Intrigued (The Blackstones: The Forbidden Billionaire)

This was my first time reading this author and I must say that I really enjoyed the book. It was very suspenseful and is surrounded in a mystery that reporter Holly is trying to uncover about the Christmas Family! When she is contacted by her old college classmate Bryan, she has no idea what awaits her at the Christmas Mansion. She also has no idea who she can trust and who she can’t!! This makes this book a very quick read because you just can’t put it down! You have to find out what happens next! And now I have to find out what happens in the next book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you have read any of my previous reviews by now you know that there are something's I really dislike in a novel. For instance more sex then plot. Or too much reality without a happily ever after. But I especially dislike cliffhangers! And if I have to wait months or a year to get the next book I become extremely agitated. Intrigued by Z.L. Arkadie is part of a trilogy so a cliffhanger was anticipated. But by the time I got to the end of the book I was so intrigued (pun intended) with the mystery that I screamed in frustration when I reached the cliff! After I got my household to settle down, I realized the rest of the series was already available, so all is not lost. My only problem now is my overflowing To Be Read Shelf and reaching the limit of this month's book allowance. Oh to be as rich as the Christmases in Z.L. Arkadie's Intrigued! So putting cliffhangers aside let's discuss what I liked about this novel. There is plenty of hot panty melting sex but it is very well blended in the plot. In fact who is involved with whom is a large part of the intrigue. The other part of the mystery is whether or not the sex is consensual as well as the hint of a dominant-submissive theme. The characters are developed over time, naturally as the main character, Holly Henderson, renowned investigative reporter, gets to know them , as a guest of the Christmases over the holidays. This again adds to the suspense as you become aware that not everyone is as straight forward as they seem. I especially loved Harper Christmas the main male character. Harper has that Gothic hero/villain vibe to him. In fact the whole family mansion at the holidays With a group of family and outsiders has that Gothic historical novel feel to it. I loved those novels as a kid so maybe that's why I got so caught up in this novel. The suspense gave me that spine tingling feeling of excitement as I was drawn further and further into the story. And as I said before, even knowing, the author was going to leave me hanging from the side of a cliff, I was so absorbed in the story, I never saw it coming until I turned the last page. The wait to read the second book may just kill me! Ok so I was never good with delayed gratification! You can bet your bottom dollar , I will finish the Jasper Christmas trilogy, sooner rather than later!

Let me say I read Spencer Christmas and Jada Forte's story first and maybe 🤔 I should have read Jasper and Holly's story before I read theirs. Some of the pieces of the family dynamics was filled in with just reading the first book 📚📖 of the Dark Billionaire Jasper Christmas. Jasper and Holly's story begins with her coming to the Christmas Mansion for Christmas 🎄. She was invited by Bryn who was her roommate at college. The Christmases paid for her dorm the entire four years she went to college. She liked Bryn but she only saw her for the first year. This story was strange in that siblings did not trust one another. Jasper being the oldest and his father on his death bed at this time had to resume the position as the Head of the family. Amelia to he mother was deceased. So many secrets and lies and drama. I am definitely ready to find out what happens with Jasper and Holly. Good Read.

The story itself was a fast-paced steamy tale centered around a very private, billionaire leading man and a younger investigative reporter leading lady. Lots of twists in the plot, plenty of hot sex and mystery add to the engaging tale…. all good stuff. The hyper-engaging plot just stops without ending. Too many threads just never close beyond an invitation to purchase the second in the series. That’s why I rated the 4 star novel only 3 stars.

"Jasper Blackstone not your typical billionaire. He Falls for Holly the reporter who is there to dig up dark secretos of his family. It was a bit of a slow read as I'm not one for the drama genre, but the twists and turns were unseen and spice was very romantic instead of carnal and kinky."

This was suspense personified!! There are so many twists and turns that I was totally engrossed. Its a very engaging sorry. I missed some things so because of it I have a lot of questions because this family had secrets. I'm not a whistle blower so enjoy your ride. You'll get my whistle blower reference later. Enjoy!!

Each and every book in this trilogy is worth every penny, the secrecy, the darkness, the lust, the love, the conspiracy... Definitely a must read for anyone who enjoys a rollercoaster ride. Fully recommended.

What a great story. Loved the old house, the passage ways (tunnels), the hot sexy sex, and the family dynamics. Lots of mystery, curious back history I haven't read about yet. Just too good not to continue reading the follow up books of the trilogy, so good I can't wait.

wowee, so Holly was asked by bff Bryn from their college days to Christmas to write a biography or uncover some secrets regarding her family, and let me say that this book has major secrets, like you scratch your head and want to punch something bad, secrets, but on the flip side, I know its super quick, along comes Jasper and sparks fly, and their chemistry is bam, didn't wait for a week or what.

enjoyable book easy reading

Romantic, erotic, tense, and enjoyable. Fun read. I was forced, yes forced, to buy the trilogy because I need to know what happens.

Was a good read but male lead was not likable in this book so far was hoping for more in this book

This was a good easy read. good story line and a bit of page turner. Really want to read the next book!