My first Ana Huang, and it was a good one! I can see why this author has become so popular – this was soapy and spicy, with a compelling marriage of convenience/forced engagement romance that develops between two strangers who are not very enthusiastic about the arrangement. Their relationship is a slow burn, especially emotionally, and it simmers in the background before coming to a full boil. I loved that this had darker undertones without going all in – it just added a layer of tension that made the story more interesting, but it never went over the top. I also liked the way that this introduced some characters whose stories I’d love to read; a true series starter that sets things up without being bogged down by too many threads. Would I have liked fewer time jumps and more swoony moments? Absolutely, but this easily held my interest the whole way through – and it’s got me excited to read more from the author.
The story follows Vivian, a woman who thought she’d have her freedom for another year or two. While Vivian is a modern, independent woman, she doesn’t want to damager her relationship with her parents by refusing the arranged marriage that she is sure will come sooner or later. But she never expected that her new fiancé would be Dante, a man whose reputation precedes him. He soon makes it clear that their one-year engagement will be a business arrangement only, as will the loveless marriage that is set to follow. To keep up appearances, Vivian moves in with Dante, and it’s there that she gets to know her fiancé. Not just the cold businessman who leaves for weeks at a time without notice, but also the sweatpants-wearing guy who sneaks into the kitchen late at night. As the two become closer, Dante finds himself softening towards his fiancée – but there’s one major issue that he knows will be a problem down the road.
Huang’s writing style is so immersive and bingeable, it was easy to get drawn in within a few pages. I loved the vibe, and I always love a good strangers to lovers romance. A marriage of convenience as well, though this is more of an engagement of convenience. The roommates situation was great, and I loved the quieter moments with them together. It’s sexually charged, with plenty of tension. The only thing that I didn’t love were the repeated time jumps – it would move forward a week or a month at a time, and that sort of extinguished some of the building sexual tension. I guess I just wanted to know what they were doing in the gaps that we missed, especially since they were living together. But that’s really my only complaint, the rest of this was a very solid read. Dante makes an interesting hero, and it’s easy to see that there might be some shades of gray in future installments to the series. This stands on its own (with a HEA), but also sets up the series well and leaves a few threads feeling unfinished. It’s a quick, devourable read with lots of chemistry, likable characters, and some spicy moments. A definite win for me.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UK0LNT
Blurb:
She’s the wife he never wanted…and the weakness he never saw coming.
Ruthless. Meticulous. Arrogant.
Dante Russo thrives on control, both personally and professionally.
The billionaire CEO never planned to marry—until the threat of blackmail forces him into an engagement with a woman he barely knows.
Vivian Lau, jewelry heiress and daughter of his newest enemy.
It doesn’t matter how beautiful or charming she is. He’ll do everything in his power to destroy the evidence and their betrothal.
There’s only one problem: now that he has her…he can’t bring himself to let her go.
***
Elegant. Ambitious. Well-mannered.
Vivian Lau is the perfect daughter and her family’s ticket into the highest echelons of high society.
Marrying a blue-blooded Russo means opening doors that would otherwise remain closed to her new-money family.
While the rude, elusive Dante isn’t her idea of a dream partner, she agrees to their arranged marriage out of duty.
Craving his touch was never part of the plan.
Neither was the worst thing she could possibly do: fall in love with her future husband.
King of Wrath is a steamy arranged marriage billionaire romance. It includes explicit content and profanity. Recommended for mature readers only.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UK0LNT
About the Author:
Ana Huang is an author of primarily steamy New Adult and contemporary romance. Her stories range from lighthearted to dark, but they all have HEAs with plenty of banter and swoon sprinkled in. Besides reading and writing, Ana loves traveling, is obsessed with hot chocolate, and has multiple relationships with fictional boyfriends.
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