Book Review: Wickedly Tainted by A E Nalle

 You may be asking where the Freebie Friday post is but since I didn't receive any freebies this week I thought I would review this book since I did get this one for free last month. 

Book Description

One brutal night in her past changed her life forever. Now, sixteen years later, Jill feels as though she is still stuck in the past as new trauma encompasses every waking and unconscious moment. One strong panic attack and a phone call later, Jill’s already chaotic mind is thrust even further into disarray as Damon Santos enters her life yet again.

The one passionate encounter they had nearly put Jill on her knees. She had wanted to relinquish her tightly coveted control for the first time in years. With his crooked grin, dark eyes, and unique brand of domination, Damon slowly breaks down every wall she has built around herself to show her what it means to be truly healed.

But when her past rears its ugly head she must find the strength within herself to fight back and reclaim her life.

My Review

Jill had been brutally assaulted sixteen years earlier. The guy got put away in prison but it hasn't been easy to get her life back on track. Now with panic attacks and an emotional wall that keeps most people away, she isn't doing great. One night she finds her window broke, locks herself in her car and while having a panic attack calls Damon for help. But he finds her after she's fainted. Thinking that she needs medical help, he breaks the car window and gets her out and when she explains what actually happened he helps her through the panic and goes to check out the window. 

She has feelings for him but doesn't want to let him get too close. But the pull between them is strong. He wants to get to know her but she just wants a one night stand to get him out of her system. One night isn't going to be enough for either of them though. Damon is a cop so she seemed to feel safer with him because of that. But she's also taking self defense classes and she's pretty good at it. Damon has a bit of a kinky side which really made this one spicy read, not that I'm complaining. I really liked him. He just wanted to help her through her panic attacks, get to know her more, spend more time with her so she would finally let him in and stop pushing him away. He was very patient with her. Gosh, I just loved him.

I can completely understand Jill being a mess after what's she's gone through and the assault is just one thing that happened. When things start moving around her apartment and her cat goes missing she thinks she might be going a little crazy. The nightmares aren't helping at all either. But what is actually happening is much worse. 

While this isn't my usual type of book, I really enjoyed this a lot. I would say that if talk of SA or assault triggers you at all, this might not be the book for you. 

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. 

Disclosure: I was given an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

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