From the New York Times bestselling author of the Driven series comes a powerful romance about reaching great heights through low depths.Who says you have to play by the rules to get what you want?Agreeing to meet Ryker Lockhart is my first mistake. Rich, handsome, and more than intriguing, he thinks blackmail will bend me to his will.But he’s wrong.I may have done a few things that weren’t … wrong.
I may have done a few things that weren’t exactly legal, but I have my own reasons for that. The last thing I’m going to do is let some high-powered divorce attorney come into my life, have my body, and rule my heart. Not to mention ruin everything that I have carefully built in just a short amount of time.
But as much as I try to resist him, and against my better judgment, there is something about him that has me agreeing to his proposal.
I’m putting everything on the line for him. I just hope I won’t lose everything when this is all over.
more
Yet again, another 5 star read from Kristy Bromberg. I knew that this book leaves you on a cliffhanger, so i decided to wait until the 2nd book in the duet, Reveal, was released before allowing myself to read this. So glad I waited as i’d have been freaking out waiting on book 2.
Uhm wow, can’t believe I waited so long to start this series! I binged this duet, hard, but first let me start with book 1 in the Wicked Ways Duet, Resist.
The one thing that I loved about this one was that we’re given two very strongly-independent characters, but underneath that, is vulnerability and just an entire world of the unknown.
Vaughn was definitely a heroine that you have to wrap your mind around especially with the type of business she runs and the people she deals with. There’s a whole other side to her that really highlights her character, someone who fights for those she loves.
Ryker is everything you’d expect from a wealthy domineering man. I’ll definitely say that he’s a character we’ve read about, but guess what, I love these kinds of characters and will never tire of them. Because my favorite thing is watching them fall in love.
I love that we’re sucked into their story almost instantly, I couldn’t put my kindle down. And I was a bit thankful that I was behind on this read because I had Reveal waiting for me in the end.
Yes, there’s a cliffhanger and knowing Ryker and how he’s prone to reacting before thinking, I saw it coming. And to be honest, I didn’t think he’d go through it.
Loved this read and I can’t wait to get into the conclusion!
**I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY READER’S COPY FROM THE PUBLISHER THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR CONTENT OF MY REVIEW**
K. Bromberg
A war of hearts…
I liked this book. The back and forth between Ryker and Vaughn had me in knots. There were parts with frustrated me immensely, but overall, I did enjoy their battles with each other to find, dare I say it, love. Vaughn’s struggle to open up. Ryker’s battle with himself over wanting her. And then the ending came. I’m reeling. Like what just happened?! I can’t even with this cliffy!! I need the next book!
The first part of Ryker and Vaughn’s story absolutely blew my mind! This is the first book I have read by K. Bromberg and now that I’ve had a taste of her writing style I’m a forever fan. Everything in my life came to a dead halt while I lived in Vaughn’s crazy world because her story is so multilayered I found it impossible to stop reading but for bathroom and snack breaks! I really admire Vaughn’s ball breaker spirit and her tough broad act which hides her very tender heart and the love she has for her 8 year old niece Lucy is all encompassing. Then there’s Ryker. He may be rich, built and gorgeous but he’s also a jaded, sarcastic and snarky jerk when it comes to women. He says he loves his mother but her many divorces and his past experience with women have made him swear off personal relationships. He only represents men in divorce court and has sex with escorts but that’s all about to change when he meets but he meets Hurricane Vee. Their story has more twists and turns than a roller coaster and trust me, you’re gonna love the ride!
Complex and captivating, Resist draws you into a storyline that is anything but typical. Normally, I’m not someone who would enjoy a book featuring a madam of a escort service and a client of her service – it’s truly a testament to how outstanding K. Bromberg’s writing is that I loved this book. The story follows Vaughn, a normal woman who has found herself in a totally abnormal profession – she needs to pay off the mountain of bills she’s acquired taking care of her family, so she’s running a business that will help her expedite the process. When one of her girls is injured on the job, she finds herself stepping in with an important new client. Ryker, a successful divorce attorney, has been burned by women too many times (and sees the wreckage they leave in the wake every day at work), so he’s enlisted the services of an escort. Ryker finds himself drawn to the strong and fiery Vaughn in a way that he never expected, but she resists his advances at every turn.
The push-pull relationship between Ryker and Vaughn takes center stage here, and the story just pulls you in. Vaughn has become jaded by powerful men, so Ryker’s money and power don’t impress her, and Ryker’s skills as a lawyer mean that he knows how to wear down her defenses. This book wouldn’t work if both characters were not truly likeable, and that is definitely the case here. Neither one is perfect, but they are extremely relatable, and as we begin to understand their motivations better, it becomes difficult not to root for them. Please be aware that this is in no way a light or easy read (and there are plenty of triggers relating to sensitive subjects), but it’s an engrossing story that’s hard to put down. And yes, it does end in a cliffhanger – I cannot wait to read the next book. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is a fantastic book and hopefully the wait for the conclusion will be a short one.
Agreeing to meet Ryker Lockhart is my first mistake. Rich, handsome, and more than intriguing, he thinks blackmail will bend me to his will. Loved it, loved the story line, the suspense, the building of trust between the characters, loved it all. The characters were strong and lovable and the sex was worth waiting for hot and steamy and I absolutely loved the small cameo appearance by the hottest book boyfriend Colton Donavan. This is a must read.
Dark and light clash, past and present collide, lies and secrets abound as Ryker and Vaughn discover each other in a push and pull power struggle as they grapple with trusting each other enough to show their true selves. Intriguing and tempestuous with a cliffhanger that will have you gasping for more.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary –
When I saw this book come across my computer screen up for review in the group, I automatically requested it because of the author. I have loved each and every book I have read that she has written. I didn’t really know what this book was about because I didn’t even read the synopsis beforehand.
Vaughn is trying to do the right thing in her life and pay off her sister’s medical bills. To do that, she starts Wicked Ways, an escort service for the rich and powerful. And at night she works at an elite club. When a new client wants one of her girls to be at his beck and call, she knows which girl would be perfect. But when Lola has a rough time with a client, she can’t meet the new client and Vaughn goes instead. Knowing all along that it is a big mistake.
Ryker needs a woman to be at the ready when he needs her, and Wicked Ways escort service was recommended to him. When he calls the madam and she tries to refund his money because the girl isn’t going to be available, Ryker wants to meet the woman on the phone. He likes the way she sounds and the way she tries to control the situation. And he wonders how she would be in his bed.
While Vaughn and Ryker clash most of the time, they also sizzle the pages even more. I wanted to thump them both on the head at times because they were so frustrating to me. She wanted to control all aspects of her life and he wanted her to let go and then he wanted to be in control all the time.
While I loved the story and the idea of Ryker and Vaughn, their pain from the past was hard to read but it was part of the story and made sense after learning what they went through. And the ending and cliffhanger had me throwing my hands up and screaming NO! YOU CANNOT END THERE!
So I cannot wait for book two to see what happens between these two and find out if they get a happily ever after.
Ruthie –
Oh, this is a really good start to what is no doubt going to be another fabulous Bromberg series. As soon as I reached the last page I was looking at when the next book is released… because… yep, there is a cliffhanger!
There are some serious boundaries pushed in this book – Ryker pushes Vaughn and she pushes her own. Sometimes you have to believe that the end justifies the means, and here, you will have to be patient and believe in Bromberg’s skill as an author to bring you around to her way of thinking. I had every confidence and certainty that she would achieve that sweet spot. For me, the vulnerability of Vaughn is matched by her absolute devotion and strength for her niece. Once Ryker gets that, the whole scenario changes… or does it?
I love the mystery, and in fact had a couple of theories which didn’t quite pan out as I expected and have a few which probably will… in September. (How many days away is that exactly? Just asking for a friend!) Oh, I need the next book, like yesterday!
Highly recommended, but if you really do dislike waiting for the next book, you might want to delay a few weeks – me, well I have made sure that I treat myself to a reread of this just before Reveal is due, so that I get a repeat of the goodness herein and the next stage of the saga.
Avid Reader –
M/F Romance
So, let me just start out by saying that this is a cliffhanger.
Vaughn is a madam who is trying to earn enough money to get out of that business and just care for her niece. A niece who is in the foster care system because Vaughn’s sister committed suicide and her niece’s dad is a drug addict who will stop at nothing to extort the system and Vaughn.
Then you have Ryker. He is a ruthless divorce attorney who only represents men. His family life was less than fantastic growing up and he represents the men in the relationship, no matter if they are deemed good or bad.
This started out quite rocky for me. It was full of uncomfortable situations, blackmail, and so much arrogance that you couldn’t fit it on to the pages. It almost made me stop reading… almost.
Vaughn lets Ryker into her world and in return, Ryker shows a less ruthless side. Seeing the chemistry between these two is a lot like in Driven. There is a push and pull between them and you can’t help but want them to both succeed and fail at their relationship.
I am very interested in what happens next, because right now, I want to throttle a few people. Let’s hope the questions are answered and love wins out.
Potential Triggers: Abuse, Blackmail
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
RESIST had me from the very start and didn’t let me go. Vaughn and Ryker have chemistry from the moment they meet and OMG these two together are on fire! The part I loved most? THE ENDING!!! I never saw it coming and I cannot wait to see how Ms. Bromberg is going to twist the knife deeper in REVEAL.
Having liked the Driven series, I didn’t read the blurb and I didn’t notice the #1, when I requested the book. At first, I was not able to connect with either Vaughn, as the madame of an escort service, Wicked Ways or Ryker, an arrogant lawyer. But slowly the story revealed their inner characters, why they are the way they are. And then there is the mystery of what happened to Vaughn’s sister, Samantha, who Lucy is and Vaugh’s suppressed memories. The witty banter helps pulled the relationship together. However, it does end in a cliffhanger, why didn’t Ryker give Vaughn the hand signal? And I hate cliffhangers, because now I have to wait until the next book comes out and hope by that time I still remember what happened in this one.
I read a free ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
So going into this book I didn’t know it was a cliffhanger. But let me tell you this book has some amazingly written twists. The last chapter seriously had me saying What the AF is going on??!! I am patiently awaiting the next book so I can get on with my life.
Can’t wait for REVEAL!
Okay where to begin this review…… Man I have to say that I absolutely love love love K. Bromberg. Lord have mercy does she know how to write a story that will capture you and keep you reeled in till the end.
This book was the same. I absolutely love how Vaughn and Ryker are together. Ryker needs an escort at his beckon call and he is introduced to a highly recommended escort service. Only things get array and the owner of the escort service goes out to meet Ryker. Oh boy when they meet their is chemistry but there is also battle of the wills and who is going to be on top.
I have to say that this left us on a HUGE cliffhanger and I was yelling at my kindle like a mad woman because I need to know what is going to happen between these two.
4 Stars
Ryker Lockhart is sexy, single and in need of a no strings attached relationship, until he lays eyes and lips on Vee, the madam in charge of finding him such a relationship. These two have so much chemistry and are downright explosive together. Resist is full of so many emotions; love, lust, heartwarming and heartbreaking all wrapped up in one whopping cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the next book! I need to know what happens next.
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
4 Stars
Review by Lisa
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
I could not resist reading K. Bromberg’s newest book. I was not disappointed. Resist is book one in the Wicked Ways series and I am loving it!! K. Bromberg has upped her game with this one. The depth of the characters is mind-blowing, the situations are stronger and as the story unfolds, the layers that are revealed are at a pace that makes you want to shake the book and yell ‘hurry up”! I was dying to know what’s next!!
One of the many things I enjoyed while reading this book is that even though there is depth to this book, there is also banter between the characters that just grabbed me and caught my attention. This has to be one of my favorite enemies to lovers stories.
Vaughn and Ryker are two of the most stubborn, alphas that I have read in a while.
Vaughn is at a breaking point in life and a drunken conversation changes her path to one that is toeing the line but, she is willing to risk it all for the end game. Life has not been easy for her and being headstrong and passionate makes her take the risk for the reward. She just has to stick to the plan and everything will work out.
Ryker is on top of the world and hiring certain people makes his world that much easier. Being on top and having money can attract some questionable people into his life. Guarded as he is, he is struck by lighting when Vaughn steps in his view.
As you read this story and as their story unfolds, you keep wondering until you get to the end, and BAM!! Holy cow! I didn’t see that coming. I hope book two comes out asap.
As a long time fan of Ms. Bromberg, this story just shows her amazing ability of storytelling. From an opening of a story that pulls you in straight away and will keep you reading the paged until the very end. You will not be disappointed.
After reading Resist, I wanted more. I couldn’t put this book down. Ryker is a divorce attorney and good at what he does. He doesn’t believe in love. He is sexy, powerful, rich. He gets what he wants. He fights for what he wants. Vaughn is smart, sexy. She is trying to do everything that she can to get one thing that means the world to her. This book shows the struggle and the stress that she goes through. Ryker and Vaughn meet and Ryker can’t get her out of his head. He is surprised at himself for chancing after her. You see Vaughn’s past and it just gets to you. I absolutely love this book. I highly recommend this book. Can’t wait to read the second book. Another great read K. Bromberg, love your books.
Resist by K. Bromberg is the first book in her Wicked Ways series. Book one is told in dual POV between complicated Vaughn and all her secrets and charming Ryker and all his efforts at revealing them. It also has a cliffhanger ending which took me by surprise and has be itching for the next book in this series, Reveal. The ending was harsh and the journey there was magnificent. Each of these characters has layers and reasons for being who they are. Which actually makes the cliffhanger all the more unexpected and shocking! With secondary characters that will steal or heart and make you murderous, this book was awesome! Enjoy!
I haven’t read a K. Bromberg book in a long while. I won’t tell you how long because that would be bad. But I read the synopsis for Resist and knew that I needed to get my hands on a copy.
And oh, it DID NOT disappoint. I got the same feeling I had when I first read Driven. Insane butterflies and then a intense need to know what happens next. I will say Resist is probably a title that fits the book as an entirety. But I will not give away any spoilers. Except this does end on cliffhanger.
The book starts out with Vaughn Sanders letting herself get into a sticky situation. A situation with a man who’s used getting anything and everything that he wants. Ryker Lockhart is definitely a man I would describe as peculiar. He has the power and the money from being a high rise attorney, that only accepts men as clients. This mean he has his own set of issues.
But that doesn’t make Vaughn a shrinking violet. Oh, no. She is a take the bull by the horn type of woman. Which is why she gets herself involved with Ryker. You can’t help but be enamored by her. Her backstory is somewhat tragic and spiraled starting from one event and continuing into her adulthood. I think this is why she choose such an interesting career.
This book has every element that I expect from Kristy. But this has such a power struggle between Ryker and Vaughn that produces such a magic between the them. These two gravitate and collide with each other. I love the push and pull between any characters that I read. As much as these two want to discover from each other, they also have much to hide too!
This book will keep you wanting more and more as you turn that page. Hook, line and sinker, Kristy has crafted another series that I put right up there with Driven. Yes! I said it.
Highly recommend!
K Bromberg I MISSED YOU!! This story was WICKED!!
“ Love is even messier then marriage.”
I couldn’t put it down , AMAZING from start to finish!
It’s not surprising that I would read anything with KB on it and I was so excited to read Resist! First the cover was sexy and the title intrigued me. I don’t read Blurb so title and cover are important to me.
Boom I was hooked from the start, Vaughn and Ryker are wonderful characters and the chemistry between them is palpable … HOT HOT HOT
I have so much love for Vee the heroine, she is feisty , strong and determined but also vulnerable…
Lucy stole my heart …. and I hate Brian!
Their story has it all: banter, angst, LOL and LOVE.
I won’t say much as there is a huge cliffy at the end but TRUST ME YOU NEED TO READ IT!
I love Kristy Bromberg’s books, so Resist was on my radar. I was thrilled to win a copy in a random draw. Once again, she gives you great characters and a fabulous storyline to grab your attention and reel you in. Didn’t take long with this book at all. Ryker and Vaughn captured my imagination immediately. The story moved quickly and was intriguing and suspenseful. I always wanted to know what was going to happen around the corner. It kept me turning the pages. I was a bit unprepared for that ending though! WHOA! It left me a bit breathless and wanting more, more, more. September can’t get here soon enough and bring me Reveal, the conclusion to this wonderful read! Highly recommend this one–DO NOT MISS IT!