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.

Wow!

Skye has goals and know her current job is just a means to an end. Getting involved with a billionaire play boy who is also her bosses ex, seems like a splendid idea. Braden is impossible to resist, so Skye soon stops fighting, opening her world to all new pleasures. Braden cannot get enough of Skye and her controlling personality, he has to possess her and get her submission. As they both fight for control can they both start to learn to let go but soon Skye's boss and Braden's past come to light.....andddd cliff hanger!

I really enjoyed this read. Skye seems realistic and down to earth but has big goals and works hard. Braden has a big persona but that is not all there is to him, hot and mysterious. Addison, Skye's boss, is a typical snobby insta star but her past with Braden is so intriguing. Throw in a few other good secondary characters and you have a story that pulled me in. It has moments of laughter, darkness, but also irresistible sensuality. Excited for book 2!

What a steamy read! This book follows Skye Manning, a budding photographer who is working as an assistant to a heiress who is a social media influencer. On the job, Skye meets Braden Black, a self-made billionaire who invites her to dinner the first time with the sole purpose of taking her to bed. Skye starts to fall for him, even though he tells her he isn't interested in a relationship.

This book gave me a lot of Fifty Shades vibes, but I thought it was much better written. Braden is dominant and controlling which I find a little bit annoying. I prefer stronger female characters but it fits in with the overall theme of the story. I found the plot and character development to be well done, despite all the steamy scenes; sometimes the focus is only on those parts and the rest of the story doesn't flow.

It is an exciting read and I am looking forward to the next book Follow Me Under coming out January 2021.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the eGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Follow Me Darkly is a steamy read and book one of the Follow Me series. I have only read one book by this author and I loved it so I was happy to read this book next. From the moment Braden and Skye meet they have an instant attraction and their relationship goes from steamy to scorching hot. Braden and Skye's journey of love is off to a dark, captivating read and held my attention from the first page until the last and I can't wait to read book two to find out what happens next.

3.5 stars rounded up because HOT SCENES!!!

When I found this book, I read the different reviews and decided to give it a try because in spite of everything that has been said about it -- good or bad -- my curiosity had already been piqued. Now after reading the book and waiting more than a week to write my review, I can't still explain my feelings towards it.

I had a love/hate relationship with Braden. One minute I'm loving his brooding ways and sexy, take-charge attitude and in others I'm thinking he needs to bring his attitude down a few pegs along with a few lessons in respect. As for Skye, I liked that she knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to set some limits while allowing herself to enjoy this new-found side of her. But I thought she was a bit naive in expecting that a relationship with the likes of Braden. The man made it clear what he was after, but she kept deluding herself that maybe, just maybe he felt more for her than what he was expressing.

In any case, I found the writing to be good and the story to be interesting and captivating enough to make me curious as to what Braden's "dark" side entails. As for the romance, the jury is still out in the connection department but fully convinced in the shared chemistry these two displayed on the page. Thankfully, the scenes that played out were not cooking-cutter nor did they lack in steam. Which deserves an A+ in my book.

There were a couple of elements that I had problems with. From the moment Braden made it to the page, the author made it obvious that the end of Braden's relationship with the influencer would play a big part in his relationship with Skye. However, when it was finally revealed, I failed to see the importance. It didn't come as a surprise to me, why would it come as a surprise to Skye? Hopefully, there's more to this than was explained in this book and it is expanded further in the next installment. Which leads me to the cliffhanger. Now, I enjoy book series and don't mind that a story stops and continues across a few books, but I do mind when a cliffhanger isn't mentioned anywhere in the book details.

That said, I am still curious as to how everything will play out for these two. I'm hoping for Braden to redeem himself in my eyes and that Skye continues to explore while still asserting herself and her needs.

Whew... what a story indeed. It is sexy, intriguing, and deliciously dark. I was engrossed from page one. This is going to be one heck of a smoldering series by Helen Hardt! Don’t pass this book up!

If you are a Fan of Fifty shades, then this book her is for you!
Braden and sky are on fire, two people use to take charge in every aspect of their life, but Sky needs to let go and Braden is the one to help her.
I enjoyed this book, it my first from this author, but I can assure you it won’t be my last.
I need more of this two, I cannot wait for the next book.

Wow! Helen Hardt does it again with another fabulous book 🎉 Skye (country girl trying to make it in the city life) and Braden (smokin hot billionaire from humble beginnings) are so hot 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 together! I can’t even write this review in a non spoiler way that’s how good it is! 15/10 highly recommend! Can’t wait for next book!




*already posted to goodreads*