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Monster in His Eyes (Monster in His Eyes, #1)

J.M. Darhower

Start date: July 8, 2014

Finish date: July 10, 2014

Discussion: ♥ Buddy-Reads ♥

Discussion leader: Paula

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May 09, 2017 Rosebud rated it liked it

Shelves: erotic-romance, mob-crime-mafia, series-book, suspense, antihero, mystery, contemporary, m-f, dark, new-adult

The only reason Karissa's able to afford college is because of free ride scholarship and a BFF, who's family has money, roommate. At risk to fall below her scholarship academic requirements, Karissa is struggling in her philosophy class knowing, if she fails, she's out as the scholarship will end.

A fluke chance meeting with Ignazio "Naz" Vitale changes things. Older, wiser, wealthy, sexually dominant, supportive, Naz is every girl's dream come true except he's hiding parts of his life that make The only reason Karissa's able to afford college is because of free ride scholarship and a BFF, who's family has money, roommate. At risk to fall below her scholarship academic requirements, Karissa is struggling in her philosophy class knowing, if she fails, she's out as the scholarship will end.

A fluke chance meeting with Ignazio "Naz" Vitale changes things. Older, wiser, wealthy, sexually dominant, supportive, Naz is every girl's dream come true except he's hiding parts of his life that make it hard to understand why he'd want a barely 18 girl like herself.

Vitale is feared as his skills sets make him a formidable opponent when crossed. Finding Karissa at this time in his life comes with it's own set of challenges that the two will have to resolve if they plan to have any chance of a future.

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New to me author and series. I was looking for a dark mafia read and saw this one at the top of many lists. Additionally read by quite a few friends. Sold.

The dark theme certainly lives up to it's name in this story although many scenes are a fade to black/unspoken sort of thing. In other words, for those sensitive to graphic violence and mob bloodshed, this may be a dark erotic romance to check out as the author chose to leave many of those details to the imagination of the reader.

This is an older man/younger female romance with an ~ 20 year gap between the two. Sugar daddy? Well, yes and no. Naz certainly makes Karissa's life more comfortable but imho not to the extent to meet that tag. Gave Naz credit for agreeing to a supper of a college staple. Ramen Noodle. That's gotta be true love for sure, lol. Beyond that, there is a mystery-suspense element to their romance that readers will find themselves trying to figure out over and above the obvious.

The adult content scenes are graphic, intense, and follow a D/s play book. Intense sensual graphic erotica pretty much sum things up. Included is a scene involving breath play that I didn't expect. Yummy. Of note, though there are dark overtones that do carry into the bedroom action but doesn't cross into taboo as safe wording is addressed between the two.

The cast of secondary characters do support the world building and main characters. Professor (Satan) Santino, any college student has encountered this character, lol.

My problems with this story stem from the stance that the fictional world building and characters were flawed. I'm really sorry that much of my opinion falls into spoiler info so I can't cite the many examples that led me to this opinion. Vague non-spoilers that I can reference is an early clubbing scene. If there is importance placed on this sort of environment and management, I'd expect some follow up. Historically, mob mentality is consistent in revenge and payback when slighted. It would be a stretch of the imagination if that wasn't the fact. There was an aspect to this feeling that totally had me stumped and questioning......

I am a fan of this story/series though there were definite problems. I've already grabbed Torture to Her Soul to find out where the open ended conclusion of this story is headed to next. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 28, 2014 Paula rated it really liked it

Shelves: genre-dark

4.5 stars, I really enjoyed this one, it was dark and I spent a considerable amount of time wondering who Naz is andhis relationship with Karissa.

Warning this book ends with a cliffhanger. It is the first book in a two part story, no indication of when book will be released, but it's sometime in 2014. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review