Blurb:
"I made a bargain with a monster.
A vow to save both our lives.
I thought our commitment would stay true.
It didn't."
I've spent my entire life alone.
I'm well used to loneliness and the endless pain of having no one.
Sure, we made a bargain. We shared our secrets and made a vow.
But I warned her not to do one tiny thing.
One very important thing.
For a while, she obeyed me.
Until the night she didn't.
And now…the connection we shared?
That alliance we forged?
It's broken.
I'm broken.
And by the time I'm done with her…she'll be broken too.
My 5* Review:
OMG - that's how you write dark romance. My mind is blown and my heart shredded by these two.
Emerald Bruises is book two in The Jewerly Box series by Pepper Winters. This is dark romance at its best. Just when you think you know what is happening, the author switches it around and sends the story in a different direction. It is a mind-blowing story which had me totally transfixed. What surprised me the most was how emotional it was and the conflicting feelings I felt throughout. Henri and Ily have numerous challenges to face as Victor ups the ante and shows what an evil man he truly is.
Be prepared because your feelings for Henri will constantly flip back and forth. One minute you will feel for sorry for him and the demons he has battled all his life. Your heart will go out to him as he is so lost and lonely. Then you will be angry at his actions and won't believe some of the things he says or how easily he betrays his brother. Pepper has written him as such a two dimensional character - you'll love to hate him when he lets his monster free but you'll hate to love him when he's in the light and caring.
I am a massive Q fan and know what Henri has done will be devastating to him after all he has done to rescue slaves and all his hard work bringing down the perpetrators. But then again Q threw him in the deep end without any support so does Q actually deserve what H has done? I can't believe Pepper has made me even consider that scenario!!
The story continues straight on from Ruby Tears and we watch Henri embrace his monster and finally feels free of the 'Curse of Mercer'. He has found were he belongs, even if it is with people worse than him. Now he accept the darkness inside him and experience all his desires and needs with Ily. How will Ily react now he has dashed all her hopes. When they first met there was instant attraction and an undeniable connection, then as events unfolded a bond developed between them. Now his monster had taken over, will he break her or can she turn him back around.
He had warned her what was inside him but she thought the goodness inside him would fight back and he'd be the hero she originally thought he was. She knows she must find a way to survive as help won't be coming now. He is so possessive over her and threatens anyone who comes near her so could she use this against him. Ily is shocked at her reactions to Henri and can't understand why her body is betraying her. She is confused when she starts to enjoy their interactions. She knows he is obsessed with her but also sees he has no ides how to deal with his feelings for her as never experienced any love in his life.
I adore Peter and really worry if he is going to survive. He tries to be so strong and supportive towards her but some of his actions have consequences neither of them could have anticipated.
Victor is the archetypal villain, an evil master with his smirks and knowledge of everyone. He is very clever and nothing gets past him but his punishments and games are getting worse so be prepared for some atrocious scenes. I enjoyed when Henri stands up to him but there is always an ulterior motive behind everything Victor does.
A very fast paced story with so many twists and things constantly happening. Henri calls Ily his 'little nightmare' and that is exactly where they have found themselves. Nothing is as it seems and when they think they have it worked out, something always happens. There is a fantastic and terrifying cliffhanger ready for Sapphire Scars. How many of the 30 slaves will live through the Emerald Bruises game? This is another gem of a story from Pepper Winters.
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