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Antihero Inferno #3
Violence
Seventh Circle.
Violence.
Also Known As Ezra Cross.
He’s one of a pair. Identical twin to Damon.
And an enforcer for the Inferno if one is ever needed.
I knew better than to get involved with him.
With his aggression.
With the constant fights.
With the games the twins were known to play with every woman stupid enough to fall for them.
We made a mistake when we met again as adults.
I fell in love.
He fell in love.
His brother fell in love, too.
What used to be a good time is now a tragedy.
Our story is messy.
It’s cruel.
It’s forbidden.
Despite all that, Ezra refuses to let go.
*** 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 Ruthless Men. Nine Unrepentant Sinners. Nine Irresistible Manipulators.
Violence.
Also Known As Ezra Cross.
He’s one of a pair. Identical twin to Damon.
And an enforcer for the Inferno if one is ever needed.
I knew better than to get involved with him.
With his aggression.
With the constant fights.
With the games the twins were known to play with every woman stupid enough to fall for them.
We made a mistake when we met again as adults.
I fell in love.
He fell in love.
His brother fell in love, too.
What used to be a good time is now a tragedy.
Our story is messy.
It’s cruel.
It’s forbidden.
Despite all that, Ezra refuses to let go.
*** 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 Ruthless Men. Nine Unrepentant Sinners. Nine Irresistible Manipulators.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2020
About the author
Lily White
35 books2,552 followersLily White is a bestselling author who likes to dabble on the dark side of romance. She is most known for her Masters Series, Target This, Wishing Well, and The Five.
When she isn’t writing as Lily White you can find other books by her under M.S. Willis where she has penned the Control Series, the Estate Series, and Because of Ellison (contemporary romance).
Lily enjoys stretching her writing muscles by continuing to challenge herself with each book she publishes.
When she isn’t writing as Lily White you can find other books by her under M.S. Willis where she has penned the Control Series, the Estate Series, and Because of Ellison (contemporary romance).
Lily enjoys stretching her writing muscles by continuing to challenge herself with each book she publishes.
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August 3, 2020
Guys you just love to hate!
The Characters
Emily: Promised in an arranged Marriage to Mason Strom (one of the nine Inferno guys). Neither Emily nor Mason want to marry each other but rather than being friends, Mason is always a jerk to Emily. Emily is expected to be pure when they marry while Mason can play the field. Though the minute Emily loses her virginity everyone (including Mason, her parents and her brother) label her a slut. Emily loves both of the Twins but is in love with Ezra (Violence). I don’t really understand why Emily travels on her parents dime after high school instead of going to college and then just asserting her independence and telling her parents that she won’t marry Mason.
Ezra: Started messing with Emily in high school as a bet with Mason and the other Inferno boys. They wanted Ezra and Damon to find out if she was as much of a prude as she seemed. The twins found out that she was so much stronger than anyone ever gave her credit for. She was the first girl that cared which one of the twins she was with. It never mattered to other girls. Also she cared that someone was hurting them every other weekend but they promised each other never to talk about it so Emily was never told what happened. Even the Inferno guys don’t know other than the fact that it is their father that took them away each time.
Damon: Something happened after graduation in high school and both Damon and Ezra ended up in Jail, Emily ended up with a scar on his shoulder. Ten years later Damon and Ezra still are messed up from what they went through with their father. Damon still has terrible nightmares and Emily was the only one that could calm them. She loves Damon but he was never The One. That was Ezra.
Shane: Another of the nine Inferno guys and is the best friend to Ezra and Damon. He and Damon always seem to go out to bars and get in fights then end up arrested. The rest of the guys have to get them out. Shane tries to talk they guys out of getting involved with Emily again because he knows what it did to them after high school.
Mason: His parents and Emily’s parents for some reason have a cruel arrangement to have these two marry no matter what. Nobody knows what it is all about and Mason is a humongous jerk to Emily for no reason other than he hates the arrangement and he can be. He ends up with Ava in College, but still in order for the Inferno guys to get back at their parents, he keeps going along with their plan. I hope Ava dumps him and his book is about a new girl because frankly these two bore me to death. Any girl that would get together with him like that and stand for him getting engaged to someone else isn’t someone I really care to read about.
Dylan: Emily’s brother who is in high school. They live together in the “Children’s wing” of their parents home which is apparently far enough away from the main part of the home where the parents don’t really know everything that goes on. Dylan has non-stop parties and seems to hate Emily. Emily thinks he is the spoiled golden child who gets whatever he wants, but apparently he is a bit more under his father’s thumb than she ever knew.
The Story
The story was very good but also tragic. Since Emily is only in love with Ezra, but both twins are in love with her. She doesn’t want to come between the brothers, not only because they are twins but because they need each other so much after all they have been through together. All three of them are in pain, and Emily loves Damon even though she isn’t in love with him like she is with Ezra, so she is really afraid of hurting him.
When they were all together in high school it was fun because they though Damon’s feelings weren’t involved. That he was only in it for the fun of it. But once everyone started getting feelings is when things started getting difficult and hearts were broken.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
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The Characters
Emily: Promised in an arranged Marriage to Mason Strom (one of the nine Inferno guys). Neither Emily nor Mason want to marry each other but rather than being friends, Mason is always a jerk to Emily. Emily is expected to be pure when they marry while Mason can play the field. Though the minute Emily loses her virginity everyone (including Mason, her parents and her brother) label her a slut. Emily loves both of the Twins but is in love with Ezra (Violence). I don’t really understand why Emily travels on her parents dime after high school instead of going to college and then just asserting her independence and telling her parents that she won’t marry Mason.
Ezra: Started messing with Emily in high school as a bet with Mason and the other Inferno boys. They wanted Ezra and Damon to find out if she was as much of a prude as she seemed. The twins found out that she was so much stronger than anyone ever gave her credit for. She was the first girl that cared which one of the twins she was with. It never mattered to other girls. Also she cared that someone was hurting them every other weekend but they promised each other never to talk about it so Emily was never told what happened. Even the Inferno guys don’t know other than the fact that it is their father that took them away each time.
Damon: Something happened after graduation in high school and both Damon and Ezra ended up in Jail, Emily ended up with a scar on his shoulder. Ten years later Damon and Ezra still are messed up from what they went through with their father. Damon still has terrible nightmares and Emily was the only one that could calm them. She loves Damon but he was never The One. That was Ezra.
Shane: Another of the nine Inferno guys and is the best friend to Ezra and Damon. He and Damon always seem to go out to bars and get in fights then end up arrested. The rest of the guys have to get them out. Shane tries to talk they guys out of getting involved with Emily again because he knows what it did to them after high school.
Mason: His parents and Emily’s parents for some reason have a cruel arrangement to have these two marry no matter what. Nobody knows what it is all about and Mason is a humongous jerk to Emily for no reason other than he hates the arrangement and he can be. He ends up with Ava in College, but still in order for the Inferno guys to get back at their parents, he keeps going along with their plan. I hope Ava dumps him and his book is about a new girl because frankly these two bore me to death. Any girl that would get together with him like that and stand for him getting engaged to someone else isn’t someone I really care to read about.
Dylan: Emily’s brother who is in high school. They live together in the “Children’s wing” of their parents home which is apparently far enough away from the main part of the home where the parents don’t really know everything that goes on. Dylan has non-stop parties and seems to hate Emily. Emily thinks he is the spoiled golden child who gets whatever he wants, but apparently he is a bit more under his father’s thumb than she ever knew.
The Story
The story was very good but also tragic. Since Emily is only in love with Ezra, but both twins are in love with her. She doesn’t want to come between the brothers, not only because they are twins but because they need each other so much after all they have been through together. All three of them are in pain, and Emily loves Damon even though she isn’t in love with him like she is with Ezra, so she is really afraid of hurting him.
When they were all together in high school it was fun because they though Damon’s feelings weren’t involved. That he was only in it for the fun of it. But once everyone started getting feelings is when things started getting difficult and hearts were broken.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
July 23, 2020
'VIOLENCE' is the third full length New Adult | Romance book in Lily White's 'Antihero Inferno' series. This is the twins and Emily's story. Spoken in 'dual perspectives.'
And so this thrilling journey continues...This above all was the one book I’d been excitedly anticipating and I knew going into this that I’d be scorched by the 🔥🔥🔥 and the heart break would follow there after, and that’s exactly how it happened! This was everything I could’ve wished for and more especially how the author delivered all those feels up on a silver platter.
Two guys, one girl
Who will win her heart?
I loved how these two boys bowed down to their 👑 (Queen) Emily
Their transition into their tryst was beautifully poetically heartbreaking with the tick tocking of the clock closing down on a deal that was made at birth. She's to be married to a man she doesn't love.
When fun becomes messy, when they catch the feels, it was undeniably heartbreaking, it was forbidden. Decisions had to be made, heartbreak was inevitable.
Damon and Ezra are nothing but heartbreak personified.
Ezra is a force to be reckoned with, a man who hides his feelings behind a cold facade, but who feels such profound guilt towards his brother, things that he can't change, things that weigh heavy on his shoulders. Had me chocking up tearfully, the emotions this book wrung out of me were profound.
It was our confessions in a dark room that bound us together. A boy beaten. A girl caged.
This does flit from past to present, part of me wished we stayed in present time more but overall it gave me a fuller understanding of these characters and where it all began, to the games of switching these two played, to the catalyst of one man standing and the other left mending a broken heart.
Ezra, Emily and Damon slayed my heart, parts of me wising that she didn't have to choose one man, why just not keep the both of them, but that's not how this story goes, that's not the easy path these characters took, they will rip and tear your heart to shreds. The too and fro these boys and their girl put me through had my angsty heart all stabby, such an emotional roller coaster which had me glued to my ipad throughout.
These boys haven't had an easy life, questions I was hoping would be divulged fully were still left hanging which just adds to the overall anticipation of whats going to come still..
July 24, 2020
GET OUT YOUR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND HANKIES!
“You think you know violence? Not until you experience the true annihilation. Ezra and Damon Cross. Beautiful. Scarred. Cold fury and blinding chaos.”
This romantic firestorm had me sticking my head in the freezer --- MULTIPLE TIMES – just to cool off! LOL Once again, LW’s mesmerizing words gripped me in an emotional vice. Identical twins Ezra and Damon are sizzling hot opposites (a real pair of hot tamales) … the erotic sensuality is a full-on dumpster fire … and their explosive love for the girl they both want unleashes an unquenchable inferno that may scorch all three to the ground. What a tangled romance of twin rivals in love with one girl! Filled with uber-angst, intoxicating drama, and more sweeping emotions and personal complications so far than any of the naughty Inferno Boys and the feisty women they pursue. What a beautifully tormented and unique 3-way love story full of desperate mistakes and stumbles, where only the two lovers really know the truth. It’s got a cobwebby past and a doomed future, but resurrecting “what once was” is just a recipe-for-disaster with no easy solutions and fragile hearts at stake incapable of handling rejection. So incredibly romantic. This book had more vulnerability and depth than just showing the violent sides of the Cross twins as rivals in love (not MFM). One of the twins stole my heart right out from under me, and I never want it back.
It started out as an Inferno game of sexy fun between identical twins Damon and Ezra and red-haired siren Emily at the end of high school. A girl who loved two boys, but fell in love with only one. Their pact ended in betrayal, a broken promise, and Emily’s disappearance. This was a pretty smokin’ hot premise, different than the previous books. The twins are still in love with Emily and each thinks he’s the only one she loves. They want her back, but she still won’t come between them and declare her heart, though he knows who he is. Their sexy times are over she says, but can she resist temptation and stay true to her resolve? Emily is caged in and doomed all around. Her family controls her. Her brother hates her. And she’s stuck in a sham engagement to Inferno Boy Mason Strom (actually in love with someone else all these years) since birth. Unless they marry by age 30, Mason loses his inheritance. Time’s a tickin’ with Emily’s heart in a terrible log jam -- 3 men, a messy past, a dead-end future, and no freedom of choice.
“How do you friend zone one brother while doing your best not to cling to the other?”
Two people who love each other, but keep destroying each other, yet can’t stay away. “He won’t let go and I refuse to hold on.” My heart went out to Ezra and Damon and I kept wanting Emily to open her eyes and “see.” “He killed me when he wouldn’t give up, and he destroyed me when he finally did.” The one she loves needs her, even just to hold for a moment: “So I can breathe for once. Please … Just let me breathe.”
“You were going the wrong way.”
“I don’t think away from you is the wrong way.”
"What she doesn't know is that it's always been the wrong fucking way."
I simply adored the twins inside and out as opposite extremes, especially the one she loves. “I love that girl. She’s embedded in me. Every cell in my body infected by her since the night she first kissed my bruises.” The back-story of violence and abuse was heartbreaking and the emotional depth and angst of this book took me by surprise. It made me swoon every time “the twin” stooped his tall body down and looked Emily directly in the eyes so that he was all she could see when they spoke their truths. All the entanglements kept getting more tangly, intense, and intriguing, and LW did a masterful job of weaving this story in the same timeline as the previous two books to show how each couple and their stories enhance and overlap the others. Along with endless, fantastic quotes (as always), there were some conclusive surprises, a veiled mystery surrounding Emily that may make me love her more down the road, and just a few more breadcrumbs about the Inferno Boys’ plans to usurp their evil fathers. I’m invested in this series more than ever, hook-line-and-sinker, and can’t wait for Heresy (Shane Carter) coming August 2020.
“A boy beaten. A girl caged. A queen and the beast that kneels at her feet.”
“You can’t help who you love.”
“You think you know violence? Not until you experience the true annihilation. Ezra and Damon Cross. Beautiful. Scarred. Cold fury and blinding chaos.”
This romantic firestorm had me sticking my head in the freezer --- MULTIPLE TIMES – just to cool off! LOL Once again, LW’s mesmerizing words gripped me in an emotional vice. Identical twins Ezra and Damon are sizzling hot opposites (a real pair of hot tamales) … the erotic sensuality is a full-on dumpster fire … and their explosive love for the girl they both want unleashes an unquenchable inferno that may scorch all three to the ground. What a tangled romance of twin rivals in love with one girl! Filled with uber-angst, intoxicating drama, and more sweeping emotions and personal complications so far than any of the naughty Inferno Boys and the feisty women they pursue. What a beautifully tormented and unique 3-way love story full of desperate mistakes and stumbles, where only the two lovers really know the truth. It’s got a cobwebby past and a doomed future, but resurrecting “what once was” is just a recipe-for-disaster with no easy solutions and fragile hearts at stake incapable of handling rejection. So incredibly romantic. This book had more vulnerability and depth than just showing the violent sides of the Cross twins as rivals in love (not MFM). One of the twins stole my heart right out from under me, and I never want it back.
It started out as an Inferno game of sexy fun between identical twins Damon and Ezra and red-haired siren Emily at the end of high school. A girl who loved two boys, but fell in love with only one. Their pact ended in betrayal, a broken promise, and Emily’s disappearance. This was a pretty smokin’ hot premise, different than the previous books. The twins are still in love with Emily and each thinks he’s the only one she loves. They want her back, but she still won’t come between them and declare her heart, though he knows who he is. Their sexy times are over she says, but can she resist temptation and stay true to her resolve? Emily is caged in and doomed all around. Her family controls her. Her brother hates her. And she’s stuck in a sham engagement to Inferno Boy Mason Strom (actually in love with someone else all these years) since birth. Unless they marry by age 30, Mason loses his inheritance. Time’s a tickin’ with Emily’s heart in a terrible log jam -- 3 men, a messy past, a dead-end future, and no freedom of choice.
“How do you friend zone one brother while doing your best not to cling to the other?”
Two people who love each other, but keep destroying each other, yet can’t stay away. “He won’t let go and I refuse to hold on.” My heart went out to Ezra and Damon and I kept wanting Emily to open her eyes and “see.” “He killed me when he wouldn’t give up, and he destroyed me when he finally did.” The one she loves needs her, even just to hold for a moment: “So I can breathe for once. Please … Just let me breathe.”
“You were going the wrong way.”
“I don’t think away from you is the wrong way.”
"What she doesn't know is that it's always been the wrong fucking way."
I simply adored the twins inside and out as opposite extremes, especially the one she loves. “I love that girl. She’s embedded in me. Every cell in my body infected by her since the night she first kissed my bruises.” The back-story of violence and abuse was heartbreaking and the emotional depth and angst of this book took me by surprise. It made me swoon every time “the twin” stooped his tall body down and looked Emily directly in the eyes so that he was all she could see when they spoke their truths. All the entanglements kept getting more tangly, intense, and intriguing, and LW did a masterful job of weaving this story in the same timeline as the previous two books to show how each couple and their stories enhance and overlap the others. Along with endless, fantastic quotes (as always), there were some conclusive surprises, a veiled mystery surrounding Emily that may make me love her more down the road, and just a few more breadcrumbs about the Inferno Boys’ plans to usurp their evil fathers. I’m invested in this series more than ever, hook-line-and-sinker, and can’t wait for Heresy (Shane Carter) coming August 2020.
“A boy beaten. A girl caged. A queen and the beast that kneels at her feet.”
“You can’t help who you love.”
July 26, 2020
4 STARS
This series is the best sort of book crack that has ever existed and I cannot get enough of these Inferno boys!
First of all, if you're thinking of reading this as a standalone. Stop. The series is a continuing story arc that features different couples, but needs to be read in order. And lucky for you, each book is deliciously addictive. Like five star sort of addictive. Thank god there's only a month's wait between the books, or I'm afraid I'd go through full on withdrawals.
Ezra is a live wire. The tortured and violent one who has dark secrets that even his friends don't know about. Secrets that he and his identical twin, Damon, were forced to endure, but have irrevocably changed them both.
Emily is the woman that both him and his twin fell for, but she walked away from them both. Emily's family has been preparing her for marriage to Mason since she was still a teen. To escape her grim reality of being forced to marry a man that hates her and she doesn't want, she took a walk on the wild side, with twins who are as dangerously sexy as they are plain dangerous. But if you're thinking this a love triangle, it's not.
Ezra, much like the rest of the inferno is an ultimate alphahole. He fell for Emily in college, and she walked away from him for ten years. Now she's back in his orbit and he's determined to punish her for her sins. Even if his own brother wants to protect Emily from him, he won't stop. But Emily has secrets of her own. Secrets that may break everyone around her.
I devoured and I mean DEVOURED this book. The romance was utterly delicious. Their angsty dance back and forth and their push and pull did everything for me. I loved their anger and their inability to stay away from each other, even when it was almost toxic for all the things left unsaid between them.
My only quibble is that while in the other two books we got some sort of resolution for either the couple or a secret unearthed, here we got...nothing. It was the worst sort of tease for me. I had hoped that we'd at least learn something, but aside from a few red herrings and a few teasing glimpses into what their secrets may be, we got nothing. It was frustratingly dissatisfying in that sense. Now don't get me wrong. The book was still crazy good. I just wished we got slightly more resolution for some of the things. Now I'm just rabid for the next book and hoping that either the next book or Damon's will give us some of the answers that I was desperate for here.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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Because if Ezra has taught me anything in life, it’s that the worst kind of pain isn’t what we do to ourselves, it’s what the person your heart belongs to can do when he’s learned to hate you.
This series is the best sort of book crack that has ever existed and I cannot get enough of these Inferno boys!
First of all, if you're thinking of reading this as a standalone. Stop. The series is a continuing story arc that features different couples, but needs to be read in order. And lucky for you, each book is deliciously addictive. Like five star sort of addictive. Thank god there's only a month's wait between the books, or I'm afraid I'd go through full on withdrawals.
Ezra is a live wire. The tortured and violent one who has dark secrets that even his friends don't know about. Secrets that he and his identical twin, Damon, were forced to endure, but have irrevocably changed them both.
Emily is the woman that both him and his twin fell for, but she walked away from them both. Emily's family has been preparing her for marriage to Mason since she was still a teen. To escape her grim reality of being forced to marry a man that hates her and she doesn't want, she took a walk on the wild side, with twins who are as dangerously sexy as they are plain dangerous. But if you're thinking this a love triangle, it's not.
Ezra, much like the rest of the inferno is an ultimate alphahole. He fell for Emily in college, and she walked away from him for ten years. Now she's back in his orbit and he's determined to punish her for her sins. Even if his own brother wants to protect Emily from him, he won't stop. But Emily has secrets of her own. Secrets that may break everyone around her.
I devoured and I mean DEVOURED this book. The romance was utterly delicious. Their angsty dance back and forth and their push and pull did everything for me. I loved their anger and their inability to stay away from each other, even when it was almost toxic for all the things left unsaid between them.
My only quibble is that while in the other two books we got some sort of resolution for either the couple or a secret unearthed, here we got...nothing. It was the worst sort of tease for me. I had hoped that we'd at least learn something, but aside from a few red herrings and a few teasing glimpses into what their secrets may be, we got nothing. It was frustratingly dissatisfying in that sense. Now don't get me wrong. The book was still crazy good. I just wished we got slightly more resolution for some of the things. Now I'm just rabid for the next book and hoping that either the next book or Damon's will give us some of the answers that I was desperate for here.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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July 26, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Book 3 of 9 from Antihero Inferno
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Emily Donahue was born with a burden on her shoulder. A summer of beautiful mistake gave her the freedom to be who she wanted to be and changed her life with the help of twins Ezra and Damon Cross. Years later she thought she could run away from her past, but the past refused to let her go.
From the start of the series, the twins were the most intriguing characters for me especially paired with Emily’s unconventional situation. I was looking forward to learning more about their past, though in the end I barely learned anything new.
I felt the characters and the series storyline kept running around in circles throughout this very long book. And a certain issue that was the main conflict in the story suddenly solved so easily lessening the plot impact. My favorite aspect of this book was the angst and the sexual tensions between the characters.
Violence is a story of breaking free from the past. It would appeal to readers who enjoy antihero characters.
For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:
Type: Book 3 of 9 from Antihero Inferno
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Emily Donahue was born with a burden on her shoulder. A summer of beautiful mistake gave her the freedom to be who she wanted to be and changed her life with the help of twins Ezra and Damon Cross. Years later she thought she could run away from her past, but the past refused to let her go.
From the start of the series, the twins were the most intriguing characters for me especially paired with Emily’s unconventional situation. I was looking forward to learning more about their past, though in the end I barely learned anything new.
How can fun turn into our names being seared into each other’s souls? How can it warp and twist so easily until unrecognizable? Somehow it did. And we’re all scarred because of it.
I felt the characters and the series storyline kept running around in circles throughout this very long book. And a certain issue that was the main conflict in the story suddenly solved so easily lessening the plot impact. My favorite aspect of this book was the angst and the sexual tensions between the characters.
Violence is a story of breaking free from the past. It would appeal to readers who enjoy antihero characters.
For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:
August 7, 2020
* Beta Read by Ratula *
GAH! No one can ever say that Lily White pulls her punches because Violence is an explosive one-two combo of perfection and pure emotional excellence. Good Lord was this book amazing! Addicting, consuming and filled to the brim with explosive chemistry, Violence will make your head spin with allllll the fiery emotions and a raw love that will consume you. This book was so goddamn perfect it will take your breath away!
Without giving away any spoilers, Violence continues the evolving story arc of the previous Antihero Inferno books. But now it's time we learn more about Emily and her relationship and connection with Ezra and Damon Cross. We see the undying devotion both Ezra and Damon have for Emily and the tumultuous feelings she has for each of the brothers.
GAH!! This story is absolutely unbelievable. It is hard, raw and messy but so necessary to get to the heart of these men and the Queen who brings them to their knees. I smirked, I chuckled and I sobbed. This story is hands down the most poignant story we've yet to see from these Inferno men and I for one am nothing short of obsessed. Be prepared for shocking secrets, twists, turns, bombs and an explosion that will rock you to your core. Now, I am so ready for Shane and his spitfire! 5 stars! ~Ratula
***
Goodness gracious, I don’t even know where to begin with this review of Violence. Seriously, I don’t because everything I could possibly write gives away way too much . . . so here goes . . .
Ezra Cross is not the man you may think he is. He’s a whole lot deeper. A whole lot stronger. A whole lot more of everything. And he loves wholly and completely—especially his twin brother, Damon, and the woman he sets his sights on. He’ll do anything to protect those he loves.
Emily is also not the woman you may think she is. She too is a whole lot stronger. A whole lot deeper. And a whole lot smarter than she portrays herself. She too loves deeply—even when she shouldn’t. Even when that love threatens everything.
I couldn’t read Violence fast enough to keep up with the twists and turns of the relationship between Emily, Ezra, and Damon. Nor could I read fast enough to keep up with the twists and turns of the story and the interwoven stories of the rest of the Inferno. I loved seeing Ezra’s storyline play out in the midst of the happenings in Treachery and Fraud and I cannot wait until Heresy releases with Shane’s story! ~ Missy, 5 stars
GAH! No one can ever say that Lily White pulls her punches because Violence is an explosive one-two combo of perfection and pure emotional excellence. Good Lord was this book amazing! Addicting, consuming and filled to the brim with explosive chemistry, Violence will make your head spin with allllll the fiery emotions and a raw love that will consume you. This book was so goddamn perfect it will take your breath away!
Without giving away any spoilers, Violence continues the evolving story arc of the previous Antihero Inferno books. But now it's time we learn more about Emily and her relationship and connection with Ezra and Damon Cross. We see the undying devotion both Ezra and Damon have for Emily and the tumultuous feelings she has for each of the brothers.
GAH!! This story is absolutely unbelievable. It is hard, raw and messy but so necessary to get to the heart of these men and the Queen who brings them to their knees. I smirked, I chuckled and I sobbed. This story is hands down the most poignant story we've yet to see from these Inferno men and I for one am nothing short of obsessed. Be prepared for shocking secrets, twists, turns, bombs and an explosion that will rock you to your core. Now, I am so ready for Shane and his spitfire! 5 stars! ~Ratula
***
Goodness gracious, I don’t even know where to begin with this review of Violence. Seriously, I don’t because everything I could possibly write gives away way too much . . . so here goes . . .
Ezra Cross is not the man you may think he is. He’s a whole lot deeper. A whole lot stronger. A whole lot more of everything. And he loves wholly and completely—especially his twin brother, Damon, and the woman he sets his sights on. He’ll do anything to protect those he loves.
Emily is also not the woman you may think she is. She too is a whole lot stronger. A whole lot deeper. And a whole lot smarter than she portrays herself. She too loves deeply—even when she shouldn’t. Even when that love threatens everything.
I couldn’t read Violence fast enough to keep up with the twists and turns of the relationship between Emily, Ezra, and Damon. Nor could I read fast enough to keep up with the twists and turns of the story and the interwoven stories of the rest of the Inferno. I loved seeing Ezra’s storyline play out in the midst of the happenings in Treachery and Fraud and I cannot wait until Heresy releases with Shane’s story! ~ Missy, 5 stars
August 17, 2020
3.5 stars
The Cross Brothers are the time ticking bomb so beautifully jaded and are emphatically heartbreaking. This book has an unquenchable love between Ezra, Damon and Emily. I like how the guys with their angst and complications was exposed to Emily, how fragile they are yet strong.
"My destiny has already been written as the wife of a man propped up by a trust fund.
I’ll be a jewel.
An ornament.
A pet to be pampered and nothing else.
That’s who I am.
I can’t have secret trysts with dangerous men. Can’t fantasize about darker desires that are too scandalous to discuss in polite society.
And Ezra is everything the good little girls are warned about."
Emily Donahue was born with the task to marry. Sheltered her whole life, she was expected only to titter and talk about dresses and marriage. She is fiery and was weighted with obligations. She puts up with no nonsenses when her friends are in danger. A tryst in highschool with the Cross twins bound her to them with heart. Unintentionally binding herself with a promise with the brothers that may break them apart she cut ties and flees inreturn breaking three hearts.
Ezra Cross was a cold bastard. He may seem lazy and subdueded but beneath he is violent. His past don't tame him, his scars are his armour. Ezra didn't expected Emily to cut him from her life. But he was relentless to own and hurt the girl who was fearless with his power and domination. His brother is his only purpose before everyone, even if it meant hurting the woman he loves but he keeps coming back for Emily was the only person who mattered and cared to what happened to both of them.
"It’s a strange feeling to have, but it’s there, just on the edges, a bond formed after he showed me the secret of his bruises, and I revealed the secret of my inexperience."
The twins tricked, played and fell in love with Emily but it was Ezra who first approched her. While they were in highschool their tryst started as fun, Ezra was carefree and happy to share Emily with his brother. But that didn't last long. Both the twins wore bruises and Emily was forceful in finding out the reason.
(Ezra) "I’m the older brother here. You need to do as I say and respect your elders.”
“Fuck off,” (Damon) he says as he grabs a pillow and throws it at me. “You’re older by fifteen minutes. Give me a fucking break.”
I toss the pillow back. “I learned a lot in those fifteen minutes, mostly how nice it was when you weren’t born yet.”
“Whatever, dick. You can’t live without me.”
Ezra and Damon are messed up because of their father. Each weekend they endure something that has them untamed and angry. Both of them have nightmares because of it.
"So many people consider this girl weak, but they have no idea about the strength inside. She acts so damn prim and proper, so delicate and well-managed, so meek and mild until that temper blows, and then she’s snapping orders and shaking the walls down around her."
Emily's pampered life isn't easy. Her brother hates her and her parents come to the "childrens wing" only when necessary. I understand her family controls her but why did she stop studying, why did she not rebel against marrying?
“Promise to be mine.”
“Only mine.”
Everything started with this. Each brother believing Emily wants him. This story is of betrayal and control. I enjoyed the story and it was beautiful. I don't like too much of push and pull between the H and h, and here we have plenty of it. I was waiting for a change throughout the story but it was same. I lost interest in the main issue of the story and my favourite part was the scorching interaction between Ezra and Emily. The story has potential, like all other Lily White's books this is another good story. My only issue is the plot which was dragged. Overall, I'm waiting for Shane's story. Can't wait to read each of the Inferno boys books.
The Cross Brothers are the time ticking bomb so beautifully jaded and are emphatically heartbreaking. This book has an unquenchable love between Ezra, Damon and Emily. I like how the guys with their angst and complications was exposed to Emily, how fragile they are yet strong.
"My destiny has already been written as the wife of a man propped up by a trust fund.
I’ll be a jewel.
An ornament.
A pet to be pampered and nothing else.
That’s who I am.
I can’t have secret trysts with dangerous men. Can’t fantasize about darker desires that are too scandalous to discuss in polite society.
And Ezra is everything the good little girls are warned about."
Emily Donahue was born with the task to marry. Sheltered her whole life, she was expected only to titter and talk about dresses and marriage. She is fiery and was weighted with obligations. She puts up with no nonsenses when her friends are in danger. A tryst in highschool with the Cross twins bound her to them with heart. Unintentionally binding herself with a promise with the brothers that may break them apart she cut ties and flees inreturn breaking three hearts.
Ezra Cross was a cold bastard. He may seem lazy and subdueded but beneath he is violent. His past don't tame him, his scars are his armour. Ezra didn't expected Emily to cut him from her life. But he was relentless to own and hurt the girl who was fearless with his power and domination. His brother is his only purpose before everyone, even if it meant hurting the woman he loves but he keeps coming back for Emily was the only person who mattered and cared to what happened to both of them.
"It’s a strange feeling to have, but it’s there, just on the edges, a bond formed after he showed me the secret of his bruises, and I revealed the secret of my inexperience."
The twins tricked, played and fell in love with Emily but it was Ezra who first approched her. While they were in highschool their tryst started as fun, Ezra was carefree and happy to share Emily with his brother. But that didn't last long. Both the twins wore bruises and Emily was forceful in finding out the reason.
(Ezra) "I’m the older brother here. You need to do as I say and respect your elders.”
“Fuck off,” (Damon) he says as he grabs a pillow and throws it at me. “You’re older by fifteen minutes. Give me a fucking break.”
I toss the pillow back. “I learned a lot in those fifteen minutes, mostly how nice it was when you weren’t born yet.”
“Whatever, dick. You can’t live without me.”
Ezra and Damon are messed up because of their father. Each weekend they endure something that has them untamed and angry. Both of them have nightmares because of it.
"So many people consider this girl weak, but they have no idea about the strength inside. She acts so damn prim and proper, so delicate and well-managed, so meek and mild until that temper blows, and then she’s snapping orders and shaking the walls down around her."
Emily's pampered life isn't easy. Her brother hates her and her parents come to the "childrens wing" only when necessary. I understand her family controls her but why did she stop studying, why did she not rebel against marrying?
“Promise to be mine.”
“Only mine.”
Everything started with this. Each brother believing Emily wants him. This story is of betrayal and control. I enjoyed the story and it was beautiful. I don't like too much of push and pull between the H and h, and here we have plenty of it. I was waiting for a change throughout the story but it was same. I lost interest in the main issue of the story and my favourite part was the scorching interaction between Ezra and Emily. The story has potential, like all other Lily White's books this is another good story. My only issue is the plot which was dragged. Overall, I'm waiting for Shane's story. Can't wait to read each of the Inferno boys books.
July 26, 2020
With every book within the antihero inferno series I find a new hero to fall in love with. Violence focuses on Ezra and Emily, but of course where one Cross twin goes the other follows and we see a fair bit of Damon too.
Violence was a fantastic read, full of lots of twists and turns. What I admire is Lily's ability to craft such a complex story, the book takes us back through events we have seen in Treachery and Fraud before bringing us back up to the end of Fraud timeline wise. However of course it's told from a different characters perspective, so it is not repetitive in the slightest. Yet merely serves as a reference point in the grand scheme of things and allows you to slot each puzzle piece in it's rightful place.
Ezra, Emily and Damon have a relationship I didn't expect, what started off in high school as 6 weeks of fun together before college turned into so much more. Two twins falling for the same girl, but Emily only loves one of them. Over a decade later and things end up right back where they started. Ezra is cold, mean and tormenting to Emily, whereas Damon is willing to show her how much she means to him. I love how the dynamics played out, the sexual chemistry between Emily and Ezra, the love/hate relationship was combustible. Then is opposition you have such a different relationship between Emily and Damon, a softer, respectful edge a mutual love but on another level. I felt a whole range of emotions reading Violence and pair that with the overarching story line was perfection.
How a group of nine friends that act as brothers can live in a world full of deceit and betrayal is fascinating. Their bonds may not be as tight as they seem, this book shows that the deception runs closer to their own circle than they realise. Lily's writing just has this ability to suck you in completely, with dynamic characters and a depth of story that keeps me guessing page after page, the Antihero Inferno world is going to be one of my favourites of the year.
Violence was a fantastic read, full of lots of twists and turns. What I admire is Lily's ability to craft such a complex story, the book takes us back through events we have seen in Treachery and Fraud before bringing us back up to the end of Fraud timeline wise. However of course it's told from a different characters perspective, so it is not repetitive in the slightest. Yet merely serves as a reference point in the grand scheme of things and allows you to slot each puzzle piece in it's rightful place.
Ezra, Emily and Damon have a relationship I didn't expect, what started off in high school as 6 weeks of fun together before college turned into so much more. Two twins falling for the same girl, but Emily only loves one of them. Over a decade later and things end up right back where they started. Ezra is cold, mean and tormenting to Emily, whereas Damon is willing to show her how much she means to him. I love how the dynamics played out, the sexual chemistry between Emily and Ezra, the love/hate relationship was combustible. Then is opposition you have such a different relationship between Emily and Damon, a softer, respectful edge a mutual love but on another level. I felt a whole range of emotions reading Violence and pair that with the overarching story line was perfection.
How a group of nine friends that act as brothers can live in a world full of deceit and betrayal is fascinating. Their bonds may not be as tight as they seem, this book shows that the deception runs closer to their own circle than they realise. Lily's writing just has this ability to suck you in completely, with dynamic characters and a depth of story that keeps me guessing page after page, the Antihero Inferno world is going to be one of my favourites of the year.
July 23, 2020
CONSUMED! ADDICTED! OBSESSED with the Inferno Boys!!! With each new book in the series, I find a new favorite to love. Ezra was the ultimate alpha, protective anti-hero. This has become my favorite series of the year and I cannot get enough!!!
Ezra thought it would be a good idea to go after the girl that was all buttoned up. He never expected the wildcat he unleashed. Bringing Damon into the mix seemed like a good idea. Neither was supposed to catch feelings.
A fun fling that would last a short time. Emily could never promise more to anyone because her life was not her own. Her fun had an expiration date. By thirty she’d be married to a man her parents already agreed for her to wed.
The problem is that Emily loves them both, but only one of them sets her soul on fire. Her heart truly belongs to only one of them. One will have their heart crushed and the other will get what he’s always wanted. She’s not willing to tear them apart, so she’ll do what’s necessary to protect them all.
This newest addition to the series will give you some answers, yet more questions. Nothing is ever cut and dry with this crew. Everyone has secrets and their own agenda. This inter-connected series will leave you wondering and always wanting more.
The author digs deep with these characters and gives us breadcrumbs throughout. The pain and the heartbreak is real. Holy angst!!! You’ll get a taste of what’s next, even though you’ll want them all nowwww! The author continues to bring us along on this incredible ride with sexy men, sizzling chemistry, suspense and intrigue. I cannot wait for more!!!
Ezra thought it would be a good idea to go after the girl that was all buttoned up. He never expected the wildcat he unleashed. Bringing Damon into the mix seemed like a good idea. Neither was supposed to catch feelings.
A fun fling that would last a short time. Emily could never promise more to anyone because her life was not her own. Her fun had an expiration date. By thirty she’d be married to a man her parents already agreed for her to wed.
The problem is that Emily loves them both, but only one of them sets her soul on fire. Her heart truly belongs to only one of them. One will have their heart crushed and the other will get what he’s always wanted. She’s not willing to tear them apart, so she’ll do what’s necessary to protect them all.
This newest addition to the series will give you some answers, yet more questions. Nothing is ever cut and dry with this crew. Everyone has secrets and their own agenda. This inter-connected series will leave you wondering and always wanting more.
The author digs deep with these characters and gives us breadcrumbs throughout. The pain and the heartbreak is real. Holy angst!!! You’ll get a taste of what’s next, even though you’ll want them all nowwww! The author continues to bring us along on this incredible ride with sexy men, sizzling chemistry, suspense and intrigue. I cannot wait for more!!!
July 29, 2020
I am completely, utterly, totally in love with this series! Lily White has a new fangirl and I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m feening for my next hit of this kindle crack!
Violence is another great addition to this interconnected series. With each subsequent release we get a little more information and a few more breadcrumbs that will hopefully lead us to the gratifying end I’m so looking forward to.
Ezra and Emily’s story was emotional and complicated. I have to admit, I was hoping for more of a finite end to their story, as we got in the previous installments. I don’t want to give spoilers, but fans of the series will get what I mean. Overall, it’s a great story full of passion and pain. My only real concern was that I felt it drag a bit in certain parts. Primarily due to repetitive phrasing or situations, I found myself being pulled out of the action unfolding on the pages. And the concept of 10 years to marriage just did not compute in my mind. Other than those struggles, I loved the characters and the end of the book was such a treat. I cannot wait to see what happens next!!
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Violence is another great addition to this interconnected series. With each subsequent release we get a little more information and a few more breadcrumbs that will hopefully lead us to the gratifying end I’m so looking forward to.
Ezra and Emily’s story was emotional and complicated. I have to admit, I was hoping for more of a finite end to their story, as we got in the previous installments. I don’t want to give spoilers, but fans of the series will get what I mean. Overall, it’s a great story full of passion and pain. My only real concern was that I felt it drag a bit in certain parts. Primarily due to repetitive phrasing or situations, I found myself being pulled out of the action unfolding on the pages. And the concept of 10 years to marriage just did not compute in my mind. Other than those struggles, I loved the characters and the end of the book was such a treat. I cannot wait to see what happens next!!
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September 3, 2020
3 Stars!
I was looking forward to this one. Who wouldn't when the man is called Violence. Unfortunately this one has been the weakest story for me so far. This book was not a fun time.
My biggest issue with this book besides all the crying Emily did was the repeating of everything. The author continued to repeat the circumstances of their situation. It just felt very drawn out and it dragged in too many places. I just expected more then what I got. I didn't care for Emily either. I just didn't feel she lived up to the other two females we got in the other books. I understand her life has been planned for her, but I'll admit I expected some kind of rebellion or for her to maybe take it upon herself to get some kind of more education during her traveling. It seemed her only rebellion was her sexual adventures.
The twins were the most interesting thing going on in this book. I look forward to Damien's book. Hopefully he lives up to his name, Anger.
We got a taste of the next book and I can already tell it will definitely be to my liking.
Happy reading dolls! xx
I was looking forward to this one. Who wouldn't when the man is called Violence. Unfortunately this one has been the weakest story for me so far. This book was not a fun time.
My biggest issue with this book besides all the crying Emily did was the repeating of everything. The author continued to repeat the circumstances of their situation. It just felt very drawn out and it dragged in too many places. I just expected more then what I got. I didn't care for Emily either. I just didn't feel she lived up to the other two females we got in the other books. I understand her life has been planned for her, but I'll admit I expected some kind of rebellion or for her to maybe take it upon herself to get some kind of more education during her traveling. It seemed her only rebellion was her sexual adventures.
The twins were the most interesting thing going on in this book. I look forward to Damien's book. Hopefully he lives up to his name, Anger.
We got a taste of the next book and I can already tell it will definitely be to my liking.
Happy reading dolls! xx
January 28, 2021
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
This isn’t love we’re engaged in now. It’s hate. Pure. Unbridled. And raw. We hate that we can’t let go. Hate that we can’t fix the past. Hate that our present is fucked up beyond repair. And hate that our future has always been impossible.
'Violence' is the Third part of ANTI-HERO INFERNO series by the best selling author Lily White. Told in dual perspectives, this book had me hooked from the first line!!
From the moment I read that teaser at the end of the second book , for this book , I have been hooked!! This book was insanity In the purest form!! With Lily dropping those teasers in her group about this book and then this HOTTEST-cover reveal ever , the hype for this book was built so bad for me!!
Ezra had me intrigued from the moment I first met him in the second book of this series. The chaos that he bought with him were so addictive. Everything about him about was mysterious and I couldn't help myself in wondering about him and his twin brother Damon. This is Emily and Ezra's story and after reading Fraud , this book has been at the top of my most anticipated list!!
Emily is the sheltered girl. The one who everyone dubs as the weak one , because her whole life is mapped out for her and she has no choice but to follow her parents instructions. What starts out as an not-so-innoccent game between Emily and the Twins blooms into something much more dangerous. Both boya love her. She loves one of them. Now all they have is hurt and pain.
if Ezra has taught me anything in life, it’s that the worst kind of pain isn’t what we do to ourselves, it’s what the person your heart belongs to can do when he’s learned to hate you.
Ezra is one of the Inferno men , also known as Violence. Everything about that man was Violent. He was the calm one , whereas his brother was chaos. Damon was the sweet one from the twins , but nothing could stop him once he got angry. Ezra and Damon were are a force to be reckoned with and only a fool would come between them. Emily managed to get under both of their skins and now she can't seem to get away. The more she tries , the more they suck her in.
Emily doesn't know how to choose one of them , so she leaves. Everyone knew that her heart has been with Ezra , but she can't tell that to Damon , without breaking him and that boy has had his fair share of pain. Both Ezra and Emily would die for him and they don't want to hurt him. From there begins one vicious cycle of hurt and pain in which Ezra and Emily lash out at each other to prove to themselves that they don't love each other. That all they have is hate. But feelings as powerful as their , only stay hidden for long!
all I managed to accomplish was hurting her again. Like I always do. Tanner and Gabe have nothing on me anymore. I think I’ve just sat on the throne and claimed my place as the cruelest son of a bitch in the world. It makes sense, though. Emily has always been a queen. Long live the fucking king.
Lily white has this unique way of writing that has me obsessed with her !! Her books are a tornado of pain and I can't seem to have enough. I know she will break my heart through her book , still I can't seem to stop myself from devouring every damn word!!! This series has quickly become one of my top favourites and I just know that these characters are gonna stay with me for a long long time!!
That ending of this book was hands down one of the best endings I have ever read. That little sneek peak Lily gave of Shane's book was enough to drive me crazy about his book!! I can't wait to meet these marvelous characters again!!
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August 19, 2020
Mine is probably not going to be a popular opinion and I am perfectly fine with that because it is much more to do with me as a reader than anything else. I read most sub-genres of romance, but I’m not a huge fan of straight-up contemporary romance. Unlike the first two books, which I enjoyed because they had plenty of secrets, battles and mystery/suspense to whet my appetite, this read more like an angsty contemporary story. It just didn’t float my particular boat. There isn’t anything specifically wrong with this book, it just didn't fit with my preferences. I know without a shadow of a doubt that for most readers this will be a 4 or 5 star read, so I do recommend giving it a try.
I found myself both questioning and frustrated by Emily. Controlled by her parents at 18 I could get but still under their thumb at 28? Really? I was told how tough she was, how brave to take on the Cross twins, what fire burned inside her, but all I saw was a little girl who allowed others to run her life. And the only conclusion I could draw was because she liked having access to her parent’s money too much to try and be independent. So whilst I liked her, it made it difficult to respect her.
At times I found the pace to be slow. After a couple of hours of reading, and only a third of the way through, I’ll admit that I started to skim parts of the book. This was because there didn’t seem to be a clear focal point for the story. Tanner needed Luca’s servers and Gabe wanted Ivy’s secrets (or at least her father’s secrets) but that was lacking for me with Emily and Ezra.
There was a lot of OTT angst, push and pull between the protagonists, which simply isn’t for me. If you love angsty reads then grab this book because Lily White is an amazing author, I have zero complaints about the writing. I did enjoy the final half/third of the book and am glad I read it so that I can continue with the series, which is still a winning one overall.
I found myself both questioning and frustrated by Emily. Controlled by her parents at 18 I could get but still under their thumb at 28? Really? I was told how tough she was, how brave to take on the Cross twins, what fire burned inside her, but all I saw was a little girl who allowed others to run her life. And the only conclusion I could draw was because she liked having access to her parent’s money too much to try and be independent. So whilst I liked her, it made it difficult to respect her.
At times I found the pace to be slow. After a couple of hours of reading, and only a third of the way through, I’ll admit that I started to skim parts of the book. This was because there didn’t seem to be a clear focal point for the story. Tanner needed Luca’s servers and Gabe wanted Ivy’s secrets (or at least her father’s secrets) but that was lacking for me with Emily and Ezra.
There was a lot of OTT angst, push and pull between the protagonists, which simply isn’t for me. If you love angsty reads then grab this book because Lily White is an amazing author, I have zero complaints about the writing. I did enjoy the final half/third of the book and am glad I read it so that I can continue with the series, which is still a winning one overall.
July 28, 2020
“You were going the wrong way.”“I don’t think away from you is the wrong way.”
Third book in the Antihero Inferno Series, Violence didn't stir the emotions I was expecting when it comes to Mrs White books.
I know I'm in the minority with my rating, but in spite of the tension and the scorching hot scenes between Ezra, Damon and Emily, the story never truly gripped me.
As the beginning certainly intrigued me with the secrets, the danger and the weight of obligations on Emily's shoulders, after few chapters, the storyline fell flat. The numerous repetitions slowed the pace and the mystery didn't seem to evolve, giving the impression of running in circles, of never getting anywhere.
Ezra and Damon's personalities were well developed, their demons and their scars touched me. The violence battling within them was palpable.
"I’m only hurting her, and it’s driving me so fucking nuts I can barely sleep at night."
On the other hand, I couldn't relate to Emily's life. As a 28 years old woman, she lacks substance, not really revealing herself and her strength, unless when she is fighting the twins.
"A girl caged. A queen and the beast that kneels at her feet."
All in all, Violence didn't exactly convince me, with characters who didn't act their age, a plot that evolved too slowly. The ending, though made me want to explore more of the Inferno universe. I am curious to see if the next installment will give us more answers.
I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU!!!
May 8, 2023
”A boy beaten.
A girl caged.
A queen and the beast that kneels at her feet.”
“Neither of us won this war, we just finally laid down our swords and realized we’ve been fighting the wrong opponent all along.”
***The Inferno Boys-Antihero series: ***
This series is about nine guys who have been manipulated by their fathers all their lives. On the surface they are jerks, but that’s because they are puppets being controlled by their families. They are working towards revenge, but it takes time and impeccable planning.
Each guy has a nickname based on the nine circles of hell. This is Violence’s book (aka Ezra Cross)
**Synopsis:**
Emily and Mason (one of the Inferno guys) are being forced into an arranged marriage. Neither want this and in an act of rebellion, Emily (who was expected to remain pure until marriage even though Mason could sow his wild oats) became involved with the Cross twins (also Inferno guys) in the final weeks of high school. Feelings erupted for all parties and Emily walked away from them. Ten years later they are back together and still fighting the messy triangle of feelings that will ultimately end with one person left out.
** The following are my thoughts about this book: **
- The first 20% is told from Emily’s POV and sets up the backstory for Emily, Ezra and Damon in high school. Only getting Emily’s POV made the guys seem very mysterious
- 20% starts “The Present” and told from both Ezra & Emily’s POV.
- The Past left off with Emily agreeing to be bad with Ezra. The Present picks up 10 years later with Emily reminiscing about her time together with the guys. So somewhere along the line Damon was added to the little trist in the past. Missing that critical aspect of the story where they first started their relationship felt like a hole. I needed to know what they had in the past and how it came about so I could understand the dynamics in the present.
- I felt like the last book and the first 20% of this book was building up for a MFM bedroom scene. Nope, not the case. Although it was referenced that these three were together like that, the author did not let us peek behind closed doors to actually witness those sexy times. Therefore, I never really felt the connection between Damon and Emily and why he felt like he loved her.
- I would consider this a triangle because both men believe they are in love with Emily. And, I don’t like triangles (and especially ones involving twins who have been through hell together). Therefore, I did struggle with this plot. The guys had been through so much abuse and I just really hated to see a girl get in the middle of their bond.
- The time period for this is the same as books 1 and 2, so there are some overlapping scenes that you see from a different perspective. I actually like that approach to connecting these books together.
- After finishing this book, I’m no closer to really understanding what Ezra and Damon actually went through and why they were always so beat up. That’s really disappointing.
- No clear understanding why Emily and Mason are being forced to marry. They are both nearly 30 and although Mason has a college degree and maybe a plan with the Inferno guys for revenge, I felt Emily never attempted to stand up for herself. So in some respects she felt a bit weak.
- This was a bit long and quite repetitive.
- I didn’t feel like the underlying revenge plot against the fathers moved forward much
- Interesting what happened to William (the father). Wasn’t expecting that. But I’m sure there’s more to be revealed on what happened and maybe Shane was involved??
**Overview:**
- Trigger warning: Ezra and Damon have been raised to fight and are prone to violence. There is physical abuse, but it is mostly off page
- Do you need to read previous books in series?: Yes. This is not a standalone series and each book builds on the previous one
- POV: Dual POV
- Who is the Hero? Ezra Cross. Uses his fists to solve problems. He has some dark secrets that he shares with his twin brother (Damon) and together they have been forced to endure things that would break most. These twins have a very tight bond.
- Who is the Heroine? Emily. She is being forced to marry someone else (but not sure why) and she feels trapped. She has deep feelings of affection for both twins, but is in love with only one of them.
- h virgin? Yes, and I’m assuming she lost it to the twins when they started their relationship back in high school
- First time they kiss: 3% (part of the “Then” section)
- First time they sleep together: 54% (part of the “Present” section)
- First time they say I Love You 78%
- steamy? Yes. Descriptive bedroom scenes
- OW/OM drama? Yes. I would consider this a triangle
- H/h cheat? She kisses both guys, only sleeps with one
- Time apart? Yes, this trio spent 10 years apart
- Did I skip pages? Some. The angst and issues got repetitive
- Big secrets? Yes and not all were answered. Also, something happened between these three ten years ago that resulted in an arrest for the twins and Emily with a scar. The reader is in the dark about this until 77%
- Did I cry? No
- Did I laugh? No
- Did I swoon? No
- Cliffhanger? Yes.
- HEA? HFN
- Epilogue? Yes. It sets up Shane’s story
- Recommend? I’m liking the series, but this has been my least favorite book so far
**Quotes**
“Ezra is a live wire that can snap at a moment’s notice. He’s like an attack dog that gives no warning before going for the throat.”
“That boy is the most decadent of desserts, one who can be sliced open, only for poison to leak out of the center.”
“Emily has drawn a line, and either I lay down and die on one side of it, or I step the fuck over it and show her I’ll move mountains if that’s what it takes to make it possible for us to be together.”
"We want a lifetime. We want a future. And all we’re given is short moments when we can pretend loving each other is possible.”
A girl caged.
A queen and the beast that kneels at her feet.”
“Neither of us won this war, we just finally laid down our swords and realized we’ve been fighting the wrong opponent all along.”
***The Inferno Boys-Antihero series: ***
This series is about nine guys who have been manipulated by their fathers all their lives. On the surface they are jerks, but that’s because they are puppets being controlled by their families. They are working towards revenge, but it takes time and impeccable planning.
Each guy has a nickname based on the nine circles of hell. This is Violence’s book (aka Ezra Cross)
**Synopsis:**
Emily and Mason (one of the Inferno guys) are being forced into an arranged marriage. Neither want this and in an act of rebellion, Emily (who was expected to remain pure until marriage even though Mason could sow his wild oats) became involved with the Cross twins (also Inferno guys) in the final weeks of high school. Feelings erupted for all parties and Emily walked away from them. Ten years later they are back together and still fighting the messy triangle of feelings that will ultimately end with one person left out.
** The following are my thoughts about this book: **
- The first 20% is told from Emily’s POV and sets up the backstory for Emily, Ezra and Damon in high school. Only getting Emily’s POV made the guys seem very mysterious
- 20% starts “The Present” and told from both Ezra & Emily’s POV.
- The Past left off with Emily agreeing to be bad with Ezra. The Present picks up 10 years later with Emily reminiscing about her time together with the guys. So somewhere along the line Damon was added to the little trist in the past. Missing that critical aspect of the story where they first started their relationship felt like a hole. I needed to know what they had in the past and how it came about so I could understand the dynamics in the present.
- I felt like the last book and the first 20% of this book was building up for a MFM bedroom scene. Nope, not the case. Although it was referenced that these three were together like that, the author did not let us peek behind closed doors to actually witness those sexy times. Therefore, I never really felt the connection between Damon and Emily and why he felt like he loved her.
- I would consider this a triangle because both men believe they are in love with Emily. And, I don’t like triangles (and especially ones involving twins who have been through hell together). Therefore, I did struggle with this plot. The guys had been through so much abuse and I just really hated to see a girl get in the middle of their bond.
- The time period for this is the same as books 1 and 2, so there are some overlapping scenes that you see from a different perspective. I actually like that approach to connecting these books together.
- After finishing this book, I’m no closer to really understanding what Ezra and Damon actually went through and why they were always so beat up. That’s really disappointing.
- No clear understanding why Emily and Mason are being forced to marry. They are both nearly 30 and although Mason has a college degree and maybe a plan with the Inferno guys for revenge, I felt Emily never attempted to stand up for herself. So in some respects she felt a bit weak.
- This was a bit long and quite repetitive.
- I didn’t feel like the underlying revenge plot against the fathers moved forward much
- Interesting what happened to William (the father). Wasn’t expecting that. But I’m sure there’s more to be revealed on what happened and maybe Shane was involved??
**Overview:**
- Trigger warning: Ezra and Damon have been raised to fight and are prone to violence. There is physical abuse, but it is mostly off page
- Do you need to read previous books in series?: Yes. This is not a standalone series and each book builds on the previous one
- POV: Dual POV
- Who is the Hero? Ezra Cross. Uses his fists to solve problems. He has some dark secrets that he shares with his twin brother (Damon) and together they have been forced to endure things that would break most. These twins have a very tight bond.
- Who is the Heroine? Emily. She is being forced to marry someone else (but not sure why) and she feels trapped. She has deep feelings of affection for both twins, but is in love with only one of them.
- h virgin? Yes, and I’m assuming she lost it to the twins when they started their relationship back in high school
- First time they kiss: 3% (part of the “Then” section)
- First time they sleep together: 54% (part of the “Present” section)
- First time they say I Love You 78%
- steamy? Yes. Descriptive bedroom scenes
- OW/OM drama? Yes. I would consider this a triangle
- H/h cheat? She kisses both guys, only sleeps with one
- Time apart? Yes, this trio spent 10 years apart
- Did I skip pages? Some. The angst and issues got repetitive
- Big secrets? Yes and not all were answered. Also, something happened between these three ten years ago that resulted in an arrest for the twins and Emily with a scar. The reader is in the dark about this until 77%
- Did I cry? No
- Did I laugh? No
- Did I swoon? No
- Cliffhanger? Yes.
- HEA? HFN
- Epilogue? Yes. It sets up Shane’s story
- Recommend? I’m liking the series, but this has been my least favorite book so far
**Quotes**
“Ezra is a live wire that can snap at a moment’s notice. He’s like an attack dog that gives no warning before going for the throat.”
“That boy is the most decadent of desserts, one who can be sliced open, only for poison to leak out of the center.”
“Emily has drawn a line, and either I lay down and die on one side of it, or I step the fuck over it and show her I’ll move mountains if that’s what it takes to make it possible for us to be together.”
"We want a lifetime. We want a future. And all we’re given is short moments when we can pretend loving each other is possible.”
July 30, 2020
‘I thought I knew violence.
But I was wrong.
Because if Ezra has taught me anything in life, it’s that the worst kind of pain isn’t what we do to ourselves, it’s what the person your heart belongs to can do when he’s learned to hate you…’
‘Violence noun: An unpleasant destructive natural force’. Well, force and destructive Ezra Cross certainly is, and he does have a bit of an unpleasant streak but he’s certainly charismatic and his story was yet another fantastic read in a series that has turned us into Inferno addicts! Somehow Lily White has managed to deliver a story in differing points of view, yet each feels new and exciting. Along the way, she drops little teasing breadcrumbs, wonderfully taunting us as we try to figure out the end game for the nine Inferno men and the women who win their intensely passionate hearts.
‘There’s a wound on my heart he left, and a hundred scars on my soul that are all because of him.’
Wow! To say we are hooked and loving this series is an understatement! We can’t get enough and have promised ourselves to block out time at the end of the series for a re-read – these books are habit-forming, to say the least! Every time Lily White finishes one Inferno book, she teases us at the end with the next book to come and our hearts rev into overdrive with anticipation every single time!
‘There is no other bond I have as strong as my brother. I’d do anything for him. Murder a thousand people. Burndown entire cities. Fucking raze the world if it meant he would be okay.‘
Whilst each book is about a different Inferno character, and there are nine of them (be still our beating hearts!) you really need to read in order as each book tells a part of the overall story. The twists, the turns, the passion, the romance, the anticipation can only be enjoyed by reading in order.
‘Is it wrong to love the pain he gives? Every form of it, even the type that stains my soul.’
The Cross twins, Ezra and Damon were such intriguing characters. Two men who haven’t known love and comfort, as boys they were angry at the world, as men, they are a destructive force. Yet, one woman, Emily captured their hearts in high school, and after ten years apart, those intense and passionate feelings still remain. Yet, who will win her heart? Both? One? None? Oh man, it was delicious, and at times, heartbreaking finding out. We felt for both men, and have to say…Emily, what a decision!
‘The problem with holding the leash of two rabid pit bulls is that you can’t always control them when their tempers flare and they set their sights on anyone they believe threatens you.
I always felt safe enough with them, though, at least until those final days when I didn’t.’
Emily Donahue has been promised to Mason Strom (another Inferno), an arrangement that was determined by both sets of parents pretty much from birth, yet, we’re not yet sure why this arrangement is in place. Sure, they’re both powerful families and the pairing will only solidify that, however, as Lily White is prone to do in this series, there’s an ulterior motive we’re itching to uncover.
Treachery (Book #1) and then Fraud (Book #2) delivered little snippets about the Cross twins, yet despite what we had gleaned from those books about Ezra and Damon, their story eclipsed anything we could have imagined. Our hearts broke! We cried for Ezra, yes, but Damon, oh my god, his book is going to shred us and even now, we’re preparing for that journey.
‘Damon and Ezra are nothing but heartbreak personified.‘
How does she do it? The wait between books isn’t very long, and yet each book is such quality. The writing, the characters and especially the way this author weaves each point of view into the story. Yes, it might be following similar timelines, but each book is unique and new, not simply a retelling of the story. We are in awe of her talent for intertwining the stories the way she’s done. It’s such a brilliant way of telling the story, ensuring we’re hanging onto every word until the end.
‘It was our confessions in a dark room that bound us together. A boy beaten. A girl caged.’
Lily White is a master manipulator, a temptress and creative storyteller. Each book consistently sends us in a tailspin of emotions time and again with her little morsels of information, uncovering just enough secrets in an appetizing yet torturous fashion. Oh, we do love it as we’re torn between rushing to the end and savouring every wonderfully seductively mouth-watering word. Her visual prose had our imaginations going into overdrive – there were times we could visualise these men standing as a force – we felt them, all around us. Their strength, their power and their potency. We could see them, standing there looking gorgeous and menacing, all thanks to Lily White’s words.
‘I guess that’s what happens when you hold a person so deep in our heart. You consume them and make them part of you. You share their pain. You experience their trauma. You choke on their truth because it’s impossible to swallow.’
If, like us, you crave that real antihero experience, where you wonder if the hero will ever redeem himself, you have to grab this series because if there was ever an exemplary example of how this theme should be written, then the Inferno Antihero series is it! Each book is a battle of wills and a struggle for love told passionately and with a looming cloud for what is to come. Secrets. Secrets and more secrets. Our reading tastebuds are salivating with the promise of what is yet to come!
‘They were beautiful in high school. Troublemakers, yet smart. They were the rich boys who did what they wanted, when they wanted, and didn’t worry much about the consequences.
Now they are much more than that, and the full impact isn’t really known until they’re standing together, shoulder to shoulder, their expressions tight and stern, their combined prowess and strength undeniable.’
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August 7, 2020
I had to take a minute to get my thoughts together. I absolutely love this series. Tanner had me within the first chapter. So at book 3 I have come to anticipate a few things.
A) The book is going to be about one of the infamous Inferno Boys
B) The boy runs a mock gauntlet on the girl he is lusting after
C) At this point of the series we are getting bits and pieces of a large story
Well this book fell flat on some of my expectations. This book really focused on Emily. We get her back story and her child relations. We also now clearly understand what role the women play with the fathers of the Inferno.
What i wanted out of this book, let's just cut to the chase, I wanted the menage between Violence, Ezra and his brother Damon. Lily why didn't you include that in this book?? Also I thought there was a secret relation between the twins and on inferno brother. That was not revealed. The other part that truly irked me was how William dies. There is no way in hell that would occurr without something big happening. A meeting between the Dads, a reading of the will something should have occurred and we got nothing.
Overall it was a good 3.7 for me. We learn more about Ivy and Emily. Lily does an excellent job of telling multiple POV about the same events. She keeps everything in modern day, as if all these books happened at once. This is genius. But I want more gusto. I guess i have to wait to get my questions answered... so I will.
August 27, 2020
***5+++ "Just this once, right?" stars***
!NOW AVAILABLE!
Violence (noun):
An unpleasant or destructive natural force.
Hungry.... Hungry for more!!!
That's the right word to describe how I'm feeling about Lily White's words and this particular series!!!
I was craving Ezra and Emily's story very much and i knew from the very first moment that this would be a story that will make a great impact on me... A story that will break my heart and i wasn't wrong on that!!!
These two had stolen my heart and they made me fall in love...
But they weren't only these two in this story!!!
"Do we fall?
Or do we back away from the edge to safely return to our lives apart from one another?"
Emily was trapped...
Since when she was a little child, her future had been planned.
She always knew that at some point in her life, she would have to be Mason Storm's wife...
But the heart has its own will and Emily when she was in highschool, she got trapped under the spell of the Cross's twins!!!
"Our past should never define us...
But what if it's your future that defines you?
What if the fate you're moving towards is the problem that will defeat you?
And what if there's not a damn thing you can do to stop it?" ,/i>
Ezra and Damon were notorious for the games that they were playing, but Emily couldn't resist them when they offered her something similar to a slice of freedom....
But then, everything got messy and she had to make a very hard choice and leave both of them behind, even though her heart was beating a little bit more for one of them!!!
"What happens if he steals my heart while I steal my freedom?"
"I'm no longer a woman trapped in a life I don't want. Because only they can free me."
Ten years later, an engangement and an unexpected present brought these three back together, but this time things are even messier than before....
Because they all fell in love, but one of them didn't seem to fit on the equation....
But which heart have to be broken????
Also, Emily is about to be bound with another man in the near future and there is no way to find a way out of this arrangement.
So, all this heartbreak have a meaning after all???
"Is it wrong that my heart flutters to be trapped? That instead of hating them for what they're doing, I want to thank them instead?"
"It was never supposed to be the three of us in the end.
Only two.
That's the promise I made."
Well, i love so much AND this story in the Antihero Inferno series!!!
Ezra became my favorite, my poor tortured soul!!!!
Emily was an amazing and admirable girl!!! She managed to do the impossible!!!
She managed to tame Violence and Anger under her soothing palm...
Damon was also a very tortured man and my heart was breaking for him...
"How do you friendzone one brother while doing your best not to cling to the other?"
"How can fun turn into our names being seared into each other's souls? How can it warp and twist so easily until unrecognizable? Somehow it did. And we're all scarred because of it."
This story had my heart beating wildly in every twist and turn on these three's journey!!!
Emily's heart could love two men at the same time, even though one of them was someone that she was needing more, but she didn't want to be the one responsible to break an unbreakable bond between the twins... They needed each other more than they needed her...
And she had to be the one to make the sacrifice, but Ezra was a very persistent bastard and he couldn't let her go!!!
"Ezra, in so many ways, is a walking cruelty.
He is the only person I want, yet the only person I can never have.
He tortures me, this man.
And I haunt him."
"While he makes my body sing, he crushes my heart and gnaws on my soul. He consumes me. Devours me. He leaves me bruised and broken, just like him."
Ezra was a very troubled man... Violence was the only way he knew. His fists were his only weapon. His brother was his only constant in life. He was putting his cold face mask on place in order to survive and to be the strong one for his broken brother.
And then a queen bow in both their feet and she was the only thing that he wanted for himself and he couldn't let go, even if this will destroy them all!!! Even if she broke the promise that she gave him!!!
"The queen didn't know her beast would destroy the world if that is what it took to have her."
"Too good. She's everything I want but don't deserve to have.
How can a beast ever be good enough for a queen?
How can a beaten down man ever be enough for a woman who stands tall despite the weight on her shoulders?"
Pffff... Things were very hard and complicated in here.... From many aspects!!
My heart was breaking over and over again for these three...
The dead ends in their relationship were too many to be faced!!!
All of them made great mistakes, mistakes that could destroy them, but the only undeniable thing between them was the deep feelings that they were having for each other...
"We'll destroy each other one of these days, yet we're both powerless to stop it.
Violence, stripped of its hammering fists, of its gnawing teeth, of its razor-sharp edges and blinding explosions, is nothing more than a destructive force.
And that's what Emily and I are to each other."
Of course, my little evil Spider (That's Lily for you!), didn't give me all the answers that i was craving about the twins, but I'm sure that in Damon's book we will learn more!!!
The thing is that all these books in this series is a complicated compination and I'm afraid that we will get all the answers that we are craving at the last book, but I know that the journey will be a hell of a ride and i forgive Lily for that!!!
Please, please, please!!!! Read these books!!!! They deserve to be read and loved by you! Believe me!!!
"Secrets. All these fucking secrets. They're going to destroy all of us eventually."
***I received an ARC by the author for the exchange of an honest review. Thank you!***
!NOW AVAILABLE!
Violence (noun):
An unpleasant or destructive natural force.
Hungry.... Hungry for more!!!
That's the right word to describe how I'm feeling about Lily White's words and this particular series!!!
I was craving Ezra and Emily's story very much and i knew from the very first moment that this would be a story that will make a great impact on me... A story that will break my heart and i wasn't wrong on that!!!
These two had stolen my heart and they made me fall in love...
But they weren't only these two in this story!!!
"Do we fall?
Or do we back away from the edge to safely return to our lives apart from one another?"
Emily was trapped...
Since when she was a little child, her future had been planned.
She always knew that at some point in her life, she would have to be Mason Storm's wife...
But the heart has its own will and Emily when she was in highschool, she got trapped under the spell of the Cross's twins!!!
"Our past should never define us...
But what if it's your future that defines you?
What if the fate you're moving towards is the problem that will defeat you?
And what if there's not a damn thing you can do to stop it?" ,/i>
Ezra and Damon were notorious for the games that they were playing, but Emily couldn't resist them when they offered her something similar to a slice of freedom....
But then, everything got messy and she had to make a very hard choice and leave both of them behind, even though her heart was beating a little bit more for one of them!!!
"What happens if he steals my heart while I steal my freedom?"
"I'm no longer a woman trapped in a life I don't want. Because only they can free me."
Ten years later, an engangement and an unexpected present brought these three back together, but this time things are even messier than before....
Because they all fell in love, but one of them didn't seem to fit on the equation....
But which heart have to be broken????
Also, Emily is about to be bound with another man in the near future and there is no way to find a way out of this arrangement.
So, all this heartbreak have a meaning after all???
"Is it wrong that my heart flutters to be trapped? That instead of hating them for what they're doing, I want to thank them instead?"
"It was never supposed to be the three of us in the end.
Only two.
That's the promise I made."
Well, i love so much AND this story in the Antihero Inferno series!!!
Ezra became my favorite, my poor tortured soul!!!!
Emily was an amazing and admirable girl!!! She managed to do the impossible!!!
She managed to tame Violence and Anger under her soothing palm...
Damon was also a very tortured man and my heart was breaking for him...
"How do you friendzone one brother while doing your best not to cling to the other?"
"How can fun turn into our names being seared into each other's souls? How can it warp and twist so easily until unrecognizable? Somehow it did. And we're all scarred because of it."
This story had my heart beating wildly in every twist and turn on these three's journey!!!
Emily's heart could love two men at the same time, even though one of them was someone that she was needing more, but she didn't want to be the one responsible to break an unbreakable bond between the twins... They needed each other more than they needed her...
And she had to be the one to make the sacrifice, but Ezra was a very persistent bastard and he couldn't let her go!!!
"Ezra, in so many ways, is a walking cruelty.
He is the only person I want, yet the only person I can never have.
He tortures me, this man.
And I haunt him."
"While he makes my body sing, he crushes my heart and gnaws on my soul. He consumes me. Devours me. He leaves me bruised and broken, just like him."
Ezra was a very troubled man... Violence was the only way he knew. His fists were his only weapon. His brother was his only constant in life. He was putting his cold face mask on place in order to survive and to be the strong one for his broken brother.
And then a queen bow in both their feet and she was the only thing that he wanted for himself and he couldn't let go, even if this will destroy them all!!! Even if she broke the promise that she gave him!!!
"The queen didn't know her beast would destroy the world if that is what it took to have her."
"Too good. She's everything I want but don't deserve to have.
How can a beast ever be good enough for a queen?
How can a beaten down man ever be enough for a woman who stands tall despite the weight on her shoulders?"
Pffff... Things were very hard and complicated in here.... From many aspects!!
My heart was breaking over and over again for these three...
The dead ends in their relationship were too many to be faced!!!
All of them made great mistakes, mistakes that could destroy them, but the only undeniable thing between them was the deep feelings that they were having for each other...
"We'll destroy each other one of these days, yet we're both powerless to stop it.
Violence, stripped of its hammering fists, of its gnawing teeth, of its razor-sharp edges and blinding explosions, is nothing more than a destructive force.
And that's what Emily and I are to each other."
Of course, my little evil Spider (That's Lily for you!), didn't give me all the answers that i was craving about the twins, but I'm sure that in Damon's book we will learn more!!!
The thing is that all these books in this series is a complicated compination and I'm afraid that we will get all the answers that we are craving at the last book, but I know that the journey will be a hell of a ride and i forgive Lily for that!!!
Please, please, please!!!! Read these books!!!! They deserve to be read and loved by you! Believe me!!!
"Secrets. All these fucking secrets. They're going to destroy all of us eventually."
***I received an ARC by the author for the exchange of an honest review. Thank you!***
July 23, 2020
Each time I fall in love with the Inferno boy, lily outsmarts everybody in creating another sinfully delicious man and I have to fall for him all over again. This series is a Pandora's box of troubles and it's wide open! The worms are crawling out and I've got the ringside seat baby!!
As much as Oh so drool worthy hotties Tanner and Gabriel were, Ezra & Damon are right up to par with them in cruel sexiness and Devious duplicities
The Excruciating pull of unrequited love is savagely explored by Lily in Violence. We know that this love is doomed, we know that hearts will be damaged, we know that post Love-ocalyptic Inferno world will be full of ash and smoke, yet we can't take our eyes off it.
Emily being pulled on each side by Ezra and Damon will end up tearing my heart in two, lily makes sure of that.
“You were going the wrong way.”
“I don’t think away from you is the wrong way.”
Seventh Circle of Hell breached: Violence a.k.a. Ezra Cross, identical half of the twin masters of chaotic energy with Damon Cross. It's getting hotter, flames are rising higher and story is getting more intense.
Lily packs powerful punches and each one leaves a bruise behind. I was taken aback by the tightly restrained agitation that is fast churning beneath his cool and calm exterior. Both siblings are exact replicas of each other except in the manner they contain their violent streaks.
"Ezra is much colder than Damon. He’s power and control and domination, while Damon is hot, his actions always overtaking his thoughts, his instincts driving him without concern for the consequences.
Cold and hot.
Calculating and spontaneous.
Night and day.
Colorless and a broad spectrum of rainbow prisms.
Everybody thinks they’re the same.
But they’re not."
Ezra was the burdened one, the hardened one. The onus of protecting his brother and in the process destroying his own happiness tore at my heart. His love a bridled horse, powerful and energetic but knew when to pull reins in.
I entered the book rooting for Damon, came out crying for Ezra.
Damon was almost naïve, totally adorable in his fiery passion, his devotion matching his temper, utterly uncontrollable and swirling like a hurricane
Emily was a source of compassion for me. I found her a tad indecisive and pushover, but when in love, hearts soften and defenses shatter so I totally got her.
But their chemistry was explosive and irresistible!
I think the main tussle is between their love interest, Emily Donahue, who's already sentenced to a prison of loveless marriage with Mason Strom and tyrannical William Cross. They are both playing tug of war with Twins's souls, pulling them hard between darkness and light. Depends on which is more powerful- love or Abuse.
"Violence, or destruction, is the first oar. And forgiveness, or the ability to make things whole, is the one he doesn’t have. So we circle, and we spiral, and we fall. The long, deep, dark hole is never-ending."
The constant back and forth, I should & I shouldn't takes a heavy toll on Emily. It hurt my heart to see her hurt, them all pining, yearning, crying over the future that can never be.
As the series progresses, the threads of the web comes into focus, details become more sharper to decipher, secrets are tumbling out, picture getting larger as characters connect and fill the missing blanks. Trust lily to darken the rosy love story with graphite filter of intrigue and mystery. I'm chasing ripples as they spread, wanting the whole truth to emerge. Heart thumping, pulse pounding Rollercoaster ride to the center of Inferno where total annihilation awaits!!
5 stars for The Queen and The Beast who kneels at her feet
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As much as Oh so drool worthy hotties Tanner and Gabriel were, Ezra & Damon are right up to par with them in cruel sexiness and Devious duplicities
The Excruciating pull of unrequited love is savagely explored by Lily in Violence. We know that this love is doomed, we know that hearts will be damaged, we know that post Love-ocalyptic Inferno world will be full of ash and smoke, yet we can't take our eyes off it.
Emily being pulled on each side by Ezra and Damon will end up tearing my heart in two, lily makes sure of that.
“You were going the wrong way.”
“I don’t think away from you is the wrong way.”
Seventh Circle of Hell breached: Violence a.k.a. Ezra Cross, identical half of the twin masters of chaotic energy with Damon Cross. It's getting hotter, flames are rising higher and story is getting more intense.
Lily packs powerful punches and each one leaves a bruise behind. I was taken aback by the tightly restrained agitation that is fast churning beneath his cool and calm exterior. Both siblings are exact replicas of each other except in the manner they contain their violent streaks.
"Ezra is much colder than Damon. He’s power and control and domination, while Damon is hot, his actions always overtaking his thoughts, his instincts driving him without concern for the consequences.
Cold and hot.
Calculating and spontaneous.
Night and day.
Colorless and a broad spectrum of rainbow prisms.
Everybody thinks they’re the same.
But they’re not."
Ezra was the burdened one, the hardened one. The onus of protecting his brother and in the process destroying his own happiness tore at my heart. His love a bridled horse, powerful and energetic but knew when to pull reins in.
I entered the book rooting for Damon, came out crying for Ezra.
Damon was almost naïve, totally adorable in his fiery passion, his devotion matching his temper, utterly uncontrollable and swirling like a hurricane
Emily was a source of compassion for me. I found her a tad indecisive and pushover, but when in love, hearts soften and defenses shatter so I totally got her.
But their chemistry was explosive and irresistible!
I think the main tussle is between their love interest, Emily Donahue, who's already sentenced to a prison of loveless marriage with Mason Strom and tyrannical William Cross. They are both playing tug of war with Twins's souls, pulling them hard between darkness and light. Depends on which is more powerful- love or Abuse.
"Violence, or destruction, is the first oar. And forgiveness, or the ability to make things whole, is the one he doesn’t have. So we circle, and we spiral, and we fall. The long, deep, dark hole is never-ending."
The constant back and forth, I should & I shouldn't takes a heavy toll on Emily. It hurt my heart to see her hurt, them all pining, yearning, crying over the future that can never be.
As the series progresses, the threads of the web comes into focus, details become more sharper to decipher, secrets are tumbling out, picture getting larger as characters connect and fill the missing blanks. Trust lily to darken the rosy love story with graphite filter of intrigue and mystery. I'm chasing ripples as they spread, wanting the whole truth to emerge. Heart thumping, pulse pounding Rollercoaster ride to the center of Inferno where total annihilation awaits!!
5 stars for The Queen and The Beast who kneels at her feet
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July 30, 2020
“You think you know violence? I promise that you don’t. Not like I do, at least. Not until you experience true annihilation.”
PLEASE NOTE: Violence is part of an ongoing series/plot and isn’t a standalone. Although it features a new couple, this could include spoilers in relation to the first two installments of the series.
I’m new to Lily White, this series being my first intro to her gifted way of storytelling and I can’t find the words that describe how obsessed I am with the tale she is weaving & building upon with every new installment. So when I discovered the ARC copy of Ezra & Emily’s story on my Kindle, jumping up & down may or may not have ensued (who am I kidding, of course I was ecstatic)....
......getting advanced copies of what has fast become my fave new series of 2020 is freak out worthy. Violence is the third installment of the Antihero Inferno series, continuing the overall story/plot from Fraud but through the eyes of Ezra Cross & Emily Donahue as they navigate what may well be the most complicated & tragically hopeless love story of them all. One girl destined to a future she didn’t choose, two twin brothers who fell in love with the girl who was never supposed to be theirs. It all began with a six week agreement....another six week agreement 10 years later may be the very thing to destroy them all. Sometimes the best things come from the hardest battles, and she proved that by delivering the best installment of the series so far with Violence. I hated Lily White for taking my heart on such a painful journey, yet loved her even more for delivering such a raw and authentically messy story. She just keeps digging her claws in, I couldn’t give up on this series if I tried......
Book Facts:
Told in: Dual POV, starting off in the “Past” but taking place predominately in the present.
About: This is the third in a series of nine interconnected romance installments featuring different couples within the same ongoing overall plot and can only be fully enjoyed in order. We continue with the seventh circle, Ezra (Violence) & Emily’s forbidden love triangle romance that is equal parts heartbreaking and messy......where only one brother gets the girl and the other is left picking up the pieces (and getting ready for his own installment).
Triggers: Past accounts of abuse (Ezra & Damon)/some love triangle elements (no cheating).
Ends in: HFN ending for couple with ongoing storyline/plot continuing with Shane & Brinley up next.
The Main Players:
Ezra Cross: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Enforcer of Inferno, twin but complete opposite to Damon, beast, violent, beautiful, scarred, protective, controlled, powerful, territorial, predatory, loyal, dangerous, stubborn.
Ezra not only has the hottest cover BUT he’s my fave antihero so far. He messes up A LOT, makes the wrong choices and allows anger to guide his actions/decisions BUT he is the only male lead so far that you knew from the very start just how much he loves his heroine. I liked that it wasn’t a game for him, he wasn’t afraid to admit his love.....but I loved that despite it all his love & loyalty to his brother remained a central piece of who he is. Not to mention, this one is going to be hard to beat in the bedroom.....he EARNS his name.
“Yeah, sweetheart, there is a reason they call me that. But there’s other reasons, too. Would you like to strip off your clothes and find out about them? I’ll be more than happy to demonstrate.”
Emily Donahue: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Arranged fiancée of Mason Strom and best friend to Ava & Ivy, a Queen & the holder of the twins leashes, feisty & defiant, stubborn, wild spirit, sacrificially selfless, liar, violent temper, protective, loyal, kind-hearted, trapped.
I connected to Emily before I cracked this one opened, I knew she would be the first heroine that I would find a true connection with her character. Like Ezra, she makes some mistakes & I wanted to scream at her while she made them. But I also understood her on a personal level, and I couldn’t deny she LOVED both Ezra & Damon....even at the expense of her own pain. Despite the life planned for her, she holds her head high and never gives up. She is easily my fave so far and honestly, will be hard to top.
“He killed me when he wouldn’t give up, and he destroyed me when he finally did.”
What Worked:
Overall Plot/Storyline: As with the others, my fave thing is how the overall plot guides the installments. Each couple may get a HFN ending, but the story continues with each new couple while also keeping the former couples heavily involved. Even how the timeline is handled.....I loved being able to get an insider’s view into specific moments from both previous installments through the very characters that they were centered around.
Angst/Believability: I LOVED that unlike the other installments, the question or angst is never centered around their feelings towards each other, but rather the decisions they made in regards to everything. It’s never a question that they love each other, it was the first love I could 100% believe in from the start. I didn’t need to be sold with words.....these two sold their love in every single moment of their installment. It’s everything standing in their way that causes the true angst.
Romance-Focused: This one was more focused/centered on the actual romance and not so much on everything else going on with taking down the parents. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t contribute to the bigger picture, it’s just that I found it more crucial for that to take a back seat since this romance needed more attention to work out.
Messiness/Realness: With this being a love triangle of sorts, it’s definitely messy. It’s in Ezra’s desperation when it comes to his love for Emily.....
“I’m sorry,” he finally says, not moving to look at me, those two words spoken into the side of my neck, his lips brushing my skin. “I know.” “We can’t keep going like this, Em.” My eyes clench shut, the tears I always cry for him returning. “I know.” More silence and then his next words come out in a pained breath. “Fuck, killer, what have you done to me? I can’t let go.”
It’s in Damon’s heartbreak......
“It was never me, was it? It will never be me.”
It’s in the way Emily tries to do the best thing for them all yet the results are still the same. The entire thing is frustrating but being the Emily of a similar situation like this of my own, I felt the realness of how it plays out when there are no “villains” or right ways to handle such an impossible situation.
How it made me feel: This was a tough book to read bc I couldn’t get a handle on my emotions and how I was supposed to feel......
It feels hopeless, like you are rooting for a relationship that cannot happen without destroying everything around it. For Ezra to truly be happy, he has to potentially cause his twin brother so much pain and heartache that it might never be mended....Emily is loved by two men that have the ability to and want to give her everything she deserves yet she only loves one just as deeply.....it’s like no matter what decision any of them make it’s almost a lost cause. Despite how it made me feel, I can’t deny that it made me feel on a level many books can’t deliver.
The Verdict:
Violence has cemented itself as a top 2020 read, delivering a book that I couldn’t put down and a couple that fed my masochistic heart all the pain & angst it could take. If this is what she gives us in the 3rd slot, I have no idea how she will be able to continue her trend of each being even better than the last. One thing is for certain, I cannot wait to see her try and will be here every step of the way. If you haven’t dipped your toe into the world of the Inferno boys, you are missing out on an experience that only the best new series of 2020 can give you....so jump on this bandwagon!
“I’ve been on my knees at your feet for ten long years, killer. And only a woman who stands as strong and tall as you is worthy of that type of devotion.”
PLEASE NOTE: Violence is part of an ongoing series/plot and isn’t a standalone. Although it features a new couple, this could include spoilers in relation to the first two installments of the series.
I’m new to Lily White, this series being my first intro to her gifted way of storytelling and I can’t find the words that describe how obsessed I am with the tale she is weaving & building upon with every new installment. So when I discovered the ARC copy of Ezra & Emily’s story on my Kindle, jumping up & down may or may not have ensued (who am I kidding, of course I was ecstatic)....
......getting advanced copies of what has fast become my fave new series of 2020 is freak out worthy. Violence is the third installment of the Antihero Inferno series, continuing the overall story/plot from Fraud but through the eyes of Ezra Cross & Emily Donahue as they navigate what may well be the most complicated & tragically hopeless love story of them all. One girl destined to a future she didn’t choose, two twin brothers who fell in love with the girl who was never supposed to be theirs. It all began with a six week agreement....another six week agreement 10 years later may be the very thing to destroy them all. Sometimes the best things come from the hardest battles, and she proved that by delivering the best installment of the series so far with Violence. I hated Lily White for taking my heart on such a painful journey, yet loved her even more for delivering such a raw and authentically messy story. She just keeps digging her claws in, I couldn’t give up on this series if I tried......
Book Facts:
Told in: Dual POV, starting off in the “Past” but taking place predominately in the present.
About: This is the third in a series of nine interconnected romance installments featuring different couples within the same ongoing overall plot and can only be fully enjoyed in order. We continue with the seventh circle, Ezra (Violence) & Emily’s forbidden love triangle romance that is equal parts heartbreaking and messy......where only one brother gets the girl and the other is left picking up the pieces (and getting ready for his own installment).
Triggers: Past accounts of abuse (Ezra & Damon)/some love triangle elements (no cheating).
Ends in: HFN ending for couple with ongoing storyline/plot continuing with Shane & Brinley up next.
The Main Players:
Ezra Cross: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Enforcer of Inferno, twin but complete opposite to Damon, beast, violent, beautiful, scarred, protective, controlled, powerful, territorial, predatory, loyal, dangerous, stubborn.
Ezra not only has the hottest cover BUT he’s my fave antihero so far. He messes up A LOT, makes the wrong choices and allows anger to guide his actions/decisions BUT he is the only male lead so far that you knew from the very start just how much he loves his heroine. I liked that it wasn’t a game for him, he wasn’t afraid to admit his love.....but I loved that despite it all his love & loyalty to his brother remained a central piece of who he is. Not to mention, this one is going to be hard to beat in the bedroom.....he EARNS his name.
“Yeah, sweetheart, there is a reason they call me that. But there’s other reasons, too. Would you like to strip off your clothes and find out about them? I’ll be more than happy to demonstrate.”
Emily Donahue: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Arranged fiancée of Mason Strom and best friend to Ava & Ivy, a Queen & the holder of the twins leashes, feisty & defiant, stubborn, wild spirit, sacrificially selfless, liar, violent temper, protective, loyal, kind-hearted, trapped.
I connected to Emily before I cracked this one opened, I knew she would be the first heroine that I would find a true connection with her character. Like Ezra, she makes some mistakes & I wanted to scream at her while she made them. But I also understood her on a personal level, and I couldn’t deny she LOVED both Ezra & Damon....even at the expense of her own pain. Despite the life planned for her, she holds her head high and never gives up. She is easily my fave so far and honestly, will be hard to top.
“He killed me when he wouldn’t give up, and he destroyed me when he finally did.”
What Worked:
Overall Plot/Storyline: As with the others, my fave thing is how the overall plot guides the installments. Each couple may get a HFN ending, but the story continues with each new couple while also keeping the former couples heavily involved. Even how the timeline is handled.....I loved being able to get an insider’s view into specific moments from both previous installments through the very characters that they were centered around.
Angst/Believability: I LOVED that unlike the other installments, the question or angst is never centered around their feelings towards each other, but rather the decisions they made in regards to everything. It’s never a question that they love each other, it was the first love I could 100% believe in from the start. I didn’t need to be sold with words.....these two sold their love in every single moment of their installment. It’s everything standing in their way that causes the true angst.
Romance-Focused: This one was more focused/centered on the actual romance and not so much on everything else going on with taking down the parents. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t contribute to the bigger picture, it’s just that I found it more crucial for that to take a back seat since this romance needed more attention to work out.
Messiness/Realness: With this being a love triangle of sorts, it’s definitely messy. It’s in Ezra’s desperation when it comes to his love for Emily.....
“I’m sorry,” he finally says, not moving to look at me, those two words spoken into the side of my neck, his lips brushing my skin. “I know.” “We can’t keep going like this, Em.” My eyes clench shut, the tears I always cry for him returning. “I know.” More silence and then his next words come out in a pained breath. “Fuck, killer, what have you done to me? I can’t let go.”
It’s in Damon’s heartbreak......
“It was never me, was it? It will never be me.”
It’s in the way Emily tries to do the best thing for them all yet the results are still the same. The entire thing is frustrating but being the Emily of a similar situation like this of my own, I felt the realness of how it plays out when there are no “villains” or right ways to handle such an impossible situation.
How it made me feel: This was a tough book to read bc I couldn’t get a handle on my emotions and how I was supposed to feel......
It feels hopeless, like you are rooting for a relationship that cannot happen without destroying everything around it. For Ezra to truly be happy, he has to potentially cause his twin brother so much pain and heartache that it might never be mended....Emily is loved by two men that have the ability to and want to give her everything she deserves yet she only loves one just as deeply.....it’s like no matter what decision any of them make it’s almost a lost cause. Despite how it made me feel, I can’t deny that it made me feel on a level many books can’t deliver.
The Verdict:
Violence has cemented itself as a top 2020 read, delivering a book that I couldn’t put down and a couple that fed my masochistic heart all the pain & angst it could take. If this is what she gives us in the 3rd slot, I have no idea how she will be able to continue her trend of each being even better than the last. One thing is for certain, I cannot wait to see her try and will be here every step of the way. If you haven’t dipped your toe into the world of the Inferno boys, you are missing out on an experience that only the best new series of 2020 can give you....so jump on this bandwagon!
“I’ve been on my knees at your feet for ten long years, killer. And only a woman who stands as strong and tall as you is worthy of that type of devotion.”
July 21, 2020
As Lily White herself says, the Inferno boys are so,
”...tempting on their own.
But insanely intoxicating when together.”
YES. THEY. ARE!!!!! Dammmmn, Damon and Ezra are HO🔥T!!!!
In VIOLENCE, we get to know more about the twins, specifically Ezra, the colder twin. Ezra may appear to be the more controlled of the two, but he’s suppressing powerful emotions inside. Ezra’s struggles had me hurting for him while simultaneously leaving me fanning myself over the emotionally charged love triangle he’s involved in with Emily and Damon!!
Amid all the smoking hot sexiness, the Inferno boys are still searching for the elusive servers, eager to take down their asshole fathers. Some questions are answered, yet the majority remain unsolved, leaving me extremely eager for the next installment!!!
But insanely intoxicating when together.”
YES. THEY. ARE!!!!! Dammmmn, Damon and Ezra are HO🔥T!!!!
In VIOLENCE, we get to know more about the twins, specifically Ezra, the colder twin. Ezra may appear to be the more controlled of the two, but he’s suppressing powerful emotions inside. Ezra’s struggles had me hurting for him while simultaneously leaving me fanning myself over the emotionally charged love triangle he’s involved in with Emily and Damon!!
Amid all the smoking hot sexiness, the Inferno boys are still searching for the elusive servers, eager to take down their asshole fathers. Some questions are answered, yet the majority remain unsolved, leaving me extremely eager for the next installment!!!
January 8, 2023
What do you do when you have been promised to someone you don't love? What do you do when two brothers fall in love with you? What do you do when you love both brothers, but you're IN love with only one of them? What do you do when you are keeping secrets from people you love?
Book 3 in the series and it's nothing like the first two books. While the main plot is still going on, this book is about love. Love between 3 people that had been building for 10 years. It's about secrets. So many secrets by so many people. It's filled with passion, loyalty and friendship. It's filled with angst. Slow burning, must keep reading angst.
While each book focuses on each of the nine men, the complicated plot continues to unfold, revealing just a tiny bit more with each book. I loved the first 2 books and I love this one. Each book leaves me with a book hangover! I'm dying to find out how it all ends and dreading it at the same time because I don't want it to be over.
Book 3 in the series and it's nothing like the first two books. While the main plot is still going on, this book is about love. Love between 3 people that had been building for 10 years. It's about secrets. So many secrets by so many people. It's filled with passion, loyalty and friendship. It's filled with angst. Slow burning, must keep reading angst.
While each book focuses on each of the nine men, the complicated plot continues to unfold, revealing just a tiny bit more with each book. I loved the first 2 books and I love this one. Each book leaves me with a book hangover! I'm dying to find out how it all ends and dreading it at the same time because I don't want it to be over.
July 30, 2020
***FULL REVIEW - AVAILABLE NOW***
3.5 CROWNS
My love for this world and the characters is the reason this book got this rating.
I love the Inferno Boys. LOVE. THEM. I want them allllll to be mine.
Emily was a harder sell for me. I had pre-hate from the previous books.
What really made me rate this book lower than the other two was the lack of resolution on all fronts. Previously, the couple gets a resolution as the over-arching plot line continues, but this didn’t happen here. I am frustrated the resolution likely won’t come for many books. It just made the book seem pointless to me at this point in the series.
The writing also still continues to be repetitive in terms of words and phrasing. Maybe because I binged the books back to back, I noticed it more.
I would still highly recommend the series. The details revealed for the large plot and the next book have kept me intrigued.
ARC review
3.5 CROWNS
My love for this world and the characters is the reason this book got this rating.
I love the Inferno Boys. LOVE. THEM. I want them allllll to be mine.
Emily was a harder sell for me. I had pre-hate from the previous books.
What really made me rate this book lower than the other two was the lack of resolution on all fronts. Previously, the couple gets a resolution as the over-arching plot line continues, but this didn’t happen here. I am frustrated the resolution likely won’t come for many books. It just made the book seem pointless to me at this point in the series.
The writing also still continues to be repetitive in terms of words and phrasing. Maybe because I binged the books back to back, I noticed it more.
I would still highly recommend the series. The details revealed for the large plot and the next book have kept me intrigued.
ARC review
July 27, 2020
"How do you friend zone one brother while doing your best not to cling to the other?”
This is gonna be messy, heartbreaking and hot... Lines that kept repeating in my head the moment I finished Fraud and was introduced to Ezra, Damon and Emily. So when Violence' ARC landed my kindle, I had my big girl panties on, emotions checked in place and readied myself for whatever Lily White is in store for us this time.
Here goes my quick review without giving away any spoilers...
Violence followed the story of Ezra Cross, Temperamental. Fierce. Predatory. Feral. He is Violence, in life, in mind...in bed. And once this man loses control, he’s a wildfire that consumes without concern for what damage is caused and, Emily Donahue -
a girl with crimson hair had the personality to match, her fire burning so damn hot that you can’t help but be burned alive to see it. Where Ezra is the BEAST, she is the QUEEN. Together, they're a force to be reckoned with. Spoken in dual perspective, what they gave me was more than just FEELS. While I had the whole time laughing my ass off and fanning myself over the hotness reading the previous book in the series, I was in a different state with Violence. Oooh, hotness overload was still present but what had me glued to the book in its entirety was the emotional depth that took me by surprise and had my heart bruised and beaten. What started off as fling and fun spiraled to a love that cuts deep. A love that inflicted pain yet healed it. Two men and one woman. Both men love her fiercely, both needed her immensely. So now how's it going to be? Love triangle? Menage a trois? Reverse Harem? Damn! The list goes on but you need to read this book yourself. For a much better appreciation and better experience, read the first two books before jumping to Violence.
So how was my experience you asked?
I was ADDICTED to it. I devoured this long AF book because let's face it, besides the interesting premise and a promising storyline, you can never go wrong with a Lily White book. Start to finish had me checking my emotions because the angst was high. The romance and the banter was so good. Add up a sexual tension that was just off the charts hot, teasing you with every chance, ah no words! And as I said, it has all the FEELS. I swooned big time but they crushed my heart too. But I adored them , I fell in love with them and I needed MORE of them BIG TIME. Lily White penned them in a way that made it even harder for me to stop reading. She's brilliant because even if I had my questions in the previous book answered, I am now in a limbo because I was bombarded with a whole lot more in Violence. And it wasn't a wrong thing though. In fact, it made me even want to read the next book ASAP.
Overall, I love Violence by Lily White. She gave me an incredible ride of angst fest, pain, heartbreak, love... and SECRETS. Secrets that made me want to crawl the author's mind with her brilliancy. Some may have been revealed but this book made me want to dig deeper not just on Emily and the twins but to the whole Inferno boys as a whole.
Way to go with this series! Cheers to you Lily White!
*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
This is gonna be messy, heartbreaking and hot... Lines that kept repeating in my head the moment I finished Fraud and was introduced to Ezra, Damon and Emily. So when Violence' ARC landed my kindle, I had my big girl panties on, emotions checked in place and readied myself for whatever Lily White is in store for us this time.
Here goes my quick review without giving away any spoilers...
Violence followed the story of Ezra Cross, Temperamental. Fierce. Predatory. Feral. He is Violence, in life, in mind...in bed. And once this man loses control, he’s a wildfire that consumes without concern for what damage is caused and, Emily Donahue -
a girl with crimson hair had the personality to match, her fire burning so damn hot that you can’t help but be burned alive to see it. Where Ezra is the BEAST, she is the QUEEN. Together, they're a force to be reckoned with. Spoken in dual perspective, what they gave me was more than just FEELS. While I had the whole time laughing my ass off and fanning myself over the hotness reading the previous book in the series, I was in a different state with Violence. Oooh, hotness overload was still present but what had me glued to the book in its entirety was the emotional depth that took me by surprise and had my heart bruised and beaten. What started off as fling and fun spiraled to a love that cuts deep. A love that inflicted pain yet healed it. Two men and one woman. Both men love her fiercely, both needed her immensely. So now how's it going to be? Love triangle? Menage a trois? Reverse Harem? Damn! The list goes on but you need to read this book yourself. For a much better appreciation and better experience, read the first two books before jumping to Violence.
So how was my experience you asked?
I was ADDICTED to it. I devoured this long AF book because let's face it, besides the interesting premise and a promising storyline, you can never go wrong with a Lily White book. Start to finish had me checking my emotions because the angst was high. The romance and the banter was so good. Add up a sexual tension that was just off the charts hot, teasing you with every chance, ah no words! And as I said, it has all the FEELS. I swooned big time but they crushed my heart too. But I adored them , I fell in love with them and I needed MORE of them BIG TIME. Lily White penned them in a way that made it even harder for me to stop reading. She's brilliant because even if I had my questions in the previous book answered, I am now in a limbo because I was bombarded with a whole lot more in Violence. And it wasn't a wrong thing though. In fact, it made me even want to read the next book ASAP.
Overall, I love Violence by Lily White. She gave me an incredible ride of angst fest, pain, heartbreak, love... and SECRETS. Secrets that made me want to crawl the author's mind with her brilliancy. Some may have been revealed but this book made me want to dig deeper not just on Emily and the twins but to the whole Inferno boys as a whole.
Way to go with this series! Cheers to you Lily White!
*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2020
yes, well I expected a little bit more from this one...
I even skipped the book 2, so I could get to this one....
I should have threaded carefully... :/
Ezra and Damon are twins...complicated individuals yet connected not only by blood and physical looks...they are also connected to the same woman they both desire, yet only one will have in the end.
gah, the most annoying point for me - was the constant question of heroine: "Who are you?"
(meaning Ezra or Damon), and yet she proclaims that she feels more than sexual desire for Ezra, and yet she can't tell him apart from his twin...well fuck, then she's have them both, voila...problem solved...
well, that was a bit blah, I usually love threesomes but here It had a bitter taste...
and yeah, you can guess, that one twin had to back out...ignoring his own feelings...poor thing *sarcasm at full force*
so, Damon will get his own book...
hmmm, yeah, I somehow wanna see where Shane's story will lead us...cause he's Heresy (Sixth circle of Inferno)
I even skipped the book 2, so I could get to this one....
I should have threaded carefully... :/
Ezra and Damon are twins...complicated individuals yet connected not only by blood and physical looks...they are also connected to the same woman they both desire, yet only one will have in the end.
gah, the most annoying point for me - was the constant question of heroine: "Who are you?"
(meaning Ezra or Damon), and yet she proclaims that she feels more than sexual desire for Ezra, and yet she can't tell him apart from his twin...well fuck, then she's have them both, voila...problem solved...
well, that was a bit blah, I usually love threesomes but here It had a bitter taste...
and yeah, you can guess, that one twin had to back out...ignoring his own feelings...poor thing *sarcasm at full force*
so, Damon will get his own book...
hmmm, yeah, I somehow wanna see where Shane's story will lead us...cause he's Heresy (Sixth circle of Inferno)
April 18, 2021
Gabriel might have stolen my heart from the very start, but Ezra completely made me fall slowly and painfully in love with him and now I don't know how the rest of the Inferno boys are going to measure up to all that is Violence.
“Ezra is Violence, in life, in mind...in bed. And once this man loses control, he’s a wildfire that consumes without concern for what damage is caused.”
Emily has always been seen as weak to the inferno boys, but Ezra has always seen her as a Queen, his Queen. One small problem not only is Damon his twin brother in love with Emily, but she is promised to Mason another one of the Inferno boys. Now, if that doesn't complicate things even more it has been years since Ezra seen her but with just one encounter with this fiery siren and he is right back where he was in high school. Unable to stay away from her, no matter the consequences. Only this time is nothing like high school because the stakes are way higher. Ezra stands to not only lose Emily but his brother and that is not something he can live with. All the boys of the Inferno had terrible childhood, but Damon and Ezra's was tragic. After all, you don't get the nicknames Violence and Anger for no reason.
Ezra and Damon might be twins, but Emily has always been in love with Ezra. In high school it was just supposed to be a six-week arrangement a way for her to be free for the first time in her life. When a promise is broken, hearts are shattered and now it is ten years later Emily is home, but she never thought she would be back in the clutches of the Cross twins. Another six-week arrangement for Damon to get closure leads to even more damage than before. Since she can't break Damon's heart the only thing left to do is to say goodbye to both Cross boys, but Ezra has a much different plan.
This story was much of the same as the previous two books but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Answers, I want answers. That is my biggest complaint about this series thus far. More secrets keep getting added to the pile of drama before we get answers from the questions from the first book. I am for sure intrigued but what I am afraid will happen when we get to book seven or so we will still have too many questions to remember what was previously happening.
Ezra and Emily were kind of epic!! She was not about to take his sh*t but he was not going to back down either no matter what drama was coming her way. Really though, I did like this book. Totally going for it for book four because dammit I want to know what happens!!
“Ezra is Violence, in life, in mind...in bed. And once this man loses control, he’s a wildfire that consumes without concern for what damage is caused.”
Emily has always been seen as weak to the inferno boys, but Ezra has always seen her as a Queen, his Queen. One small problem not only is Damon his twin brother in love with Emily, but she is promised to Mason another one of the Inferno boys. Now, if that doesn't complicate things even more it has been years since Ezra seen her but with just one encounter with this fiery siren and he is right back where he was in high school. Unable to stay away from her, no matter the consequences. Only this time is nothing like high school because the stakes are way higher. Ezra stands to not only lose Emily but his brother and that is not something he can live with. All the boys of the Inferno had terrible childhood, but Damon and Ezra's was tragic. After all, you don't get the nicknames Violence and Anger for no reason.
Ezra and Damon might be twins, but Emily has always been in love with Ezra. In high school it was just supposed to be a six-week arrangement a way for her to be free for the first time in her life. When a promise is broken, hearts are shattered and now it is ten years later Emily is home, but she never thought she would be back in the clutches of the Cross twins. Another six-week arrangement for Damon to get closure leads to even more damage than before. Since she can't break Damon's heart the only thing left to do is to say goodbye to both Cross boys, but Ezra has a much different plan.
This story was much of the same as the previous two books but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Answers, I want answers. That is my biggest complaint about this series thus far. More secrets keep getting added to the pile of drama before we get answers from the questions from the first book. I am for sure intrigued but what I am afraid will happen when we get to book seven or so we will still have too many questions to remember what was previously happening.
Ezra and Emily were kind of epic!! She was not about to take his sh*t but he was not going to back down either no matter what drama was coming her way. Really though, I did like this book. Totally going for it for book four because dammit I want to know what happens!!
July 29, 2020
THE REVIEW FOR VIOLENCE BY LILY WHITE
ARC PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR HONEST REVIEW
GENRE: CONTEMPORARY ROMANTIC SUSPENSE.
AUTHOR:LILY WHITE.
TYPE:BOOK #3 OF ANTIHERO INFERNO SERIES (3/9).
POV: FIRST PERSON...DUAL POV.
MY RATINGS: 5 stars..
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************
*****
Emily has her whole planned out without being given any choice in it. The society thinks of her as a meek obedient woman who is engaged to Mason Storm.Being love and wanted by an inferno member is dangerous itself but wanted by two men - CROSS TWINS will be a disaster to all the three lives involved.
EZRA CROSS...ENFORCER to the Inferno Clan.... has been through a lot in his life...Can he have the one thing he desires to be his? Or will he have to choose between his loyalty to his brother and his love??
You are not ready...i repeat ..you are not ready for EMILY AND EZRA'S BOOK... lily was not kidding about this book making us cry..
I cried .. I laughed... reading this masterpiece of a book... The emotions we feel for Emily and Ezra is just out of the world...Even Damon manages to find a place in my heart. Love Triangle always do manages to bring out the angst in the story but this was sooo good...I have always had the curiosity behind the CROSS TWINS and Lily white portrayed their story beautifully...
This story is about Forbidden love and the CHOICE between Duty and LOVE....What will they choose??
ARC PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR HONEST REVIEW
GENRE: CONTEMPORARY ROMANTIC SUSPENSE.
AUTHOR:LILY WHITE.
TYPE:BOOK #3 OF ANTIHERO INFERNO SERIES (3/9).
POV: FIRST PERSON...DUAL POV.
MY RATINGS: 5 stars..
************************
************
*****
Emily has her whole planned out without being given any choice in it. The society thinks of her as a meek obedient woman who is engaged to Mason Storm.Being love and wanted by an inferno member is dangerous itself but wanted by two men - CROSS TWINS will be a disaster to all the three lives involved.
EZRA CROSS...ENFORCER to the Inferno Clan.... has been through a lot in his life...Can he have the one thing he desires to be his? Or will he have to choose between his loyalty to his brother and his love??
I let him kiss me without caring which twin it is, because in the end, when I’m married to a man I don’t love and living a life I don’t want, none of this can matter.
You are not ready...i repeat ..you are not ready for EMILY AND EZRA'S BOOK... lily was not kidding about this book making us cry..
I cried .. I laughed... reading this masterpiece of a book... The emotions we feel for Emily and Ezra is just out of the world...Even Damon manages to find a place in my heart. Love Triangle always do manages to bring out the angst in the story but this was sooo good...I have always had the curiosity behind the CROSS TWINS and Lily white portrayed their story beautifully...
While Damon is chaos, wild and free, Ezra is strict control, a vacuum that freezes you in place and steals your ability to breathe.
This story is about Forbidden love and the CHOICE between Duty and LOVE....What will they choose??
He killed me when he wouldn’t give up, and he destroyed me when he finally did.
December 18, 2023
How do you friendzone one brother while doing your best not to cling to the other?
Seventh Circle: Violence, That would be Ezra Cross, Damon’s twin brother, an enforcer for the group if there ever was one. Normally, Damon, Ezra and Shane were attached at the hip, each of them doing their best to start a fight somewhere.
Ezra Cross, He’s one of a pair. Identical twin to Damon. And an enforcer for the Inferno if one is ever needed. Ezra & Emily's relationship is one that started out as just fun, nothing serious it ends up being a sex-filled threesome when Damon is added to the mix.
But, just before he is off to college, Ezra realises he wanted more, he'd fallen in love.
“Promise me you’ll still be mine after I leave for college. Only mine. Just me and you.”
Emily Donahue, 27, has been promised to Mason Strom even before she was born. But before the noose around her neck is tighten, Emily decides to have some fun with the Cross-twin.
When it all backfires, Emily decides to turn her back on both, because she does not want to get between them.
Because of all that was happening with the twins in Treachery I was really looking forward to reading their story. While a bit is revealed about their violent past with their father, we still do not know a whole lot more.
In fact, this book is mostly about the love triangle and not much is revealed about the information the Inferno is desperately trying to get their hands on.
ARC provided by Lily White
Nine Standalone novels. Nine dangerous men. Nine unrepentant sinners you’ll hate to love. Nine irresistible manipulators that would do you a favour if you promised to pay the price.
Part of the Antihero Inferno Series. 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.
July 29, 2020
OH MY GOODNESS!!! I stayed up until the early hours of the morning in order to finish this book-and I guarantee that once you pick this up you will not be able to put it down! This is one of the very best series of the year-and were only on book 3.
The characters in this book are developed to the absolute highest degree. I feel like I’m living and breathing within the inferno-and loving every second of it. I’m slowly getting to know the rest of the inferno members, but right now I’m head over heels for Tanner, Gabe, and now Ezra. The book was so hot, it’s mostly hard to put into words. The drama surrounding Ezra, Emily and Damon swirls and grips your heart until sometimes you find yourself wanting to cry. Their story was so well done-I’m just in awe.
Aside from being totally and completely in love with every single character we get from Lily White, I have to acknowledge that I’m stunned by how well these books are tying into the main issue and conflict. I don’t feel as though anything is drawn out and just can sit back and marvel at how marvelous this story flows. This author is just filled with such greatness I would shout it from the roof tops if I could! An absolute must read and (of course) a top read of the year!
The characters in this book are developed to the absolute highest degree. I feel like I’m living and breathing within the inferno-and loving every second of it. I’m slowly getting to know the rest of the inferno members, but right now I’m head over heels for Tanner, Gabe, and now Ezra. The book was so hot, it’s mostly hard to put into words. The drama surrounding Ezra, Emily and Damon swirls and grips your heart until sometimes you find yourself wanting to cry. Their story was so well done-I’m just in awe.
Aside from being totally and completely in love with every single character we get from Lily White, I have to acknowledge that I’m stunned by how well these books are tying into the main issue and conflict. I don’t feel as though anything is drawn out and just can sit back and marvel at how marvelous this story flows. This author is just filled with such greatness I would shout it from the roof tops if I could! An absolute must read and (of course) a top read of the year!
August 4, 2020
THE SERIES SO FAR
TREACHERY (Antihero Inferno, #1) REVIEW
FRAUD (Antihero Inferno, #2) REVIEW
VIOLENCE (Antihero Inferno, #3) REVIEW
Baby, where are you now that I need you most?
*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)
This is book three in the Antihero Inferno series. Emily’s life isn’t her own. Everything is predestined for her. So she seeks to take her power back and experience freedom. Who better to lead the way than the Cross twins? What happens when the situation gets so entangled that there will certainly be heartbreak? What if there’s no turning back?
The Lords of Possessive Women listened to me and they delivered what I desired most. In book two, Fraud, I already knew that Ezra and Emily would own me. They captured my attention with their little appearance then. They waltzed into my life and took over with this book! Heartbreak? CHECK. Messy love? CHECK. Irresistible chemistry? CHECK. Swoon-worthy moments? CHECK. Hilarious moments? HOLY CHECK. DELICIOUSLY DEVIOUS TWINS? DOUBLE CHECK. ALL THE FREAKING FEELS? TRIPLE CHECK.
I experienced love at first sight with Emily. I liked her from the get go. She was so relatable and down to earth. I loved her feistiness. I empathized so much with her… I wanted to protect her at all costs! Speaking of protection… The twins. They won me over once we reached the present. My heart is so full. I don’t want to get into it too deep or give you too many expectations, but this was by far my favorite book of the series and I think it will be very tough to beat what I felt for these characters. BUT Lily White is an epic writer, so I’m ABSOLUTELY sure that she has some tricks up her sleeve. I’m overly excited for Damon’s book (the one after the next release) and I’m curious about which direction the next book will take (Shane’s book).
I recommend this to readers who love strong heroines, heartbreaking love stories, and otherworldly leading men that will break your heart but make the pain feel oh so good.
ORIGINAL COMMENT: All the feels. I'm so emotional
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