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Rose Gold #0.5

The Scarlet Night

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When I saw Nina Astor, I had to have her.
Blonde bombshell.
Park Avenue princess.
She was pure as snow and giving me one night to dirty her up.

But by morning, I knew:
She wasn't just a pretty face.
She wasn't just a casual fling.

One night?
Please.
I needed a lifetime.

Then I discover:
Nina Astor isn't who she says she is.
She's beyond off-limits.

The real problem? I couldn't care less.

95 pages, ebook

First published November 27, 2019

336 people are currently reading
727 people want to read

About the author

Nicole French

46 books1,236 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Nicole French is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. She's also a hopeless romantic, low key fashion addict, and total bookworm.

Keep up with Nicole French and receive your FREE copy of one of her books when you subscribe to her newsletter: bit.ly/NicoleFrenchNewsletter

When not writing, she is hanging out with her family, playing soccer with the rest of the thirty-plus crowd in Seattle, or going on dates with her husband. In her spare time, she likes to go running or practice the piano, but never seems to do either one of these things as much as she should.

www.nicolefrenchromance.com

Follow her on Facebook for weekly snippets and other news about her newest projects:

www.facebook.com/authornicolefrench

Other social media links:
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5 stars
295 (50%)
4 stars
172 (29%)
3 stars
86 (14%)
2 stars
18 (3%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
1,838 reviews38 followers
November 30, 2019
My heart be still! While this may be a prologue, it certainly packs a punch to the heart! How is it with just a few words, this author has yet again made me fall in love with her characters?! After meeting Matthew aka Zola in the Quicksilver series, I was hoping he would get his own story. And if this prologue is just a taste of what’s to come, I’m ready for the amazing ride it will be! Nina and Zola are made for each other. Except for one thing, and I don’t think that’s going to stop him. As you read, you can feel the emotions in your very soul. So much passion! So must lust! And I swear there’s a hint of love in there too. I can’t wait for this next incredible series by this author. It’s most definitely going to be epic!
Profile Image for Janet Taggart Baldwin.
915 reviews21 followers
November 24, 2019
OMG was this a wonderful Prequel to the Rose Gold Trilogy! I can't wait until the 1st book comes out - The Other Man! My only complaint was - I wanted more. - now!!!

We met Matthew Zola in the Quicksilver Trilogy as a prosecutor helping Eric and Jane de Vries find John Carson, Jane's bio-father. Nina Astor is Eric's cousin. Matthew and Nina meet one night and have "One Scarlet Night" together. Nina is lonely and unhappy and Matthew sees something in her that touches a cord in himself. These two have a connection and one steamy night that cannot be anything more. There are secrets but passion doesn't care. I loved the dynamics and chemistry these two had going on!!

I am so excited to get the rest of their story! You will, too, after getting a taste of them in this novella! You will want to grab it and get started!!
Profile Image for Lori Caprio Tate.
498 reviews3 followers
November 27, 2019
“Did you feel it? When you saw me , Nina, did you feel it too?”, well Nicole French I definitely felt the explosion of emotions that I have come to expected out of your books. I can not understand how much passion and intrigue Ms French can create in just a short novella. I am going to be in a book hangover until the first book is released. Zola and Nina gave me all the feels and the expectation of discovering the secrets that are being hidden and in true Nicole French style the adventure that will ensue leaves me breathless with anticipation. This book is definitely one of my favorites for 2019 and I am dying to know how this is going to turn out. I am going to stop with #whoisNinaAston?
Profile Image for Elsie.
574 reviews
November 24, 2019
There's only one problem with this book: too short!!!

The Scarlet Night is a prequel for Nina and Matthew story. We meet Zola as a friend of Skylar in the Spitfire series, then we see him again in Quicksilver, Eric and Jane's story.

He was always a character who left you wanting more, he's a hot, sexy District Attorney.

Nina is Eric's cousin. She's a socialite, beautiful and very rich but at the same time very unhappy.

In this short story we get their first meeting and damn it is something really worth reading. They are a sexy and amazing couple. I can not wait to read their series and find out more.
Profile Image for Megan.
217 reviews
November 24, 2019
I have been waiting for Zola's story for forever now, it seems! I knew that he had to have one and I couldn't wait to read it. Needless to say, I am so excited for this Rose Gold series. The Scarlet Night was just perfection. I couldn't put it down from the moment that I picked it up. I love seeing how Ms. French's worlds collide and I can't wait to find out exactly who Nina is!
Profile Image for Ciara.
7 reviews
November 24, 2019
Zola is like the swagger and smoothness of Nico with a touch of Eric’s style. After reading and feeling him come to life, I am shocked!! I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. Nicole, you’ve done it AGAIN!!!
Profile Image for Varee.
42 reviews1 follower
December 1, 2019
A forbidden love

A spin off from spitfire; story of Matthew Zola, he was non committal and not looking for someone until he met Nina Astor. He charm this perfect lady to commit a one night. But he doesn't know he is the one that need her more than one night. This story is not in a norm. I love how Nicole French is trying to tell you the story and you get emotional connect with her characters. I really want to know what happen to them!
Profile Image for Ashley.
19 reviews
November 24, 2019
This was fantastic! All those clandestine looks across the room in the Hate Vow series make all the sense in the world now. Theirs is a meeting made in fairytales, but told in a way that makes you believe.

This may be the hottest novella I’ve ever read. You’d be a fool to pass this up!
38 reviews1 follower
November 25, 2019
Matthew Zola, NYC prosecutor, good friend, great brother, but he always seems to find the unavailable women. First, it was Skylar in the Spitfire Series, and then Jane in Quicksilver. Now, that world brings an unexpected surprise...Nina Astor. She’s a classic beauty, but definitely out of place in Zola’s usual hangout. After just a few hours, he realizes forever wouldn’t be long enough. Just one problem, she’s married and has other secrets to uncover...

Nicole did another amazing job with Zola. When you meet him in Skylar’s books, you easily want to root for him as the underdog, and then even more so after Jane’s books. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Julia Leonard.
807 reviews16 followers
November 24, 2019
What a fantastic prequel to this upcoming series.
Matthew and Nina are immediately drawn to eachother.
Nina has a secret and Matthew will soon find out exactly what it is.
This will leave you craving for more.
Profile Image for B. C. Booklover.
785 reviews55 followers
December 28, 2019
Just the beginning! 🔥

Nicole French knows just how to draw you into one of her smart, well written stories with only a chapter or two or maybe just a few juicy sentences. If you finished the Quicksilver Series featuring Eric and Jane then you have to be dying to find out more about that sexy, old school prosecutor, Matthew Zola. He certainly makes an impression that's very hard to forget.

Isn't it a small, small world when uptown heiress, buttoned up cousin of Eric DeVries shows up one cold and rainy night and meets the gorgeous law man at one of his favorite bar? Nina Astor is unhappy in her personal life, wouldn't you be if you were her? She's tried to be the perfect woman, daughter, granddaughter and dare I say it, wife to her slimy loser of a husband, married for all the wrong reasons, like the perfect socialite she's expected to portray.

Then tonight, of all the gin joints in the world, she shows up at Zola's bar on the other side of the city! Fate has decided to place them together, so what will they do with this gift of time and anonymity? Make the most of it???? Damn right, what doi they have to lose, besides perhaps a piece of their hearts?

This is the flirty, steamy and oh so hot first encounter between Matthew and Nina, whew, so so so good, a kindle melter for sure! This prequel sets the stage for their upcoming 3 book Rose Gold series which I know will wreck me with angsty anticipation in 2020 and I will be waiting so patiently for every page of sexy, suspenseful goodness that Nicole French will no doubt deliver!

Start here, but be ready to be wowed all over again as the story continues. While you're waiting, if you haven't read Eric and Jane's story, do it! This new series will hopefully will have a cure for the lingering hangover left behind at the end of their story. Questions need answers and villian need to be taught a lesson and brought to justice for their crimes! Who better than our lawman Zola to make them pay?
Profile Image for Danielle Spellbound Stories.
839 reviews417 followers
November 24, 2019
Nicole French's lastest is short, super sexxxy and an amazing lead in to the coming Rose Gold trilogy! I called dibs on Zola the minute I started reading! #MatthewZolaIsMine #GreedyGirl #NotSharingNotSorry 😂
Profile Image for Heather McKinnis.
16 reviews
November 24, 2019
The Scarlet Night is the prequel for The Rose Gold series and I have been waiting for what seems like forever to get started on Nina and Matthew’s story! I loved Eric and Jane’s story and I love when plot lines weave together so seamlessly!

This prequel gives us a glimpse into the personality and perspective of Matthew Zola and his view of how he and Nina’s meeting and first night together! It was steamy, sweet and is definitely leaving me and Matthew both wanting more!!

I can’t wait to read more of this series!!! Bring it on!!! 😍😍😍
1,819 reviews76 followers
December 1, 2019
Simple perfection! This prequel is the mix of all the best: hot passion, intrigue, and palpable chemistry!! I can’t wait for the full length novel!
Profile Image for thecoffeeqween.
53 reviews1 follower
November 26, 2019
I have been waiting for this moment even before I knew it was a possibility. Matthew Zola has been a character in a couple of Nicole’s series. Each showing we get a little more of who he is as a man and a prosecutor. I knew there was something about him just from the snippets I had read. This tease of a prequel was just the jumpstart needed to get you ready for Matthew Zola. This short story packs a lot of information into who Mattie is behind the suit. A New Yorker through and through he is old school in all the most deliciously classic ways, big family, questionable childhood and romantic grandparents. He finds himself wanting, needing more but unsure of what that looks like. That is when he finds Nina Astor, the bright star he has been looking for. This story piles passion on top of passion and just when you think it’s going in Zola’s way it’s gone. I cannot wait for the first book in the series and to really delve into Zola’s world.
* I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and do not reflect upon the author or publisher.
Profile Image for My Own Bookshelves.
717 reviews137 followers
January 11, 2020
Oh, I hate to admit - this is my first Nicole French book. Although I've loved her covers and blurbs, I never took the chance to once click them. Oh, that was an oversight.

I learned about this new series through a LIVE video she did on Facebook in The Korner. I am going, to be honest - the premise is not one of my 'go-tos'. But listening to Nicole speak - about both the hero and heroine had me completely intrigued.

Zola is suave. He is cocky and he is definitely a one-night stand man. Nina isn't looking for a hookup more of an escape. After a few hours in the bar, they decide to crash into the headlong triste that you knew was inevitable from the sizzle. The next morning leaves Zola and the reader wanting more.

This is one of those naughty escape novellas where you get this glimpse into the characters. Satisfied but extremely curious about what is going to happen in this duet. If you are leery about the trope, give the novella a chance to see if you too are curious on what mystery awaits these star crossed lovers.

Recommendation - click it for free. You may find you also love her storytelling and want to check out her other titles.

4.5 out o f 5
Profile Image for Crystal's Book World ~ Crystal Cordova.
1,782 reviews27 followers
December 5, 2019
Seriously??? Nicole French kills me with her books. The Scarlet Night just puts the knife deeper into my heart. Why may you ask? Because I know Zola. He has been on the sidelines for a while. Now he is front and center with Nina. So I was guarded and found out I had the right to be. I am protective of our hero and that is all Nicole French's fault.

You see she brings out the beast in you as a reader. You can't help it! But at the end of this story I am ready for the Rose Gold series. I need to know my guy will be ok. I love Nina. I know that it is darker right before sunrise, so I have hope! I am telling you all, take a chance on this story. You will see One Night is all you need to have your orbit off centered!
Profile Image for Nicole Collins.
32 reviews
December 6, 2019
The Scarlet Night by Nicole French is the prequel to the Rose Gold Trilogy; and I must say, I’m intrigued. This is a quick, easy read that I finished in less than 2 hours.

Matthew Zola is having an unsettling night, so he ends up at a bar looking for company. He’s in a mood and not really into it, but then he spots the beauty at the end of the bar, Nina Astor. They end up connecting immediately, chatting the night away, and spending the night together until Nina disappears the next morning without so much as a goodbye.

Because this was just a quick preview of what’s to come, we only get to know a little bit about the characters. But, I think that’s the point. The relationship between the two seemed to develop quickly, but there’s definitely some heat between them. I wasn’t really sure how I felt about the story at first, but the more we got into it, the more I need some questions answered.

And this prequel novella left me with lots of questions. There were some blanks that I know aren’t supposed to be filled in yet. I get it. But most importantly, I want to know who the heck is Nina Astor, and what are her secrets? Super curious to see what’s next!
Profile Image for Debby *BabyDee*.
1,492 reviews81 followers
September 18, 2020
Audiobook Review - 4 Stars

For a prequel and first time read and author to this reader, I totally loved the story and was looking for more. My guess is at these characters are driven off another series so I'm definitely going to have to read to get a glimpse.

A enjoyable story although the narration was a bit dry for me.
Profile Image for Tanja OMGReads.
2,521 reviews56 followers
December 1, 2019
I fricking HATE trilogies but after reading this one I know it will be worth all the lost nerves waiting for each book.

Holy shit this pre-story was H-O-T🔥I can't wait for book 1 - I'm more than ready for it!!!

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Profile Image for Shades of Rebecca.
480 reviews69 followers
December 6, 2019
This was a great introduction to the new story Nicole is developing! Nicole's fans already know the characters from the Quicksilver trilogy - Nina as Eric's sister and Matthew as Jane's friend. The Scarlet Night is a very steamy story that will presumably set the pace for the next book. It tells the reader a story of how Nina and Matthew have met and what happened between them.

I love their chemistry and the connection they have and can't wait to explore it more in their upcoming story!
Profile Image for Michele McMullen .
2,525 reviews83 followers
December 9, 2019
Oh my I have been waiting to get behind the scenes of Matthew Zola and we got ourselves a sizzling sneak peak ! This is a short sexy story that will have you wanting more of Zola and Nina ! I am so excited for this journey to continue !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Profile Image for Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) .
2,893 reviews119 followers
November 26, 2019
No one sets up a trilogy like Nicole French! This is only the beginning for these two and I can’t wait for what’s to come! Matthew Zola and Ms. Astor are fire from the start and they burn beautiful! Angst, desire and a night full of fantasy’s these two will hook you from the start! Can’t wait for the Rose Gold Trilogy!
Profile Image for Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog).
5,924 reviews212 followers
December 5, 2019




Matthew Zola is searching. Then he meets Nina and she takes his breath away. Love at first sight is a real thing with him. She can't give him all of her, though. So one night will have to do. One sinfully hot, dirty night. But when he wakes and it's as if she was never there, he knows that he'll find her and make her his because he has to. He HAS TO.



Whew, what an intro to Matthew and Nina's story The Scarlet Night is! It's just a tease, though, to what I can already tell is going to be an epic love story. I for one, cannot wait for The Other Man so I can find out just how epic their love is going to be.

ARC via Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review.
Also downloaded a free digital copy via Amazon.

Review/Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.

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Profile Image for Jackie (Jackie's Book World) .
934 reviews60 followers
December 5, 2019
***Review can also be found at Jackie's Book World. :)***

The Scarlet Night is a promising start to the Rose Gold series that will leave you anxiously wanting for more. We met Mathew Zola in the Quicksilver series, as he helped Jane find her biological father. While that series has ended, this book overlaps with Jane’s story at least for now.

As a prosecutor working for the Brooklyn District’s attorney, Mathew Zola is good at what he does and is happy to be able to help his sisters. But behind his prosecutor facade, he is not alway part of the good guys. It is at a bar that he meets, Nina and the two hit it off right away. The exchange stories about their childhoods and he quickly realizes how different their worlds. While he had worked his way to where he is now, Nina is a rich socialite who seems to be hiding something from him. Yet, it’s after their steamy night together that secrets are revealed and he has to find a way to make her see that they might just belong together.

I cannot wait to read what happens next! I loved the Quicksilver series and I have high hopes for this story to be just as good. Although this novella was short, it gave us a peek into their world and of the challenges that they will have to face later in the series. It’s the prefect introduction and would highly recommend checking it out as well as the other series by the author. You will not regret it. :)

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
Profile Image for TheSassyNerdBlog.
1,100 reviews435 followers
December 1, 2019
All this may of been short, as it's the prologue, it ceratins lacks for nothing! I only discover Nicole French's book a few months back with another series by her and I fell in love with her style the moment I started reading her. So I was super excited when I saw a new series coming and let me tell you now, if the prologue is anything to go by then we are in for one hell of a ride with Rose Gold series.

This series is a Matthew aka Zola who we meet in the Quicksilver series by Nicole and I was so thrilled when I found out this was his time to shine. Just with her short amont of words wiuth this prologue I know for a fact that this series will be epic. In a matter of a few words she has already got me falling in love with the characters introduced so far... and now she has me on the edge of my seat wondering who this Nina girl is. I NEED TO KNOW!

This was short, fun, sexy and one hell of a start to what promises to be an amazing series, but I expect nothing less from Ms. French.

So excited to see what she has planned for us with this series

5 Stars
Profile Image for Tanaka K.
898 reviews7 followers
December 2, 2019
"It was one word. A simple word.
A word that suddenly scared me more than anything had my entire life.
It echoed.
It shook.
Home."


Can you hear my heart beating? Can you see my heart enamored by The Scarlet Night? Wow!!!!! What an explosive prequel. A delectable appetizer of a story filled with seduction, passion, emotion and sizzling chemistry. Set in the bubbly city of New York, The Scarlet Night introduces you to a scorching first look into Matthew Zola and Nina Astor’s powerful attraction. I am so excited. The Scarlet Night totally gave a preview of a roller coaster and tantalizing series that will grab every single part of my heart and soul. Matthew and Nina truly made my heart and soul burn with their chemistry. Ever since, Matthew and Nina were introduced in The Quicksilver series, I was intrigued by them. Holy smokes, I am totally 100% invested in them. I am ready for one hell of a ride!!!

ARC provided by author in exchange of honest review.
Profile Image for Read.Review.Repeat Blog.
5,948 reviews101 followers
December 6, 2019
This quick read has made me so excited for what's to come!! Matthew and Nina's story is going to be mind blowing and I am ready for it, cliffhangers and all! Definitely pick this up and get ready! ~Andrea



Ohhh, what a great start to a new series. The attraction between Nina and Matthew was alluded to at the end of the Love Trap, but to see it with such clarity is amazing. I cannot wait to read Matthew and Nina's story ~Cindy
Profile Image for Cindy Fong.
2,065 reviews
December 1, 2019
Ohhh, what a great start to a new series. The attraction between Nina and Matthew was alluded to at the end of the Love Trap, but to see it with such clarity is amazing. I cannot wait to read Matthew and Nina's story
Profile Image for Lacie Jae Pringle.
42 reviews1 follower
November 26, 2019
Oh. My. Goodness.
This prequel to the Rose Gold series has seriously left me drooling for more. I love that all of Nicole's characters tie together and have their own story. I love that we can meet them in another's story and then get to know them in their own.
Secrets are had by both Nina and Matthew. I cannot wait to see how Nicole plans on playing this out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews

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