Thank you so much to the publisher for approving me. This was a DNF for me, I suppose since I never got back into it and I’m just updating this to move this off my shelf.

FULL REVIEW ON FRESH FICTION
The first book in the new multi-author Dynasties: Seven Sins series, RUTHLESS PRIDE by Naima Simone is a perfect example of a well-thought-out billionaire romance. It hits all the beats reader expect - a gorgeous brooding billionaire hero with a heartbreaking past, the hardworking, no-nonsense heroine doing whatever she can to get ahead, painful betrayals, a decent amount of angst, and extravagant galas and events as the backdrop to a deep and passionate romance. Josh is an interesting billionaire romance hero, dealing with the demons of his past and paying for his father’s sins. He’s a multifaceted character coping with a lot of pressures. Sophie wasn’t quite as nuanced of a character as Josh, but she has a backstory that explains her own issues with trust, and her work ethic and determination to do her best was relatable. While they do fall in love rather quickly, RUTHLESS PRIDE’s love story doesn’t feel forced - this hero and heroine have instant chemistry. The repercussions of Josh’s father’s crimes are what tie each of the books to come to this one; each book will deal with someone directly affected by those dastardly actions. There is a secret baby plotline that doesn’t land with the bombshell one would expect, but RUTHLESS PRIDE is written with confidence, sex appeal, and wit by a talented author. Readers can always expect a carefully crafted and steamy read from Naima Simone.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: https://freshfiction.com/page.php?id=10631

I liked the idea behind the storyline, the icy guy who wants to restore his family's reputation, after what his father did and who seems unreachable, falls in love with the journalist who wants to did deeper, into what actually happened with his father and what is going on now.

Featuring one of my favorite tropes, enemies to lovers. But the execution was not there. The start was promising, but it didn't pull me in, and was left mostly confused by the end.

While I like back and forth between the characters and the attraction that was instant between them, I didn't connect with the romance or them.

received from Netgalley

This was a fun one. i really love Naima Simone's writing. i just wished this book was a bit longer.

I will feature this book in a Harlequin round up in November.

4.25 Stars / 3.5 Steam Fans

Ruthless Pride is a fantastic and intriguing start to the Dynasties: Seven Sins series. Naima Simone brings the perfect amount of sexiness, intrigue, and heart to this story about the recovery of families' after corporate embezzlement.

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I love Naima Simone, but Ruthless Pride didn’t work for me quite as well as some of her other titles. The first 85% was excellent and then the last bit fell apart for me. 3 stars

Loved the tension between Joshua and Sophie, but my only complaint is that the love declaration came out of nowhere. One chapter they were giving in to the strong attraction between them, the next they were already in love? The book was too short for me so I felt like the story wasn't developed enough for me to trust that what they were feeling was love. I would've been happy if the story ended with an HFN, or open ending.

Short and sweet review...not the best book I’ve read, but not the worst.

It’s been quite a long time since I’ve read a labeled “Harlequin” novel...let’s just say, my grandmother loved these books for a reason.

This is the first book in a 7-deadly sins series, each written by a different author, representing a different sin...<I>Ruthless Pride</I> focuses on Lowell and Sophie.

A hardened CEO of his family company matched (or mismatched) with strong-willed investigative reporter. A sorted past, family in shambles, and trust issues fuel the flames of this insta-passionate story.

There are some loose ends that didn’t feel complete with part of the story and the writing as a whole was just so-so...I felt the story could’ve been shortened quite a bit (a lot of information dumps early on), and weird characters that really had no reason or place being in the story.

I’ll continue to read the series, as it was graciously sent to me by Netgalley, but I’m happy it’s not all written by the same author. This one wasn’t my favorite...didn’t pull me in excite me to turn pages, which is disappointing. I hope the next one is better.

Ruthless Pride was all alpha male with a love interest strong enough to go toe to toe with him. Joshua and Sophie have good chemistry and their attraction is instant. Basically, it's your typical millionaire romance, and it's enjoyable enough, but it's just that - typical. The characters are likable enough, Joshua is certainly alpha enough, and I did like that Sophie isn't the damsel in distress. She stands on her own two feet. But there really isn't anything here to set this story or these characters apart from any other romance like it, including the little twist toward the end. Basically, it's an okay read. I'm not disappointed, but it isn't something that will stick with me either.

❤️❤️❤️ out of 5
Now if you’ve read any of my reviews before at all you’ll know I have an issue with novellas and oftentimes their pacing. This book was just short of being a full length novel and I had definite issues with the pacing- the whole last half of the book get rushed after the MCs finally got together then all of a sudden it was love?

Our heroine is a reporter writing an article on the son of a hedge fund manager that stole millions but has now pulled the company out of the ground. This is a total enemies to lovers because you bet the hero was totally uninterested in having his family’s name dragged through the mud yet again.

The other aspect that irritated me was the climax- why couldn’t a hero just actually trust a heroine for once? This drives me bonkers when I read it in romance books but this one especially got to me. It’s an overused trope and I’ve decided I hate it.

Joshua Lowell is the CEO of Black Crescent Hedge Fund. Fifteen years ago, his father Vernon embezzled $15 million and took off - leaving the business, the family and some clients without their money. No one knows if Vernon is dead or alive and living hidden somewhere.

When his father left, Joshua felt it was his responsibility to pick up the pieces - his two brothers took off and wanted nothing to do with it. So he gave up his passion of a career in art and has been trying to set things right.

Sophie is an investigative journalist who is writing a piece about Black Crescent and the scandal to mark the 15 year anniversary. She wants to give Joshua the chance to include his point of view in the piece. But she’s also uncovered some information he didn’t know - is it true??

I really enjoyed most of this book. The instant connection between the two characters but the circumstances that made it hard for them to trust each other made for great tension. There were parts I didn’t love about the ending - the final conflict and resolution felt rushed to me.

I am looking forward to continuing with the series and through the other sins. Thank you Harlequin and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.

For the last 15 years Joshua has tried to make up for the crimes of his father and try to help their clients recoup some of the financial losses that they sustained at the cost of his own happiness. He is well aware that people hold his father’s actions against him no matter what he does but having a reporter investigating the situation again is the last thing he wants.

Sophie isn’t about to back down from anyone and that includes Vernon. He may not be happy about the article however he refused her attempts to get his side of the story. When he agrees to give her a follow-up story it results in them spending time together and feelings develop however will the trust issues of the past destroy the future they could have together?

There is so much more to the cold and controlled Joshua than first appears and not only is the attraction between them intense but she shows him that there is so much more to life than the way he has been living it.

Naima Simone’s prose just does it for me, every time. I love the way she has with words, and I truly enjoy her skill with creating chemistry filled pairings and super sexy love scenes. She can bring the heat and heart like few can and I deeply appreciate this.

Josh and Sophie have crazy heat, but I also struggled with Josh’s hardcore trust issues and how long it took for him to change his mind and the time between the turn and the ending was a wee bit too quick. The timeline is condensed, so the road to an HEA feels like an expressway, not a slow and winding backroad. The overarching storyline setup was....fine, and I didn’t hate it, but I don’t know that I feel compelled to seek out the other books right away either. I typically feel this way about multi-author setups though - it usually makes characters feel less individual, and more about trying to conform to a 'verse that isn't solely their own, so I will freely admit to that bias.

But that heat! Man, the ending may be quick but it does work, so if you’re a fan of Ms. Simone and her way with words, you may enjoy this.


**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**

Whew! Someone get me a fan because this one is H-O-T!



Okay, so it goes without saying this one is definitely for ADULTS ONLY. Joshua is all they say with his icy billionaire persona build to ward off the public eye more than attract it, though attract is something they can't help but be with his visual attributes and the scandalous past inherited from his father before him. He's not the bad guy, though he'll let you believe he is if it means leaving him alone, but some people simply won't take no for an answer. Enter Sophie...a headstrong reporter that inadvertently turns the public's eyes to him and his family once again, FIFTEEN YEARS after the scandal that rocked them to the core! I say inadvertently because while she was bringing it to the spotlight again, she had wanted to take a new angle...but someone was less than forthcoming with an interview, and she had a bit of anonymous inside information, so things spiraled back again. Like I said though...some don't take NO for an answer. A few more meet-not-so-cute moments later and neither one can deny there's something between them...but whether or not it burns brighter than the sun or torches them to ashes has yet to be seen. Any guesses which way it goes?



Guess away, I won't reveal the BIG TRUTH...but speaking of which, let me share MY big truth. I enjoyed the story, though I could have done with a bit less heat, but I did have one lingering question. Why introduce such a big plot point if it wasn't going to be fully explored? I mean, there was already plenty going for it without the added drama piece, but it left me pondering and feeling a little hung out to dry. However, despite that little hiccup, I still had a BLAST getting to know both characters. Joshua is so much more than he lets on, and Sophie is far more tender than her earned hardened exterior allows her to be. I can see why one of the sins is pride...the inability to accept that you're not perfect and we're always striving to better ourselves has got to be such a heavy weight! Good thing these two have each other to help carry it...at least for a little while...or maybe even more...



Recommended read for adult Contemporary Romance fans and enemies-to-lovers trope readers!

Naima Simone is a fabulous author and I'm so pleased with her first attempt at a multi-author series with Harlequin. Well done kicking this thing off, very well done! Her characters are always so dynamic and engaging, Simone never disappoints. I hope she's part of many more multi-author series to come!

***coverage of this book and book 2 by Karen Booth in this series coming to Frolic mid-May.

Full review appeared at Reader's Edyn on 05/10/20

Sophie is one-heck of a reporter, having received accolades galore. Her latest focus is on Joshua Lowell and the devastation his father caused several members of Falling Brook fifteen years ago when he embezzled from the trust fund he ran and disappeared. Now as the anniversary of the debacle approaches, she is writing about Joshua intending to put a different spin on the story. She’s uncovered a lot of information and it would seem that the heir of the Lowell family is much more than he displays for the cameras – an altruistic side he never exposes. But Joshua refuses to participate so she runs with the story she has – and garners his attention full force. Invited behind the scenes for a follow-up story, they each glimpse a side of one other that they normally keep well protected. Sophie doesn’t have a past she is proud of either and Joshua is exactly the kind of man who will shatter her. She should stay far away, but that magnetic pull is fierce and before too long, each succumbs to the flaming desire, terrified of how their own story will end.

Joshua isn’t about to trust the head-strong reporter any farther than he can throw her. Keep your enemies closer is the old adage, so he’ll be sure to do so. And maybe the benefits that follow aren’t so bad either. But Sophie has a way of slipping right under Josh’s armor of protection and quickly has him yearning for a life that he long since left behind – scattered to the wind with his father’s betrayal – Josh, the only one to step up and right all of the wrong none of them saw coming. But with his past and people always scrutinizing him, Josh trusts no one. They always leave him anyway in one way or another. Sophie will be no different. So when she suddenly appears to have betrayed him, he is quick to lash out first, never giving her a chance to leave him. He knows it is inevitable anyway. But his mistake could cost him his perfect match in every way and a shot at a life he never dreamed he could ever get back.

I have read Ms. Simone in the past and have enjoyed her work. It’s also been a minute since I have immersed myself in some sexy Harlequin reads. When I came across a new series made up of seven books by seven authors and Ms. Simone kicking them off, I knew I had found something I wanted to dive into. At this point, I have obtained the first three books in the series, so I will be able to continue at least that far in the series. After reading this wonderful book, my excitement has jumped a notch. At just over 200 pages, this book can be devoured easily within a couple of hours. The story started off with a crazy amount of tension and sexual chemistry and kept on giving. Despite their growing feelings for one another, the mistrust lies heavy, like an elephant in the room. Once Josh and Sophie give into their undeniable, nearly tangible attraction, the sparks fly and the defenses crack even further. But the suspicion remains – at least on Josh’s part.

I appreciated Josh’s sense of responsibility and determination to set right the mess of destruction left in his father’s wake. But this inspiring trait also becomes his crutch and greatest flaw. He has become so worried about judgment upon himself based on his father’s decimated reputation, that he loses sight of who he used to be and what he once wanted for his life – preferring to forget about that period in his life since it can never be reclaimed. But Josh isn’t doing it just for himself. He is also trying to repair his mother and brothers’ reputations through his own efforts. But for all of his attempts, he has only garnered disgust from his own siblings who see him as a copy of their traitorous father. Sophie, however, sees past all of this. In her thorough investigative journalism, she has uncovered the Josh of the past and can see the man inside, lying dormant under the tough business mogul persona he projects to the rest of the world. She also realizes that their time together is more than likely going to be limited, so she does her best to help him realize a way back to his old self; the person he lost, and who he longs to be despite his adamant claims otherwise. Sophie draws him out and gives him a kind of hope for the future he hadn’t been able to grasp since taking over the hedge fund. She also recognizes that an artist with talent that oozes out of his pores like Josh’s does isn’t one to be wasted. Unexpectedly, she is given a tool to nudge him in the right direction. If it helps create those small glimpses of happiness he keeps carefully guarded, she isn’t above making use of that tool.

What I do not understand is what happens with the DNA tests. This is the foremost reason that Sophie and Josh end up agreeing to help one another. But other than the reveal of who leaked the results to Sophie, nothing else ever comes of it. It’s revealed early on that Zane supplied a lot of Sophie’s article information, so him giving her the results is no spoiler. However, his book appears to be next, so I am hoping there is some kind of closure to this cliffhanger component. Or are we to assume it was all a ruse and never true? It’s unclear and a bit aggravating. Zane is one of the family heirs that was destroyed by Senior Lowell’s duplicity, so he’s got a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. I am also assuming that Josh’s brothers will have a book of their own, but I could be wrong. I felt that they were left unfinished also. Their assumptions that Josh had turned into their father was cruel and unfair. Given Josh’s search he now has going on, I would say reconciliation is in the air. So there are a few things left wide open and annoyingly incomplete, but I can only guess those elements with tie-up somewhere in the next six books. I also felt the ending was a bit rushed. Granted, the book isn’t all that long anyway, but another chapter or two would have been nice. Don’t get me wrong. It was a perfectly romantic grand gesture for a billionaire romance, but it was fast. Given Sophie’s resolve in their last encounter, her rapid capitulation in that particular scenario didn’t fit and also would have likely affected her career reputation, so a bit off for this specific character.

Despite the oddities above, I found this book enjoyable and a fascinating start to a new Harlequin series. I will be jumping into the next book soon and look forward to seeing how the series progresses. Will the authors have worked together on the plots, or just written something as a stand-alone that doesn’t incorporate the previous books? I don’t know. But I will soon. I truly hope for intersecting plots. If you are looking for a quick read, enjoy millionaire romance, and crave hot and steamy, then this book will bring satisfaction. Ms. Simone did a great job in setting this series up, guaranteeing my return for the next installment.

Kindle version provided by NetGalley/Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

When Joshua Lowell’s father disappeared taking the family fortune and several clients’ money with him, he did what was expected. What was needed. Setting aside his burgeoning career in the Art World, he assumed the leadership position in his father’s company. Shutting down everything inside him remotely associated with art (and freedom), he became arrogant and ruthless. For he had much to make up for thanks to the sins of his father. Sophie Armstrong is eager for his perspective (comment) on an article she’s writing on the anniversary of his family’s scandal, but when he shuts her down, she publishes the article without his input. What ensues is a growing attraction between the two, in this enemies-to-lovers romance.

Likes: I really liked Sophie. She’s determined, spunky, and doesn’t accept no for an answer (in her work). Joshua is all sorts of anguish on a stick—his regrets are tangible even as he continually tries to stuff them down into a box never to be seen again. Unfortunately, Sophie doesn’t let him do that and time together dredges up much of the heartache he’s had to push aside in order to save his family. Dislikes: For me, I thought the ending was a bit rushed.

Naima Simone’s RUTHLESS PRIDE (Book 1 of Dynasties: Seven Sins), for me, was an enjoyable read and I found myself rooting for the unlikely couple as they worked their way toward their happily ever after.
Review published on The Romance Reviews website

Ruthless Pride by Naima Simone is a story about families, choices and second chances. Joshua Lowell is a man used to being in control. He is a protective and determined man. He will do what is needed for his family, even if it means letting go of his dreams. Sophie Armstrong is doing her job and is just as determined. As a journalist, she wants to do a piece on Joshua, but he wants nothing to do with it. But he definitely desires her. Can he take a risk on her? I am excited to read the rest of the series.

Happy reading!

Fantastic story. I very much enjoyed this one. It might be one of the few Harlequin books that I will be reading again in the future.

Fifteen years ago, Vernon Lowell founder of Black Crescent Hedge Fund disappeared after stealing millions from his family and several clients. Harlequin Desire’s Dynasties: Seven Sin series deals with the fallout of his actions and how his family and the heirs of the families he stole from have been shaped by the past while dealing with the present. Ruthless Pride is the first book in the series.

Of Vernon’s three sons, Joshua was the only one to stick around their hometown of Falling Brook, New Jersey and deal with the fallout of his father’s crimes. Over the past fifteen years, Joshua has given up his passion for creating art to take over and restore Black Crescent's investment reputation. Joshua has made sure that the families his father stole from have been repaid. He’s watched his once vibrant and socialite mother lose friends, withdraw, and become a shell of the woman she once was. He’s lost the once close and tightknit relationships he shared with his brothers, as they see him being like their father. Joshua may not truly be a happy man, but he is content with his choices and the fact that he has restored his family’s name to a certain extent. Now all of this is in jeopardy when a reporter storms into his office.

Sophie Armstong is a no-nonsense investigative reporter for the Falling Brook Chronicle. She knows the story of Vernon Lowell has been told countless times before, but she’s done her research and she wants to cover the story again, this time, focusing on the past as well as the present and future. When Joshua continues to ignore her emails and phone calls, she decides to barge her way into his office to get the interview she wants. She confronts Joshua about a child he has who he isn’t supporting. When Joshua kicks her out, she has no choice but to make her own conclusions. Sophie soon realizes Joshua has no idea that he might have fathered a child. The two agree to work together to find out if her research is accurate and just who this child and mother are.

Naima Simone is one of my favorite authors. Her heroes are alpha through and through. Her heroines are smart, strong, independent women. Joshua and Sophie are no different. The attraction between these two was instant. Their passion was off the charts, with their coupling being raw and intense. I was definitely surprised to see that stiff, button-up Joshua was a dirty talker and a master of his words.

Unfortunately, I didn’t make a connection with these characters or this story. For me, the last ten percent of the book was the best, with the reemergence of Joshua possibly fathering a child. In the past, Harlequin’s miniseries have had a series arc that played out over the course of the series. “Someone is playing games. They have an endgame that I don’t know about and can’t figure out.” If the mystery of the series has to do with Joshua possibly fathering a child and someone blackmailing him, I don’t think that storyline was cemented enough to make me truly care and want to find out what happens. The next book in the series, Forbidden Lust is written by Karen Booth, another favorite author. The hero of that story has already been introduced and has said something that I’m curious about. For those reasons, I’m looking forward to reading the next book. I’m just hoping that there will be enough additional details about the mystery to make me want to continue reading the series.

~ Favorite Quotes ~

“You can try to erase the past, but certain things don’t go away no matter how hard you try to bury them. The truth always finds a say of resurrecting itself.”

“Am I perfect? No. But I try to be.”