Previously published as Starlet by Cora KenbornHollywood. Mafia. Love. Lust. Secrets. Corruption. Romanov.From USA Today Bestselling Author Cora Kenborn comes a dark and twisted enemies-to-lovers retelling of Anastasia.They call me America’s Sweetheart.Hollywood royalty. The last of an era.Sole survivor of LA’s most infamous crime.I’m not any of those things.He forced me into the spotlight…… crime.
I’m not any of those things.
He forced me into the spotlight…
Dominic McCallum, a torn page from my tainted past.
The liar with the perfect smile and cold blue eyes.
We’re playing a high-stakes game.
Resurrect an icon and share a million-dollar payout.
One wrong move and history will repeat itself.
But Alexandra Romanov’s fate won’t be mine.
I’ll speak her lines. I’ll hit the mark. I’ll strike a pose.
And when the past and present collide, I’ll become their worst nightmare.
After all, wrath is the sixth of the seven deadly sins…
They told me to preserve the legacy.
Be careful what you ask for…
You just might get it.
*Please be aware this book contains dark themes and sensitive subject matter that may bother some readers.
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I never thought that the retelling of Anastasia Romanov would have me so thrilled that I literally couldn’t put my copy down until after I read the Epilogue. And because I’m a 90s Disney baby and an avid fan of historical documentaries, this book got me so hooked the moment I learned that it’s a retelling of Anastasia. It was so captivating that it had me singing Journey to the Past in my head!
I loved how the story revolved around the glitz and glamor of Hollywood. It was really interesting how the author came up with a plot inspired by Anastasia. This dark retelling is the perfect homage to the story woven from the history of the real Romanovs.
Dominic and Angel had the perfect push-and-pull romance. As the story unravels, you cannot help but be totally invested in them. Dominic may appear to be a gruff con man, but underneath that hardened exterior, you will find the devotion of a man who will protect the one he loves. And Angel’s character was so enigmatic that you can’t help but sympathize and love her. Amidst all her traumatic secrets is a girl full of courage and grit.
I loved how each of the plotlines was so intricate that at the end of the day, even if you know when the biggest twists are going to be revealed, you can’t help but still be surprised at the unexpected turns.
This is one hell of a book from the Sinister Fairy Tale collection and it’s one of the best ones out there. I’ve read quite a few of them at by far I can definitely say that this belongs in at least the Top 3!
“The Sinister Fairy Tales Collection has a new great addition! Starlet by Cora Kenborn was my first retelling of Anastasia’s history. It was a whole new perspective of her story considering I’m not quite familiar with all the details of her story. Angel and Dominic’s story melted my heart though it wasn’t a sweet fairytale. Dark as expected but with a special psychological dot that I won’t spoiler to you. An emotional journey indeed! Both characters were delightful to read. Each one with different personalities that just increased the emotions and the anticipation of how things will continue to develop until the end. Complicated, mysterious and complex situations with a haunting wicked twist. Definitely a must read!”
Holy crap! This book is by far my top read for 2020 and I can’t imagine there’s anything that is going to top it this year! The author obviously put a lot of heart, sweat and tears into this and it shows! Starlet hit a lot of personal aspects of my life and it made me feel all of my emotions! Way to go and thank you for an amazing book!!
Words cannot accurately describe exactly how much I truly loved this retelling of classic Anastasia story! While I definitely saw the touches of the original fairytale, I can honestly say no one but Cora Kenborn could have done a better job of expertly tying together this entertaining masterpiece! It takes a lot writing skills to take on such as story and truly make it your own.
Dominic and Angels story needs to be read going in blindly in order to get the whole effect, trust me on this and more importantly trust in the writing. Once you go in you’ll think you have it all figured out early on but honestly you have no idea how twisted things can get when love, murder, revenge, and fate are intertwined so tightly!
I fully recommend this story to any and all dark romance lovers. Hop on this crazy rollercoaster and experience the true beauty in these characters dark chaotic lives. It might leave you dizzy for a moment but oh sooo satisfied.
Cora Kenborn completely blew me away with Starlet. I was captivated from page one as I slowly tumbled down this dark and twisted rabbit hole. An incredible must read!
This book omg I don’t know where to start other then telling you that if your looking for a gripping rollercoaster of a ride story you need to read this. Yes this story does have a trigger warning but if you are on the fence give it a try the story of Dominic and Angel. This is an emotional story starting from a traumatic childhood and jumping forward 15 years. I loved this twisted emotional story that sucked me into the story from just reading the prologue.
Wow, I may say that I like Anastasia’s story, but Cora Kenborn took this dark retelling got it on a whole new level and I absolutely loved it. All the mystery and twists within the story kept me reading nonstop, if you like Anastasia and you love dark romance this book is perfect, I think I know like this version more than the cartoon one.
A dark mafia retelling of a classic story. Angel is desperate for money and Dominic needs her to pose as Alexandra, a lost Romanov heir due a fortune. The two set up a con but they may be the ones to get played as Angel keeps having flashbacks to a dark past. Dominic has a dark past as well and has done some awful things to survive. These two start out as partners but end up as lovers. A twisted, dark read with shocking elements.
Twisted, dark and captivating Starlet was an amazing addition to the Sinister Fairy Tales collection that swept me away. The combination of Dominic’s rough, dangerous and arrogant personality with Angel’s resilient, brave and beautifully broken one made for a rather intriguing battle of wills throughout their story. The chemistry between them was fiery and undeniable from start to finish and kept me glued to my Kindle. With a dark, modern day Hollywood twist, quite a few turns along the way and tons of suspense Dominic and Angel took me on a wild, twisted and exciting ride with Starlet.
Dark, twisted, and yes, it may be a retelling of an old tale but this is in a category all on its own. Holy wow. You will be blown away, not be able to put this book down until the very end. You will absolutely love it. Rollercoaster, page-turner. Dominic and Angel will become your new favourite book couple, I can’t even begin to describe how much you will love them – so I won’t. Go get this book! You don’t want to miss it.
Starlet is the final book in the Sinister fairytales collection. Did they save the best for last? I think they saved one of the best for sure. Now, I’m not familiar with Anastasia nor have I read this author before but nonetheless I was blown away by this book.
I am going to have to keep this review short and vague as to not give away anything at all. This book is not for the faint of heart. It is sinister and dark and suspenseful. You will be on the edge of your seat as you become captivated by this story, these complex broken characters with tragic pasts and the phenomenal way this author weaves together their story in a way that it unfolds throughout the book to keep you intrigued and engaged. This book is hot and steamy and it will definitely melt your kindles. But it also has some frustration going on and you will want to scream at times too.
All and all I really enjoyed this last book in the Sinister Fairytales collection. But I happen to really love dark romance and will definitely check out this author again. If you have triggers and aren’t a big fan of dark romance then this is probably not the book for you.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book!
Freaking outstanding!! As much as I am a fairy tale buff, the tale of Anastasia never piqued my interest, but Cora Kenborn has sold me on her rendition. This should be the version in all those fairy tale books!! People always say “saved the best for last”, and this book in the Sinister Fairy Tales hits that mark for me. I didn’t have a chance to read each and every novel within this string of tales, but of the ones I have, this will be the one that I remember!
It was only supposed to be about the money. A million dollar jackpot. She just had to pass as the heiress, and she had such an uncanny resemblance. It should have been a piece of cake, forge the DNA test, split the money and then split the scene. But the shadows of the past can sometimes come back to darken your doorstep. And when the devil comes calling, only the Angel of Death can save you.
~The Angel of Death destroyed me to save me.~
5* Fated Stars!!!
“The first time I kissed an angel, I died.”
She is trying to make ends meet and pay her rent. She’s not willing to sell herself to do it though, she has respect for herself and will not go that far. Although it’s getting harder daily to pay her bills and keep a roof over her head. Angel works as a waitress in a run-down bar in Chula Vista, California. It hasn’t always been this way though, just last year she was working at her dream job, until one man ruined it all by going after the producer of the show she was working on. The trouble was that when Dominic went after the producer, it also put Angel in a bad light. Did she get the part on her own merits or by any means possible?
He’s a man who has struggled for what he has, and he had a lot until recently when he went after the wrong man. He’s the owner of his own gossip magazine and decided to go after the king of Hollywood, the big man of Silverline Studios, and ended up being taken to court for defamation of character. This brought Dominic to his knees and now his only option to save his business, his employees’ jobs, and his own assets, is to find the Princess of Hollywood. Is it possible to find Alexandra Romanov alive and well? Or is the last survivor of the tragedy 15 years ago really dead as well? Can he find a suitable replacement to save his business, or will he have to close down his paper for good?
The mind is a funny thing. It can protect us from devastating situations, and it can open our eyes to the truth when needed or prompted. However, it can be a dangerous situation when our minds begin to open up and other tragedies happen to us. I really enjoyed this story. It is full of danger, mind games, and Hollywood secrets being publicized. The characters are great, they are broken, fearless, dangerous, and scary. The story takes us through a history of Hollywood royalty that was destroyed due to one man’s secrets and lies. The sole survivor of a tragic night was hidden away for years and has no memory of the night that they were saved and given a new life to live. Unbeknownst to this survivor, they have been watched for 15 years. The man who has been watching for 15 years will always watch out for this survivor and will do what is needed to keep them safe and protected. I give this story a 4.5-star review and suggest it to readers who enjoy mafia, Hollywood starlets, or psychological thrillers. Cora Kenborn knows how to write tragedy, mafia, and crazy characters.
I’ll start off by saying that I was skeptical on being able to read this book, due to the trigger warnings. Cora is one of my favorite authors, and so I knew I had to try. I’m so glad I did!
Angel’s had a tough life. She was given up at a young age, and ran away from the group home when she was 16. Dominic is desperate to come up with the money owed, after ratting a big Hollywood producer out, and getting sued. There is a major reward for whoever can find Alexandra Romanov. Alexandra was 8 years old when her entire family was murdered, and no ones knows exactly what happened, or where she even disappeared to. Dominic believes that he can pass off Angel as Alexandra.
It’s definitely a dark twisted tale. At the beginning neither Dominic nor Angel realize how intertwined their history is. Dominic’s past in the darker side of Hollywood, and just how dark and twisted the world is. There’s plenty of hidden secret’s, and Angel’s continuing dreams, scratching and white noises in the deep dark recesses of her mind. Will she be the same when she realizes just what is hidden in her past?
I’m so glad that I read this, and Cora Kenborn definitely did not disappoint. This to me would make a fantabulous movie!!! Get ready for one huge roller-coaster!
Starlet by Cora Kenborn is part of the Sinister Collections series, but can be a standalone book. This is the story of Angel and Dominic. Dominic is out to find the missing heir which will help get him back on track. Angel is trying to survive and pay the bills. This was the dark retailing of Anastasia. This book kept me hooked in and kept me turning the pages.
Oh boy, this was one heck of an emotional rollercoaster ride of a journey and I adored every heart wrenching second of it! Starlet by Cora Kenborm had me hooked, intrigued, loving the drama, caught up in the mystery, and thriving on the tension and chemistry.
Angel and Dominic were fascinating characters that I wanted to get to know, interested in each and every layer and secret that got revealed, whether they were ready to show their hand or not.
Dominic is brash, brooding, angry, and hot. Angel is feisty, fierce, and yet tender, even though the world has been only cruel to her. To them both, really. And how they connect over that, well, it took my breath away, even as they fought it at every turn.
This story encompassed numerous tropes, and didn’t pull any punches when it came to the gritty darker reality, and though my pulse was all over the place, I loved every page of it!
So, if you’re looking for a fast paced, intense, intriguing, romantic suspense, look no further! You won’t know what has hit you when you dive into the world of Starlet!
An amazingly epic dark retelling of Anastasia. Talk about heart-pounding drama, angst-filled passion, and darkness like no other. I love a good dark read, as it is my favorite genre and Ms. Kenborn did not disappoint. I was pleasantly surprised by her talent, as this is my first work by her. I can tell you that she has a new fan. I will continue to read her work because this was absolutely amazing.
This entire collection of books will leave you reeling, wanting more and you will devour each one. You can start anywhere in the collection, as they are each standalone. My opinion? Start here with Starlet. You’ll want to continue with the remaining books. Pick up your copy today!
The Sinister Fairy Tale’s Collection truly saved the best for last with this absolutely amazing story! The twists, turns and the unknown will keep you mesmerized all the way to the last page! This book is certainly a 5+ Stars, so hats off to Cora Kenborn for creating this awesome story!!
I suggest reading without seeing spoilers or detailed reviews. Go in completely not knowing the characters or storyline! This way you can fully enjoy the twists and turns!
If triggers are an issue or you do not enjoy dark themes, I would advise passing this one up, but if not I highly recommend not passing this one by! You definitely will not be disappointed!!
Just like that, with only one book, I found another author to love! “Starlet” is the book that introduced me to the genius that is Cora Kenborn and I’m so happy that I picked it up!! The story is nothing but mind-blowing, so be ready for a wild ride!!
There’s been 15 years since the massive shooting of the Romanov family. A family that was synonymous with Hollywood royalty. With the anniversary of the incident nearing, a reward is issued for anyone that can find the missing heiress, Alexandra Romanov. She was the only one never found dead and what happened to her was never revealed.
Dominic is the verge of losing everything. His last article exposing the most famous Hollywood Producer, left him with a ton of lawsuits and nearing bankruptcy. Finding someone to pose as the missing heiress, is his last chance. While in a bar he sees a waitress that looks remarkably similar to how the lost heiress would look.
Angel is struggling every day to stay afloat, working as a waitress at a shitty bar. She’s been on her own since she was 16, so trusting a man offering her half a million is not easy. Dominic’s proposition sounds ludicrous at first, but her need to survive is stronger and she agrees.
The story was nothing like I thought it would be. The focus wasn’t how Angel was introduced as Alexandra but what happens after she becomes the heiress. The world of Hollywood is dark and full of secrets and Angel is swallowed by it from day one. Dominic serves her on a silver platter to the worst of them all, for his own gain. However, the chemistry between them is too strong and they succumb to the forbidden passion.
The author gives us the right amount of sexy times to keep things hot without disrupting the ongoing story. That’s what I loved most about the book. The sex scenes were amazing but everything that was happening was what kept me wanting more! There’s too many things going on, too many players and a massive amount of secrets that I stayed at the edge of my seat and couldn’t stop reading! I can’t possibly express everything that this book is; you’ll just have to pick it up and experience yourself, you won’t be disappointed!!!!
4.75 stars
This is another consuming read from the Sinister Fairy Tale Collection and the first book I have read by the author. It is a dark retelling of the story of Anastasia, the missing Romanov princess. Dominic is a journalist and owner of an entertainment website who is bent on following leads to the missing Romanov princess in the hopes that he can find her to get him out of his current predicament. At the tender age of eight, Alexandra Romanov’s parents were murdered yet she was never found. Angel is a woman that is down on her luck; a struggling artist who has no prospects and is having difficulty making ends meet. After another false individual comes forward claiming to be the lost princess, Dominic loses himself in liquor and meets Angel. A few exchanges take place between the two and eventually Dominic convinces her to take on the most important role of her life, that of the lost princess. What follows is a twisted, emotional ride that you just do not want to get off of. I will caution those with triggers to proceed with care. This is one storyline where you should expect the unexpected. This is one book that you need to dive into and read for yourself. I look forward to read more books from this author. volunteered to read an advance copy and all opinions are my own.