ABOUT THE BOOK
Oliver
I don’t usually trap women with amnesia into marriage.
But I guess there’s a first time for everything.
When the woman of my dreams falls into my lap, I can’t help but wonder what else she can do in that position.
She’s here. In my house. At my mercy.
And she thinks we’ve been lovers the entire decade we spent apart.
Briar and I have always been unfinished business.
Now it’s time to seal the deal.
Briar
I’m marrying a beautiful monster.
A crooked fraud. America’s wealthiest bachelor.
He claims we’re in love, yet all I taste in our kisses is hate and lust.
I don’t remember why or how.
But I do remember he’s the enemy.
Now, I’m stuck inside a nightmare.
And Oliver will do anything to keep me in the dark.
MY REVIEW
I recently grabbed my comfy chair, my yummy snacks, and my undivided attention to read my most anticipated book of the year and it was worth it! My two favorite authors took a classic fairy tale (Sleeping Beauty) and twisted it into an angst-ridden saga that had me on the edge of my seat.
Meet Oliver von Bismarck. He’s not just any royal, he’s the Count of Carinthia, son of the Duke, and embodies a perfect storm of sarcasm and self-sabotage. Talk about a boy with baggage! This guy has managed to screw up the love of his life, and his journey to redemption is nothing short of a dramatic saga. Fifteen years ago, he made a promise born from guilt, and boy, did it come back to bite him! When his long-lost love unexpectedly resurfaces with a bang, Oliver’s determined to make it right, no matter the cost. And yes, his antics are both cringe-worthy and charming all at once!
Then there’s Briar Rose, whose character tugged at my heartstrings. Smart, resilient, and fueled by a desire for revenge, she’s spent too long feeling unlovable. Her childhood was a masterclass in dealing with neglect, leading her to shut people out and play it safe. But after years of heartbreak, she’s ready to reclaim her story, push back, and confront Oliver about his past abandonment. The transformation she undergoes throughout the book is truly inspiring. This girl is not just a damsel; she’s a warrior in her own right!
The angst and chemistry between Briar and Oliver is palpable, and just wait until you read that sexy shower scene—definitely a moment to remember! When Oliver finally pulls his head out, he showcases a blend of charm and ruthlessness that makes you swoon. His small gestures, like gifting blue roses and giving Briar a guided tour of New York City, demonstrate his commitment to winning her back, and it’s just beautiful.
However, there were some things I just couldn’t fathom. For instance, the young Oliver at 19 had a lot of weight put on his shoulders with no support from his family after the accident that destroyed their lives, but I couldn’t comprehend how he hid his secret from his best friends for 15 years. It seemed unbelievable to me. Also, amnesia is not my favorite trope. I felt it was just a waste of time when Briar could have much sooner given him both barrels for leaving her. When she does finally get her memory back, it just fell short.
Despite my misgivings, “once you’ve enter the group chat, you can’t escape”. It was fun catching up with the crazy core friend group and their hilarious texts and undying loyalty.
Overall, this is not my favorite book of the series, but I’m so glad I finally found time to read it. If you’re a fan of witty banter, complex characters, and a delicious enemies-to-lovers, second chance story line, then please check this series out. And one more thing; I really need Sebastian’s story!
Dark Prince Road Series
My Dark Romeo (2023) – My review
My Dark Desire (2024) – My review
My Dark Prince (2025)
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
L.J. Shen
L.J. Shen is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of contemporary, new adult, and young adult romance. Her books have been translated in over twenty different countries, and she hopes to visit all of them.
She lives in Florida with her husband, three rowdy sons, and even rowdier pets. She enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows, and reading to her heart’s content., Parker S. Huntington is a stay-at-home dog mom from SoCal, where she discovered her allergy to rain. In spite of her shoddy attendance record and strong aversion to homework, she earned a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of California, Riverside and an A.L.M. in Literature from Harvard. When she’s not writing or exchanging food pics with her friends, she’s binge-watching an unhealthy amount of Netflix while curled up with her dogs.
Follow L.J. on her website, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, Facebook Group, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Bookbub, Pinterest, and Newsletter.
Parker S. Huntington
Parker hates talking about herself and is (also) allergic to social media, but you can catch up with her in her newsletter (link below). Occasionally, she’ll post a TikTok video.
Follow Parker on her website, Facebook, Facebook Group, TikTok, Amazon, Instagram, Twitter, Bookbub, Pinterest, and Newsletter.
