Let's end 2020 with a BANG. Wicked S.O.B is a novella aiming to arouse the reader. I must admit, the first chapter of the book, I thought perhaps I made a mistake and I wasn't going to like the book. I find that odd because most of Ms. Cox's stories are unapologetically sex filled with alpha males. Quinn starts of the book with a whiny mea culpa. This is not what I exactly expect of Quinn, but I guess it is to expose his vulnerable side since he is seeing therapist after therapist.

After a couple of chapters, the book gets better with Elyse and Quinn going off in primal rough sex. Some of it is faded to black, others are sensual filled foreplay. Overall, this book is probably about 40% sex, 10% plot and 40% therapy. The therapy is a bit much for me and I could have done without it. The added stalker subplot is different and felt a bit out of place. The quick resolution of the stalker issue is a bit anticlimactic.

What would have liked to see instead is Elyse and Quinn building their relationship with Elyse's sister and finally getting to know each other better through something other than carnal interaction. Although I admit, the sex is hawt. I specifically liked the different role playing. Essentially, this short novella seemed to try to go in too many directions which left for a slight chaotic and less than tight story.

This story is recommended for Quinn lovers who wants to see him again, in his full glory.

This was a sexy conclusion to Q and Lucky's story.

While it was a novella, it did capture me because it was a continuation of their story. These characters have more depth to them and overall, I enjoyed reading it.

Cox is a great author who I look forward to reading more from.

Considering just how much I loved Beautiful Liar, I was practically giddy to get another hit of Q & Lucky. I’m not typically a reader that enjoys follow-up novellas. Why mess with a good thing when the couple already got their HEA? But in the case here, I craved more of this couple. Their relationship was tumultuous, filled with lies and deceit. There was bound to be fallout even if things did fall into place for them at the end.
This novella was the perfect taste of this couple that I was craving. We find Quinn dealing with the fallout from seeing his plan through and finding revenge against his father. Having prepared himself to not make it past his 30th birthday, it’s an adjustment for him to deal with his new reality. He traded in one obsession for another. Where before revenge fueled him, now it’s his obsession in his love for Elyse.
Fucking was a means to pass the time before I met Elyse. Now fucking Elyse has become as necessary to me as breathing.
Quinn and Elyse are just as incendiary together as ever. They practically burn up the pages. There’s also an added suspense plot that’s added to spice things up. Admittedly I thought it would go in a totally different direction than it did with what I now assume was a red herring the author threw out. While it served to drive the plot forward, I was slightly underwhelmed with the revelation.
But that barely registered on my radar in comparison to how much I was enjoying this book. And enjoy it I did. Wicked SOB was utterly delicious, sinfully erotic, and a page turned from cover to cover. If you haven’t discovered this author yet, you’re seriously missing out.

I, Porn Star, now known as Beautiful Liar, was one of the few books that I rated six stars last year, it was just an outstanding read and I wholeheartedly loved it. So when I saw that we were going to get more of Quinn and Elyse in Wicked S.O.B., I was beyond excited to see them again! I'm always a little nervous to read books that take place after the couple has had their happily-ever-after, though, and this time was no exception, but once I started reading, my worries went away because it's so obvious how much Quinn and Elyse love each other that I knew they would do whatever it took to make it work. Wicked S.O.B. was utterly wonderful and I positively adored it!

I love Quinn and Elyse just as much as I did before. Elyse is still just as strong and even though Quinn could make life easier for her money and career-wise, she's determined to make her own way and be her own person. She's with Quinn because she loves him and she'd do anything to make sure he's okay. And Quinn, I just fell even more in love with him, but how could I not? He's so devoted to Elyse, there's no question that's she's his world and means everything to him. Quinn is dark and fierce and passionate, especially when it comes to Elyse and it's just impossible not to get caught up in him. Quinn and Elyse are fantastic together - I just completely love them.

Wicked S.O.B. is raw and gritty and full of love, fire, need, and obsession - but it in the best way. When I first started reading Wicked S.O.B., there were a lot of details from Beautiful Liar that I couldn't remember because it's been well over a year since I've read it, but the more I read on, the more the details and the way it made me feel came back to me. I think sometimes we'll read a book and it will be so incredible, but as time goes on and you pick up another book that's a follow-up or next in the series and you wonder if the way you felt was real or if you were just caught up in the moment. I can say without any doubt though from reading Wicked S.O.B. that my thoughts of Beautiful Liar were true because I absolutely loved Wicked S.O.B. I felt the magic of the words, of Quinn and Elyse, in particularly their love - it was just amazing and I enjoyed every minute of this book!

Wicked S.O.B. must be read after Beautiful Liar. It's told from Quinn and Elyse's POV, they are still living out their happily-ever-after, and the ending will leave you with a smile on your face!

~ A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia, 5 Stars

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Omar

Wicked S.O.B. takes place a year later from the events of Beautiful Liar, where Quinn and Elyse meet and fell for one another. Now that their lives are on track and their personal vendettas and porn-star lives are over, Quinn and Elyse have time to do the things they wanted to do, and move on with their life as a couple. Well at least that what Elyse is trying to do. Quinn, without plotting his vengeance against his father, now seems to have too much free time and can’t seem to cope with a normal life. His anger and frustration seems to keep boiling up and when Elyse has to leave town for a weekend, he destroys their apartment. He just wants to keep Elyse safe and next to him, but when is someone truly safe with the life they had before still tries to pull them back?

I liked Wicked S.O.B., the novella lets us see into the future of the couple of the first book of this series, and how they try to create a life after what they went through in the Beautiful Liar. I think that this type of novella makes the reader remember that even after a Happy Ever After end, the characters still have a long way to go to happiness, and it might have bumps in the way that they need to work on.

Because this is a continuation to their first story, I do advise the readers to first read Beautiful Liar, as most of the story line talks about past events, and it can make it hard to follow along. But if you already read the previous books you will like this novella, some characters from the other books make some cameos and others are also mention.

I liked that the author made her characters build up the trust they have on each other and let them experience the consequences of not talking about their problems.

Like the other books in this series, Wicked S.O.B. has it’s sexy and erotic scenes, that are much as a living characters as the main characters are. Throughout the novella, we see Quinn and Elyse use sex as a type of outlet for the pen up energy that they have. To them it seems to work as a temporary solution while they work on their communication issues.

If you are a fan of Dark Desires series or of author Zara Cox, then I recommend you Wicked S.O.B. In this installment, we get to see the first couple of the series work to become a person for the other one, all while trying to stay safe from a mysterious figure who seems to be hunting them.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

Wicked S.O.B. by Zara Cox is a novella that revisits the couple, Q and Lucky, from Beautiful Liar, book one in the Darkest Desires series. It is super quick and very steamy, and readers of the series will appreciate the return to this unforgettable couple.

Quinn and Eylse are very much the same characters we were left with at the end of Beautiful Liar. Readers, however, get thrown into the aftermath, examining how these two are coping now that they don’t have revenge plots and escape plans to execute. And while it isn’t all happily ever after, it is clear the passion and inexplicable connection between the two is as strong as ever. Add to it the new dangers that have approached and readers get a tense and angsty story.

Lovers of this series will really enjoy this glimpse into the new life of Quinn and Elyse. In a short span of time, Zara Cox delivers the angst, the steam, and the pull that readers remember from this couple.
——
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

If you have read Zara's Beautiful Liar book, then this novella is a MUST READ. But if you HAVEN'T, what the fuck are you waiting for?

"Being with Elyse has taught me there are different levels of fear. Different levels of ecstasy. Different levels of love."

Zara Cox is one of my new go-to authors, I promise. I LOVE her words. I love her characters. Quinn & Lucky is a couple that deserves all the stars. I fell in love with them from the moment I met them in Beautiful Liar. Their chemistry was off the charts, you could feel their sizzling magnetism jumping off the pages. They owned me. So, to say I was excited to get more of them would be an understatement ♥.

Zara makes me swoon. She sparks incredible reactions in me. Just like her characters, she owned me.

Even though this was just a novella, it was solid. In addition to fighting against their own demons, the author added a splash of suspense, one that totally took me by surprise and had me in a cold sweat.

Wicked S.O.B. was the perfect ending for Q and his firecracker, I hope one of these days the author decides to give us more of them. Because more of Q & Lucky will never be enough. ♥

For so long, I lived for revenge. Now I live for her.
Ask anyone and they'll tell you that Quinn Blackwood is not someone you mess with. I see. I want. I take. And you better not get in my way. That's how I built my billion-dollar empire. That's how I made my enemies pay. That's how I won the one good, pure thing in my life, Elyse "Lucky" Gilbert. But after what I've done, my luck may have run out.

There is a fine line between love and obsession.
I'm not a fool. I didn't think coming back to Quinn would be easy. That we would fall into a happy future and the darkness inside him would just disappear. Still, after everything we've been through, I couldn't leave him to fight his demons alone. I've tried to convince myself nothing else matters as long as we're together. But if I give him what he needs, will there be anything left of me?

REVIEW:

So, first thought is, I really should have read the first book in the series. Not because I was lost in this story, but because it sounds so wickedly interesting.

There are so many layers to the relationship that just get touched on in this novella. These layers made Quinn and Elyse intriguing and had me caring for them. There is a little action and mystery in this story too, revolving around Elyse and a stalker. One of the things I liked about this story was there going to counseling to get over issues...i thought it added a nice touch of realism. The story is super hot and has lots of intimate scenes, that are well-done.

Great short story for this couple to tide readers over until the next book.

3.5Stars
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.

The conclusion to Quinn and Elyse’s story captivated me! This novella is the sequel to "Beautiful Liar" and is heartbreakingly beautiful, with a good dose of angst. The intensity of Quinn and Elyse's feelings is their strength, their chemistry is sizzling and radiates off the pages. But Quinn’s elaborate revenge scheme against those who orchestrated his mother’s suicide has taken a toll on him. For almost half his life, retribution had been his endgame and he thought he wouldn’t make it to his 30th birthday. Loving Elyse has changed everything.

He revels in Elyse’s love, their passion is all-consuming. She is his much needed rock, but he is afraid she is too good for him and refuses to drag her in his darkness. He's so messed up but he's trying his absolute best to be everything his girl needs him to be. I love how on the outside he's this larger-than-life billionaire tycoon but on the inside, he's just a man, broken and damaged, who wants to be loved, who wants hope. He is used to getting his own way, but he so afraid he will lose Elyse. He envies her strength, her selflessness and her compassion.

Elyse is a wonderful character, her love is unconditional. Quinn is her reason for living, her everything. But she knows that his self-destructing tendencies have to be dealt with. I really liked her strength of character, her ability to compromise and convince Quinn. The road to happiness may have been a bit bumpy for these two characters, but their happily-ever-after was utterly satisfying!

I’m in awe of Zara Cox, her stories and characters really get under my skin, so to say. I’m fascinated by complex characters and boy, did she deliver with Quinn Blackwood and Elyse Gilbert! And she sure does know how to turn up the heat! Highly recommended if you enjoy dark, steamy and romantic love stories that leave you breathless!
An advanced copy of this novella was generously provided to me by the publisher, via NetGalley.

Please find the links to my release day posts (there is a technical issue to enter these in the "add links" section):

https://bookishattic.wordpress.com/2017/08/08/release-day-blitz-wicked-s-o-b-dark-desires-2-5-by-zara-cox/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R3QN2EHXA2IHR?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1939631563?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

★4 STARS★

Who here read Black Sheep and immediately dove into this one without realising it’s a follow up novella to a different book and couple?

*looks around*

Ahem. Just me then. Lol!

Blunder aside, I didn’t need their backstory to pick up on how incredibly intense and urgent the romance between Quinn and Elyse was. Zara Cox’s storytelling is luckily for me wonderfully detailed, and she not only encompassed the all the information I was not privy too, but she also built on the story with enough style to draw me in in a seamless way.

Wicked S.O.B is the kind on novella that much like Quinn hits all the right spots. It was surprising emotional for such a sexy number, and had the right balance of drama to round it off nicely.

Although I found my appetite satiated by this novella, it’s whetted enough of it for me to go back and read the full length novel to experience its full flavour.

Loved revisiting Quinn and Elyse! Wicked SOB was a hot and sexy catch up to where their story ended. I loved how neither of them were "fixed" but that together they were so much better than apart.

I loved this series a lot and this couple.Wicked S.O.B. was a steamy,sexy and intense story.It is true when they say love takes work, you can see it in this book.Quinn and Elyse working in their relationship.

We can see how perfect they are for each other.Their passion,love,intensity is so strong.Both are pretty fucked up characters but they are trying to create something unique.

I'm only complaining that it has to ended.I wish we could have more from these two.

Wicked S.O.B. by Zara Cox was a fabulous novella edition to the Dark Desires Series!!!

There was so much going on in such a short read, that I simply do not know where to start my review. The characters each have many secrets, demons and hidden memories of their own. They each have a tangled web that constructs their pasts, as well as many strings that connect to their future. It is because of these attachments, that you, the reader, become attached to the characters. I became so invested in reading about Elyse (as well as the other characters), that the novella was over, long before I wanted it to be.

I definitely recommend reading this novella, especially if you have read the rest of the Dark Desire series!

4/5 Stars!

It's been a while since I read my first book by Zara Cox. Back then I, Porn Star, which has since been renamed Beautiful Liar by the publisher, blew me away. It was just one of those books that will stick with you. So then I see a novella is coming out about Quinn and Elyse. Must. Have. This. Book. I got my copy of Wicked S.O.B. and attempt to prepare myself to step back into their world.

Quinn is his usual a$$hole-ness only this time it served with a rather large portion of possessive obsessiveness. Elyse is his world and you know how he can be. Typical toddler wanting a toy all to himself. His life has been full of wanting revenge for his mother's death and now he is just struggling, floundering, still thinking he doesn't deserve Elyse and expecting to lose her at a moment's notice. Elyse does an amazing job handling the craziness knowing it was going to be a hard fought battle. The two together are just as explosive as they were in their first book but this time around there is more of a fragile edge to Quinn.

ACK! So much I want to talk about but I don't dare because it's not in the blurb. So let me say this: expect to see a fragile side of Quinn, a revisit with former characters, a crazy twist, a lot of steamy sex, and a hot time with Q and Lucky that will have you wanting to read their first book all over again. I don't think I need to mention (but I will) if you haven't read the first book in the series, you absolutely can NOT read this book. There is way too much that has happened between Quinn/Q and Elyse/Lucky in their first book to even think about jumping ahead. Now for those of us who have and were left wanting more of their story, consider Wicked S.O.B. the icing on the cake!

reviewed by Jac

QuickShot Review 4 stars

This is more dirty, smutty goodness from Ms. Cox featuring Quinn and Elyse and ladies, I AM HERE FOR IT. All day, every day.

It’s directly tied to the first book, I, Porn Star, so I recommend reading that first. You do not need to read the second book in the series.There’s not a whole helluva lot of new plot going on and I would say it's more of a treat for lovers of Quinn and Elyse than introducing new readers to this series but I am good with that. Quinn’s still messed up emotionally (and I liked that Ms. Cox delves into that a bit more), Elyse still loves his hot messiness (and she has her own issues to deal with) and all the while, there is a bunch of hot sex going on. So, to recap - some fallout angst that doesn't mess with my couple plus some really great love scenes?

*sings* these are a few of my favorite things. :)

I would recommend it if you’re into erotic romances and if you read the first book.

Another great story from this author. This was a steamy, sexy story from the beginning until the end. I was so happy to get back into their world to see how they were. I was more than happy with this story and I can't wait for more from this author.

Zara Cox is one of my new go-to authors, I promise. I don't know where she's been all my life. It's been a couple of months since I first read Beautiful Liar and I fell in love with Quinn and Elyse.

In Wicked S.O.B. Zara Cox does not disappoint. I thought that after Beautiful Liar, Quinn and Elyse's story would've ended. It really did, and I wouldn't have imagined a sequel would be needed because the end of the previous book was satisfying. But, gosh, Zara Cox did such a fabulous spin with this sequel that I couldn't get enough of them.

Quinn and Elyse are flawed, pretty fucked up characters trying to create a new way of life for them after the terrible things they've lived. I'd say this sequel gives the reader a deeper look into their lives and how they're coping after the mess from a year ago.

Quinn struggles more than Elyse in getting used to their new reality, and accepting life can be good and that he can actually enjoy it only if he lets himself try. His struggle is real, his possessiveness of Elyse is just as strong as the love he feels for her. I love how alpha he is at the same time he's a teddy bear. Though it seems he's got all the power over Elyse, it really is Elyse who has all the power over him. I just love, love, love their dynamic in and out of the bedroom.

Book by book, Zara Cox is becoming one of those authors whose books I'd highly recommend to everyone who loves erotic thrillers.

While I loved the drama of Beautiful Liar, I wasn't totally sold on the romance. So I was eager for this novella to rectify that.

And it definitely did!

For me, I actually got to see why these two are a good match as lovers and as partners in life. Instead of focusing on the antics and drama of the previous novel, you get to watch these characters try to establish a sense of everyday normalcy. It's all about their relationship and navigating it in a way that works for them. It really grounded these characters for me and improved my overall impression of them as a couple.

But it definitely has that spice you expect from this series. If these two weren't talking out their relationship, they were physically exploring it.

It also has some great nostalgia to the original novel that brings everything full circle.

It's a solid novella that has enough heat and romance to satisfy fans!

"Quinn Blackwood, mind-fuck expert."

It was so wonderful to go back to the story that turned me on to such an amazing author. Porn Star was my introduction to the word wizardry of Zara Cox and she is now one of my favorite authors. She blew my mind with that first story, and Wicked S.O.B. takes me back to that same couple and completes their story. I fell hard for Q. He's an unapologetic asshole to everyone but her. And now, he's even more so. He's damaged, so broken that he sees no good in himself. But he's selfish and refuses to give up the love of his life, even if he thinks she deserves better than him. He's possessive, and obsessed, but the feeling is mutual. He's had the same effect on her. They are everything to each other, but how much is too much?

They've been in the dark together. Both taking what they needed from each other. The blindfold has been removed and the secrets revealed. Can they accept each other's demons? Can they find a future together in spite of their pain. Can they survive it a second time when the danger returns? Will their obsession save them, or kill their love. Will his smothering safety net be too much for her to handle? Will his fear of losing her, cause him to lose her? How much is too much?

Mind blow. Again. I can't get enough of this author and her dirty Dark Desires. I want more! The line forms here...