Annika Knowles knows better than to get involved with powerful men. She nearly became collateral damage in a war once before, but she ran, making a new life for herself in the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas.
The High Roller Club offers someone with her skill set the chance to make her own way, and she’s mostly managed to keep her head down. Well, if you don’t count how she keeps falling into bed with one of the club’s security specialists. Or how she accidentally caught the eye of one of the most dangerous men in Vegas. And we won’t even get started on the way his ruthless enforcer watches her every time she enters a room…
Actually, she’s terrible at lying low.
But all of these problems are easily managed.
What isn't? Severing the ties to her old life.
Can Annika’s new allies keep her safe? Or will she have to cut and run again, losing everything she's built for herself in the process?
This is a standalone set in the High Roller Omegas shared world. In Annika's story, you'll find no cheating, no choosing, and a pack of dangerous men who fall first.
"I have no problem being her monster; watching her from the shadows happens to be one of my favorite activities"
Jillian does it AGAIN! This book was so different than I'm used to her writing. It was jam packed with suspense. Although, she kept to her remarkable way of writing such a well rounded pack with the perfect balance of fluff and banter.
I absolutely loved Annika and her pack. I'd have to say I definitely had my favorite pack memebers! But I fell in love with each character for different reasons.
I utterly adored Sparrow/Annika! From the very first chapter, I was sold on her character. She was badass and had no problem taking care of herself.
“You needed to prove to yourself that you could do it alone, and you have. You made a life for yourself. The only thing I did was keep you safe while you built that life. I don’t want to control you. I want to be your partner in crime.”
Grady was completely unhinged! I laughed so many times at the things that came out of his mouth!
"You’re very good,” I reluctantly admit. “Thank you,” he says, giving me a cheesy smile. “I like to think I do a pretty good job at faking being normal.”
Ward was definitely a favorite of mine. The way he took care of Annika and made sure she had everything she needed without controlling her had me swooning!!!
I loved Cassian's character from the start! He was such a smart**s and the banter between him and Annika was top tier! I didn't think I could love his chapter more until he started really following his feelings for Annika!!
Every pack needs an incredibly protective alpha and Kane was definitely it. All the pack members were protective. But there was just something about the way Kane protected Annika. Their verbal sparing made for such an incredible led up one epic spicy scene!
I really can't get over the balance this pack had! And how well they all fit together. Jillian did an incredible job intertwining all their personalities!
“I’m pretty sure this is how guys become best friends. You saved my ass last night, but I covered yours tonight.”
*Did we just become best friends?* was the only thing that I could picture during this scene. 🤣
And Grady's nickname for Ward was hands down one of my favorite parts of the book!
“I’m digging that look, Anni Girl. Feel free to borrow Granddad’s shirts any time.”
Seeing all the characters in her other series come together in this book was so flawlessly done! Jillian really did an incredible job, including everyone, and getting us so excited for Ranger's book!!!!!! I can't wait!
I also can't wait to dive into the other books in The High Rollers series. It's pretty cool to see all my favorite omegaverse authors coming together for this series.
"It took a whole lot of windy roads to get here, but it was absolutely worth the journey."
Annika Knowles wasn’t always Annika Knowles. Once upon a time she was a mafia princess omega, living with three bodyguards (one a cocky younger alpha, the other two more like uncles) and going to college until one day she arrived home to a nightmare and a kidnap attempt. Luckily, Annika is my kind of omega and she saves herself before driving away from everything she knows because she no longer knows who she can trust.
A handful of years later finds Annika at the High Roller Club, using her talents with numbers and patterns to help catch cheaters in the high roller room in the casino half of the business. She has a…friend named Grady who she spends almost all her time with when she’s not working and it’s definitely not platonic but she’s not willing to admit it might be anything else. Things begin to change one night when Annika is tasked with trying to ascertain whether one particular VIP is cheating or not. This meeting starts a chain of events that will bring Annika all the way back to the start, in more than one way.
Queen of Spades was absolutely delightful. The only way it could’ve been better is if it had sword-crossing in it. The story may start in Vegas, but it doesn’t stay there for long. There’s a crazy road trip to Kentucky with an omega in pre-heat, then a trip to Virginia with a cranky omega in post-heat. There’s spicy scenes in multiple public places and one primal play scene.
What I loved the most about this book were the characters. I’ve talked about Annika, but I have a ton of love for Grady, who is more than he seems in so many ways and would probably let Annika use him as a footstool so long as he had permission to move as soon as he sensed danger. He’d probably dress up as a puppy and play fetch with her so long as he could actually bite people. Deranged and hopelessly devoted to Annika is Grady. Her other eventual pack members are also all slightly off the rocker a little bit in their own ways, but the way they all work together in their own off-the-cuff way (half-preparation, half-perspiration) is both really hot and really cute. The fact Annika just keeps pushing through everything from pre-heat to post-heat to get up and fight alongside the guys whenever she can only makes this book better.
Come for the omegaverse, stay for the kick-butt omega and the bromances. That’s what I say.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
Annika was the most intriguing FMC for me after seeing glimpses of her in the other books in the High Roller Omegas series, and I must say, she did not disappoint.
Smart, sensual, observant, and very deadly, Annika's story was a delight to read! She's an omega on the run, hiding out in the High Roller, until her special skillset put her on the radar of some questionable but very delectable Alphas.
Swoony? They definitely are. We have a nutty killer himbo, an older hunky man, a very wealthy but softer alpha, and FMC's former bodyguard. All archetypes I adore. (Though I am sadly disappointed in the lack of Daddy play with Ward, but I understand there's a time and place and this time is unfortunately not it haha).
This was fast burn with a splash of action, and just a ton of spice. Definitely would recommend!
♠️ Omegaverse ♠️ 4 Alphas/One Omega ♠️ Age gap/silver fox ♠️No MM ♠️No Pregnancy in main plot ♠️Dp/DVP ♠️Light Mafia ♠️Consent/Hygienic Practices ♠️No significant OW/cheating drama* ♠️FMC handy w/a dagger 🗡️ 🩸 ♠️Build a bear pack ♠️Chase scene ♠️ Light 🍞 ♠️Multiple locations
Opening scenes starts with a bang and draws you in! Typical fun and cute OV light on plot high on steam. MMCs had lots of care and consideration for their girl. Found all the names and references to characters from other books/future books to be a bit much. Liked that when the group forms naturally and it’s not a preset clutch of fbois so that’s a big plus!
*there’s a short scene w/her roommate but the guy turns her down and tells FMC right away
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ “Run, princess. And know that, when I catch you, you’re all fucking mine.”
Jillian outdoes herself with every new release! This one is likely my favorite yet. Low on the angst, high on the all-in MMCs, and loads of action. There are some darker elements, a bit more than you'd typically get from a Jillian West OV, but overall, it is a light read (AKA violent world but sweet romance).
You may recognize some of the characters if you’ve read the Assurance Security Duet. This book is the story of Ranger’s missing sister, Annika. On the run, she finds she cannot hide from her past despite her best efforts. I loved her strength and resilience and how she could be both hard and soft. Her cuddly omega moments were just as great as when she took charge to save herself.
Queen of Spades has given me a new favorite Alpha (Sorry Murphy, you’ve been dropped down to number 2). I am absolutely in love with Grady. Give me all the unhinged and completely, obsessively in love MMCs. A little light stalking, some maiming and murder, and devotion are just what my inner omega needs. On top of being willing to do anything and everything for Annika, he is the sweetest of souls.
This is a fast-burn and very spicy MFMMM why choose romance with the hallmarks of a great OV – heats, knots, slick, scenting, bonding, and group scenes!
Part of the High Roller Omegas world, Queen of Spades can be read as a complete standalone with Annika and her men getting their HEA. You will see some character cameos from the other books in the world, but they can be read in any order.
Omegaverse fans will love this book; I know I did.
Genre: Contemporary Omegaverse Romance Tropes/Features: Forced proximity, age gaps, fated mates/soul mates, scent matches, he falls first, breeding kink, morally grey alphas, omega on the run, touch her and die, group scenes POV: Multi 1st Person POV Relationship Type: Why choose MFMMM, fast burn, very spicy Book Type/Ending: Standalone with HEA TW/CW: Available in book
Ive been looking forward to this Quartet of books since I found out about its back in December. When I got an ARC of Queen of Spades I *immediately* started it. It was so freaking amazing! I absolutely adored it and couldn’t put it down!
Tropes: ♠️Brave Omega FMC on the run ♠️Alpha with a hidden identity ♠️Bodygaurd Alphas ♠️Billionaire Alpha ♠️Pack Bonds ♠️All the OMV yumminess- slick/heats/knotting/nests etc ♠️Touch her and ☠️ ♠️Unhinged golden retriever alpha ♠️Voyeurism/Exhibitionism *within the pack* ♠️Primal play ♠️Hot Scottish Alpha ♠️Second chance romance ♠️Scent Matches/Fated mates ♠️Heroine who can hold her own ♠️No OW Drama.. these guys are allllll about our heroine from the first moment ♠️Marriage of Convenience ♠️Very very morally grey men who will do anything for our heroine.
This book was just.. so freaking awesome. Every time i think Jillian west cant get any better, she turns around and throws out another bombshell of a book that has me drooling and falling in love with fictional men all over again.
Annika/Sparrow is an Omega on the run, living in Vegas working at a high rollers casino.. shes currently dating/in love with an Alpha named Grady who is.. well.. you think hes a himbo but *spoilers* ihes literally unhinged and obsessed with her and Im pretty sure he was my fave of the harem.
Circumstances bring another Alpha back into her world… one she thought shed never see again and wasnt even sure if he was alive considering the last time she saw him she…well.. she shot him to keep him for following her😂, followed by two more- a billionaire mogul whos trying to get away from his father’s business and his Scottish Bodygaurd. Who obviously are both just as taken with Annika.
Annika is on the run because of an arranged marriage that… well… didnt turn out the way anyone thought it would.. and now the family has multiple hits out on her. Shes been surviving in Vegas with her new identity for the last few years, but everything comes to a head once her enemies get their sights on her and Annika learns real quick the value of letting herself trust and fall instead of pushing people she loves away to keep them safe. Add in multiple safe houses, a chase across the country and an impending heat and things are about to get messy!
Annika is not wilting flower… shes a total badass in her own right. She knows how to handle a gun, is not afraid to stick up for herself and her men. Shes probably one of my fave heroines ive read in an OMV romance. Shes strong and smart but doesnt let her pride get in her way. She doesnt look at being an Omega as a hinderance, and takes everything that comes along with her designation in stride. She owns her sexuality and then turns around and pew-pews a bunch of guys threatening her pack right after her heat finishes. She makes smart choices and doesnt just fight back for the sake of fighting back. I literally love her. She was the shining star of this book for me for sure.
10/10… would absolutely recommend. I cant wait to find out what Jillian West has coming for us next!!!
4.5 stars. Hot, and fun, and a little psychotic. So. Exactly my jam.😂 I’m glad I made the last minute decision to read this first like the author suggested. I really wanted Ranger’s story but I most likely wouldn’t have gone back and read this once I did. And I really liked these characters. Annika is a combo of badass and soft that I really dug, and the guys are all varying degrees of psycho hotness except maybe Cas who is kinda soft and rounds them all out.
Another hit from Jillian West! Queen Of Spades is a stand alone novel in a shared omegaverse world. This one had all my favorites from an omegaverse, heat, lots of knots, nests and bonding. This story was a lot of fun, and it kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.
Listen, it's not secret I love omegaverse and this was no exception!
I'm so happy to have found a new omegaverse writer to binge!
This story was well paced, entertaining, dark (in the best ways, but I very much enjoy a sprinkle of murder and psycho energy), and spicy!
Sparrow/Annika has been on the run the last few years after an arranged marriage went south. Annika has found some solace in Las Vegas as an employee of a casino to catch card counters/cheaters.
With her heat and her past quickly approaching, she needs to find alphas and a safe place to ride out her heat and put her past to rest once and for all.
I loved her alphas, Grady, falls first and so hard. The most psycho of the alphas, but the most thoughtful and knows Annika best.
Kane, an alpha from her past that refuses to stay in her past.
Cas, a princess in his own right, but an incredible intelligent and savvy business man.
And last, but not least, Ward, our Scottish "grandad" that is as fine as they come.
They are a very morally gray bunch and I would not have them any other way!
Cannot wait to read the next in this series, I love a shared universe with 4 different authors style!
Queen of spades is a standalone in a shared (different authors) omegaverse world about an Omega S*x club. There are links to Jillians Assurance Security duet that make the characters pop, so if you want it extra juicy read them first.
Let me start by saying this books was HOT! 🔥 It has all the points we love from a feel good Omegaverse, nesting, heats, bonding and lots of knots 😉 although it's based around a club the story doesn't stay there for long as Annika and her made pack go on the run. This book was on the darker side, not dark, but more so than some of Jillians other books and I AM HERE FOR IT 🫠 The story was action packed, funny and spicy.
"It's not about what I Want, It's about what Annika needs. If you can't put your own wants aside to ensure she's happy and fulfilled, then you and me, we're going to have problems. "
Grady, Ward and Kane are morally grey men who fall first and hard. Cassian is a princess in his own right but adds perfectly to our little gang of psychos, let's face it they need to be to go against Annikas brother!
Each has their own little quirks, but the one thing they have in common is they are head over heels for our girl and seeing the bromance build along with all of them is perfections
I thoroughly enjoyed Queen of Spades and I love how much grittier it is compared to Jillian’s other books. Queen of Spades follows omega Annika Knowles aka Sparrow Cavanaugh (sister to one Ranger Cavanaugh – insert swooning emoji), as she navigates a new life away from the only one, she’s ever known to the city of Las Vegas.
Annika has hands down become one my favorite Jillian West FMC’s. She’s bold, smart, beautiful and takes no nonsense from any Alpha. And she comes fully equipped with her own mini daggers. With affinity for numbers and memory recall Annika uses this to her advantage by working as a gatekeeper at the High Roller Club to ensure there’s no cheating. The MMC’s in Spades have easily become one of my favorite sets of alphas, as they’re perfectly matched with Annika and while each bring their own secrets and baggage, they easily win her over. But she’s 100% no pushover they have to work for it. The spice like with any Jillian book is phenomenal. I think Spades is probably the spiciest one for me yet just because the chemistry between Annika and her Alphas are sizzling. And of course, no Jillian book would be complete without the extended epilogues (I mean she is the queen of epilogues).
If you enjoy high-stakes plots, forced proximity, morally gray MMC’s then this Omegaverse is for you. Queen of Spades is a standalone set in the High Roller Omegas shared world.
I was absolutely hooked on this book from chapter one. There were so many twists and turns I didn't see coming it kept me on the edge of my seat. This book was so good that it had all the things I love to read omegas, love, angst, and spice. Well done. I absolutely can't wait for more in this world.
I have been waiting for this! Ever since Jillian gave us the Assurance Security Duet and introduced us to Ranger and I found out about his sister I knew that I needed her story! I was not disappointed. Annika, AKA Sparrow, has been missing, for years so we know from the Assurance security duet. But in this shared world for the High Roller Omegas we find out that she has run away after something went terribly wrong. Now she is o nthe run and she ends up in Vegas working in the High Roller. She serves drinks and watches out for cheaters. She’s living under the radar with the Alpha she has been seeing, life seems to be going her way. Like all of Jillians books I devoured this in one sitting. I did have questions on the as to why the bad guys kept showing up but everything was wrapped up in a neat little bow by the end and I was very satisfied. I will say that this is a little darker then her normal writing. It is more along the lines of the Asssurance Security Duet then her other series or standalone she writes so take that to consideration going into it. I really hope that we get Rangers story next!! I am dying to know more about the Omega that brings him to heel!
♠️♣️ I think this might be Jillian West’s spiciest book to date 👀🌶️ like, I already knew this would be different but I wasn’t expecting such dirty mouthed, passionate, possessive alphas whew. ♦️♥️ Annika, girl, teach me your ways. She’s so sassy, yet soft, I love her. She’s a tease too and I was smiling so hard whenever she got her way. She’s trying to find herself in the mafia world, and trying to scape her family’s control. I was glad she had Grady from the start. I love how Jillian introduced each relationship with her men, they’re all so perfect and work so well together. Grady is one of my top alphas !! He’s hot, I love when a MMC is sure of who he is, his role in an omega’s life and isn’t ashamed of it. I liked how he kept pushing his Anni Girl out of her comfort zone, doing all of it with utmost love and care. Kane had me biting my nails, the tension was top tier and I couldn’t wait until they finally worked their issues out gosh he’s domineering but a bit funny too if I say so myself lol. His banter with Grady is so entertaining. Cassian & Ward, I feel like those two come in a combo lol. They’re very different from each other but there’s chemistry there (as friends, chill). Cass is so unintentionally hilarious, the fact the guys called him princess is soo lmao but there’s more than what meets the eye at first. Ward, the one with daddy energy? Although he gets called grandpa huh, anyways, he knows when to get all growls and stuff like that. He’s THE bodyguard let me tell you. I loved reading Queen of Spades, there’s action and sexy times. I was intrigued by Anni’s journey and how she managed to carve her own path. Btw, can I mention how much I love anytime Jillian West writes about her omega FMC quirky fixation with armpits? 🥹 well, please read the High Roller Omegas series, they’re fantastic and I love the cute cameos and interactions between the omega FMCs that we get to know better in each book.
“𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞, 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐞, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞, 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐬.” •~✾~• ⭐️ 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️ 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Omegaverse 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀: 341 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 17th May 2024 • 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 ♥️Omegaverse 🪢Breeding Kink ♥️He Falls First, Hard 🪢Forces Proximity ♥️Primal Play & Group Scenes 🪢Forced Proximity ♥️She Thinks She’s Playing Them 🪢No OW drama ♥️No Third Act Break Up 🪢Exhibitionism, Public Sex and Pierced 🍆 •~✾~• 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 Okay so this book was EVERYTHING. Jillian had said it was quite different from her other books and, while it was, it still had her vibes all over it. The suspense was perfect too!
I loved Annika and her pack, but I fell hard for Kane. His growls over the top protective alpha energy was amazing, I ate it up.
Another belter from Jillian West, I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series. I love having such great authors all together!
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. •~✾~•
“Queen of Spades” by Jillian West is another hit in West’s omegaverse world. Even more, it’s part of a larger collection featuring other authors! While I only read this story, I will definitely be keeping my eye on the rest of the world and checking out some of the other authors stories.
In “Queen of Spades”, we learn about an omega, Annika, on the run from her past. While on the run, she steps into a line of work that leads her to cross paths with many wealthy, albeit suspicious, men. This environment is only further made dangerous by the fact that she is an unbonded omega just weeks away from her next heat.
Without spoiling the rest of the story, I will say that the pack development was very interesting. Some relationships, such as Annika’s relationship with Grady, developed quite slowly, whereas her relationship with Ward, was unexpectedly quick. Overall, I would cite this book as being fast burn.
If you’re new to West, this is an excellent place to start. If you’re very familiar with her work, then you might find many similarities to this pack and some of her others. In my case, I feel like the men begin to run together, as there’s typically always an alpha male (or two) and a himbo. I’ve read every book West has put out, and this pack wasn’t anything memorable to me. Unfortunately, and perhaps this is the risk with omega verse, they all begin to run together.
Despite that, I would still recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a more grittier omegaverse!
Queen of Spades is part of the High Roller Omega series. It can be read as a stand alone though I highly suggest reading Jillian West's Assurance duet as the fmc's brother is a part of it. It gives you a better feel for why the fmc did not go to her brother for help and instead chose to run.
I knew going into the book I was going to love it. After all this is a character I have been curious to meet for awhile! Just the mention of Ranger's sister in previous books had me intrigued to see if she is like him or not. She is not crazy like her brother but she knows how to handle herself and does so for 3 years on the run before her brother and those who are hunting her find her. Her men are great. Kane at first I really wanted to smack but he came around once we got to see more indepth of his character. Grady is well he's perfect for Annika (aka Sparrow). He knows how best to help her and leads the others in how to care for her. He seems like a perfect guy....until she follows him home and sees who he really is. But even then I still liked him. Wade is perfect and I thought it was hilarious when Grady called him Gramps. And speaking nicknames, let's not forget Cas aka Princess. Lol. I cackled every time they called him that. I really loved seeing this group come together and forma pack. There was A LOT of spice as Anni is near her heat or in heat the majority of the book. The bits of her brother Ranger we saw only make me even more ready for his book (All In by Jillian West) to be released!
If you read Ready or knot and Knot ready you already knew about Ranger and his missing sister. This book bridges the gap before All in came out to tell his missing sister’s story and it is definitely worth the read!! The storyline was fast paced and fun. There was no stupid third act break up, no unnecessary conflict within the pack. No OW drama. No dumb heroine running straight into danger to “save” her pack from harm and I loved it! Annika/Sparrow was a smart and strong fmc that took no crap and no unnecessary risks. All female characters should be this well written and clever! Sparrow assembled herself a nice pack of psychos that helped her survive the mob brothers trying to kill her and their antics were so funny! Grady was by far my favourite psycho. He was perfectly written. West, Cas and Kane were also great additions and their reactions to Grady’s crazy was always funny. This is a great omegaverse and should definitely be on everyone’s TBR!
Le sigh… Jillian, does it again and again and this time is no different. While this book has a slightly darker vibe than what we’re use to from Jillian - she smashed this one out the park!
Annika is my girl crush🤭 I mean how can you not crush on an omega that’s the boss of her pack?! Her men are absolute cray-cray for her and she eats it all up. And then there’s Ranger!!! we’ve gotten a few glimpses of him in a past story and we are absolutely salivating for this alpha🥵
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️ There’s no doubt I love Jillian’s work but this one was amazing. Darker than her previous books but still somehow not anxiety and angst riddled. Grady is by far the best character in my opinion. You think you know what you’re getting with him in the beginning and then he comes in swinging with allll the crazy. I’m not sure how Jillian does is every time but honestly all the guys were a perfect combination for Annika and their pack.
I can’t wait until the rest of the books release so I can jump back into this shared world.
♠️🃏🔥💕 Absolutely loved this OV. I liked getting to know Sparrow. But loved her growth. Loved the guys and how she was able to build her pack. I love that about Jillian’s OV’s. Grady….. I love the slightly unhinged alpha haha. It was a quick read and kept me entertained from start to finish. Loved the mention of previous characters as well. Excited to see what happens with Ranger. Book: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Everyone loved this. And I just couldn’t get into it. I liked the consept but EVERYONE. legit. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM was lying to her and she was lying ISH to them. But they know who she is and it’s this whole I’m more bad ass than you peeing contest for over half the book. I was just really over it. So frustrating.
DNF. Omegaverse. Yea that high rating isn’t believable at all. I started skimming pretty quickly. In the beginning it was all over the place and not logical at all. Why would Kane leave her if he got a 911 from her brother? He’s her security, it doesn’t make any sense. The relationship between G & A is already established so there’s no development whatsoever, that we as reader grow into. The relationship with the others is so quick, we’re not getting the chance either. The plot is pretty ridiculous, though the accidental knife-in-dick was comical. At about 75% I’d had enough.
I’m not sure why I didn’t like it because I normally love this author I just felt like it read more like a Novella. I didn’t get any type of character development. I felt like people were just popping up and she loved them immediately.
TW - mild drug use (not by the MCs), murder (on page), gore, gun violence, torture, kidnapping (of a sc, off page but discussed on page), stalking, organised crime, human trafficking (mentioned), parental death (murder), gambling (scs, setting), captivity (past, loosely recounted), parental abandonment (past, loosely recounted), rehab (sc, mentioned), epilogue:
CW - sex work (briefly mentioned), light breeding, exhibitionism, public play, voyeurism, light primal play, light somnophilia, DP, DVP, hand necklaces
Tropes - he falls first & hardest, hidden identities, organised crime, obsessed, jealous, omegaverse, why choose, forced proximity, age gap (M>F), dark, (light) forced marriage
Representation - polyam - MFMMM
This was cute and a really fun read. I liked the characters and how they all fit together in the pack as many of them didn't know each other before. Grady (MMC), while obsessed, was very in tune with the role he plays as an Alpha knowing that the needs of his Omega come above his own wants.
Annika (FMC) is running from her past which is inevitably catching up with her. The Alphas come first as allies and then more and it makes for a good story as they become a pack but also fight against the big bad
One thing I wish there was more of is intimacy outside of their sexual relationship to push the connection a bit more
Scale: ⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite ⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut 🌶 - no point 🌶🌶 - mediocre at best 🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot 🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List
Book Status: Standalone. Part of a bigger series, 'High Roller Omegas' Be aware that 'High Roller Omegas' is a standalone series written by several authors.
Grammatical Issues: none.
General Arc: Omega on the run with enemies to allies.
Characters: Annika, Grady, Kane, Ward, Cassian Secondary Character cross over from 'Not Ready.'
Character POV: All five characters.
General Plot: Annika's family comes to a quick demise when Annika fails to marry a crime lord. Straight of the bat we are into the action, guns blazing, dead bodies and an Omega on the run. After settling down in Vegas, working at an exclusive Omega club and setting in for a heat, her identity is compromised. It is now up to Annika and her four Alphas, who should by all counts be enemies, to eradicate the threat and see their Omega through her heat.
This story had a multitude of beautiful layers. There are lots of players in this book, lots of intrigue and lots of big dic* energy. There are no dull moments, and each plot is seamless in its execution. Loved the characters. Loved the plot and most importantly the book was really well written, not a single complaint.
If you are looking for an Omega book that has lots of action both in and out of the bedroom, and characters that simply make you beg for more, then it's a hard yes.
Author: I have read Jillians Duet, 'Not ready.' fantastically sweet book. Will be continuing with the series, though slightly gutted it's not all Jillian.
This is my second Jillian West book and the second IDNF’ed around 65-70%. I just got so bored with this one.
West isn’t a horrible writer, but she gets a lot of details off or inconsistent. Why would a casino in Vegas close at 2am?? That makes no sense. So much that happens is nonsensical with no explanation and we are just supposed to go with the flow. In this case the flow was also just kinda boring. I knew when a Primal scene was boring to me that I had to give up on this one.
This book also does something I despise. It’s related to another series the author has but there was no indication of this in the blurb. This is also a mixed author series, so bringing in a world the author already has with set characters that we are supposed to know kinda sucks. You don’t HAVE to know who “Ranger” is. But he’s the most prominent side character and clearly we are supposed to.
All the MMCs but one are supposed to be hard ass physcopaths but like… they aren’t? This is 100% tell and no show. It’s not the worst book but I didn’t enjoy it enough to keep on.
Queen of Spades is Jillian West’s latest hit. It’s about Sparrow Cavanaugh, Ranger’s missing sister. You will recognize Ranger if you’ve read her Assurance Security Duet.
Sparrow’s parents and bodyguards are attacked and not knowing who to trust, she runs away to take her chances on her own. She becomes Annika Knowles, a numbers analyst for the High Roller Casino in Vegas.
When her past catches up to her, Annika and her long time boyfriend/lovable psycho Grady, along with a grandad, a princess, and a blast from her past, end up on the run across the country. Fleeing to the safety of her brother and his compound. There’s a lot of action in this one, and a lot of spice. If you enjoyed the Assurance Security Duet you’ll love this one. And if you loved this one but haven’t read the duet, you’ll love it too.
I adore this one and think it’s one of the best this author has written so far!
Jillian West does it again as she manages to deliver a sweet and spicy OV story in the dark and seductive High Rollers Universe. I love how even in this interconnected universe the four authors have put together, Jillian is still connecting this book to the rest of her universe. She’s always one step ahead.
I love how Annika builds her pack to be exactly what she needs it to be. Pack building books are so fun to me because of the hilarious new dynamics at play. Nothing like two for-hire hitmen/sociopaths to liven up the plot line.
There were lots of twists and turns I was able want expecting and it kept me on my toes. I didn’t want to put it down and read far too late every night.
The only thing I struggled with was some of the side characters with stories from other books. I know Jillian said you don’t have to read the other books to understand this, and I mostly agree. I think Ranger, Annika’s brother, was the only character I felt I needed to know more about.
Overall amazing book. Can’t wait to own the special editions!