This is part 2 of a duet so you really need to read book 1 to fully appreciate this story.
This is my first set of books by this author and I enjoyed them.
Gabrielle and Valentina.
Their story continues right from where book 1 ended, Valentina is on the run and Gabrielle wants her back.
The couple are reunited quite quickly and secrets and history are revealed so we can understand the reasons why Magna hates Val so much.
I liked the fact it is set in South Africa, this gives it an original feel and the dangers seem so real.
We see another side to Gab here as he walks his path of redemption.
It had dark parts, there may be some triggers for some as some of Val's history involved rape.

I love these duet books series! I could feel the raw emotion in his book between Daphne and Gabriel. As well as the other charcters. "If you love something set it free. If it comes back its meant to be" perfectly fits this book! It shows true love can be found anywhere and is never hidden.

Wow! I absolutely loved not only this book but this duet!

I’m hesitant to say too much about the storyline so I’ll try to keep this as spoiler free as possible.

Valentina is such a strong woman who has suffered through so much and yet it never beat her down. There were times that my gut clinched due to her circumstances and despite her fear and despair she held tight to the hope that she could get through to the next day for herself and her brother Charlie.

While what she experienced in the first book was dark and dangerous it also stirred her as nothing else could because it came at the hand of a man she shouldn’t care for. Now she is facing a life she never anticipated and her emotions are indefinable. She knows what she wants, but she fears what she will receive instead.

Gabriel’s character goes through a huge evolution as so many secrets are brought into the light and as he faces his own sins brought on by his obsession with Valentina. For a man who is known as The Breaker, I would have never thought him capable of the love he held for the heroine. The torment he suffered through much of this book was heartbreaking and I wanted something, anything to ease his burden but this goes deeper than the need for conversation.

Charmaine Pauls writes an intense story of two souls struggling with the roles they’ve been cast and then layer by layer she builds those roles until the reader cannot ever see a way for these characters to find freedom. I consumed every wonderful, angst filled word of it.

I’m sad to say I had never even heard of this author prior to Dubious and now knowing she has a long backlist of books to her credit I’m giving evil eyes to all my GR friends who didn’t point me in her direction sooner. So consider this me pointing you to first Dubious and then Consent. (I want to avoid future evil eyes glared at me.)

This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Charmaine Pauls

Dual POV
Safe – no ow/om drama
Possible Triggers – rape

4.5*

Consent picks up where Dubious left off, with Valentina facing more challenges in her life than she ever thought possible. This is a difficult review to write without giving away spoilers, so parts will be deliberately vague. I will say, however, that this book is not as dark as Dubious but this author is extremely talented and so it is just as wonderful, but definitely heavier emotionally. It will keep you on your toes as secrets are revealed and questions are answered.

There are twists and turns and several 'didn't see that coming' moments, some of which had me gasping out loud and others which brought tears to my eyes. Several bad decisions are made for the right reasons and I love the way these characters grow, change and evolve as a relationship built from deceit turns to love and affection. Dual POV gives us an insight into their true thoughts and feelings, despite the lies they tell each other. Quincy and Rhett also really come into their own in this book and there are many lighter moments from them which had me chuckling to myself.

Ms Pauls is a new author to me and I thoroughly enjoyed my first introduction to her writing, which won't be my last. I will definitely be looking out for her books in the future. The only reason I dropped half a star is I felt one decision Gabriel made was badly thought out by him and not in keeping with his character. Having said that, it did eventually lead to a whole new world and opportunity opening up for Valentina, so all ended well.

A fantastic dark, sexy, action packed read, I highly recommend this book, together with its partner Dubious, which must be read first.

Great continuation of Dubious, this story picks up right where Dubious left off. Very well written dark romance.

3.75 stars
So, this whole package delivered by Miss Charmaine Pauls was astounding at best. I mean I did not see that ending coming at all. This book started where the previous one ended on a cliffhanger and Thank God for that. Also, I didn’t have to wait for reading this one, which was a bonus. Otherwise I sure had scratched my eyes out in anticipation.
All the characters remained same along with few minor additions or subtractions as well (May those souls rest in peace!). The little suspense element got solved with yet other problems rising. The writing remains fluid and easy to read. According to me, the ending was little over the top but then, dramatics won’t hurt. The plus point was that I didn’t saw this duet getting this much of my interest. In the future, I’ll definitely like to read other works of Ms. Pauls.

If you enjoyed "Dubious", the first book in the Loan Sharks series, then you are absolutely going to love "Consent". This series truly has it all. Where the first book was dark and intense, the second book gives us more inside into Valentina and Gabriel's history. Don't get me wrong, there is still a lot of angst, not to mention some dominance/submission, but it is also very emotional and deep. Reading this book, you feel like you are watching an epic romance movie. The kind of movie that has it all. A physically scarred hero and an emotionally scarred heroine. A heroine, who in time grows from a timid yet determined young woman into a woman who is fiercely independent and able to take on the world. And a fierce and cold hero, who turns into a passionate and loving man.

"Consent" answers all the questions that rose with the first book of the series. The man/men behind Valentina's attack and the reason for Charlie's brain damage. Why Magda is so interested in the Haynes siblings and whether she will finally give up her quest to get rid of them. What will become of Valentina's pregnancy and how it will effect her and Gabriel's relationship? With a whole lot of twists on the way, all our questions will finally be answered!

I have read hundreds of romance novels and I must admit that although I have many that I have loved and enjoyed, there aren't many that are truly memorable. This series, however, is one that I won't be able to forget. The hero and heroine are remarkable. There are many fictional couples who claim to be destined or even soulmates, but Gabriel and Valentina give a whole new meaning to the word. They may have started their relationship in less than ideal circumstances, but what they experience and what they feel for one another is so intense and passionate that you literally feel the heat. This is one series that you never want to finish and hope that it is turned into a movie so that you can witness this story over and over again. A stunning read!!!

This is the second of a two part series. It's a bit of a dark romance as the alpha male takes the girl as a sort of prize, so she is prisoner as the story starts in the first book. The second is worth the wait and the ending is everything you'd want. This is a good author and I will look for her next books.

I was given an ARC for a honest review. I loved the first book and the 2nd book is just as good. It continues right where Dubious left off. The first part of the book was so tense.....where Valentina and Charlie are in dire straits. I felt the danger in their situation. There was a lot of drama in this book. At one point I was like "what now!" Valentina's past is finally explained and what a doozy! I have to admit the reason for her rape seemed slightly far-fetched. Also near the end, I felt Gabriel should have been more prepared regarding the financial situation when he "left". After all he handled the finances in the loan shark business. Also Gabriel's time in the hospital didn't make sense....why didn't he do that before? The ending was happy but slightly bittersweet because I felt both his loyal bodyguards, Rhett and Quincy deserved the truth. In the end, I loved the conclusion to the duet!

Consent, Part 2 of The Loan Shark Duet, must be read after its twin, Dubious. It picks up where the Dubious cliffhanger leaves off.

Valentina Haynes is unexpectedly pregnant and terrified of what’s going to happen to her and her baby. She and her brother, Charlie, are on the run from the devil, with no money, no hope, and nowhere to turn.

She doesn’t know what Gabriel Louws did to her. She doesn’t know the lengths to which he would go to keep her alive. She also doesn’t know how deep-seated Magda Louws’ hatred for her goes.

In this fast-paced, exciting, thrilling, and emotional conclusion to Valentina and Gabriel’s story we are gifted with a display of Charmaine Pauls magnificent range. There were mundane moments brought to vibrancy by the description of street food that makes your mouth water along with the characters’. There were quiet scenes that solidify in your memory with the visual beauty of a moonlit night. There is laughter hidden inside circumstances where grief is unbearably pressing down on your shoulders. There were moments when I experienced suspense so intense that I was stumbling over the words that I was reading too fast.

I can’t tell you too much because the surprises and the ups and downs are what make Consent such a masterpiece. Suffice it to say, Valentina and Gabriel suffer much more torment before redemption is possible. But watching their transformation into the beautiful creatures they are meant to be is sublime!

*This is my sincere review of a NetGalley ARC.*

The journey of Gabriel and Valentina was one i have never read before. Their story was so emotional, sexy,and nail biting. I couldn't stop reading and wanting more of it. I wish everyone could experience the love and connection these characters had for each other, it was heartbreaking. I truly loved Valentina's character of being so strong through everything in her life. Her caring nature and bond with her brother was just amazing. Even though Gabriel was darkness he became so much more in the story and I really enjoyed reading how his character developed. I do have to say the banter between the bodyguards was so funny at times, their adoration for Valentina was so sweet. I would love to read this book all over again for the first time it was definitely a more than 5 star rating for me.

This was a fun, unpredictable and sexy read. I enjoyed it, and am really in love with the whole series. Can't wait for more!

“Every living being fights for one thing. Freedom. I claimed a woman and took that away from her. Instead of putting her in a cage, I clipped her wings to prevent her from flying away. In time, some caged creatures are tamed. Some remain wild forever.”

Gah, after the cliffy in Dubious I wasn’t sure which way this book was going to go. Without giving too much away, I will say that I’m glad the beginning of this book didn’t drag it out. The book was well paced and had loads going on, but well proportioned. I didn’t feel like there was too much going on and not once did I find my mind wandering. This author has kept my hooked throughout both books in the duet and I will definitely be going to download some more of her books when I’ve finished writing this.

It’s hard to write a review on a second book without giving anything away, so I’m not going to go into any of the book content.

I will say Gabriel for the win! Yum! New fave!

“I set my kitten free, and she came back to me.”

*copy received via netgalley*

Wow the second in the series and did not disappoint! I look forward to more! It was hot and sexy ! Terrific read !!

The finale is magnifisent.A lot of secrets were revealed.I had dreams and a future and now all I have fears, scars, and insatiable needs. I’m damaged beyond repair. I can’t allow him to break me.The author has out done her self.The book is amazing.When I started reading I couldn't put it down.When I started reading I couldn't put it down. I didn't think I could fall more in love with Gabriel, but I did. This was the perfect conclusion to Valentina and Gabriel's story.
I received a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. I did not think I would like the book but the story caught my attention from the beginning and held it until the very end. Gabriel is Mafia and he has possession of Valentina as payment for a debt. He becomes obsessed with her and then comes to love her. She loves him but he can't believe she could love him after what he has done to her. The sexual content is explicit but a good read. There is a HEA but a lot happens before this comes about. I definitely will read some of Pauls other books because if they are like this one, they will keep your attention and entertained. I would recommend this book.

This is an author that I am going to follow! I loved this book. I am a huge fan of dark erotica and this was perfect. The characters were well developed and believable. If I were going to make any criticism it would be that the introduction needed to include a bit more background and context of the setting. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book!

Consent is the second half of Charmaine Pauls’ Johannesburg underworld The Loan Shark Duology, which focuses on the complex relationship between Gabriel Louw, a powerful mafioso, and Valentina Haynes, the young woman who sells herself to him to pay off her brother’s debt. By the end of the first book Dubious it’s clear that both parties feel more than lust, but when you’ve been brought together by violence and obligation how can you transform your bond to something pure and worthy of protecting?

It’s very hard for me to talk about the events in Consent without spoiling almost everything from the end of Dubious, which is a major plot point to the cliffhanger. I can only say that Gabriel and Valentina are together in book two (it wouldn’t be much of an erotic romance if the main couple became permanently separated now would it), but the plot buys a ticket to Hardcore Crazy Town. If you love the type of twists that crop up in daytime soaps or can at least appreciate them Consent is totally your catnip. I, on the other hand, rolled my eyes so hard they clacked in the back of my head when a presumed faked death occurred, and I was holding my head in my hands by the final pages.

While it’s a minor spoiler Pauls delivers a HEA; it’s just not quite how you’d expect it (Valentina also manages to turn into Too Perfect to Be Real TM, which she bordered on in Dubious but had enough slight faults to avoid). Somehow I plowed through book two despite my disbelief in the sheer amount of crazy sauce delivered (to borrow a term from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books), and I enjoyed the ending even though it left me a little underwhelmed. I wanted a dark, gritty ending for a pair of flawed, damaged people; that isn’t where Charmaine Pauls wanted her characters to end up. If you like fairy tale finales I think you’ll find it sweet and touching, and Consent will be a much easier read that book one.

3 Fire Damaged Wedding Rings out of 5

Valentina ends up pregnant and is afraid Gabriel will make her have an abortion. She runs away with her brother. Gabriel finds her before his mother's goons find her. The journey is a difficult one.

I love me a wild read that’s an emotional roller coaster with some kinky sex. This is that kind of book. I didn’t want to read it and have been holding onto it for a while not wanting this to be the end, but isn’t that always the case with the books you love and obsess about they end too soon.

I was given an ARC for my honest review.