In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series THE DARK ELEMENTS, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.
Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining balance between good and evil. He was her everything...right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.
And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again...
Jennifer L. Armentrout never ceases to amaze me with what she can do! She changed the Greek mythology world and she totally rocks aliens since my days of Roswell and now she's bringing gargoyles aka Wardens to life beautifully with her new series The Dark Elements! Bitter Sweet Love is a novella that begins the series with an earth shattering start!
Instead of starting off with our soon to be heroine, Layla, we meet Jasmine instead. Jas is an eighteen-year-old Warden who was betrothed to Dez three years ago. Which would've been great. They were already sorta dating at the time, but right after her father announces the "engagement", Dez runs off and doesn't reappear into her life until three years later.
Jas is feeling a mix of emotions; happy to see Dez again, yet still a bit pissed that in all those three years he never contacted her. No phone call, text, email, letter...nothing. Worse yet, Dez thinks he can walk right back into her life like nothing's happened. Jas has one thing to say to that, "ain't gonna happen!" In order to win back her heart, she makes Dez spend the seven days doing things with her. Things, that as a female Warden she is not allowed to do, like driving, going to the mall, NYC...and a few other things. And surprisingly, Dez agrees to it all, because he does truly love Jas.
I gotta admit, I loved how Jas was so conflicted with her feelings. She knows that a part of her still loves Dez, but she doesn't get all swoony just because he's back. She's still got fire and anger to her and I love that about her. Yet, I also enjoy that she does still enjoy Dez's attempts at wooing her! It's all incredible!
For being a short novella, this story really does pack a punch in the entertainment department! There's lots of action, danger, romance and enemies coming at Dez and Jas left and right! We do learn at the end where Dez was and what he was up to. We also meet Layla and Zayne, and even a glimpse at who might be our Roth! If I recall, it's a few years before WHK will take place!
While this isn't necessary to read before White Hot Kiss--haven't read yet, but feeling this is an accurate statement--I do think it was quite the fascinating novella and is not one to be missed!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
It's very rare to find enjoyment in novellas because they're so short. But I am glad that JLA managed to make this powerful and able to deliver a lot of things despite its shortness.
ReplyDeleteNow, I really have to find time to start the Lux series.