Author: Nikki Groom
Publication Date: May 29th 2014
Goodreads URL: HERE
Plot: **Holding Aces is part one of a two part Adult Contemporary Romance series that contains mature sexual content and language and is not intended for readers under the age of 18.**
*Please note: This is not a dark romance*
They say that time heals all wounds.
But mine are set in so deeply, they’ve taken on a life of their own, lurking in the shadows at every turn and haunting my thoughts.
The girl I once was has been replaced by a stranger.
I don’t even know who I am anymore.
I run.
And I hide.
Pretending to be someone I’m not…
Until I meet Denham King.
My burst of color in an otherwise grey world.
And for the first time in my life, I find myself running towards someone instead of running away.
But fate can be cruel,
and I can’t escape my past.
Can I?
☆✮ My Review ✮☆
"We have something Ari. I don't know what it is, but there's something. Everything is different with you, and I don't intend to let that go. When I see that sparkle in your eye, and it's coming in my direction, I feel like I'm holding all the aces."
Holding Aces was a lovely read that has its potential to being a substantial duology.
Arianna is a girl running from her past and two abusive and troubled exes: one being her well connected ex boyfriend and the latter being her husband. Both of whom are very bad news and reasons of which she goes on the run and finds herself in hiding at posh hotel, The Kingdom, to start over try to make herself anew.
While there, she bumps into Denham King, the owner of the hotel and brother of her bestie's boyfriend, and the sparks are off the charts!
Only, Arianna isn't so sure about getting involved with this handsome, powerful, overprotective, and oozing with sex mogul. She hadn't exactly had a great history with men after all.
But when Denham makes it clear that he will wait and do whatever it takes to make her his, will she cave and give into something perhaps more? Will old wounds from her past heal? And what of her exes? With them still in the mix, will they threaten everything everything that Arianna has worked so hard to leave behind? Or tear everything apart? Read and you will find out!
My thoughts: Without doubt, I will be staying tuned for part two, the conclusion, of this delectable series!! It was fast, easy, and very steamy!!
I swear, Ms. Groom had me panting from sexual tension and frustration all the way to giddiness and satisfaction for when they FINALLY did 'the deed.' Hallelujah!!
As for setbacks...well, my primary quarries with this story were the "snaggy" pacing at times, the overly cheesy dialogues between Denham and Arianna; and then, the actions of the characters seeming too fairytale like that in books and movies. Add to that, I honestly felt that Denham and Arianna's relationship evolved too fast for my taste. While I did appreciate them waiting for a while before sleeping together, their emotional connection developed too fast my liking. I mean, Arianna comes from abusive previous partners and while I still can see her struggling with this in the story, I don't know, maybe she should have taken her relationship with Denham just a tad bit slower? But maybe that's just me.
As for Denham, I liked him, I did. I just was kind of confused with this insta-love he develops for Arianna. As one of the most eligible and wanted bachelors in Las Vegas, you would think that even with the immense attraction for Arianna that he'd still be cautious and not lay down all of his cards right away for this one girl that he's just met (and that apparently has some major unresolved issues).
"She's the most captivating woman I've ever seen, and yes, thats definitely the fastest reaction I've ever had to anyone. I want more. F#ck me, do I want more. I want my name to roll from her tongue in both a whisper and a scream. I want to light a fire to her wounded eyes."
[Reviewer's note to Denham]: I mean seriously dude, you only just met this girl and you're going all gungho on her..baggage and all... I just hope you knowing what you're doing! It's your life, your business, your reputation, and credibility on the line...Just saying.[/End of Reviewer's Note]
Over all though, a very nice debut and I will definitely be hanging on to see what comes next!! That cliffhanger at the end killed me!! *gah!!*
Great job Nikki!!
*I received an ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!*
My Rating:
-Overall 8.5
-Plot: 8
-Writing: 8
-Characters: 8
-Cover: 8
☆✮ About the Author ✮☆
Nikki Groom is a hopeless romantic, lover of all things happily ever after and firm believer that love makes the world go around.
In her spare time, you will find Nikki laughing with her very treasured family, walking with her beloved dog in the hundred acre wood or curled up in a cosy corner with words and wine.
She lives in East Sussex with her husband and two children. Having turned her hand to many things over the years, Nikki is now proud to add ‘author’ to that list.
Having always been a dreamer, Nikki’s imagination stretches far and wide, which enables her to get lost in faraway places and imaginary people.
Her debut novel is ‘Holding Aces’ which will be released late Spring 2014.
Nikki loves to chat, especially about books! You can find her here…
Email: nikkigroom.author@gmail.com
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