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Blood Legacy #1
Bad Guy
In a town steeped in secrets and a legacy of blood enters a man from another world committed to bringing the town of Shelby-Love and one woman to their knees.
I am Kiyoshi Takeda, I rule an empire and I will rule Krie Love too.
She comes to me thinking with lies she can save her misguided brother. She will soon find out that I am not to be trifled with...
I don't care how good the food at her restaurant, The Camellia tastes -- or her body for that matter.
She will kneel.
She will CRAWL.
She will give face.
Her eyes drowning in pools of passion won't sway me.
The way her lips curve around me won't soften my heart.
I won't give in to her soft cries.
My mission is retribution.
To reclaim the honor they thought to take from me.
It all starts with conquering my one weakness, my one obsession... Krie
I am Kiyoshi Takeda, I rule an empire and I will rule Krie Love too.
She comes to me thinking with lies she can save her misguided brother. She will soon find out that I am not to be trifled with...
I don't care how good the food at her restaurant, The Camellia tastes -- or her body for that matter.
She will kneel.
She will CRAWL.
She will give face.
Her eyes drowning in pools of passion won't sway me.
The way her lips curve around me won't soften my heart.
I won't give in to her soft cries.
My mission is retribution.
To reclaim the honor they thought to take from me.
It all starts with conquering my one weakness, my one obsession... Krie
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2022
623 people are currently reading
1241 people want to read
About the author
Kenya Goree-Bell
18 books272 followersKenya Goree-Bell currently lives in Madison, AL with her former warrior husband and three kids. She is an author and fearless Autism advocate. Writing as Karis Bell, she is also the author of The Harem Diaries Series. She is a life long bibliophile and loves to talk about books. Her purpose in writing is to show the diversity of experience through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. The Mogul Series is her contemporary debut featuring a diverse group of characters who find their Happy Ever Afters while learning for about themselves in the process. Kenya can be found most Wednesday nights hosting an array of fabulous authors on TheKGB~ The K's Grown & Sexy Book Club, where authors come and talk about craft and their love of books!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
January 22, 2023
2.5 stars
The sentence structure and grammar are copiously awkward enough to the point of distraction. Certain phasing wasn’t fluid; strange word choices, misplaced commas, fragmented sentences, and on top of those, overly descriptive text giving a lengthy feeling. A decidedly slow pace, overly detailed without progression, my attention waned. Dual, first person, and some spice, maybe I will try again in the future because I liked the characters and premise; Kiyoshi seemed ruthless, cold, but smitten, the heroine Krie, confident and infatuated. For now, DNF at 67%.
The sentence structure and grammar are copiously awkward enough to the point of distraction. Certain phasing wasn’t fluid; strange word choices, misplaced commas, fragmented sentences, and on top of those, overly descriptive text giving a lengthy feeling. A decidedly slow pace, overly detailed without progression, my attention waned. Dual, first person, and some spice, maybe I will try again in the future because I liked the characters and premise; Kiyoshi seemed ruthless, cold, but smitten, the heroine Krie, confident and infatuated. For now, DNF at 67%.
November 21, 2022
2.5 sadly error-prone stars
While this was an ok read, I spent so much of the reading in frustration about the absolute DIRE NEED for an editor and proofreader! Unfortunately, this isn't a one-off issue with Goree-Bell's books but I think this might have been the most egregious of the ones I've read. My goodness this one was a struggle from the start. Changing tenses, missing words and punctuation, JUST FLAT OUT INCORRECT words, phrases, punctuation, and grammar all over the place etc, it was A LOT. It's really sad because I was (mostly) on board with the story.
I know what I'll get with Goree-Bell's books in that the hero will be stereotypical romance Alpha AF (which is hit or miss with me), non-communicative, wealthy, dominant blah blah. The heroine will be self-sacrificing, a good girl, borderline doormat, over-achiever and submissive. I don't necessarily have a problem with that but it can get boring. We have Krie and Kiyoshi in this one (**sigh** the 'K' names) and they were fine. Just that. Fine. Not exciting, memorable or too interesting, sadly. Krie was a smidge annoying in that she was naïve to the core even at her age and with all she's done (more on THAT later). I believe she was 30 but can't remember. What really annoyed me was that she never checked her ungrateful and awful brother that got her into the mess that facilitates the "agreement" the Double K's enter into. Again, that was fine but I really wanted SOMEONE to get her brother together 😂. These characters lacked a bit of life for me and I couldn't figure out why they softened towards one another and why they would want to be together but that's the case for a lot of these "dark" romances today. Not a lot of cogent plot or character development. I also wasn't a fan of being dropped in with characters that are already familiar with one another. It's an annoyance for me. The sexy times were good with an above average DTH (dirty talking Hero), which is always a plus. I will say that it never ceases to make me laugh when authors write IR with non-Black men, yet code them in tone, language and ATTITUDE as culturally Black. Kiyoshi was not an exception to this practice 😂😂.
I do have to say that I also really wish authors writing IR with Black women would ease up on the wildly overachieving heroines. I've run into this quite a lot particularly in IR books where the heroine has ALL the skills and ALL the credentials and does ALL THE THINGS but at the same time is under 30 (where'd she get the time?😂). From one Black woman to others, we don't have to be workhorse, doormat, overachievers to be loved and to be loved by non-Black men. It always gets taken too far to the point of being far-fetched and/or unbelievable. For example, Krie in this book. She's a 4 Michelin starred chef, yet she only has one restaurant. Three is the most Michelin stars any restaurant can have. Does she have another restaurant that wasn't mentioned or did Goree-Bell just not understand how Michelin stars are awarded and how chefs **individually** acquire them? Krie owns a restaurant yet has her 17 year old brother doing the books for her? She went to culinary school at The Sorbonne in Paris?!?! Like... WHAT?!?! Not Le Cordon Bleu? (I would be shocked if there were any culinary courses at the Sorbonne and I'm pretty sure there aren't). All this and I think she's supposed to be 30? She also has spent time studying Japanese and Japanese customs at least it reads that way as we learn in the first on-page interaction with Kiyoshi. Don't get me wrong, it's not as if these things aren't possible (the Sorbonne thing probably isn't 😂), it's just that it takes time and I'm sorry but you'll need to age that heroine UP! It's just too much done with little research that is ultimately pretty unnecessary. Maybe most readers won't catch these things but you'll always have readers like me with the life experience that will and it just adds to the frustration.
ANYWAY, this review has gone on long enough. I think Goree-Bell has good ideas and good bones to her writing, I think she just needs some reining in (not reigning in or raining in 😉). Many a trusted and adept proofreader at the very least wouldn't go amiss. There's a lot to like but it's a tough slog. All in all a decent read with hopes of better in future.
While this was an ok read, I spent so much of the reading in frustration about the absolute DIRE NEED for an editor and proofreader! Unfortunately, this isn't a one-off issue with Goree-Bell's books but I think this might have been the most egregious of the ones I've read. My goodness this one was a struggle from the start. Changing tenses, missing words and punctuation, JUST FLAT OUT INCORRECT words, phrases, punctuation, and grammar all over the place etc, it was A LOT. It's really sad because I was (mostly) on board with the story.
I know what I'll get with Goree-Bell's books in that the hero will be stereotypical romance Alpha AF (which is hit or miss with me), non-communicative, wealthy, dominant blah blah. The heroine will be self-sacrificing, a good girl, borderline doormat, over-achiever and submissive. I don't necessarily have a problem with that but it can get boring. We have Krie and Kiyoshi in this one (**sigh** the 'K' names) and they were fine. Just that. Fine. Not exciting, memorable or too interesting, sadly. Krie was a smidge annoying in that she was naïve to the core even at her age and with all she's done (more on THAT later). I believe she was 30 but can't remember. What really annoyed me was that she never checked her ungrateful and awful brother that got her into the mess that facilitates the "agreement" the Double K's enter into. Again, that was fine but I really wanted SOMEONE to get her brother together 😂. These characters lacked a bit of life for me and I couldn't figure out why they softened towards one another and why they would want to be together but that's the case for a lot of these "dark" romances today. Not a lot of cogent plot or character development. I also wasn't a fan of being dropped in with characters that are already familiar with one another. It's an annoyance for me. The sexy times were good with an above average DTH (dirty talking Hero), which is always a plus. I will say that it never ceases to make me laugh when authors write IR with non-Black men, yet code them in tone, language and ATTITUDE as culturally Black. Kiyoshi was not an exception to this practice 😂😂.
I do have to say that I also really wish authors writing IR with Black women would ease up on the wildly overachieving heroines. I've run into this quite a lot particularly in IR books where the heroine has ALL the skills and ALL the credentials and does ALL THE THINGS but at the same time is under 30 (where'd she get the time?😂). From one Black woman to others, we don't have to be workhorse, doormat, overachievers to be loved and to be loved by non-Black men. It always gets taken too far to the point of being far-fetched and/or unbelievable. For example, Krie in this book. She's a 4 Michelin starred chef, yet she only has one restaurant. Three is the most Michelin stars any restaurant can have. Does she have another restaurant that wasn't mentioned or did Goree-Bell just not understand how Michelin stars are awarded and how chefs **individually** acquire them? Krie owns a restaurant yet has her 17 year old brother doing the books for her? She went to culinary school at The Sorbonne in Paris?!?! Like... WHAT?!?! Not Le Cordon Bleu? (I would be shocked if there were any culinary courses at the Sorbonne and I'm pretty sure there aren't). All this and I think she's supposed to be 30? She also has spent time studying Japanese and Japanese customs at least it reads that way as we learn in the first on-page interaction with Kiyoshi. Don't get me wrong, it's not as if these things aren't possible (the Sorbonne thing probably isn't 😂), it's just that it takes time and I'm sorry but you'll need to age that heroine UP! It's just too much done with little research that is ultimately pretty unnecessary. Maybe most readers won't catch these things but you'll always have readers like me with the life experience that will and it just adds to the frustration.
ANYWAY, this review has gone on long enough. I think Goree-Bell has good ideas and good bones to her writing, I think she just needs some reining in (not reigning in or raining in 😉). Many a trusted and adept proofreader at the very least wouldn't go amiss. There's a lot to like but it's a tough slog. All in all a decent read with hopes of better in future.
November 23, 2022
Pretty good read, but I had some problems
1. I HATE thad. He literally had no respect for Krie even when she done everything to get him outta trouble. I would’ve let the wolves eat him
2. Krie was a pushover and didn’t stand up for herself.
Other than that it was a good read.
Steam-4/5, amazing dirty talk, light/medium bdsm themes
1. I HATE thad. He literally had no respect for Krie even when she done everything to get him outta trouble. I would’ve let the wolves eat him
2. Krie was a pushover and didn’t stand up for herself.
Other than that it was a good read.
Steam-4/5, amazing dirty talk, light/medium bdsm themes
November 1, 2022
I just don’t think this was a book for me. I’m not into the BDSM sex and I just can’t get into a book where our “hero” spends majority of the story abusing the heroine. I legit didn’t understand why Krie cared about him and I couldn’t get on bored with the author telling me he cares about her. I’ve read stories with similar premises that made me end up actually liking the hero but this just didn’t do it for me.
It’s an overall we written book so you should check it out, you might like it more!
It’s an overall we written book so you should check it out, you might like it more!
May 28, 2025
Didn't Give What It Was Supposed to Gave...
First time reader of this author. This started so well, but went south fast and never recovered for me. I hung in there hoping it would improve because they can surprise you, not here unfortunately.
Pros: LOTS of sex scenes, you get some Japanese culture/tradition, good recipes at the end and Japanese phrases/definitions at the end, black woman has her own, BDSM
CONS:🤦🏾♀️Easy one- put the Japanese dictionary at the front of the book so readers can reference it, no one is thinking to look at the back. Ive done BDSM books before, but this was BDSM gone so wrong. The dynamics of the D/s here was disrespectful, rude and toxic…did not follow any safety/setting of boundaries or anything, even when you have certain kinks. You get some dynamics/rules of BDSM that fit, but here you almost expect the h to be bleeding and needing medical care after...mental health care was definitely needed. Not a piece of aftercare involved. The H comes off as a rich, entitled, traumatized man child that will punish the world...but needed therapy, not a love interest. The h "presents" as strong, capable, kind, smart business savvy black woman that happens to be a virgin with no relationship experience. She does not read as a layered character, she reads more like a young, naive, "pick me" doormat that has very low self esteem & a need to save everyone. Where are her friends??? She comes from a stable family, but falls in love with this man that tells her constantly that she is nothing to him & worse?? We find out randomly towards the end that a cousin is her bff, where has she been & why isnt she talking to her from the beginning?? It was hard to read a black woman being talked to and treated like she was nothing in the climate that we live in, in real life right now. This h, gets drug emotionally and mentally by mostly everybody for the whole book. Her brother is a selfish, immature ingrate that she continually risks her life for multiple times even though he is ungrateful, disrespectful, and hard wired for trouble-no matter the consequences. Why is this h in love with a disrespectful masochistic that demeans and treats her like a prostitute...because of the 🍆??? She is traumatized repeatedly for 90% of this book before she stand up for herself-once she loses everything (was at the 70% mark before anybody else stands up for her). The dynamic of the H/h became emotionally/mentally abusive, the sex even started to be ridiculous when the dynamic was so disrespectful & toxic.
Other irritants in the book, grammatical errors became ridiculous. The H is pretty traditionally Japanese, very austere, hates our culture, but then he's saying he "don't want a bad b" & "what that mouth do"😒. It was off putting and did not fit the character. The h is not even protecting herself sexually in this sketchy situation, but she's seen as wise??? Even her inner circle is even encouraging her to "see" the H's "love actions" as if this toxic situationship is "unconventional" but healthy WHAT!?!?😳 Her MIL almost kills her, but she's still turned on and wants to have $ex right after with Mr rude and disrespectful??? I was over the pick me behavior by 35%, but I hung in hoping for some kind of cool plot twist. I try to give benefit of the doubt with new authors, but if this is how black women are written & portrayed...Im not interested. This started as yes and became a BIG NOOOOO for me.
First time reader of this author. This started so well, but went south fast and never recovered for me. I hung in there hoping it would improve because they can surprise you, not here unfortunately.
Pros: LOTS of sex scenes, you get some Japanese culture/tradition, good recipes at the end and Japanese phrases/definitions at the end, black woman has her own, BDSM
CONS:🤦🏾♀️Easy one- put the Japanese dictionary at the front of the book so readers can reference it, no one is thinking to look at the back. Ive done BDSM books before, but this was BDSM gone so wrong. The dynamics of the D/s here was disrespectful, rude and toxic…did not follow any safety/setting of boundaries or anything, even when you have certain kinks. You get some dynamics/rules of BDSM that fit, but here you almost expect the h to be bleeding and needing medical care after...mental health care was definitely needed. Not a piece of aftercare involved. The H comes off as a rich, entitled, traumatized man child that will punish the world...but needed therapy, not a love interest. The h "presents" as strong, capable, kind, smart business savvy black woman that happens to be a virgin with no relationship experience. She does not read as a layered character, she reads more like a young, naive, "pick me" doormat that has very low self esteem & a need to save everyone. Where are her friends??? She comes from a stable family, but falls in love with this man that tells her constantly that she is nothing to him & worse?? We find out randomly towards the end that a cousin is her bff, where has she been & why isnt she talking to her from the beginning?? It was hard to read a black woman being talked to and treated like she was nothing in the climate that we live in, in real life right now. This h, gets drug emotionally and mentally by mostly everybody for the whole book. Her brother is a selfish, immature ingrate that she continually risks her life for multiple times even though he is ungrateful, disrespectful, and hard wired for trouble-no matter the consequences. Why is this h in love with a disrespectful masochistic that demeans and treats her like a prostitute...because of the 🍆??? She is traumatized repeatedly for 90% of this book before she stand up for herself-once she loses everything (was at the 70% mark before anybody else stands up for her). The dynamic of the H/h became emotionally/mentally abusive, the sex even started to be ridiculous when the dynamic was so disrespectful & toxic.
Other irritants in the book, grammatical errors became ridiculous. The H is pretty traditionally Japanese, very austere, hates our culture, but then he's saying he "don't want a bad b" & "what that mouth do"😒. It was off putting and did not fit the character. The h is not even protecting herself sexually in this sketchy situation, but she's seen as wise??? Even her inner circle is even encouraging her to "see" the H's "love actions" as if this toxic situationship is "unconventional" but healthy WHAT!?!?😳 Her MIL almost kills her, but she's still turned on and wants to have $ex right after with Mr rude and disrespectful??? I was over the pick me behavior by 35%, but I hung in hoping for some kind of cool plot twist. I try to give benefit of the doubt with new authors, but if this is how black women are written & portrayed...Im not interested. This started as yes and became a BIG NOOOOO for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2023
Call me what you want but I love a villain and just like Krie, I believe that Villains deserve to be happy too!
Bad Guy is the story of a ruthless billionaire badass who is exiled to a small town that falls in love with a local chef with a troubled teenage brother. Krie's brother does the unforgivable and feels it is her obligation, as his guardian, to repay a debt with her body but ultimately her heart.
Tropes: grump/sunshine, mafia, small town romance, billionaire, bdsm.
Note: that this is the first in the Blood Legacy Series but ties directly into the Mogul Series and should probably be read after finishing that series. However I'm a rebel and jumped right in to Krie and Kiyoshi's story.
While the repetition of Krie being a 4 star Michelin star chef (which is not a thing, 3 is the max) grated on my nerve. I ate this story up like the exceptional meals Krie provides! Kiyoshi's obsession with Krie hooked me in from the beginning and I couldn't turn away. There was a little something for everyone like family drama, mystery, passion and comedy. If you start with this one, I can guarantee that you will want to go back and read the Mogul series because of how intriguing Kenya makes all of the characters. I am truly begging we get a Taylor and Hishashi story.
Bad Guy is the story of a ruthless billionaire badass who is exiled to a small town that falls in love with a local chef with a troubled teenage brother. Krie's brother does the unforgivable and feels it is her obligation, as his guardian, to repay a debt with her body but ultimately her heart.
Tropes: grump/sunshine, mafia, small town romance, billionaire, bdsm.
Note: that this is the first in the Blood Legacy Series but ties directly into the Mogul Series and should probably be read after finishing that series. However I'm a rebel and jumped right in to Krie and Kiyoshi's story.
While the repetition of Krie being a 4 star Michelin star chef (which is not a thing, 3 is the max) grated on my nerve. I ate this story up like the exceptional meals Krie provides! Kiyoshi's obsession with Krie hooked me in from the beginning and I couldn't turn away. There was a little something for everyone like family drama, mystery, passion and comedy. If you start with this one, I can guarantee that you will want to go back and read the Mogul series because of how intriguing Kenya makes all of the characters. I am truly begging we get a Taylor and Hishashi story.
January 20, 2024
A. Wild. Ride!
Kiyoshi is my man!!!! I love his so much!!!
I don’t even have words for this review. Just know I’m heading straight to book two after typing this! Kenya I neeeeeeed to know more about the brother and Taylor ASAP!
Kiyoshi is my man!!!! I love his so much!!!
I don’t even have words for this review. Just know I’m heading straight to book two after typing this! Kenya I neeeeeeed to know more about the brother and Taylor ASAP!
January 14, 2024
Decided to check this book out after seeing Kenya all over my TikTok FYP.
By no means am I saying this is a bad book, but this just wasn’t a book for me. We have this amazingly successful and smart entrepreneur in Krie who for the life of her cannot stand up for herself.
The entire book we just watch Krie get walked all over and treated terribly by those who supposedly care for her and at no point does she say try and stop it.
Don’t even get me started on her rat of a brother. Talk about an ungrateful little shit .
Our MMC Kiyoshi was the typical dark and mysterious, touch her and you die alpha male. But also remember that I will never care about her ya’ll.
The entire book I was screaming KRIE STAND UP! She just deserved so much better and was literally given scraps by everyone around her.
Now to the writing. In my opinion it felt very clunky. This story has so much potential but it just didn’t flow which made it hard for me to get into the story. Also what was the timeline? We are never told how long this relationship with Krie and Kiyoshi was going on for. Could have been 2 months or 2 years I have no idea. The typos are also a plenty so if that is something that drives you crazy I wouldn’t recommend
2/5 stars.
By no means am I saying this is a bad book, but this just wasn’t a book for me. We have this amazingly successful and smart entrepreneur in Krie who for the life of her cannot stand up for herself.
The entire book we just watch Krie get walked all over and treated terribly by those who supposedly care for her and at no point does she say try and stop it.
Don’t even get me started on her rat of a brother. Talk about an ungrateful little shit .
Our MMC Kiyoshi was the typical dark and mysterious, touch her and you die alpha male. But also remember that I will never care about her ya’ll.
The entire book I was screaming KRIE STAND UP! She just deserved so much better and was literally given scraps by everyone around her.
Now to the writing. In my opinion it felt very clunky. This story has so much potential but it just didn’t flow which made it hard for me to get into the story. Also what was the timeline? We are never told how long this relationship with Krie and Kiyoshi was going on for. Could have been 2 months or 2 years I have no idea. The typos are also a plenty so if that is something that drives you crazy I wouldn’t recommend
2/5 stars.
April 2, 2023
I need authors to proofread their stories!! 🤦🏾♀️ How can you expect the readers to take your work seriously when you can't even be bothered to go over your work?
The characters- meh. Kris and Kiyoshi were both just... boring. There was no depth to them and about a quarter of the way in I pretty much lost interest. I kept reading hoping things would turn around but it didn't. The writing style also makes this story draggy and had me thinking "get to the point already". It just went on longer than necessary.
Also, was this supposed to be a BDSM? He took her to his 🔞 room once and he did basically the same thing they always do. This leads to my other gripe- the 🔞 scenes were stale... I don't think I've ever experienced that in a novel before; the same moves over and over? Cmon.
I was duped by the high review that's for sure 😒
The characters- meh. Kris and Kiyoshi were both just... boring. There was no depth to them and about a quarter of the way in I pretty much lost interest. I kept reading hoping things would turn around but it didn't. The writing style also makes this story draggy and had me thinking "get to the point already". It just went on longer than necessary.
Also, was this supposed to be a BDSM? He took her to his 🔞 room once and he did basically the same thing they always do. This leads to my other gripe- the 🔞 scenes were stale... I don't think I've ever experienced that in a novel before; the same moves over and over? Cmon.
I was duped by the high review that's for sure 😒
April 22, 2024
Firstly the structure and grammar in the book is JARRING!!!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬
Secondly, this is an all spice no substance book, the plot is hanging on by a thread, he blackmails her she is his CONSENTUAL sex slave,but the spice is very repetitive. If I read she ached between her thighs or she can feel her wetness on her thigh, girl go see a doctor. Lol 😂
Yet again, the FMC is a doormat, it's a dom n submissive relationship BUT it's outside the bedroom, n it's not dominate it's disrespectful.
1 star for The MMC being a sexy Japanese business man the FMC being a business owner black girl but that is it.
Secondly, this is an all spice no substance book, the plot is hanging on by a thread, he blackmails her she is his CONSENTUAL sex slave,but the spice is very repetitive. If I read she ached between her thighs or she can feel her wetness on her thigh, girl go see a doctor. Lol 😂
Yet again, the FMC is a doormat, it's a dom n submissive relationship BUT it's outside the bedroom, n it's not dominate it's disrespectful.
1 star for The MMC being a sexy Japanese business man the FMC being a business owner black girl but that is it.
December 29, 2025
I never leave a book halfway, but in this case I have to DNF at 10%. The writing is absolute shit, the amount of typos this book has in 5 chapters is ridiculous, not to mention the poorly structured sentences, the random comas and the amount of bad writing.
I’m not sure if this is the author’s second language, but I can tell you that English is my second language and this book is unreadable.
I’m not sure if this is the author’s second language, but I can tell you that English is my second language and this book is unreadable.
January 21, 2025
this was so fucking strange
September 28, 2023
2.5 Stars.
There is potential. The grammatical errors were too distracting as well as word choices that were used. Not sure if it was mentioned somewhere if we were to read another book/series by this Author first to be caught up on some of the characters mentioned in the book but it was a bit much trying to keep up with who was who and their significance to the main characters and story. A bit too descriptive for the mundane things that didn’t play a roll in the overall scenes. Example we didn’t need to know the type of truck (F150 Lightening) every time Krie was going to the truck.
There were a couple of moments jumping timeframes that I felt could have been contributing scenes. Specifically Thaddeus getting arrested to being in school within the same breath. And more conversation between Krie and her brother about his actions and him being held accountable.
As far as the relationship between the main characters it lacked growth/grounding. They had sexual chemistry but that is all that I felt.
Had a few get to it already moments and the story line could have been clearer.
There is potential. The grammatical errors were too distracting as well as word choices that were used. Not sure if it was mentioned somewhere if we were to read another book/series by this Author first to be caught up on some of the characters mentioned in the book but it was a bit much trying to keep up with who was who and their significance to the main characters and story. A bit too descriptive for the mundane things that didn’t play a roll in the overall scenes. Example we didn’t need to know the type of truck (F150 Lightening) every time Krie was going to the truck.
There were a couple of moments jumping timeframes that I felt could have been contributing scenes. Specifically Thaddeus getting arrested to being in school within the same breath. And more conversation between Krie and her brother about his actions and him being held accountable.
As far as the relationship between the main characters it lacked growth/grounding. They had sexual chemistry but that is all that I felt.
Had a few get to it already moments and the story line could have been clearer.
May 9, 2024
This desperately needed a good editor. The grammar, sentence structures and word choices were so odd it took me out of the story a few times. The story itself was not bad, although Krie could’ve used a backbone and Kiyoshi was definitely a massive asshole, albeit a mildly charismatic one. The subplot involving the hacking and townsfolk was far too detailed and in weeds so I found myself skipping through those pages as they didn’t add much to the story. Also, Krie has 4 Michelin stars???? The most you can get is 3!!
December 5, 2022
Bad Guy
The storyline was good, like the male and female character but there were so many errors in the story that it took a lot away
The storyline was good, like the male and female character but there were so many errors in the story that it took a lot away
June 9, 2023
2.5 stars, this book needed an editor soooo bad i was too distracted by the amount of typos and grammatical errors to get into the story but i do love a man obsessed
March 11, 2025
I wasn't sure what to make of Kiyoshi Takeda at first. In the beginning he came off very rude and a bit unlikable. But I was only a few pages in and felt like I was judging him a little too quickly. Around midway to three quarters of the story, I started to feel a lot differently. I really started to like him. Although he tried his best to fight his attraction, he was already gone for Krie before she came to his door asking for mercy for her brother and his friends.
Kiyoshi was determined not to have any feelings resembling love because he saw it as being a weakness. And when his mother was introduced, it was definitely clear where that came from. That woman was extremely cold and calculating. The scene with the tea when they went to visit his mother... and she wasn't even trying to hide it. That was some POTENT stuff to work that fast!
I would say that if you are someone that is new to dark romance and are wanting to get into it, this is probably a good place to start. It has some darker elements but isn't the darkest. I had the opportunity to interview the author with my bookclub regarding this book and she did say that the level of "dark" in this romance is intentional. It's part of a series and each book that follows it gets darker. I guess that's also good to gauge the level of darkness you'll like in a book.
I really enjoyed this read and from what I'm told, book two is even better. I will definitely be diving into that one soon.
Kiyoshi was determined not to have any feelings resembling love because he saw it as being a weakness. And when his mother was introduced, it was definitely clear where that came from. That woman was extremely cold and calculating. The scene with the tea when they went to visit his mother... and she wasn't even trying to hide it. That was some POTENT stuff to work that fast!
I would say that if you are someone that is new to dark romance and are wanting to get into it, this is probably a good place to start. It has some darker elements but isn't the darkest. I had the opportunity to interview the author with my bookclub regarding this book and she did say that the level of "dark" in this romance is intentional. It's part of a series and each book that follows it gets darker. I guess that's also good to gauge the level of darkness you'll like in a book.
I really enjoyed this read and from what I'm told, book two is even better. I will definitely be diving into that one soon.
November 1, 2022
I could not fathom why Krie was attracted to Kiyoshi. He was a pure villain. He was domineering both in and out of the bedroom with a heart and all tender emotions locked up in an Alcatraz of ice. His obsession with her and his need to control every aspect of her life was suffocating. He ruined this love story for me. And Krie had no backbone. She’s so sexually inexperienced that she confused his abuse with love. Kiyoshi marginally redeemed himself at the end of the last chapter, so instead of 1 star I’ll give it 2.5 stars but seriously I think I’m being generous.
Yes the writing was great with minor editing mistakes, and the story really captures you, but the characters were either not relatable or not likable. I would still read other books by this author. However, unless you’re into BDSM, forced intimacy, blackmail, domineering and controlling men, you probably won’t like this book.
Yes the writing was great with minor editing mistakes, and the story really captures you, but the characters were either not relatable or not likable. I would still read other books by this author. However, unless you’re into BDSM, forced intimacy, blackmail, domineering and controlling men, you probably won’t like this book.
May 21, 2024
This book is a 4.5. I have asked questions of myself, and feel like this book will sit with me. For the girls who love morally grey characters because they are loved in spite of their flaws- this one is for you. Read the authors warning-she told no lies in it.
Several times I yelled at the female main character, “GIRL STAND UP!” Only to realize, to my dismay, she didn’t want to.
There is racism ingrained in the story, betrayal, and revenge. The lines between pain and pleasure are often blurred. I know this story won’t leave me for a while.
Several times I yelled at the female main character, “GIRL STAND UP!” Only to realize, to my dismay, she didn’t want to.
There is racism ingrained in the story, betrayal, and revenge. The lines between pain and pleasure are often blurred. I know this story won’t leave me for a while.
May 3, 2024
I actually liked the main characters, for the most part. I’m not into bdsm, and I think this is the first time I read it in a book. It was ok for me. It’s a very spicy book. I had issues with the grammar and writing style. There were a lot of mistakes. Some things seemed off with the way the characters spoke in the book. Some parts repetitive. Overall, I did enjoy the storyline.
March 8, 2025
Listen this book was so good to me , Kiyoshi Takeda is my boo 🙂↔️ ! Lol I love him 🫶🏾 I really like Krie as well lol but 🗣️ Mr. Kiyoshi Takeda 🤭 is mine 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 jk
This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be finishing this series and reading more of her work 🫶🏾
This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be finishing this series and reading more of her work 🫶🏾
June 5, 2024
I can not wait to continue this series because goodness gracious Kiyoshi!!! I want more of him and I hope to see him again in the Blood legacy series
December 29, 2025
Bad Guy
Great job! I hate I waited so long to get into this series! I loved it. I am on to the next story.
Great job! I hate I waited so long to get into this series! I loved it. I am on to the next story.
November 14, 2022
What an enjoyable read
This is my first book by this author and I can tell you that I’m hooked. I loved everything about this book. I’ll definitely be looking for the other stories to read
This is my first book by this author and I can tell you that I’m hooked. I loved everything about this book. I’ll definitely be looking for the other stories to read
June 8, 2023
If this would’ve been 300 pages it would’ve been 5 stars for the execution of the plot, loved it nonetheless!!!
April 24, 2023
Kiyoshi and Krie's love story is intense, super dark and deliciously sexy! Bad Guy is a roller coaster of raw emotions and suspense. If you love drama, intrigue and thrilling elements, this book will keep you on the edge. Looking forward to book 2 in this Blood Legacy Series.
May 31, 2023
Like WHAT!
Some grammar mistakes but like WHAT?!
Boy oh boy I could not put it down. Now on to Easy Like Sunday Morning.
Some grammar mistakes but like WHAT?!
Boy oh boy I could not put it down. Now on to Easy Like Sunday Morning.
December 27, 2022
A villain you hate to love…
Some spoilers. I’m an otaku and I love Japanese culture so I’m always interested in discovering a really good AMBW story. I gave this 4 because the characters were well-written, and this is some of the best sexual tension/buildup I’ve read in a very long time. Also, I’m not too familiar with BDSM, but it was so creative and well written from both characters POV. I liked how it was used to show Krie’s character development. She learns to love through her encounters with Kiyoshi and ironically, being the sub gives her confidence. The story is dark and edgy without making the heroine a victim or tragic character. Even though she is a sub, she is cared for and revered outside of the bedroom. Kiyoshi is a proper a-hole and badass, and he is unapologetic, I love that. Some issues were the editing and excessive narrative in some places. Also some of the cameos from side characters were confusing if you hadn’t previously read their stories. I could forgive all of it because the main couple was interesting, I enjoyed them individually and as a couple. They had great chemistry. Where things took a turn for me occurred at the end of chapter 35/36 where our heroine loses her freaking mind in an over-the-top ridiculous way. It was probably a device to create an epic reunion finale but it wasn’t consistent with what had been going on in the relationship up until that point. There were other reasons she could have dumped him, like for spying on her or taking her freaking cat. But it was clear that his heart was softening towards her and they were growing closer but then she just had a bitch-fit when he was trying to HELP HER!!! So frustrating…I had been glued to the story and had binge-read in an evening up until that point and girl I was so mad I had to put it down… but then I picked it back up lol. This is my first read by Ms. Goree-Bell and the fact that I had such a visceral reaction to my girl Krie annoying the heck out of me is proof positive that this was a great read! I was emotionally invested in the characters and what happened to them. I was rooting for them to truly fall in love with each other, mission accomplished! Brava! I am definitely going to try the recipes at the end of the book. I am already getting the other stories and I read this as a Kindle Unlimited selection but I’m gonna buy this because I want to show my support for this author.
Some spoilers. I’m an otaku and I love Japanese culture so I’m always interested in discovering a really good AMBW story. I gave this 4 because the characters were well-written, and this is some of the best sexual tension/buildup I’ve read in a very long time. Also, I’m not too familiar with BDSM, but it was so creative and well written from both characters POV. I liked how it was used to show Krie’s character development. She learns to love through her encounters with Kiyoshi and ironically, being the sub gives her confidence. The story is dark and edgy without making the heroine a victim or tragic character. Even though she is a sub, she is cared for and revered outside of the bedroom. Kiyoshi is a proper a-hole and badass, and he is unapologetic, I love that. Some issues were the editing and excessive narrative in some places. Also some of the cameos from side characters were confusing if you hadn’t previously read their stories. I could forgive all of it because the main couple was interesting, I enjoyed them individually and as a couple. They had great chemistry. Where things took a turn for me occurred at the end of chapter 35/36 where our heroine loses her freaking mind in an over-the-top ridiculous way. It was probably a device to create an epic reunion finale but it wasn’t consistent with what had been going on in the relationship up until that point. There were other reasons she could have dumped him, like for spying on her or taking her freaking cat. But it was clear that his heart was softening towards her and they were growing closer but then she just had a bitch-fit when he was trying to HELP HER!!! So frustrating…I had been glued to the story and had binge-read in an evening up until that point and girl I was so mad I had to put it down… but then I picked it back up lol. This is my first read by Ms. Goree-Bell and the fact that I had such a visceral reaction to my girl Krie annoying the heck out of me is proof positive that this was a great read! I was emotionally invested in the characters and what happened to them. I was rooting for them to truly fall in love with each other, mission accomplished! Brava! I am definitely going to try the recipes at the end of the book. I am already getting the other stories and I read this as a Kindle Unlimited selection but I’m gonna buy this because I want to show my support for this author.
July 10, 2023
Great intimate scenes. Sometimes too wordy outside of the intimate scenes.
June 3, 2024
I am absolutely OBSESSED with this book!
There's spelling mistakes and other sorts of things throughout it but it hardly matters when the story is this good.
The sexual tension between Krie and Kiyoshi from page one has me hooked every time I read this book like I'm reading it for the first time again. Even ignoring the hot as sin sex scenes, the actual plot and character interactions keeps you turning every page.
Kiyoshi and Krie manage to be complete opposites while at their cores being the same. While Krie is kind hearted, and always believes the best of the people around her, Kiyoshi is cold, conniving, and sees only enemies around every corner. Yet they are both hard working, stubborn, determined people who are willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want.
The sex scenes between these two always leaves me hot and bothered. Kiyoshi has dirty talk down to an art form, "...show me what that mouth do.", "Get on the bed. Head down, ass up.". The way he absolutely dominates and rules her body when they're together could make real life men fall far short of the mark. The shaving scene has got to be one of the sexiest non-smut things I've ever read, and I look forward to it every single time.
I do spend the entire book wanting to smack the crap out of Krie's younger brother Thaddeus because he is one of the most ungrateful, self-important, smug, people in this book. He's so convinced he's doing the right thing that he doesn't care what laws or rules he's breaking or who he's harming along the way. Justice shouldn't actively cause harm to those around you who are trying to help, and who you claim to love and care about, and that's a lesson Thad seems determined not to learn.
There's spelling mistakes and other sorts of things throughout it but it hardly matters when the story is this good.
The sexual tension between Krie and Kiyoshi from page one has me hooked every time I read this book like I'm reading it for the first time again. Even ignoring the hot as sin sex scenes, the actual plot and character interactions keeps you turning every page.
Kiyoshi and Krie manage to be complete opposites while at their cores being the same. While Krie is kind hearted, and always believes the best of the people around her, Kiyoshi is cold, conniving, and sees only enemies around every corner. Yet they are both hard working, stubborn, determined people who are willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want.
The sex scenes between these two always leaves me hot and bothered. Kiyoshi has dirty talk down to an art form, "...show me what that mouth do.", "Get on the bed. Head down, ass up.". The way he absolutely dominates and rules her body when they're together could make real life men fall far short of the mark. The shaving scene has got to be one of the sexiest non-smut things I've ever read, and I look forward to it every single time.
I do spend the entire book wanting to smack the crap out of Krie's younger brother Thaddeus because he is one of the most ungrateful, self-important, smug, people in this book. He's so convinced he's doing the right thing that he doesn't care what laws or rules he's breaking or who he's harming along the way. Justice shouldn't actively cause harm to those around you who are trying to help, and who you claim to love and care about, and that's a lesson Thad seems determined not to learn.
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