Synopsis
Welcome to the City, London’s most prestigious square mile, where finance reigns and Oliver King is a rising prince.
I used to rule the world.
There might be wolves on Wall Street, but there were crocodiles in Canary Wharf. Some of us craved money. Some of us craved power.
I liked money, and power had its advantages, but what I really wanted was to excel, to surpass the men who came before me. I never cared much for love and romance until I met Alexis.
I could feel it the very moment she walked into the interview, with her outspoken charm and vivacious personality. She cast all the others in shadow, made me laugh when life held no humour.
Our friendship should have remained professional, but it wasn’t long before the lines started to blur.
You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men? Well, I never foresaw where my plans would lead, and only in my darkest hour did I finally see the light…
You can have all the money and prestige in the world and still be the poorest man alive. And love, well, I hate to use a tired old cliché, but love can be the thing that truly sets you free.
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Buy Links
Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes | Smashworks
Review
**Received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**
5/5 Stars!
Needless to say that, again, L.H. has conquered and succeeded and I am one happy woman to be reviewing and most liking buy this book in paperback format when I can. I mean, I've rated all her books a solid 5/5, but this entire series? It deserves so, so much more than just a rating. So here's another review.
Even if this story is told in Alexis's point of view, I adored reading about King in both his past and future. I loved how this gave me the story of what happened to that drunkard back in Hearts of Fire. I knew, like Jay said, "I bet you could tell me some stories."
And boy did he have a story.
And boy did he have a story.
|He moved closer, his lips at my ear again, as I felt every muscle in his body go taut. His words were lethal. They held equal parts anger, triumph, and satisfaction when he whispered, "I fucking knew it." |
This wonderful story starts off in the past, where a young girl, Alexis is going for an interview applying to be a personal assistant for Oliver King, who is a very talented banker. And i'm talking about those high corporation bankers, the ones that are rich. Anyways, after a rather interesting interview, she get's the spot and gets settled in within a few months. During that time, King notes that she isn't like a typical PA, and he considers Alexis more like a friend...a friend he's rather turned on by.
But alas, to prevent any relationship at any cost with King, Alexis proclaims that she's gay and she has no lingering eyes for King. We all know that doesn't stop him.
King finds more and more reasons to like Alexis, both for her beautiful personality and her gorgeous looks, especially when he is asked to model with her in a photo shoot set by Alexis's friend. Let's just say the secret is out, and King takes advantage of that.
| "We're in something of a predicament, love."
I turned my face to look up at him. "We are?"
Reaching out, he stroked my cheek with the back of his hand. "Yes, my darling, because I very much want to fuck you." |
There's much more to the tale, and King's story is a dark one. One where he ends up making a huge mistake of leaving and he really does lose it all. You've given a glimpse of how King's alcoholism began and it only gets worse without him really realizing.
5 years later (or was it 6), in the present, Alexis receives a letter by...(guess who)...
5 years later (or was it 6), in the present, Alexis receives a letter by...(guess who)...
Lily!
She has somehow found out about Alexis's whereabouts and realizes that she's the person that's on the picture that King holds so dear to. She tells her that King is at the circus and she hopes that she can make things better. Alexis is distraught, and she doesn't know if she can go.
But she must. She wants to see him, after all those years of wondering where he went and if he was alive and well. Besides, she has a few important things to tell him...
...and people to meet.
I cannot emphasis how much I want everyone to read this book. I have no clue why I thought reading King of Hearts wouldn't make me cry, because it did. Those last chapters broke me and again, i'm left reeling over a relationship that is so pure, so true, that it makes me truly believe that love exists. Whether it's in a story or real life, true love always wins.
This book can be read as a standalone although I HIGHLY recommend you read the first two books, as they are important to the story.
This book can be read as a standalone although I HIGHLY recommend you read the first two books, as they are important to the story.
Excerpt
“I’m…” I began and then paused, feeling ridiculous. “This is stupid. I never make apologies for who I am or where I come from, but I just feel a bit embarrassed about my flat.”
“Your flat is lovely, Alexis.”
I pulled my lips through my teeth. “Thank you, but I mean the outside, not the inside. It’s probably because I’ve been to your place and seen how fancy it is. I bet you’ve never even stepped foot in a building like mine before in your life.”
He studied me, face drawn into a serious expression. I felt his shoulder brush mine when he said, “I haven’t, but what does that matter? You don’t always have to be stuck where you are. You can improve your life endlessly so long as you have the capability of doing it, and you, Alexis, have the capability. Don’t ever let anyone else tell you otherwise. But back to the matter at hand. You’re my friend, therefore, I don’t care where you live.”
I stared at him, dumbfounded and kind of flattered by all that stuff he said about my capabilities. I didn’t want him to know I was flattered though, so I ignored his compliment and blundered on. “And that’s another thing. Isn’t it a bit weird that I’m your friend and I also work for you? Do you normally make friends with your PAs? Isn’t this, whatever we’re doing, against the rules?”
“That’s a lot of questions.”
“I need a lot of answers.”
He was close enough that I could feel his breath on my ear. “Okay, I’ll endeavour to give you some. First, I wouldn’t say it’s weird that we’re friends. It’s more out of the ordinary.”
“Same difference.”
“Let me finish.”
“Fine,” I huffed.
“Second, no I don’t normally make friends with my PAs. In fact, I’d never planned to make friends with you. It just sort of happened. I like you. You make me laugh. And you’re different from other people I know. Having you around makes the day that little bit more interesting. I enjoy the spontaneity of never quite knowing what you’re going to come out with next,” he paused to laugh gently. “And third, no, it’s not against the rules. I’m free to be friends with whomever I choose, employee or not.” He went quiet then and I turned to see why he’d stopped talking.
His eyes looked…heated.
Now he whispered, his breath kissing my ear, “If I were to fuck you, it would be frowned upon, but it still wouldn’t be breaking the rules. I’m not your teacher or your college professor, Alexis.”
Spotify Playlists
I am in love with L.H.'s Spotify playlists and I lovee how she's arranged them for this book. Here are the links to both parts for King of Hearts:
The Hearts Series
Six of Hearts
Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords | iTunes
Hearts of Fire
Amazon US | Smashwords | B&N | Kobo | iTunes
Spotify Playlist Part Two
Interview
Alexis:
Me: How do you feel about your life right now? What, if anything, would you like to change?
Interview
I got the honor of talking to both Alexis and King and I asked them a few questions that made me feel very, very awesome. Here it is:
**contains spoilers**
Oliver King:
Oliver King:
Me: "Do you think you've turned out the way your parents expected?"
King: *laughs gently* "No. I don’t think anyone expected how I would turn out, nor the journey it would take for me to become who I am today."
Me: "Tell me about your best friend, Jack was it? He must have been a special guy if he was your best man. How did you two meet?"
King: "We met through my sister at her circus. He told me I needed to quit the booze. I told him he needed a haircut. I think we both appreciated the other’s honesty, even if we had no intention of taking the advice. There began our friendship."
Me: "What are you most ashamed about not knowing: Your son, who was born after you left Alexis, you father being sent to jail, or your mother who is alive and well?"
King: "I’ve learned not to feel ashamed of any of these things anymore. In order to stay well I don’t dwell on the past, but instead live in the moment and enjoy each day as it comes."
Alexis:
Me: How do you feel about your life right now? What, if anything, would you like to change?
Alexis: I love my life now. I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, maybe I’d like to have someone to come and clean my house every once in a while. Oh, and do the ironing. Yeah, that’d be nice.
Me: We've seen what King likes to eat, but what is your favourite thing to eat for breakfast?"
Alexis: Eggs Florentine, because I’m fancier than him.
Questions for the two:
Me: "What is something that you have and the other person wants?
Questions for the two:
Me: "What is something that you have and the other person wants?
King: *smirks* "There’s an inappropriate answer here, but I’ll resist. I think Alexis secretly covets my luscious blonde locks."
Alexis: *laughs* "Oh yeah, definitely. Unfortunately, I can’t resist the inappropriate answer. He’d love to have my boobs. Then again, if he did he’d never leave the house."
King: "It’s true. I wouldn’t."
Me: I re-watched The Longest Ride and I recall Ira saying that "Love requires sacrifice." What would you say that you had to give up in order to be together?
King: "If I have sacrificed anything, I’ve gained far more."
Alexis: "Yeah, I agree. Being with him brings more into my life. It’s never felt like a sacrifice."
Me: "What is the most attractive quality or what draws you in about the other?"
King: "Her eyes."
Alexis: "His voice."
About the Author
L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books. She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.
The Hearts Series
Six of Hearts
Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords | iTunes
Hearts of Fire
Amazon US | Smashwords | B&N | Kobo | iTunes
Giveaway
The author is giving away one prize pack open international which includes: Signed King of Hearts paperback, King of Hearts tote bag, King of Hearts key ring and L.H. Cosway swag
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