Ninth Circle. Treachery. Also known as Tanner Caine. He is a temptation with cold, dark eyes. A man with a seductive smirk and a body built for pure sin. The linchpin of a group of wealthy bad boys known as the Inferno. A dark presence that repels as much as he attracts, Tanner is the poisoned apple I want to bite even when I know it will destroy me. Our story started in college, but I ran from … story started in college, but I ran from him so far I believed I was safe.
I should have known he’d find me eventually.
I should have known that nobody escapes.
He has me in his sights again with an offer I can’t pass up.
I know better than to make a deal with the Devil.
Not unless I’m willing to pay his sensual price.
Book One now INCLUDES the Prequel previously published.
***Each novel in the series depicts a unique romance, but the plots through each book connect in one world. For the best experience, read the series in order.
Nine Standalone novels. Nine dangerous men. Nine unrepentant sinners you’ll hate to love.
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Rating:
If you can’t beat them join them!
This book was a complex puzzle of the mind games these guys play on people. I enjoyed the journey, though I must say I was often frustrated with how bad these guys are and how they try to justify the things they do. But that is also part of the charm. These guys know they are bad. They don’t apologize for it and they are most likely never going to change.
When I say these guys, I mean the nine guys that lived in the Inferno house at Yale. They all grew up together, all had terrible childhoods despite growing up wealthy due to the fact their fathers are all cruel and despicable men who only see their sons as tools to use to further their own agenda. I went over all the background in my review for the prequel, which looks like it is no longer available because now it is included in this book. My review of the Treachery Prequel
So I won’t go into the background or the time that our two main characters first met at Yale. Tanner (a.k.a. Treachery) and Luca were already extremely attracted to each other and had been intimate, but Tanner being the jerk he is was constantly trying to get Luca to owe him a favor. Him and his friends trade in favors, and when they can’t get someone that they need something from to ask them for a favor, they don’t mind resorting to blackmail or using other people who owe them favors to get things done.
What I didn’t like:
There were several things about Tanner that I did not like at all. First being that he seemed to have no feelings other than attraction for Luca. Though we know there is more there, since he has kept track of her for the years that they were apart when he was finishing law school and when she was married. It frustrated me that he was just too cruel for so long in this book. It took me a long time to warm up to him.
I had very little respect for Tanner at the beginning. When they were at Yale together Luca mentioned how brilliant he was and how he would make such a great attorney when he graduated, but when he takes her husbands case in the divorce, Tanner gets Luca under his thumb, not be being a good lawyer but by cheating. He had to have a friend hack into the court database and also he was willing to have some guy lie about having an affair with her. Later I learned this is just how they get things done in their world. It is all about the people owing them favors and using different people when needed by calling in the favors.
The guys all hate their fathers so much but they are not much better, or they are on their way to being very similar. They are all waiting for their fathers to die so they can get out from under their thumbs and inherit billions, but if they were any sort of real men they would just make more money themselves and not care about their fathers at all. As it is they do own a law firm and make a ton of money and are rich in their own right and independent of their fathers, but they still let the fathers push them around sometimes and it seems to be a sore spot that their fathers just don’t retire and hand over their businesses.
What I liked:
I loved that Luca is a strong female character and though Tanner has had tons of girls and gotten many of them into the position of owing him a favor, Luca is the only one that has fought back and successfully thwarted him. It’s great how almost every time he thinks he has her where he wants her and she will agree to his terms, she ends up turning things around on him or standing up to him and not giving in.
I love it when guys are so used to getting their way and they think they will just be able to keep doing that and a strong female comes along and turns things over on them. Especially when the guy has a big plan with even back up plans and he thinks it is basically a done deal. I just loved how she kept doing the opposite of what he wanted.
No matter what Tanner tries he can never win with her because he tries to set things up like 50 steps ahead in order to get the outcome he wants. And even though he plays around with her life and keeps setting her on certain paths, she never ends up doing what he expects so he never comes out the winner. I am excited to read the rest of the series, each book should be about one of the nine guys. Gabriel and the twins especially.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
> Treachery Prequel
It’s the beginning of the series and it’s already amazing. I’m still at awe by how the story went fast with edgy scenes. I wish I was the authors best friend now. Treachery Prequel features the story of Tanner Caine, a senior at Yale and one of guys of The Nine. They are the rich guys with full of danger and hotness. Tanner has a secret agenda (treachery) against Luca.
Luca Bailey, is a second year student at Yale who would like to get through college with good grades. She is career driven and has exception on avoiding socialising. Everything changes when she is reluctantly taken to a party by her bestfriend/roommate, there she manages to catch the attention of the The Nine – nine irresistible manipulators also know as the Inferno boys. Tanner, one of the nine boys is especially hell bent on trapping and hurting Luca. Luca on the other hand was not so easy to manage, she gives good as she gets. The two of them together are explosive crossfire. There is a mystery among both the characters which is still not developed. The story is crafted to peak only on the secondary plot, what’s going on we have yet to find out. Tanner has no redeeming qualities (yet) and Luca has no intention to letting him make her miserable. Both are attracted to each other but what’s the anchor holding them apart, we have yet to see.
I am already invested into this series. With a devious personality each of the Inferno boys have I can’t wait to see where Lily White takes us.
Note: Treacher Prequel is added in Treachery.
> Treachery
Nine men of wealth and power, a bond as strong as blood, this story features the continuation of Tanner Caine. Three years after Yale Tanner and Luca meet again this time in different circumstance but the hate and lust seem to be forever with them. Tanner is still manipulative and once again he traps Luca in his web of deceit. Luca thought she was finally free of Tanner and the Inferno Boys but she was once again caught in their maelstorm. Luca was stubborn and independent and Tanner’s influence and cunning-ness is a part-charm of this book.
There are some loose ends of this book which I’m guessing will be cleared as this series continues. The Inferno Boys have a mission, each game they play are devious and heinous. These wicked and dark men are irresistible and dangerous. I’m so looking forward to each of their stories.
Boy was this something else, not perfect, but still an amazing read.
AT one point this was almost a DNF by the end it was the full 5 stars. How? Well in the case of this it has the brilliant writing of Lily White. It has characters that, love the or hate them, have personality. It has a twisty plot filled with scorching passion and devious manipulations.
It took me a long, long time to like Tanner. A very long time. He was just too much of an arrogant man, too self-centred, too uncaring. The ‘excuse’ that he has been raised to be manipulative, that he hadn’t had loving parents, didn’t wash with me. Plenty of people use that experience to become a better person, to not repeat the sins of their fathers. Tanner hated everything about his Dad but I couldn’t see how he was any different, in the long run. He was selfish to an extreme with, at one point, no redeemable qualities. I really wasn’t sure how the author would ever turn my dislike of him around, but my word she did, and then some. That alone indicates just how amazing her writing is.
The story starts with our protagonists at Yale, where they are all completing graduate courses. First of all I suffered from having to suspend my disbelief at how powerful these nine young men supposedly were. At how everybody other than Luca succumbed to that power, became ensnared within the web these guys had spun. Nope, not buying that, not for one minute. There was an over emphasis on how different Luca was in her behaviour, and I get that maybe it was to make her stand out, but it was another thing that was hard for me to believe.
Then there was the number of times Tanner mentally threatened that their fathers’ days were numbered. At Yale they were toeing the line because daddy was paying their way. Yet three years later, and financially independent, they still hadn’t cut those ties. They also seemed to have build a multi-million (billion?) dollar business without actually doing any work.
Finally, whilst a lot of their manipulation, and lies, felt possible, there were instances when far too many stars needed to align in the right order, at the right time, for their plans to work. The thing is these plans relied on people choosing one particular action where that outcome was not guaranteed. Where independent thoughts and actions could have thrown all those careful plans awry. The repeated need to suspend disbelief is where my biggest issues occurred, the thing that made me want to close the book and leave it behind. BUT I didn’t do that, and thank goodness because boy did this turn out to be one heck of a ride. I couldn’t read the last third, or so, quickly enough. There were red herrings and twists galore and I don’t think I managed to call even one of them.
Luca kept me in this for quite a while, her strength, her fight, her determination not to be manipulated, her ability to throw a spanner in the works and to ruffle Tanner’s feathers. She learns from her mistakes and whilst she plays a dangerous game, she doesn’t have many options. If Tanner wanted her help, her support and ultimately her love then he needed to earn it. Not by manipulating her, not by backing her into a corner and demanding it, forcing it, but by opening up, showing her the truth and letting her choose.
It takes a long time, and Gabriel’s intervention, for Tanner to realise his lies, his tricks and his manouverings would not work on Luca. To give her the FULL respect she deserved and to allow her the freedom of deciding her own fate and future. And my oh my, when Tanner decides to do something he puts everything into it. He 100% earned her trust and loyalty. He worked for and deserved her forgiveness. He laboured for her love and there was nothing else to do but forgive him and accept him. Best of all was that in many ways he didn’t change, he was still the same arrogant, full of himself, manipulative bastard, but not with Luca. In fact I’m fairly certain he would kill for her, literally.
So in summary TL;DR after suspending some of your disbelief and ignoring what an annoying arse Tanner is, this is a cracking read with a fantastic heroine and a hero who does eventually earn her forgiveness.
Sooo ladies, Lily White has a new series coming out and y’all are going to LOVE it!!!
***Each novel in the series depicts a unique romance, but the plots through each book connect in one world. For the best experience, read the series in order.
Nine Standalone novels. Nine dangerous men. Nine unrepentant sinners you’ll hate to love.***
Yupp, I am first in line to get this book in my grabby hands. Sooo freaking good y’all.
Of course when I pick up a Lily White book, I know that I am in for such a treat, I am obsessed with her books!!!
I always know that she has a bad ass heroine that pushes that hero’s buttons, like to the ever loving max..haha Anddd she even has a more bad ass, grumpy ass, his way or the highway-alpha male hero that ends up falling in love with them…and of course, so do I!!!! *swoon* Treachery will definitely blow your socks off. Cant wait for the next book in the series to come out!!!
I read the Prequel to this novel back in March, which has now been built into this full length novel so I won’t cover that section of the story in my review here.
The newer content of the book begins several years later Tanner and Luca are in their late 20’s and their paths cross again at Luca’s divorce hearing where Tanner is representing her husband. It’s obvious that Tanner isn’t ready to let Luca go now she is back in his sights, and is going to continue to mess with her life.
Treachery was a little slow at times, compared to the mystery of the college years section of the story, it took a while for their chemistry to build back up again. That said once it did and the plot kept twisting and the secrets and lies all twisted and unravelled I was officially hooked.
I had a smirk on my face every time Luca challenged Tanner. He isn’t used to a woman standing up to him, she had nothing to loose thanks to Tanner’s manipulation so she challenges him instead of towing the line. Getting more of Gabriel was also a highlight and I really enjoyed the dynamic between he and Luca and how that riled Tanner, turning him into a possessive Alpha male.
Treachery has a great sub plot, dynamic characters and I am so intrigued by this whole world. It lagged at times pacing wise but other than that it was very well written and I am sure I will enjoy the other books in the series as they release.
What a wild ride of a story from Lily. I was glued to each of the pages as I was reading I didn’t want to stop. This story is about Luca and Tanner.
Luca has something Tanner’s father needs and he’s been told to use any means to get it and he’s down for that, but he also is battling his feelings toward this girl since she hates him and thinks she got away from him to only find out he was just biding his time to trap the little mouse. This story was absolutely amazing the cat and mouse these 2 did and I have to say the side characters were all to willing to help. Just wait they’ll get their own stories in this series. This is definitely a must read.
Lily White is a freaking genius, she has taken Dante’s Poem Inferno-the eight circles of hell to contrive a masterpiece series worthy of all the praise and accolades. The nine brothers from different mothers (except the twins) each represent one of the circles, Treachery is Tanner’s story. Tanner’s father is known as Daddy Dearest and the man is a ruthless SOB if we thought the games and deals were bad from the sons we only have to look to their fathers to see where it all originated. Some deals may be worth the risk, while others not so much but you don’t get to decide which ones you are going to forfeit and which are going to be played till death or total destruction. Luca Bailey never wanted to catch the eyes of the Inferno Brothers, but her best friend and college roommate Everly introduced her to them at a house party and her life has never been the same. The twists and turns will have you looking over your shoulder trying to absorb everything that is happening. #Excellent #wellwritten #totallyentertaining #mustread #Mayrelease #Lilywhite #mindblowing #ruthless #treachery #tannerandluca
Dark, Twisted & Intense! Amazing Story & Narration
Treachery
Antihero Inferno, Book 1
By: Lily White
Narrated by: Ramona Radcliff, Blake Lockheart
Wow, this book just blew me away, it is an amazing bully romance and a great start to the “Antihero Inferno” series, each book features a different lead character from the “Inferno Boys” a group of nine friends and cohorts, each having their own speciality, an evil and sinful specialty that parallels those of the Nine Circles of Hell. This is my first book written by Lily White, I enjoyed her writing style and the originality of the characters and storylines she created, they are interesting and captivated my attention from start to end. I loved her take and spin on Dante’s Inferno’s Circles, starting with the Ninth, Treachery and Tanner Caine, the lead character is definitely treacherous. The prequel takes place in the past with the nine boys at Yale University, and we learn the boys are puppets and their fathers the puppet masters. These boys were not born bad, but their fathers molded them to be the way they are. Tanner is the unofficial leader of the group, the one who keeps them all together, his sidekick and best friend, Gabriel aka Fraud, is a big help, though all the boys have parts to play. Luca Bailey is a studious girl and is doing her best to maintain her high grades. Unknowingly, the Inferno boys need something from her and are masterminding their plans to get it, with Tanner in the lead. But he quickly learns that she is not easy to manipulate and that he has met his match in Luca. But when Luca gets a call to come home, they put the plan on hold. The story picks up in the present time, Luca is divorcing Clayton, her boyfriend from Yale and his attorney is none other than Tanner and if she wants to win her divorce, she has to do as he says. Holy moly, this book is full of twists and turns that keep you on your toes and those Inferno boys, double holy moly and let’s not forget to mention that the chemistry between Luca and Tanner is absolutely explosive. I loved how everything played out in this book, it is a brilliantly plotted story with plenty of drama, angst, mystery, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartfelt emotions and some steamy romance. The world building is phenomenal and I am looking forward to learning more about what is going on behind the scenes and with their fathers. Lily White, thank you for this amazing story and the thrilling and emotional rollercoaster ride.
Blake Lockheart and Ramona Radcliff do an outstanding job bringing these characters and their story to life. They have a complete understanding of the characters they portrayed, give each a voice that suits their character’s persona to a tee, sounding believable in every role they played and just as I pictured the characters to sound. They set the perfect tone for the story, handle the banter and back-and-forth dialogue with ease, never missing a beat. You could hear how much heart they put into their work as they capture all the characters’ emotions and project them into their performance. Both are versatile voice artists and entertaining storytellers, and their narration enhances an already amazing story another level. Thank you for this exceptional listen.
Tanner Caine is the alphahole you can’t help but love!!
Honestly, I don’t know even know how to go about writing a review for Treachery. For the first part of the book, I was back and forth on if I even wanted to continue this story and then after that I was just confused as hell!! The only reason I continued past the first 20% was because of Gabriel, I have this whole vision of him in my head that is just too delicious for words. Yeah, I know he is just as bad as Tanner, if not worse but come on!! That man is deliciously deceiving. OK, moving on….
Luca as kind of the badass heroine we all want in a book but when we finally encounter her, we are like “WAIT WHAT IS THIS??”, she never backed down to Tanner unless it was for her own good and even then, she still let it be known that she wasn’t happy about it.
Tanner was intolerable for a majority of the book but when it mattered, he came through. When you grow up like he did it is almost impossible not to turn into a dick. He protected the eight guys of the Inferno but that was pretty much it so when we see him finally letting himself go to a place of love with Luca it is incredible.
This story was just one big mind f*ck!! It kind of reminded me a bit of Penelope Douglas and Devil’s Night but at the same time way different. These 9 men are all forces to be reckoned with and somehow, I think that Treachery is just the start of the sheer insanity this series is going to turn into.
Next, we get Gabriel’s story and I 100% here for it!!
I honestly do not know why it took me so long to read this, or any, book by this AMAZING author!
Treachery is the first book in the Antihero Inferno series and though the book starts a little slow (for me), if given the chance, you’ll be pulled and consumed by each and every word.
Tanner Caine is the Treachery, ninth circle of hell, anti-hero. He’s cold, enigmatic, with no care for anyone but himself. On the other hand, Luca is somewhat introverted, determined, and strong. They first met when Luca while they were in Law School. When she thought she was finally free of him, he is back in her life. This reunion starts a fun ride full of banter, push and pull, and intensity.
The head to head banters between them were amazingly intense. And though Tanner is the most feared man, Luca isn’t intimidated. She gives as good as she gets without hesitation. When he pushes her, she pushes back harder.
This book has it all. The gritty, the sexy, the mystery, the suspense, the chemistry! If you haven’t read this series, YOU NEED TO DO IT!
Thoroughly enjoyed that
Good plot and amazing writing. It dragged in most parts and I found it a bit hard to get into, but I am already in love with the Inferno Boys.
Treachery was a fantastic read following the smart and wickedly devious Inferno antiheroes and the twisted games they play.
I absolutely loved Luca’s tenacious spirit and how she refused to back down even when she was beyond outmatched. Tanner as the master manipulator of the Inferno men enjoyed playing the long game and the thrill of the chase though Luca was one player whose moves he couldn’t anticipate. The push and pull between these two as well as their fiery exchanges made for a thrilling read that I couldn’t devour quickly enough. I enjoyed all the twists along the way as well as meeting the other men of the Ninth Circle.
Treachery was quite the thrilling and engaging introduction to this series. With all the twists and turns, still unanswered questions, intriguing Ninth Circle members as well as Luca and Tanner’s entrancing story Treachery has left me excitedly looking forward to what’s in store next.
I’ve read other books by this author that I really enjoyed. This story was okay. Luca at times seems really strong and willing to stand up for herself and not get caught up with the wrong crowd. But then once she meets Tanner she starts melting like a snowflake.
Tanner is the leader of the Inferno – a group of spoiled rich boys that use their family names to get everything they want and as an excuse for their poor behavior.
There are many secrets between the cast of characters, some that are still unresolved as of the end of this first book in a planned series.
4 out of 5 stars
When Luca is taken to a party with her best friend . She is unknowingly cast into a web that the men of inferno are weaving . They want her for some reason but no one knows why . When Tanner spies her that night he is rude to her but that is all in his plan . But she is the one that got away and when they meet again all bets are off .
Wow what can I say about this cast of characters . Tanner is well he is cocky , rude and oh so sexy and way to smart for his own good . His brooding attitude is just to sexy but there is a sadness in him that he is tired of being at his fathers beck and call . I truly loved to hate him and there were moments that I just wanted to hit him over the head with a cast iron frying pan and then there were moments that I wanted to climb him like a spider monkey.\
Luca is a sweet girl, who just wants to finish school and become a lawyer . She is feisty and just a little naive . Her feisty attitude gets her into a bit of trouble she wants the safe life but the brooding Tanner keeps coming back into her life and stirring up trouble in a big way. There are eight other brothers that have been friends with Tanner and they are all cocky and arrogant with a great sadness in their hearts .
Ok I really wasn’t prepared for this book , it was recommended by a friend . So I grabbed it and sat down and started reading . Well I was hooked by the end of the third chapter . The characters are so well written and complex and you will love to hate them and then fall in love with them . The author really takes us on an emotional rollercoaster ride there were moments that you will have tearing up and then there are moments that will have you blushing cause of the hotness that is on the paper . With any good book there is also a lot of intrigue and mystery in this book. You really want to find out what the guys are hiding and you really want to get to the bottom of the whole mystery around Luca. The reason why I didn’t give the book a 5 stars , it just seemed to drag a little with both points of view chapter after chapter . It seemed to slow down the book just a little . Over all I truly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read about the other men of inferno . This would be a good book for your summer reading list so check it out
What an intriguing world Lily White has created with these Inferno boys – 9 sexy, alpha, brooding and brutish boys to men each with their own signature characteristics – from violence to greed to lust to Tanner’s treachery. I have a feeling this series is going to become my next addiction- we truly have a spectacular mix of a suspenseful overarching mystery and deceit (that will span many books), scorching and complicated character chemistry, and a pervasive dark tone that underscores our narrative. This brought out all my yearning, all my longing, but also kept me anxious with its unpredictability and the ominous undercurrent.
Tanner is definitely an alpha-hole to the fullest- over the top bully antics, possessive, toxic, sinisterly manipulative and strategic. He’s truly a bully mastermind who loves to play dangerous games- treacherous, indeed. And he wants to play his twisted games with Luca. Luca holds her own- she’s spunky- which sets up for the angsty push-pull soapy drama that I live for in a bully romance. Our devious mastermind, always the leader, always with a dastardly plan, finds that for once his plans are challenged – his own treachery at risk, because of his pull to Luca. And when Tanner gets all soft over Luca- SWOON. While this book is Tanner and Luca’s story, we also get some world building as we get to know all 9 of the interferno brothers and the mysterious old-family drama world they live in.
Lily is so adept at writing character chemistry- and she really nails and elevates the bully tension, the delicate balance between connection and longing with distrust and toxicity- that dynamic love hate. Her writing style, particularly when it comes to the emotive parts, the mental analysis of her characters as they try to unpack their feelings, is downright poetic. She somehow makes the intangible tangible, the inexplicable clear- the emotional imagery, the descriptive nature of how she builds the emotional complexity is just really powerful writing. The plot is intricate- clearly strategically paced, multi-layered, with just right mix of chaos. These characters are unpredictable, emotional and often rash, which keeps the plot nuanced and unexpected. At times I found the prose to be a bit repetitive or redundant- which may be a writing device intentionally utilized or perhaps an editing consideration (I notice this in other books in this series) – it didn’t impact my love for this story, but at times made me want to skim past repetition so I can get answers. And just know that this story spans multiple books- even though each book is a different inferno brother- so you don’t get all the answers- not just to the overarching plot with their families but also to the couple. I actually appreciate that Lily let’s the couple be a bit incomplete- because their story, even if they are not the main couple- will continue to progress with the action and development of the other books. But, this did feel different for me- feeling that parts of their couple story are still up in their air even though their book is over.
This world is dark, at times confusing, and intricately opaque. As you’re salivating over the increasing heat between Tanner and Luca, you’ll also be scratching your head just trying to untangle all the threads Lily is weaving here. Expect non-closure, expect to be confused at times- wondering if you missed something- but trust that the ride will be glorious and the pay off sweet when all comes to light.
Treachery by Lily White is the First book in the Antihero Inferno Series. This is the story of Luca Bailey and Tanner ‘Treachery’ Caine. This series is about the 9 friends that lived in the Inferno house at Yale where they all are well off but lack the emotional loving experience of their childhood due to mostly their fathers. So each book will be a different main characters to give each their own story, but will have a underlining background story that follows through the books. Tanner meets Luca in school but she moves on with her life for a few years. But when her life is starting to fall apart, Tanner reappears back in it…but did he really ever leave? Tanner is a hard man due to his up bringing so it takes a while to warm up to his harshness and some of his reason for what he does. But I always enjoy a alpha anti-hero who you get mixed emotions about. Luca was a strong women who when pushed into a corner each time she came out on top. Loved this book and can’t wait for the rest that are to come.
I’m looking forward to this, to be honest. Only because nothing turns me on more than Luca in a bad mood.
That’s fucked up.
I know it.
But there’s just something about a woman who has a backbone of steel. It makes the chase more enjoyable. The win that much more of a victory. It makes you take a closer look at the value of a person, only because you had to fight like hell to be with them.
I’ve read my second Lily White guys and gals, and it was a typical Lily White rollercoaster. This book had the prequel and the actual novel all in one so it was a LONG ass book. And I can’t lie. It dragged in some places for me which was why it took me so long to finish it. There were also certain lines that felt very repetitive which brought my enjoyment down a little, but with all that being said I had such a fun time. Once I got into the present part of the story and things started happening, and the more connected and attached I got to these 9 men and Ava and Luca, I couldn’t stop. Lily White has that talent of hooking me and refusing to let go until I get to the last page. There is alot going on in this book so I’m not going to go into the details. But I will say that Tanner and Luca have chemistry coming out the wazoo!
The prequel takes place while our characters are in college, and it’s a great intro into how Luca came to meet the Inferno boys. It’s got a great hate to love, enemies to lovers, bully vibe going on that carries into the present days of their story which takes place 3 years later. This book left me with so many questions, very few answers, and pretty much trembling to read Gabriel’s story Fraud.
Read this if you enjoy the following:
-hate to love
-enemies to lovers
-bully
-MAJOR alpha asshole behavior
-a strong heroine with a backbone
-anti heroes
CW-violence, manipulation
Overall rating 4 stars
Steaminess 3.5 stars
Copy received from The Next Step PR and I am reviewing it voluntarily and objectively.
I swear there is nothing that Lily White writes that I do not like, and this book is no exception!
The book starts with the characters in college. This gives the series a chance to introduce all nine men and the insane world they exist in for themselves. Tanner and Luca meet after she is dragged to a party by her friend. She’s a good girl and what she sees at the party shocks her. This is noticed by Tanner who kicks her out. They then have a few other encounters, all with him hating on her. They fight, she avoids him, he hates her. We also get early insight into why he keeps popping into her life. After getting news of her family, she takes off.
25% through the book and now we get a three year time jump. At first I disliked this. And “at first” means for one page. I have a weird relationship with time jumps but this one is so well placed and has so much meaning. When she and Tanner meet again, this time stakes are higher and the game is deeper.
Without giving anything away, I must say that nothing in this book is random. The phone call that brings her home and starts the time jump. Not random. Her situation in the three years, how she meets Tanner again, how she met Tanner the first time, every situation though this book…not random. Everything was so well calculated between Luca and Tanner, it is crazy! I was addicted to this book, for I knew there was a surprise around every corner.
When Tanner and Luca met and then meet again, it’s for one reason only: he is doing what he is told to. She made him feel something in college and this obsession with that feeling never went away. In the present time, he is managing her. She’s always around. This causes possessiveness, and what comes after possessiveness? Protectiveness. From there, he realizes how much he cares about her and she realizes despite the bad, she does love him.
Along with the “random” events of this book, the plot in this one goes deep and far. It starts even before the college scenes. I can see why and how this series is interconnected, for this is not a plot that will be resolved quickly. Not all that occurs in this book is bad. In fact, I laughed so hard at that epilogue. And, the situation with Jase and her friend has me questioning all sorts of stuff.
5 stars all the way. Perfect angst, perfect romance, perfect plot. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series. This book serves as a set-up for each character, and I feel that they’ll all be good ones.
They call me devil…
*arc generously provided by the promo team in exchange for an honest review*
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Luca finds herself at the end of the road. She has nothing to lose. When an opportunity to take back what’s hers arises, she hesitates. She knows that making a deal with the devil comes at a hefty price.
This made the rounds on bookstagram and who can blame my fellow book bloggers? It’s a beautiful book cover. Lily White is a legend. So I picked it up, too. All in all, this was a fast-paced read with a slow start. There was one scene that made me snap; after that I was fully invested in the characters (it happened around 20% in). I give chances to books rather than give up on them AND HERE I WAS REWARDED WITH SUCH A TREACHEROUS TREAT!!!!!! Luca is an incredible lead. I admire her from head to toe. I rooted for her so much. Treachery or Tanner Caine or Daddy Devil (if you’re nasty) is the perfect counterpart. Their back and forth shenanigans were entertaining and swoon-worthy. Once Tanner unfolds upon these pages (damn, I study English Lit and this is what I come up with?), I truly started enjoying his character. His connection with the other eight is glorious and heartfelt. The chemistry amongst the characters is never ending. There are a lot of twists and turns in this story. And there’s one BIG twist in the epilogue that had me like WHOA, I like you even more now LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. It’s a more devilish version of Sanders from Degradation by Stylo Fantome, those who know will get the reference.
I can’t wait to read the next books in this series! What a start! Lily White delivered the goods once again. Steamy, hilarious and dramatic!
I recommend this to all the lovers of anti-heroes, heroines with back bones of steel (this might be a paraphrase of sth Tanner said about Luca) and a whole lot of twisted family/relationship dynamics.
Treachery is the first book in the Antihero Inferno series and I enjoyed it. This novel included bully romance, enemies to lovers and to some extent second chance romance tropes into one tale. It was fast paced and engrossing filled with secrets, mind games, twists and turns, mystery and suspense and so much more. The story as well written and detailed and it was not a quick read as the author put alot of detail into the story.
This was Tanner and Luca’s story and there were a cast of extended characters who played a prominent role in the story and will each have their own book later on in the series. With hott steamy scenes, danger from unknown sources, back and forth banter and some twists your won’t see coming, this novel will have you hooked until the end and will leave you anxious for the next book in the series. What I absolutely loved is that there is an underlying story that will no doubt carry over into the other books and the author did an excellent job with catching my interest and I can’t wait to see how its all resolved. Unfortunately one thing I didn’t like was that the internal mind chatter of the two main characters was a little too long for my liking and I started to get irritated. However in spite of that I really enjoyed this novel and I would recommend it to all lovers of contemporary romance.