Wow, what a ride this book was. I found it so hard to put down. There were smiles, anticipation and fear for what was going to happen. Action and mysteries that still need to be answered. The characters are so wonderfully written, and the storyline sucks you in. Although this is book #5, it can be read as a standalone, but it is much better with the history of all the characters and back story. Just a brilliant read, and now we wait for the next one. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. It took me longer than expected to read it, but I loved it. Now that Adrian and Samantha have a strong, healthy relationship and are expecting a baby, it’s time to move on to building some of the other relationships in the book—like Chief Constable Peter Kendrick and Gabriella Hastings, and Adrian's best friend, Edward Price, Earl of Marsdale, and Samantha’s adoptive sister, Melody Roberts.

But first, we’ll throw in a sinister plot from newly-introduced villain, Finn O’Leary, whose father was killed by Adrian and who has sworn vengeance. Naturally, his first line of attack will be to kidnap Samantha. It’s just a matter of time until he finds his opportunity, and when he does, it seems like everyone is invested in finding her—including Kendrick and Harlowe. Even Wrengate helps, at Edward’s prodding.

There were some fun images that jumped out at me, like this one, right after Samantha had been taken:
“No one uttered another word as the carriage drove on. It shook in response to every pothole and jerked to the side when they rounded a corner. The hoofbeats accompanied the uneven ride, like a mangled piece of music where the coachman’s whip set the tempo.” It so perfectly encapsulated the anguish Adrian was feeling.

At the end, Samantha and Adrian are safe and back together. If you think this is a spoiler, I don’t know what to tell you. It should have been obvious this would happen. Anyway, it looks like Peter and Gabriella may find the love they’ve been looking for in one another. Meanwhile, Edward and Melody’s relationship is in a questionable period that defies explanation. I’m looking forward to learning more in the next installment of the lives of these characters I have come to love. Highly recommended series.

The Croft saga continues

Samantha is pregnant. Adrian’s empire is being threatened by a vicious Irish gangster, Finn O’Leary.
The demise of Adrian’s rule is personal for Finn. Adrian killed his father.
Meanwhile Detective Kendrick and Bow Street are flummoxed by a murder where a man has been killed and then had his throat cut. More deaths follow. There’s a pattern, but what is it? Is the assailant a woman?
Melody Roberts returns from her travels on the continent as the companion to Lady Heathbrooke and runs into Marsdale!
When Samantha is kidnapped Lord Harlowe’s adopted daughters, part of the Nightingale Project, swing into action, Melody with them.
This all just as Marsdale has turned to Melody. Now things will change!
Another feisty involving read!

An Independent ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Adrian Croft has his biggest struggle yet when his wife is kidnapped by a competitor who is trying to take over Adrian's territory. There is also a murderer that needs to be found before they can strike again. This story within a story was very engrossing and wonderfully written. Love this series.

A Vicious Love Burns by Sophie Barnes
House of Croft #5

~ I couldn’t put it down…had to finish it… another very late night…definitely worth it though I may be tired today ~

What I liked:
* Adrian: strong, resilient, bright, protective, head of a generational crime syndicate, lives by his personal moral compass, deeply and sincerely in love with his pregnant wife Samantha
* Samantha: strong, lethal, bright, protective, independent, deeply and sincerely in love with Adrian, raised and trained to be a covert asset for the government with four other young girls
* Slipping easily back into this compelling, immersive, marvelous series
* Watching the romance between Chief Constable Peter Kendrick and Miss Gabriella Hastings continue to heat up and approving of the direction it is taking – a well matched team in more ways than one
* Supporting characters: Murry – more than just Adrian’s valet; the four women that were close as siblings and raised with Samantha: Melody, Holly, Tara & Hazel – eager to hear more about each one of them
*Finding out what the next episode is in the slow burn romance between Edward Pryce, Earl of Marsdale and secret Nightingale covert operative Melody Roberts
* The police procedural aspects of the murder mystery that sees a number of young men killed
* The ongoing darker thread with Finn O’Leary who is set on revenge against Adrian and wondering how and when he will meet his comeuppance
* The mysteries still in play – wanting to know who the mastermind who set Adrian’s sister up for death is and finding out what the truth is about Wrengate
* Knowing that there is a book to look forward to that will probably deal with one of the mysteries mentioned above

What I didn’t like
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about manipulative, cold, and cunning and potentially evil Dorian Harlowe who trained the Nightingale operatives is
* Finn O’Leary: cold, ruthless, amoral, bent, cold blooded killer, evil, and bent on revenge
* Having to wait for the next book

Did I like this book? Definitely
Would I read more in this series? Without a doubt!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Book 5 picks up where we left off and gets tense quickly. More of the story is devoted to the relationships between the other male/female characters in this book, plus the changing relationships between the men. It was good to see the "sisters" working together again. The cliffhanger ending has left me ready for the next book! 4-1/2 stars

I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.

Another gripping story as the saga continues. Adrian and Samantha are expecting their first child, but that doesn’t stop the evil surrounding them. There’s a new villain trying to overthrow Adrian empire, the one he tried to leave behind. Unfortunately with the murder of his beloved sister Evie he needed the connections and contacts of that world. This also lead to making connections with the right side of the law. Balancing on the edge of good and evil he loses prospective and when his wife is kidnapped help comes from all sides to save Samantha.
First off this is book 5 you must read the previous books. There is a new villain or two, plus the on going mystery of the murder of Evie. A touch of romance is also a byline. It will leaving you wanting more since the mystery is yet to be solved. Thank you for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own. #NetGallery #AViciousLoveBurns #HouseofCroft

A complex series of unexpected twists and turns. Who do you trust is always an issue. First and foremost is protecting those you love. Descriptive violence.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of the book from Booksprout.

Loved reading the exciting and engaging story. When Samantha is kidnapped by Adrain's enemy, Finn, Adrain will do anything and give up everything to get her back. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and another must read riveting story by the phenomenal author, Sophie Barnes. Can't wait to read the next story in the series!

The story captivates and draws you in from the beginning. There is a great main plot, with a murderer loose, and a secondary one with Adrian searching for an old enemy bent on revenge. There are a couple of romances, lots of interesting characters, some good and some evil, plot twists, and overall, a wonderful can't put it down story.
I can't wait for the next one in the series!
I received this as an ARC, and these are my opinions.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

I love this series! The first book was really stressful and there was sooo much violence against women that I wasn’t sure I was gonna stick with it but I’m so glad I did because I love Adrian and Samantha!

So much mystery and intrigue with interesting and well written characters.

Please heed my advice: do not start reading this book if you do not expect to have enough time to finish reading it till the very end, otherwise you will get distracted and get nothing done - same as happened to me!

I love how this series is unfolding, it is so twisted with some menace always lurking in the shadows, unpossible to put down.

The author is doing an amazing job in keeping everything sailing on smoothly but keeping me on my toes, just when I thought the situation might be resolved, something unexpected happens and destroys the feeble balance just reached.

Samantha and Adrian are amazing, how far they have come and how complex their relationship is echoes the many ramifications of this gripping series.

For sure, I cannot wait for the next book!

I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, thanks to the author for it.