3.75 stars OK, so I have mixed feelings a little bit about this one. The narrators really did a good job I felt especially the female narrator. Honestly, the narrators probably gave this an extra .75 on my rating scale. This was very smutty. I’m not quite sure where the plot is going here. There kind of seemed to be a lot happening while nothing happened at the same time. I’m probably still going to read the rest of the series the MMC half the time I loved the other half I couldn’t stand the way he talked to her, especially at the ending. The ending felt like he was just being cruel which, for most of the book I did not get that feeling so the ending kind of confused me. Thank you to NetGalley for my audio arc. This is my honest review.

this book should have been butchered by all the people who read this before release.

the cover is the hottest thing I've seen in a very long time .. .and thats the extent of how good the book is.
it would have worked as a novella but even that is pushing it.
there is no butchering, there is no character development , but there is a thousand mentions of similes ... like if I had a shot for ever time i saw a simile id be in the hospital dying of alcohol poisoning.

the worst offense was " on his forklift of a d*ck".... i still dont even know what that means

also why did the book just end right there ...there was no suspense or built up intrigued for the next book...

Lastly, her name was Fleur...

I was hooked from the beginning. I usually don't like stories that stretch to more than one book, but I want to know what happens in the next book. Great narration.

2/2.5 Stars
Dual Narration by Ramona Masters and Michael Ferraiuolo

I had really high hopes going into this book and was excited to get the alc as mafia/crime tropes are my favorite. Unfortunately, the book just did not work for me, and I struggled to keep invested in the characters and storyline. I felt like this book had a slow-moving plot, and several parts became repetitive especially during spicy scenes. Fleur's discovered her husband hasn't been faithful and as she begins to explore more, she meets Bastian at the bar she works out. They have a one-night stand that turns into much more, however the "ex" husband (they are still married) is talked about etc a big portion of the book. Bastian is involved with secret society / underground government and at times is just mean. This did end on a cliffhanger and I'm not one who usually minds a cliffy, but it seemed like the story just abruptly stopped. This was my first Penelope Sky book, and I may go read other series of hers but I'm not sure I will attempt the next book at this time. Although, this was not a winner for me I feel readers who enjoy heavier spice without a fast moving story may find this book enticing.

Sadly I had to DNF this audio. I made it to 28% and just couldn’t do it anymore. The narration was just awful, the male and female. The story was also a no for me. I love a good dark smutty romance but this had no plot. I was really looking forward to this book and was sadly disappointed.

This book was kind of a rollercoaster. The beginning pulled me in right away with the cheating drama and the main character trying to piece her life back together. Her pain felt real, and I liked how she took control by moving out and starting fresh. Then this mysterious guy walks in with blue eyes and crime lord energy, and everything flips.

It had some steamy moments and definitely kept my attention, but it also felt a little too dramatic at times. The whole crime lord reveal was intense but kind of ridiculous in parts. Some of the scenes felt rushed and I rolled my eyes more than once. I was hoping for a deeper connection or more buildup.

It was entertaining and I didn’t hate it, but I wouldn’t read it again. If you like intense romance with a controlling love interest and a bit of chaos, you might like this more than I did.

3.5- 4 stars

The chemistry between Fleur and Bastien is palpable. I love that Fleur is a strong and independent FMC. She knows her worth and won’t settle for less. Bastien is well, Bastien. Crime boss, hot as all HE🏒🏒 and I can’t help but swoon every time he calls her “his woman.” I was left shocked at the end, not because of a cliffhanger but because I had no clue this was a series. I can’t wait to read THE CARVER.

Working in a wine Bar in Paris Fleur is getting over the deception of her rich cheating Husband who with his connections refuses to give her a divorce.

One Night Blue eyes Butcher enters the bar as they have a casual night together which turns into more than a casual hookup as Fleur uncovers the Fith republic and what the Butcher stands for.

Its an Easy read, the Crime underbelly was interesting and well thought out, but the plot was focused on the Main couple becomming something a bit more than casual while getting to know each other.... for a quick easy read it was good.

3.5 rounded to 4 stars

Thank you @NetGalley and @BlackstonePublishingInc for the ALC. I can not wait for book two, OMG! This one left on a cliffhanger and I am invested in how things work out for Bastian and Fleur. Fleur is a awesome FMC, she is tough, sensitive and expects loyalty. Her husband cheats and want a reconciliation but, she knows once a cheater always a cheater. Then she meets Bastian who was just to be a one night stand, but he falls for her fast. She is not sure she can trust him, is it worth her heart? Hell Yes.

I finished it…… but did I want to? Not really 🙃
There was no butchering. It was just drama.

I feel like the entire thing gave me whiplash in the worst way. I am no stranger to dark romance, I love it…. But also there were so many things that just gave me the ick….. like the number of times the word d*€k was used. Nope 😅

The FMC and MMC just made me absolutely crazy and not in a good way. Their conversation was just meh. I honestly wished I had just DNF’d this and moved on.

I had such high hopes for this book. I’m not sure how to rate it honestly only because I feel like the plot line hasn’t even started. So I will be reading the second book and if I feel any different I’ll come back and redo this review. As of right now, this book did not have much plot at all. It did have some great spice though

3⭐️
3🌶️
4🎧

I felt this fall flat for me. The promise was there, the angst of Fleur having to start over after learning her husband had cheated on her. We watch her go back and forth with her ex as he begs her to get back together and this just gets tiresome.

Also where is the actual plot, it seems to just be Fleur and Bastien hooking up and then the last 15-20% of the book we have a smuggling plot thrown in that seems to change Bastiens whole entire attitude. I did not enjoy his attitude shift towards the end of the book, especially towards Fleur.

I received this as an ALC and I found the narration fell a bit flat, the accents of the side characters threw me off and the spicy scenes felt awkwardly written and verbiage felt off. “Big dick.” Being one that felt overused and a bit cringy.


Overall

⭐️⭐️.5/3
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

The first book in Penelope Sky's Fifth Republic series does not disappoint. If dark romance is your preference, this one is for you.

After being cheated on by her husband, Fleur has moved into a crappy apartment and taken a bartending job. Bastian caught her eye immediately, but when he steps in while she is being robbed, the two of them are connected.

Bastian is controling and morally questionable, but Fleur just can't pull herself away.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Plot: .5
Writing: 1
Worldbuilding: .5
Characters: 1
Themes: .5
3.5/5

Spice: 2.5/5
Audiobook: 5/5

I was expecting more from the new relationship and less of the divorce drama. I didn't care for the therapy sessions and husband drama. The spice isn't too spicy (in my opinion), might be more of a 3/5 for some.

The audiobook was great, duel narrated!

Thank you to Netgalley for an ALC of The Butcher. This review is my honest review.

🎧✨ALC review✨
Fleur’s heart is broken. Bastian’s a literal crime lord. Chaos (and steam) ensues.

This audiobook was a wild, addictive ride! Fleur’s vulnerability + Bastian’s intensity = fire. The narrators nailed the vibe (though I don’t feel like the male voice sounded like MY expectation of him) - I couldn’t stop listening.

Knocking off one star for a little more emotional depth—but still? Total dark romance candy. 🍷💔🔥

I loved this book. I would say it’s a dark romance, but with a fun twist.

The dark underground side of Paris. The Butcher does not disappoint! True Alpha vibes but not in an annoying way.

The Main female character has been through it, but she never whines and definitely perseveres!

Cliffhanger but not… most was resolved but there is still more to tell in this story. Definitely will pick up The Carver to learn more in the series.

I enjoyed the story, but I wish there would have been an Adrian twist. Maybe that will happen in the next book!

This a quick read. Only a few hours. The audio book is duet narration and they did fantastic!

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC listen!

This book was good but not great. I felt like there was a plot but not a lot happened at the same time. We have an instant connection situation between Fleur and Bastien. Fleur has found out her husband has cheated on her and after exploring a one night stand with Bastien she finds herself in his orbit. I felt there were a lot of teasers of how this book could continue as a trilogy and that it was a nice intro. I liked the darker aspect of it- that Bastien was the head of a group of men that kept Paris safe basically. They did bad things to do that though. I also liked watching Fleur coming out of her shell of her cheating husband. Bastien was so great at making this woman open up and realize how amazing she was. It felt a little too high school at points to me- like I am going to let her go and if she wants to come back to me she is far game. I know she felt a connection to the man but somehow she has found herself jumping back into a situationship after the disaster that was her marriage.

Fleur feels idiotic. How could she not have known sooner what was happening with her husband? That he was cheating on her. She doesn't know where it went wrong. How he couldn't have upheld their vows. But then she meets Bastien. A man who legit holds her attention. He is the most beautiful man she has ever seen and he seems to have his sights set on her. At least for the night. She experiences more passion with him that she did in her entire marriage. She doesn't expect to see him again but then she does. And he makes her feel free and strong and beautiful. She finds herself wanting to spend time with him. But her husband won't let her go. He asks her to try to make this work that he still loves her. She is torn. But then she makes her decision- she is cutting ties. She isn't sure where that leaves her with Bastien. He has told her who he is and it isn't someone she ever saw herself being involved in. But she finds herself intrigued. He makes her want to explore things she has never wanted to explore- parts of herself that maybe she never wanted to recognize. She realizes when he withdraws that she misses him. Which is her answer that yes she wants to be with him. Despite everything that means.

Bastien doesn't do relationships. He has one thing he is focusing on, and that is his brother. He has to stop the terrible things he is doing around town. But then he meets Fleur at the bar. And he can't think about anything but her. What would she be like in bed? Would she unravel around him? What is her story? And he gets to learn. He can't believe her husband was so stupid. But one man's mistake is another's treasure. Which is what Fleur is to him- a treasure. He understands she is scared and doesn't want to commit. Bastien usually doesn't do commitments but he finds himself wanting that with her. He finds himself wanting to solve all of her problems and help her see how amazing she is. So he does just that. He gives her space to figure out her marriage but recognizes that he doesn't want to wait forever. He CAN'T wait forever. He has to get his brother handled. But he would like to do that Fleur at his side. And his wish comes true after some back and forth. And now he knows he can concur anything because she is there.

I liked that this one did not end on a cliffhanger but that there is more that happens with Fleur and Bastien. There was a TON of spice in this one. Like more spice than plot maybe. I liked the narrators. It was definitely entertaining, but I don't know if I will dive into the other books. Though the reviews seem to be good so we shall see!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

I read this book prior to listening to the audiobook. I liked the book. The narrators were a big miss for me. The voices just didn’t work with the story. I’d recommend the book but not the audiobook.

I appreciate the ability to review the audiobook.

Overall I liked this one but I think I wanted more darkness. I loved the parts that talked about the underground government the Fifth Republic, and the Butcher’s role in it all. There were also few twists I wasn’t expecting that were great and kept me listening to try and figure out. Be warned though, this one does end on a cliffhanger!

The connection between the MCs was pretty instant and I appreciated that the MMC gave the FMC space to figure out her relationship with her ex in her own time.

The audio was okay. My suggestion would be to forgo the French accents for all of the characters. I thought it was weird that the book takes place in Paris with most characters born there, but only certain characters had accents.

I will likely read the next release to find out how the cliffhanger shakes out.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Penelope Sky for an early review copy. These are my honest thoughts.

This is my first time reading a book by this author, and I’m so incredibly hooked! I loved The Butcher! It had amazing conflict with a twists. This book was super spicy with great characters! It’s well written with a great storyline! I’m so excited that there’s more to Fleur and Bastien’s story in the next book. The narrators did a fabulous job bringing this story to life. I thought their voices matched the characters perfectly. Bring on the rest of the story!!! I received this book from Dreamscape Media and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.