This was a steamy billionaire romance. It has Fifty Shades of Grey vibes. There is a cliffhanger, and it took a bit of a darker turn at the end. I'm excited to continue the story. I was definitely hooked.

Follow My Darkly is book one in the new series Follow Me. The three books in the series will be interconnected and follow Skye and Braden's story. Continuing the story with the main characters into book two and three mean they need to be read in order.

Skye is a photographer and the pair meet Addie a social media influencer that Skye works for. The slightly older sexy guy Braden knows how to push her limits. The pair has strong chemistry with an intense push and pull going on.

If you like a dark strong alfa and an equally strong female then this one is or you.

This book was okay; I didn’t love it, nor did I hate it. I’m not sure if I would go on to read the next one.

Yowza, this is one hot read! 
I mean you kind of know what your getting into right at the cover, but it’s so much more. I really liked the storyline and the way the author ended each chapter with something that hooked you and you simply couldn’t put the book down. I ended many chapters with a silly grin on my face. When I got to the last page not knowing it was the last page I was like nooooooooooo, then I read the message that part 2 comes out January 26th and I’ve never been so happy to see the end of the month creeping up! 
Fans of Fifty Shades of Grey this book is for you! 
Skye Manning works as a photographer for a famous Instagrammer. Spending her days finding the perfect lighting to showcase a new lip color or the right table at the coffee shop to make her boss look amazing as she drinks her latte. It’s a job and it pays well, but her dream is to take photos that touch people and really make a difference. Spending her days deleting negative comments and booking new clients get pretty mundane, until Braden Black shows up. He’s serious and seriously perfect. 
Braden can have any girl he wants, but he wants Skye. This is one time his millions won’t be able to buy him the girl, because she doesn’t care about his money. There’s something about her that has him hooked. She’s different than anyone he’s ever met. Sure she’s sexy and has lips he can’t stop thinking about, but she’s smart and innocent and she drives him mad! The problem is she wants a relationship and a future and he does not. How can he keep Skye to himself without giving her the one thing she wants....
Pick up your copy quick so you can read the second book, Follow Me Under when it releases Jan.26th

I really wanted to love this book, because I heard so many good things about it. But, it was just too close to Fifty Shades of Grey (including almost identical situations), and that really drove down my liking of the individual story. Had I not read Fifty Shades, I would give this 4 stars.

Warning this is part of a series and it ends on a cliffhanger. You'll absolutely want to start reading the second book right away. Also, some light bondage BDSM elements, power play Dom/sub.

I loved this story Skye and Braden are such an interesting pair. Skye is a control freak so is Braden. Who will end up winning control in the bedroom? Why is Braden the magic key that fixes Skye's "problem"? What happened between Braden and Addison? There are a lot of questions. Some get answered in this book and some don't. Trust and darkness are huge themes in the book. What fuels Braden's darkness? How dark is he? Does Skye trust him? Will she follow him? Skye is a character I really like. She loves what Braden does sexually to her but she pushes back on Braden when he starts to take control. She doesn't follow him blindly. Apart from not seeing herself as beautiful she has the confidence to really start teaching for her dreams. Tessa and Braden help but in the end it's her doing it. I think, mostly, her fears and decisions make sense. She's in a new relationship with someone that has more money, experience, and power than her. Braden is very much an enigma throughout the book. You get little glimpses into him but not the full story. What you do learn keeps you wanting more. The sex gets more intense throughout the book and you find yourself in the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next.

I absolutely loved the story and can't wait to find out what happens next. Helen Hardt is such a good writer. She always brings her A game to everything she writes. This is another 5 star read from her.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was in suspense and left wanting more.  I was dying to know what would happen next throughout the whole book and I can't wait to read the next book from Helen Hardt.  I am new to this author and I will definitely be looking for more.  It was steamy and mysterious and I loved it.

What a delicious read and amazing start to an enthralling new series! Following me Darkly is an erotic page turner, full of mystery, intriguing characters, and a captivating sexual tension that will have you all hot and bothered!

There are some familiar tropes here, or so it begins- they may scratch your 50 Shades of Grey itch, but don’t worry, this story has it’s one teeth. We have the recalcitrant billionaire in Braden- a man who started from nothing and now has everything, a man who goes after what he wants and is use to getting it, a man who needs control. He’s a powerful force- sexy and alluring, the type of hero you desperately want to unravel to figure out all that makes him tick. But he keeps his cards close- desire that emotional power. But he’s intrigued by our considerably younger heroine Skye- the photographer of a social media influence and heiress.But unlike possessive billionaire stories of our past, Skye TOO needs control. She keeps her circle tight, does what she can, even in the bedroom, to keep the power. IN a delightful nod to the age of social media, Instagram brings these two together- and once they meet, chemistry sizzles. Braden does what he does best- makes a deal, tries to acquire what he wants, but the challenge, of course, is that they both need control- emotionally and i the bedroom- how can they act on their chemistry? And, of course, there are secrets, too.

This was my first Hardt book in a while, and I forgot how much I appreciate her prose. Not only is she an engaging writer but she brings such a mysterious tension to her plot and characters. This story was incredibly engaging and so steamy and erotic- with the right amount of darkness. BDSMish stories are hit or miss for me, I need them to be slightly more tender/less humiliating (ie “lighter”) and more emotionally based, and here the power play worked for more in general, nothing too extreme for me. I also appreciated exploring a new element- two power-needing characters. The chemistry was really scorching and captivating- and the overall story alluring and intriguing. I really enjoyed Skye- she’s relatable, inviting as a character. She’s younger but doesn’t read as such. Braden is deliciously mysterious and he has that alpha possessive dominance that revs my engine. I wanted to peel away they layers on both of these characters- both were fascinating, and we have a solid connection here to drive to the rest of the series and to keep the story meaningful.

Fair warning- this ones in a cliffhanger that you’ll be agonizing in until the new year! I would have liked a smidge more unveiling of some of the questions, but we have more books to come, so we have to keep the mystery alive. I’ll definitely be checking out book 2!

This was the first book I've read by Helen Hardt. I had been wanting to read something of hers and jumped at the chance. It was a really great read. I wasn't expecting a cliffhanger though. Somehow I missed that when requestingthe ARC. It was hard to get upset about it when it was so good that it drew me completely in. I was completely invested in the characters. 

*I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This is serious some intense chemistry for Skye and Braden.
From the first meeting of Braden as a main character you can tell he is fierce and will get what he wants. Even though he is hiding some darkness, he has this draw to him so strong. His billionaire status does help him also. 
Skye just happens to be an assistant to someone he knows so the encounter is rather random.
It's push and pull from the start. I love how Skye holds her ground when he tries to bulldoze over her to take her to the bedroom. She had a strong backbone.
It is my first novel from this author in awhile but it was insanely passionate and highly intoxicating. I had a hard time trying to put it down and it was so addictive. I am so looking forward to what is next for these too.

Follow Me Darkly is the first book in the Follow Me Series. This is Braden Black’s & Skye Montgomery’s story. Skye works for Addison Ames who is a social media influencer as Addison’s PA and photographer. Braden is a "self-made" billionaire playboy who visits Addison’s office and meets Skye. He asks Skye out to dinner and then he is very direct and tells her that he wants to take her to bed. 

Braden takes Skye down a dark path. Skye becomes attracted to the dark side of Braden. 

I loved the chemistry that Skye and Braden have. It is super sexy and this book gets pretty hot! There is a mystery to solve because Follow Me Darkly ends on a cliffhanger. Not a jaw dropping cliffhanger but more of an anticipation type of cliffhanger. 

This is my favorite genre to read. A little dark and a little of a BDSM theme. I loved this story and I can’t wait until January when the next book will hopefully be out! 4.5 Stars

Stop everything that you are doing and go pre-order this book immediately!!!! Follow Me Darkly is a mix of mystery and erotica! Braden is a self made billionaire that is extremely mysterious and possessive. He grew up blue collar so he is down to earth and a perfect match for Skye. Skye is the ultimate control freak that needs to learn to relax and let go and who better to help her learn than an extremely sexual possessive billionaire?!?! I love the added mystery to this story where you will not want to put it down until your mind absorbs every last word and that still won’t be enough!!! Perfect in every way!!!

I mean …. WOW

You know what I never get tired of reading? Billionaire alpha heroes that could literally have grown up next door to me. That’s the kind of uber rich alpha male I like to read about. It’s on my level. It’s not out of touch for my realm of possibility so it makes the fiction romance realistic for me and I like to believe 🙂

I know how this author writes or rather I know the process of her trilogies so I was prepared for the build-up and also the different plot points embedded into the story like breadcrumbs. Have no fear readers, everything has a purpose and its purpose will be revealed in due time. What I was not expecting is how much eroticism there was to the storyline. Yes, I expected the bedroom to be kinky and erotic but the story itself was edgy and passionate and quite frankly was maybe what it feels like to walk a tightrope! I mean I’ve never done it, but I can imagine …

I don’t have very much to share with you now because as these things go, the less you know going in, the better off you will be as the story unfolds. I never ever read the synopsis. All I needed was the cover and I jumped. I am on pins and needles right now waiting to see what comes next in the storyline but I suspect it will be just as edgy and sexy and sensual as it has been. I read in a review earlier that this should be made into a movie if it keeps up the trajectory it seems to be following and they are absolutely correct in that assessment. There’s a lot of passion in this story and I have to agree that it would make for one heck of a Passionflix!

Follow Me Darkly
By Helen Hardt

This was a fantastic read I truly enjoyed that was as dramatic and sultry as it was provocative, between a sweet photographer from small town Kansas and a dominant and sexy billionaire who sweeps her off her feet. This adult romance book will have you scorching and counting the days to the release of the next book in this trilogy, Follow Me Under. 

For a captivating read with fun to read strong male characters, look no further and add this book to your list. It's completely enthralling page turner of a read.

Mystery, jealousy, and secrets pave the way for a steamy billionaire who won't be so willing to give up control.
Intense heat, chemistry that melts the pages and an ending that isn't exactly what you're expecting grab this book.

As with all romances this one has a cliffhanger of sorts so if you're looking for a story that ties everything up neatly upon finishing the last page, this book might not be for you.

I can't wait for more from Helen Hardt and I hope you'll add her to your reading list.

Heat, suspense and a great storyline. A chance meeting opens a path to new things for both Braden and Skye. Braden gives Skye the fairytale that she believes will end in get HEA. However, Braden has secrets and when they start to come to light, It may be too late for Skye. She falls hard. Skye also has a secret. Intense chemistry and strong sexual tension keeps the pages turning. The plot is sexy, dark and twisting. A well erotic story that had humor and emotion.

Skye Manning, Kansas farm girl, aspiring photographer, and Addison Ames’ assistant.  The day Braden Black notices her is a day she’ll remember.

Braden Black, wealthy, eligible bachelor, blunt, sexy, and Skye is having dinner with him.  He’s blunt about what he wants, and she gives in.

The two of them together are fire!  Their chemistry flies off the page and grabs you!!  This book is fantastic!! I can’t tell you how much I loved it!  Helen Hardt is so freaking good at creating characters and stories that just grab and hold on!!  I’m ready for book 2!

If you like demanding, possessive alpha males as your BBF then you want this read. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. A great read.

Skye Manning is a photographer getting her feet wet working for Addison Ames, a wealthy, social media influencer.  After one of Addison’s posts at a coffee shop, the super-rich, super gorgeous, Braden Black responds to the Instagram post with a negative comment.  It is part of Skye’s job to run the social media sites and remove negative comments immediately.  When she missed one of Braden’s post which started a yelling match with one of Black’s employees a string of events are in motion that change Skye’s life.  Black storms Addison’s office to answer the yelling match in person which leads to an angry Addison and dinner with Skye and Brandon.  The dinner date quickly moves to the bedroom and from there, to more.  

In Follow Me Darkly, Helen Hardt creates two wonderful characters.  Braden Black is the dark, mysteriously sexy, billionaire who wants to explore his kink with Skye Manning.  Skye is the beautiful, assistant with dreams of being a professional photographer.  She falls hard for Brandon and his sexual adventures.  There is no doubt that the chemistry between these two characters is WOW.

Ms. Hardt does an excellent job developing the characters and their relationship.  Even though there is insta-lust, they do take time getting to know one another.  Well, we get to know Skye, she is an open-book, country girl.  I love her strength, determination, and kindness.  She is one of those characters that I would love as a friend in real life.

Branden on the other hand, has secrets that aren’t revealed, but there are hints that makes the reader want more.  He needs control.  He knows that it takes hard work and determination to get where he is from where he started.  He is a workaholic in building his career.  Also, he knows that Skye is his obsession.  The question at this point is will he give Skye want she needs or will he hurt her terribly.

This first installment of the Follow Me trilogy concludes with a lot of unknowns.  Follow Me Darkly ends with a lot of questions.  Primarily, the reader is wondering what Skye is going to do with some unexpected information she receives.  She seems confused, but not put off by the revelation.  I’m anxious for what happens next.  The books’ release dates are four months apart, so there isn’t a long wait for the next Skye /Brandon fix.  Come on January.

💋🤵🏻 ARC BOOK REVIEW 🤵🏻💋
Title: Follow Me Darkly
Series: Follow Me, book 1
Author: Helen Hardt
Genre: Billionaire Romance, Erotic Romance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫/5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
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I enjoyed this book, but I also wanted more from it... I didn't realize that it was going to be a three book series when I started it so the pace seemed a bit slow. It is very steamy and I'm intrigued to see where it goes in book 2. I'm hoping that we get more in depth on the characters since this book mostly focuses on their meeting and their sexual relationship, but doesn't really dig into their pasts or their secrets...
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Overall an easy, steamy read, though.