Downfall (Kingdoms of Sin Book One) by Willow Aster
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Overall
Downfall
Kingdoms of Sin
Contemporary Romance
Bowker
October 17, 2019
paperback, ebook
318 pages
I was naïve to think my marriage to Luka Catano might work.I was infatuated with him from afar…Until I met him.He loved the challenge of his next conquest, anyone would do...Except me.A wife was never something he wanted.Torturous was not a strong enough word to describe how I felt when I was in a room with Luka. Besides hating nearly every word that came out of his mouth, I also drowned with lust every time I looked at him. At times I thought he might feel the same.But nothing prepared me for what his family would make me become.
“Hello, Future.”
I seriously don’t even know where to start with this one guys! So conflicted, so in love… so badly wanted to throw my kindle across the room… I absolutely love when books can make me feel like this! The best kind of conflicted and just FEEL ALL THE FEELS!
Downfall is the story of Prince Luka and Princess Eden and their crazy rollercoaster of a romance. I seriously don’t want to give details for risk of spoilers but Willow manages to make you fall absolutely head over heels for these characters right from the start… even when you may not want to love them at times.
This book has a bit of everything
Royal Romance ✅
Arranged Marriage ✅
Enemies to Lovers ✅
STEAMY love scenes ?
Gorgeous exotic locales ✅
Bad guys you love to hate ✅
… and all of the angst, but the kind of angst where you just want to smack the stubborn a-hole upside the head and then snuggle him into submission. There are NO WORDS for the insane ride Luka dragged my emotions along… in the best possible way. I’m still processing all of his drama. Downfall reads like a soap opera royal drama. Tons of scandal, angst, smexy times, lies, mystery, and all backed by characters that drive you to feel all the things. It’s an intense back and forth, a juicy read.
“You are mine, Eden Catano. Whether you want to be or not. You’re mine.”
Honestly this story was one of those wonderful titles that sink into your bloodstream and hold you completely captivated until it’s over and you are left wondering where the last several hours went. The characters are a delightful mix of frustrating and endearing, but leave you rooting for them through each and every turn. Eden is a sheltered, naive Princess at the start of the book who just can’t wait for her fairy tale ending with the handsome Prince. But then we meet our cocky, too charming for his own good Prince Luka and all bets are off. Both Eden and Luka face intense trials but in the end are so much better and stronger for it in the end.
“I’m not your king, I’m your lover, your fool, your forever if you’ll have me. I’ll do anything to make you happy.”
The cast of supporting characters bring so much added depth to the world Willow has created and build a vivid background for Eden and Luka to play against. The “bad guys” will make you want to rip their faces off, and the good guys give you the exact right amount of warm fuzzy feels. Uncle Basile brings an endearing comedic relief and honestly I would be up for a novella just following him around one drunken afternoon. It would be delightful and hilarious.
Willow Astrer’s writing was beautifully dynamic and the world she has created it utterly captivating. I want MORE of this series, more of this world! And luckily we are getting it! Book 2 is slated for Winter 2020 and can’t come soon enough!
