Adventures in Literature

The Ballerina & The Butcher Boy Complete Duet by Nicci Harris

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

This book was so much more than what I expected. When I came across this story on TikTok, a new hot spot for books, the author was sharing about the book and it caught my attention. Her visuals on these characters and their story had me captivated. Max and Cassidy represent the young and beautiful side of the underground mafia in their story. Max is one of the “Butcher Boys”, a family that rules the town and everything that goes on within it. Cassidy has been obsessed with Max from afar for most of her life and when her 18th birthday party finally brings them together, there’s no going back from the connection they have.

This is a duet, meaning it essentially includes two full size books and was a lot to read and took me some time. But the dynamic going on in this story and between these two characters is almost addictive. When I wasn’t able to read it, I was thinking about them, and where everything was going to take them. So much pain and heartbreak exists in their world and sometimes it is painful to read through those situations. But both of them show so much strength as well that you just couldn’t help always rooting for them in everything they came up against.

Cassidy is an adorable young woman, a ballerina, with a personality like a stuffed animal explosion. I mean that in a very sweet and sincere way. She’s sweet to the core, finds simple things funny and is just an adorable little thing. Max is pretty much her complete opposite. He’s huge and full of muscles and surrounded by a shadow of darkness and is almost always brooding and shielding his emotions. They provide a purpose to one another; reasons to go on. Her soft side sweetens his darkness and makes his life so much more bearable, while his adoration for her gives her a love like nothing she’s ever experienced that motivates her to want to be there for him and protect him.

I didn’t realize when I started this that there is a book that came before it that features Cassidy’s brother Konnor as well as a planned release for after this that features the crazy Butcher brother Bronson. Now Bronson was an absolutely amazing supporting character as his wild personality brings some levity to a lot of situations. Not to mention the depth of darkness doesn’t even touch the surface of Max. I’m so glad I reached out to Nicci Harris about reading this one because it is a wonderful book!

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About The Book

Cassidy Slater wants two things in life.
The first is to be the youngest leading ballerina in her academy. She will need unwavering dedication. No time for men. Unfortunately, her heart didn’t get the memo, because her second secret want. . . is Max Butcher.

Max Butcher’s scowl is notorious.
He has a dark intimidating presence, hinting at a life lived hard and fierce. He is the heir to an underground empire, and a man of few words, but his actions cut straight to the point.

To him, Cassidy is a silly little girl.
But one he can’t keep his hands off.

Forced together, Cassidy will learn fast what it means to be wanted by a man like Max Butcher. And his world is going to intoxicate her. The ruthless bastards that he calls family – The Family – will want to use her, tutu and all.
But she is his now.

It’s an eye for an eye where he comes from, and he’s willing to blind the whole damn lot of them.
For her, he’ll start a damn war.
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Our Thing – The Ballerina & The Butcher Boy has been called Mafia Romance for Contemporary Romance lovers. This duet combines two books: Our Thing & Cosa Nostra. It is part of The Kids of The District series. You do not need to read book one in the series to enjoy this duet. It has a happily ever after. . . for these two at least. It features a powerful and moody hero and an endearing and determined heroine. Both main characters are possessive and fight for each other. It is an epic love story first. Word steam second. Violence, gore, and drama, third. Enjoy.

Revelation by Eva Winners

An ARC copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

I have to admit that this one was a little choppy in the beginning getting the story going, but after a little while it really picks up and is a very good book! Layla was born into a rich family, but her mother was not married to her father and therefore she is unwanted by the family. Kept outside of their reach for much of her life, a tragic accident takes her mother and boyfriend and Layla is blamed for their deaths. Leaving her fending for herself in the walls of the family that never wanted her. 

Now she’s grown up and someone has been blackmailing her about the truth behind that car accident that took their lives and Layla is at her wit’s end with being the unwanted family member and never being able to find a family of her own. Until she’s asked to babysit for her best friend Liberty who is getting married and the groom’s brother is going to stay with her as well. 

Maxim is devastatingly handsome and there’s a pull between him and Layla that neither of them can keep ignoring. But they do! This is a slow burn kind of romance where all the goods come at the end – but turned out alright by me because their build up was a really good one anyway. 

A great story and a really hot ending that I wasn’t quite expecting but welcomed all the same. This is the third book in this series and it didn’t disappoint at all! Layla is feisty and Maxim has a firm hand that is sure to show her who’s the boss and help her keep in line as well as feel as loved as she’s always wanted. 

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About The Book

Layla has been her family’s disappointment all her life.

Haunted by her trauma, she drifted through life without a purpose and searching for love in all the wrong places.

A yearly reminder by a stranger ensures she never forgets her mistake.

Maxim is loved by everyone. Darkness within him demands control. His experience in the military left no room for softness.

Layla and Maxim’s paths cross, more than once. When their paths cross at the masquerade ball, the sizzling attraction takes on a whole new level.

What happens when Layla figures out who’s her mysterious man behind Phantom mask? Or when she’s cornered into another blackmail?

Paper Cranes by Julie James

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

This is easily one of those timeless books that you can set aside a weekend for and just curl up and enjoy it from beginning to end. 

The main character, Cassie, has just lost the love of her life and is trying to see straight in her new world. Nothing is easy when you’re going through something like this, but the quirky and in-your-face manner of Cassie’s personality allows you to laugh out loud at many points in this story when all you want to do is let your tears flow from feeling her pain.

Matt is also a pretty powerful character. He carries this heavy sadness throughout the story in a way that makes you feel for him without even understanding why. The connection between him and Cassie is reminiscent of how Cassie and her husband was in that synchronistic kind of way that you can’t ignore.

There are so many great scenes throughout this book that bring raw, real life experiences into focus in a way that many may not understand. But Cassie’s personality shines through like a beacon looking for its home again and you can’t help but to love these characters deeply.

An amazing read and I can’t wait for more from this debut author!

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About The Book

Cassie Caldwell is a confident and feisty widow who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, even while attempting to navigate her way through the year after her young husband’s accidental and sudden death. With the help of her family and friends, Cassie finds herself in the process of getting her life back on track and healing. Serendipitously, she receives a letter of condolence from Matt Brooks, an acquaintance from high school.


After reconnecting, both Matt and Cassie begin to realize that they might be more than just old classmates as they find themselves spending more time together and corresponding regularly. Cassie attempts to move on from her husband and accept her new life situation, while Matt comes to the conclusion that he is just as enamored with Cassie as he always was.


As their feelings deepen, Matt worries that he should protect Cassie from her own growing affection until he can understand the best way to move forward from his own past and explain it to Cassie.

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