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Kings of Sydney #1
King's Price
His marriage deal... Her sexual awakening!
Unscrupulous businessman Leon King is going legit. A calculated marriage to the daughter of a wealthy Sydney philanthropist could help redeem his family's reputation. But Vita Hamilton has her own scandal to a decade-old sex tape that still haunts her. Getting emotionally involved with Vita will cost Leon dearly. With their intense sexual connection, is it a price this King is willing to pay?
Unscrupulous businessman Leon King is going legit. A calculated marriage to the daughter of a wealthy Sydney philanthropist could help redeem his family's reputation. But Vita Hamilton has her own scandal to a decade-old sex tape that still haunts her. Getting emotionally involved with Vita will cost Leon dearly. With their intense sexual connection, is it a price this King is willing to pay?
Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2018
50 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Ashenden
500 books979 followersJackie has been writing fiction since she was eleven years old. Mild mannered fantasy/SF/pseudo-literary writer by day, obsessive romance writer by night, she used to balance her writing with the more serious job of librarianship until a chance meeting with another romance writer prompted her to throw off the shackles of her day job and devote herself to the true love of her heart – writing romance. She particularly likes to write dark, emotional stories with alpha heroes who've just got the world to their liking only to have it blown wide apart by their kick-ass heroines.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 10, 2019
King's Price by Jackie Ashenden is a quick 200 page read which jumps straight off from the beginning,with blackmail,lots of sexual tension, 2 people with broken past's and a real wedding of course 🙄
Easy, fun and definitely on the sexy/sweet side.
Easy, fun and definitely on the sexy/sweet side.
July 5, 2019
3.5 - Color Me Surprised - Stars
Well, this actually turned out to be a pretty good story. At the beginning our hero, Leon was a bit of an ass but it didn't take too long for me to realize he actually does have a soft and protective side. So much so, he felt that he didn't deserve our heroine in the end.
Leon and his brothers are trying to remove the taint of their criminal father from their name and wish to start by getting involved in some high end real estate. In order to do that, they need the backing of some investors with the help of a local philanthropist...who just so happens to have crippling gambling debts, that Leon is willing to pay off, if he allows Leon to marry his daughter, Clara.
Well, of course, that isn't what happens. He is getting the other daughter, the "disgraced" daughter, Vita. Vita only agrees so her debt to her father will be erased and because she thinks if she goes to Leon and tells him about the switcheroo her father is planning, he won't want the marriage. However, Leon ends up doing the opposite. He is intrigued by Vita although he doesn't know why.
This is a story of two damaged people, hurt by their respective pasts, who form a relationship that starts out just about sex but becomes something more.
I'm intrigued enough to read the rest in this series.
Quotes & Faves:
♥ Staring at me with wonder. With awe. As if I was more than a monster in an expensive suit, a criminal with a pretty face.
As if I was someone worth looking at.
♥ My heart didn’t turn over this time. It stood still. Leon when he sees Vita in her wedding dress.
♥ I turned sharply, taking my arm from around her so I could cup her face between my palms. ‘They hurt you. What did they say?’ Fury ran hot in my veins, and along with it, the need for violent punishment. ‘I meant it. I’ll fucking kill them if they—’ Over protective mode. Gimme!
♥ "My happy ending has you in it." Vita to Leon. He told her he just wanted her to have her happy ending by getting revenge on the guy who humiliated her and everyone who laughed at her because of it.
♥ It was because of the way she was looking at me. As if I was the only thing worth looking at in her entire world.
Well, this actually turned out to be a pretty good story. At the beginning our hero, Leon was a bit of an ass but it didn't take too long for me to realize he actually does have a soft and protective side. So much so, he felt that he didn't deserve our heroine in the end.
Leon and his brothers are trying to remove the taint of their criminal father from their name and wish to start by getting involved in some high end real estate. In order to do that, they need the backing of some investors with the help of a local philanthropist...who just so happens to have crippling gambling debts, that Leon is willing to pay off, if he allows Leon to marry his daughter, Clara.
Well, of course, that isn't what happens. He is getting the other daughter, the "disgraced" daughter, Vita. Vita only agrees so her debt to her father will be erased and because she thinks if she goes to Leon and tells him about the switcheroo her father is planning, he won't want the marriage. However, Leon ends up doing the opposite. He is intrigued by Vita although he doesn't know why.
This is a story of two damaged people, hurt by their respective pasts, who form a relationship that starts out just about sex but becomes something more.
I'm intrigued enough to read the rest in this series.
Quotes & Faves:
♥ Staring at me with wonder. With awe. As if I was more than a monster in an expensive suit, a criminal with a pretty face.
As if I was someone worth looking at.
♥ My heart didn’t turn over this time. It stood still. Leon when he sees Vita in her wedding dress.
♥ I turned sharply, taking my arm from around her so I could cup her face between my palms. ‘They hurt you. What did they say?’ Fury ran hot in my veins, and along with it, the need for violent punishment. ‘I meant it. I’ll fucking kill them if they—’ Over protective mode. Gimme!
♥ "My happy ending has you in it." Vita to Leon. He told her he just wanted her to have her happy ending by getting revenge on the guy who humiliated her and everyone who laughed at her because of it.
♥ It was because of the way she was looking at me. As if I was the only thing worth looking at in her entire world.
September 18, 2018
Let me start by admitting that I am a fan of Jackie Ashenden and her novels, and for good reason--the ones I've read so far are all excellent, engrossing, sexy, hot and moving reads, and King's Price, the first novel in her Kings of Sydney series, is no exception, and it gets 5 sleep-deprived stars from this reader.
The story is rather uncomplicated. Leon King, is one of three sons of their now incarcerated, tough guy, mob boss father. For years he worked as one of his father's enforcers, but now that his father is in prison, he and his brothers want to change their image and become legitimate real estate developers, but with their father's more than sullied name and reputation, it's no easy task. Leon comes up with a plan to have big-name real estate developer, Thomas Hamilton, help to convince his wealthy connections and investors that the King brothers are now honest businessmen, and trustworthy enough to invest their money in the new development they are planning. But in order for his plan to succeed, Leon needs insurance--something to clinch the deal, to prove that what Thomas Hamilton is saying is the truth. His back-up insurance plan involves him marrying Hamilton's beautiful, socialite daughter, Clara. Leon has done his homework, and has discovered that Hamilton has amassed huge gambling debts. In exchange for his marriage to Clara, he'll pay off Hamilton's debts. Win-win, right? Not quite. Hamilton has two daughters, Clara and her scientist sister, Vita. When Vita Hamilton hears of this plan, she sets up a meeting with Leon King and while he's expecting Clara to show up at theclub, it's Vita who shows up--and she's the less attractive, studious and brainy daughter, who has spent the last 10 years pursuing her career and avoiding men because of something that happened to her at age 17 that she's yet to live down.
Her honesty and willingness to be the sacrificial lamb in Leon's plan surprises him, and he doesn't find her unattractive, nor does it matter to him which daughter he marries. The deal is simple, they'll be seen dating, pretend to fall in love and then marry. Shortly after the wedding, Leon will leave town, leave her their home, and then divorce her six months later, having achieved his purpose. He won't touch her unless is something she wants, and how could she not want this gorgeous, but emotionally closed-off hunk? Is she willing to take a chance on him and possibly risk public humiliation and her heart yet again? You're going to have to read this novel to find out, since I don't do spoilers.
What Jackie Ashenden does in her novels is more than just tell you a sexy, erotic story, she's wonderfully adept at fully developing her characters, and she does it again in this novel by using alternating narration, so that you feel what each character is feeling, you understand their past and present issues and motivations, and you want things to turn out right for them. Be warned, you might shed a tear or two along the way, as I did, to get to the HEA ending.
For a short read, this novel is emotionally powerful, contains just the right about of conflict and suspense, and there's plenty of explicit heat for the over 18 crowd. I am so looking forward to reading the next two novels in this series, which I'm sure will feature Leon's two brothers. Don't miss this one though--it's a gem!
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
The story is rather uncomplicated. Leon King, is one of three sons of their now incarcerated, tough guy, mob boss father. For years he worked as one of his father's enforcers, but now that his father is in prison, he and his brothers want to change their image and become legitimate real estate developers, but with their father's more than sullied name and reputation, it's no easy task. Leon comes up with a plan to have big-name real estate developer, Thomas Hamilton, help to convince his wealthy connections and investors that the King brothers are now honest businessmen, and trustworthy enough to invest their money in the new development they are planning. But in order for his plan to succeed, Leon needs insurance--something to clinch the deal, to prove that what Thomas Hamilton is saying is the truth. His back-up insurance plan involves him marrying Hamilton's beautiful, socialite daughter, Clara. Leon has done his homework, and has discovered that Hamilton has amassed huge gambling debts. In exchange for his marriage to Clara, he'll pay off Hamilton's debts. Win-win, right? Not quite. Hamilton has two daughters, Clara and her scientist sister, Vita. When Vita Hamilton hears of this plan, she sets up a meeting with Leon King and while he's expecting Clara to show up at theclub, it's Vita who shows up--and she's the less attractive, studious and brainy daughter, who has spent the last 10 years pursuing her career and avoiding men because of something that happened to her at age 17 that she's yet to live down.
Her honesty and willingness to be the sacrificial lamb in Leon's plan surprises him, and he doesn't find her unattractive, nor does it matter to him which daughter he marries. The deal is simple, they'll be seen dating, pretend to fall in love and then marry. Shortly after the wedding, Leon will leave town, leave her their home, and then divorce her six months later, having achieved his purpose. He won't touch her unless is something she wants, and how could she not want this gorgeous, but emotionally closed-off hunk? Is she willing to take a chance on him and possibly risk public humiliation and her heart yet again? You're going to have to read this novel to find out, since I don't do spoilers.
What Jackie Ashenden does in her novels is more than just tell you a sexy, erotic story, she's wonderfully adept at fully developing her characters, and she does it again in this novel by using alternating narration, so that you feel what each character is feeling, you understand their past and present issues and motivations, and you want things to turn out right for them. Be warned, you might shed a tear or two along the way, as I did, to get to the HEA ending.
For a short read, this novel is emotionally powerful, contains just the right about of conflict and suspense, and there's plenty of explicit heat for the over 18 crowd. I am so looking forward to reading the next two novels in this series, which I'm sure will feature Leon's two brothers. Don't miss this one though--it's a gem!
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
September 19, 2018
King’s Price by Jackie Ashenden is the first steamy story in her new series Kings of Sydney. It’s about brothers who have inherited a business that used to be mob run (by their father) and that they’ve taken pains to make legitimate. Part of re-inventing their image involves getting into the right circles and Leon King knows just the way to do it – blackmail! (Okay, so maybe going fully legit will take some time).
Leon has the goods on wealthy philanthropist Thomas Hamilton. He has gambling debts that Leon can pay off, in return for Hamilton’s daughter’s hand in marriage. Hamilton can then introduce his new son- in- law to his associates and their deal will be sealed. While he thinks he’s going to get curvy blonde bombshell Clara, in fact, Hamilton has another daughter, and she becomes the fiancee in question.
Vita Hamilton is nothing like her sister, in looks or temperament. When her father comes to her about the marriage, Vita doesn’t feel she can refuse. Vita had a terrible experience as a teenager when her boyfriend at the time filmed them having sex then put it online and made fun of her. It caused problems for her and her family (not to mention made her leery of ever trusting men again). Doing this might be a way to pay back her family for the public fallout so she agrees – but goes about it her own way. Her father wants her to keep quiet and not see Leon until the wedding so he doesn’t know about the switch until it’s too late but Vita goes to Leon and tells him that she’s going to be his bride.
Leon is fascinated by Vita and decides that he doesn’t care who his new wife is for what should be a short lived marriage. He wants them to be seen in public as an affectionate, dating couple to explain their upcoming whirlwind marriage. At the same time, giving Vita control over their public relationship will go a long way to helping her take back her image. Along the way the sexual chemistry between them burns up the sheets and they start to get emotionally involved. Leon’s plans for the future aren’t supposed to include a real marriage. Will what he’s found with Vita change his mind?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-kin...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
Leon has the goods on wealthy philanthropist Thomas Hamilton. He has gambling debts that Leon can pay off, in return for Hamilton’s daughter’s hand in marriage. Hamilton can then introduce his new son- in- law to his associates and their deal will be sealed. While he thinks he’s going to get curvy blonde bombshell Clara, in fact, Hamilton has another daughter, and she becomes the fiancee in question.
Vita Hamilton is nothing like her sister, in looks or temperament. When her father comes to her about the marriage, Vita doesn’t feel she can refuse. Vita had a terrible experience as a teenager when her boyfriend at the time filmed them having sex then put it online and made fun of her. It caused problems for her and her family (not to mention made her leery of ever trusting men again). Doing this might be a way to pay back her family for the public fallout so she agrees – but goes about it her own way. Her father wants her to keep quiet and not see Leon until the wedding so he doesn’t know about the switch until it’s too late but Vita goes to Leon and tells him that she’s going to be his bride.
Leon is fascinated by Vita and decides that he doesn’t care who his new wife is for what should be a short lived marriage. He wants them to be seen in public as an affectionate, dating couple to explain their upcoming whirlwind marriage. At the same time, giving Vita control over their public relationship will go a long way to helping her take back her image. Along the way the sexual chemistry between them burns up the sheets and they start to get emotionally involved. Leon’s plans for the future aren’t supposed to include a real marriage. Will what he’s found with Vita change his mind?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-kin...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
October 10, 2018
A quick fun and sexy read.
December 1, 2018
MS Ashenden has done it again written a story that is powerful and filled with emotion and angst as Leon King opens up a whole new world for Vita Hamilton as they journey to a HEA that is just the best, make yourself comfortable to read this one because you are not going to want put it down.
Leon King and his brothers were a part of a notorious bikie gang but that has all changed and they are making money legally but they need to convince investors of the new path and to do that Leon decides to marry into the Hamilton family and he chose the older sister Clara, but what he get is the younger one Vita when their father switches the girls. Leon is stunned at how he feels about Vita and as he gets to know more about her his feelings go through the roof.
Vita has been through a scandal herself and leads a quiet life as a researcher in chemistry but when her father pushes her to marry the gorgeous and dangerous Leon King her life is about to be upended in a hot and steamy and emotional way, and she grows stronger with Leon’s help.
I loved this one wow such emotion and what a sensual ride this was to see Vita grow to such strength and to get through to Leon after what he had been through was so moving, this is a story that should not be missed I do highly recommend it MS Ashenden never disappoints me with one of her stories thank you.
Leon King and his brothers were a part of a notorious bikie gang but that has all changed and they are making money legally but they need to convince investors of the new path and to do that Leon decides to marry into the Hamilton family and he chose the older sister Clara, but what he get is the younger one Vita when their father switches the girls. Leon is stunned at how he feels about Vita and as he gets to know more about her his feelings go through the roof.
Vita has been through a scandal herself and leads a quiet life as a researcher in chemistry but when her father pushes her to marry the gorgeous and dangerous Leon King her life is about to be upended in a hot and steamy and emotional way, and she grows stronger with Leon’s help.
I loved this one wow such emotion and what a sensual ride this was to see Vita grow to such strength and to get through to Leon after what he had been through was so moving, this is a story that should not be missed I do highly recommend it MS Ashenden never disappoints me with one of her stories thank you.
November 25, 2018
Awesome
Deliciously sexy and memorable. Jackie Ashendon delivers another incredible read that kicks off a new series. Leon never dreamed going legit could be so much fun when he decided to take a wife. Vita is definitely his match in every way.
Deliciously sexy and memorable. Jackie Ashendon delivers another incredible read that kicks off a new series. Leon never dreamed going legit could be so much fun when he decided to take a wife. Vita is definitely his match in every way.
November 2, 2018
A good story.
Arranged marriage to enhance business interests plus a bit of revenge.
The Hero is a manwhore type, the heroine isn't a virgin but a bad experience has meant she's not been close to any one in a long time.
No cheating, once they met eyes only for each other.
For me it started off well but was mostly about sex, I would have liked some family drama with maybe her dad or even the sister or ex drama from his side to give it a bit more angst.
HEA.
The end did feel a bit abrupt to me.
Hoping for more from this couple in the brothers stories.
Arranged marriage to enhance business interests plus a bit of revenge.
The Hero is a manwhore type, the heroine isn't a virgin but a bad experience has meant she's not been close to any one in a long time.
No cheating, once they met eyes only for each other.
For me it started off well but was mostly about sex, I would have liked some family drama with maybe her dad or even the sister or ex drama from his side to give it a bit more angst.
HEA.
The end did feel a bit abrupt to me.
Hoping for more from this couple in the brothers stories.
March 18, 2020
I liked this book much better than the first one I read by Jackie Ashenden.
The writing is simple and to the point, not particularly beautiful but does the job. One thing that was a little jarring was that occasionally in the narration a character would seem to say something to themselves in the second person. It was a little strange in the middle of the normal text. Even just italicizing it would have helped.
The conflict and angst of each character was compelling and understandable, it was easy to feel their hurt and emotion. I liked both of them. Vita was intelligent and self possessed, she kept her dignity but was able to be empathetic with Leon. Leon was a bit of an arrogant ass but he couldn't help caring and being kind to Vita, he was hiding a sweet side all along. I really liked how he saw her hurt and worked to give her her confidence back instead of being dismissive or mocking. He always seemed to respect her, even though he could be a demanding jerk sometimes.
I liked that Vita wasn't conventionally beautiful, and that she was a scientist (even thought the science was inexistant and her being able to easily take so much time off was not in the least realistic for a research assistant). Still this kind of book is completely fantasy so it didn't bother me too much, I just appreciated seeing a scientist heroine and a hero who wasn't in the least threatened by her intelligence.
This story just worked really well for me. The tropes of marriage of convenience and blackmail were used efficiently to create fun situations. I was very happy to see these two finally drop their barriers and trust each other at the end, I felt emotionally invested.
One niggle is I wish Leon wouldn't have blamed Vita and said she deserved payback for
I definitely want to read the rest of this series now, I have a feeling Xander has some feelings for his stepsister...
The writing is simple and to the point, not particularly beautiful but does the job. One thing that was a little jarring was that occasionally in the narration a character would seem to say something to themselves in the second person. It was a little strange in the middle of the normal text. Even just italicizing it would have helped.
The conflict and angst of each character was compelling and understandable, it was easy to feel their hurt and emotion. I liked both of them. Vita was intelligent and self possessed, she kept her dignity but was able to be empathetic with Leon. Leon was a bit of an arrogant ass but he couldn't help caring and being kind to Vita, he was hiding a sweet side all along. I really liked how he saw her hurt and worked to give her her confidence back instead of being dismissive or mocking. He always seemed to respect her, even though he could be a demanding jerk sometimes.
I liked that Vita wasn't conventionally beautiful, and that she was a scientist (even thought the science was inexistant and her being able to easily take so much time off was not in the least realistic for a research assistant). Still this kind of book is completely fantasy so it didn't bother me too much, I just appreciated seeing a scientist heroine and a hero who wasn't in the least threatened by her intelligence.
This story just worked really well for me. The tropes of marriage of convenience and blackmail were used efficiently to create fun situations. I was very happy to see these two finally drop their barriers and trust each other at the end, I felt emotionally invested.
One niggle is I wish Leon wouldn't have blamed Vita and said she deserved payback for
I definitely want to read the rest of this series now, I have a feeling Xander has some feelings for his stepsister...
February 21, 2019
I'm a sucker for marriage of convenience stories with a caveat: they must be well constructed with strong motivations for both the hero and heroine. I am happy to report this is exactly the case with Jackie Ashenden’s erotic novel, King's Price.
A variation on Jacob’s story from the Bible wherein he wants to marry Rachel, but instead is tricked into marrying Leah, Leon is forced to accept the less glamorous of two sisters. Like Jacob, Leon King is not happy, but complies with the deal to get what he must—a better reputation for his notorious family. A bad boy with a back story that would break hardest heart, Leon is no longer that little boy and has made himself invincible—or so he thinks.
Angular, red-haired Vita Hamilton is the less curvaceous of two sisters. She is stunned when her callous father informs her that she is going to marry the infamous Leon King. He reminds her that she owes him a debt from her teenage years, one that brought shame to the family. She has no doubt her father has made a deal with the devil to absolve his gambling debts and restore his fortune. A highly regarded philanthropist, her father will give his daughter away in marriage to provide a respectable cover for the unsavory King family. Like Leon, Vita has been relegated to the role of the lesser child. She, too, has been wounded. Her response was to retreat academia and a fortress of chemistry and science.
No spoilers from me! Suffice it to say I give this story 5 sizzling stars and recommend it to you without reservation!
A variation on Jacob’s story from the Bible wherein he wants to marry Rachel, but instead is tricked into marrying Leah, Leon is forced to accept the less glamorous of two sisters. Like Jacob, Leon King is not happy, but complies with the deal to get what he must—a better reputation for his notorious family. A bad boy with a back story that would break hardest heart, Leon is no longer that little boy and has made himself invincible—or so he thinks.
Angular, red-haired Vita Hamilton is the less curvaceous of two sisters. She is stunned when her callous father informs her that she is going to marry the infamous Leon King. He reminds her that she owes him a debt from her teenage years, one that brought shame to the family. She has no doubt her father has made a deal with the devil to absolve his gambling debts and restore his fortune. A highly regarded philanthropist, her father will give his daughter away in marriage to provide a respectable cover for the unsavory King family. Like Leon, Vita has been relegated to the role of the lesser child. She, too, has been wounded. Her response was to retreat academia and a fortress of chemistry and science.
No spoilers from me! Suffice it to say I give this story 5 sizzling stars and recommend it to you without reservation!
April 21, 2022
Cuando me apetece algo cortito, sexi y sin complicaciones, suelo tirar de novela genérica. La línea Dare de Harlequin, que sustituyó a la Blaze, es un buena opción: machos alfa, heroínas intrépidas y mucha fantasía sexual. Y claro, si lo firma Ashenden, entonces tienes calidad asegurada. La ambientación australiana, para mi, es un plus.
Leon King, de familia criminal, quiere dedicarse solo a lo legal, pero para ello tiene que dar buena imagen. A tal fin, recurre a un matrimonio falso con Vita, hija de un jailaife algo impresentable, aunque ella es más bien maja y algo reservada. Escenas explícitas a tutiplén, lógico si estamos hablando de una novela erótica, aunque sea en formato corto. La parte emocional está suficientemente desarrollada, para lo que es un conteo de páginas tan limitado.
Crítica un poco más amplia, en mi blog.
Leon King, de familia criminal, quiere dedicarse solo a lo legal, pero para ello tiene que dar buena imagen. A tal fin, recurre a un matrimonio falso con Vita, hija de un jailaife algo impresentable, aunque ella es más bien maja y algo reservada. Escenas explícitas a tutiplén, lógico si estamos hablando de una novela erótica, aunque sea en formato corto. La parte emocional está suficientemente desarrollada, para lo que es un conteo de páginas tan limitado.
Crítica un poco más amplia, en mi blog.
November 11, 2018
Leon King, one of three sons of a notorious crime lord is now going straight and thinks that marriage to the daughter of a famous philanthropist will give him legitimacy. He blackmails Mr. Hamilton agreeing to pay off his gambling debts in return for his socialite daughter's hand. Hamilton reluctantly agrees but he has two daughters, the beautiful socialite Clara and the notorious Vita who has been keeping out of the public eye for the past decade due to a sex tape scandal. Hamilton plans to dupe Leon by giving him the expendable Vita. Vita finds out and goes to meet Leon thinking he'll call the whole plan off - however sparks fly and Leon soon learns that maybe the switch isn't actually such a bad thing after all.
Despite this doing two things I usually dislike: 1) having very little external plot and 2) using a blackmail/revenge set up I absolutely adored this.
Leon is a great hero - super sexy, arrogant and strong yet both physically and emotionally scarred - he has solid motivations, good back story and I love how he is with Vita.Even though he doesn't want to we can see he cares right from the get go.
Vita is a suitably strong heroine to match him. I loved her science geek streak and the fact that she loves to bake. The sex tape scandal made her interesting and I liked that she wasn't stunningly beautiful.
While I'd have loved the ending to be a little more drawn out and perhaps a tad more external plot the romance side of this is marvellous and the sex scenes are hot but well balanced by emotion. Vita and Leon really do belong together and as ever with Jackie Ashenden's romances you always get a sense that her lovers are stronger together and make each other better people. I also love the fact that this jumps back and forth between Leon and Vita's POV giving an insight into both their feelings.
I hope that Leon's brothers Ajax and Xander get their own books and ladies. If this one's anything to go by I'd very much like to see more in the series.
Despite this doing two things I usually dislike: 1) having very little external plot and 2) using a blackmail/revenge set up I absolutely adored this.
Leon is a great hero - super sexy, arrogant and strong yet both physically and emotionally scarred - he has solid motivations, good back story and I love how he is with Vita.Even though he doesn't want to we can see he cares right from the get go.
Vita is a suitably strong heroine to match him. I loved her science geek streak and the fact that she loves to bake. The sex tape scandal made her interesting and I liked that she wasn't stunningly beautiful.
While I'd have loved the ending to be a little more drawn out and perhaps a tad more external plot the romance side of this is marvellous and the sex scenes are hot but well balanced by emotion. Vita and Leon really do belong together and as ever with Jackie Ashenden's romances you always get a sense that her lovers are stronger together and make each other better people. I also love the fact that this jumps back and forth between Leon and Vita's POV giving an insight into both their feelings.
I hope that Leon's brothers Ajax and Xander get their own books and ladies. If this one's anything to go by I'd very much like to see more in the series.
October 2, 2018
5+ Stars
King’s Price by Jackie Ashenden
Received an ARC from author & I am very 😄 to be able to leave this very honest review !!
In King’s Price we meet Leon King. He is looking to enter into an arrange marriage with the daughter of a very influential real estate mogul who can lend some much needed respectability to the tarnished King name as Leon & his brothers look to market & launch their new luxury apartments in the Sydney area.
Enter Vita Hamilton - not the daughter who is the beautiful socialite but she’s the other Hamilton daughter a bit quirky- holds a PHD in chemistry - loves her job in research - somewhat unassuming & living her life a bit on the sidelines after an unfortunate situation when she was just 18 ( leaked sex tape anyone ?? ) ... thinking love is just nothing more then chemistry she isn’t looking for anyone so why not agree to a short term marriage contract ?
In typical Jackie Ashenden fashion you are sucked into Leon’s & Vita’s story immediately... it’s like these characters were just waiting for each other to not only completely change their lives but find their HEA together ...
A few of my favorite quotes ...
Leon- Being dangerous makes you powerful ( yes plz) - being feared is much better than being loved or adored ( oh Leon u got that SO very wrong - u just hadn’t met Vita !! )
Vita - my ending has you in it !! ❤️❤️ talk about swoon worthy
Some favorite things to ❤️❤️
- Amazing characters
- Sexy / sizzling “sexy times”
- Well developed storyline
- Snarky dialog
- Heartfelt HEA
You do not want to miss this great read !!!! Loved it !!!
King’s Price by Jackie Ashenden
Received an ARC from author & I am very 😄 to be able to leave this very honest review !!
In King’s Price we meet Leon King. He is looking to enter into an arrange marriage with the daughter of a very influential real estate mogul who can lend some much needed respectability to the tarnished King name as Leon & his brothers look to market & launch their new luxury apartments in the Sydney area.
Enter Vita Hamilton - not the daughter who is the beautiful socialite but she’s the other Hamilton daughter a bit quirky- holds a PHD in chemistry - loves her job in research - somewhat unassuming & living her life a bit on the sidelines after an unfortunate situation when she was just 18 ( leaked sex tape anyone ?? ) ... thinking love is just nothing more then chemistry she isn’t looking for anyone so why not agree to a short term marriage contract ?
In typical Jackie Ashenden fashion you are sucked into Leon’s & Vita’s story immediately... it’s like these characters were just waiting for each other to not only completely change their lives but find their HEA together ...
A few of my favorite quotes ...
Leon- Being dangerous makes you powerful ( yes plz) - being feared is much better than being loved or adored ( oh Leon u got that SO very wrong - u just hadn’t met Vita !! )
Vita - my ending has you in it !! ❤️❤️ talk about swoon worthy
Some favorite things to ❤️❤️
- Amazing characters
- Sexy / sizzling “sexy times”
- Well developed storyline
- Snarky dialog
- Heartfelt HEA
You do not want to miss this great read !!!! Loved it !!!
October 9, 2018
If a writer wants to learn about tension, Jackie Ashenden is the masterclass. For most of her books, I struggle with the topics (especially the motorbike ones), and yet I always burn through reading them as though I can't get enough.
This one features a Sydney crime family gone 'good' - still morally flexible, yet breaking less actual laws. They've moved away from their father's drug empire and into property development.
It's a bit of an ugly duckling story with two sisters - one gorgeous, and the other geeky and awkward (she's the heroine!). Loads of sex. Buckets of tension.
This one features a Sydney crime family gone 'good' - still morally flexible, yet breaking less actual laws. They've moved away from their father's drug empire and into property development.
It's a bit of an ugly duckling story with two sisters - one gorgeous, and the other geeky and awkward (she's the heroine!). Loads of sex. Buckets of tension.
May 13, 2019
Really good first book in this Dare series . Leon King needs a fake marriage for good business purposes & ends up with Vita vs who he was promised . He & Vita must come to terms with their individual issues to make the marriage work & there quite the bit of sizzle between the both of them . It was quite fun watching Vita come into her own . Naturally with any Jackie book we get a great steamy HEA THATS a wonderful page turner until the end!
November 29, 2018
Jackie has done it again. This first book of her Kings of Sydney series is great! Leon is just the type of hero you want to hate and love at the same time! If you like Jackie's books - this is a must read. (If you haven't read her - this is a great first book to start) Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
September 14, 2018
Fast paced hot, sexy romance with a hero trying to tame his bad boy image and a heroine who is trying to hide from a previous scandal when these two meet the sparks start to fly and a hot romance follows.
October 3, 2018
I enjoyed.
This book gets you quickly. You like them both. I never once wanted to smack Leon like some of Jackie's other heros. I loved Vita she as tough and lovable. I would have loved for the original bad guy to get pummeled by her lion.
This book gets you quickly. You like them both. I never once wanted to smack Leon like some of Jackie's other heros. I loved Vita she as tough and lovable. I would have loved for the original bad guy to get pummeled by her lion.
December 12, 2018
Leon King is a b*st*rd. Not as big of a one as Vita’s father, but one just the same. Luckily for him, he’s met his perfect match in Vita. Not the woman he expected, but just the woman he needs. Loved these two and their story!
September 5, 2019
I loved Leon and Vita’s story. It had a bit of a twist on the typical fake marriage trope. Fast paced and sexy AF, this is perfect if you want a quick and easy read. Only thing I want is more Leon and Vita! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and get to know the rest of the King men.
Read
April 14, 2020DNF.
MEH, THIS WAS A PREDICTABLE ONE AND I DON'T USUALLY GO FOR STUFFY, PRUDISH HEROINES EVEN IF SHE HAD A REASON FOR BEING SO.
MEH, THIS WAS A PREDICTABLE ONE AND I DON'T USUALLY GO FOR STUFFY, PRUDISH HEROINES EVEN IF SHE HAD A REASON FOR BEING SO.
October 10, 2020
4.25 stars
January 19, 2020
Si cette romance est assez prenante à lire, et qu’elle se lit rapidement, je n’ai pas totalement réussi à adhérer au récit, ce qui a eu le don de m’énerver à plusieurs reprises, justement parce celui-ci est prenant. Nous sommes malgré tout dans le cliché, mais de temps en temps, cela ne me dérange pas.
La fille donnée à un homme pour rembourser une dette, mais ce n’est pas la bonne qui est envoyée, plutôt sa soeur. Ensuite le piège de l’amour va malgré tout refermer ses griffes autour d’eux. Et tout est bien qui fini bien. Surtout qu’au fil des jours qui passent, ils se rendent compte que finalement ils ont des points communs qui les rapprochent. Pas le pays des Bisounours et des nuages en barbe à papa, mais pas loin ! Simplement le milieu dans lequel nous voguons qui ne nous embarque pas à dos de licornes.
Et donc, pourquoi je donne malgré tout une note de 3,5 ?
Tout simplement parce que dans la globalité, eh bien j’aurai passé un bon moment. C’est vrai que j’ai levé les yeux au ciel à de nombreuses reprises, mais j’ai également eu le smile à divers moments. Donc, oui, dans la globalité, cela passe assez bien.
La fille donnée à un homme pour rembourser une dette, mais ce n’est pas la bonne qui est envoyée, plutôt sa soeur. Ensuite le piège de l’amour va malgré tout refermer ses griffes autour d’eux. Et tout est bien qui fini bien. Surtout qu’au fil des jours qui passent, ils se rendent compte que finalement ils ont des points communs qui les rapprochent. Pas le pays des Bisounours et des nuages en barbe à papa, mais pas loin ! Simplement le milieu dans lequel nous voguons qui ne nous embarque pas à dos de licornes.
Et donc, pourquoi je donne malgré tout une note de 3,5 ?
Tout simplement parce que dans la globalité, eh bien j’aurai passé un bon moment. C’est vrai que j’ai levé les yeux au ciel à de nombreuses reprises, mais j’ai également eu le smile à divers moments. Donc, oui, dans la globalité, cela passe assez bien.
November 20, 2021
Love it, love it, love it! Leon and Vita’s story is my favourite of the trilogy. Jackie Ashenden jumps right into the action and keeps up the pace to the very end. Leon and Vita are a fabulous couple and I loved them and their emotionally satisfying story.
Read
October 2, 2018Miniseries: Kings of Sydney
October 19, 2023
0.5 Star 2023
⬇️0️⃣
📖✅
4 Stars 2019
Meh, didn’t like that the H didn’t find the h attractive at first
⬇️0️⃣
📖✅
4 Stars 2019
Meh, didn’t like that the H didn’t find the h attractive at first
October 5, 2018
4.5 stars
It was really good. If I could resume it in one word I'd say it was straightforward. Both the story and the protagonists. I liked that. I hate when people star playing games with each other.Leon, obviously, coming from where he comes, the Mafia, gets what he wants-in this case, make contact with investors and expand the King Empire. And for that, he needs to marry a Hamilton. Though at first he chooses the pretty socialite daughter, he doesn't know he will end up with the "plain" sister, Vita. But, Vita won't let her father walk all over her once again. Even if she kind of owns him-he made her sex tape scandal disappear. So she confronts Leon with her father's scheme. She would never have imagined it would backfire. lolThe first third of the book it's the flight and chase phase of their "relationship". After her scandal, Vita doesn't want to do anything with men or sex. But Leo doesn't accept a NO. So the seduction begins. Luckily, this doesn't last long. Even in her reluctance, Vita is honest with herself and Leon about the chemistry between them.I'd done that for her. I'd done that to her. I'd make her look. I'd made her see how beautiful she was. How passionate. Me, who'd only ever given others pain."
In the second third we see their sexual exploration and maybe more? One would think Vita would be the one affected by this but, unexpectedly, Leon is the one more affected by this relationship. Vita is no more the plain sister, he realizes there is so much more to see in her and that makes her more beautiful in his eyes. Thanks to her we get to know more about Leon's past and the reason he's the way he is. Even if he didn't want to, he ended up telling her what she wanted to know. lol
In the last part of the story surface the old fears and insecurities in Leon. I loved Vita here, she's the brave one. And we see Leon's fragility. The roles are reversed. Leon's traumas stop him from accepting what Vita offers him freely and because of that he almost loses her. Vita's ultimatum makes him see that what he always dreamed is at his fingertips. Good we have a happy ending!
No, I didn't deserve her. But I could try, couldn't I?
All I'd wanted was a fresh start.
Maybe my fresh start was Vita."
I would have liked to see more interaction between the brothers. Well, it's a matter of taste. But still I loved it.Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews