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Catching Bianca
A dark mafia romance where love is a risk and trust is a trap, where passions run high and so do the stakes.
BIANCA
Vaughn promised safety from the monsters chasing us, but his protective obsession quickly becomes my prison. The longer we run, the more I realize I’m not just chased by monsters—I’m trapped with one.
When he crosses a line, I run straight to his biggest enemy, Carter Willard. That's where I meet Ryder, the enigmatic tech genius with a gaze that pierces right through me.
Trust is a luxury I can't afford. Ryder’s presence is a dangerous thrill I've avoided all my life, yet his touch strips away my defenses and ignites a fire deep within—a fire that tempts me to risk everything.
But as Winter turns to Summer, secrets unravel, and the past returns, throwing us into chaos.
RYDER
Bianca was just a task. Another target to track... until she wasn't. I've watched her on screens for weeks, thinking I knew her before we ever met, but she's far from what I expected.
Cold, calculated, independent—far from what I crave, yet irresistible. Our interactions are a clash of wills. Every defiant glance she sends my way, every argument, every glimpse behind her mask tests my limits until we cross a line.
What’s supposed to be a one-night stand turns into many more. Feelings grow, masks drop, and just when I think I have it all, old threats emerge.
I'm forced to confront a new reality: Bianca isn't just someone I need to protect; she's someone I refuse to lose.
BIANCA
Vaughn promised safety from the monsters chasing us, but his protective obsession quickly becomes my prison. The longer we run, the more I realize I’m not just chased by monsters—I’m trapped with one.
When he crosses a line, I run straight to his biggest enemy, Carter Willard. That's where I meet Ryder, the enigmatic tech genius with a gaze that pierces right through me.
Trust is a luxury I can't afford. Ryder’s presence is a dangerous thrill I've avoided all my life, yet his touch strips away my defenses and ignites a fire deep within—a fire that tempts me to risk everything.
But as Winter turns to Summer, secrets unravel, and the past returns, throwing us into chaos.
RYDER
Bianca was just a task. Another target to track... until she wasn't. I've watched her on screens for weeks, thinking I knew her before we ever met, but she's far from what I expected.
Cold, calculated, independent—far from what I crave, yet irresistible. Our interactions are a clash of wills. Every defiant glance she sends my way, every argument, every glimpse behind her mask tests my limits until we cross a line.
What’s supposed to be a one-night stand turns into many more. Feelings grow, masks drop, and just when I think I have it all, old threats emerge.
I'm forced to confront a new reality: Bianca isn't just someone I need to protect; she's someone I refuse to lose.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2025
179 people are currently reading
854 people want to read
About the author
I.A. Dice
16 books1,791 followersI. A. Dice writes emotionally intense romance—both dark and light—but always equally spicy. When she’s not dreaming up love stories, she’s probably drinking too much coffee and swooning over fictional men.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
January 14, 2025
The way that I ride so hard for this series. Any time I can recommend the Shadow of Obsession series to someone I do. In fact Breaking Hailey lives rent free in my brain. It was a top read for me in 2024. I made it my whole personality after I read it and every book after that book was a 5 star banger. And Catching Bianca was no different. In fact I.A. Dice straight delivered with this one and in true I.A. Dice fashion, she will have you questioning where this story line will go and in the last 10% you will say what in the actual f-k just happened. Just know if you are going into this book thinking you will be getting any answers to your questions in regards to Noretto and Vaughn, yeah that's not happening. In fact something happens that will totally through all of your suspicions and theories out the door. In fact, now I'm sitting here trying to reconfigure how this series is going to end with Koby's book.
Let's talk about Bianca and Ryder because I love these two. Now Ryder is Carter's tech wiz and he has been tasked with the job to find Bianca. And he has been studying her for months. Has her pictured burned to his memory and the moment he actual meets her, he becomes possessive with that whole touch her and you die vibe. But yet, he can't stand her. Or at least he tries to convince himself that he does. In fact this book only solidified that I have a techy MMC k!nk. It's a thing. Whenever there is a series and one of the MMC is a tech dude, he will always be my favorite in the series and Ryder Blackwood fits all of my criteria for a top MMC for me. Ryder is a tech guy, he's the grumpy silent type, tall and broody. He's pure perfection!
Now Bianca, she's a cold hearted witch. Or at least that's how she comes off. She comes off as fiercely independent who won't let anyone in to her inner circle. Which Ryder can NOT stand. In fact Bianca's favorite word that drives Ryder up the wall is "fine." But Ryder wants her emotions. And he won't stop til she lets him in. And the moment she lets down her guard and let's Ryder fully in (after a HATE F-K by the way), she becomes some vulnerable and trusting.
Now what we really need to talk about is the ending... I.A. Dice has done it again. She left us with a cliffhanger. We meet Koby's FMC which will only have you asking a hundred questions. And then there is something that happens in the last 10% that will literally have you saying WTF and lose hope on ever finding answers to a lot of questions. So yeah, I'm leaving this book with more questions than answers. I'm feral for Koby's book. And I am begging I.A. Dice for Noretto to get his own book!
You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Dark Romantic Suspense
- Mafia Vibes
- Morally Grey MMC
- Forced Proximity
- Enemies to Lovers
- Bodyguard
- Found Family
* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to I.A. Dice for allowing me the pleasure to read Catching Bianca as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review!
Let's talk about Bianca and Ryder because I love these two. Now Ryder is Carter's tech wiz and he has been tasked with the job to find Bianca. And he has been studying her for months. Has her pictured burned to his memory and the moment he actual meets her, he becomes possessive with that whole touch her and you die vibe. But yet, he can't stand her. Or at least he tries to convince himself that he does. In fact this book only solidified that I have a techy MMC k!nk. It's a thing. Whenever there is a series and one of the MMC is a tech dude, he will always be my favorite in the series and Ryder Blackwood fits all of my criteria for a top MMC for me. Ryder is a tech guy, he's the grumpy silent type, tall and broody. He's pure perfection!
Now Bianca, she's a cold hearted witch. Or at least that's how she comes off. She comes off as fiercely independent who won't let anyone in to her inner circle. Which Ryder can NOT stand. In fact Bianca's favorite word that drives Ryder up the wall is "fine." But Ryder wants her emotions. And he won't stop til she lets him in. And the moment she lets down her guard and let's Ryder fully in (after a HATE F-K by the way), she becomes some vulnerable and trusting.
Now what we really need to talk about is the ending... I.A. Dice has done it again. She left us with a cliffhanger. We meet Koby's FMC which will only have you asking a hundred questions. And then there is something that happens in the last 10% that will literally have you saying WTF and lose hope on ever finding answers to a lot of questions. So yeah, I'm leaving this book with more questions than answers. I'm feral for Koby's book. And I am begging I.A. Dice for Noretto to get his own book!
You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Dark Romantic Suspense
- Mafia Vibes
- Morally Grey MMC
- Forced Proximity
- Enemies to Lovers
- Bodyguard
- Found Family
* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to I.A. Dice for allowing me the pleasure to read Catching Bianca as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review!
January 17, 2025
It pains me to rate this book less than 5 stars cause I love the author and her books. But this was not for me.
Brraking Hailey and Saving Hailey are my all time top favorite books. So I was excited for Ryder’s book. But the book fell flat to me. I didn’t feel the depth of the characters nor their chemistry. I didn’t feel any emotional connection between the couple and that’s a big issue for me. It was all based on lust. The whole book consisted of Ryder thinking how fuckable she is and Bianca being horny 24/7 and fantasizing about fucking Ryder. And after they’ve done the deed, Ryder thinking about fucking her again and Bianca still feeling him and wanting him again. Even the bits we got about Broadway and Violet was about fucking.
Except for the bits about Carter and Hailey which were so sweet and that’s why I gave more stars.
So I felt like the emphasis was more on lust and fucking than plot and emotional depth. The spice was good. This author always write scorching hot spice. But I did skim through it because I didn’t feel the intimacy within the spice. Again, it felt like pure lust which is not my cup of tea.
So for me, it didn’t feel like the same author who wrote Breaking Hailey/Saving Hailey wrote this one. Again, I read Carter & Hailey’s duet like 3 times and I’ll probably read it over and over. The chemistry between Carter and Hailey was off the chart, and their emotional connection was felt in every scene of them. Even when the spice was spicing, it still felt so intimate. I didn’t get any of that in Ryder’s book.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for spice but I like to still feel intimacy within the spice. I don’t like lust or spice just to make the book spicier. And I hate when the couple in a book just think about fucking all the damn time. And unfortunately, that’s what I felt about Ryder and Bianca. They didn’t have any sweet or cute moments. All they did was lust as mentioned above like horny teenagers.
Everytime they talked, their conversation was just sexual. Everythime they thought about each other was just sexual. The time they spent alone was just sexual. Even when they were with people, there were looking at each other just in a sexual way.
I also didn’t like or connect with Bianca. Her POV was just her being horny, turned on, and wet, or putting on a dress that barely covers her and squeezing out her boobs. I also found it weird that at the beginning of the story, she chose to stay over at Ryder, a guy who she barely knows and kinda hate, instead of her sister.
Ryder was okay. I would have liked for more character depth for him.
There was not so much plot either. The little plot that existed was in the background. I didn’t feel that it was strong enough. And even with this plot, I would have given it more stars if the relationship between Ryder and Bianca felt deeper than what it was.
Again, that’s my personal opinion. It doesn’t mean the book is bad. It’s just not my cup of tea. I still like the author and her books. Cause I will keep saying again and again that Breaking Hailey and Saving Hailey duet is a masterpiece with the perfect plot, perfect chemistry, perfect spice and perfect everything.
Looking forward for Koby’s book.
Brraking Hailey and Saving Hailey are my all time top favorite books. So I was excited for Ryder’s book. But the book fell flat to me. I didn’t feel the depth of the characters nor their chemistry. I didn’t feel any emotional connection between the couple and that’s a big issue for me. It was all based on lust. The whole book consisted of Ryder thinking how fuckable she is and Bianca being horny 24/7 and fantasizing about fucking Ryder. And after they’ve done the deed, Ryder thinking about fucking her again and Bianca still feeling him and wanting him again. Even the bits we got about Broadway and Violet was about fucking.
Except for the bits about Carter and Hailey which were so sweet and that’s why I gave more stars.
So I felt like the emphasis was more on lust and fucking than plot and emotional depth. The spice was good. This author always write scorching hot spice. But I did skim through it because I didn’t feel the intimacy within the spice. Again, it felt like pure lust which is not my cup of tea.
So for me, it didn’t feel like the same author who wrote Breaking Hailey/Saving Hailey wrote this one. Again, I read Carter & Hailey’s duet like 3 times and I’ll probably read it over and over. The chemistry between Carter and Hailey was off the chart, and their emotional connection was felt in every scene of them. Even when the spice was spicing, it still felt so intimate. I didn’t get any of that in Ryder’s book.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for spice but I like to still feel intimacy within the spice. I don’t like lust or spice just to make the book spicier. And I hate when the couple in a book just think about fucking all the damn time. And unfortunately, that’s what I felt about Ryder and Bianca. They didn’t have any sweet or cute moments. All they did was lust as mentioned above like horny teenagers.
Everytime they talked, their conversation was just sexual. Everythime they thought about each other was just sexual. The time they spent alone was just sexual. Even when they were with people, there were looking at each other just in a sexual way.
I also didn’t like or connect with Bianca. Her POV was just her being horny, turned on, and wet, or putting on a dress that barely covers her and squeezing out her boobs. I also found it weird that at the beginning of the story, she chose to stay over at Ryder, a guy who she barely knows and kinda hate, instead of her sister.
Ryder was okay. I would have liked for more character depth for him.
There was not so much plot either. The little plot that existed was in the background. I didn’t feel that it was strong enough. And even with this plot, I would have given it more stars if the relationship between Ryder and Bianca felt deeper than what it was.
Again, that’s my personal opinion. It doesn’t mean the book is bad. It’s just not my cup of tea. I still like the author and her books. Cause I will keep saying again and again that Breaking Hailey and Saving Hailey duet is a masterpiece with the perfect plot, perfect chemistry, perfect spice and perfect everything.
Looking forward for Koby’s book.
January 14, 2025
***4,25 "Fine!!!" stars***
"I mean, you wouldn't kill me, would you?"
"No, I wouldn't kill you... But I'd kill for you."
This series has literally become a shadow of obsession for me!!!
I love this world and I love its characters!!!
Carter, Hailey, Broadway, Violet and Koby were back into the game, but the protagonists in here were Ryder and Bianca!!!
Ryder is the tech guy of the bunch, the silent one, the more levelheaded... the one who you were thinking that he would be the more safe... But how wrong this belief can be!!!!
Ryder and Bianca were having a strange relationship.... Lust from first sight, hate bickering all the time and... bang!!! Chemistry off the charts!!! What else could you ask for???
"One wrong move will light the board on fire..."
The story picked up exactly where it left us in the previous book!!!
Bianca is on the run alongside Vaughn...
Ryder is the one that can not stop looking his monitors for a sight of her...
He has memorized everything there is about her and he just wants to catch her at last...
And then, his wish comes true and his possessive side is coming out to play!!!
Bianca is around him all the time, but her independent strike is giving on his nerves!!!
He needs to break her in order to have her, but her wild spirit and her awful "fines" are making it very hard for him to not bickering with her all the time...
Will Bianca surrender to Ryder's will or they will be both burnt by what they are feeling???
"She's nothing more than a job. A task. Carter's order.
An asset requiring protection.
Then why is a part of me screaming at the thought of not having her within reach?"
I loved Ryder... He was a quiet force!!!
I liked the way he was around Bianca... I liked his possessiveness over her!!!
I didn't like very much that he was hating the way Bianca was... It is not bad to be strong, even though you are dying inside to keep up the appearances... I can understand why he hated it, but I can understand Bianca's need to be like that!!!
I liked Bianca very much!!! She was a broken girl that had lived through many ugly things!!!
Yep, she needed to break and to count on another person for once in her life, but I was admiring how she was standing out for herself!!!
Ryder and Bianca were pure fire together!!!
"Fall, Winter. I'll catch you."
My obsession had started with Carter and Hailey, but I have loved all these characters here very much!!!
Three down, one more to go.... It's Koby's turn to fall and I can not wait to see that!!!
The glimpses that we already took here had made me wild and they were so intense that my patience's limits are not very high at the moment!!! LOL
And also I need many answers and a nice conclusion to everything that are happening with Blaze and Gray!!!
I totally recommend this series!!! It is a beautiful ride and you must take it too!!!
"What happens now?"
"Now... now it gets messy."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
"I mean, you wouldn't kill me, would you?"
"No, I wouldn't kill you... But I'd kill for you."
This series has literally become a shadow of obsession for me!!!
I love this world and I love its characters!!!
Carter, Hailey, Broadway, Violet and Koby were back into the game, but the protagonists in here were Ryder and Bianca!!!
Ryder is the tech guy of the bunch, the silent one, the more levelheaded... the one who you were thinking that he would be the more safe... But how wrong this belief can be!!!!
Ryder and Bianca were having a strange relationship.... Lust from first sight, hate bickering all the time and... bang!!! Chemistry off the charts!!! What else could you ask for???
"One wrong move will light the board on fire..."
The story picked up exactly where it left us in the previous book!!!
Bianca is on the run alongside Vaughn...
Ryder is the one that can not stop looking his monitors for a sight of her...
He has memorized everything there is about her and he just wants to catch her at last...
And then, his wish comes true and his possessive side is coming out to play!!!
Bianca is around him all the time, but her independent strike is giving on his nerves!!!
He needs to break her in order to have her, but her wild spirit and her awful "fines" are making it very hard for him to not bickering with her all the time...
Will Bianca surrender to Ryder's will or they will be both burnt by what they are feeling???
"She's nothing more than a job. A task. Carter's order.
An asset requiring protection.
Then why is a part of me screaming at the thought of not having her within reach?"
I loved Ryder... He was a quiet force!!!
I liked the way he was around Bianca... I liked his possessiveness over her!!!
I didn't like very much that he was hating the way Bianca was... It is not bad to be strong, even though you are dying inside to keep up the appearances... I can understand why he hated it, but I can understand Bianca's need to be like that!!!
I liked Bianca very much!!! She was a broken girl that had lived through many ugly things!!!
Yep, she needed to break and to count on another person for once in her life, but I was admiring how she was standing out for herself!!!
Ryder and Bianca were pure fire together!!!
"Fall, Winter. I'll catch you."
My obsession had started with Carter and Hailey, but I have loved all these characters here very much!!!
Three down, one more to go.... It's Koby's turn to fall and I can not wait to see that!!!
The glimpses that we already took here had made me wild and they were so intense that my patience's limits are not very high at the moment!!! LOL
And also I need many answers and a nice conclusion to everything that are happening with Blaze and Gray!!!
I totally recommend this series!!! It is a beautiful ride and you must take it too!!!
"What happens now?"
"Now... now it gets messy."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
August 5, 2025
“You’re cruel.”
“You’re exhausting. And you’re mine.”
“I’m yours.”
It's true what they say about the quiet ones...
However, Ryder is most definitely not the quiet one anymore. Bianca is one lucky girl.
Who would have thought that the one tickling the away at the laptop keyboard would be the one tickling away at...well....other little things 😉
“I lose half my brain cells when you touch me.”
“Good. I barely have any when I’m inside you.”
I really, really loved Hailey and Carter's story.
Broadway and Violet's was not my cup of tea.
Ryder and Bianca have brought me back into their crazy gang once again.
Now let's see what happens with Koby in th next book.
“You’re such a fucking asshole!”
“And you’re a cold bitch. We’re even.”
“You’re exhausting. And you’re mine.”
“I’m yours.”
It's true what they say about the quiet ones...
However, Ryder is most definitely not the quiet one anymore. Bianca is one lucky girl.
Who would have thought that the one tickling the away at the laptop keyboard would be the one tickling away at...well....other little things 😉
“I lose half my brain cells when you touch me.”
“Good. I barely have any when I’m inside you.”
I really, really loved Hailey and Carter's story.
Broadway and Violet's was not my cup of tea.
Ryder and Bianca have brought me back into their crazy gang once again.
Now let's see what happens with Koby in th next book.
“You’re such a fucking asshole!”
“And you’re a cold bitch. We’re even.”
January 13, 2025
4 ⭐️ | 3 🌶️ | arc review
It felt so nice to be back in this world, with Carter, Broadway, Koby and our MMC, Ryder.
Catching Bianca picks up where Finding Violet ends. We had unanswered questions, missing folks and wars to settle.
Ryder and Bianca’s relationship was a tumultuous one full of miscommunication, guarded feelings and big personalities. In the end, their love story was bold and beautifully vulnerable.
I’m looking forward to the conclusion of this series with Koby’s book.
It felt so nice to be back in this world, with Carter, Broadway, Koby and our MMC, Ryder.
Catching Bianca picks up where Finding Violet ends. We had unanswered questions, missing folks and wars to settle.
Ryder and Bianca’s relationship was a tumultuous one full of miscommunication, guarded feelings and big personalities. In the end, their love story was bold and beautifully vulnerable.
I’m looking forward to the conclusion of this series with Koby’s book.
February 7, 2025
Sup, Ryder baby.
🥵🥵
I loveeeeee this series. Romance, mafia, darkness. It’s perfection.
🥵🥵
I loveeeeee this series. Romance, mafia, darkness. It’s perfection.
January 13, 2025
ARC REVIEW
THANK YOU FOR THIS AMAZING OPPORTUNITY
This was amazing?? I love anything I. A. Dice writes and this book was no exception… I’m obsessed with the series and the characters.
I loved loved loved Ryder, the first two book I thought my favorite was Carter, while reading the 3rd book it became broadway (and he’s still a close second because I loved crazy and he’s another level) but now it’s Ryder and it might stay Ryder forever (I say this knowing full well that Kody is gonna change my mind lol)
This series is dark, twisted, full of unexpected turns and HILARIOUS (for the most part check tw pls)
I will eat up anything I. A. Dice writes!!!
THANK YOU FOR THIS AMAZING OPPORTUNITY
This was amazing?? I love anything I. A. Dice writes and this book was no exception… I’m obsessed with the series and the characters.
I loved loved loved Ryder, the first two book I thought my favorite was Carter, while reading the 3rd book it became broadway (and he’s still a close second because I loved crazy and he’s another level) but now it’s Ryder and it might stay Ryder forever (I say this knowing full well that Kody is gonna change my mind lol)
This series is dark, twisted, full of unexpected turns and HILARIOUS (for the most part check tw pls)
I will eat up anything I. A. Dice writes!!!
January 8, 2025
Oh my GOD how I love this series. I.A Dice’s writing is everything I need and more. I never wanted to put this down, so I read it in 6 hours. For me this book was on par with book 1 in the series, “Breaking Hailey”, which is my favourite!
I got frustrated with how hypocritical both Bianca and Ryder were about the other’s lack of feelings. I was screaming “just communicate for gods sake!” But honestly it was so realistic. Bianca with her history of neglect, not wanting to give herself away without reassurance, and Ryder being responsible for so many people’s safety, trying to avoid making things messy. And really the constant “I hate you” act just made the crescendo oh so much more satisfying.
I see why the book ended where it did, preparing for Koby’s story. But it still felt a little premature for Bianca and Ryder, really only just getting together, is she going to move to Columbus and sell her flower shop now? I guess it’ll be answered in book 5 but I am impatient.
I also would have liked to see more scenes between Bianca and Hailey, I know that Bianca wasn’t as keen to meet her half sister as Hailey was, but it still would’ve been nice to have some more relationship building besides the initial meeting and then talking about her sex life with Ryder.
I love that with each book, we’re still getting so much plot development and revisiting characters from books 1-3. Getting to the end of Broadway’s kill list was something I thought would just be glossed over since his story was already told, so I’m really glad those characters weren’t abandoned once their books were done. Carter had some really interesting moments too, Vaughn’s drastic decline was surprising to me, but more surprising was Carter’s almost empathy? He still condemned his father in law and wanted him dead, but I love that he acknowledged the many losses he’s suffered and tried to spare Hailey the pain of thinking her father was just a bad man, black and white. Don’t get me wrong, I personally am still glad Vaughn is dead but what a way to make me conflicted about it, damn.
First 5 star read of 2025 and I can’t wait for Koby’s story!
I got frustrated with how hypocritical both Bianca and Ryder were about the other’s lack of feelings. I was screaming “just communicate for gods sake!” But honestly it was so realistic. Bianca with her history of neglect, not wanting to give herself away without reassurance, and Ryder being responsible for so many people’s safety, trying to avoid making things messy. And really the constant “I hate you” act just made the crescendo oh so much more satisfying.
I see why the book ended where it did, preparing for Koby’s story. But it still felt a little premature for Bianca and Ryder, really only just getting together, is she going to move to Columbus and sell her flower shop now? I guess it’ll be answered in book 5 but I am impatient.
I also would have liked to see more scenes between Bianca and Hailey, I know that Bianca wasn’t as keen to meet her half sister as Hailey was, but it still would’ve been nice to have some more relationship building besides the initial meeting and then talking about her sex life with Ryder.
I love that with each book, we’re still getting so much plot development and revisiting characters from books 1-3. Getting to the end of Broadway’s kill list was something I thought would just be glossed over since his story was already told, so I’m really glad those characters weren’t abandoned once their books were done. Carter had some really interesting moments too, Vaughn’s drastic decline was surprising to me, but more surprising was Carter’s almost empathy? He still condemned his father in law and wanted him dead, but I love that he acknowledged the many losses he’s suffered and tried to spare Hailey the pain of thinking her father was just a bad man, black and white. Don’t get me wrong, I personally am still glad Vaughn is dead but what a way to make me conflicted about it, damn.
First 5 star read of 2025 and I can’t wait for Koby’s story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2025
I loved Breaking Hailey and Saving Hailey, and Finding Violet made me want to keep reading this series. Catching Bianca was unfortunately a really boring, though well written, read. There’s barely a plot. Bianca is hiding out with Vaughan, she realises Vaughan is creepy and delusional and flees, Bianca and Ryder fuck for 40% of the book and nothing else happens. Then there’s a plot climax that’s barely a climax. If I didn’t love Breaking Hailey and Saving Hailey this book would have been a DNF for me.
Bianca and Ryder, the FMC and MMC, are both emotionally immature and not very likeable. Their relationship is based on lust, not love and trust. He hated her being emotionally closed off and “independent” so instead of working to win her trust, he acted like an arsehole. He decided she owed him emotional vulnerability as soon as they met. She did nothing but bicker with him because she can’t trust people because of her past wah wah but she can’t understand why he won’t fuck her. Neither character has any emotional depth. There’s no real good reason for the two characters to “hate” each other for over 60% of the book, their reasons are entirely contrived. His attitude towards her independence and “feminism” screams toxic masculinity.
Bianca makes almost no effort to get to know her half-sister Hailey. There’s no meaningful dialogue with Hailey. I found this really disappointing.
The sex scenes are very spicy but I felt there was no chemistry between the FMC and MMC leading up to them. There are just repetitive monologues from them both about how good the other smells. The FMC is a horny, immature bitch, going to fuck another man in a bathroom ten minutes after meeting him, to try to get over the MMC and make him jealous, after they’ve already had sex once.
Who is Ryder? His family, history, emotions, how did he get into the life? He’s good with hacking and IT and he has a big dick. Lazy character and world building in this novel.
His pet names for her were cringe and patronising. I’m so sick of cringe pet names in books and how over used they are by MMCs!
Bianca and Ryder, the FMC and MMC, are both emotionally immature and not very likeable. Their relationship is based on lust, not love and trust. He hated her being emotionally closed off and “independent” so instead of working to win her trust, he acted like an arsehole. He decided she owed him emotional vulnerability as soon as they met. She did nothing but bicker with him because she can’t trust people because of her past wah wah but she can’t understand why he won’t fuck her. Neither character has any emotional depth. There’s no real good reason for the two characters to “hate” each other for over 60% of the book, their reasons are entirely contrived. His attitude towards her independence and “feminism” screams toxic masculinity.
Bianca makes almost no effort to get to know her half-sister Hailey. There’s no meaningful dialogue with Hailey. I found this really disappointing.
The sex scenes are very spicy but I felt there was no chemistry between the FMC and MMC leading up to them. There are just repetitive monologues from them both about how good the other smells. The FMC is a horny, immature bitch, going to fuck another man in a bathroom ten minutes after meeting him, to try to get over the MMC and make him jealous, after they’ve already had sex once.
Who is Ryder? His family, history, emotions, how did he get into the life? He’s good with hacking and IT and he has a big dick. Lazy character and world building in this novel.
His pet names for her were cringe and patronising. I’m so sick of cringe pet names in books and how over used they are by MMCs!
January 19, 2025
I finished this book so fast! Potentially a top 3 read of 2025. And January isnt even over!
I could relate to Bianca on so many levels. And Ryder.. i am a goner. He is my ideal bookboyfriend. Steady, loyal, commanding, dominant, soft and caring. He spoiled so many other men for me 🤣🤣
And the ending.. i am going to preorder Keeping Leilani as fast as I can.
I could relate to Bianca on so many levels. And Ryder.. i am a goner. He is my ideal bookboyfriend. Steady, loyal, commanding, dominant, soft and caring. He spoiled so many other men for me 🤣🤣
And the ending.. i am going to preorder Keeping Leilani as fast as I can.
January 23, 2025
Definitely my least fav of the series but still good!! I CANNOT WAIT FOR KOBYS BOOK OMG
January 23, 2025
It was definitely a good book but very similar to the rest. New girl in the picture and one of the men a part of the crew falls madly in love after never feeling this way about anyone and finally understands why the other love struck men in the crew would burn down the earth for their women.
It always strikes me as odd that in the later books none of the other relationships have really progressed. Like how are the other 2 couples not engaged or married or something by now?
Vaughn is disgusting.
It originally pissed me off that Ryder was only in love with her when she acted weak and needy but when she was strong he was annoyed. I think he needed to speak more about how it wasn’t the strength that bothered him but more the over exaggerated facade of strength she displayed. Cause tbh I was like; well this is me so if strong women are what turn men off then maybe now I get why only weak men like me.
But all in all it was still a good story.
It always strikes me as odd that in the later books none of the other relationships have really progressed. Like how are the other 2 couples not engaged or married or something by now?
Vaughn is disgusting.
It originally pissed me off that Ryder was only in love with her when she acted weak and needy but when she was strong he was annoyed. I think he needed to speak more about how it wasn’t the strength that bothered him but more the over exaggerated facade of strength she displayed. Cause tbh I was like; well this is me so if strong women are what turn men off then maybe now I get why only weak men like me.
But all in all it was still a good story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2025
4.
J'aime tlm cette série, contente de retrouver certains personnages et d'apprendre à connaitre un autre MCC de la bande des 4. Pas particulièrement apprécié l'accent mis sur le fait que les femmes qui se construisent une façade pour se protéger constitue un turn off pour le MMC ( you gotta earn la confiance de montre ses émotions) ou le besoin d'être un mâle protecteur, but oh well.
J'aime tlm cette série, contente de retrouver certains personnages et d'apprendre à connaitre un autre MCC de la bande des 4. Pas particulièrement apprécié l'accent mis sur le fait que les femmes qui se construisent une façade pour se protéger constitue un turn off pour le MMC ( you gotta earn la confiance de montre ses émotions) ou le besoin d'être un mâle protecteur, but oh well.
February 21, 2025
3.5
Ryder is for the independent baddies with trauma 😭
Ryder is for the independent baddies with trauma 😭
January 14, 2025
ARC REVIEW
First, THANK YOU! Reading this ARC was so exciting and well worth getting 0 of my responsibilities done for 2 days! 😉
The banter, the spice, and everything nice. I'm OBSESSED. AS USUAL.
5 ⭐️ 3 🔥
BOOK 4 picks up pretty quickly after book 3 leaves off. How amazing it was to jump right back into that world with Carter, Hailey, Broadway, Violet, Koby, and Ryder!
From the start, Ryder and Bianca's relationship is full of banter and tension. And man, is it good! Watching Ryder deal with his roller coaster emotions as he deals with winters roller coaster attitudes - Cold or vulnerable - was a fun ride. The dynamic between these two was something different than we've already seen in this world.
I had high expectations for book 4 after how much I've loved the series so far and it didn't disappoint one bit. This series has me in a chokehold. Honestly, so does everything else I. A. Dice writes.
That ending though... 🤯 I'M SO EXCITED!
First, THANK YOU! Reading this ARC was so exciting and well worth getting 0 of my responsibilities done for 2 days! 😉
The banter, the spice, and everything nice. I'm OBSESSED. AS USUAL.
5 ⭐️ 3 🔥
BOOK 4 picks up pretty quickly after book 3 leaves off. How amazing it was to jump right back into that world with Carter, Hailey, Broadway, Violet, Koby, and Ryder!
From the start, Ryder and Bianca's relationship is full of banter and tension. And man, is it good! Watching Ryder deal with his roller coaster emotions as he deals with winters roller coaster attitudes - Cold or vulnerable - was a fun ride. The dynamic between these two was something different than we've already seen in this world.
I had high expectations for book 4 after how much I've loved the series so far and it didn't disappoint one bit. This series has me in a chokehold. Honestly, so does everything else I. A. Dice writes.
That ending though... 🤯 I'M SO EXCITED!
April 4, 2025
This year is going to be a great year of reading if this is how it’s already starting.
Because when you thought the Shadows of Obsession series couldn’t get any better.. but with each book I.A. Dice writes she blows the previous out of the water.
Catching Bianca has all of our Mafia Family in it, but this one focuses on our man behind the screens that isn’t afraid to throw fists… Ryder and his current assignment Bianca. Honestly what I love most about this series is how hard and fast these big bad morally grey men fall for these women, and how absolutely nothing an no one will touch what is theirs. Even before they are even truly theirs yet. Like Winter or Summer or whatever seasonal name Ryder wants to call Bianca found out.
With all the Angst, heated gaze’s, the hate and all those petty fights .. made this book an absolute wild ride that I was totally all here for. Because who doesn’t love a good enemies to lovers story line 🥵💦
One thing I love about I.A. Dice’s writing style is that the characters stories don’t just stop in their designated books and their story lines all bleed into the other books. So your following violets Pregnancy and Hailey still wiping the floor with Carter. So it makes you feel like whether answers we didn’t get with Ryder and Bianca in this book we will more than likely get them in Kobys.
Because when you thought the Shadows of Obsession series couldn’t get any better.. but with each book I.A. Dice writes she blows the previous out of the water.
Catching Bianca has all of our Mafia Family in it, but this one focuses on our man behind the screens that isn’t afraid to throw fists… Ryder and his current assignment Bianca. Honestly what I love most about this series is how hard and fast these big bad morally grey men fall for these women, and how absolutely nothing an no one will touch what is theirs. Even before they are even truly theirs yet. Like Winter or Summer or whatever seasonal name Ryder wants to call Bianca found out.
With all the Angst, heated gaze’s, the hate and all those petty fights .. made this book an absolute wild ride that I was totally all here for. Because who doesn’t love a good enemies to lovers story line 🥵💦
One thing I love about I.A. Dice’s writing style is that the characters stories don’t just stop in their designated books and their story lines all bleed into the other books. So your following violets Pregnancy and Hailey still wiping the floor with Carter. So it makes you feel like whether answers we didn’t get with Ryder and Bianca in this book we will more than likely get them in Kobys.
January 17, 2025
I haven't done a long review in months so get everybody because shits about to go down. (And by that I mean I'm about to word vomit because I am that in love with this book)
If you put an IA Dice IV into I still wouldn’t have enough. From the moment I received an *early copy* for Breaking Hailey I have been hooked. Not only has IA become my favorite author, but her books immediately become my favorites. I read breaking Hailey about a year ago and I have never been the same since. It STILL crosses my mind at least 5 times a week. I struggle so hard not to reread it hundreds of times because I have a massive tbr to conquer. Each book in this series is EASILY 5 stars and this one is no different. Actually if i could give this one 10 stars, I would. I feared no one would be able to knock Carter and Hailey off the pedestal I put them on, but man was I wrong. I honestly don't think I have ever read a book as fast as this one. This one absolutely consumed me and went by so fast. I have absolutely no clue what I'm gonna do now while waiting on the next one, especially with that ending. Who am I kidding? I'm probably gonna go reread all the books…again.
I was on one hell of a rollercoaster while reading this and had no clue where it was going but I knew I loved what was going on. As per usual, the last few chapters though are going to take you on one hell of a roller coaster, so sit tight and buckle in. Everything you thought you knew, yeah you can go on and throw that out the window. And start your theories for the next book because I want to hear them.
Now…back to the ending. WHAT IN THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!?!
This is definitely my new favorite book in the series and I'm probably gonna reread it immediately. I can't figure out if there's something wrong with my brain or not, but I think this is my new favorite book and it makes me feel warm and cozy inside. And before you say anything, I know that it is a dark romance and that they're murderers. Call me crazy and delusional, I don't care. I am now going through the same thought process that Bianca was going through when she felt comfort with Ryder. I have never fallen harder or faster for a MMC or a FMC than I did for these 2. I actually like to pretend that I'm the FMC but I loved her so much I couldn't. I was a fly on the wall and I LOVED it.
If you put an IA Dice IV into I still wouldn’t have enough. From the moment I received an *early copy* for Breaking Hailey I have been hooked. Not only has IA become my favorite author, but her books immediately become my favorites. I read breaking Hailey about a year ago and I have never been the same since. It STILL crosses my mind at least 5 times a week. I struggle so hard not to reread it hundreds of times because I have a massive tbr to conquer. Each book in this series is EASILY 5 stars and this one is no different. Actually if i could give this one 10 stars, I would. I feared no one would be able to knock Carter and Hailey off the pedestal I put them on, but man was I wrong. I honestly don't think I have ever read a book as fast as this one. This one absolutely consumed me and went by so fast. I have absolutely no clue what I'm gonna do now while waiting on the next one, especially with that ending. Who am I kidding? I'm probably gonna go reread all the books…again.
I was on one hell of a rollercoaster while reading this and had no clue where it was going but I knew I loved what was going on. As per usual, the last few chapters though are going to take you on one hell of a roller coaster, so sit tight and buckle in. Everything you thought you knew, yeah you can go on and throw that out the window. And start your theories for the next book because I want to hear them.
Now…back to the ending. WHAT IN THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!?!
This is definitely my new favorite book in the series and I'm probably gonna reread it immediately. I can't figure out if there's something wrong with my brain or not, but I think this is my new favorite book and it makes me feel warm and cozy inside. And before you say anything, I know that it is a dark romance and that they're murderers. Call me crazy and delusional, I don't care. I am now going through the same thought process that Bianca was going through when she felt comfort with Ryder. I have never fallen harder or faster for a MMC or a FMC than I did for these 2. I actually like to pretend that I'm the FMC but I loved her so much I couldn't. I was a fly on the wall and I LOVED it.
January 14, 2025
**Arc review**-Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to arc read and give my honest opinion
I absolutely love this series that I.A. Dice has created for this world. This book focuses on Ryder and Bianca. We were introduced to Bianca in Finding Violet (book #3). Ryder has been a right hand man in this universe for all of the books thus far, but we finally got to connect with Ryder ( and boy do I love this man). This book really jumps into the story all in with Bianca being on the run with Vaughn and really delving into how much of a di*k Vaughn has truly become (we knew he was not the greatest in the previous books but didn't really know how much of a menace the man has become). Bianca is a FMC that has truly struggled with never fitting in anywhere, always being kind of forgotten or just out right neglected. She hasn't really forged a true connection with anyone in her life leading her to have serious trust and attachment issues which really leads her to becoming kind of a unlikeable FMC on a surface level because she is really cold and angry most of the time (unless were in her POV). Ryder throughout the book was that MAN. He is a bit different than the other MMCs in the series as he isn't quite as "hands on" in the organization, he's more the man behind the scene, the tech guru. Don't get me wrong he's still THAT dude with being the alpha obsessed guy we live and breathe for in the romance genre, but he's not Broadway (the psycho type of MMC from the previous installments). He becomes obsessed with Bianca from the very start since he's the one that has been tasked with looking for her since she was on the run with Vaughn in hiding. When they come together, the have to fight for their growing feelings for each other (it's very much a love at first sight for both of them but fighting it) as well as the ever growing threat of multiple people on different fronts. Bianca overcomes a lot of emotional burdens she's had to face all her life, it was really a beautiful journey to see her find her "person" and finally being able to open up by the end of the story. Ryder and Bianca's book was a game of push and pull throughout but also very gratifying in seeing how they end up together ( and their spicy times of course😏). I wish the story had more "flesh" for the ending as it felt very sudden in what happened and we didn't quite get a full "epilogue" for Ryder and Bianca but it was set up in a way that I believe we'll get to see more through Koby's story (which I am VERY eager to see next). I personally wouldn't recommend jumping into this as a standalone as much of the storyline takes place through the series and you won't get a full picture without reading the others first. I absolutely love I.A. Dice's writing style and the way that she writes her characters that we get to see character development as well as plot development come to life over the pages. Overall I loved Ryder and Bianca and their love story with a lot of action included.
I absolutely love this series that I.A. Dice has created for this world. This book focuses on Ryder and Bianca. We were introduced to Bianca in Finding Violet (book #3). Ryder has been a right hand man in this universe for all of the books thus far, but we finally got to connect with Ryder ( and boy do I love this man). This book really jumps into the story all in with Bianca being on the run with Vaughn and really delving into how much of a di*k Vaughn has truly become (we knew he was not the greatest in the previous books but didn't really know how much of a menace the man has become). Bianca is a FMC that has truly struggled with never fitting in anywhere, always being kind of forgotten or just out right neglected. She hasn't really forged a true connection with anyone in her life leading her to have serious trust and attachment issues which really leads her to becoming kind of a unlikeable FMC on a surface level because she is really cold and angry most of the time (unless were in her POV). Ryder throughout the book was that MAN. He is a bit different than the other MMCs in the series as he isn't quite as "hands on" in the organization, he's more the man behind the scene, the tech guru. Don't get me wrong he's still THAT dude with being the alpha obsessed guy we live and breathe for in the romance genre, but he's not Broadway (the psycho type of MMC from the previous installments). He becomes obsessed with Bianca from the very start since he's the one that has been tasked with looking for her since she was on the run with Vaughn in hiding. When they come together, the have to fight for their growing feelings for each other (it's very much a love at first sight for both of them but fighting it) as well as the ever growing threat of multiple people on different fronts. Bianca overcomes a lot of emotional burdens she's had to face all her life, it was really a beautiful journey to see her find her "person" and finally being able to open up by the end of the story. Ryder and Bianca's book was a game of push and pull throughout but also very gratifying in seeing how they end up together ( and their spicy times of course😏). I wish the story had more "flesh" for the ending as it felt very sudden in what happened and we didn't quite get a full "epilogue" for Ryder and Bianca but it was set up in a way that I believe we'll get to see more through Koby's story (which I am VERY eager to see next). I personally wouldn't recommend jumping into this as a standalone as much of the storyline takes place through the series and you won't get a full picture without reading the others first. I absolutely love I.A. Dice's writing style and the way that she writes her characters that we get to see character development as well as plot development come to life over the pages. Overall I loved Ryder and Bianca and their love story with a lot of action included.
January 14, 2025
🖤💀💜 ARC Review 💜💀🖤
First of all, thank you SO much to I.A.Dice for letting me read this as an ARC...it is by FAR my favourite mafia Romance Series and you NEED to read the first 3 books before you jump into this one.
Following on from Breaking Hailey, Saving Hailey and Finding Violet, I'm not going to lie and say the anticipation and expectations for the fourth book were HIGH....and once again, I.A.Dice did NOT disappoint!
Once again, right from page one you are sucked back in to the incredible world of The Shadows Of Obsession Series (and I for one am OBSESSED) You feel like you're right there in Scarlett, feeling the base of the music, the smell of the smoke and of course the deliciously heady scent of our FAVOURITE mafia gang doing what they all do best....being morally grey and black, yet smushing into putty in their women's hands!!
"How would it feel to be so loved? So cherished that any harm coming your way is met with indescribable wrath"
Bianca is so cold and closed off as we start to learn who she is and how her beautiful closed off mind works. She WANTS to feel, wants to love and be loved, it's just easier for her to freeze everyone out and cage herself off. When Ryder called her Winter for the first time I was SQUEALING...it just fit so well, until of course he finds the real Bianca and Summer enters!
"I want her in my space, even though I don't want her in my f*cking space"
Ryder is DELICIOUS...I have loved him in the previous books and I love him even more now. HE hates her cold hard front that she uses to protect herself from the world. Yet he LOVES the vulnerable side of her when it slips out, and when it does....this man is WEAK for all things Summer.
"F*ck me like you hate me" "I do hate you"
The spice is a slow-burn, but when it hits....it HITS. Tell me what is better between two characters that bicker and argue EVERY conversation they have for DAYS and WEEKS on end, than a HATE F*CK!!
"God's not here. You're welcome to worship at my alter instead, Winter"
Everything about this book is just perfection, pieces of the puzzle left missing from the first three books start to fall into place, and it gears you up and makes you wonder what we will find out in the next one. Vaughn has lost control and I was NOT expecting to read what I read....I was SCREAMING at my kindle!
I CANNOT review this book and NOT mention Broadway....he is FERAL in this book and I am here for it!! I am also SO excited at the prospect of Dante making an appearance again in the future. And lastly...
"Jesus. You two f*ck and I'm the one who needs a smoke"
KOBY!!!! He steals the show in parts of this book with his amazing one liners and if the last chapter is anything to go by....I cannot WAIT to read more about him, I may be in love already.
I strongly recommend that EVERYONE reads The Shadows Of Obsession series...what are you waiting for?
First of all, thank you SO much to I.A.Dice for letting me read this as an ARC...it is by FAR my favourite mafia Romance Series and you NEED to read the first 3 books before you jump into this one.
Following on from Breaking Hailey, Saving Hailey and Finding Violet, I'm not going to lie and say the anticipation and expectations for the fourth book were HIGH....and once again, I.A.Dice did NOT disappoint!
Once again, right from page one you are sucked back in to the incredible world of The Shadows Of Obsession Series (and I for one am OBSESSED) You feel like you're right there in Scarlett, feeling the base of the music, the smell of the smoke and of course the deliciously heady scent of our FAVOURITE mafia gang doing what they all do best....being morally grey and black, yet smushing into putty in their women's hands!!
"How would it feel to be so loved? So cherished that any harm coming your way is met with indescribable wrath"
Bianca is so cold and closed off as we start to learn who she is and how her beautiful closed off mind works. She WANTS to feel, wants to love and be loved, it's just easier for her to freeze everyone out and cage herself off. When Ryder called her Winter for the first time I was SQUEALING...it just fit so well, until of course he finds the real Bianca and Summer enters!
"I want her in my space, even though I don't want her in my f*cking space"
Ryder is DELICIOUS...I have loved him in the previous books and I love him even more now. HE hates her cold hard front that she uses to protect herself from the world. Yet he LOVES the vulnerable side of her when it slips out, and when it does....this man is WEAK for all things Summer.
"F*ck me like you hate me" "I do hate you"
The spice is a slow-burn, but when it hits....it HITS. Tell me what is better between two characters that bicker and argue EVERY conversation they have for DAYS and WEEKS on end, than a HATE F*CK!!
"God's not here. You're welcome to worship at my alter instead, Winter"
Everything about this book is just perfection, pieces of the puzzle left missing from the first three books start to fall into place, and it gears you up and makes you wonder what we will find out in the next one. Vaughn has lost control and I was NOT expecting to read what I read....I was SCREAMING at my kindle!
I CANNOT review this book and NOT mention Broadway....he is FERAL in this book and I am here for it!! I am also SO excited at the prospect of Dante making an appearance again in the future. And lastly...
"Jesus. You two f*ck and I'm the one who needs a smoke"
KOBY!!!! He steals the show in parts of this book with his amazing one liners and if the last chapter is anything to go by....I cannot WAIT to read more about him, I may be in love already.
I strongly recommend that EVERYONE reads The Shadows Of Obsession series...what are you waiting for?
January 14, 2025
ARC review 💚🪻💻
This is the 4th book in the Shadows of Obsession series and another incredible book written by I.A.Dice, when I think this woman can't top something she's written, she proves me wrong!!
Catching Bianca is Ryders story and he's been the quieter character throughout the Shadows of Obsession series so I wasn't sure what to expect. Boy was I wrong about him being the quiet one!!! 🥵🥵
This story is a bit of a slow burn with so much tension I found myself shouting at the book for Ryder to just kiss her already! There's also a bit of a enemies to lovers kind of vibe going but it's more "dislike your personality but damn your hot" sort of thing instead 😂 there is a lot of build up and tention in this book but it's 100% worth it because the chemistry and spicy scenes between Ryder and Bianca is just perfection 👌
Ryder is funny, very focused on work and because he's been hunting down Bianca he's become slightly Obsessed which is normal for the men in this world! I love how you see a different side to him in this book and the mouth on this man just 🥵🥵🥵🥵 also he had me going "awwwwwww"🫠🫠 on so many occasions throughout this book because as sexy as he is he's also extremely sweet!!
Bianca is a badass and she does not stand for any BS from anyone, she's very strong headed but the reason for it is so sad and you realise that what you see in the surface isn't who she is but her past has made her create this harder outer shell and she has built up walls so high. She's confident in her own skin and I love that!! I loved seeing her relationship with Hailey and I loved watching her grow as a character.
The spice in this book is just 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
This book does have a bit more gore then the others but honestly Broadway distracts you from that so you'll be fine 😂😂
The relationship between Ryder, Carter, Broadway and Koby in this book is absolutely amazing, the banter was hilarious and I loved seeing more from their characters throughout this book. I also loved seeing Hailey and Violet through this book too!
The ending was amazing and I can't wait to read Kobys story next!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
100000000% recommend this!!
This is the 4th book in the Shadows of Obsession series and another incredible book written by I.A.Dice, when I think this woman can't top something she's written, she proves me wrong!!
Catching Bianca is Ryders story and he's been the quieter character throughout the Shadows of Obsession series so I wasn't sure what to expect. Boy was I wrong about him being the quiet one!!! 🥵🥵
This story is a bit of a slow burn with so much tension I found myself shouting at the book for Ryder to just kiss her already! There's also a bit of a enemies to lovers kind of vibe going but it's more "dislike your personality but damn your hot" sort of thing instead 😂 there is a lot of build up and tention in this book but it's 100% worth it because the chemistry and spicy scenes between Ryder and Bianca is just perfection 👌
Ryder is funny, very focused on work and because he's been hunting down Bianca he's become slightly Obsessed which is normal for the men in this world! I love how you see a different side to him in this book and the mouth on this man just 🥵🥵🥵🥵 also he had me going "awwwwwww"🫠🫠 on so many occasions throughout this book because as sexy as he is he's also extremely sweet!!
Bianca is a badass and she does not stand for any BS from anyone, she's very strong headed but the reason for it is so sad and you realise that what you see in the surface isn't who she is but her past has made her create this harder outer shell and she has built up walls so high. She's confident in her own skin and I love that!! I loved seeing her relationship with Hailey and I loved watching her grow as a character.
The spice in this book is just 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
This book does have a bit more gore then the others but honestly Broadway distracts you from that so you'll be fine 😂😂
The relationship between Ryder, Carter, Broadway and Koby in this book is absolutely amazing, the banter was hilarious and I loved seeing more from their characters throughout this book. I also loved seeing Hailey and Violet through this book too!
The ending was amazing and I can't wait to read Kobys story next!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
100000000% recommend this!!
January 13, 2025
Summary
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5
💀 Multiple trauma triggers in this book - sensitive readers check before reading
This is my 4th trip back to I.A. Dice’s Shadows of Obsession series and I’m still hooked on these characters. This is a dark mafia themed romance series where all of MMCs are walking red flags in different degrees.
And whilst the stakes feel lower in this book compared to the first few (which is a nicely placed reprieve - I’m not sure how much more my heart could take) it’s no less hot. This book focuses on Ryder and Bianca’s story but we still get updates on our other favourite couples throughout. I really love the found family dynamic in these books and I think it’s something she does really well.
This was a really character driven story and there was some really good anxiety/MH representation weaved in here too which I love to see. I enjoyed both characters arcs. Watching Ryder break down Bianca’s walls and seeing her becoming more trusting and less prickly with the most unlikely man. I think anyone who’s ever felt like they can only count on themselves and is stubbornly independent will find her very relatable. Hopefully you’ll find her as relatable when she’s getting railed against the wall and if so good for you 😉
And Ryder… what can I even say? How she’s managed to write an unhinged, obsessive, red flag MMC who’s also a sweet soft boy with a filthy mouth, I don’t know but it just works. That being said Koby the best friend stole the show for me with his energy and comedic relief, now I am beyond excited to read his book. Especially after the bomb he drops at the end of this book 🤣 he’s wild, unhinged and hilarious and I need more immediately.
As with all I.A. Dice books the spice is spicing if you haven’t read any of her books yet she’s the queen of ‘you can give me one more’ 🫠🥵 so do with that what you will.
I did get occasionally annoyed with Ryders back and forth I love her/ I hate her but thats a me issue. Were the events in the last part of the book a little wild and unbelievable? Yes. But you’ve got to suspend reality a little when reading dark romance. And overall I love I.A. Dice’s writing and was definitely entertained when reading it.
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5
💀 Multiple trauma triggers in this book - sensitive readers check before reading
This is my 4th trip back to I.A. Dice’s Shadows of Obsession series and I’m still hooked on these characters. This is a dark mafia themed romance series where all of MMCs are walking red flags in different degrees.
And whilst the stakes feel lower in this book compared to the first few (which is a nicely placed reprieve - I’m not sure how much more my heart could take) it’s no less hot. This book focuses on Ryder and Bianca’s story but we still get updates on our other favourite couples throughout. I really love the found family dynamic in these books and I think it’s something she does really well.
This was a really character driven story and there was some really good anxiety/MH representation weaved in here too which I love to see. I enjoyed both characters arcs. Watching Ryder break down Bianca’s walls and seeing her becoming more trusting and less prickly with the most unlikely man. I think anyone who’s ever felt like they can only count on themselves and is stubbornly independent will find her very relatable. Hopefully you’ll find her as relatable when she’s getting railed against the wall and if so good for you 😉
And Ryder… what can I even say? How she’s managed to write an unhinged, obsessive, red flag MMC who’s also a sweet soft boy with a filthy mouth, I don’t know but it just works. That being said Koby the best friend stole the show for me with his energy and comedic relief, now I am beyond excited to read his book. Especially after the bomb he drops at the end of this book 🤣 he’s wild, unhinged and hilarious and I need more immediately.
As with all I.A. Dice books the spice is spicing if you haven’t read any of her books yet she’s the queen of ‘you can give me one more’ 🫠🥵 so do with that what you will.
I did get occasionally annoyed with Ryders back and forth I love her/ I hate her but thats a me issue. Were the events in the last part of the book a little wild and unbelievable? Yes. But you’ve got to suspend reality a little when reading dark romance. And overall I love I.A. Dice’s writing and was definitely entertained when reading it.
January 13, 2025
“you're so f*cking gorgeous when you cry”
Overall Rating: 5/5
When I.A. sends me something you better believe I drop everything to read it! This series seriously owns me, and Catching Bianca just made it worse (in the best way). Ryder, the genius hacker with a soft side, and Bianca, the guarded firecracker, are everything I didn’t know I needed. Their banter? So good. Their chemistry? Off the charts. And the spice? Let’s just say, wow.
I loved watching Ryder break through Bianca’s walls. He’s obsessive, protective, and still manages to have a sweet side that melts your heart. Bianca was such a standout—fierce, independent, and secretly craving someone who’d prove they were worth her trust.
The found family dynamic in this series keeps me coming back, it's honestly SO nice to catch up with all the old characters. Koby totally stole the show with his humor and energy in this one, and that ending with him and Leilani? I need the next book ASAP!
If you love dark romance with steam, a good series wide plot, strong characters, and a bit of chaos, you’ll eat this up. I.A. Dice does it again!
*all edits are mine - pictures are not
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January 15, 2025
I.A. Dice - Everytime I think she can't top the previous book, she adds yet another layer of unhinged brilliance. Thank you for letting me ARC read this gem!
"𝚂𝚑𝚎’𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝- 𝚠𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚙𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚒𝚛 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚢 𝚕𝚞𝚗𝚐𝚜."
Book 4 introduces us to Ryder, the tech genius of the group. He's precise and focused on the task at hand. While searching for Bianca, he becomes fiercely protective of her, and when they finally meet, his possessiveness skyrockets.
"𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎, 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎."
Bianca, our strong-willed FMC, finds it hard to trust anyone but herself, and it takes Ryder to finally break down her walls. Despite not being as 'hands-on' as others in the organisation, he's no less obsessed or unhinged when it comes to his girl – which is exactly what we all love in a dark romance.
“𝙶𝚘𝚍, 𝚢𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚐𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚛𝚢"
Ryder and Bianca’s relationship is tumultuous, filled with miscommunication, guarded emotions, and big personalities.
“𝙸𝚝 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝙸’𝚖 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐,” 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚞𝚝. “𝙵𝚊𝚕𝚕, 𝚆𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛. 𝙸’𝚕𝚕 𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞.”
Their love story is bold, passionate and beautifully vulnerable. The spice takes a little time to develop, but once it does, it’s positively sizzling!
“𝙶𝚘𝚍’𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎. 𝚈𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙 𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚊𝚛 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚍, 𝚆𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛.”
“𝚈𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚢 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎.”
What I adore about this series is that with each book, we still get substantial plot development and revisit characters from books 1-3. Especially Koby! He steals the show in parts of this book with his fantastic one-liners. I cannot wait for his book next!
“𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸’𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚖𝚘𝚔𝚎."
#darkromancereads #darkromance #darkromancebooks #arcreview #arcreader #bookrecommendation
"𝚂𝚑𝚎’𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝- 𝚠𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚙𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚒𝚛 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚢 𝚕𝚞𝚗𝚐𝚜."
Book 4 introduces us to Ryder, the tech genius of the group. He's precise and focused on the task at hand. While searching for Bianca, he becomes fiercely protective of her, and when they finally meet, his possessiveness skyrockets.
"𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎, 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎."
Bianca, our strong-willed FMC, finds it hard to trust anyone but herself, and it takes Ryder to finally break down her walls. Despite not being as 'hands-on' as others in the organisation, he's no less obsessed or unhinged when it comes to his girl – which is exactly what we all love in a dark romance.
“𝙶𝚘𝚍, 𝚢𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚐𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚛𝚢"
Ryder and Bianca’s relationship is tumultuous, filled with miscommunication, guarded emotions, and big personalities.
“𝙸𝚝 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝙸’𝚖 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐,” 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚞𝚝. “𝙵𝚊𝚕𝚕, 𝚆𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛. 𝙸’𝚕𝚕 𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞.”
Their love story is bold, passionate and beautifully vulnerable. The spice takes a little time to develop, but once it does, it’s positively sizzling!
“𝙶𝚘𝚍’𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎. 𝚈𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙 𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚊𝚛 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚍, 𝚆𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛.”
“𝚈𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚢 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎.”
What I adore about this series is that with each book, we still get substantial plot development and revisit characters from books 1-3. Especially Koby! He steals the show in parts of this book with his fantastic one-liners. I cannot wait for his book next!
“𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸’𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚖𝚘𝚔𝚎."
#darkromancereads #darkromance #darkromancebooks #arcreview #arcreader #bookrecommendation
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2025
🔥Goddamn I.A Dice never fails to deliver.
I enjoyed this whole series like watching a tv show inside my head.
🔶so Bianca is a tough nut to crack
she hides behind her anger because she is not used to affection she made a mistake searching for Vaughn and staying with him thinking he's gonna be a good stepdad but guess what?? He fucked it all up he is messed in the head!.
but her vulnerability draws rydar like a bee to a honey comb he wants her submission but every time she shows a tiny bit of her true emotions it doesnt last long until she masks it off immediately with anger and that pisses rydar off. specially when she keeps using the word "FINE" and i quote:👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
🔺"Is it possible to erase a word from someone’s dictionary? Because I’d love to erase fine from hers. It’s her go-to mood. She��s never sad, annoyed, sleepy, or tired. She’s fine. Always fine. So fucking fine it drives me up the wall."🔺
🔺“You don’t make conversation easy. I’m trying here. Can you do me the courtesy of not acting like a dick whenever I open my mouth?” “It’s not my fault you snap whenever I open mine.”🔺
🔶thats mostly what their problem nd bickering is all about through half this book nd the tension between them..sooo good.
Rydar was already a goner the moment he saw her picture the first time,he couldnt take his eyes off her nd memorized every detail in her face
his obsession started even before he knew it himself but kept pushing it further away for no solid reason until he doesnt !. he's an observer he analyzes memorizes and calculates his threats carefully..
Now lets talk about Koby and his late behavior..i mean whaaaaaatt im soooo looking forward to read his book (Keeping Leilany) and i do want this Grey matter to be over with.
I enjoyed this whole series like watching a tv show inside my head.
🔶so Bianca is a tough nut to crack
she hides behind her anger because she is not used to affection she made a mistake searching for Vaughn and staying with him thinking he's gonna be a good stepdad but guess what?? He fucked it all up he is messed in the head!.
but her vulnerability draws rydar like a bee to a honey comb he wants her submission but every time she shows a tiny bit of her true emotions it doesnt last long until she masks it off immediately with anger and that pisses rydar off. specially when she keeps using the word "FINE" and i quote:👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
🔺"Is it possible to erase a word from someone’s dictionary? Because I’d love to erase fine from hers. It’s her go-to mood. She��s never sad, annoyed, sleepy, or tired. She’s fine. Always fine. So fucking fine it drives me up the wall."🔺
🔺“You don’t make conversation easy. I’m trying here. Can you do me the courtesy of not acting like a dick whenever I open my mouth?” “It’s not my fault you snap whenever I open mine.”🔺
🔶thats mostly what their problem nd bickering is all about through half this book nd the tension between them..sooo good.
Rydar was already a goner the moment he saw her picture the first time,he couldnt take his eyes off her nd memorized every detail in her face
his obsession started even before he knew it himself but kept pushing it further away for no solid reason until he doesnt !. he's an observer he analyzes memorizes and calculates his threats carefully..
Now lets talk about Koby and his late behavior..i mean whaaaaaatt im soooo looking forward to read his book (Keeping Leilany) and i do want this Grey matter to be over with.
January 8, 2025
**ARC REVIEW** Minimal to No Spoilers
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Series: 4th Book of Shadows of Obsession
Couple: Bianca and Ryder
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
This is the fourth book in a five book series, which follows our MC Ryder and the firecracker MC Bianca that captures his attention. The first two (Breaking Hailey & Saving Hailey) follow one couple, Hailey and Carter. The third novel (Finding Violet) follow a different couple, Violet and Broadway.
I have loved the Shadows of Obsession Series since I first opened Breaking Hailey. I fell in love with the characters and their stories and how flawless the stories melded. The writing is one of my favorite things about this book because it isn’t just a dark romance with some steamy spice but it has background to it and a story to follow.
This book took my heart and rattled it with Bianca and how brokenhearted she was to start out. I found myself wanting to strangle Ryder more often then not because he was so hot and cold, granted she was too, but he would go back and fourth on wanting her and not wanting her JUST BECAUSE she had guards up. Like, of course she did you asshat! Don’t even get me started on Hailey’s dad and how he was supposed to protect her and Bianca but turned his back on both. The only thing I’ll say wasn’t my favorite was the lull in the relationship timeline. It seemed like the same thing kept happening for longer than needed but it helped the buildup so it’s not all too bad.
This novel was beautiful and heartbreakingly funny in the way this made family love and takes care of each other. I am at the edge of my seat waiting for the final installment of this series and where Koby will end up.
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Series: 4th Book of Shadows of Obsession
Couple: Bianca and Ryder
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
This is the fourth book in a five book series, which follows our MC Ryder and the firecracker MC Bianca that captures his attention. The first two (Breaking Hailey & Saving Hailey) follow one couple, Hailey and Carter. The third novel (Finding Violet) follow a different couple, Violet and Broadway.
I have loved the Shadows of Obsession Series since I first opened Breaking Hailey. I fell in love with the characters and their stories and how flawless the stories melded. The writing is one of my favorite things about this book because it isn’t just a dark romance with some steamy spice but it has background to it and a story to follow.
This book took my heart and rattled it with Bianca and how brokenhearted she was to start out. I found myself wanting to strangle Ryder more often then not because he was so hot and cold, granted she was too, but he would go back and fourth on wanting her and not wanting her JUST BECAUSE she had guards up. Like, of course she did you asshat! Don’t even get me started on Hailey’s dad and how he was supposed to protect her and Bianca but turned his back on both. The only thing I’ll say wasn’t my favorite was the lull in the relationship timeline. It seemed like the same thing kept happening for longer than needed but it helped the buildup so it’s not all too bad.
This novel was beautiful and heartbreakingly funny in the way this made family love and takes care of each other. I am at the edge of my seat waiting for the final installment of this series and where Koby will end up.
January 10, 2025
First and Foremost, WOW! Phenomenal book again by the amazing I.A. Dice
i Loved catching up with the old crew and seeing how they were doing. Carter and Hailey are same as always. Broadway is absolutely incredible in this book, he is determined and some of those torch scenes made my stomach curttle. But those men got what they deserved, I stand by that. i loved seeing Violet come out of her shell a little more in this book, I am here for and all girl book, just filled with chapters of girl talk. Now onto Ryder and Biance. Ryder is HOT, definitly deserving of book boyfriend, that first spicy scene in his kitchen where he made her beg, just absolute bliss, I loved it. He is a tame dom and knows what he wants and doesn't want to settle for anything less. Im here for his Stubborness. Biance is equally Bratty and Stubborn, She is so determined to be independent, but when she lets her walls start to come down for Ryder I got weak. She is a well rounded character that hits all the marks. Vaughn is unhinged, goodbye and good riddance (IYKYK) I am so so happy about that plot twist beause I was for sure Biance was about to get hurt, or even Ryder or Carter, when he blamed him for taking everything away. Now lets discuss that cliff hanger, can't we end a book without a sudden cliff hanger, of course not. I am dangling and I need the answers, I am super excited to read Koby's story, hopefully soon, because I am unwell with questions. Way to go I.A. Dice on another phenomenal book, you have awesome talent!
i Loved catching up with the old crew and seeing how they were doing. Carter and Hailey are same as always. Broadway is absolutely incredible in this book, he is determined and some of those torch scenes made my stomach curttle. But those men got what they deserved, I stand by that. i loved seeing Violet come out of her shell a little more in this book, I am here for and all girl book, just filled with chapters of girl talk. Now onto Ryder and Biance. Ryder is HOT, definitly deserving of book boyfriend, that first spicy scene in his kitchen where he made her beg, just absolute bliss, I loved it. He is a tame dom and knows what he wants and doesn't want to settle for anything less. Im here for his Stubborness. Biance is equally Bratty and Stubborn, She is so determined to be independent, but when she lets her walls start to come down for Ryder I got weak. She is a well rounded character that hits all the marks. Vaughn is unhinged, goodbye and good riddance (IYKYK) I am so so happy about that plot twist beause I was for sure Biance was about to get hurt, or even Ryder or Carter, when he blamed him for taking everything away. Now lets discuss that cliff hanger, can't we end a book without a sudden cliff hanger, of course not. I am dangling and I need the answers, I am super excited to read Koby's story, hopefully soon, because I am unwell with questions. Way to go I.A. Dice on another phenomenal book, you have awesome talent!
January 11, 2025
Finished this in 2 sittings the day after I received the ARC. As always I couldn’t put it down!
I loved that Ryder had such a soft soul, a side we didn’t always see from the MMC’s in the other books, and it made him melt my heart. Yes you heard me. A ruthless mafia man melted my heart.
Bianca was an independent and extremely guarded FMC. Ryder spent a lot of this book trying to break down these walls and get her to let him in. I think Bianca secretly wanted him to be worth that and wanted to be taken care of, as was made clear at the start of the book but she was scared because of previous trauma. I enjoyed watching her thawe and drop her guard, it felt extremely rewarding to read.
The spice was SPICY! So well written and also well placed. It was delicious! I found each spicy scene had something a little bit different and it had me HOT for Ryder that’s for sure!
The found family in this series now is what keeps me reading and has me hooked. I literally love them all! I A Dice has created a world and characters that I am so invested in and will keep returning for more. The side characters all have main character energy and are equally as important to the story of each book. Broadway was soooo deeply unhinged in this I swear my jaw almost broke when it hit the floor! WOW! The man truly has no limit for what he wouldn’t do for his girl!
And Koby! Koby Koby Koby. Some of my favourite parts of this book included him. He is such a golden retriever guy, yet I know he has such a feral and unhinged side too. He brought lots of comedic relief and from the ending of this book I just know his next book is going to bring ALL the drama, tension & plot!
I loved that Ryder had such a soft soul, a side we didn’t always see from the MMC’s in the other books, and it made him melt my heart. Yes you heard me. A ruthless mafia man melted my heart.
Bianca was an independent and extremely guarded FMC. Ryder spent a lot of this book trying to break down these walls and get her to let him in. I think Bianca secretly wanted him to be worth that and wanted to be taken care of, as was made clear at the start of the book but she was scared because of previous trauma. I enjoyed watching her thawe and drop her guard, it felt extremely rewarding to read.
The spice was SPICY! So well written and also well placed. It was delicious! I found each spicy scene had something a little bit different and it had me HOT for Ryder that’s for sure!
The found family in this series now is what keeps me reading and has me hooked. I literally love them all! I A Dice has created a world and characters that I am so invested in and will keep returning for more. The side characters all have main character energy and are equally as important to the story of each book. Broadway was soooo deeply unhinged in this I swear my jaw almost broke when it hit the floor! WOW! The man truly has no limit for what he wouldn’t do for his girl!
And Koby! Koby Koby Koby. Some of my favourite parts of this book included him. He is such a golden retriever guy, yet I know he has such a feral and unhinged side too. He brought lots of comedic relief and from the ending of this book I just know his next book is going to bring ALL the drama, tension & plot!
January 9, 2025
Catching Bianca / ARC Review
This is the 4th book in the Shadows of obsession series. Even though it techically is a standalone, it is however interconnected to the previous books in the series. For the better reading experience, plot and character development, i strongly suggest you start with Breaking Hailey and continue with Saving Hailey and Finding Violet. If you already have, then you know how Bianca comes into the story and that Ryder spends months tracking her down. Until he finds her…..O.M.G. this is not an instalove even though there is a strong attaction between them….
After finished reading this highly anticipated book, i am in awe….I.A. Dice’s writting is phenomenal....once again the plot was excellent, not one word or scene out of place, not one cringy line, I felt it all...their push and pull...Bianca finally letting her guards down, Ryder seeing her true self...giving in....setting everything, including me, on fire...i loved them together...extra points for the song references in the intimate scenes....those small details that deliver such an excellent reading experience!!! Seeing Carter, Broadway and Koby again was chef’s kiss. Their banter….and all the unhinged moments….
And that ending....everything will come together in the next book....the thought that Dante would make a come back has me so excited already!!!
This a solid 5 star and a must read book, I.A. Dice wrote it after all and she always delivers!
This is the 4th book in the Shadows of obsession series. Even though it techically is a standalone, it is however interconnected to the previous books in the series. For the better reading experience, plot and character development, i strongly suggest you start with Breaking Hailey and continue with Saving Hailey and Finding Violet. If you already have, then you know how Bianca comes into the story and that Ryder spends months tracking her down. Until he finds her…..O.M.G. this is not an instalove even though there is a strong attaction between them….
After finished reading this highly anticipated book, i am in awe….I.A. Dice’s writting is phenomenal....once again the plot was excellent, not one word or scene out of place, not one cringy line, I felt it all...their push and pull...Bianca finally letting her guards down, Ryder seeing her true self...giving in....setting everything, including me, on fire...i loved them together...extra points for the song references in the intimate scenes....those small details that deliver such an excellent reading experience!!! Seeing Carter, Broadway and Koby again was chef’s kiss. Their banter….and all the unhinged moments….
And that ending....everything will come together in the next book....the thought that Dante would make a come back has me so excited already!!!
This a solid 5 star and a must read book, I.A. Dice wrote it after all and she always delivers!
February 5, 2025
I am crushed to say that I DNF’d this around 65%. I loved Breaking Hailey soo much, and I can’t even believe this is the same author. Bianca and Ryder are both incredibly unlikable, and there’s not an ounce of chemistry or connection between them. They’re rude and antagonistic to each other for no apparent reason, with occasional moments of lusting after each other, which honestly feels like it comes out of nowhere. There are no sweet moments between them, nothing where you can see a romance start to blossom. It’s just lust, and even that seems pretty hit or miss.
There’s no plot here. I enjoyed seeing characters from the previous books in the fjrst 20% of the story, but that was also a huge amount of time to wait for Bianca and Ryder to even meet. After that, the storyline just seems to be the two of them sniping at and/or ignoring each other at her apartment. I assume something must happen eventually with Noretto or Vaughn, but I don’t care enough to find out.
Then the last straw for me - Bianca takes a stranger in the club bathroom to hook up with him. At 65% of the way into the book. She should be sold on Ryder by now. Even if their relationship isn’t solid by this point, it should be repulsive to her to hook up with someone else. That’s a clear indication that there’s no relationship between them, and I hate her even more for being willing to basically cheat on him. That’s when I returned the book to KU and decided it was time to move on.
There’s no plot here. I enjoyed seeing characters from the previous books in the fjrst 20% of the story, but that was also a huge amount of time to wait for Bianca and Ryder to even meet. After that, the storyline just seems to be the two of them sniping at and/or ignoring each other at her apartment. I assume something must happen eventually with Noretto or Vaughn, but I don’t care enough to find out.
Then the last straw for me - Bianca takes a stranger in the club bathroom to hook up with him. At 65% of the way into the book. She should be sold on Ryder by now. Even if their relationship isn’t solid by this point, it should be repulsive to her to hook up with someone else. That’s a clear indication that there’s no relationship between them, and I hate her even more for being willing to basically cheat on him. That’s when I returned the book to KU and decided it was time to move on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2025
If you've been following me for a while you will know my complete love of the series by @ia.dice and once again I have luckily been given the chance to ARC read the latest installment of the series - Catching Bianca.
Five seems to be the magic number (IYKYK) and this deserves every star. Once again one of the stern morally grey crew that surrounds Carter meets their match and goes absolutely feral in their need to protect them.
We first learned of Bianca at the end of Violets story and this book picks up where it left off, telling the story of what happened to Bianca before she runs head first into Carter's world in order to escape the situation she found herself in on the run.
I did love the progression of her character and her emotional vulnerability - as a female who is also often 'fine', it was great to read about her vulnerabilities and how Ryder supports her through it.
And the spice in this book - the bossiness, themes of exhibitionism and denied orgasms and so much more really added to the angst and push and pull of their developing feelings and made for some super hot reading 🥵
I don't want to say too much but the conclusion of this book is explosive (but was a long time coming!) and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here...
Like dark romance with morally grey possessive men who is a dom in the bedroom? This is for you!
Five seems to be the magic number (IYKYK) and this deserves every star. Once again one of the stern morally grey crew that surrounds Carter meets their match and goes absolutely feral in their need to protect them.
We first learned of Bianca at the end of Violets story and this book picks up where it left off, telling the story of what happened to Bianca before she runs head first into Carter's world in order to escape the situation she found herself in on the run.
I did love the progression of her character and her emotional vulnerability - as a female who is also often 'fine', it was great to read about her vulnerabilities and how Ryder supports her through it.
And the spice in this book - the bossiness, themes of exhibitionism and denied orgasms and so much more really added to the angst and push and pull of their developing feelings and made for some super hot reading 🥵
I don't want to say too much but the conclusion of this book is explosive (but was a long time coming!) and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here...
Like dark romance with morally grey possessive men who is a dom in the bedroom? This is for you!
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