My sick obsession with domination and sex had become an addiction, and I was no longer willing to be a slave to it. Now, I’m six months sex free, and I haven’t tied a woman up in five. I’ve never felt more powerful in my life. Then Eden Vaughn got a job at Empire Sevens and turned my newfound control on its head. She makes me feel weak—testing my restraint—silently begging me to show her how … show her how deep my addiction runs. I can’t have her sort of temptation in my casino, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get her to quit.
I’m into all things dark and filthy, but innocence is my kryptonite.
She’s virtuous and vanilla, and vanilla is my VICE.
Introducing a new dark and sexy read from New York Times & USA Today Bestselling duo, Tabatha Vargo & Melissa Andrea.
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Hot and a little dirty, with an intriguing setup
This is a new-to-me author duo, so I didn’t know what to expect going in. The writing was good and I thought the authors did a nice job of carrying the theme of contrasts throughout the book; it added a nice depth to the story that I appreciated.
While I understood Zander’s struggle with his addiction, he still came across as a bit of an a-hole so I actually enjoyed it when some of the things he did to get Eden to quit ended up backfiring on him. Loved Eden, though, with her strength and how determined she was to remain independent. Great secondary characters as well; I loved Aunt Kennedy and Kade especially.
I never really warmed up to Zander, though I thought he had a lot of potential (I was more curious about Kade, tbh). Part of that is probably due to the length of the story; I felt like this was mostly just setup while I would have liked a little more depth. Ending on a cliff the way it did, I felt this was an enjoyable tease while the real meat of the relationship between Zander and Eden will be in the stories yet to come.
This was a quick read, hot and a little dirty, with an intriguing setup. I’m looking forward seeing where this is going to go. 4 stars
B2B Kelly
Wow! Just wow! I call dibs on Zander right now. No one can have him but me. This book blew my mind! He blew my mind. Who knew you could get so worked up and the characters aren’t even having sex!
Zander a sex addict becomes obsessed with the new hire Eden. He does everything he can to keep her at arms length. But how can he refuse someone like Eden? Someone who is smart, head strong and can hold her own. These characters are engraved on my heart now. Leaving me hollow until the next book. Where we find out what is to come of our couple. The chemistry between these two hotties you could cut with a knife.
This book was seriously a page turner for me. I could not put this book down. I had to know what would happen next. Would they or wouldn’t they? That is the question you’re left wondering with this book. – By Vanessa
What a read!
Eden Vaughn is a young woman just trying to survive. When she makes the decision to leave her situation and go live her her aunt in Vegas, she had no idea what she was getting herself into.
Zander Hale is a recovering addict. Recovering from what? You have to read to find that part out. When Zander first sees Eden, he knows that it is not going to work. There is no way she can work for him, in his hotel and casino, and him not touch her. He can’t touch her. That would undo all his progress.
“She’s everything I desire. Everything my addiction needs. Blonde. Beautiful. And so fucking innocent even the sinful lights of Vegas refuse to reflect on her flawless skin.”
Zander is determined to make Eden quit, he won’t fire her because of her aunt.
How much and Eden take before it’s too much?
Zander and Eden play a cat and mouse game. But what happens when the cat catches the mouse? Will the mouse survive or will that cat break the mouse?
This was a great story. There was a lot of angst in this story and a lot of back and forth. You need to prepare yourself because you won’t see the ending coming!
Warning: This book ends in a cliffhanger but it is going to be soooo worth it!!
That cliffhanger will kill you but I’ve enjoyed the story so far and cant wait for more .
Zander a club owning sex addict hires his coworkers niece to work for him. Once he’s laid his eyes on Eden he wants what he knows he shouldn’t touch.
The Angst , heartache & longing for the forbidden is unpalpable and very intense between these two , but their chemistry is undeniable .
We can just put this series down as my new addiction.
Zander is addicted to domination and sex and innocence as well. Enter Eden. The epitome of innocence and suddenly Zander is fighting his addiction hard! Everything he can think to do to control his needs seems to be failing him so he comes up with a plan, but there is a small roadblock. She is the niece of one of his most loyal employees and friends and anything he decides to do could jeopardize that relationship as well.
This whole first book is about the introduction of Eden to her new life in Vegas and how Zander fights his need to have Eden and it is AMAZING. And then it ends on a “cliffhanger”.
*Insert blank stare here*
I have a love/hate with them. I hate them so much, but they really do their job and Tabatha Vargo and Melissa Andrea did a really good job with this one. GAH! When is the next book coming out?
Vanilla and Vice took me a little over 3 hours to read so it is bingeable…and you will definitely do that. Honestly don’t think I could have put it down if I had to.
People! Pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed!
Giving Vanilla and Vice 5 stars!
First off have you seen that cover, holy hotness if that doesn’t make you buy the book nothing will.
Tabatha and Melissa are a writing duo in perfect harmony this story was simply amazing. I read it in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down.
Zander is a sex addict who has been free from his addiction for six months when young innocent Eden bounces into his life. I was fascinated by his character, being inside his head was an enlightening and at time’s erotic experience. You get a ringside seat watching Zander fight his urges and fascination for Eden. Eden may be young and inexperienced but she’s no dummy, she’s run away from a destructive home life and landed in the city of sin.
This was an additive read, now it’s over I’m just sat here salivating for book two.
reviewed by Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Vanilla and Vice are two words that seem quite contradictory, but in respect to Eden Vaughn and Zander Hale’s story, this pairing is apt because it describes their respective personalities and even though it provides insight into how Eden and Zander differ, it’s because of those differences that Zander becomes obsessed with Eden’s virtuous and innocent lifestyle, forcing him to give into his desperate need to filthy her up even if it’s quite possibly the worst decision he could make, both professionally and personally.
I have to admit…I’m not quite sure how I feel about Zander and his vices. At times, he comes off as a pompous jerk – one who thinks highly of himself and one whose cravings will never be satisfied but goes forward nonetheless. This might be deliberate characterization on the authors’ part due to the fact that Vanilla and Vice is only the beginning of Eden and Zander’s story, but because I went in thinking it was a standalone, Zander’s actions and demeanor caught me off-guard. Now that I know that readers will be getting more of the story, I’m sure that the authors will provide further insights into Eden and Zander’s backstory as well as what makes them who they are in the present.
I really liked Eden and the way she was characterized. She definitely comes into her own as the story continues and it’s her resilience and her quiet but fierce courage that proves exactly who she is, and while she may be innocent, she knows what she wants and the Las Vegas setting is the perfect place for her to explore her sexuality and Zander Hale just might be the perfect man for the job.
There’s more of Zander and Eden’s story to tell, so I’ll be interested to see where the authors take their characters and if Zander’s obsession and addiction will work in his favor or work against him when it comes to wanting more than just sex.
3.5/4 Poison Apples
OMG! The sexual chemistry that takes you on a wild ride! Ashley @White Hot Reads
Vanilla and Vice is a quick read that leaves you wanting to know what will happen between Zander the recovering sex addict and the Eden the angelic virgin beauty. Zander is unable to control his sexual desire and attraction to Eden and gives in to his body after six months of no sex at all. These two combust and then they walk away from each other. What is going to happen between these two will they end up together or will they go their separate ways. Cannot wait to read the next book!
Tabatha & Melissa have always produced some Great sexy stories, blind spots, unexpected turns and twists and the books have always been edgy while not diminishing the smut factor. This book is another example of this dynamic Duo.
Eden Vaughn is on the run from her old life and rushes to Vegas to start anew.
Tomorrow would be a new day— a new beginning— and a chance to be someone different. I would grab the opportunity with greedy hands and turn it into something amazing. It was my time. I would change my life.
She’s like the proverbial Apple dangled in front of the Serpent. Only this serpent will swallow her whole. His control is slipping because she’s his carrot and he’s running towards her while trying to rein in his horses. Very tough task.
she stuck out like a beacon. A light in the dark cave-like casino. A break in the dark clouds with a single stream of effervescent light slipping through. She was purity. Perfection. Innocence. A vanilla cone waiting to be licked.
And she finds new kind of trouble- Zander Hale, He casino owner and her boss!!! He’s rude,arrogant and masterful. And that’s his “good qualities” He is battling his demons, and this angel thrown in mix is just adding fuel to fire. He’s hanging by a thread and she’s the beautiful clippers who’ll cut his tether, unless he bites first.
I felt crazy. As if I were within an inch of losing control of myself and swooping in and snatching her up like a starving bird would their prey. She was just a tiny mouse. An innocent angel scampering down the corrupt streets of Sin City.
I loved how the story started, it was fantastic, just halfway some things felt a bit unbeleieveable and goes against the character traits.
But please go ahead and enjoy this story
I tip my hat to Tabatha Vargo and Melissa Andrea on writing such a phenomenal book!
I couldn’t wait to dive into this puppy and when it popped up on my kindle I did a happy dance and immediately dived right in. And let me just tell you that this book was freaking awesome!
Zander, part owner of a casino in Las Vegas has a sex problem but has been seeing a therapist to help him with his addiction. So far, he’s been celibate for about 6 months and he plans on going longer. His urges are strong, but his urge to keep busy with work is stronger. So he tends to throw himself 100% into his work.
Eden is a naive, insecure and a mousy girl who has run away from home due to a bad environment. She ends up in Vegas in search of her aunt Kennedy. When she finds her, Kennedy immediately employs her at the casino, which happens to be Zander’s. What do you think is going to happen? Eden is the exact type that Zander always goes for and as much as he wants to control himself around her, he finds himself in jealous fits and outraged at the fact that he can’t go near her. He’ll do everything he can to try and drive her away, if at all possible.
But Eden has become strong pretty quickly and I loved that about her. As much as she acted kind of mousy at the beginning, this girl changed real quick. But you have to when you don’t really have anyone to look after you. Granted, she had her aunt and Kennedy was her protector now that she was living with her.
But oh my god that ending really had me wanting to throw my kindle against the wall! I can’t believe these wonderful ladies would leave me hanging like this!!!
But it was an epic ending that left me at a complete standstill. I hope we don’t have to wait long to get the next installment because my hands are itching for the next book!
5 Vanilla Stars!
The longing and tension in this book will keep you turning the pages. Vanilla and Vice is a giant tease. A tease that poor Zander seems to be losing the battle fighting. But what a way to go!
I didn’t realize that this tease was just that a tease. Vanilla and Vice is just the beginning. Eden and Zander apparently aren’t even getting started. It will be interesting to see how the rest of their adventure pans out.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Vanilla and Vice is the first book that I have read by either Tabatha Vargo and Melissa Andrea. It is the first book in the Empire Sevens series and it’s a fairly short book.
I can’t believe it ended the way it did. But, you will know that there is a second book coming out and I can’t wait!!!!
This is Eden and Zander’s story. Eden has run away from an abusive situation to her aunts. Her aunt helps her get a job at a casino in Las Vegas where she works. Zander owns part of the casino where Eden now works. Zander has a sex addiction and all he can think of and wants is Eden. Eden is blonde has long gorgeous legs. And, these things make for a very good story.
I am always amazed how 2 people can write together and tell a story. I am happy to say that you wouldn’t know which part each author wrote. It was seamlessly written!
I give reading Vanilla and Vice 4.5 stars and now I can’t wait for book 2.