Callan Rose.
That hadn’t always been his name.
When we were children, he was nothing more than a servant boy in my family.
He was an amusement to me.
A nobody.
A weak soul who refused to fight back.
It was so easy to take advantage.
But then my father died, and I was stolen.
The family moved on without me.
Until I was penniless with no place to go.
I returned to the Rose Estate not knowing … no place to go.
I returned to the Rose Estate not knowing Callan was the head of it.
He’d honed his body and temper in the underground fighting ring.
The scars only made him more beautiful.
Now I’m trapped by a seductively dark man who has nothing but vengeance running through his veins.
I’d always wanted him to fight back, but you know what they say:
Be careful what you wish for.
more
This book was 44 chapters long and I wish there was more!
Callan is a servants son in the Rose mansion and he is often beaten down by the inhabitants. His eyes are always on Lisbeth Rebel Rose, he watches her silently and from a distance.
A tragic event begins a violent and chaotic 10 years. Until these two meet again. Then the violence is magnified and the roles that were once set in stone are now blurred.
This story was flawless and raw, beautiful and horrific, and steamy and brutal. The characters in this story were so well developed and beautifully created that me, the reader, became so wrapped in the book so that I could not put it down!
Lily White writes the mostly captivating and engaging stories, the reader is caught up until the very lost page.
Holy Hell!
The Vanity of Roses slayed me!
This one is built on layers of betrayals, lies and violence , yet braided with love, forgiveness and redemption.
Callan and Lisbeth were the epitome of a bad romance and I was a fiend for their toxicity.
Fast paced, action packed..mesmerizing read.
If I could give this one more stars, I would.
Lily White is never predictable. You just have to trust her to take you on the wild ride…. and I always end with a smile. I’m usually breathless and craving more but satisfied.
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters (hero/heroine)~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 5/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Angst~ 5/5
Steam/Hotness/Chemisty ~ 5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5
Book Cover~Captivating
Series~ Stand-alone
Source~ Kindle eBook – ARC for honest review
Would I read more from the author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Yes
Back up ladies….Callan Rose is mine…MINE..MINE!!! LOL
Lily White is at it again with her dark soul.. writing these amazing reads that keep us flipping those pages way into the night and then up sooo early to find out what is going to happen next.
Holy Hell I love reading her books. I never know if she is going to top her last book when I have already decided that it was now my fav Lily White book. Annnd then she goes and writes another Ahhhmazzzingg book and I have to change my mind and now say….Yuppp The Vanity of Roses is now my fav book she has written!!! Gahh I loved it!!!
It has my 3 D’s….. DARK.DIRTY & DELICIOUS!!!
Ohhh and one more thing y’all, I am all about this cover!!! I love me some MMA and danggg did White deliver with all the hotness and everything that goes along with it. Sooo yummy!!!
Thank you Lily White for another 5 Star read…Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next!!!
This was a definite Lily White story unique and raw with emotions ! It took me a little bit to get into it idk it was probably because my house is crazy right now but once I got into it I couldn’t put it down! Callan and Lizbeths story is filled with secrets , lies and so much anger oh boy did I think our boy Callan was going to hate fuck Lizbeth to death ! At first I HATED Lizbeth in fact I didn’t start liking her till towards the end of the book I thought she was a spoiled little bitch and even as she was older and she refused to see how her treatment towards a younger Callan shaped him into the man he is today , I wanted to throttle her for being so obtuse ! Overall this was a emotional roller coaster, it was intense and at times I found myself holding my breath wonder what was going to happen next especially when the guys get in the ring ! I literally could not breathe until I read through it ! If you are a fan of Lily White than this is a must read and even if you never read anything by her before this is such a good story to start ! Definite 5 stars from me and I highly recommend!
*** I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book ***
Holy smokes, ya’ll Lily White is on a roll!
Vanity of Roses is dark, suspenseful, sensual, cruel and savage. Callan and Lisbeth’s story is a twisted enemies to lovers romantic suspense and one you don’t want to miss out on.
“She never sees me. Not even when I am the only person standing nearby. Lisbeth Rebel Rose, you are a monster, but more beautiful for it.”
WOW!!!!!
Loved this story. I’m not sure what to say that I haven’t already said about Lily White ‘s books.
Sins of the father…
Never has a saying been more true.
This romantic suspense thriller will have you on the edge of your seat and holding your breath. The truths that come out are jaw dropping.
Once again I was sucked in immediately and held captive to a story that I didn’t want to end.
Callan and Lisbeth’s love story is dark, twisted in ways you never see coming and tragically gut wrenching.
WOW!!!!!
Loved this story. I’m not sure what to say that I haven’t already said about Lily White ‘s books.
Sins of the father…
Never has a saying been more true.
This romantic suspense thriller will have you on the edge of your seat and holding your breath. The truths that come out are jaw dropping.
Once again I was sucked in immediately and held captive to a story that I didn’t want to end.
Callan and Lisbeth’s love story is dark, twisted in ways you never see coming and tragically gut wrenching.
Another mind blowing Lily White masterpiece!! It was raw, gritty and unlike anything I’ve ever read before. This author never disappoints and always delivers a dark & twisted page turner.
***5 Stars***
Talk about a thin line between love and hate.
This baby took me on one hell of a ride, not surprising given who the author is, but Callan and Lisbeth definitely ramped up all the feels in me ~ the good, the bad and the ugly ~ as they sorted not only through their own wildly erratic emotions for each other, but the labyrinth of secrets and lies they’d been told all their lives.
Lisbeth is one strong woman. After all that she went through at the hands of those who should have protected and nurtured her, I fully expected her to turn out to be cold and unfeeling, but instead she turned out compassionate and stronger than anyone could have imagined. Callan. He’s hard, brutal and stubborn, but beneath all of that, all of cold is a man who feels deeply and will do anything to protect those he calls his own.
Their journey was a rough one from start to finish. With all the secrets and lies woven around them, it was no wonder neither could see what was right in front of them the whole time, though it was undeniable that the connection they had was intense, no matter if it was love or hate, or that strange mixture of both. And I won’t deny that even I wondered just how they could forgive each other for their transgressions at times, but once they both had their blinders ripped off, all bets were off.
As much as I enjoyed Callan and Lisbeth’s journey, it was the world the author created and the secrets and lies woven into it that kept me turning the pages. I NEEDED to know what the truth, or truths, were because it was obvious not everything was what it seemed and I wasn’t disappointed when all was revealed. And as for the secondary cast of characters, all were well written ~ even the ones I wanted to gut with a spoon ~ and while I didn’t have a clear favorite, I wouldn’t mind heading back into the world at some point in the future to see how everyone is doing.
~ Copy provided by EBJR/author & voluntarily reviewed ~
doesn’t even begin to describe how their story developed and evolved.
Family secrets and family expectations created circumstances that were not what they appeared.
The chemistry between these 2 was explosive, their banter was edgy, cruel and sometimes even funny. Told in dual POV I fell in love with these characters. Even the secondary characters added to the overall story.
The author took us on a though provoking journey of revenge and redemption sprinkled with a healthy dose of intense passion as Lisbeth and Callan figure out how to make sense of their family’s vanity.
The build up, and the suspense as they make discoveries they never imagined. The ending was totally unexpected and beautifully concluded the story.
I want more Callan and Lisbeth!
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Lily White continues to take her gift of storytelling to new heights. She is a master at creating highly entertaining and immersive reads, and her latest doesn’t disappoint. In The Vanity of Roses you will find her prose to be brilliant, the relationship of the characters ill-fated and volatile, and a plot that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Callan Rose is a narcissistic, revenge fueled bastard. Lisbeth Rose is a prideful contemptuous bitch. The two are like fire and water. Lisbeth has been brought into the family fold after many years of hiding away with her mother. Things have changed and her days of being a pretentious snob has come to a screeching halt. The roles have been reversed, and now she will see what it’s like to be treated as a common servant.
But it seems she is not the only one in the Rose family to be affected by the cursed condition of vanity.
— !
This series is going to kill me, dead! It’s a tantalizing, sizzling and intoxicating tale about a Goddess and her spirit, resilience, and power, unlike any other Goddess on the Island. Jinx always seems to find within herself exactly what she needs, and she is a force to be reckoned with, she truly is a Goddess not just to herself but to others as well. “Euphoria” is a special place, a fantasy brought to life by a monster, and this monster controls everything but what happens when this monster loses his control over himself and let’s go? Who will survive the storm? What will happen to all the creatures big and small? Come on Third a Kiss this series is a must-read! Pepper Winters has outdone herself again! So excited for you to read this series!
The Vanity of Roses is a fast-paced, twisty and totally captivating read.
With a Lily White book I know I’m always guaranteed a great read, yet no two books ever seem to be the same. The Vanity of Roses is a dark tinged romantic suspense, packed full of intrigue, secrets and lies. Manipulation is rife and this enemies-to-lovers romance kept me on the edge of my seat unable to put the book down.
Whilst Lisbeth should have been a dislikable character, she wasn’t, so her childhood behaviour was a little puzzling. Of course as the many complex layers of this story were slowly revealed, we began to get a better picture of just what had happened in the past and why. Callan was much easier to like, though there were times when his treatment of Lisbeth made him seem quite cruel. Though again there were reasons.
“What have I done to deserve that?”
Hating the genuine fear I could hear in my voice, I refused to move away from him as his dangerous energy consumed the space around us.
It’s a dual pov book, clearly labelled so you know who’s “voice” you are hearing and is written first person. This enabled me to really connect with and understand both main characters. There is a lot of foreshadowing and I did guess one twist in advance (view spoiler). I loved how you weren’t sure who to trust and who was telling what lies, you really need your wits about you when reading this one! The suspense, at times, was nerve shredding.
The writing is so eloquent and poetic, creating striking visuals and eliciting a myriad of emotions. Lily White doesn’t just write a story, she constructs a living, breathing creation that absorbs your soul and challenges all your perceptions. There were secondary and even tertiary characters who had more depth and personality than some authors imbue in their main characters. Along with a complex plot, this ensures a rich tapestry of a story.
Whilst I enjoyed every single word I did feel that, at times, as though the pace slowed a little. Every scene was well written, but just a couple of times I felt as though they were not adding anything more to the story,
I massively enjoyed the book and definitely recommend it.
The queen of dark and twisty does it again!
Ms. White takes you on a journey of revenge, vengeance and the true meaning of vanity with this story.
This is the story of Callan and Lisbeth. A true reversal of fortune. As children, Lisbeth was a princess and Callan her lowly and beaten down servant. A tragedy, years pass and Lisbeth is coming back to Rose manor, a poor relation hoping for a chance to become part of a family again.
This story grabbed me from the get go! I wanted to hate Lisbeth for what she did to Callan growing up. I wanted to scratch her eyes out for being the entitled brat that she was.
But then Ms. White does the amazing with her talented writing, she changed the way I looked at Lisbeth and at Callan and made me appreciate what they both went through and how it made them the people they are today.
Violence, secrets and a smoking hot, love and hate relationship are the cornerstones of this story. A thin line between love and hate is totally relevant to Lisbeth and Callan.
This story also has a mysteries that will leave you guessing until the very end. And when answers are revealed it’s gonna shock you! That’s another reason why I love Lily White’s stories! You will too!
3.75
Up until the age of 15, Callan lived at the Rose estate as a maid’s son. Infatuated with Lisbeth Rose, the 17-year old daughter and heir apparent to the Rose fortune, Callan always watched her, but she always spurned him. After a fatal event, roles changed and a decade later, Callan emerged as a fighter. But when Lisbeth returns home, it causes another shift for the Rose family.
What ensues is a plot based on revenge for past wrongs. For years, Callan endured punishment due to Lisbeth’s malicious actions, but now he is in the position to deliver pain. However, in the Rose family, all is not how it appears, as longstanding feelings emerge and secrets threaten to crumble an already weak foundation.
In this story, there is a cast of varied characters. Though Callan has scars and can deliver a humiliating blow, he also has compassion and I liked both sides of him. As for Lisbeth, it was tough to like her throughout the plot and it caused some disconnect between her and Callan for me. Perhaps, if there was more in their history, it would have provided a solid footing. However, the secondary characters had a strong presence and I really liked Franklin and Jacob.
With elements of darkness, adrenaline charged action and a plot steeped in greed, The Vanity of Roses is a romance suspense that would appeal to those who enjoy the push/pull dynamic of an enemies to lovers theme.
This book took a different turn than I thought it would. It is Lily White, after all, she could have gone really dark with this one. Instead, she dabbled in the dark, which is what I love her writing for, and stuck mainly to a charcoal grey that could appeal to a broader audience that isn’t quite ready for a Master Aiden.
The stage is set early for a bully romance Lily White style. Callan and Lisbeth are oil and water. She is a spoiled princess who gets everything she wants. He is the maid’s son who isn’t allowed to talk to her. Suddenly their worlds are turned upside down and these two find their roles reversed and a lot of childhood trauma to try and deal with.
I ended up really liking Lisbeth. I didn’t think I was going to, especially after the beginning of the story, but she grew on me. Callan was a force. He domineered the pages like he dominates the ring. This is a man who wants revenge for Lisbeth’s abuse. He wants to make her suffer. Lisbeth just wants to stop running. Having no choice but to return to her family home, she wasn’t prepared for her new life. She also wasn’t prepared to face the boy she humiliated all those years ago. What neither were prepared for are the feelings that simmer right below the surface of hate and revenge.
If you love a good fighter/bully romance you will love this book. It’s filled with secrets and twists and some classic Lily White moments…..the mop scene…that will keep you glued to your kindle to the very end
Lisbeth Rose, 17, is the typical rich spoiled brat with nothing to do but bully, mistreat her servant boy, Callan, 15, with her most favourite passing time was to belittled him to the amusement of herself and her friends, but than Lisbeth disappears with her mother.
Fast forward 10 years, Callan is now a Rose and is re-united with Lisbeth. He is thrilled to finally be able to get his revenge Every word she’d spoken was a price she would pay, a debt I would extract for a particular value until the ledger was balanced between us.
Callan is portrayed as a typical bully but to me he was more like a big teddy bear with a mean growl but no bite. He had just the perfect mix of dark and violence but with a soft hand. Her fucking pride is what made her so damn desirable. Made me hate her so fucking much.
Made me love her.
Lisbeth is a h that has failed to win me over, I just did not like her and felt sorry for Callan.
The story is told in dual POV, alternating between Callan and Lisbeth. The Rose imperium has a dark and shady underbelly. Overall this was an okay read, the start of the book was slow and dragged a bit. In the end there are a lot, I mean a lot, of secrets revealed. Secrets that will define the future of the Roses.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50731598
White slayed me again with this one.
The servant boy and his revenge? The spoiled girl and her downfall? Just amazing.
This author has easily climbed my list of favorites with the worlds she crafts, the twists and turns, and the utter chaos she weaves in these pages.
The supporting cast is easily as memorable as the main characters, and with that being said, I LOVED Gretchen. The wisdom she imparts as Lisbeth deals with her struggles. The way she wasn’t afraid of Callan, but respected him fiercely.
An outstanding page turner that kept me riveted all night.
The Vanity of Roses, if you read the blurb and thought you knew what you were getting…think again.
This amazing author never fails in delivering!
It’s a dark read, so if you’re one with a soft heart and soul…this is not a read for you. Other than that, enjoy!!
– Stina, Book Haven Book Blog.
Author Lily White always surprises me with each book she releases.
They are never the same & always keep me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
The Vanity of Roses is delivered just that!
I read this gripping, suspenseful and totally gut wrenching story in one sitting.
A dark, twisted, intense story of Callan & Lisbeth.
Go get this book & enjoy being blown away with the drama of enemies to lovers.
5 popped!