The Beast
Jaden Wilkes
5 Smooches
Synopsis
Dimitri Sokolov is a man scarred, physically and emotionally. From the rough streets of Moscow to the highest ranks in the Solntsevskaya Bratva, he has seen it all.
An attack four years ago left him disfigured and in seclusion, hiding from reactions to his appearance and in safety from those who failed to kill him the first time.
Comfortable in his penthouse, managing his billion dollar businesses, he’s resigned himself to be alone, simply called The Beast among those who’ve dealt with him in the past.
Columbia Grey is a pseudo-activist trying to save her neighbourhood from a developer intent on levelling it to build apartment towers. She goes along with a plan to confront the CEO of the company on his own turf, to force him to listen to her demands…all in a pathetic attempt to impress a man she barely likes.
Little does she know, she’s taken herself into the mouth of the beast, a man familiar with death and destruction, sex and seduction, a man used to getting exactly what he wants and a man with nothing left to lose.
She’s a beauty, but will that be enough to tame the beast and save her life?
**This can be read as a standalone, but is Book One in the Beast Series. Book Two is Little Dove.
*** Warning, this is a classified as a dark erotic novel. It deals with some pretty heavy themes. It may trigger those who have experience sexual abuse, rape, violence, basically a shitty childhood or life in general. I must be kind of messed in the head, because I thought it was a touching story full of amazing imagery and people with hearts that continue to beat and seek the beauty in the world in spite of life grinding them into nothingness. Apparently some early reviewers have found mainly the darker elements, so consider this your warning, for what it’s worth. This is not a fairy tale, this is what happens when the music ends and life goes on after the credits roll. This is about simply existing until you find yourself and write your own happily ever after, no matter what form it takes.
My Review
I want to start this review much the same way Jaden Wilkes starts off her book, with a bit of a warning!
This is a dark book that deals with topics not everyone is prepared to read about. There is talk of both abuse and rape as well as a good share of some BDSM. If these are not things you are comfortable reading about then this book isn’t for you. That being said I LOVED this dark story. This un-fairy tale is still so much of a fairy tale for me! The two people could not be more different and yet more perfect for each other.
When this story begins Columbia is trying to impress a guy who she has been lusting over for a while by sneaking into Dimitri’s building to confront the Real Estate Tycoon who is changing their neighborhood. Once Dimitri finds her he cannot let her go because she might lead the men out to get him back to his penthouse. He initially keeps her for his safety but it doesn’t take long for him to realize his intense attraction to Columbia.
Columbia is a young girl who is getting by in life. She comes from a rough childhood but has persevered for both her sake and the sake of her younger sister. The only way for her to deal with what she has been through is to cut herself so mixing some pain into her life is nothing new for her.
I won’t go into much detail about these characters or this story because I truly believe there is something special about discovering it as you go in this book. Columbia is damaged but a tough fighter, even after she has been captured and tortured she keeps fighting and refusing to give in.
Dimitri is an Russian ex-mob assassin with a hit on his head. He is hiding out while plotting his revenge on his old mentor turned enemy. Dimitri has only one person in his life who knows who and where he is and that is if confidant and attendant, The Concierge. Living the life of a fugitive or sorts has done it’s toll on him and he trust no one.
He keeps to himself and has girls brought in and blindfolded to relieve the tension h e builds up. So, when beautiful and innocent Columbia appears in his place he wants to keep her both for his safety (she knows where he is ) and his desires!
Let’s talk sexual chemistry! These two have it from the beginning, even when fighting it Columbia knows she wants this scary man. Once they give in . . . oh my! I can’t even explain how good it is!
This novel by Jaden Wilkes way well written and kept me guessing the whole way. Both Dimitri and Columbia are in a way broken but together they seem whole. Although their time together is fast paced and everything happens quickly it felt appropriate didn’t seem unrealistic to me. I loved the characters and the story and cannot wait to fall in love with them again in Little Dove. I honestly believe this is Jaden Wilkes best work yet and cannot wait to read more from her.
~miranda
