Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:
Synopsis for Slay: Rivalry (from Goodreads):
Edward Fasbender is a devil.He’s my father’s business rival, a powerful, vicious man who takes what he wants and bows to no one. I only took the meeting because I was curious. I thought he was going to offer me a job.
But that’s not what he’s after at all. His proposal is much more intriguing, and I see an opportunity. An opportunity to turn the tables and bring down the devil.
I’ve gotten in trouble playing these games before. I know when the risk is too great, when the stakes are too high. I know how to be cold and strong-willed and destructive. I know how to withstand dominant men with arrogant charm and rugged features.
Yet I can’t resist taking on Edward.
And I can’t resist the pull he has on me.
Soon I’m not so sure which side of the battle I’m standing on–if I’m the warrior meant to slay,
Or the one who will be slain.
SERIESous’ Top Picks: Favourite Author
Series: Slay Quartet
This is a standalone spin-off of the Fixed Series (Suggested Reading Order here)
Author: Laurelin Paige
# of Books: 4 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Drama
Heat Rating: Hot (BDSM: high | Kink: mild)
Point of View: First Person, Single (#1); Alternating (#2-#4)
Publication Date: June 4, 2019 – May 12, 2020
Source & Format: Candi Kane PR–eARC (#1); Own–Kobo (#2-#4)
**This post was originally published as a Blog Tour Stop review of the first book of the series. It has now been updated to include the newest publications in the series.**
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
I’m a HUGE Laurelin Paige fan. She writes one of my all time favourite contemporary romance series, Fixed. That’s the series I recommend to everyone who wants a delicious contemporary romance read with a hint of drama.
I’ve been dying for more insight into Celia as a character since the moment we met her in the Fixed Series. She’s fascinating as a character and her storyline later in the series is definitely intriguing. So I was eager to dive in to this.
The Plot:
The beautiful thing about all the spin-offs that Paige writes is that you don’t need to read the previous series to get what is happening. Yes, it helps to know what the allusions mean but you can definitely get by without knowing the full details. But each characters’ story is isolated to their own novels.
As some who has read all the previous novels, it was neat to see how this story fits in with the timelines and put some of the pieces together. And even though I somewhat know what happens with their story, Laurelin Paige is still able to deliver this air of the anticipation. After all, I may know some of the outcome of their relationship, but the journey itself is completely unknown!
And what a journey it is! This book had me hooked from the start! I loved this game of cat and mouse between Edward and Celia. Add to that their explosive chemistry and you’re in for a ride.
The Characters:
As I said before, Celia is one of those characters that I’ve been dying to know more about ever since she was introduced. I was so excited when it was announced she was getting her own series.
There’s just something about getting into a character’s head after only seeing them through the filter of other characters. To get her inner monologue now helps me understand her motivations and actions in a completely new way.
As for Edward—it’s funny but I always pictured him as this really old man from the first series. Probably because he is rivals with Celia’s dad. But oh boy! I’ve seen him in a completely new light and me-likey! He’s everything I want in a darker alpha lead. He’s got this air of mystery and authority but he has these moments of vulnerability that charm me every time.
The Romance:
The tension is palpable between these two! I love enemies to lovers stories because the rivalry just amps every thing up, including the romance.
My Expectations for the Rest of the Series:
Is the sequel here yet? I’m feeling a little book-hangover here…
–July 15, 2021– Books #2-4: Ruin | Revenge | Rising
I binged the rest of this series in one week! I LOVED this so much!
This series goes down a road I didn’t expect; one that had its tougher moments to read but I’m so glad I stuck with it. All these books were A-Grade good. Just a masterclass on how to weave together drama and romance.
We get Edward’s POV in the other three books and I really enjoyed that. He is such a great character. An alpha male but still has that vulnerability to him that sucks you right in.
I love a good redemption story and it isn’t everyday we see a “bad girl” get one. Celia has always been an intriguing character so getting to know her better with her own series has been fabulous. I’m so glad that Laurelin Paige stuck to her gut and gave us this incredible series!
My Rating: 5/5
Rivalry 5/5 | Ruin 5/5 | Revenge 5/5 | Rising 5/5
New and returning fans will love this new, darker romance from Laurelin Paige. It has the right amount of angst, romance and drama to keep you hooked!
Read if You Like: Darker Contemporary Romances, arranged romances
Avoid if You: dislike anti-heroes
- Fixed on You by Laurelin Paige (Fixed Series #1)
- Claim Me by J. Kenner (Stark Trilogy #1)
- Bared to You by Sylvia Day (Crossfire Series #1)
Laurelin Paige
With over 1 million books sold, Laurelin Paige is the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Fixed Trilogy. She’s a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.
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