to go on and read the second book soon to see just where this will all end up. But I do recommend this as an easy read, if you don’t mind those types of situations. It was more than just that though, Nairne’s past and background made for such a different story than usual, and then there was just the way that Zed’s mafia family and how he handled that really was taking place. A unique story, and I assume book two will be the same way!
This is my first experience reading this author’s work and I’m so grateful to NetGalley to have been able to read the first 2 books in this series back-to-back. He’s a Brute, Book #1, ends in a huge cliffhanger so I was relieved to be able to get right into Book #2 which was just as good, if not more so, than this one. I loved everything about this book — the characters and their building relationship were well developed and the plot and storyline kept me riveted to the pages. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading! Yes, Zed is domineering but I just knew he had a heart of gold underneath that controlling alpha male. And I loved that Nairne was a strong, crazy intelligent woman in her own right — so refreshing. What I really enjoyed was how a certain aspect of Nairne is introduced to the reader — not going to spoil it for others, but suffice it to say, that it was so well done! And such a surprise to this reader! I adored the witty banter between these two, the steamy chemistry and the secondary characters that really brought this whole book to life. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.