Valentina feels responsible for the accident that left her brother Charlie a shell of the person he was before. Her neighbor Jerry is no help at all. Thanks to jerry Charlie racks up a debt of 4 hundred thousand dollars. I feel for Valentina, all she wants to do is protect her brother even if it means doing not so pleasant things to keep a roof over their heads.
Gabriel doesn’t give her much of a choice, its either a live-in position with him or a bullet between Charlies’ eyes. His desire for Valentina is such that he goes against his mother, Magda’s orders to keep her. Moving in the Gabriel is like living in a pit of snakes. Valentina does not know who to trust, or how she will survive 9 years there.
Soon Valentina starts caring about her captor. She anticipated his visits even if he withholds taking things too far with her at first. She lies awake at night waiting for him, craving him, desiring relief that only Gabriel can give her.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2177993886

I loved reading the exciting and intriguing first book in The Loan Shark Duet series. I reviewed an ARC by NetGalley.
Gabriel, the enforcer for the mob, is suppose to kill Valentina and her brother, Charlie. Gabriel wants Valentina for himself and makes a deal. Valentina will do anything to save her brother's life and becomes Gabriel's property. Valentina tries keeping up with her vet studies, cleaning the mansion, waiting on Gabriel and his mom, the mafia boss, Gabriel's sex slave, seeing her brother and best friend on the weekends, but can't keep up with her dreams to become a vet. Valentina is starting to fall in love with her captor.
Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written and engaging story a reader literally cannot stop reading from beginning to end and full of anticipation for the second book in the series.

Dubious was an ok read for me. I guess after reading so many great reviews I had really high expectations but unfortunately this book missed the mark for me. First I must have missed something because I didn't realize the book was set in South Africa. That left me confused for a few chapters until I realized it. So the beginning was good I love an anti hero and Gabriel sure is one. He's full of scars, his face is beyond repair and he's a killer. Valentina was ok, although she was young and didn't have the easiest life she had lots of responsibilities on her. After her mentally challenged brother gets into trouble with Gabriel's family he takes Valentina as payment. Now for what didn't work for me. I felt Gabriel was weak. I didn't like Magda or her control over him. The nonsense with Carly and Valentina being punished for it. Also I can't believe one person can handle all the cooking, laundry, and cleaning in a mansion. The ending was a cliffhanger and I was annoyed by Valentina's decision knowing her brother's life is on the line. I will read book 2 to see what happens and because I already have it.

As a new reader to the darker erotica I was skeptical that this type of book would grab and pull me in however the book had a much greater effect on me than just pull me in. I felt the emotions of both Gabriel and Valentina very strong. The author did a wonderful job of making you feel part of the story. I truly felt hanging at the end and am very grateful that the second book will be out soon. I couldn't put my ereader down with this book and I am waiting in anticipation for Consent. Loved the book.

ARC REVIEW: loved the storyline; young lady Valentina, studying to be a veterinarian in South Africa, who is also taking care of her brother, Charlie, who suffered a brain injury in a car accident that killed their parents. Strong female lead, who sees the good in everyone even her the loan shark capturer and his goons. She is working off her brothers gambling debt to Gabriel, then throw in his crazy mother Magda, the daughter, Carly and an ex-wife Sylvia, you have a great page turner, can't wait for the next book in this series.

🌟🌟🌟🌟STARS
Dubious (The Loan Shark Duet, #1) was a delight to read and once I started there was no stopping me, I was on a mission to finish this.
So the low-down on Dubious was that Valentina Haynes a young veterinary student manages to get on the wrong side of the Louw family courtesy of her car thief neighbour, who while watching her disabled brother Charlie lets him run up gambling debt's at a local club.
Sent in on a kill order Gabriel Louw wanting Valentina for himself offers her an out, come work for him for nine years to pay off her brother's debt and he will let her brother go.
Now this book was fantastic and was such an easy read.
Despite the subject matter involved here, this was not in any way for me dark.
Gabriel rather than force Valentina (who is now working as a maid in his home).
Gradually seduces her senses with his brand of charisma and skills.
Alongside Gabriel, Valentina has to endure his mother Magda. who from day one is unhappy with her son's decision to allow the Hayne's to continue to exist and is just looking for an excuse to end Valentina.
I also loved the fact that Gabriel wasn't your typical looker and was covered in scars, this to me was an actual plus rather than a minus because I do adore me a less than perfect anti-hero.
Gabriel also came packed with a spoilt teenage daughter and I get the impression from her behaviour that she was less than aware of her father's profession.
I also thought it was a stroke of genies to set this in South Africa, Johannesburg to be precise.
This made it stand out for me from the norm, I can honestly say I don't think I've read this genre of story set in this background before.
This made this really original.
The tale told here was not very angsty but that didn't matter.
As this story progressed, two things became very clear to me, Gabriel's self-confidence in his own appeal was low, more than likely due to his scarring.
He felt that his money and power was all he had to offer besides the obvious things as well of course.
The second being Valentina has vastly underestimated how much Gabriel wants to protect and keep her, the former going to such extremes that it was bound to come crashing down around his ears just through miscommunication.
There were some very interesting side characters here Quinn and Rhett, Gabriel's bodyguards being two that grew on me and I believe they both generally liked Valentina.
Also, her friend Kris was a diamond watching her brother Charlie, maybe for the next nine years, this was definitely above and beyond.
Bet we would all love a friend like that.
So the only reason I pulled this down a star was that I feel that Gabriel himself would with this sort of reputation and power be less than inclined to allow his mother to pull his strings.
Yes, I know in the beginning she was described as having all the power.
I just fail to see, how with Gabriel's sort of nature he has allowed this status quo to go unchallenged all these years, I just can't see it.
After all, he is the muscle and scary face of the Louw's family loan shark franchise.
I actually just really wanted him to tell his mother to go screw herself.
So Would I recommend this? Hell yeah!!!
Dubious was well written with great developed characters and an interesting storyline.
It also really helped that the hero and heroine were both extremely likeable people.
Even considering the hero's occupation.
And the way this was left. well just Phew, so need that next instalment.
Dubious ended on such a fantastic cliffhanger.
I would like to say thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with a free ARC.
This is my own free and honest opinion of Dubious.

OMG! That was amazing! I need the second book. THE ENDING!

A gripping story, set in Johannesburg, full of heat, passion and suspense.
I'm cheering Valentina from the sidelines!

Valentina was barely getting by taking carwbof her brother before her whole life completely flipped upside down more then she could ever imagine! In the midst of it all she found love within her captor. He not only posessed her but found love again within himself. This was a great read. I cant wait to read the 2nd book!

My first time reading this author, and I definitely enjoyed the story. Dark, gritty and edgy. Characters were well written, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Just loved it one of the best Dark romances I have read and I read a lot of them.The chemistry between Valentina and Gabriel is off the charts hot don't get me wrong I did feel for Valentina she just cannot catch a break and Gabriel is definitely evil but I still found him growing on me the more I read.This is a fantastic read that pulls you right in and I am looking forward to the next one.

I have mixed feelings for this book. Part of me knows that if the situations in this book were real life, then Gabriel and Valentina's relationship would be very a very unhealthy relationship like a Stockholm syndrome situation. The other part of me that lives in a book fantasy world, loves their complicated, possessive, and very sexual relationship. The way Gabriel seduces Valentina to crave him and his kinkiness, is so hot. She hates that she wants the man who now owns her for the next nine years. I loved that Valentina has a backbone. She also understands that she's giving up a part of her life to protect her brother, therefore she must submit to Gabriel and his evil mother. She finds herself in a very tough situation, and feels she must protect her family at all cost. Dying to read the next book!

5 "She's no longer my captive. I'm hers." Stars

Talk about messing with my head and heart...

I finished Dubious three nights ago. The next day, I got drunk... because of cliffhangers and shit. While reading Gabriel & Valentina's journey I found myself hooked, the author's writing, the characters, and the flow of the story made it utterly unputdownable. Once I started reading, there was no stopping me!

I'm a dark romance lover. There's something truly special about this genre that has the power to test my boundaries and draw me into a world where not all is unicorns and rainbows.

"What I'm doing to her is selfish, wrong, and immoral, but I've never claimed to be a good man."

Gabriel was the anti-hero, a beast of a man you can't help but fall for, and Valentina was definitely his prey. I loved Gabriel. He was different, yet the same. The same because he was the kind of dangerously possessive male I loved to read about. But different because he wasn't handsome. Or that's why what the author tried to sell me but I couldn't for the life of me see him as anything other than hot. Dangerously hot. Scars and all.

It was like a cat and mouse game where you find yourself biting your nails or squeezing your legs with every turn of the pages. I'm not one to go into detail about the story, so if you're ok with that then carry on.

Dubious... It's depravity. It's edgy. It's gritty, but also incredibly romantic in its on way. It has this Beauty and the Beast vibe but in a dark-ish way that will melt your heart, no matter how dark the story gets. A dark romance that will make your toes curl.

Get yourself a cozy spot, pour yourself a shot of whiskey and enjoy the ride.

"I always knew Valentina was going to play havoc with my body, but what the hell is she doing to my heart?"

And mine.

What a fabulous book! I am besides myself with wonder. This book is dark, but there is so much light that shines through, too. Gabriel is a loan shark and takes Valentina as a payment from her brother’s loans. She tries to get out of it because her brother, Charlie, is mentally challenged and can not make correct decisions. But Gabriel is unmovable and she becomes his property for 9 years or Charlie dies. When this happened, I hated Gabriel. But as the story progresses, I am falling for Gabriel just like Valentina did. He is scarred literally and mentally. He feels he is not good enough to love because of his ugly facial scars. He has dark desires with Valentina, but also is very caring and devoted to her. Their journey is fascinating and I can not wait to find out what happens. It ends on a whopper of a cliff hanger, but the second book will be out soon.

Gabriel is a ruthless loan shark who has no mercy for people who owe him money. But when he sets eyes on Valentina for the first time, he wants her, and what he wants he gets. Valentina is a young and proud woman, struggling to survive and support her disabled brother, Charlie. Charlie loves playing cards and now he has a huge debt. Of course Valentina can't afford to pay the money so she offers her service to Gabriel, in exchange for her life and her brother's. She sacrifices her freedom for nine years to the most feared man in town. What she doesn't realize is that Gabriel has no intention to ever set her free but plans to possess her by using manipulation. Will she be able to resist him? A dark, suspenseful read that I couldn't put down! The chemistry between Gabriel and Valentina is undeniable and you can feel every emotion that they experience! Both have been abused in the past and have never felt true love and affection, so it's heartwarming to see them falling for each other and not admitting it! Gabriel is a strong character but we are able to see behind his façade and I loved that he was also vulnerable when it came to Valentina! I also enjoyed the fact that Valentina is very dynamic and isn't afraid to defend herself and her brother! But she can't resist Gabriel, who's willing to do everything in his power to keep her with him! An unexpected romance between two people who are so different and yet so perfect for each other.

'Dubious' by Charmaine Pauls is the First Book in "The Loan Shark Duet" series. This is the story of Valentina and Gabriel. This book will end with a cliffhanger to set you up for the next book 'Consent'. This is also a somewhat dark romance too. Gabriel isn't angel for sure and when he goes to take care of a few 'problems' he sees Valentina. But in his life of business problems don't survive. But he wants Valentina and he takes her. But things do go as smoothly as he wants.
This is a story of a good women turning a bad man. Loved it and cannot wait for the next installment!
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Love romantic reads of any type (erotica and emotional). Written beautifully!

This story really impressed me. The two main characters are special and the story is special. Gabriel is an antihero with a strong and determined personality, obsessed with Valentina. She is courageous and does everything for her brother.
The author's style is rich in details, very detailed and capable of engaging the reader in history.
Suspense, mystery, eroticism, sensuality, all perfect qualities in this novel. I love the setting e the secondary characters like Magda and Carly.
There are very hot scenes and I love the development of the story between Gabriel and his Valentina.
For the full review (in italian) go to the site L’amica dei libri!
http://amicadeilibri.blogspot.it/2017/10/recensione-dubious-di-charmaine-pauls.html

Set in a poor, crime-ridden neighborhood of South Africa, the beginning of this book is uniquely unvarnished, raw, and gritty. You won't find glamorized, model beautiful characters everywhere you look. Instead, they are scarred, troubled, insecure people on a collision course with disaster.

It's the setting and characters—the way the author doesn't pull punches and lets the heroine meet her fate a time or two without the hero magically catching her at the brink—that really had me falling in love with it.

My problems with this book came with the plot and execution. I'm actually hard pressed to think of a single question that was raised during the course of this novel that was resolved. And while I know this is a duet and a cliffhanger, during the course of a novel there should be some resolution and we don't have that. Also, my biggest pet-peeve is lack of communication as a plot device. And at some point in the novel, every major character engaged in it.

I'm truly torn on how I feel about this book. It's original in its tone and I felt for the characters, though there were times towards the end I felt myself wanting it to hurry up and get to some answers... Answers that never came.

5 DIRTY & DEPRAVED stars! This book is immorally good. (A perfect example of Dark Romance)

After reading Dubious the first part of The Loan Shark Duet I wonder who is more twisted: the author for writing one of the darkest books or me for reading it. I am a proud fan of Dark Romance. There is something about this genre that draws me into a world where not all is sweet and perfect. The darker, the better!

Charmaine delivers an intense book, (a perfect example of Dark Romance). The plot is beautifully twisted. The characters are so complex that the story behind each of them is hideously raw.

The heroine is strong as a rock but soft as a flower. She lost her parents and her only family is her brother. Life is hard for her because living in a dangerous neighbourhood only can lead her to suffer sexual harassment or to die and many other things that most of women suffer daily. Things will get harder because of her brother. He will put both them in danger. She only has him and she will do anything to protect him no matter if she has to sacrifice herself.

Life is not easy and Valentina is going to discover it in a bittersweet way.

“Her fear excites me. Her courage intrigues me.”

There is not a Charming Prince. There is not a knight in shining armour. There is only a monster ready to claim Valentina, to own her and the worst part is that she will enjoy it and crave it.

Gabriel is the most twisted dominant man that you can imagine. His mind is powerful and his presence is overwhelming. He has something that makes you crave the darkness. He is dangerously possessive. It is like his heart is made of stone. Gabriel is a sinister fallen angel. Pain and sex are synonyms to him. The word love is not in his vocabulary until he took possession of Valentina.

“The smell of her desire drives me crazy. She’s wet, and the possessive side of me revels in the knowledge that I’m the cause. I’m the master of her desire”

The attraction between Valentina and Gabriel is sinfully dangerous. She is a natural submissive and he is a dark dominant. The pull and push is a game they play no matter what the consequences are, because lust wins every time they are close. Valentina will be an eager student and Gabriel will be an astute teacher. Desire and lust are two powerful things that will cloud their senses.

“He twisted and primed my body, playing it like an instrument until it gave him the tune he wanted.”

Holy heaven! Brownie points to the sex scenes because they are dirty and hot. They will make you blush like a teenager. The chemistry and passion Valentina and Gabriel share are depravedly perfect.

“He took my freedom and made my body a slave to his, but right now, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Dubious is a MUST READ you should not miss. I highly recommend you this book. If you are into Dark Romance, you will enjoy it as a kid in a candy store. It’s deliciously addictive and provocative. I need more Gabriel. I can’t wait to read the conclusion of this duet.

“Don’t you understand what you’ve done to me? I want you, Gabriel”

I haven't read anything by this author before and this book was a total surprise to me. I started reading fully expecting to dislike our main man Gabriel but have ended up feeling the complete opposite. Is he brutal, is he capable of unspeakable acts, absolutely, but this author has such talent that she made me second guess any preconceived ideas I had. By allowing us to see into his mind we gain a better understanding of how he works, that underneath he is capable of feeling joy and sorrow like the rest of us. He is not a handsome man, his body and face scarred from a life lived with violence and I liked that he is damaged on the outside as well as on the inside. He definitely has some redeeming qualities I could focus on. Now his mother on the other hand ...

I love a strong female character in a story and Valentina is certainly that. I have such admiration for her and everything she has endured and continues to endure in her life with such stoicism. I like the fact that her incredibly stressful life has not prevented her from having a kind and loving heart. In the beginning we see that she is completely controlled by Gabriel but over time we realise that she is not totally powerless and that when feelings begin to develop we can't be sure who the captive actually is.

Dark, violent and sexy with lots of great anticipation, Dubious has a fantastic storyline that is wonderfully written. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read the conclusion of this story in Consent.