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Tarnished Empire
(The Corrupt Empire #2)
by
My plan was simple.
Get invited onto his yacht.
Find information to destroy him.
But I wasn't prepared for Alaric Prince.
Dangerous and seductive, he trapped me in his gilded cage.
He calls me Dove.
Easily preyed on.
Easily broken.
A man that ruthless only wants to crush me.
I must resist the temptation to let him.
He's my father's enemy.
At war with my family.
A danger to me.
Falling ...more
Get invited onto his yacht.
Find information to destroy him.
But I wasn't prepared for Alaric Prince.
Dangerous and seductive, he trapped me in his gilded cage.
He calls me Dove.
Easily preyed on.
Easily broken.
A man that ruthless only wants to crush me.
I must resist the temptation to let him.
He's my father's enemy.
At war with my family.
A danger to me.
Falling ...more
Paperback, 342 pages
Published
October 13th 2020
by AH Publishing
(first published October 8th 2020)
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Tarnished Empire was my first experience with this author.
This book tells the forbidden love story of a girl and her father's worst enemy.
The blurb didn't say much, but I was hooked by it and this gorgeous cover.
Unfortunately this one wasn't what I was expecting.
I really liked how she ended the story, a little bit tragic and predictable, but although I was expecting that plot twist, it was what saved my reading time and this 3 stars rating.
Until more than 60% of the book, I was bored t ...more

I lost all hope for this book when right at the start the h was acting like a hormonal teen
I shake my head. “I can’t.” I really freaking can’t because the way I’m all jumbled up, I’d forget why I’m here and end up kissing this man. My gaze dips on instinct, and I look at his full and majorly kissable lips.
HUNNY! You just met two seconds ago! Calm your vagina down!
So the start was a complete bust for me, we had Phoenix (h) here trying to play the “hero card” to help get back her fathers guns th ...more
I shake my head. “I can’t.” I really freaking can’t because the way I’m all jumbled up, I’d forget why I’m here and end up kissing this man. My gaze dips on instinct, and I look at his full and majorly kissable lips.
HUNNY! You just met two seconds ago! Calm your vagina down!
So the start was a complete bust for me, we had Phoenix (h) here trying to play the “hero card” to help get back her fathers guns th ...more


Tarnished Empire gave you the forbidden aspects, the mystery, and it kept you guessing in certain situations. This story was filled with an underlying desire that you wanted to come to the surface immediately but you also felt the consequences that were creeping up in slow whispers if they were to ever cross that line.
Alaric has been on a mission for the past four years and that is to avenge the death of his brother. His number one enemy is out of sight but for a man like Alaric, he won’t be for ...more

The ultimate enemies to lovers romance that will keep you riveted until the very end! This book was not what I expected. Hang on tight because it’s a heck of a ride.
Alaric wanted vengeance. Phoenix just wanted to save her father. Together they would have to find common ground to survive and maybe just get more than they could have imagined.
A story of love and vengeance. Alaric will have to choose between exacting justice to avenge his brother or to let it go so that he can build a life with Phoe ...more
Alaric wanted vengeance. Phoenix just wanted to save her father. Together they would have to find common ground to survive and maybe just get more than they could have imagined.
A story of love and vengeance. Alaric will have to choose between exacting justice to avenge his brother or to let it go so that he can build a life with Phoe ...more

Sep 21, 2020
CourtRocks (Villains Do It Better)
marked it as to-read
Holy shit. I haven't read this author yet, but I already know I'm buying for the cover alone🔥
...more

Full review: https://www.inabookshell.com/2020/10/...
“Words are just words without action.”
Although Alaric and Phoenix's love story is the highlight, they have their story arcs. Alaric’s dysfunctional relationship with his family and Phoenix could never be with her loved ones due to other external circumstances. They both find love and grow. It is beautifully developed. I liked Alaric more than Phoenix. He was more sensible and consistent throughout the book. I did enjoy her sass, I’ll give he ...more

“Words are just words without action.”
Although Alaric and Phoenix's love story is the highlight, they have their story arcs. Alaric’s dysfunctional relationship with his family and Phoenix could never be with her loved ones due to other external circumstances. They both find love and grow. It is beautifully developed. I liked Alaric more than Phoenix. He was more sensible and consistent throughout the book. I did enjoy her sass, I’ll give he ...more

****AVAILABLE NOW****
4 Unexpected Crowns
Tarnished Empire was completely unexpected. To be honest, I don’t read Ava’s blurbs. I just read the book, and with a cover like that I wasn’t even I tempted to read the blurb. I knew the world from Corrupt Kingdom (both TE and CK are standalones), the cover was gorgeous, and I enjoy her stories so I didn’t care to read the blurb.
I think this had an influence on my perception of the story. I expected more enemies to lovers, more violence and angst, more o ...more
4 Unexpected Crowns
Tarnished Empire was completely unexpected. To be honest, I don’t read Ava’s blurbs. I just read the book, and with a cover like that I wasn’t even I tempted to read the blurb. I knew the world from Corrupt Kingdom (both TE and CK are standalones), the cover was gorgeous, and I enjoy her stories so I didn’t care to read the blurb.
I think this had an influence on my perception of the story. I expected more enemies to lovers, more violence and angst, more o ...more


3.5 stars
Vendetta
*arc generously provided by the promo team in exchange for an honest review*
I'm familiar with Ava Harrison but not THAT familiar with her. What I do know is that she comes up with interesting concepts for her books, and here that's once again true. It's not the same 24/7 in every book, and I truly appreciate that as a reader. Also, Ava writes great characters. Her heroines are always above-average in my liking. Strong ladies that kick ass and that don't let anybody uproot t ...more

I always enjoy stories about people falling in love in situations like this.
4+⭐️
Alaric Prince is not a nice man. He is dangerous and her father’s enemy. Not a good combination.
Alaric is the anti hero that you hate or love. He’s a villain through and through but once he meets Phoenix she sees becomes the light to his darkness.🖤🖤🖤
I love the fact that even though she was afraid of him, it never showed and that drove him crazy.
If you are in the mood for something darker, this is the right choice fo ...more
4+⭐️
Alaric Prince is not a nice man. He is dangerous and her father’s enemy. Not a good combination.
Alaric is the anti hero that you hate or love. He’s a villain through and through but once he meets Phoenix she sees becomes the light to his darkness.🖤🖤🖤
I love the fact that even though she was afraid of him, it never showed and that drove him crazy.
If you are in the mood for something darker, this is the right choice fo ...more

Dec 07, 2020
Christine B
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
bad-boy-alpha,
sassy-heroine,
broken-alpha,
dark,
mafia,
enemies-to-lovers,
new-author-to-me,
revenge
I did enjoy this book however it just took a long time to start. I understand characters building is what it was. Trying to destroy the man that is my fathers competition & enemy is simple, or so I thought. Being hidden away and not having my fathers last name was hurtful. But I figured out it was for a reason. Now that I know what my father did for a living I wanted in the family business to help my father anyway I could. Seducing Alaric Prince was easy, well until I felt the boat he invited me
...more

Instant Top 10 & Book Hangover Guaranteed
Just when I think that Ava Harrison has given me all the twists and turns possible, she comes back with an amazing plot and character arc leaving me in a book hangover. Alaric is the book boyfriend your parents do not want you to have and you will not be able to resist by the end. Phoenix is the stubborn, intelligent, heroine that can go toe-to-toe with the hero even in the most jaw-dropping scenarios. The suspense, romance, and action sequences in this b ...more
Just when I think that Ava Harrison has given me all the twists and turns possible, she comes back with an amazing plot and character arc leaving me in a book hangover. Alaric is the book boyfriend your parents do not want you to have and you will not be able to resist by the end. Phoenix is the stubborn, intelligent, heroine that can go toe-to-toe with the hero even in the most jaw-dropping scenarios. The suspense, romance, and action sequences in this b ...more

Oct 07, 2020
Ria | Abstract ♥ Books
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
angst,
erotic-romance,
kidnapping,
blackmail,
dark-romance,
standalone,
bully-romance,
suspense


ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS

'Tarnished Empire' is a standalone by the best-selling author Ava Harrison. Told in dual Perspectives , this book was one wild ride!
I have always been a die hard fan of this author , especially because of those twists and turns her books have. You anticipate one thing and this author throws you off by giving you the best punch in the face twist of all times! And she doesn't stop there… nah , she goes on giving those twists until you are a c ...more
![Daniela [What A Bookworm Reads]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1604858214p2/110035692.jpg)
*ARC provided in exchange of an honest review*
You don't have idea what this book is. It goes to my 2020 favorites list.
When I thought there wasn't man that I going to love more than Cyrus Reed, I met Alaric Prince. And don't judge me, I love Cyrus, but Alaric just has my heart.
⠀⠀⠀⠀
The story is incredibly fascinating, when you start you can't stop reading.
First of all this is an enemies to lovers, and who doesn't love that?
With this book I laughed, I cried, I suffered. You go through so many emot ...more
You don't have idea what this book is. It goes to my 2020 favorites list.
When I thought there wasn't man that I going to love more than Cyrus Reed, I met Alaric Prince. And don't judge me, I love Cyrus, but Alaric just has my heart.
⠀⠀⠀⠀
The story is incredibly fascinating, when you start you can't stop reading.
First of all this is an enemies to lovers, and who doesn't love that?
With this book I laughed, I cried, I suffered. You go through so many emot ...more

ah...
Just like with the Corrupt Kingdom, I just DO NOT feel the actual connection between the characters, I don't feel the lust, I don't feel the chemistry at all...
The animosity, oh yeah, it's in full force and it works on that level BUT I'm missing that pent up chemistry needed for the "enemies to lovers" to work for me...
And the fact that (view spoiler) ...more
Just like with the Corrupt Kingdom, I just DO NOT feel the actual connection between the characters, I don't feel the lust, I don't feel the chemistry at all...
The animosity, oh yeah, it's in full force and it works on that level BUT I'm missing that pent up chemistry needed for the "enemies to lovers" to work for me...
And the fact that (view spoiler) ...more

A TALE OF TWO DISCONNECTED HALVES OF A STORY
“Life is pretty fucking good”
… until a kingpin’s vendetta to avenge his brother’s murder gets tangled up in a daughter’s scheme to save her ” dad” from being targeted for execution. This is a book-end story< where the vendetta is at the beginning and end, while the middle is all filler about enemy MCs stranded on an island where they find love. No, it doesn’t mesh well together, but the end picks up with rushed closure and some long-overdue, touching r ...more
“Life is pretty fucking good”
… until a kingpin’s vendetta to avenge his brother’s murder gets tangled up in a daughter’s scheme to save her ” dad” from being targeted for execution. This is a book-end story< where the vendetta is at the beginning and end, while the middle is all filler about enemy MCs stranded on an island where they find love. No, it doesn’t mesh well together, but the end picks up with rushed closure and some long-overdue, touching r ...more

Loved it
This was my first read by this author and she has a new fan in me! I loved Alaric and Phoenix. Alaric was the perfect bad boy antihero but Phoenix is no pushover. I enjoyed their banter and chemistry. The writing and storyline was engaging. If you're looking for a story with twists and turns and the right amount of heat this one is for you! ...more
This was my first read by this author and she has a new fan in me! I loved Alaric and Phoenix. Alaric was the perfect bad boy antihero but Phoenix is no pushover. I enjoyed their banter and chemistry. The writing and storyline was engaging. If you're looking for a story with twists and turns and the right amount of heat this one is for you! ...more

3 stars
Let me just start by saying…
This cover.
Nice.
Anyway, back to business…
This is a low 3 stars for me. It took me a while to warm up to this plot. At the start of the book we’re introduced to the main characters and everything happens rather quickly. I didn’t like the pace of the writing and didn’t really care for the characters at this point. I pushed on regardless.
Then a plot twist happens midway through and our protagonists end up stranded alone for weeks. Here we get a lot of character ...more
Let me just start by saying…
This cover.
Nice.
Anyway, back to business…
This is a low 3 stars for me. It took me a while to warm up to this plot. At the start of the book we’re introduced to the main characters and everything happens rather quickly. I didn’t like the pace of the writing and didn’t really care for the characters at this point. I pushed on regardless.
Then a plot twist happens midway through and our protagonists end up stranded alone for weeks. Here we get a lot of character ...more

5⭐️
Wow.
This book was emotional than I've anticipated. It was truly unexpected. I started thinking that this is going to be some kind of a mafia-ish romance, but I was wrong. It's more than that. Sure there was shooting, siege, kidnapping, torture and etc but it was also an emotional read.
I cried, on more than one occasion. I don't know if I'm just being hormonal and sentimental but there are more parts of the book that would surely pull on your heartstrings.
And that plot twist, man. I wasn't a ...more
Wow.
This book was emotional than I've anticipated. It was truly unexpected. I started thinking that this is going to be some kind of a mafia-ish romance, but I was wrong. It's more than that. Sure there was shooting, siege, kidnapping, torture and etc but it was also an emotional read.
I cried, on more than one occasion. I don't know if I'm just being hormonal and sentimental but there are more parts of the book that would surely pull on your heartstrings.
And that plot twist, man. I wasn't a ...more

From the blurb to the cover to the thrilling plot, Tarnished Empire has it all. What begins as a battle of wills slowly warps into so much more. This is an enemies to lovers romance executed flawlessly!
Alaric and Phoenix are pure chemistry heightened further with each passing scene. The angst and drama unfolding left me hovering to each page. I couldn’t read fast enough, couldn’t devour this author’s graceful prose quick enough to sate my need to know. Another Top 2020 read for me and highly rec ...more
Alaric and Phoenix are pure chemistry heightened further with each passing scene. The angst and drama unfolding left me hovering to each page. I couldn’t read fast enough, couldn’t devour this author’s graceful prose quick enough to sate my need to know. Another Top 2020 read for me and highly rec ...more

Wow. I went into this book completely blind, having no idea what I was getting myself into...

This book was such an emotional ride!
I love this author and with this book she had me at the edge of my seat. This was one of the best Mafia romance books I have ever read.
Alaric and Phoenix are two difficult characters but I slowly warned up to them.
The book is full of twists and turns and our heroes have to make difficult decisions. Their feelings for one another were new to both of them, especially Alaric, but their connection was so strong and as the story progressed it went on another level ...more
I love this author and with this book she had me at the edge of my seat. This was one of the best Mafia romance books I have ever read.
Alaric and Phoenix are two difficult characters but I slowly warned up to them.
The book is full of twists and turns and our heroes have to make difficult decisions. Their feelings for one another were new to both of them, especially Alaric, but their connection was so strong and as the story progressed it went on another level ...more

Are you looking for your next love to hate book boyfriend? Look no further with this addictive and rarely seen concept that will have you on the edge of your seat and swooning by the end. It's filled with fantastic banter and just enough suspense to keep you turning the pages long into the night. A definite must read.
More to follow. ...more
More to follow. ...more

Lies, deception, mayhem, murder and control. All things that Alaric Prince thrives off of but it is revenge that keeps him going. That is until Phoenix has her own plans that revolve around getting information from Alaric in order to save her father. But when the two end up trying to survive on a deserted island will the mistrust and sense of hatred be overcome with feelings of love and lust? What happens when the two are rescued? With each and every turn of the page, the reader is taken on a jo
...more

Ava has once taken us on a ride with her vivid imagination. Alaric and Phoenix will take a hold of you and pull you into their world. This couple has such pull toward one another. They are smart, sexy, unpredictable and so unexpected. I loved it.
Alaric is my father's enemy and he has been taking from us. He is under the assumption that my father killed his brother. I am Phoenix and I thought that I was strong enough to help take back what is ours and resist him. I don't think that I am . I made ...more
Alaric is my father's enemy and he has been taking from us. He is under the assumption that my father killed his brother. I am Phoenix and I thought that I was strong enough to help take back what is ours and resist him. I don't think that I am . I made ...more

Oct 09, 2020
⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven•
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
arc-beauty-2020
5 Flying Dove Stars⭐
A Dark+Dramatic but Plenty of Sweet+Swoon Story With A War, Enemies, A Bait, Dangers from all sides, Hilarious Banters and Finding Love while Surviving❤.
I Soo Loved Alaric & Phoenix!
I liked the writing style, was sucked in the story, DEVOURED this in 8hrs.
#My 1st by Ava, I'm totally going for more!
Alaric is Ruthless but Hot+Charming AF: An Anti Hero with a Sarcastic Sense of humor. He's got morals, Doesn't kill those who don't deserve it..Also He never harms Phoenix, so point ...more
A Dark+Dramatic but Plenty of Sweet+Swoon Story With A War, Enemies, A Bait, Dangers from all sides, Hilarious Banters and Finding Love while Surviving❤.
I Soo Loved Alaric & Phoenix!
I liked the writing style, was sucked in the story, DEVOURED this in 8hrs.
#My 1st by Ava, I'm totally going for more!
Alaric is Ruthless but Hot+Charming AF: An Anti Hero with a Sarcastic Sense of humor. He's got morals, Doesn't kill those who don't deserve it..Also He never harms Phoenix, so point ...more

Tarnished Empire by Ava Harrison was a heartaching , swoonworthy, sexy as sin and exciting adventure! This story sent me through a sweet dreamy haze, an adrenaline rush and a storm of all kinds of intense feels. It was unique, breathtaking and utterly captivating.
Phoenix Michaels is determined to help her adoptive father in the war against the most formidable, fearsome and vengeful enemy, Alaric Prince. He is not a good man by any means. He deals in everything illegal and on a mission to destroy ...more
Phoenix Michaels is determined to help her adoptive father in the war against the most formidable, fearsome and vengeful enemy, Alaric Prince. He is not a good man by any means. He deals in everything illegal and on a mission to destroy ...more

Holy Moly!!! What an amazing and wild ride! I am not sure what I was expecting but it completely blew me away! I had a huge book hangover because I could not put it down, but I don’t regret it one bit! Tarnished Empire was a stand-alone but we have met Alaric before. It was a fast paced, edge of your seat, and oh so sexy read!
Phoenix was on a mission bring Alaric down. She wasn’t going to let him get away with stealing from her father. But she wasn’t as stealthy as she thought.
Alaric did his res ...more
Phoenix was on a mission bring Alaric down. She wasn’t going to let him get away with stealing from her father. But she wasn’t as stealthy as she thought.
Alaric did his res ...more

Tarnished Empire is a story that gripped me from the start, one that had me devouring the story in a single sitting. There were some characters that I think were in other books by the authors – and if they’re not, I hope they get their stories – but you can read this without any knowledge about these characters.
Tarnished Empire was a story with a lot packed into it, one that had me gripped in many ways. There were a few details that I easily predicted, but it was not enough to lessen my enjoymen ...more
Tarnished Empire was a story with a lot packed into it, one that had me gripped in many ways. There were a few details that I easily predicted, but it was not enough to lessen my enjoymen ...more
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The Corrupt Empire
(4 books)
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