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Toxic: A Dark Romance
My life has been a series of bad decisions.
Marrying an abusive man was the first... but falling for a dangerous inmate where I’m a nurse may be the worst.
He’s brutal, heartless, and twisted.
But he’s also the only one to notice the bruises on my skin.
His forbidden touch becomes my addiction.
His drugging kisses my obsession.
After I learn the truth about why he’s in prison, I try to escape, but but he finds me.
Now I'm his prisoner.
Marrying an abusive man was the first... but falling for a dangerous inmate where I’m a nurse may be the worst.
He’s brutal, heartless, and twisted.
But he’s also the only one to notice the bruises on my skin.
His forbidden touch becomes my addiction.
His drugging kisses my obsession.
After I learn the truth about why he’s in prison, I try to escape, but but he finds me.
Now I'm his prisoner.
310 pages, Hardcover
Published December 27, 2023
About the author
Nicole Blanchard
61 books1,247 followersNicole Blanchard is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of gritty romantic suspense and heartwarming new adult romance. She and her family reside in the south along with their two spunky Boston Terriers and one chatty cat.
You may learn more about Nicole and her work at www.authornicoleblanchard.com. Join her mailing list for updates at http://www.authornicoleblanchard.com/...
You may learn more about Nicole and her work at www.authornicoleblanchard.com. Join her mailing list for updates at http://www.authornicoleblanchard.com/...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,513 reviews
July 4, 2022
4 A Black Hole of Heat and Want Stars ⭐
I was in search of a prison inmate romance when I stumbled across this beauty. And frankly I appreciate the author not romanticizing it. Instead Toxic was a confronting portrayal of the ugly side of love and the long winding path to happiness.
Is this the result of years of abuse—this dark, dirty yearning—or is it just him?
It makes you realize how fortunate you are if you're happily married. No walking on eggshells, losing oneself, or wondering when next you’ll be struck. We get a very graphic insight to our heroine's everyday reality married to a narcissist. It gets worse because Tessa also works together with her husband at a Prison. He as a warden and she as a nurse. There's nowhere to hide.
What is broken inside me that I look for love in the worst places? Am I just so fucked up that I’ll take affection wherever I can get it, even if it’s from the worst possible source?
Life is very routine, until Tessa meets the new inmate King. In fact, they've been paired together in the infirmary and it soon starts unravelling. For the first time Tessa is being seen, and by a person that shouldn’t. King sees all, even the hidden bruises. He gives her courage that has long been dormant and somehow a forbidden romance blossoms. However, is Tessa exchanging one monster for another?
"C’mon," he coaxes as his lips grow bolder. "Let me give you this. One kiss. I promise you'll enjoy it. Let me show you a little something sweet to take away from the sour. One kiss, and if you want me to walk away after, I will."
You don't fuck with Gracin Kingsley in or out of prison. He has every intention of keeping Tessa, but everything comes at a price with blowback. Let me say, this love story was unpredictable and not sugar-coated as expected. Toxic was action packed, gritty and don't worry, steamy! Tragic in parts, it shows you how resilient people must be. There is definitely a HEA but it wasn’t easy. Certainly a great example of an unorthodox romance.
I was in search of a prison inmate romance when I stumbled across this beauty. And frankly I appreciate the author not romanticizing it. Instead Toxic was a confronting portrayal of the ugly side of love and the long winding path to happiness.
Is this the result of years of abuse—this dark, dirty yearning—or is it just him?
It makes you realize how fortunate you are if you're happily married. No walking on eggshells, losing oneself, or wondering when next you’ll be struck. We get a very graphic insight to our heroine's everyday reality married to a narcissist. It gets worse because Tessa also works together with her husband at a Prison. He as a warden and she as a nurse. There's nowhere to hide.
What is broken inside me that I look for love in the worst places? Am I just so fucked up that I’ll take affection wherever I can get it, even if it’s from the worst possible source?
Life is very routine, until Tessa meets the new inmate King. In fact, they've been paired together in the infirmary and it soon starts unravelling. For the first time Tessa is being seen, and by a person that shouldn’t. King sees all, even the hidden bruises. He gives her courage that has long been dormant and somehow a forbidden romance blossoms. However, is Tessa exchanging one monster for another?
"C’mon," he coaxes as his lips grow bolder. "Let me give you this. One kiss. I promise you'll enjoy it. Let me show you a little something sweet to take away from the sour. One kiss, and if you want me to walk away after, I will."
You don't fuck with Gracin Kingsley in or out of prison. He has every intention of keeping Tessa, but everything comes at a price with blowback. Let me say, this love story was unpredictable and not sugar-coated as expected. Toxic was action packed, gritty and don't worry, steamy! Tragic in parts, it shows you how resilient people must be. There is definitely a HEA but it wasn’t easy. Certainly a great example of an unorthodox romance.
August 17, 2017
TOXIC: A standalone dark romance novel Nicole Blanchard.
Twenty-seven year old Tessa Emmerson RN, knew the rules, as a prison nurse she knew not to overstep the boundaries with the inmates at Blackthorne Correctional Institute that held high risk prisoners.
Do my job, don’t get involved, and never let a prisoner get under my skin.
Things aren’t the greatest in her personal life, where she’s suffocating on a daily basis, a husband that rules the roost with an iron fist, instead of showering her with love and devotion, he showers her with cruelty and bruises. What makes her situation more precarious is he has eyes everywhere, being the warden where she works, she’s on tenterhooks not just at work but at home too.
So when a prisoner (John Doe) aka thirty-five year old Gracin Kingsley shows her some form of affection that she craves all the above three rules are smashed to smithereens.
He’s the devil incarnate, the snake that tempted Eve.
When he’s signed to help her in the ward things get heated up between them fast.
My passion, my obsession, my addiction. I risked my entire life so we could be together.
Now fugitives on the run from the law..Both with blood on their hands.
It turns out when your life falls to pieces right before your eyes, it isn't with a bang. It's with a whisper.
Just a word of warning for some this book may cause triggers, spouse abuse, and is very much in your face, it's not glossed over.
This took me a while to get into, Tessa was a victim of domestic violence, no children so really there was nothing keeping her there within the relationship, no ties binding her to him so I found it hard connecting with her in the beginning and couldn't comprehend why she didn't get out of that situation sooner. It's not until she meets Gracin that she grows a backbone and we see her going from a wall flower to a spitfire with a tough inner bitch that doesn't take any more shit, and it was at this stage that I started connecting with her more.
February 14, 2023
WTF did I just read? This was a booktok recommendation and from the reviews it caught the attention of a few of my friends and myself. It was terrible.
This book had no transitions or character development. It literally felt like the author wrote 5 different books and just kept the character names the same. Tessa went from a fragile, never left home, battered wife to someone easily accessing fake identities, to full blown assassin with absolutely no explanation. I've seen this character arch before, but there was actually a storyline to support this change.
Also, there was zero relationship development with Gracin. Even in these toxic relationships, there needs to be some evidence of a budding relationship or inner dialogue about attraction versus fear, etc.. Nope. She was either running away from him or throwing herself at him with nothing in between.
Finally, what elite, loaded assassin uses his real freaking name to get thrown in jail with every intention of escaping? Even I know better than that.
1.25⭐️ because I just barely finished the book, but I did
This book had no transitions or character development. It literally felt like the author wrote 5 different books and just kept the character names the same. Tessa went from a fragile, never left home, battered wife to someone easily accessing fake identities, to full blown assassin with absolutely no explanation. I've seen this character arch before, but there was actually a storyline to support this change.
Also, there was zero relationship development with Gracin. Even in these toxic relationships, there needs to be some evidence of a budding relationship or inner dialogue about attraction versus fear, etc.. Nope. She was either running away from him or throwing herself at him with nothing in between.
Finally, what elite, loaded assassin uses his real freaking name to get thrown in jail with every intention of escaping? Even I know better than that.
1.25⭐️ because I just barely finished the book, but I did
August 6, 2017
This book is full of action! It has a very good suspense plot and a lot of romance. It kept my interest!
Suspenseful and sexy, this book tells the action-packed story of Tessa, a prison nurse, as she is thrust into the arms of inmate Gracin. Tessa is a good heroine. Strong, patient and knows what she wants. Gracin is dangerous, ruggedly handsome and reads her so well. Tessa and Gracin are fighting to resist their immense attraction under increasing danger but they seem like a perfect match. I really found myself enjoying their secret moments together.
This is not a book for people who like light romances so if that is what you want this is not for you but if you can take some heat this book was very good. The sexual tension between the characters and the love scenes were hot enough to burn the pages of the book. Overall this is a great story with fully realized characters and a tight narrative.
In short:
Hero 4/5 | Heroine 4/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 4/5 | Writing Style 4/5 | Steam 4/5 | Romance 4/5 | Angst-Suspense 4/5 | Darkness 3/5 | Humor 0/5 | Secondary Characters 3/5 | Drama-Conflict 4/5 | Mystery 2/5 | Twists 4/5 | Pacing Fast | Action 4/5
Suspenseful and sexy, this book tells the action-packed story of Tessa, a prison nurse, as she is thrust into the arms of inmate Gracin. Tessa is a good heroine. Strong, patient and knows what she wants. Gracin is dangerous, ruggedly handsome and reads her so well. Tessa and Gracin are fighting to resist their immense attraction under increasing danger but they seem like a perfect match. I really found myself enjoying their secret moments together.
This is not a book for people who like light romances so if that is what you want this is not for you but if you can take some heat this book was very good. The sexual tension between the characters and the love scenes were hot enough to burn the pages of the book. Overall this is a great story with fully realized characters and a tight narrative.
In short:
Hero 4/5 | Heroine 4/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 4/5 | Writing Style 4/5 | Steam 4/5 | Romance 4/5 | Angst-Suspense 4/5 | Darkness 3/5 | Humor 0/5 | Secondary Characters 3/5 | Drama-Conflict 4/5 | Mystery 2/5 | Twists 4/5 | Pacing Fast | Action 4/5
Shelved as 'dnf'
August 24, 2017
Sigh... I had high hopes for this one, but I am over 50%, and there is NO romance or even a spark between the HERO/HEROINE, and now we got a full on torture scene with the heroine being beat and tortured
Nothing is going to save this one for me after that...
August 23, 2017
Triggers: Domestic abuse / violence, gore, r*pe
This book was a solid four star, I swear. The writing's good. I literally couldn't put it down.
......At least until I got to the last few chapters when the heroine suddenly announced that she's in love with the Hero.
LOL. She went from being angry towards the Hero to suddenly.... in love? A few fucks don't make a romance, sister. Especially after what the Hero made her go through and didn't apologize for it.
It's sad that someone who started out strong, ended up to be a freaking doormat. I truly did not expect that.
Overall, the book's okay, enjoyable. I'm just disappointed with the lackluster and rushed ending.
P.S. I said this one and I'll say this again: I'm tired of overexaggerated sexual /tension/ in books. Heroines who get wet over the sight of a hot man...? Please wear a diaper.
This book was a solid four star, I swear. The writing's good. I literally couldn't put it down.
......At least until I got to the last few chapters when the heroine suddenly announced that she's in love with the Hero.
LOL. She went from being angry towards the Hero to suddenly.... in love? A few fucks don't make a romance, sister. Especially after what the Hero made her go through and didn't apologize for it.
It's sad that someone who started out strong, ended up to be a freaking doormat. I truly did not expect that.
Overall, the book's okay, enjoyable. I'm just disappointed with the lackluster and rushed ending.
P.S. I said this one and I'll say this again: I'm tired of overexaggerated sexual /tension/ in books. Heroines who get wet over the sight of a hot man...? Please wear a diaper.
June 25, 2024
Overall Rating: 3.25 ☆
Meh. I was so excited to read this, but it wasn’t what I was hoping for. I was initially drawn to it for the Harley Quinn vibes and maybe some Bonnie and Clyde vibes (though they were both very much NOT present).
What I got was indeed a toxic mess of a story but one that failed to captivate me in the toxic ways I was actually hoping for.
The FMC Tessa is a nurse at Blackthorne Prison and married to the warden. Her husband is extremely abusive. (That’s actually one thing the book did right. It did not shy away from depicting those sensitive scenes. It also did not underestimate or overexaggerate them!) When a new prison inmate develops an unhealthy attraction to Tessa, the game begins. Will he kiss away her wounds or create more?
“I’m not too closed off that I don’t acknowledge the rush of tenderness I felt the moment I realized he’d paid such attention to me, but that’s a dangerous emotion.”
“What is broken inside me that I look for love in the worst places? Was it programmed inside me from birth or is it a product of my parent’s neglect? Am I just so fucked up that I’ll take affection wherever I can get it, even if it’s from the worst possible source?”
The first half was mostly engaging, and I found I could even relate to Tessa’s life as a nurse and with her living in an abusive marriage. I, myself am a nurse who has also been in an abusive relationship, and can attest that even the field of nursing itself is very abusive! But the second half really lost me and failed to make any sense. I never even identified a real plot. The FMC did have some interesting character development, but it felt very exaggerated and questionable. Though I’ll admit that her survival skills were pretty impressive and intelligent.
“I think crossing the professional line, realizing I’m capable of terrible things, has done something to my brain.”
“There’s less chance of my having the hope of a better life if all the nothingness blurs together.”
What to Expect:
• Prison Inmate Dark Romance**
• Piercings (special ones…I considered this part educational for me)
• HEA
• Trigger Warnings (Big one that even triggered me: domestic violence/spousal abuse – I had a couple of nightmares while reading this!)
• Standalone
• Some good spicy scenes
** So, this was my first prison inmate romance read! Though the idea is exciting, I appreciate how the author didn’t romanticize it. There were some highly manipulative moments and it made me wonder if Tessa ever felt any sense of freedom at all. It almost felt like she just moved from one prison to another. Bleh.
Time for my little venting session:
Some have stated they do not understand why the FMC did not just up and leave her abusive husband since they didn’t have any kids. Coming from personal experience (as a victim in an abusive relationship WITHOUT kids that stayed in it for 11 years), this type of mentality triggers me to no avail. Let me enlighten those that do not have enough brain cells or empathy to understand such a toxic situation. Some common reasons a victim stays in such a relationship (even without kids!!) are as follows:
~ Victim is in fear for their life. Often times, the abuser threatens to kill the victim and/or their loved ones if they try to leave them.
~ Victim may be financially dependent on the abuser and have no support system or safe place to escape to.
~ Victim may suffer from depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses that impede them from recognizing and leaving the situation.
~ Many victims live in a state of shock and survival often times with a false sense of hope the abuse will stop or the abuser will change.
~ Victim may be trapped in a state of denial and not see what’s happening to them and/or accept that this is their reality.
~ Many victims develop a low self worth and feelings of deep shame about being in the abusive situation. They may even hold on solely due to the fear of hearing, “I told you so.”
~ Victim may feel sorry for the abuser and make excuses to justify their behaviors and even blame themselves for the abuser’s actions.
~ Victims may come from backgrounds of previous forms of abuse and be stuck in a repeat cycle of trauma.
The reasons could go on and on…..
All this has brought up a lot about my own past. As sensitive as it is to talk about it, I feel obligated to write about all my thoughts and feelings related to this story.
The first time I was physically abused in my previous relationship (kicked in my stomach repeatedly to be exact) was on my one year anniversary, and to say I was shocked is an understatement. All sense of myself ceased to exist in that very moment. I was broken. It was the beginning of an end of who I was and of who I would become. 10 long years after and many abusive encounters later, I continued down that same path alone, lost, and afraid. I was robbed of my happiness and lost my sense of trust in everyone. Some days, I still relive that abuse. I suffer from PTSD, and more often than not I am full of unresolved rage.
Fortunately, unlike so many other victims (which breaks and saddens my heart), I now rest in peace and am trying to regain the many years I lost (wasted) as I am now happily married and in a safe relationship where my current husband feeds me with constant reassurance, unconditional love and acceptance of who I am, and emotionally supports me in all the ways I had cried for during my entire previous life. He has worked with me through all my constant apologies, my low self worth, my depression, my lingering and irrational fears. He was and still is my savior. I never would have had the courage to get out of my situation had it not been for my husband today.
I know all victims will someday know peace and safety…even unconditional love whether it happens in this life or the next one.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks, sounding drowsy.
“Why good things happen to some people and not to others.”
Meh. I was so excited to read this, but it wasn’t what I was hoping for. I was initially drawn to it for the Harley Quinn vibes and maybe some Bonnie and Clyde vibes (though they were both very much NOT present).
What I got was indeed a toxic mess of a story but one that failed to captivate me in the toxic ways I was actually hoping for.
The FMC Tessa is a nurse at Blackthorne Prison and married to the warden. Her husband is extremely abusive. (That’s actually one thing the book did right. It did not shy away from depicting those sensitive scenes. It also did not underestimate or overexaggerate them!) When a new prison inmate develops an unhealthy attraction to Tessa, the game begins. Will he kiss away her wounds or create more?
“I’m not too closed off that I don’t acknowledge the rush of tenderness I felt the moment I realized he’d paid such attention to me, but that’s a dangerous emotion.”
“What is broken inside me that I look for love in the worst places? Was it programmed inside me from birth or is it a product of my parent’s neglect? Am I just so fucked up that I’ll take affection wherever I can get it, even if it’s from the worst possible source?”
The first half was mostly engaging, and I found I could even relate to Tessa’s life as a nurse and with her living in an abusive marriage. I, myself am a nurse who has also been in an abusive relationship, and can attest that even the field of nursing itself is very abusive! But the second half really lost me and failed to make any sense. I never even identified a real plot. The FMC did have some interesting character development, but it felt very exaggerated and questionable. Though I’ll admit that her survival skills were pretty impressive and intelligent.
“I think crossing the professional line, realizing I’m capable of terrible things, has done something to my brain.”
“There’s less chance of my having the hope of a better life if all the nothingness blurs together.”
What to Expect:
• Prison Inmate Dark Romance**
• Piercings (special ones…I considered this part educational for me)
• HEA
• Trigger Warnings (Big one that even triggered me: domestic violence/spousal abuse – I had a couple of nightmares while reading this!)
• Standalone
• Some good spicy scenes
** So, this was my first prison inmate romance read! Though the idea is exciting, I appreciate how the author didn’t romanticize it. There were some highly manipulative moments and it made me wonder if Tessa ever felt any sense of freedom at all. It almost felt like she just moved from one prison to another. Bleh.
Time for my little venting session:
Some have stated they do not understand why the FMC did not just up and leave her abusive husband since they didn’t have any kids. Coming from personal experience (as a victim in an abusive relationship WITHOUT kids that stayed in it for 11 years), this type of mentality triggers me to no avail. Let me enlighten those that do not have enough brain cells or empathy to understand such a toxic situation. Some common reasons a victim stays in such a relationship (even without kids!!) are as follows:
~ Victim is in fear for their life. Often times, the abuser threatens to kill the victim and/or their loved ones if they try to leave them.
~ Victim may be financially dependent on the abuser and have no support system or safe place to escape to.
~ Victim may suffer from depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses that impede them from recognizing and leaving the situation.
~ Many victims live in a state of shock and survival often times with a false sense of hope the abuse will stop or the abuser will change.
~ Victim may be trapped in a state of denial and not see what’s happening to them and/or accept that this is their reality.
~ Many victims develop a low self worth and feelings of deep shame about being in the abusive situation. They may even hold on solely due to the fear of hearing, “I told you so.”
~ Victim may feel sorry for the abuser and make excuses to justify their behaviors and even blame themselves for the abuser’s actions.
~ Victims may come from backgrounds of previous forms of abuse and be stuck in a repeat cycle of trauma.
The reasons could go on and on…..
All this has brought up a lot about my own past. As sensitive as it is to talk about it, I feel obligated to write about all my thoughts and feelings related to this story.
The first time I was physically abused in my previous relationship (kicked in my stomach repeatedly to be exact) was on my one year anniversary, and to say I was shocked is an understatement. All sense of myself ceased to exist in that very moment. I was broken. It was the beginning of an end of who I was and of who I would become. 10 long years after and many abusive encounters later, I continued down that same path alone, lost, and afraid. I was robbed of my happiness and lost my sense of trust in everyone. Some days, I still relive that abuse. I suffer from PTSD, and more often than not I am full of unresolved rage.
Fortunately, unlike so many other victims (which breaks and saddens my heart), I now rest in peace and am trying to regain the many years I lost (wasted) as I am now happily married and in a safe relationship where my current husband feeds me with constant reassurance, unconditional love and acceptance of who I am, and emotionally supports me in all the ways I had cried for during my entire previous life. He has worked with me through all my constant apologies, my low self worth, my depression, my lingering and irrational fears. He was and still is my savior. I never would have had the courage to get out of my situation had it not been for my husband today.
I know all victims will someday know peace and safety…even unconditional love whether it happens in this life or the next one.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks, sounding drowsy.
“Why good things happen to some people and not to others.”
February 7, 2023
okay yeah, booktok got me here with one good scene. the idea was there, the execution, not as much.
August 27, 2017
2,5 stars!!!
Eu sinto que fui enganada pela sinopse hahahahaha. Achei que seria sobre uma enfermeira que se apaixona por um preso... um romance meio que tabu...
Temos aqui um livro dark cheio gatilhos... de violência, abusos e brutalidades. O que não me incomoda em nada, porque adoro esse tipo de leitura... o que me incomodou mesmo foi a falta de romance... E na minha opinião, não teve nenhum!
O começo da história foi arrastada e demorei pra engatar na leitura. Até cheguei a dar uma pausa e voltei a ler depois de um tempo.
Alguns acontecimentos meio incrédulos... do tipo, é realmente tão fácil assim escapar de uma prisão? :O
E pra fechar tudo, achei o final corrido.
Humm... levando em consideração que meu humor para leitura está péssimo ultimamente, não sei se minha opinião seria essa em dias "normais".
Eu sinto que fui enganada pela sinopse hahahahaha. Achei que seria sobre uma enfermeira que se apaixona por um preso... um romance meio que tabu...
Temos aqui um livro dark cheio gatilhos... de violência, abusos e brutalidades. O que não me incomoda em nada, porque adoro esse tipo de leitura... o que me incomodou mesmo foi a falta de romance... E na minha opinião, não teve nenhum!
O começo da história foi arrastada e demorei pra engatar na leitura. Até cheguei a dar uma pausa e voltei a ler depois de um tempo.
Alguns acontecimentos meio incrédulos... do tipo, é realmente tão fácil assim escapar de uma prisão? :O
E pra fechar tudo, achei o final corrido.
Humm... levando em consideração que meu humor para leitura está péssimo ultimamente, não sei se minha opinião seria essa em dias "normais".
January 27, 2023
Genuinely one of the worst BookTok recommendations I’ve been given. The story did not have an HEA as expected. I almost DNR but skimmed to the end to see if the book could redeem itself, and it didn’t.
January 21, 2021
"When you fall in love with a villain, you also turn into one"
Io adoro i dark ambientati in prigione, dopo Slammer della Vargo sono diventati un mio guilty pleasure che purtroppo non riesco mai a trovare (se sapete qualche titolo, let me know!) - così quando mi è capitato di trovare la trama di Toxic, ero in fibrillazione, sembravo una pentola a pressione pronta ad esplodere. Ho detto "finalmente! era ora!", e Nicole è stata gentilissima ad inviarmi anche un ARC infatti mi dispiace non poter dare più di tre stelline.
Tessa fa l'infermiera alla Blackthorne, una prigione. Suo marito, Vic, è il direttore ed è un violento che la picchia tutti i santi giorni. Tessa quindi vive le suo giornate nel terrore, finchè un giorno portano un nuovo detenuto che inizia subito a provarci con lei, vede tutte le ferite che ha sul corpo e sul viso, le lascia dei disegni che la raffigurano, e si firma King.
King è Gracin, un uomo attraente e burbero, non si sa inizialmente perchè sia in prigione, e Tessa sente che non deve provare nulla per quest'uomo, perchè la sua relazione con Vic le ha fatto capire che uomini di questo genere sono violenti e squilibrati.
Il motivo delle poche stelle è che l'ambientazione è la prigione per i primi dieci capitoli circa, dove oltre ad un bacio appassionatissimo (da svenire, proprio) contro alla parete dell'infermeria, non succede granchè. Lei torna a casa, le prende, e torna al lavoro. Fino a quando Gracin organizza una specie di rivolta e di conseguenza una fuga, dove Tessa deve prendere parte perchè l'ha aiutato a scappare, anche se sotto minaccia. Il resto del libro è ambientato fuori, dove Tessa cerca di nascondersi ma che ovviamente viene trovata, dove ovviamente si scopre che è rimasta incinta, e insomma il mio interesse è andato scemando, purtroppo.
*ARC provided in exchange of an honest review*
Io adoro i dark ambientati in prigione, dopo Slammer della Vargo sono diventati un mio guilty pleasure che purtroppo non riesco mai a trovare (se sapete qualche titolo, let me know!) - così quando mi è capitato di trovare la trama di Toxic, ero in fibrillazione, sembravo una pentola a pressione pronta ad esplodere. Ho detto "finalmente! era ora!", e Nicole è stata gentilissima ad inviarmi anche un ARC infatti mi dispiace non poter dare più di tre stelline.
Tessa fa l'infermiera alla Blackthorne, una prigione. Suo marito, Vic, è il direttore ed è un violento che la picchia tutti i santi giorni. Tessa quindi vive le suo giornate nel terrore, finchè un giorno portano un nuovo detenuto che inizia subito a provarci con lei, vede tutte le ferite che ha sul corpo e sul viso, le lascia dei disegni che la raffigurano, e si firma King.
King è Gracin, un uomo attraente e burbero, non si sa inizialmente perchè sia in prigione, e Tessa sente che non deve provare nulla per quest'uomo, perchè la sua relazione con Vic le ha fatto capire che uomini di questo genere sono violenti e squilibrati.
Il motivo delle poche stelle è che l'ambientazione è la prigione per i primi dieci capitoli circa, dove oltre ad un bacio appassionatissimo (da svenire, proprio) contro alla parete dell'infermeria, non succede granchè. Lei torna a casa, le prende, e torna al lavoro. Fino a quando Gracin organizza una specie di rivolta e di conseguenza una fuga, dove Tessa deve prendere parte perchè l'ha aiutato a scappare, anche se sotto minaccia. Il resto del libro è ambientato fuori, dove Tessa cerca di nascondersi ma che ovviamente viene trovata, dove ovviamente si scopre che è rimasta incinta, e insomma il mio interesse è andato scemando, purtroppo.
*ARC provided in exchange of an honest review*
March 11, 2024
I had high hopes, and wished I would have DNF this book when it originally crossed my mind.
The FMC was allllll over the place. I have whiplash from her mood swings. It just didn’t make sense to me and was frustrating 🤷🏼♀️
The FMC was allllll over the place. I have whiplash from her mood swings. It just didn’t make sense to me and was frustrating 🤷🏼♀️
August 16, 2017
“It turns out when you fall in love with a villain, you also turn into one.”
3.5 stars!
This is my first read by this author, and the blurb of this book really grabbed me. I am a fan of dark romance, but this book completely took me by surprise with its intensity and twisty storyline. I was glued to my kindle from start to finish.
First of all, I need to warn that this is a dark book that is full of violence, brutality, torture and abuse (both physical and sexual). It’s full of triggers and definitely not a book for people who struggle with such subject matter. It’s actually quite disturbing to read in some places, but it sets the mood and certainly drags you into the dark and dangerous lives of these characters inhabit.
Tessa is a nurse in a high security prison. She is married to the warden, who is a cruel, sadistic and violent, but despite her attempts at escape, she remains trapped in her life with little hope of anything better. But an encounter with a new inmate changes everything. Gracin sees her – truly sees her, and his interest in her takes her completely by surprise.
Their encounters may be brief, but they are profound, and Tessa soon finds herself completely captivated with the enigmatic, dangerous criminal, powerless to stop her attraction to him. And when all of that sexual tension explodes, it’s hot, dirty and dangerous, and absolutely addictive.
Things becomes complicated when Tessa helps Gracin escape, but that is just the beginning of this dark and twisted story. I’m not going to ruin it for you because you just need to dive in and experience this book, but holy damn, it’s intense! It’s violent and brutal with lots of surprises, and you’re never really sure what’s going on or what’s going to happen, and I love the sense of mystery as it all unfolds.
This is a really fast-moving book. There’s so much happening, and with a lot of it unexpected, I struggled to put this book down. Tessa’s journey is exciting and liberating, and at times horrifying and tragic, and I loved the development of her character. Her strength and bravery really shine as she endures the unimaginable, and I was really impressed with her courage.
And Gracin… whoa. He’s a mysterious one, for sure. Like Tessa, I was never really sure what was going on with him, but I really like the way his character is written, and his complexities add to the mystery and intrigue of the story.
I enjoyed this book. Like I said, it’s not always a comfortable read, but it’s definitely a story that grips you, and I felt like I was a part of the wild adventure with these characters. The love story is there, but remember that this is a dark romance so there is that unexpected and slightly deviant edge to it, but it fits in with the story and I thought it was really well done.
3.5 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars!
This is my first read by this author, and the blurb of this book really grabbed me. I am a fan of dark romance, but this book completely took me by surprise with its intensity and twisty storyline. I was glued to my kindle from start to finish.
First of all, I need to warn that this is a dark book that is full of violence, brutality, torture and abuse (both physical and sexual). It’s full of triggers and definitely not a book for people who struggle with such subject matter. It’s actually quite disturbing to read in some places, but it sets the mood and certainly drags you into the dark and dangerous lives of these characters inhabit.
Tessa is a nurse in a high security prison. She is married to the warden, who is a cruel, sadistic and violent, but despite her attempts at escape, she remains trapped in her life with little hope of anything better. But an encounter with a new inmate changes everything. Gracin sees her – truly sees her, and his interest in her takes her completely by surprise.
“I’m not sure what makes you think you have the right to interfere, but I don’t need to be saved. I don’t need anything from you.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I think I’m exactly what you need.”
Their encounters may be brief, but they are profound, and Tessa soon finds herself completely captivated with the enigmatic, dangerous criminal, powerless to stop her attraction to him. And when all of that sexual tension explodes, it’s hot, dirty and dangerous, and absolutely addictive.
“You think you don’t want this?” he asks, and I know he doesn’t mean what he’s doing to me, because I can’t deny that I do. Not when I’m screaming for him to do it harder, faster. “You shouldn’t.” His teeth bite into my shoulder. “You shouldn’t want me. I am not a nice man. I am not a good man. I do bad things for bad people.” He licks the bite, and his mouth skims up my throat. “I want to do bad things to you.”
Things becomes complicated when Tessa helps Gracin escape, but that is just the beginning of this dark and twisted story. I’m not going to ruin it for you because you just need to dive in and experience this book, but holy damn, it’s intense! It’s violent and brutal with lots of surprises, and you’re never really sure what’s going on or what’s going to happen, and I love the sense of mystery as it all unfolds.
This is a really fast-moving book. There’s so much happening, and with a lot of it unexpected, I struggled to put this book down. Tessa’s journey is exciting and liberating, and at times horrifying and tragic, and I loved the development of her character. Her strength and bravery really shine as she endures the unimaginable, and I was really impressed with her courage.
He’s all the things I know I should run from. All I care about is he makes me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt in my life. With him, I feel like I truly live, like I can breathe.
And Gracin… whoa. He’s a mysterious one, for sure. Like Tessa, I was never really sure what was going on with him, but I really like the way his character is written, and his complexities add to the mystery and intrigue of the story.
I enjoyed this book. Like I said, it’s not always a comfortable read, but it’s definitely a story that grips you, and I felt like I was a part of the wild adventure with these characters. The love story is there, but remember that this is a dark romance so there is that unexpected and slightly deviant edge to it, but it fits in with the story and I thought it was really well done.
What we have is dangerous and volatile, but it’s also inevitable.
3.5 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2017
I feel like the summary of this book was misleading! I'm sorry but this wasn't a love story and things didn't happen as describe in the blurb, it wasn't what i was expecting AT ALL!
Read
July 25, 2022Dnf @24%
July 30, 2024
Welp I devoured this one in literal hours! I read this book as a part of a group buddy read and the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down.
Before I start this review, I think it is important for you to look up the triggers before you decide to read this one because there is a lot of physical spousal abuse to the FMC. Tess grew up with abusive parents to only marry an abusive man. But like most stories, her husband Vic didn't start off as abusive. He treated her well until her hit her for the first time. And Tess feels like she is trapped. She can't escape the abuse at home or at work. Tess works as a RN at a prison, where her husband is the Warden who keeps a close eye on her. But things really take a turn when she meets an inmate named Gracin. Gracin immediately knows that Tess is hiding a deep dark secret and he becomes obsessed.
This plot was sooooo good! I was fully invested. There were a few surprising plot twists which I don't want to discuss because it will give away the plot. For example you are question why Gracin is in jail, and this is one of plot twists because nothing is as it seems.
All I am going to say is I loved this toxic couple. Because let's face it, if you are a RN hooking up with a dangerous inmate and then that inmate becomes obsessed with you where he follows you once you try to escape your life, then yeah that's toxic in real life, but in a book it's delicious! And as you keep reading, you realize these two are actually a match made in heaven.
Gracin, he's a walking red flag. I mean he has to if he is in prison right? But this man becomes so obsessive and possessive over Tess. He knows he should leave her alone, but of course he can't. And he is just so was delicious. Now Tess, she is such a mess. But she has a lot of character growth. She becomes this strong woman who won't put but with her husband's abuse. And I loved seeing her fight Gracin. In the end I loved how strong willed she became. At the end of the day what doesn’t kill you (literally) makes you stronger.
My ONLY problem with this book is the ending. I feel like it was kind of rushed. I felt like there could have been a couple more chapters to give us more of the story. I wanted more. But at the end of the day that just might be me being selfish.
Before I start this review, I think it is important for you to look up the triggers before you decide to read this one because there is a lot of physical spousal abuse to the FMC. Tess grew up with abusive parents to only marry an abusive man. But like most stories, her husband Vic didn't start off as abusive. He treated her well until her hit her for the first time. And Tess feels like she is trapped. She can't escape the abuse at home or at work. Tess works as a RN at a prison, where her husband is the Warden who keeps a close eye on her. But things really take a turn when she meets an inmate named Gracin. Gracin immediately knows that Tess is hiding a deep dark secret and he becomes obsessed.
This plot was sooooo good! I was fully invested. There were a few surprising plot twists which I don't want to discuss because it will give away the plot. For example you are question why Gracin is in jail, and this is one of plot twists because nothing is as it seems.
All I am going to say is I loved this toxic couple. Because let's face it, if you are a RN hooking up with a dangerous inmate and then that inmate becomes obsessed with you where he follows you once you try to escape your life, then yeah that's toxic in real life, but in a book it's delicious! And as you keep reading, you realize these two are actually a match made in heaven.
Gracin, he's a walking red flag. I mean he has to if he is in prison right? But this man becomes so obsessive and possessive over Tess. He knows he should leave her alone, but of course he can't. And he is just so was delicious. Now Tess, she is such a mess. But she has a lot of character growth. She becomes this strong woman who won't put but with her husband's abuse. And I loved seeing her fight Gracin. In the end I loved how strong willed she became. At the end of the day what doesn’t kill you (literally) makes you stronger.
My ONLY problem with this book is the ending. I feel like it was kind of rushed. I felt like there could have been a couple more chapters to give us more of the story. I wanted more. But at the end of the day that just might be me being selfish.
August 21, 2017
Book Review For: 'Toxic' by Nicole Blanchard 'Toxic' by Nicole Blanchard is the story of Tessa Emmerson and Gracin Kingsley. Tessa is a RN at the Blackthorne Correctional Insitute and her husband Vic is the warden there. Vic is an abusive husband who constantly beats or forces her to have sex. When a new inmate named Gracin comes to the Correctional Institute he starts to giver her courage to become stronger and not the victim her husband has made her into. Gracin has some of his own issue but neither one can't fight their growing attraction. This book does have some trigger issue so please know that when thinking about reading it. Overall I liked the book with its the twist and turns. "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H... https://twitter.com/soapsrus68 https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR... http://booklikes.com/bloghttps://roma... https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
April 24, 2024
Loved it!
April 30, 2024
I hated this. Will avoid this author in the future.
May 6, 2024
Tessa and King. This story was all told from the h’s perspective, but you could totally tell how much King was head over heels for her. They were into each other right from the start. Well, mostly, he was into her and couldn't get enough of her from day one. Their chemistry was really strong and intense, and the fact that it was forbidden just made it even hotter!!! 🔥🥵
“Tell me. Do you want this?” He brushes the hair away from my face and tucks it behind my ears. “This is what my life is like, Tessa. It’s brutal. It’s bloody. Just like me. I’m a monster in disguise, little mouse. Is that what you want?”
“Gracin, please, I can’t.”
His lips take mine in a violent kiss, and I lean into him, needing his steadiness to assuage the broken parts of me. My hands go to his shoulders, and I whimper against the brutal thrust of his tongue.
“You can. Now tell me.”
“Yes,” I shout. “Yes, I want you. I hate you, but I love you. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the day we met. You’re in my dreams. I see you everywhere when you’re not around. Despite everything you’ve done to me, I want you, damn it. Does that make you happy? Why did you make me do this? Why did you bring him here? Did you know I’d hurt him?”
A prison nurse and a really ruthless prisoner. This one was super toxic, just like the title suggests, but I couldn't stop reading it. Their relationship was toxic, but King never wanted to let her go. He was scared to leave her in that darkness, but every time he decided to let Tessa go, he regretted it immediately and went back to her room that he had locked her inside😆. He tried to persuade her with his charming, sexy, gentle voice and his dark, twisted ways, which was kind of funny😆.
He looks back at me. “You fascinate me. Ever since that first day, you’ve been under my skin, and I can’t seem to be rid of you.”
“Do you want to be?” I ask.
“No,” he says without hesitation, moving to stand right in front of me, his green eyes as stormy as a summer morning and just as vibrant.
“Tessa,” he says softly and then groans before taking my head in his hands to press a savage kiss on my lips.
I loved their back and forth, because King wouldn't let her go. I loved how dark and unstable King was, but he had soft feelings for only one woman.
“Stay with me,” he says right before his mouth finds mine in a soft kiss. “Tell me you’ll stay with me. I can’t lose you.”
I lift my hands to his hair and peer into his eyes. “You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.”
My words do something to him and his thrusts quicken. His hold convulses around me and I realize maybe he needs me to soothe the broken parts of him as much as I need him to show me there’s someone who needs me in return.
It was all so damn toxic throughout the whole story, everything between them was messed up, but I just couldn't stop reading about how they couldn't stay away from each other. It was just so addictive!!!! 😭😭😭 I wanted more of it!!!!
"Tessa, what is this?" he asks, though we both know the answer.
"Gracin, I don't know what the future holds for us, and I don't care. All I know is I can't imagine one without you in it. I love you, so much. I didn't think we'd ever have this chance again, but now that we do, I'm so glad it's with you."
He looks up from the ultrasound picture and says, "You're pregnant?"
Before I can answer, he takes me into his arms and crushes me to his chest.
"There aren't words to describe what I feel for you," he says. "But if there were, they'd still never be enough."
"So, you're happy?" I ask as happy tears fill my eyes.
"I'm ecstatic, sweetheart." He kisses me again and then says. "Let's go home."
🖤🖤🖤Triggers🖤🖤🖤
-▪️5/5 stars 🌟
-▪️dark, with many warning triggers
-▪️Only told from heroine's POV
-▪️Age: H(35) & h(27)
-▪️Jealous, Possessive and OTT H
-▪️NO OWD (he doesn’t have time or the willingness to screw up with women; he was very concentrated on his work and not a manwhore)
-▪️Heroine: a nurse with a husband (who beat her and almost killed her, and was killed by H and h)
-▪️Hero: a rich as hell prisoner (who is involved with dark business)
-▪️H falls fast and hard, h falls and had pushed away but gave in
-▪️He stalked her for a few months after escaping the prison until he found his enemies and killed them all, and saved her.
-▪️They lost their first baby because of H's enemies
-▪️She was pregnant again at the end and made H more like a human than a monster.
-▪️They can't live without each other.
🌶️🌶️🌶️SUMMARY ABOVE🌶️🌶️🌶️
Other plot:📖📖📖📖📖
I spin around to find him and nearly run right into him. “I thought you were giving me space,” I say, stunned.
His hands fist at his sides, his chest is stained with blood, and his face is already darkening with bruises. “I changed my mind,” he says.
My teeth bite into the soft flesh of my cheek. “You did?”
He takes a measured step forward. “Yes.”
“And what did you decide?”
Gracin steps close enough that he can lift my chin with a finger. His expression is serious, and even though he can barely open one eye, his gaze is solemn. “I decided I was right when I locked you here so you couldn’t get away and get yourself into trouble.” I bristle a little, but he places a finger over my lips. “I wanted you here so I could make sure you were safe. Seeing you in the warehouse like that . . . it isn’t something I’ll ever forget. I realized when you came running into the room, and Danny turned the gun on you that I didn’t want to spend another day that didn’t have you in it. Letting you leave would be doing just that, so I’ll chain your ass to the bed if I must to keep you in my life.”
“And if I said I still wanted to leave, you wouldn’t let me go?”
“No,” he says with vicious finality. “No, I wouldn’t.”
He pauses to take my lips. I taste the metallic burst of blood from his split lip, but underneath . . . underneath there’s the intoxicating flavor of him and I sigh, stepping forward to press against him more completely.
“I wouldn’t let you go,” he says against my lips, “but I’d spend every day convincing you to stay.”
“Tell me. Do you want this?” He brushes the hair away from my face and tucks it behind my ears. “This is what my life is like, Tessa. It’s brutal. It’s bloody. Just like me. I’m a monster in disguise, little mouse. Is that what you want?”
“Gracin, please, I can’t.”
His lips take mine in a violent kiss, and I lean into him, needing his steadiness to assuage the broken parts of me. My hands go to his shoulders, and I whimper against the brutal thrust of his tongue.
“You can. Now tell me.”
“Yes,” I shout. “Yes, I want you. I hate you, but I love you. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the day we met. You’re in my dreams. I see you everywhere when you’re not around. Despite everything you’ve done to me, I want you, damn it. Does that make you happy? Why did you make me do this? Why did you bring him here? Did you know I’d hurt him?”
A prison nurse and a really ruthless prisoner. This one was super toxic, just like the title suggests, but I couldn't stop reading it. Their relationship was toxic, but King never wanted to let her go. He was scared to leave her in that darkness, but every time he decided to let Tessa go, he regretted it immediately and went back to her room that he had locked her inside😆. He tried to persuade her with his charming, sexy, gentle voice and his dark, twisted ways, which was kind of funny😆.
He looks back at me. “You fascinate me. Ever since that first day, you’ve been under my skin, and I can’t seem to be rid of you.”
“Do you want to be?” I ask.
“No,” he says without hesitation, moving to stand right in front of me, his green eyes as stormy as a summer morning and just as vibrant.
“Tessa,” he says softly and then groans before taking my head in his hands to press a savage kiss on my lips.
I loved their back and forth, because King wouldn't let her go. I loved how dark and unstable King was, but he had soft feelings for only one woman.
“Stay with me,” he says right before his mouth finds mine in a soft kiss. “Tell me you’ll stay with me. I can’t lose you.”
I lift my hands to his hair and peer into his eyes. “You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.”
My words do something to him and his thrusts quicken. His hold convulses around me and I realize maybe he needs me to soothe the broken parts of him as much as I need him to show me there’s someone who needs me in return.
It was all so damn toxic throughout the whole story, everything between them was messed up, but I just couldn't stop reading about how they couldn't stay away from each other. It was just so addictive!!!! 😭😭😭 I wanted more of it!!!!
"Tessa, what is this?" he asks, though we both know the answer.
"Gracin, I don't know what the future holds for us, and I don't care. All I know is I can't imagine one without you in it. I love you, so much. I didn't think we'd ever have this chance again, but now that we do, I'm so glad it's with you."
He looks up from the ultrasound picture and says, "You're pregnant?"
Before I can answer, he takes me into his arms and crushes me to his chest.
"There aren't words to describe what I feel for you," he says. "But if there were, they'd still never be enough."
"So, you're happy?" I ask as happy tears fill my eyes.
"I'm ecstatic, sweetheart." He kisses me again and then says. "Let's go home."
🖤🖤🖤Triggers🖤🖤🖤
-▪️5/5 stars 🌟
-▪️dark, with many warning triggers
-▪️Only told from heroine's POV
-▪️Age: H(35) & h(27)
-▪️Jealous, Possessive and OTT H
-▪️NO OWD (he doesn’t have time or the willingness to screw up with women; he was very concentrated on his work and not a manwhore)
-▪️Heroine: a nurse with a husband (who beat her and almost killed her, and was killed by H and h)
-▪️Hero: a rich as hell prisoner (who is involved with dark business)
-▪️H falls fast and hard, h falls and had pushed away but gave in
-▪️He stalked her for a few months after escaping the prison until he found his enemies and killed them all, and saved her.
-▪️They lost their first baby because of H's enemies
-▪️She was pregnant again at the end and made H more like a human than a monster.
-▪️They can't live without each other.
🌶️🌶️🌶️SUMMARY ABOVE🌶️🌶️🌶️
Other plot:📖📖📖📖📖
I spin around to find him and nearly run right into him. “I thought you were giving me space,” I say, stunned.
His hands fist at his sides, his chest is stained with blood, and his face is already darkening with bruises. “I changed my mind,” he says.
My teeth bite into the soft flesh of my cheek. “You did?”
He takes a measured step forward. “Yes.”
“And what did you decide?”
Gracin steps close enough that he can lift my chin with a finger. His expression is serious, and even though he can barely open one eye, his gaze is solemn. “I decided I was right when I locked you here so you couldn’t get away and get yourself into trouble.” I bristle a little, but he places a finger over my lips. “I wanted you here so I could make sure you were safe. Seeing you in the warehouse like that . . . it isn’t something I’ll ever forget. I realized when you came running into the room, and Danny turned the gun on you that I didn’t want to spend another day that didn’t have you in it. Letting you leave would be doing just that, so I’ll chain your ass to the bed if I must to keep you in my life.”
“And if I said I still wanted to leave, you wouldn’t let me go?”
“No,” he says with vicious finality. “No, I wouldn’t.”
He pauses to take my lips. I taste the metallic burst of blood from his split lip, but underneath . . . underneath there’s the intoxicating flavor of him and I sigh, stepping forward to press against him more completely.
“I wouldn’t let you go,” he says against my lips, “but I’d spend every day convincing you to stay.”
July 9, 2024
i thought this was gonna give “The Inmate” vibes but no just trashy
May 12, 2024
The author was CONFUSED.
My safest assumption for this major fuck up of a book is that she had multiple plots for this MMC and she couldn't choose one so she ended up combining them all ? That's the only plausible reason for such a major cluster fuck.
In the beginning everything was good. A troubled FMC who comes from an abusive relationship falling for the inmate she's treating. Amazing really. Then he betrays her ? Okay ..... Maybe he had a good reason for it right ? Nope he did not. He used her to get out of the prison. Did she forgive him too easily ? Yes ofcourse.
Then comes ani entirely different plot. This man is a Hitman in a nutshell who kills people for money. Just a hound that the rich bastards hire when they wanna kill someone. Nothing special but he's no longer the attractive inmate we wanted him to be.
The FMC was beaten up till she miscarried by men who were after the MMC and this guy ? He didn't really seem guilty when he found her and he's like "well hey there move in with me now" what the fuck ?
They weren't even in love. It was lust all along and they had to make this book more miserable by adding another pregnancy in the end ? And he's suddenly calling her his "sweetheart" .... Sweetheart who ? First confirm if you even like her ??
This overall just gave me the ICK.
Like I said earlier the author tried to mix
Over obsessed, But not enough in love MMC with a dark past that really didn't effect him coz he keeps shrugging when his dead parents are talked about but he acts like it made him the way he is, no ... He's just a basic psycho and the FMC ? Miserable she keeps saying she searches for love in the wrong man all the time and she does it again with the MMC ?
I really wanted to like this book because I do have a thing for inmate romance but he wasn't even an inmate for half the book like ???????
My safest assumption for this major fuck up of a book is that she had multiple plots for this MMC and she couldn't choose one so she ended up combining them all ? That's the only plausible reason for such a major cluster fuck.
In the beginning everything was good. A troubled FMC who comes from an abusive relationship falling for the inmate she's treating. Amazing really. Then he betrays her ? Okay ..... Maybe he had a good reason for it right ? Nope he did not. He used her to get out of the prison. Did she forgive him too easily ? Yes ofcourse.
Then comes ani entirely different plot. This man is a Hitman in a nutshell who kills people for money. Just a hound that the rich bastards hire when they wanna kill someone. Nothing special but he's no longer the attractive inmate we wanted him to be.
The FMC was beaten up till she miscarried by men who were after the MMC and this guy ? He didn't really seem guilty when he found her and he's like "well hey there move in with me now" what the fuck ?
They weren't even in love. It was lust all along and they had to make this book more miserable by adding another pregnancy in the end ? And he's suddenly calling her his "sweetheart" .... Sweetheart who ? First confirm if you even like her ??
This overall just gave me the ICK.
Like I said earlier the author tried to mix
Over obsessed, But not enough in love MMC with a dark past that really didn't effect him coz he keeps shrugging when his dead parents are talked about but he acts like it made him the way he is, no ... He's just a basic psycho and the FMC ? Miserable she keeps saying she searches for love in the wrong man all the time and she does it again with the MMC ?
I really wanted to like this book because I do have a thing for inmate romance but he wasn't even an inmate for half the book like ???????
April 20, 2024
This was an absolute miss for me. I don't know if it's the book itself or maybe the timing I chose to read it, but I just didn't enjoy it, and the only reason I finished it was because I was already halfway through when I realized it wasn't for me.
December 30, 2023
This book started out so good and then crashed and burned. The first half was 4 stars, the second half was 2 stars. So, I’ll split the difference and rate it 3 stars overall.
Tessa (27) is a prison nurse, married to the warden, who abuses her (There’s lots of abuse scenes on the page. This book is brutal, and violent. So, this is not for people who can’t read that type of stuff). Gracin (35) is a prisoner who starts flirting with her.
The first part of this story did a great job of building up the tension and chemistry between them. I love that it was heroine-only POV. Too many books these days do dual POV, just because everyone else is doing it – but, there’s something to be said for a mysterious hero who keeps you guessing about his true feelings! This book would have lost a lot of tension if we knew Gracin's thoughts.
The first part kept me intrigued, wondering if Gracin really liked her, or was just using her and manipulating her. He was deliciously inscrutable and alluring. Even as I was sure he was being shady AF, I couldn’t help but like him, just like Tessa. This story sold him well as a clearly bad guy that the heroine is drawn to, and we understand why. Even when getting involved with him is clearly a terrible idea, I didn't judge Tessa at all.
Unfortunately, this book did a nose dive in the second half. After Gracin escapes, this could have been a good “Bonnie and Clyde” type of story (or, it could have been a good, "She's his captive and then starts liking him" type of story, like Prisoner). But it dropped the ball. First of all, the tone completely changes. While the first part of the book was grounded and gritty, the second half feels more like a cartoon, or a dream sequence, because things happen SO fast. The plot is accelerated too much.
This whole series of events would make so much more sense – and be so much more enjoyable – if her hadn’t happened. She should have just been captured by his enemies, and either lightly beaten up, or just tied up for a while, before he rescued her.
As far as “books set in prison” go, this was not as good as Hold, or Prisoner, or Hard Time. But since the first half was good, I also can’t completely write it off. It's a frustrating mix of good and bad.
Tessa (27) is a prison nurse, married to the warden, who abuses her (There’s lots of abuse scenes on the page. This book is brutal, and violent. So, this is not for people who can’t read that type of stuff). Gracin (35) is a prisoner who starts flirting with her.
The first part of this story did a great job of building up the tension and chemistry between them. I love that it was heroine-only POV. Too many books these days do dual POV, just because everyone else is doing it – but, there’s something to be said for a mysterious hero who keeps you guessing about his true feelings! This book would have lost a lot of tension if we knew Gracin's thoughts.
The first part kept me intrigued, wondering if Gracin really liked her, or was just using her and manipulating her. He was deliciously inscrutable and alluring. Even as I was sure he was being shady AF, I couldn’t help but like him, just like Tessa. This story sold him well as a clearly bad guy that the heroine is drawn to, and we understand why. Even when getting involved with him is clearly a terrible idea, I didn't judge Tessa at all.
Unfortunately, this book did a nose dive in the second half. After Gracin escapes, this could have been a good “Bonnie and Clyde” type of story (or, it could have been a good, "She's his captive and then starts liking him" type of story, like Prisoner). But it dropped the ball. First of all, the tone completely changes. While the first part of the book was grounded and gritty, the second half feels more like a cartoon, or a dream sequence, because things happen SO fast. The plot is accelerated too much.
This whole series of events would make so much more sense – and be so much more enjoyable – if her hadn’t happened. She should have just been captured by his enemies, and either lightly beaten up, or just tied up for a while, before he rescued her.
As far as “books set in prison” go, this was not as good as Hold, or Prisoner, or Hard Time. But since the first half was good, I also can’t completely write it off. It's a frustrating mix of good and bad.
February 13, 2023
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Just letting you know from the beginning that this book is dark as hell and packed with triggers. 😵
That being said.. let's talk about the plot. So the heroine is in an abusive relationship..
𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐮𝐠𝐥𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡, 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞
That right there☝️ is the dynamic between her and her abuser.. because I refuse to call that fucker her husband. We see a lot of abusing, beating.. overall sick stuff. And unfortunately Tessa takes it all.
She was so submissive in the beginning.. literally willing to be his punch bag. I was ready to shake her and ask her WHAT ARE YOU DOING! 😳
Then we have Gracin. He's a new inmate in the prison that Tessa works and the moment he sees her he immediately gets interested. She seems scared and closed off so he understands that something is going on with her life.
Tessa tried to stop what was blooming between them.. but Gracin wouldn't have any of that.
He really tried to make her trust him and open up.
“𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞?”
But she was so defensive. He tried to confront her and make her understand that she can't just keep enduring all this 😭
“𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲?”
“𝐈’𝐦 𝐚𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞.”
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐨𝐰.”
“𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞.”
Is it fine though babe? I don't think so. You're literally black and blue half of the book..
Does that mean that Gracin is better? Hell no. He's fucked up too. And unfortunately he also used her because at some point he escaped..
But that night y'all.. all hell broke loose. People killed, Gracin escaped, Tessa run.. OMFG 😱
I'm telling you. This book is a big ole red flag. The heroine gets hell. I don't know how these books find me but each time I read them I question my sanity because well.. okay OKAY... I FUCKING LOVE THEM 🙈
Fucking sue me. What can I say man. I like them fucked up.
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June 23, 2024
Interesting premise, which is initially what made me pick this up. Tessa is a nurse who works at Blackthorne Correctional Institution. She's married to the Warden, unhappily may i add as Vic is an abusive asshole. When Tessa gets close to a new prisoner at the facility her world is about to be turned upside down. Gracin has secrets and he's about to drag Tessa into a whole new world of trouble.
Not sure about this one at all, for me there was just something missing and I struggled to connect. I enjoyed some parts more than others but I think what may have been absent was the romance. This part of the story was sorely lacking, Yes I know this was a dark read, especially for the poor heroine Tessa. I mean the girl was certainly put through the wringer, first by her shitbag of a husband, then by the trouble she attracted from being connected to our anti-hero Gracin. But I still need to be convinced of the feelings involved in spite of all of that darkness and here I wasn't. I can't see how these two even ended up falling for each other as there's just zero build-up or any relationship evolvement besides the physical. Because of this I felt purely an observer and an apathetic one at that and during that torture session I should have been totally appalled, but I really wasn't that affected and I really should have been as it was hardcore.
I also think there wasn't enough meat to the story. We only skim a lot of the crucial information. There's a lack of background and further explanations. Gracin and Tessa didn't know much about each other at all, so we the readers are in the same boat. I think with some padding this could be a great story as the bones were good and the plot interesting. It just felt unpolished and stripped back.
The sex was hot and this did bring the heat but this was all resolved far too easily. Tessa did a complete 180 after fighting tooth and nail practically the whole book to leave Gracin in her dust. Then suddenly out of nowhere, she has an epiphany and she's all in it just didn't make much sense and felt very abrupt. Overall this was an ok read it was just missing heart.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
August 22, 2017
Ooh this is one of those books that you love but you feel like you shouldn't because it's kinda dark and that would be wrong but go ahead and love it though because it'll take you on a great ride! Gracin is definitely drool worthy and you're gonna want to hate him as well but you won't! Fist pump in the air to Tessa...I won't tell you why but you'll understand soon! I hope we'll get more of this story because I want to know where these two end up next!
June 22, 2024
Writing a review only so i can specify that it's a 0/5 since Goodreads hasn't come with a zero rating yet!
July 12, 2024
I am only rating this 3⭐️ because the Author was so nice to me on TikTok. But I am kind of disappointed because this was rushed. If you have ever been subjected to any kind of abuse (Trigger Warning)!!! I definitely would have liked a few more chapters to build up to the ending.
June 3, 2024
CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS!
Ch 2: this shit is dark as fuck. My head is already spinning. Tessa's husband, Vic needs a knife to the jugular....
And his penis put in a blender....
-- Omg, please let this go in the direction I think it's going but make it better than what I am hoping to happen!!!
ch 7: i need a Gracin Kingston stat!! 🥵🥵🥵
Ch 13: this plot just suddenly got crazy twisted.....wtf??!! I am loving the way it's unfolding..
ch 15: this sex scene was intense as fuck boy!! the way the author wrote it, it literally puts you in Tessa's body...... i was just like WOW!!! the MMC, Gracin is 🤯🤯🤯
This plot gets better and better. i am excited for the ending.... i will definitely be reading more of Nicole's books! The title, 'TOXIC'.....PERFECT.... this shit is soooo toxic.. the chemistry that Gracin and Tessa have, OMG.... is EXHAUSTING... 😂
1 MORE STAR for nipple piercings that Tessa SOMEHOW didn't notice 🤦🏽♀️i want to look at her and say, "Girl! PAY ATTENTION!!" i am going to need her to appreciate Gracin for the absolute gorgeous specimen of sexy assassin that he is!! 🤭🤭
i loved this, i loved the action, the 'surprise piercing reveal', i loved the revenge & Tessa and Gracin's chemistry! i highly recommend this book.
i have mixed feelings about this book being a standalone!! I need more but I'm happy there's no more but who can get enough of Gracin, etc...
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5🌶️big daddy peppers
Ch 2: this shit is dark as fuck. My head is already spinning. Tessa's husband, Vic needs a knife to the jugular....
And his penis put in a blender....
-- Omg, please let this go in the direction I think it's going but make it better than what I am hoping to happen!!!
ch 7: i need a Gracin Kingston stat!! 🥵🥵🥵
Ch 13: this plot just suddenly got crazy twisted.....wtf??!! I am loving the way it's unfolding..
ch 15: this sex scene was intense as fuck boy!! the way the author wrote it, it literally puts you in Tessa's body...... i was just like WOW!!! the MMC, Gracin is 🤯🤯🤯
This plot gets better and better. i am excited for the ending.... i will definitely be reading more of Nicole's books! The title, 'TOXIC'.....PERFECT.... this shit is soooo toxic.. the chemistry that Gracin and Tessa have, OMG.... is EXHAUSTING... 😂
1 MORE STAR for nipple piercings that Tessa SOMEHOW didn't notice 🤦🏽♀️i want to look at her and say, "Girl! PAY ATTENTION!!" i am going to need her to appreciate Gracin for the absolute gorgeous specimen of sexy assassin that he is!! 🤭🤭
i loved this, i loved the action, the 'surprise piercing reveal', i loved the revenge & Tessa and Gracin's chemistry! i highly recommend this book.
i have mixed feelings about this book being a standalone!! I need more but I'm happy there's no more but who can get enough of Gracin, etc...
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5🌶️big daddy peppers
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