Cover Image: Untamed Passion

Untamed Passion

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Member Reviews

This was a surprise/secret baby romance. I enjoyed it and it wasn't too long. Oliver and Sammi both had to deal with their demons and problems throughout. I enjoyed their growth and dealing with everything but it felt like a lot for a shorter romance.

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In Untamed Passion Oliver and Sammi are two damaged souls who find each other. Through trust and forgiveness that they that they encourage in each other, they are able to face the future with their unplanned child.

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Accidental pregnancy storylines aren't my favorite, but I found this novel compelling. Despite years of sobriety, Oliver is haunted by ghosts from the past, especially his father's crimes and his friend Carson's overdose. Sammi is coming out of a toxic relationship and struggling to wrest control of her life from her overbearing mother. When these two damaged souls come together, they're just what the other needs.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

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Good book by Cat Schield, I really enjoyed reading it and would love to see what this author puts out next. Definitely recommend to friend!

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FULL REVIEW ON FRESH FICTION

The penultimate story in the entertaining Dynasties: Seven Sins continuity series, UNTAMED PASSION by Cat Schield is an emotional story of two damaged people finding love. Sammi and Oliver have wildly different upbringings--Sammi is Filipina and has been working as a model as long as she can remember, and Oliver was raised in the lap of luxury but was mostly overlooked in favor of his older, more successful brothers. Oliver has never thought of himself as the type of person to have kids, but when Sammi comes to him with the news of her pregnancy, he’s eager to have a chance at a loving family of his own. Both are hesitant to start a committed relationship, but they are more than happy to explore the instant attraction neither can deny. With only one more book left in the Dynasties: Seven Sins series, UNTAMED PASSION sets the stage for the final book, where many of the characters from previous books are sure to be seen again. Sizzling chemistry and heartfelt emotions make this an enjoyable read.

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<b>**FULL REVIEW**</b>

This may be my favorite book of this entire series!!

The writing is superb—well thought out, and beautifully executed.

The story was emotional and raw in a way very different from the others in the series, the culture it emulates within its characters...I loved it from start to finish.

Sammi is inspirational in her approach to life and it’s uncertainties...the growth and wisdom she exudes is something all people can and should strive for.

Oliver (I love his name!) is a perfect counter-part to Sammi in that his growth and change comes from trauma suffered and past hurts that keep him stuck in the same cycles...Sammi helps him to see that only he has the power to change his future, and it shouldn’t be reliant on the approval of others.

That is just one reason this story was so remarkable and unforgettable...the other? Well, the chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS sexy! I found myself blushing even (and I don’t blush anymore—so I thought).

Very tasteful and true to Harlequin in style, but pushes sensual limits which was refreshing and most definitely perfect for the context of this particular “sin”.

Well done! I look forward to reading more from this author...thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to read this title and provide my honest feedback.

<b>**5 Hot Bonds, Stars**</b>

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4.25 Stars / 2 Steam Fans

The sixth book in the Seven Sins Dynasty series shows how the Black Cresent Scandal affected Sammie and Oliver. Oliver is the youngest Lowell son that deals with addiction in the wake of his father's scandal. Sammie is a model that Oliver has a one night stand with and ends up pregnant.

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This is the sixth book in the Harlequin Desire Dynasty Sins Series. Sam I Guzman has a chance meeting with Oliver Lowell, just as she breaks up with her boyfriend that really didn’t care for Sammi. After meeting Sammi and Oliver wind up in a one night stand. Six weeks later Sammi finds out she is pregnant and that it was Oliver’s baby.
Oliver has some demons from his past family relationship and he feels so much wrath towards his father because he left town after a ponzi type scheme amongst the rich and elite families whose money was invested in this scheme. Sammi now has to deal with being pregnant and having a mother that runs Sammi’s life and modeling career.
With all the life drama that is going on in each of their lives, can Sammi and Oliver raise this baby as a family and deal with each other’s damaging past? You will have to read this storyline to see for yourself. I don’t want to give away spoilers as to what happens or didn’t happen.
The author developed the characters that are relatable and you can feel their emotions..
I recommend this book to read along with the other 6 books in the series, which each can be read as stand-alones.
Cassandra H.

I voluntarily read a copy of this book from Netgalley and this review is of my honest opinion.

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Fifteen years ago, Vernon Lowell stole millions of dollars from his family and clients at Black Crescent Investments. He later disappeared without a trace, never to be seen or heard from again. The Dynasties: Seven Sins series shows the fallout of his actions and how they affected not just his heirs, but the heirs of the families he stole from as well.

Untamed Passion, written by Cat Schield, is the sixth book in the series. The story focuses on the youngest Lowell son Oliver and has a different feel than the other books in the series. The previous books have been about Black Crescent Investments and its search for new leadership. Untamed Passion is truly personal.

As the youngest of three kids, Oliver always felt unloved and overlooked by his parents and twin older brothers. When excelling at sports and school got him no attention, he stopped trying. With the scandal surrounding his family, Oliver turned to drugs and alcohol. After almost dying, Oliver gave up his addictions and became a sought after photographer.

Sammi Guzman is a twenty-six-year-old model who has been in the industry her entire life. She thinks it’s time for a change, but her manager/mother won’t allow it. After breaking up with her boyfriend, Sammi meets Oliver, who just happened to be her teenage crush. The two share a night of passion which results in Sammi becoming pregnant. Oliver is shocked and surprised to discover Sammi is carrying his child. While he doesn’t feel his past has taught him how to love, he knows he wants to take care of Sammi and his child, and have them both in his life.

I loved Untamed Passion because it was different. Yes, there are parts of the story that are predictable. But I genuinely loved Oliver and Sammi. They both carry baggage from their childhoods and adult lives. However, they truly complement and bring out the best in each other. The love they have for each other helps them heal and address the issues they have with themselves and their respective families. Untamed Passion was a story I didn’t want to end. I literally want to see Sammi and Oliver tomorrow, next week, next month, and years from now.

~ Favorite Quote ~

“The only way I can stop letting my anger rule me is to let go of past resentment.”

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Oliver Lowell is a successful photographer with some serious demons to battle: Alcohol, addiction and anger. Samantha "Sammi" Guzman is a model who needs to break free of her mother's clutches. The two meet and have a hot one night stand. From that single encounter, Sammi learns she is pregnant. From that point on her life changes. Oliver can't get Sammi out of his mind, so when he learns she may be expecting his child, he finds himself opening his home, if not yet his heart, to this woman.
The heat and chemistry between the two characters drove this story for me. It was an intense physical attraction. I was glad to see Sammi come into her own and gain some independence. And, Oliver, who may not be every reader's idea of a book hero, also has to decide if he will be ruled by his anger toward his father or if he has the strength to rise above.
I enjoyed the story. It kept my interest and the cover art is absolutely stunning. There wasn't much in the storyline that made it diverse for me. However, I do like the strong theme of forgiveness, of love and of second chance.
Memory quotes:
"If you can't let go of your anger, you will always be its victim."
"Loving him meant she had to be brave enough to goad him into fighting for their future, and failing that, be willing to let him go."
thank you #Netgalley #Harlequin

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Since I knew going in that this book was not a favorite trope, I mentally adjusted my expectations because I really want to complete this entire series. And I was excited to read about Oliver! I've been intrigued by the other Lowell brothers this entire series. But unfortunately for me, this installment just didn't work for me for reasons aside from the accidental pregnancy after a one night stand. Also unfortunately, a lot of what doesn't work for me is the end.

Oliver is a recovering addict who has been sober for eight years but still doesn't quite trust himself, especially as his dad is found and put in prison for his financial crimes of many years ago. Arguably, this is not the time to find out that the woman, Sammi, he slept with as a one-night stand is pregnant with his child. But he does. Sammi wants Oliver to do whatever he wants, but also if he keeps saying what he wants is her, he needs to pull it together and be emotionally available. For Sammi, that means he needs to forgive his father. And that... is about where things started breaking down for me. I should also mention that Sammi's mother is verbally abusive but has a redemption narrative, which was also discomfiting.

Without spoilers, what I can tell you is that the emphasis on forgiveness of bad actors in this book just rubbed me the wrong way. See my Goodreads review for spoilers.

Also, so far I've focused on Oliver, so let's talk about Sammi. She's a model, who had been considering how to leave the profession and the pregnancy has rapidly accelerated that plan. She likes making lists and at one point sits down to make a list of things she loves and struggles to come up with things. This could be a super compelling storyline about her reconnecting to who she is away from her toxic mother, but the book doesn't take the space to do that. I think both of these characters had really compelling back stories that would have made this book better suited for a full length novel as opposed to category length because there needed to be more development of each character's ARC than what was allotted.

Anyway, this was a solid installment in the series, but definitely not a new favorite.

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There's something about seeing the Harlequin logo that has me one-clicking, ready to indulge in a great romance. And this author definitely brought me that. This story really got to me. This was hot!

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Untamed Passion by Cat Schield is the sixth book int he Dynasties Seven Sins Series. You might just say this is a One night stand gone a little bad.

Oliver is a photographer and heir to the Black Crescent. He has no desire to take over any part of the family business. He does however want to find the model he spent one night with and she vanished from his bed.

Sammi knew she was ready to do something besides model but she had no idea she would have to figure it out so soon. Those lines on the pregnancy test don't lie though and it soon will be a secret she can't keep. So she must hunt down Oliver to let him know she is carrying his child even though she plans to raise it by herself if she has to.

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Oliver and Sammi’s book was one of my favorites of this series! I love an accidental pregnancy storyline, and this one was just sooo good. I felt for Oliver, and what he was going through, but Sammi really stole the book! Plus, I got my theories about the central mystery validated! I can’t wait for the conclusion in the last book!

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Untamed Passion by Cat Schield is the sixth in the Seven Sins multi-author continuity series by Harlequin Desire. Oliver Lowell is the younger son of Vernon Lowell, the hedge-fund hotshot who betrayed Falling Brook more than a decade ago when he vanished with stolen billions. Oliver's always lived in the shadow of that betrayal--his oldest brother stepped up to preserve the family's legacy, and turn around the company's direction, while Oliver's always felt both overlooked and unloved. And so, SO angry and resentful of his father. He struggled for years after with addiction, and while he's feeling satisfaction with how he's continuing to conquer those demons, he isn't exactly a light-hearted person. One incredible night with model Sammi Guzman leaves them with a permanent connection. He's never felt the passion and emotion with anyone else, and while he wants to pursue this, both of them have some maturing to do before they can make this work.

Cat Schield's Untamed Passion is an emotionally charged and tumultuous read, full of heart wrenching and moving moments. My one reservation is that I felt the resolution came about somewhat too quickly, although I was definitely rooting for Sammi and Oliver to find accord. An exciting addition to this series.

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I love a secret/surprise baby plot, unfortunately this one did not work for me for other reasons and I ultimately DNF. I had issues with the hero being a former alcoholic/drug addict and still in recovery, yet turning to casual sex to curb his temptation. That didn't work for me at all.

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I received an advanced ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I want to thank them for the opportunity.

Unfortunately this one had tropes that are not for me and I didn't expect to read in a Harlequin Desire book. <spoiler>A Hero who was a drug addict & an alcoholic in the past but is still recovering & attempting to avoid temptation and who slept around to combat his addiction. While yes, this happens in the past, it still was a huge turnoff for me.</spoiler>

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