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Rules of Bennett #1
You Will Bow
After years of hiding, I thought I’d escaped him; but you can’t hide when you belong to the devil.
Taking away everything that I loved, he thought I’d be his perfect, broken little doll.
Little does he know, I’m not one to bend so easily.
Following his three rules is the key to my salvation, but all rules are meant to be broken—even if breaking them would lead to my death.
When a business meeting takes a tragically unexpected turn, Bennett’s armor finally cracks, revealing his weakness.
He may think he’s the devil, but the devil can be destroyed too.
With vengeance in my heart, I’ll make him pay for what he’s done.
In the end only one of us will bow.
And I bow to no man.
Taking away everything that I loved, he thought I’d be his perfect, broken little doll.
Little does he know, I’m not one to bend so easily.
Following his three rules is the key to my salvation, but all rules are meant to be broken—even if breaking them would lead to my death.
When a business meeting takes a tragically unexpected turn, Bennett’s armor finally cracks, revealing his weakness.
He may think he’s the devil, but the devil can be destroyed too.
With vengeance in my heart, I’ll make him pay for what he’s done.
In the end only one of us will bow.
And I bow to no man.
First published January 1, 2019
About the author
Ember Michaels
11 books358 followersEmber Michaels is a dark fiction author from South Carolina. When she's not writing, you can find her binge-watching crime shows, hanging at the beach, and devouring books from her favorite authors! Be sure to follow her on social media!
Facebook: bit.ly/EmberMFB
Twitter: bit.ly/EmberMT
Instagram: bit.ly/EmberMIG
Facebook: bit.ly/EmberMFB
Twitter: bit.ly/EmberMT
Instagram: bit.ly/EmberMIG
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
August 24, 2019
🅼🅰🅼🅰 🅼🅸🅰...I don't know. 👀 I just 𝓭𝓸𝓷'𝓽 know. 👀 I L♥O♥V♥E a dark romance, and I A♥D♥O♥R♥E a good anti-hero, but lord have mercy 🅑🅔🅝🅝🅔🅣🅣 was a bit too
ЄҲƬƦƛ
even for me. 😱 The author will have her 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓴 𝓬𝓾𝓽 𝓸𝓾𝓽 for her ⱤɆĐɆɆ₥ł₦₲ this guy even with the sσftєníng of his edges that take place in the 🅛🅐🅣🅣🅔🅡 🅗🅐🅛🅕 of the book. 🔪 That said, this story 🅲🅰🅿🆃🅸🆅🅰🆃🅴🅳 me and I couldn't stop 𝕗𝕝𝕚𝕡𝕡𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕡𝕒𝕘𝕖𝕤 like a madwoman. 😂
The 𝖜𝖗𝖎𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌 was great. 👍 It was a relatively ŞĦØŘŦ βØØҜ that was paced well. 👍 As I mentioned above, the plot was super 𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓪𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓰. 👀 Very ĎĂŔĶ. 🔪 Full of t̳r̳i̳g̳g̳e̳r̳s̳. 🙈 My one 🅲🅾🅼🅿🅻🅰🅸🅽🆃 is the switch from sadistic 🅑🅔🅝🅝🅔🅣🅣 to softer 🅑🅔🅝🅝🅔🅣🅣 was a little too quick. 🌀 The same with 🅐🅤🅡🅞🅡🅐 (who really needed to learn when to 𝓼𝓱𝓾𝓽 𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓭𝓪𝓶𝓷 𝓶𝓸𝓾𝓽𝓱). 🙅 She went from hating 🅑🅔🅝🅝🅔🅣🅣 and wanting r҉e҉v҉e҉n҉g҉e҉, to being ᎶᎾᎾᎬᎽ for the guy practically 🄾🅅🄴🅁🄽🄸🄶🄷🅃. ⬅ I think a more 𝕗𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕙𝕖𝕕 𝕠𝕦𝕥 plot and gяα∂υαℓ cнαηgε was needed to make it a little more 𝓫𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓮𝓿𝓪𝓫𝓵𝓮. 👌
Overall though, I ʀɛǟʟʟʏ ʟɨᏦɛɖ this book and can't wait to get 🅼🆈 🅷🅰🅽🅳🆂 🅾🅽 the next one. 👍👍
March 2, 2020
I read this book out of curiosity. I didn't like the prequel and had a feeling I wouldn't like this book.
The reasons I don't like this book are the same reasons I don't like a few other popular authors in the dark romance genre (Zoe Blake, K. Webster, Ker Dukey). The main thing is I feel depraved acts are thrown in the story for shock value vs. the shocking acts being a main element (integral to the plot or character development).
I can't get invested in these OTT stories because it comes across as if they're trying too hard to be edgy and as dark and shocking as possible.
I don't like angry, raving MMCs, and the MMC is that to a T. He talked way too much, became angry way too much, for my tastes. .
The heroine, I found annoying and immature. I wasn't a fan of her dialogue. I like heroine's who fight, but the way in which this heroine fought against her captor came across as immature and stupid to me. I couldn't get emotionally invested in either character and probably won't continue with this series.
This is a new author - and I think she has writing chops and talent. Her style of dark used in this series doesn't suit me, but I think fans of Zoe Blake, K. Webster, or Ker Dukey may like this series and should give it a try.
The reasons I don't like this book are the same reasons I don't like a few other popular authors in the dark romance genre (Zoe Blake, K. Webster, Ker Dukey). The main thing is I feel depraved acts are thrown in the story for shock value vs. the shocking acts being a main element (integral to the plot or character development).
I can't get invested in these OTT stories because it comes across as if they're trying too hard to be edgy and as dark and shocking as possible.
I don't like angry, raving MMCs, and the MMC is that to a T. He talked way too much, became angry way too much, for my tastes. .
The heroine, I found annoying and immature. I wasn't a fan of her dialogue. I like heroine's who fight, but the way in which this heroine fought against her captor came across as immature and stupid to me. I couldn't get emotionally invested in either character and probably won't continue with this series.
This is a new author - and I think she has writing chops and talent. Her style of dark used in this series doesn't suit me, but I think fans of Zoe Blake, K. Webster, or Ker Dukey may like this series and should give it a try.
October 18, 2019
Warning: Rape/Murder/Human Trafficking/Violence
This is a dark book. While reading about the awful and brutal things Bennett did, I was intrigued on where this story was going to go...how on earth was the author going to redeem him...it was actually hard to read what he did to the poor heroine. All this was in the first half of the book and as dark as it was, I was thinking “this is so different” definitely going towards 4 stars maybe...but then the author did a 180...all of a sudden the antihero and our heroine were all soft for each other...kissing and sexing it up like they were lovers...😲...whatttttttt....I felt like I missed a whole chunk of the story....it came out of nowhere....after the things the h had to suffer through by him, she was all gooey-eyed and humping him like there was no tomorrow! Big FAIL! 🤬
This is a dark book. While reading about the awful and brutal things Bennett did, I was intrigued on where this story was going to go...how on earth was the author going to redeem him...it was actually hard to read what he did to the poor heroine. All this was in the first half of the book and as dark as it was, I was thinking “this is so different” definitely going towards 4 stars maybe...but then the author did a 180...all of a sudden the antihero and our heroine were all soft for each other...kissing and sexing it up like they were lovers...😲...whatttttttt....I felt like I missed a whole chunk of the story....it came out of nowhere....after the things the h had to suffer through by him, she was all gooey-eyed and humping him like there was no tomorrow! Big FAIL! 🤬
August 26, 2020
"He could have my body, but he’d never have my heart and mind. I’d rather die before I gave it to him."
I was a MAJOR fan of Rules of Bennett, impatiently waiting on this to release so I could get even more of Aurora and Bennett. I knew Bennett would be brutal, he is the definition of a sadist. And Aurora? I knew she would be put to the test---would she be weak, stupid, or smart and strong. I wish I could give it more stars than this, but you will see further into my review the reasons.
"If I’m stuck with you, I figured I could at least now something about you.”“I’m a killer, I hate small talk, and I’m not much of a talker,” I stated. “Anything else?”
Told in dual POV, the second installment in the Rules of Bennett series picks up in the aftermath of part 1. It is a true dark story, calling it a romance feels wrong (but you will see that it is heading into the romance territory). The antihero will make your stomach twist in a mixture of rage and disgust (at times), the heroine will make you want to put duct tape over her mouth so she will stop taunting.....but eventually you are given versions that are easier to root for. If you can't stomach violence against women, rape, sex trafficking/slavery, and murder/torture.....well this book IS NOT for you. There is no HEA, just a cliffy that will lead us into book 3 when it comes out.
"She had no choice but to submit to me, as she had nothing else. But that also made her just as dangerous, because she had nothing left to lose."
Aurora is in her own living nightmare. After discovering the deal her father made giving her to Bennett's family and with the realization that her fiance and parents are dead (and her best friends have been paid to keep quiet), she is faced with a choice. She can submit and be Bennett's pet or she can continue to fight and suffer a fate far worse. It should be an easy choice right? Not for someone as headstrong and smart-mouthed as Aurora. But she will soon learn, Bennett's brutality knows no limits and finally breaking may be the only way to make it out alive. After discovering his biggest weakness, she sets a plan in motion to bring him and his organization to its knees.....
Bennett knows what makes Aurora so desirable to him....her resemblance to his murdered love is torture. He won't make the same mistake this time. He will break her and use her how he wants. She will push him to his limits with her back talk and stubborness, he just has to keep in control so neither of them get hurt. But when shocking suspicions are brought up, Bennett must look deep within himself to separate fact from fiction. There is far too much on the line to make the wrong move.
One night will start a war he didn't intend to start....and it will also reveal that maybe he isn't as cold-hearted as he thought he was.
Will Aurora finally break and submit? Will Bennett be able to defeat his enemies and keep Aurora safe? And can two people with a horrific start be able to heal each other?
"Her nurturing spirit pulled to me, making me want to take off my armor and fall to her feet in my vulnerability, but I couldn’t."
There is no HEA, only a cliffy that won't be continued until part 3. If you are looking for or expecting a sweet romance with a little BDSM thrown in, trust me this IS NOT the book for you.
So what was the problem?
Well the most obvious was the multiple editing errors throughout. I reported a total of 37 and I am pretty sure I missed a few. A mix of typos (grammar mainly), missed quotations, formatting, plot timeline and repetition in dialogue. I get it, most of the time.....I can't write a short review without an issue of my own. However, I'm also not an author and I am not publishing my hard work. A few I can overlook but this? Whoever her beta readers are need to be replaced....ASAP.
My next issue will 100% SPOIL a part of the book BUT I feel its vital to share: I have read darker books than this (although that doesn't take away from the darkness in this one), trust me I feel like there are very few things I haven't seen in books. I've read where women are tortured, whipped, raped, etc. However, this is the first book where the antihero beat the heroine within an inch of her life with his bare fists (and his kicks). It was not "punishment" in the typical submit type way.....he states he allows his anger to take over. During this horrific incident, he also brutally rapes her (causing vaginal tears that require stitches). This is AFTER he raped someone she cares about in front of her (as a punishment for them both). I realize he is an ANTI-hero, however in order to become invested in a story like this that character must be redeemable. These two actions by him and his inability to apologize (aside from admitting he may have took it a bit too far) makes it VERY hard to stomach his character even when he is tender and sincere.
My last issue (is a bit of a SPOILER as well) is the fact that these two go from closed off with their roles clearly labeled (owner and pet) to suddenly more like bf and gf in an equal partnership. This isnt a gradual build up, these two go to sleep one way and wake up two totally different people in regards to each other. I hope in book 3 there will be a bigger concentration on making them as a "couple" believeable.
Overall, I am still invested in this series bc the storyline is still promising and I want to see where it goes. I just hope Ember can get a team to help her work out the kinks b4 the next one goes live.
“This pussy is mine, Princess,” I murmured against her lips. “You’re all mine and I’ll end anyone who dares to think otherwise. We clear?”
I was a MAJOR fan of Rules of Bennett, impatiently waiting on this to release so I could get even more of Aurora and Bennett. I knew Bennett would be brutal, he is the definition of a sadist. And Aurora? I knew she would be put to the test---would she be weak, stupid, or smart and strong. I wish I could give it more stars than this, but you will see further into my review the reasons.
"If I’m stuck with you, I figured I could at least now something about you.”“I’m a killer, I hate small talk, and I’m not much of a talker,” I stated. “Anything else?”
Told in dual POV, the second installment in the Rules of Bennett series picks up in the aftermath of part 1. It is a true dark story, calling it a romance feels wrong (but you will see that it is heading into the romance territory). The antihero will make your stomach twist in a mixture of rage and disgust (at times), the heroine will make you want to put duct tape over her mouth so she will stop taunting.....but eventually you are given versions that are easier to root for. If you can't stomach violence against women, rape, sex trafficking/slavery, and murder/torture.....well this book IS NOT for you. There is no HEA, just a cliffy that will lead us into book 3 when it comes out.
"She had no choice but to submit to me, as she had nothing else. But that also made her just as dangerous, because she had nothing left to lose."
Aurora is in her own living nightmare. After discovering the deal her father made giving her to Bennett's family and with the realization that her fiance and parents are dead (and her best friends have been paid to keep quiet), she is faced with a choice. She can submit and be Bennett's pet or she can continue to fight and suffer a fate far worse. It should be an easy choice right? Not for someone as headstrong and smart-mouthed as Aurora. But she will soon learn, Bennett's brutality knows no limits and finally breaking may be the only way to make it out alive. After discovering his biggest weakness, she sets a plan in motion to bring him and his organization to its knees.....
Bennett knows what makes Aurora so desirable to him....her resemblance to his murdered love is torture. He won't make the same mistake this time. He will break her and use her how he wants. She will push him to his limits with her back talk and stubborness, he just has to keep in control so neither of them get hurt. But when shocking suspicions are brought up, Bennett must look deep within himself to separate fact from fiction. There is far too much on the line to make the wrong move.
One night will start a war he didn't intend to start....and it will also reveal that maybe he isn't as cold-hearted as he thought he was.
Will Aurora finally break and submit? Will Bennett be able to defeat his enemies and keep Aurora safe? And can two people with a horrific start be able to heal each other?
"Her nurturing spirit pulled to me, making me want to take off my armor and fall to her feet in my vulnerability, but I couldn’t."
There is no HEA, only a cliffy that won't be continued until part 3. If you are looking for or expecting a sweet romance with a little BDSM thrown in, trust me this IS NOT the book for you.
So what was the problem?
Well the most obvious was the multiple editing errors throughout. I reported a total of 37 and I am pretty sure I missed a few. A mix of typos (grammar mainly), missed quotations, formatting, plot timeline and repetition in dialogue. I get it, most of the time.....I can't write a short review without an issue of my own. However, I'm also not an author and I am not publishing my hard work. A few I can overlook but this? Whoever her beta readers are need to be replaced....ASAP.
My next issue will 100% SPOIL a part of the book BUT I feel its vital to share: I have read darker books than this (although that doesn't take away from the darkness in this one), trust me I feel like there are very few things I haven't seen in books. I've read where women are tortured, whipped, raped, etc. However, this is the first book where the antihero beat the heroine within an inch of her life with his bare fists (and his kicks). It was not "punishment" in the typical submit type way.....he states he allows his anger to take over. During this horrific incident, he also brutally rapes her (causing vaginal tears that require stitches). This is AFTER he raped someone she cares about in front of her (as a punishment for them both). I realize he is an ANTI-hero, however in order to become invested in a story like this that character must be redeemable. These two actions by him and his inability to apologize (aside from admitting he may have took it a bit too far) makes it VERY hard to stomach his character even when he is tender and sincere.
My last issue (is a bit of a SPOILER as well) is the fact that these two go from closed off with their roles clearly labeled (owner and pet) to suddenly more like bf and gf in an equal partnership. This isnt a gradual build up, these two go to sleep one way and wake up two totally different people in regards to each other. I hope in book 3 there will be a bigger concentration on making them as a "couple" believeable.
Overall, I am still invested in this series bc the storyline is still promising and I want to see where it goes. I just hope Ember can get a team to help her work out the kinks b4 the next one goes live.
“This pussy is mine, Princess,” I murmured against her lips. “You’re all mine and I’ll end anyone who dares to think otherwise. We clear?”
September 11, 2019
3.5 stars—>4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
ETAA: I rounded up, it was a great story for me.
ETA: I stayed up at night bc of this book, wondering if I was too critical in my rating. I don’t like to give 3 stars; as it sometimes seems as if it is a signal one shouldn’t read this, or it was a shit book. That isn’t the case.
Having read the short prequel, I was super excited to get into the “meat” of this story. I am not sure if this is a new Author, or just a new pen name for an existing Author. If it is the former, I believe this was a stellar attempt at a unique dark book. There were elements to this that even made me cringe, and that’s saying something... And this is a *dark* book, be warned.
I am still unsure if I will change my rating, and round up. I simply can’t, for the now, for 2 reasons. I had several grammatical errors jump out at me and disrupt my flow of reading. If this is a new Author, that’s to be expected and can easily be fixed and honed.
Secondly, there wasn’t enough middle ground for me, from what seemed to be pure hate to insta-love between the main characters. However, perhaps that was done on purpose and the next book will prove this to be a plot point. Maybe that’s wishful thinking, we shall see.
Although only 3 stars from me (and wtf do I know? Lol), for now, this was a very entertaining read and a great dark start for an Author I will keep my eyes on.
ETAA: I rounded up, it was a great story for me.
ETA: I stayed up at night bc of this book, wondering if I was too critical in my rating. I don’t like to give 3 stars; as it sometimes seems as if it is a signal one shouldn’t read this, or it was a shit book. That isn’t the case.
Having read the short prequel, I was super excited to get into the “meat” of this story. I am not sure if this is a new Author, or just a new pen name for an existing Author. If it is the former, I believe this was a stellar attempt at a unique dark book. There were elements to this that even made me cringe, and that’s saying something... And this is a *dark* book, be warned.
I am still unsure if I will change my rating, and round up. I simply can’t, for the now, for 2 reasons. I had several grammatical errors jump out at me and disrupt my flow of reading. If this is a new Author, that’s to be expected and can easily be fixed and honed.
Secondly, there wasn’t enough middle ground for me, from what seemed to be pure hate to insta-love between the main characters. However, perhaps that was done on purpose and the next book will prove this to be a plot point. Maybe that’s wishful thinking, we shall see.
Although only 3 stars from me (and wtf do I know? Lol), for now, this was a very entertaining read and a great dark start for an Author I will keep my eyes on.
March 20, 2020
⚠️ WARNING⚠️
If you want to read the best version of this story, do not read the 1st/original edition as it is missing 20% of the story. If you don’t read that 20%, book #3 will not make sense!!!!
“It made me feel powerful to know that I was all she had because I’d destroyed and taken away everything she’d ever loved. She had no choice but to submit to me, as she had nothing else. But that also made her just as dangerous, because she had nothing left to lose.”
If you truly like your books dark, and I’m not talking about fade to black scenes or gritty romance but pitch black dark, this is the series for you! Unlike most anti-heroes, Bennett shows absolutely no signs of ever softening; he is the ultimate sadistic, depraved sociopath!!!! The only thing that could make this book better is if Michaels would hire a proofreader. Although this book is a million times better than the first edition, there are still many typos. Other than that, it’s absolute perfection!!!
If you want to read the best version of this story, do not read the 1st/original edition as it is missing 20% of the story. If you don’t read that 20%, book #3 will not make sense!!!!
“It made me feel powerful to know that I was all she had because I’d destroyed and taken away everything she’d ever loved. She had no choice but to submit to me, as she had nothing else. But that also made her just as dangerous, because she had nothing left to lose.”
If you truly like your books dark, and I’m not talking about fade to black scenes or gritty romance but pitch black dark, this is the series for you! Unlike most anti-heroes, Bennett shows absolutely no signs of ever softening; he is the ultimate sadistic, depraved sociopath!!!! The only thing that could make this book better is if Michaels would hire a proofreader. Although this book is a million times better than the first edition, there are still many typos. Other than that, it’s absolute perfection!!!
Want to read
October 20, 2020
Part of the Rules of Bennett Series and must be read in order:
September 5, 2019
This is the second book in the Rules of Bennett Series by Ember Michaels. This is only the author’s second book and I must say she is off to an amazing start. I was on vacation in the middle of nowhere when this book was released so I had to drive a while so I could download it. It was so worth the drive and having to sit in McDonald’s pretending to eat their crap so I could suck up their free WiFi. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading this trying to turn the page as fast as I could. Bennett Moreno is not a good man there is no denying that but I’m sorry to admit —I LOVE HIM ! I know that might make me slightly fucked in the head but I don’t care. I found myself screaming at Aurora while I was reading to just shut her damn mouth. I love that Ember continued with Bennett being a monster and didn’t completely turn him into a lovable guy just to please starry eyed readers. I can’t wait for the next one !
August 31, 2020
To be honest this was the darkest book I’ve ever read and I can honestly say it was not an enjoyable read. It’s disturbing to think that the reality is there are human traffickers out there in the real world and to read about one if the perpetrator’s as the Hero doesn’t sit right with me. There is a spark of humanity in Bennett and that’s the only reason why I’ll read the next book although I can’t promise I’ll finish it 😢
Want to read
June 17, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/27/2020)! 🎁
June 9, 2021
I'm going to write a long ass review, Im going to share some of my opinions about this book.
[image error]
( Serious spoiler alert)!!!
📌the Hero is a real badass, he is soo cruel, I really thought he is a villain not a Hero.
📌Hero captured heroine from her perfect life and make her life a living hell.
📌he murdered her parents and her fiancé and raped her best friend in front of her.
[image error]
📌he beat her to death and raped her until she was unconscious!
Up untill that moment the story was very interesting. The heroine vowed that one day she will take down the entire Brothel organization. She vowed that no women deserve that life ever. Okay that's fine! She blames herself for every bad thing that happened to her friends and family, still that will be fine too! She decided that she will make the bad wolf that is hero fall for her. That is really great right!, I was actually pretty excited after the whole vows and determinations but.......
That was changed in just like one night!
📌the Hero take heroine to some safe house because his enemies are after his ass, then they had sex. And that's it.! You can see that they both started falling for each other from that moment, she is all but smiles and giggles. Hello ma'am where is your "determination to make him pay" now?????
[image error]
📌Hero realises that there's something has changed between them so he makes his mission to protect heroine.
📌In one night she forgot her vows. She cried for H because some enemy shot him and he's groaning with pain. And she couldn't stand the thought of him suffering! But what about how much she suffered in his clutches, what about her best friend being raped by him until she bleed out!!!!
[image error]
📌She often thought about how much she loathes her dad, that she couldn't forgive him because she was suffering because of him. But she seems almost forgiving H , because she saw the good side of him.!!!! ( Like really?????!!)
[image error]
📌In this one book you can see the changes of plots and turns of the story!
I'm not saying that heroine shouldn't fall for hero, I'm just saying that there must a strong reason for that..! But I'm not convinced AT.ALL .!
I'll give only 3 stars "⭐⭐⭐".
(Excuse my gramtical errors!)
Thank you ,
XO.
[image error]
( Serious spoiler alert)!!!
📌the Hero is a real badass, he is soo cruel, I really thought he is a villain not a Hero.
📌Hero captured heroine from her perfect life and make her life a living hell.
📌he murdered her parents and her fiancé and raped her best friend in front of her.
[image error]
📌he beat her to death and raped her until she was unconscious!
Up untill that moment the story was very interesting. The heroine vowed that one day she will take down the entire Brothel organization. She vowed that no women deserve that life ever. Okay that's fine! She blames herself for every bad thing that happened to her friends and family, still that will be fine too! She decided that she will make the bad wolf that is hero fall for her. That is really great right!, I was actually pretty excited after the whole vows and determinations but.......
That was changed in just like one night!
📌the Hero take heroine to some safe house because his enemies are after his ass, then they had sex. And that's it.! You can see that they both started falling for each other from that moment, she is all but smiles and giggles. Hello ma'am where is your "determination to make him pay" now?????
[image error]
📌Hero realises that there's something has changed between them so he makes his mission to protect heroine.
📌In one night she forgot her vows. She cried for H because some enemy shot him and he's groaning with pain. And she couldn't stand the thought of him suffering! But what about how much she suffered in his clutches, what about her best friend being raped by him until she bleed out!!!!
[image error]
📌She often thought about how much she loathes her dad, that she couldn't forgive him because she was suffering because of him. But she seems almost forgiving H , because she saw the good side of him.!!!! ( Like really?????!!)
[image error]
📌In this one book you can see the changes of plots and turns of the story!
I'm not saying that heroine shouldn't fall for hero, I'm just saying that there must a strong reason for that..! But I'm not convinced AT.ALL .!
I'll give only 3 stars "⭐⭐⭐".
(Excuse my gramtical errors!)
Thank you ,
XO.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2020
Rating: 5 Brutal Stars
All I can say...Bennett...Bennett...Bennett! He is brutal and brutal some more. Hold on Aurora for all it's worth!!!
When is book 3 coming out! I need it!!!
All I can say...Bennett...Bennett...Bennett! He is brutal and brutal some more. Hold on Aurora for all it's worth!!!
When is book 3 coming out! I need it!!!
August 31, 2019
First off let me say I didn't notice any of the grammar mistakes that many have been complaining about because I didn't read the book I listened to it via text to speech which I believe read it without the grammatical errors that seemed to plague the book. So I was able to experience the books sans grammar error distractions. What I was not able to experience was the same enjoyment of You Will Bow that I was able to experience with Rules of Bennett. Don't get me wrong it is still a dark and twisty tale. It is in fact even darker than the first book if one can believe it. That in part accounts for my not enjoying it as much. Not to say I protest to the darkness - not at all. What I didn't enjoy was the h's Aurora seemingly change of feelings towards Bennett in spite of the increased cruelty and darkness that he displayed. If at all possible his evilness is stepped up a notch or 3000. This is a bit of a spoiler but Aurora begins to develops feelings for Bennett in spite of the evil things that he has done in book 1 and this current book simply because she learns about his past "hurt" because you know "hurt people hurt others." Given all that Bennett has done to her, her fiance, friends and things that she has witnessed him doing to others that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! Hurt people may hurt others but they don't tend to torture, rape and kill them or sell them into sexual slavery - not typically anyway. I don't like the direction this book is going in . I don't like or believe that anyone in their right mind could so easily forgive someone for these heinous acts simply because they have been hurt in their past or they are good in bed. It is insulting to the memory of her fiance and to all the people that Bennett have hurt/killed for her to have so easily excused his behavior. I don't know what is going to happen in book 3 but if Bennett in Aurora end up together romantically and she has forgiven him his sins of murder, torture, rape and sex trafficking. I will know that Bennett also made the author not only bow but break her mind!
June 21, 2020
Dark MF romance
This is such a great start for a first book to the series. I absolutely loved it. But, its pretty dark.
Let's start with the trigger warnings though. This has noncon which is a violent rape by the MMC. He is not the hero of this story. He's one of the villains, though he is slightly less of a villain than some others we meet in the book. There is a lot of violence, death, sex trafficking, etc. in it too. Also, some creative torture and deaths using dry ice. So there you go. Read if you have no triggers.
This book has a little something that might be labeled paranormal, by way of dreams that actually happened, but is mostly a contemporary mafia dark romance.
The FMC is mouthy and refuses to break. The MMC calls her his pet and wants to her to follow his rules. There's a lot of family drama that leads to a lot more drama as bodies drop and secrets come out.
This is everything I love about dark romance, even though Bennett is not a good guy. He is oh so bad and looks good doing it.
Side bar - just realized there's a prequel to this series that I gotta read too. It looks pretty short, so I will read that before jumping into the 2nd book.
This is such a great start for a first book to the series. I absolutely loved it. But, its pretty dark.
Let's start with the trigger warnings though. This has noncon which is a violent rape by the MMC. He is not the hero of this story. He's one of the villains, though he is slightly less of a villain than some others we meet in the book. There is a lot of violence, death, sex trafficking, etc. in it too. Also, some creative torture and deaths using dry ice. So there you go. Read if you have no triggers.
This book has a little something that might be labeled paranormal, by way of dreams that actually happened, but is mostly a contemporary mafia dark romance.
The FMC is mouthy and refuses to break. The MMC calls her his pet and wants to her to follow his rules. There's a lot of family drama that leads to a lot more drama as bodies drop and secrets come out.
This is everything I love about dark romance, even though Bennett is not a good guy. He is oh so bad and looks good doing it.
Side bar - just realized there's a prequel to this series that I gotta read too. It looks pretty short, so I will read that before jumping into the 2nd book.
August 24, 2019
Wow. There is so much to say about this one. I did have a rough time getting through this one. There are some moments in this one that got to me. Call them flashbacks I guess you could say. Bennett does not take it easy on Aurora at all. But then again she had three simple rules to follow and instead of following them she has to push back. She does not make things easy on herself. But things change for both of them when a business meeting turns ugly. Bennett lets down some walls and she learns that there is something inside him besides the devil himself. This was a very intense mind blowing interesting storyline. Does leave you hanging at the end? I have to know what is going to happen with these two. There are a couple of upsetting moments in this one but that does make the storyline even better. Ember did an amazing job keeping you on the edge of your seat with this one. Cant wait to read more.
August 24, 2019
Wow. There is so much to say about this one. I did have a rough time getting through this one. There are some moments in this one that got to me. Call them flashbacks I guess you could say. Bennett does not take it easy on Aurora at all. But then again she had three simple rules to follow and instead of following them she has to push back. She does not make things easy on herself. But things change for both of them when a business meeting turns ugly. Bennett lets down some walls and she learns that there is something inside him besides the devil himself. This was a very intense mind blowing interesting storyline. Does leave you hanging at the end? I have to know what is going to happen with these two. There are a couple of upsetting moments in this one but that does make the storyline even better. Ember did an amazing job keeping you on the edge of your seat with this one. Cant wait to read more.
September 5, 2019
This is the second book in the Rules of Bennett Series by Ember Michaels. This is only the author’s second book and I must say she is off to an amazing start. I was on vacation in the middle of nowhere when this book was released so I had to drive a while so I could download it. It was so worth the drive and having to sit in McDonald’s pretending to eat their crap so I could suck up their free WiFi. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading this trying to turn the page as fast as I could. Bennett Moreno is not a good man there is no denying that but I’m sorry to admit —I LOVE HIM ! I know that might make me slightly fucked in the head but I don’t care. I found myself screaming at Aurora while I was reading to just shut her damn mouth. I love that Ember continued with Bennett being a monster and didn’t completely turn him into a lovable guy just to please starry eyed readers. I can’t wait for the next one !
September 12, 2019
I enjoyed it.. but their love was waaayyy too easy. He fell for her and went soft in literally the blink of an eye and she forgave him for that horrid shit just as fast.
Ideally! They could have gone through all those tough times together without having fallen into insta-love and perhaps after having a series of shared experiences they grew close in a more natural way.
I do want to keep reading but I loved evil Bennett and he’s the reason I fell into the story. Without evil Bennett it’s just another one of the same stoopid stories in a sea of stoopid stories. The same D/s tale played out ova and ova again
Ideally! They could have gone through all those tough times together without having fallen into insta-love and perhaps after having a series of shared experiences they grew close in a more natural way.
I do want to keep reading but I loved evil Bennett and he’s the reason I fell into the story. Without evil Bennett it’s just another one of the same stoopid stories in a sea of stoopid stories. The same D/s tale played out ova and ova again
June 7, 2022
CONGRATS TO You Will Bow FOR BEING THE FIRST BOOK TO GO ON MY DNF SHELF!
DNF @ 40%
This made me sick. Can’t believe a woman wrote this?
DNF @ 40%
This made me sick. Can’t believe a woman wrote this?
Read
January 13, 2020I cannot, in any fairness, rate this book. I did not personally like it, but that is because it went well over the line for me.
Bennett is not a romance hero- he is a villain. He can never be redeemed in my eyes for what he has done to Aurora. Truly. I've seen jokes and memes about darker romance books, and how if the guy wasn't hot it would be an episode of Criminal Minds as opposed to a romance book. Well, this couldn't even be an episode of Criminal Minds, in my opinion. It is too dark even for that (unless perhaps they just described what happened without showing it).
Bennett doesn't just introduce Aurora to pain for the purpose of "breaking her"- he legit treats her as if she had personally murdered his entire family. It isn't clinical- it comes across as personal. He is beyond cruel. A person who could do what he does, and without remorse, is an unfixable psychopath that needs to be put down.
Listen, I get it- these are dark books. I've read plenty of dark books. This takes it too damn far.
I nearly DNF'd, but I figured surely he'd let some kind of humanity show through at some point, and maybe I'd still be able to sleep afterward. Or maybe Aurora would get lucky and get a chance to kill him. Or herself (because damn, she'd be better off).
I finished this book feeling a bit sick, honestly. It seems Aurora is warming up to Bennett. No. Just, no. He deserves the death penalty for what he's done. And he'd no doubt get it, too. There is no acceptable excuse to make his behavior okay/forgivable. Ever. I hope Aurora is only pretending to soften toward him, and is in reality planning to burn him alive while he sleeps. There is no romance to be had here.
Anyway, if you are a person who lives for pitch-black dark reads maybe this will be up your alley. For me, it certainly wasn't. Because my dislike is about personal feelings regarding what takes place I will not rate this book. Bennett is extremely abusive in every way- physically, sexually, and mentally/emotionally.
Trigger warning: ALL OF THEM. LITERALLY ALL OF THEM. I'm not kidding. He r*ped her so violently that she had to be stitched back together, right after he beat her literally almost to death. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.
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Bennett is not a romance hero- he is a villain. He can never be redeemed in my eyes for what he has done to Aurora. Truly. I've seen jokes and memes about darker romance books, and how if the guy wasn't hot it would be an episode of Criminal Minds as opposed to a romance book. Well, this couldn't even be an episode of Criminal Minds, in my opinion. It is too dark even for that (unless perhaps they just described what happened without showing it).
Bennett doesn't just introduce Aurora to pain for the purpose of "breaking her"- he legit treats her as if she had personally murdered his entire family. It isn't clinical- it comes across as personal. He is beyond cruel. A person who could do what he does, and without remorse, is an unfixable psychopath that needs to be put down.
Listen, I get it- these are dark books. I've read plenty of dark books. This takes it too damn far.
I nearly DNF'd, but I figured surely he'd let some kind of humanity show through at some point, and maybe I'd still be able to sleep afterward. Or maybe Aurora would get lucky and get a chance to kill him. Or herself (because damn, she'd be better off).
I finished this book feeling a bit sick, honestly. It seems Aurora is warming up to Bennett. No. Just, no. He deserves the death penalty for what he's done. And he'd no doubt get it, too. There is no acceptable excuse to make his behavior okay/forgivable. Ever. I hope Aurora is only pretending to soften toward him, and is in reality planning to burn him alive while he sleeps. There is no romance to be had here.
Anyway, if you are a person who lives for pitch-black dark reads maybe this will be up your alley. For me, it certainly wasn't. Because my dislike is about personal feelings regarding what takes place I will not rate this book. Bennett is extremely abusive in every way- physically, sexually, and mentally/emotionally.
Trigger warning: ALL OF THEM. LITERALLY ALL OF THEM. I'm not kidding. He r*ped her so violently that she had to be stitched back together, right after he beat her literally almost to death. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Find me at:
Facebook: https://fb.me/amandamariereads
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_mari...
Blog: http://amandamariereads.blog
January 6, 2024
Pro:
- The nightmare sequences are actually solid. Probably the only enjoyable part of this book.
Cons:
- I didn’t read the novella that came before this, and felt like I was missing a massive amount of context. That should not happen. If someone is picking up a book, even if it’s a part of a series, there should be enough storytelling where they can catch on and fill in the gaps.
- Nothing beyond superficial details are known about Aurora in the beginning.
- Dual POVs. I hate this tactic because it rarely is pulled off well. There wasn’t enough nuance in the two main characters’ voices or internal monologues to justify this. Bennet was such an a-hole and one dimensional, that giving him a POV didn’t seem necessary because why? He’s not complex or redeemable. We’re told (not shown) the emotions he feels.
- The r*pe of Savannah. What the actual f*ck.
- The multiple r*pes, actually. What is the author trying to prove here?
- There is nothing redeemable about anyone. Aurora is a victim, sure, but in the allusions to her previous life it doesn’t seem like she was a particularly good person one way or the other. She also lacks any inclination toward self preservation.
- The nightmare sequences are actually solid. Probably the only enjoyable part of this book.
Cons:
- I didn’t read the novella that came before this, and felt like I was missing a massive amount of context. That should not happen. If someone is picking up a book, even if it’s a part of a series, there should be enough storytelling where they can catch on and fill in the gaps.
- Nothing beyond superficial details are known about Aurora in the beginning.
- Dual POVs. I hate this tactic because it rarely is pulled off well. There wasn’t enough nuance in the two main characters’ voices or internal monologues to justify this. Bennet was such an a-hole and one dimensional, that giving him a POV didn’t seem necessary because why? He’s not complex or redeemable. We’re told (not shown) the emotions he feels.
- The r*pe of Savannah. What the actual f*ck.
- The multiple r*pes, actually. What is the author trying to prove here?
- There is nothing redeemable about anyone. Aurora is a victim, sure, but in the allusions to her previous life it doesn’t seem like she was a particularly good person one way or the other. She also lacks any inclination toward self preservation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 24, 2020
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June 24, 2020
The book is engaging but the 'hero' is irredeemable in my eyes. The trauma she had to face, and the murders he committed. You can't get past that even for this genre. I just really disliked him, they have no chemistry, and the twist with her sister and the supernatural angle, yeah not a fan... The whole alter ego, and dissociative identity angle too. I think more research should've been done on the topic. Usually, a personality splits at a young age, childhood, due to repeated and systematic physical, sexual and verbal abuse. It can become apparent during adulthood but if trauma occurs only during adulthood, in Aurora's case, it doesn't result in the disorder. Unless I'm missing or skimmed past something, that didn't happen.
Read
May 1, 2021DNF
I read only two chapters and after reading them I can't see Bennett doing anything justifiable to redeem himself, at least in my eyes.
I read only two chapters and after reading them I can't see Bennett doing anything justifiable to redeem himself, at least in my eyes.
December 23, 2021
3.5 ⭐
This had alot of potential. I mean, the violence, torture, darkness of the H. I don't even know how he could be redeemed to be fair, human trafficker and the rape. Then the last part of the book he's all soft and lovey dovey. What? Did I miss part of the book? I don't even know what happened. He can't change that fast... that bugged me. I'm starting book 2 to see what happens.
This had alot of potential. I mean, the violence, torture, darkness of the H. I don't even know how he could be redeemed to be fair, human trafficker and the rape. Then the last part of the book he's all soft and lovey dovey. What? Did I miss part of the book? I don't even know what happened. He can't change that fast... that bugged me. I'm starting book 2 to see what happens.
Shelved as 'characters-who-cheated-ugh'
January 16, 2022Ufff!!!!!
Un-fucking-beilevable.
Un-fucking-beilevable.
April 14, 2024
This was decent. The MMC reminded me of Silas, IYKYK. It did need some editing, but overall, the story was entertaining, and the plot was exciting.
September 13, 2020
Bennett was an irredeemable asshole. He's also an idiot. I can't comprehend why he could figure out the things his father had done over the years. It was so obvious.
February 11, 2020
NOOOOO...
This ends on a cliff hanger... not a breath-holding white knuckle one but enough of one to make your heart skip a beat.
I'm not sure what happened with this release?
Don't get me wrong the story is still engaging and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat heart palpitating, lungs constricted trying to catch my breath.
There were a few issues that brought me out of the storyline, issues that should have been caught during editing.
Not sure who was in charge of that but could you please go back and fix the errors?
Bennett is a complete psycho. Seriously! I thought he was a few screws loose in the first book. But the opening chapters here made his previous behavior look like child's play.
Then something snapped with his character -
Bye-bye Bennett - hello?
Aurora you just disappoint me. Where is your backbone? Your sense of worth?
I had a bit of trouble with how easily she went belly up.
I get this is total fiction but a bit more fight would have been nice.
And would someone please erase Wilson - Bennett is a total pussy cat next to that man.
And I'm thinking there is someone close to Bennett who has become a turncoat.
This was a bit chaotic IMO there was a lot of back and forth between the cast that seemed to take place in a short period and some scenes felt rushed or incomplete.
I am still chomping on the bit for the next in series - I need to know.
This has pretty much every trigger possible within the pages.
So before you click ask yourself -
"how dark do you want to go ?"
If you answer is -
"pitch is perfect "
One-click now- but remember you were warned so
Don't get your panties in a wad when all he ll breaks lose!
This ends on a cliff hanger... not a breath-holding white knuckle one but enough of one to make your heart skip a beat.
I'm not sure what happened with this release?
Don't get me wrong the story is still engaging and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat heart palpitating, lungs constricted trying to catch my breath.
There were a few issues that brought me out of the storyline, issues that should have been caught during editing.
Not sure who was in charge of that but could you please go back and fix the errors?
Bennett is a complete psycho. Seriously! I thought he was a few screws loose in the first book. But the opening chapters here made his previous behavior look like child's play.
Then something snapped with his character -
Bye-bye Bennett - hello?
Aurora you just disappoint me. Where is your backbone? Your sense of worth?
I had a bit of trouble with how easily she went belly up.
I get this is total fiction but a bit more fight would have been nice.
And would someone please erase Wilson - Bennett is a total pussy cat next to that man.
And I'm thinking there is someone close to Bennett who has become a turncoat.
This was a bit chaotic IMO there was a lot of back and forth between the cast that seemed to take place in a short period and some scenes felt rushed or incomplete.
I am still chomping on the bit for the next in series - I need to know.
This has pretty much every trigger possible within the pages.
So before you click ask yourself -
"how dark do you want to go ?"
If you answer is -
"pitch is perfect "
One-click now- but remember you were warned so
Don't get your panties in a wad when all he ll breaks lose!
August 26, 2019
Ember Michaels is a must read for dark romance. She portrays so many dark situations with alpha males, enemies, and betrayal. She is a one-click author that you will always want to buy!!
Dark romance is something that feels forbidden, wrong and provides a feeling that makes you keep reading regardless. This book is just that and SO. MUCH. MORE. These characters, the alpha males, the whole storyline - O-M-G!!! Ember Michaels just rocked my dark world fantasies!!
And I. AM. DONE. OMG. Ember Michaels. You are a goddess at this dark romance stuff. The way she weaves all of this mystery, steaminess, darkness, and all around forbidden scenes that make you crave the forbidden will knock your socks off.
Ember might have just debuted a book in June, but she writes like she has written for much longer and many more books. She has a very naughty, dirty mind that she is able to put to paper - and you will come to love her darkness. So. Much.
I’ve only felt the connection with these dark romances with a few dark writers, but this one would be a top dark romance. Chapter 4 just about does me in - so hold on for a twisted, very bumpy, very dark ride that you will want to enjoy over and over again.
Bennett and Aurora and BACK - and boy it is better than before. They have many problems, issues, enemies, and add darkness to that. It is such an amazingly dark, sensual ride that you might need to change your panties, or scream and throw your kindle - not sure which one you will be.
It does end in a cliffhanger, with your heart hanging out of your chest and the inability to breathe until you get the last installment. A definite dark read for all romance readers!!
Dark romance is something that feels forbidden, wrong and provides a feeling that makes you keep reading regardless. This book is just that and SO. MUCH. MORE. These characters, the alpha males, the whole storyline - O-M-G!!! Ember Michaels just rocked my dark world fantasies!!
And I. AM. DONE. OMG. Ember Michaels. You are a goddess at this dark romance stuff. The way she weaves all of this mystery, steaminess, darkness, and all around forbidden scenes that make you crave the forbidden will knock your socks off.
Ember might have just debuted a book in June, but she writes like she has written for much longer and many more books. She has a very naughty, dirty mind that she is able to put to paper - and you will come to love her darkness. So. Much.
I’ve only felt the connection with these dark romances with a few dark writers, but this one would be a top dark romance. Chapter 4 just about does me in - so hold on for a twisted, very bumpy, very dark ride that you will want to enjoy over and over again.
Bennett and Aurora and BACK - and boy it is better than before. They have many problems, issues, enemies, and add darkness to that. It is such an amazingly dark, sensual ride that you might need to change your panties, or scream and throw your kindle - not sure which one you will be.
It does end in a cliffhanger, with your heart hanging out of your chest and the inability to breathe until you get the last installment. A definite dark read for all romance readers!!
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