Title: The Initiation Author: Nikki Sloane
Series: Filthy Rich Americans #1
Release date: May 28, 2019
(Sub)genres: Contemporary Romance
Buy: Amazon US ~ Amazon UK
Rating:
I received this book from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
No one knows how new members are selected to the board of Hale Banking and Holding. But there are rumors of a sordid rite of initiation.
Whispers how one woman and nine men disappear into a boardroom.
This time, that woman will be me.
The Hale family owns everything—the eighth largest bank in the world, everyone in our town, even the mortgage on my parents’ mansion. And now Royce Hale wants to own me.
He is charming. Seductive. Ruthless. But above all, he’s the prince of lies. My body may tighten with white-hot desire under his penetrating gaze, but I refuse to enjoy it.
I’ll make a deal with the devil to save my family and sell myself to the Hales. But Royce will never own my heart.
Wealth, power, intrigues and keeping up appearance. For us normal people it’s a ‘far-from-our-bed’ show, but for Marist and Royce it’s a part of their lives. The Initiation tells the first part of their story, I’m very curious how everything will enfold.
“There was no escape. An insidious voice whispered inside me, telling me I didn’t want to escape, anyway.”
Marist is a student who comes from a wealthy family. With that comes duty and all, but since she’s only the second daughter, she pretty much can do what she wants. And that totally fine with her. However, everything suddenly changes when saving her family becomes Marist’s responsibility. Since it involves her secret crush Royce, she embraces her new life, even if it means pushing all of her boundaries.
“When I uncrossed my legs, he licked his lips, and the pull in my center was so acute, it verged on pain. God, how I wanted him. When I absolutely shouldn’t.”
Marist is a normal girl. As normal as you can be when you have her background, but she’s just a curious girl going through life. Her family is important to her, so Marist going with her family’s plan is not out of character. That Royce is involved as well, makes the deal even more interesting for her. Marist is swept up in the ‘fairytale’, but she’s also very aware of certain tales that surround Royce’s family. Even though she doesn’t fully know what will happen, Marist is intrigued.
The Initiation is the first part of the ‘Filthy Rich Americans Trilogy’ and introduces us to Marist and her world. This world includes a lot of other characters; family, a crush and some ‘interesting’ other people. The story is told solely through Marist her eyes, leaving Royce a mystery. Us readers learn her thoughts, hopes and questions, but he remains a mystery. Is he a good guy, or a sick and twisted man? Since this is book 1, a lot of questions remain unanswered, and leaving me not-so-patiently waiting for the second book.
“They say when someone shows you who they really are, you should believe them. Now I’d have no choice.”
Excerpt
Every pair of eyes in the restaurant was on us as we were led to our table for dinner. Probably not every pair, but God, it felt that way.
“Is it just me,” I asked over the top of my menu, “or is everyone staring at us?” Royce was indifferent. “They’re staring at you.”
His statement rattled me. “Why?”
“Because you’re here with me.” His gaze never lifted to mine, like he couldn’t be bothered. “Or more likely, because you’re fucking gorgeous. Who knows?”
Breath halted in my lungs. “You can’t just say shit like that.”
The leather-bound menu holder dropped onto the table with a thud, and I was met with the full power of Royce’s irritated stare. “That you’re beautiful? You are. Get over it.”
Dismay twisted my lips into a frown. “Please, don’t. I don’t need bullshit lines from someone like you.”
“It’s not a line, and . . . someone like me?” More annoyance darted through his eyes, but intrigue too. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
How was I going to put it into words? “You’re a ‘haver.’ I mean, you could have any woman in this room if you wanted, and probably some of the guys too. You’re young, hot, and filthy rich.”
His irritation vanished. It was replaced with an arrogant expression that said none of this was news to him. I pushed forward, gathering steam.
“Me?” I said. “I’m a ‘have-not.’ I’m sure you didn’t intend for it to happen, but when you said I was a nobody, you made it true. No one will touch me.”
“I touched you.”
He was immune to my scorching glare. “You wanted to know why I was still a virgin last year. Well, there’s your answer. You’re the reason, Royce. Nobody would be caught dead with me.”
He considered the accusation I’d lobbed at him. “You’re wrong,” he said finally. “I was aware what was going to happen. It’s exactly why I said it.”
My head turned into a void. “What?”
He leaned over the table to ensure he had my full attention. “I saw you at the bar with your sister that night. You were swaying to the music, all happy, and pretty, and it pissed me off. My father had already laid out plans for me. I was supposed to be with Emily, but that wasn’t what I wanted.”
I clenched the menu in my hands. I sensed where he was going, but I couldn’t wrap my head around it. My heart chugged along, thumping loudly in my ears.
“So, yeah. I knew you were behind me when I called you a nobody. I did it on purpose, because I couldn’t stand you with anyone else. I wanted you for myself.”
“Oh, my God.” My body flushed hot, although I didn’t know if it was with anger or excitement, or a deadly combination of the two.
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