Cover Image: A Disturbing Prospect

A Disturbing Prospect

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

"A Disturbing Prospect" by Elizabeth Barone is a thought-provoking and unsettling story that delves into the darker corners of the human psyche, offering a unique and memorable reading experience.

Was this review helpful?

*3.5 stars*

Interesting MC romantic suspense…

Cliff and Olivia were a surprise. A younger woman/older man. Ex-con vs wide-eyed innocent. Well, maybe not so much lol. There was a lot of untold history still affecting both their futures. They needed to figure it out and they chose to do that, together. Well, did Olivia chose that really? She was a force to be reckoned with and though Cliff was by no means a pushover, Olivia wasn’t afraid to reach out and take what she wanted…

So much to like about this story – complications and suspense drove the story while the heat percolated between the main characters. Lucy, Olivia’s sister, wasn’t immune either… How it all played out made for an interesting story even if I wished for more depth and more insight into the past of all the characters. There is another story coming so I hope all those gaps will be filled in…

Was this review helpful?

This is the first book in a new series from Elizabeth Barone and it was an amazing and fascinating introduction. "A Disturbing Prospect" was well-written, dark, gritty and very steamy. There were added elements including justice and revenge. I was captivated by the plot, and I loved the characterisation by the author. I could not put this one down as I had to know how the story ended.

A very worthwhile read, but watch out for those trigger warnings!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from the publisher via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Elizabeth Barone did a fantastic job with this story!

Sexy & gritty all at the same time. She manages to write in the disturbing topics without making them too grotesque. It honestly felt like I was reading a toned down episode of Sons of Anarchy.

Was this review helpful?

I received an ARC from NetGalley on this. The book comes with a warning about the content but I still loved every minute of it! It should be a movie! The sexual chemistry between the characters and the MC was all tied in together so beautifully! anxious for book two!!

Was this review helpful?

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I like this one. Good writing and solid storytelling. The author gives a warning in the beginning that it's dark and she is definitely right. But knowing that ahead of time, it was easier to understand some of the dark turns the story took. I like getting to know the biker club and how everyone fit. I liked Cliff's education for living on the outside and his beginning with Lucy. I like that the story slowly unraveled so you knew both the past and what happened and how it affect their current lives.

Olivia was okay - funny and no-none sense. I like that she wasn't whiny and she was really laid back about wanting to get her own world set before she got involved with others. I don't blame her for being cautious. It was interesting. I'm glad I started the series even if I don't think I'll continue it.

Was this review helpful?

This is the first on this series and the author's trigger warnings should be taken seriously. There's a lot going on and honestly, it didn't go at all where or how I expected it to! 3.5 stars!

An enjoyable read to be sure, but not what I thought I was getting myself into. This is an MC romance, but we don't get to that content for quite a while. The twists and turns that tie the characters together run deep and are more convoluted than they appear. It's a good adventure to follow Cliff, Lucy and Olivia. I honestly thought I was getting into Lucy's story with Cliff, not Olivia's, and as a character I really struggle with her (Olivia). As a pair, she and Cliff are two broken pieces that fit together, despite the age difference issues and a lot of the other complications.

Overall, a decent MC read if the triggers aren't an issue for you.

Was this review helpful?

He is just released from prison and the only place he has to go is back to the River Reapers MC she has been away at college and has just returned There is plenty of history hinted at between Cliff and Olivia but we don't get the whole story but there is more than enough to give you the drift without bogging the story down. Olivia is the sexual aggressor in this story which is surprising seeing Cliff has been in jail for the past 20 years but then maybe he is on modern life overload. There is a cliffhanger ending so be prepared Yes the author does put a warning at the beginning of the book about triggers so if things upset you take note of this

Was this review helpful?

This is a new author to me and what can I say about this book!!! WOW!! A dark romance splashed with an MC. WOW!! This book is a solid 4.5 stars.

It has been awhile since I have read such a gritty MC read. Our hero Cliff is newly released from prison after doing 20 years for protecting someone in his family. He is like a kid in the candy store with everything that has been changed since being away. Like a fish out of water he is trying to find his place. Enter our heroine Olivia she is a first 20 something that lives her life how she sees fit. She is studying to be a social worker and works as a bartender. The Insta attraction is hard for Cliff since she is his cousin Lucy adopted sister. I

There is a while lot of things that happen like a stalker, and a bunch of other things that I refuse to divulge in this review. I am looking forward to the next book.

Was this review helpful?

After twenty years in prison, Cliff is finally a free man. But what does free mean? Life has changed since he went in. Technology has become science fiction to him. He has so much to learn. Facebook, what is that? And texting? What happened to a phone just being a phone? Out of options and out of money, he phones his cousin for help. Lucy arrives with her half-sister Olivia. Cliff and Olivia are instantly attracted to one another and things move quickly. However Olivia is not the type to settle down and she only does one night stands, but there is something about Cliff that keeps her wanting more. With Cliff only just getting out of prison he is happy for what Olivia is offering, except part of him wants more and another part of him knows that he should stop whatever is happening between them. When his Parole officer sets him up with a job as a bouncer, he also becomes a prospect for the River Reapers Motorcycle club. The club is part of Cliff’s history and a reminder of why he went to jail. Is he ready to be part of the club or has fate already played her hand? Olivia is studying to be a social worker and works at a strip club as a bartender. The same strip club that Cliff works at. Is this a coincidence or are they both being played? Cliff is prepared to give Olivia the space she needs but when a shady character starts showing interest, can he allow her to make her own choices or does he need to step in and claim what he wants? After an incident occurs both Olivia and Cliff are more involved with the River Reapers and their secrets. While this story has huge potential, there were just parts that did not add up. I also felt like Olivia acted like a dog on heat and it was rather off-putting. Cliff was this gentle giant and I favoured him more. Yet at the same time I questioned his personality, here is a man that has done 20 years in jail, I would have thought this would have hardened him more. The plot was a bit jumbled for me. I think it would have worked better if we had had more back story of each character first. The author does warn you that parts of the story are dark and disturbing. Overall it was an okay read for me and I am hoping book two will pull the story together.
Reviewed for Hot books and Sassy Girls book blog

Was this review helpful?

I love MC-related dark romances and this book did not let me down! I appreciated the trigger warning from the author in the beginning of the book because there were indeed a lot of triggers and I can see where some readers may be bothered, so please take heed to the author's warning. It's there for a reason. A Disturbing Prospect is the story of Cliff and Olivia and the River Reapers MC. The story begins with Cliff's release from prison, while Olivia is away at college, and it's clear that they've known each other, but a lot of backstory and history between them is missing, though there is enough there to make you get these characters and love them. They've gone through some rough stuff, they continue to go through some rough stuff, but Cliff is the quintessential MC guy you love to love. The sex scenes are steamy and well-written and the plot in its entirely is really intriguing. Unfortunately, it is somewhat of a cliffhanger, but that's okay because you get enough to completely be enthralled with the world created in the book but you won't mind waiting for the next installment.

Was this review helpful?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. There is a lot of action, suspense and romance. This was one of those books I didn’t want to put down until I finished it.

Was this review helpful?

As the author warns, this book is a dark, forbidden story. This story is extremely graphic, so make sure to read the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book! And prepare yourself because even with the warnings, you will probably still not be fully ready for the triggers. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book until about the 80% marker. I actually couldn't put the book down, I was enjoying it so much. But then, the story started to get super confusing with the stalking situation and then it was like a mad rush to a cliffhanger of an ending. Considering this is not the only book for Cliff and Olivia, I wish the ending and the stalking had been better developed and closed. I'm giving it 3 chilli peppers of hotness! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

she is trying to go to school and she works nights at a strip club and she helps her sister by going with her to get her cousin who just got out of jail. he was serving time for saving her. I loved it.

Was this review helpful?

Until now, Olivia has survived by sticking to two simple rules: love 'em then leave 'em, and live out loud. But her odds which were pretty good changed when Cliff walked out of prison and into her life. With his long dark hair, gentle eyes, and secrets, she's dying to unlock him.When I started reading I couldn't put it downElizabeth Barone is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

Was this review helpful?

Not so much a spoiler but...spoiler alert. However, if you read the trigger warning it won't be.

My only two issues with this book were,
1. A cat was injured. I read the warning and was well aware that it was going to happen but being a cat obsessed woman, I was still emotional about it. This is my own opinion and does not change how I feel about the book at all. Actually, the scene needed to be in the book to prove the lengths an individual will go in that situation. Still...(sad face!)

2. The portrayal of life in prison is NOTHING like it is in the prison nearest to me. My husband is a C.O. in Michigan and the prisoners have so much freedom within those walls that it seems like a vacation rather than a punishment. They have tablets for music, access to cable television, phone calls, and the yard most of the day. However, each and every prison setting is different and just because the one I know of is operated differently does not mean that the prison setting referenced in this book is not as described.

My opinions above did not change my adoration for this book. Elizabeth Barone wrote such beautiful, yet provoking words that I am itching for a sequel. I want to know where life takes them beyond this story. I enjoyed the connections between characters and wished that Lucy would have had a larger role in the story.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed above are solely those of my own.

Was this review helpful?

A Disturbing Prospect by Elizabeth Barone is book one in the River Reapers Motorcycle Club series. This is the story of Cliff and Olivia. Cliff is getting out of Jail working to get back into life and one choice was to be with the River Reapers Club. Olivia is in college so both are different people yet both have been and are going through hard things. Their story isn't easy and can't be completed in this book, so I can't wait for the next installment in this series.

Was this review helpful?

Really enjoyed this book. Cliff is being released from prison which is not detailed in full until mid story, and Lucy and Olivia help him adjust to how different the world is. Cliff starts working, falling for a girl and leaning how to deal with his past. Can't wait until the next book comes out to see how this story ends!

Was this review helpful?

This is an awesome action packed romance! As a visual reader certain parts I could’ve went without but I overall enjoyed this book and can not wait for the sequel!

Was this review helpful?

This was the first novel I have read by this author but it won't be the last. This novel grabbed me from the very first chapter to the very last one. I loved Olivia and Cliff. The chemistry between the two of them is off the charts. This novel kept me on the edge of my seat. Cliff and Olivia had both been through so much I was rooting for them. I can't wait to see what this author has in store for her next novel.

Was this review helpful?