*** Now a USA Today bestselling series! ***From USA Today bestselling author Willow Winters comes a heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat gripping, romantic suspense. I should’ve known she would ruin me the moment I saw her. Women like her are made to destroy men like me. I couldn’t resist her though. Given to me to start a war; I was too eager to accept. But I didn’t know what she’d do to me. That …
But I didn’t know what she’d do to me. That she would change everything.
She sees through me in a way no one else ever has.
Her innocence and vulnerability make me weak for her and I hate it.
I know better than to give in to temptation.
A ruthless man doesn’t let a soul close to him.
A cold-hearted man doesn’t risk anything for anyone.
A powerful man with a beautiful woman at his mercy … he doesn’t fall for her.
more
Not bad
Merciless was very good. Willow Winters is certainly good at what she does. This book was dark, erotic, and twisted. All the things I love to read in romance. The dominance that Carter has over Aria was enticing. His obsession with her was irrational, yet enduring in a psychotic way that is almost arousing. I really felt for Aria because she was in an impossible situation and the way Carter’s dominance over her made her feel was too much for her. Aria is a fighter though and I loved that. I really want to see what happens with her in the next book.
Intensely awesome
I went into this book blind. I knew it was a mafia style story but nothing else and The more I read the more I couldn’t put it down. I was hooked from Beginning to end .
It’s gritty and dirty and nasty but addictive and intense.
The cross world is cruel and demanding. Aria is strong and defiant but carters will is stronger. He has a plan and what he wants he gets one way or another . He’s forward thinking , intelligent and crafty.
I have high hopes for aria in the books to come despite her position at the end of this one . And I want to know more about carter . He hard and cruel and manipulative and a monster . But sexy and charming and something about him .
This book does end on a cliff hanger !
I’m so kean to read the next book I want to start it right away!
Carter Cross. Carter Cross. Carter FREAKING Cross. I WANT more Carter Cross. I NEED more Carter Cross. I really shouldn’t love Carter as much as I do but he’s just SO addictive. He is cold and calculated and everything he does has a reason behind it. Carter is not one to give up control. I can’t wait to see what is to come and what we will find out about his reasoning for doing what he’s doing. Aria Talvery, our heroine. She is hands down one of my favorite heroines of all time. She is so strong and yet fights with herself on the daily on how weak she thinks she is. She is in survival mode trying to think of all the ways on how to get out of the situation she’s in. She is under Carter’s spell and just physically can’t be without him. Yes, if you’re thinking that I might be referring to a Stockholm Syndrome type of thing, you are correct. The dynamic between these two is so interesting. There is such a push and pull, a give and take.
This book is so sinfully delicious. Everything about it was just perfect for me. The plot, the writing, the characters, the setting, the mood, and vibe. This book is my kinda jam. I don’t know how Willow Winters does it, but she does and she is FANTASTIC at it! Not only that, but when I feel like I’m in her characters‘ minds and can feel what they are feeling, man oh man, do I know I’m reading a great book. There is so much to be said about how beautifully intense this book is and how things that are are oh so bad, dismal, cruel and brutal can be twisted into something so beautiful, tender and enticing.
What an addictive read. I still can’t stop thinking about it. I will recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark romance, this book isn’t for the light of heart and surely will hit some nerves for people. But for me and my obsession with dark romance, THIS WAS PERFECT! Merciless left me speechless and craving more. This book is for sure on my list of favorite reads for 2019.
A true read.
I gave this book a 5/5 because it kept my interest throughout the story. I could have rated it lower for failing to realize that it would end with a cliffhanger and was actually part of a series (I hate book series, I love the sense of finality by reading a standalone) and I could have been biased by forcing my ideals that the relationship they had was abusive, but no. Reviews should be based on the story telling and how well crafted the story is, so this story deserves a 5/5. It made me empathize and be emotionally invested in the characters, it also made me consider how I judge or see the world. BDSM is not for everyone. Some would frown upon it, others might need it to satisfy their sexual needs, desires, or fantasies, so who am I to judge? I wish I knew it wasn’t part of a series though as I’ve already gotten myself invested/interested in the story when I’m not sure when I’ll get my hands on the second book. We’ll have to see once I get through my entire TBR list and go back to the series.
My full review can be found here: http://lllilybooks.com/blog/book-review-merciless.html
Carter Cross, OMG what a totally hot alpha-@SSH*me!
I wanna kick my self for waiting to read Merciless!
I wasn’t prepared for Carter & his all powerful dominant anti-hero. I wanna wrap my arm around young Carter and make things better for him. Carter as an adult I wanted to kick his a*s a few times.
Aria made me mad at times when she couldn’t or wouldn’t see Carter. I wanted to shake her & hold her at the same time.
Willow Winters really knows how to leave you wanting more!
Don’t have a CLUE why I didn’t start Merciless sooner, but if you like your romances dark + gritty then you will LOVE Carter Cross and this story. I devoured this book and licked my fingers clean in one (and a half) nights, and I have NO regrets. It’s dark. It’s dangerous. It’s captivating. FIVE STARS, Willow 🙂
Honestly at first it just didn’t get to me. I read about two chapters and I still wasn’t sure it was my fit, but as I continued to read, I started to enjoy it more and more, I definitely got hooked and now I am on book 2, that ending had me sitting up and was like what?!? No no no hahaha
Now I am a fan of the Cross brothers, I enjoyed how Carter and Aria’s story began and I can’t wait for more
I am speechless. I mean wow. Willow how come I just found you and your books. I obviously can’t stop now. Thank you.
A gritty, raw, confusing, and a harsh story. I’m not sure if this is a romance or a psychological- disturbing disorder between a prisoner and her capture. Stockholm syndrome perhaps. Carter treated Aria disgusting, mean, and just plain awful. The cliffhanger made this book so much worse. The confusion came from not knowing the backstory, or what was really going on. From my understanding there are four books. I hate being mean, or giving a bad review, but this story was unsettling for me.
Exceptional
GAH!!!!!!!!! Cliffhanger!!!
This was one effing intense, mind-blowing read. I can’t even with Carter. He makes me swoon in one breath and then I shiver in the next. He’s cruel, manipulative and brilliant. He’s internally tender though he hides it very well to everyone outside of him. And my heart, poor Aria.
I MUST read Heartless, book 2 NOW!!!
The first book of four that tell the story of Aria and Carter. Absolutely beautifully written, amazing characters, and a truly one of a kind story.
The relentless fight for control in a world controlled by those who follow no rules, break promises, know no loyalty, and kill without remorse both their enemies and anyone close to them that dares to cross them is brought to life. The bond and commitment of families and lifetime friendships is both shown, betrayed, and tested. The uncontrollable attraction, heartbreaking struggles, and impossible odds for a love to survive between two people from opposing sides is tested to the utmost extreme!
This book was the first one I have ever read by W. Winters I see her all over book groups and I had to read it. This book was so good and it was a very different re telling of Beauty and The Beast and wow.
I don’t even know what to say because it was so dark and raw it’s a little darker than what I normally read but I will continue the series but it ends on a cliff hanger.
Cartier is such a dark soul he just wants to be the top family and nothing will stop that. He chooses to have Aria kidnapped for him. He said she saved him once so he feels that he is saving her but it seems that he is actually braking her more he wants he completely broken.
Aria just wants to get out of this alive she wants to go home she is aware she’s in a crime family but she usually stays hidden in the house. One stupid mistake gets her taken all she wants is her book and the picture of her mother.
As the book goes on you feel so much for Aira this is a hard book to review because even though the story was crazy good it does touch on a lot of topics I don’t usually like. He will break her and wants to have sex with her of her own choosing but her choices are crap.
I am such a hopeless romantic I always see the bright side of books and hope they fall desperately in love. I think he truly loves her and is fighting his inner Demons and I think she actually likes him a lot she’s just in a difficult situation because she knows he wants to kill her family and who wants to be with someone who will kill your father??
The story between Carter and Aria will leave you craving for more!
18+ readers only!!!!
A ;little too brutal for me.
Cliff hanger. Dark read
Story is deep and twisted in many ways yet has a dark romance.
Sorry. It wasn’t for me.