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Ex-Danish Military Special Forces, built like a legend, and uncompromising in every way — Neil Christensen didn’t walk into my life. The Viking-sized warrior crashed it like a hurricane.
The moment he showed up at my strip club, my life fell apart. South Florida's most ruthless motorcycle gang, the cops, the Feds — they all want something I don’t have, something the Viking took from me.
I thought I could run, but the motorcycle gang caught me. Now the only thing standing between me and an unmarked grave is a warrior I don’t trust.
I’m not afraid to die, but I am terrified of weathering the storm. Because when a Viking decides to unleash his fury, no one is going to come out unscathed.
Warning: This book contains alpha heroes, offensive language, violence and sexual situations. Mature audiences only. NEIL is a full-length, standalone novel with an HEA.
The moment he showed up at my strip club, my life fell apart. South Florida's most ruthless motorcycle gang, the cops, the Feds — they all want something I don’t have, something the Viking took from me.
I thought I could run, but the motorcycle gang caught me. Now the only thing standing between me and an unmarked grave is a warrior I don’t trust.
I’m not afraid to die, but I am terrified of weathering the storm. Because when a Viking decides to unleash his fury, no one is going to come out unscathed.
Warning: This book contains alpha heroes, offensive language, violence and sexual situations. Mature audiences only. NEIL is a full-length, standalone novel with an HEA.
329 pages, ebook
First published August 22, 2016
280 people are currently reading
932 people want to read
About the author
Sybil Bartel
50 books1,235 followersSybil Bartel is a USA Today Bestselling author of unapologetic Alpha heroes. Whether you're reading her dominant Alpha Elite mercenaries, her protective Alpha Bodyguards, or her page-turning romantic suspense, all of her heroes are sexy-as-sin and unwaveringly Alpha!
Sybil lives in South Florida, and she is forever Oliver's mom.
Sybil lives in South Florida, and she is forever Oliver's mom.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
June 15, 2024
NEIL is a full-length, standalone novel and is the second book in the Uncompromising Series.
For the first time in Ariel Walsh’s life, she finally had a legit job behind a granite reception desk….. Oh, sure she had other jobs in the past but nothing legit, nothing to write home about
She was a twenty-one-year-old single mother, with a deadbeat baby daddy
Several people had told her that her ex had gotten mixed up with south Florida’s most notorious motorcycle gang, the Lone Coasters…..
To be honest she really didn’t care until that faithful day when the police had called her to inform her that her ex had got pulled over with her baby in the car in ever since then her life just went downhill from there if not for ?
Neil Christensen he wasn’t the boy next door. Not even close…. Oh no , he was a Viking of a man …… to be precise, he was
Ex-Danish Military Special Forces, and baby-whisperer to her Two-year-old toddler
I can’t lie, I love a good alpha story, and I love it even more when the author takes her time to slowly reveal their past to let you see how they became the way they became…….
I heard his story, and I felt Neil’s back story as well, but yet I still felt at times like he was a cold uncaring man especially towards Ariel…..
I was even troubled at times when I had seen him with Connor………. For the longest time he couldn’t call Connor by his name he always referred to him as “the boy “ or “the child….”Oh, don’t get me wrong his story has so many layers to it…. But I did not truly see Neil’s heart and soul until almost a bitter end
……. And what a heart it was
I really have enjoyed this book as well as the previous books in this series and I really can't wait to read the next installment in this series
August 22, 2016
21 yr old Ariel is barely scraping by. She's a single mom with a crappy ex. 34 yr old Neil is ex-military. They first meet when Neil saves Ariel from an attack. Months later, Neil walks through the door with her boss at the security company she works for. Suddenly Neil starts stepping in to help her but he's so cold and detached that it completely throws Ariel off. Then Ariel's ex gets her involved in a dangerous situation that forces Neil to step in and protect her.
This is when things really take off with the story. There's so much action that there isn't a dull moment. The whole time Neil is providing for and protecting Ariel but he's also so emotionally cold. Ariel is used to being treated poorly so much that she's fed up with men. She's feisty and doesn't put up with crap and constantly challenges Neil. I loved that about her but was also frustrated with it as well.
I love the alpha men who are emotionally stunted but show their love in actions instead of words. That's Neil to the T. He barely speaks full sentences. He doesn't waste time with words and expects everyone to do as he says. He's one of the most Alpha men I've read about but also the most protective and caring. What Ariel thought was cold and unfeeling, slowly learns that this is how Neil is showing his love for her. Through most of the book, if you didn't pay attention to how Neil's actions towards Ariel were, then you would think she meant nothing to him. He was even insulting at times but I don't think he really was, he just came off that way since he never explained anything.
I freakin loved this book! Neil is one of my favorite Alpha types that I crave to read about. If all of Sybil Bartel's books are like this, then I have a new author to add to my favorites!
***ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is when things really take off with the story. There's so much action that there isn't a dull moment. The whole time Neil is providing for and protecting Ariel but he's also so emotionally cold. Ariel is used to being treated poorly so much that she's fed up with men. She's feisty and doesn't put up with crap and constantly challenges Neil. I loved that about her but was also frustrated with it as well.
I love the alpha men who are emotionally stunted but show their love in actions instead of words. That's Neil to the T. He barely speaks full sentences. He doesn't waste time with words and expects everyone to do as he says. He's one of the most Alpha men I've read about but also the most protective and caring. What Ariel thought was cold and unfeeling, slowly learns that this is how Neil is showing his love for her. Through most of the book, if you didn't pay attention to how Neil's actions towards Ariel were, then you would think she meant nothing to him. He was even insulting at times but I don't think he really was, he just came off that way since he never explained anything.
I freakin loved this book! Neil is one of my favorite Alpha types that I crave to read about. If all of Sybil Bartel's books are like this, then I have a new author to add to my favorites!
***ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2016
ARC provided by Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
Neil is an action movie in book form, complete with bloodshed, smut, foul language, and a whole lot of suspense. Told from the POV of the heroine, Ariel, we are introduced to her struggling life as a single mother surrounded by controlling men in her workplace and the lack of help from her son's father. Her life has been a series of let downs, with the only bright spot being her son. She struggles to make ends meet, strips occasionally, and has no semblance of a life outside of motherhood. A man from her past reminds her of her womanhood and desires, but she'd never act on it even though he seems to force himself on her at every turn. His imposing ways are both annoying and helpful, but necessary when Ariel's ex takes their lives and turns it all upside down. When guns are drawn and threats are issued, Ariel has nothing to do but rely on the man who's emotions she can't read and leaves her desiring his touch despite his gruffness.
Ariel is the kind of heroine I usually hate actually, she easily gives in with no real prompting, but she had spunk and her perspective is an entertaining one. She's young, fighting for a good life for her son, and dealing with a life far more complicated than one needs at 21. I really liked how she was as a single parent, dealing with feelings she has for her ex, and really trying to do the best she can without taking hand outs. The way she felt about Neil, or Viking, is pretty apparent, even if the reader cannot grasp the feelings they seem to share. It's a push and pull situation that's hard to follow. They have an instant lust for one another that makes for some hot scenes, but otherwise it is very much a story of an older man alpha with a younger, disadvantaged woman.
I was really thrown off by Neil being told from only Ariel's perspective, having read Talon previously I expected to read from Neil's perspective or from both main character's POV. While it allows the reader to fully be immersed into Ariel's brain, to really get into the fear of the situation and see why she was so frustrated with his constant inability to be attached or show emotion, it also makes the story very one sided. I was unable to really connect with him or write off his volatile personality as Ariel was able to. He's an alpha to the core kind of character, the kind that takes without asking (because he just knows?) and is overly abrasive. Ariel's ability to get over his glaringly obvious controlling ways is quick after she learns of his past, but as a reader I never truly connected to them as better halves. Overall I really enjoyed the story, but Neil is a hard character to like and I think readers will find themselves either loving or hating him and his story.
It's not traditional romance by any means, but it is an entertaining story that I couldn't stop reading and a complete series that I'll be seeing through to the end. If you love your male characters alpha and your female characters snarky and independent, this is a series for you. I was never bored with the character dialogue, I loved the secondary character involvement, and the action notches it up another level as well.
Neil is an action movie in book form, complete with bloodshed, smut, foul language, and a whole lot of suspense. Told from the POV of the heroine, Ariel, we are introduced to her struggling life as a single mother surrounded by controlling men in her workplace and the lack of help from her son's father. Her life has been a series of let downs, with the only bright spot being her son. She struggles to make ends meet, strips occasionally, and has no semblance of a life outside of motherhood. A man from her past reminds her of her womanhood and desires, but she'd never act on it even though he seems to force himself on her at every turn. His imposing ways are both annoying and helpful, but necessary when Ariel's ex takes their lives and turns it all upside down. When guns are drawn and threats are issued, Ariel has nothing to do but rely on the man who's emotions she can't read and leaves her desiring his touch despite his gruffness.
Ariel is the kind of heroine I usually hate actually, she easily gives in with no real prompting, but she had spunk and her perspective is an entertaining one. She's young, fighting for a good life for her son, and dealing with a life far more complicated than one needs at 21. I really liked how she was as a single parent, dealing with feelings she has for her ex, and really trying to do the best she can without taking hand outs. The way she felt about Neil, or Viking, is pretty apparent, even if the reader cannot grasp the feelings they seem to share. It's a push and pull situation that's hard to follow. They have an instant lust for one another that makes for some hot scenes, but otherwise it is very much a story of an older man alpha with a younger, disadvantaged woman.
I was really thrown off by Neil being told from only Ariel's perspective, having read Talon previously I expected to read from Neil's perspective or from both main character's POV. While it allows the reader to fully be immersed into Ariel's brain, to really get into the fear of the situation and see why she was so frustrated with his constant inability to be attached or show emotion, it also makes the story very one sided. I was unable to really connect with him or write off his volatile personality as Ariel was able to. He's an alpha to the core kind of character, the kind that takes without asking (because he just knows?) and is overly abrasive. Ariel's ability to get over his glaringly obvious controlling ways is quick after she learns of his past, but as a reader I never truly connected to them as better halves. Overall I really enjoyed the story, but Neil is a hard character to like and I think readers will find themselves either loving or hating him and his story.
It's not traditional romance by any means, but it is an entertaining story that I couldn't stop reading and a complete series that I'll be seeing through to the end. If you love your male characters alpha and your female characters snarky and independent, this is a series for you. I was never bored with the character dialogue, I loved the secondary character involvement, and the action notches it up another level as well.
February 14, 2022
Alpha Male to the T, Viking is someone you should not mess with. A man of very few words, really hard to ignore, protective as hell, hot and sexy, bossy, oh, and emotionally cold, Neil crashes into the life of Ariel and Conner, and whoosh, saves them form the bad men.
Neil is my favorite book to read, anytime, always! 💖
Neil is my favorite book to read, anytime, always! 💖
August 23, 2016
ARC received for review
Neil was an a$$-hole, cheater, and overall jerk. Very rarely does he speak in sentences that have more than 5 words. I can't remember the last time I disliked a hero so much. He may have been serious eye candy, but oh he made me mad. They didn't make love. He f*cked her and without a condom or asking if she was on the pill or if he could. He refused to call her son by his name. He speaks to her son in Danish, and surprise he understands it without ever having heard it before.
Ariel/Ariella wasn't much better. She was still in love with her son's father (even though he's a moron and a cheater). She gets turned on by one of the bad guys and sees nothing wrong with it.
There was great action, suspense, taking down of bad guys if you can read around Neil and his arrogance.
Neil was an a$$-hole, cheater, and overall jerk. Very rarely does he speak in sentences that have more than 5 words. I can't remember the last time I disliked a hero so much. He may have been serious eye candy, but oh he made me mad. They didn't make love. He f*cked her and without a condom or asking if she was on the pill or if he could. He refused to call her son by his name. He speaks to her son in Danish, and surprise he understands it without ever having heard it before.
Ariel/Ariella wasn't much better. She was still in love with her son's father (even though he's a moron and a cheater). She gets turned on by one of the bad guys and sees nothing wrong with it.
There was great action, suspense, taking down of bad guys if you can read around Neil and his arrogance.
September 12, 2021
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Neil’s the big man who’s nickname is Viking to his lady.
Wasn’t sure if I liked these characters tbh, but they grow on you , stick it out.
Good read , all the usual adventures and satisfying read in the end.
💋💋
Neil’s the big man who’s nickname is Viking to his lady.
Wasn’t sure if I liked these characters tbh, but they grow on you , stick it out.
Good read , all the usual adventures and satisfying read in the end.
August 19, 2016
Viking hotness!
Holy hot Viking! I think Neil has been my favorite character Sybil has written so far. He’s a mountain of a man, a man of few words and has alpha dripping from his pores. Whew, your panties may just self combust. Action, adventure, steam…everything we love in this series.
Ariel is a single mom just trying to get by, pulled into some trouble that she just doesn’t need in her life. Neil is a scary, bully of a man that may just be the only salvation she has to turn to.
Ariel is sassy and full of defiance. She is strong and will do whatever she needs to in order to take care of her son and survive.
Neil is a monosyllabic caveman that is so hard to read. He is not a man of sweet words and romantic gestures. But with this Viking you don’t need romance or empty words, he is just a presence that is too strong and large to ignore.
“I couldn’t decide which was sexier, the thick ropey veins covering the defined muscles of his forearms or the fact that he was completely unfazed by a crying two-year-old who’d soaked his jacket in tears.” -> I loved his interactions with Ariel’s son!
I love the character dynamics and Sybil does a great descriptive job of putting us right in the story. A great read you will want to sit and devour, I know I did!
Holy hot Viking! I think Neil has been my favorite character Sybil has written so far. He’s a mountain of a man, a man of few words and has alpha dripping from his pores. Whew, your panties may just self combust. Action, adventure, steam…everything we love in this series.
Ariel is a single mom just trying to get by, pulled into some trouble that she just doesn’t need in her life. Neil is a scary, bully of a man that may just be the only salvation she has to turn to.
Ariel is sassy and full of defiance. She is strong and will do whatever she needs to in order to take care of her son and survive.
Neil is a monosyllabic caveman that is so hard to read. He is not a man of sweet words and romantic gestures. But with this Viking you don’t need romance or empty words, he is just a presence that is too strong and large to ignore.
“I couldn’t decide which was sexier, the thick ropey veins covering the defined muscles of his forearms or the fact that he was completely unfazed by a crying two-year-old who’d soaked his jacket in tears.” -> I loved his interactions with Ariel’s son!
I love the character dynamics and Sybil does a great descriptive job of putting us right in the story. A great read you will want to sit and devour, I know I did!
August 19, 2016
3 sighing stars. This is the risk you run by reading a book by an author you've never read before, disappointment. I know this, but I like the risk because over 60% of the time I am actually rewarded with a fabulous read. This is one of the 40% where I'm left just kind of shrugging.
I wanted to read this book because: the overview enticed me, I'm all about alpha males and the cover is kind of hot. The struggles I had with this novel is it felt choppy to me which rolls to the awkward formation of a kind of relationship the hero and heroine have. For about 50% of the book, the two give me a headache with the back and forth volley they have. Yes, attraction is there but the abruptness of it all throws me off.
The hero is very concise and abrasive in his communication which would be fine if he evolved at a faster pace. He was a douche and not the kind of douche I actually like, either. He was high-handed in a way that rubbed me wrong. The heroine got a decent amount of respect from me for being a single mom and doing the best she can. I mean, I'm a child of a single mother (for at least the first several years of my life) so I'm all about single moms getting the job done. My issue with her came in the form of her pride issue. I mean, if you know you can have a company car and phone to alleviate some of your cost of living, why are you so stubborn? Get with it. Overall, this wasn't my favorite cup of tea.
I wanted to read this book because: the overview enticed me, I'm all about alpha males and the cover is kind of hot. The struggles I had with this novel is it felt choppy to me which rolls to the awkward formation of a kind of relationship the hero and heroine have. For about 50% of the book, the two give me a headache with the back and forth volley they have. Yes, attraction is there but the abruptness of it all throws me off.
The hero is very concise and abrasive in his communication which would be fine if he evolved at a faster pace. He was a douche and not the kind of douche I actually like, either. He was high-handed in a way that rubbed me wrong. The heroine got a decent amount of respect from me for being a single mom and doing the best she can. I mean, I'm a child of a single mother (for at least the first several years of my life) so I'm all about single moms getting the job done. My issue with her came in the form of her pride issue. I mean, if you know you can have a company car and phone to alleviate some of your cost of living, why are you so stubborn? Get with it. Overall, this wasn't my favorite cup of tea.
December 17, 2017
Okay I will say this book was much better then the first one, although I think the author should take better notes when she pulls her stories together. In some sections of this book it seems the author either became confused of details she had already layout or she just totally forgot to add or delete some things... This just made some of the details about the storyline confusing and a miss in some of the emotional impact she was trying to make come across.
However I'm not going to hold that against her too hard; it's enough that she will still lose points with me because of it (damnit that's what proof readers and editors are for right?).
Anyway, I did love my hero Neil (Viking), he was the epitome of a broody, possessive, dominating, protective, intelligent, and loyal alpha male but what made him even more sexy was he was a man of few words and a lot of action.... Whew, what a man!!!! I can't speak enough about him.. He was totally awesome.
Now my heroine she was cool and her character was relatable. Arielle, was a smart mouth, don't take no shit from anybody kinda girl. I like how she didn't make shit easy for our hero and made him work for it but damnit he earn it and that's to say the least!
So even though this book had its short comings, I must say I did enjoy everything it had to offer. Such as the author gives us some action, steamy sex, some cute family moments, and HEA!
Overall rating:
4.0*~ A Good Read
However I'm not going to hold that against her too hard; it's enough that she will still lose points with me because of it (damnit that's what proof readers and editors are for right?).
Anyway, I did love my hero Neil (Viking), he was the epitome of a broody, possessive, dominating, protective, intelligent, and loyal alpha male but what made him even more sexy was he was a man of few words and a lot of action.... Whew, what a man!!!! I can't speak enough about him.. He was totally awesome.
Now my heroine she was cool and her character was relatable. Arielle, was a smart mouth, don't take no shit from anybody kinda girl. I like how she didn't make shit easy for our hero and made him work for it but damnit he earn it and that's to say the least!
So even though this book had its short comings, I must say I did enjoy everything it had to offer. Such as the author gives us some action, steamy sex, some cute family moments, and HEA!
Overall rating:
4.0*~ A Good Read
August 22, 2016
Oh, GOOD LORD. I think this man might be the death of me. I think I just got ALPHA-betized, I mean, seriously, ask me the alphabet and my answer is gonna be N-E-I-L. I just can't. This book was everything. Every. Freaking. Thing. Sybil's books are always Alpha deliciousness, but she took the cake and ran with NEIL. I never thought I'd love a hardass man that says nary a word. But Dang this man. He was perfection. And Ariel, she is kickA... Fiesty, and one heck of a woman.
Whatever your preconceived notions are for this book, forget them. Neil is like no book Sybil Bartel has written before. Sybil Bartel could write the most boring instruction manual and I'd probably still get caught up in the flow of her words. The way she writes is amazing, my attention never strays, and I'm always sucked in until I read every last word. This is most definitely one of those books that you stay up half the night just to finish, one where the hubby and kid have pb&j for dinner. NEIL Christensen and all his Alpha glory is a MUST read!!! I'm ready to reread it already, and that is something I NEVER do. This book is sure to leave me hungover for the rest of my life. A-freaking-mazing!!
Whatever your preconceived notions are for this book, forget them. Neil is like no book Sybil Bartel has written before. Sybil Bartel could write the most boring instruction manual and I'd probably still get caught up in the flow of her words. The way she writes is amazing, my attention never strays, and I'm always sucked in until I read every last word. This is most definitely one of those books that you stay up half the night just to finish, one where the hubby and kid have pb&j for dinner. NEIL Christensen and all his Alpha glory is a MUST read!!! I'm ready to reread it already, and that is something I NEVER do. This book is sure to leave me hungover for the rest of my life. A-freaking-mazing!!
October 5, 2016
Originally posted at:
* I received a free ecopy of this novel from the author in exchange of an honest review.
This book made me stay up until three in the morning to finish it and I adored every minute of being a zombie for the next day. It's been awhile since I've come across a book that willingly made me stay up until the wee hours of the morning knowing I was going to regret it. This book did touch upon subjects I disagree with, but overall I really enjoyed the book.
I liked Ariel, but there were a lot of times that I questioned her judgement. I can't really go into detail, but I can say the following: her relationship with Jason (her child's father) seemed very toxic and she willingly let it happen again and again. I'd also like to mention the lack of a condom when she and Neil finally happened. She's barely keeping the fridge full and is behind on rent. Why would she risk another child with the way her financial situation is? Other than that, I liked her spunk and her witty retorts.
I have a love/hate relationship with Neil as a character. I liked when he become protective of Ariel and Connor and started to look out for them and help Ariel with groceries and with the sh*t her ex trudged up. His cold demeanor though and hot and cold answers really bothered me. At the end of the novel Ariel broke through his barriers and he did start showing some emotion, which helped my view of him a lot.
Though I don't understand how Ariel became fine with accepting Neil's money after she threw a hissyfit, in the beginning of the novel, when he wanted to give her money to pay her overdue rent. The ending was very sweet. I liked how this book was written and unlike in the first novel of this series I didn't feel lost. Though I would recommend an editor have another look at this because there were passages I had to reread a few times to understand what was being said.
My Favorite Quotes:
"Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth."
"Courage is knowing what not to fear."
"[...] Respect is earned. Love is from the heart and I don't have to earn shit."
* I received a free ecopy of this novel from the author in exchange of an honest review.
This book made me stay up until three in the morning to finish it and I adored every minute of being a zombie for the next day. It's been awhile since I've come across a book that willingly made me stay up until the wee hours of the morning knowing I was going to regret it. This book did touch upon subjects I disagree with, but overall I really enjoyed the book.
I liked Ariel, but there were a lot of times that I questioned her judgement. I can't really go into detail, but I can say the following: her relationship with Jason (her child's father) seemed very toxic and she willingly let it happen again and again. I'd also like to mention the lack of a condom when she and Neil finally happened. She's barely keeping the fridge full and is behind on rent. Why would she risk another child with the way her financial situation is? Other than that, I liked her spunk and her witty retorts.
I have a love/hate relationship with Neil as a character. I liked when he become protective of Ariel and Connor and started to look out for them and help Ariel with groceries and with the sh*t her ex trudged up. His cold demeanor though and hot and cold answers really bothered me. At the end of the novel Ariel broke through his barriers and he did start showing some emotion, which helped my view of him a lot.
Though I don't understand how Ariel became fine with accepting Neil's money after she threw a hissyfit, in the beginning of the novel, when he wanted to give her money to pay her overdue rent. The ending was very sweet. I liked how this book was written and unlike in the first novel of this series I didn't feel lost. Though I would recommend an editor have another look at this because there were passages I had to reread a few times to understand what was being said.
My Favorite Quotes:
"Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth."
"Courage is knowing what not to fear."
"[...] Respect is earned. Love is from the heart and I don't have to earn shit."
March 5, 2017
This is my second Sybil Bartel novel, and it's official, I'm hooked!!
Ariel was a strong, intelligent, unapologetic heroine who didn't put up with anyone's crap. Her sarcasm and snappy comebacks, in the face of Neil's stoicism, were highly entertaining. But I think the best part is that Ms. Bartel wrote a kick-ass alpha who wasn't a misogynist. It's true! Neil may have been cold and unemotional but never once did he put Ariel down. In fact, he pulled her up - or he mostly tried, in his own way, while driving her crazy. I'm not saying these two characters and their actions didn't annoy me once in a while, or that the plot didn't slide toward being a bit much at times, but overall this was a refreshing read. It kept me up way past my bedtime!
Ariel was a strong, intelligent, unapologetic heroine who didn't put up with anyone's crap. Her sarcasm and snappy comebacks, in the face of Neil's stoicism, were highly entertaining. But I think the best part is that Ms. Bartel wrote a kick-ass alpha who wasn't a misogynist. It's true! Neil may have been cold and unemotional but never once did he put Ariel down. In fact, he pulled her up - or he mostly tried, in his own way, while driving her crazy. I'm not saying these two characters and their actions didn't annoy me once in a while, or that the plot didn't slide toward being a bit much at times, but overall this was a refreshing read. It kept me up way past my bedtime!
August 15, 2016
Jesus, Neil aka Viking as his woman calls him is the ultimate caveman, "he stared at me with singular determination. “I am telling. I will eff you again.” I mean dayum he's bossy and all extra possessive, not normal possessive, but extra possessive, “never speak another man’s name when I am touching you,” he growled." Neil is quite the dirty talker, “I am going to touch you and I am going to eff you. Then I am going to eff you again.” I can't tell you much I enjoyed this book, not going to lie the blur made me nervous but once I realized I had read the first book in this series which can also be read as a stand alone, I did not hesitate to grab the book, and I was so pleased.
April 14, 2023
How have I not written a review for this book? This is one of the best Alpa H contemporary romance novels I’ve ever read. IMHO, Neil is the Alpha which all other alphas strive to be.
I love everything about this book: the age gap, the sweet child, the young pragmatic h, the adventure, the hotness… I love how it is not written in dual POV and how we never hear from Neil’s perspective. I just love this book and reread it at least once a year.
I love all of Bartel’s books, but this one is yet to be topped.
I love everything about this book: the age gap, the sweet child, the young pragmatic h, the adventure, the hotness… I love how it is not written in dual POV and how we never hear from Neil’s perspective. I just love this book and reread it at least once a year.
I love all of Bartel’s books, but this one is yet to be topped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2016
I was going to write a big long review, but when I started to write it, it sounded like I didn't like the story. For the most part, I did. I enjoyed lots about this. But there were also things about it that I didn't like.
The hero. He had issues with communicating. The man could do little more than grunt one word commands and expect them to be followed. While it was amusing for the first part, it got old very quickly. While he's all uncommunicative-macho-alpha-dude, we didn't get his POV so I didn't get too invested in his character. I think if we understood how he really felt about the heroine and her son (you know...the same boy he refused to call by his name, therefore he was just known as 'the boy' or 'the child'), rather than hearing it through her POV, the story would have worked better for me.
The hero was kind of hard to like. The heroine did some really fucking stupid things and her pride seemed to be more important to her than doing everything she could to make life easier for her and her son (sorry, chica, but if you have access to a company car and a phone, why would you not take it??!!!). The only time I felt the hero was thinking something other than just sex with the heroine was probably the last 10% or so. Not enough time for me to be fully invested in these two.
Don't even get me started on her ex (the father of her son) and his 'complication'. Not a fan of a man who constantly tells the heroine he loves her and will never love anyone the way he loves her...blah blah blah...but continues to disrespect her and treat her like she's second best (that's the ex by the way, not the hero who does that). Doesn't make sense why the heroine would allow herself to be treated that way, and still love him. The man cheated on her, put their child in danger, and puts his new woman before both Ariel and Connor, and she still loves him??! And the hero's issue it makes him even more emotionless than what he already is.
But the story itself was really good. I found myself reading it in one sitting so I could find out what happened next. It's just a pity I didn't feel as strong a connection between the main characters as I would have liked.
The hero. He had issues with communicating. The man could do little more than grunt one word commands and expect them to be followed. While it was amusing for the first part, it got old very quickly. While he's all uncommunicative-macho-alpha-dude, we didn't get his POV so I didn't get too invested in his character. I think if we understood how he really felt about the heroine and her son (you know...the same boy he refused to call by his name, therefore he was just known as 'the boy' or 'the child'), rather than hearing it through her POV, the story would have worked better for me.
The hero was kind of hard to like. The heroine did some really fucking stupid things and her pride seemed to be more important to her than doing everything she could to make life easier for her and her son (sorry, chica, but if you have access to a company car and a phone, why would you not take it??!!!). The only time I felt the hero was thinking something other than just sex with the heroine was probably the last 10% or so. Not enough time for me to be fully invested in these two.
Don't even get me started on her ex (the father of her son) and his 'complication'. Not a fan of a man who constantly tells the heroine he loves her and will never love anyone the way he loves her...blah blah blah...but continues to disrespect her and treat her like she's second best (that's the ex by the way, not the hero who does that). Doesn't make sense why the heroine would allow herself to be treated that way, and still love him. The man cheated on her, put their child in danger, and puts his new woman before both Ariel and Connor, and she still loves him??! And the hero's issue it makes him even more emotionless than what he already is.
But the story itself was really good. I found myself reading it in one sitting so I could find out what happened next. It's just a pity I didn't feel as strong a connection between the main characters as I would have liked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2023
- Main Couple: Neil/Ariel
- POVs Included: Single Female POV (Ariel)
We first met Ariel in the Unchecked Series (in particular, the first book titled Impossible Promise). I won't get into the circumstances to prevent spoilers from that book. But basically in that book Neil helped to save her. From that point on, Neil has taken it upon himself to shadow her and take care of her from afar.
In this book we get a closer look into their romance as it progresses. Ariel is facing some problems with her ex, who is getting her into some trouble with a local biker gang. Neil, with all of his connections, is determined to help her.
The biggest issue with this book is that it's told only from Ariel's POV. Neil is the type of hero that is very stoic and cold. He's a great side character for Sybil Bartel's other books (The Alpha Bodyguards, the other Uncompromising Alphas books, etc.). He is quite loaded and has a lot of connections and skills that come in handy on missions. But he's so darn cold and hard to really understand what he's feeling.
Even after this book I honestly never really felt the love from him. Yes, he shows it in certain ways -- like by taking care of Ariel and her son Conner. But when it comes down to affection, he's like cuddling up to an ice block.
Now, if the story had been from Dual perspective, then I think I would've come to understand the depth of Neil's feelings a lot more. As it is, I found this really brought down their story.
Still, I enjoyed the action and suspense. I liked the overlapping characters. I especially love Candle, who appears like quite an asshole in this book, but his series (the Alpha Antihero) is incredible and I highly recommend it.
Overall, definitely not my favorite Sybil Bartel book. Neil is hard to love. He makes a great side character, but I can't say he grew on me very much.
- POVs Included: Single Female POV (Ariel)
We first met Ariel in the Unchecked Series (in particular, the first book titled Impossible Promise). I won't get into the circumstances to prevent spoilers from that book. But basically in that book Neil helped to save her. From that point on, Neil has taken it upon himself to shadow her and take care of her from afar.
In this book we get a closer look into their romance as it progresses. Ariel is facing some problems with her ex, who is getting her into some trouble with a local biker gang. Neil, with all of his connections, is determined to help her.
The biggest issue with this book is that it's told only from Ariel's POV. Neil is the type of hero that is very stoic and cold. He's a great side character for Sybil Bartel's other books (The Alpha Bodyguards, the other Uncompromising Alphas books, etc.). He is quite loaded and has a lot of connections and skills that come in handy on missions. But he's so darn cold and hard to really understand what he's feeling.
Even after this book I honestly never really felt the love from him. Yes, he shows it in certain ways -- like by taking care of Ariel and her son Conner. But when it comes down to affection, he's like cuddling up to an ice block.
Now, if the story had been from Dual perspective, then I think I would've come to understand the depth of Neil's feelings a lot more. As it is, I found this really brought down their story.
Still, I enjoyed the action and suspense. I liked the overlapping characters. I especially love Candle, who appears like quite an asshole in this book, but his series (the Alpha Antihero) is incredible and I highly recommend it.
Overall, definitely not my favorite Sybil Bartel book. Neil is hard to love. He makes a great side character, but I can't say he grew on me very much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2016
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Neil was a great 5 star read.
I am in love with Neil (Viking), he is a hot Danish Alpha who is a no BS kind of man. He is very dominant and doesn’t waste his time on too many words or lies. He comes across cold at times but you can’t help but open your heart to him.
His deep, quiet voice didn’t bend the silence, it owned it.
Ariel is a young single mom who is working as a secretary at a security company. She has a worthless ex that shows up on her doorstep after 2 months and wants to spend time with their son, while at work she gets a phone call that sets everything in motion. She is thrust into danger and finds herself and her son being protected by Viking.
This story is so thrilling and the connection between Ariel and Viking is so intense. I went through so many “will he or won’t he” moments. And their first kiss, OMG.
Viking kissed me. Except it wasn’t a kiss. Soul crushing, bone melting, bring me to my knees, he didn’t kiss me, he possessed me.
I can’t say enough about this great read. Just when you think everything is okay, you are wrong. I think what really drew me in about Neil is his dominance and protectiveness. He comes across as a very scary guy and then you have Ariel's sassiness and take no crap attitude. She really knew how to push his buttons. Loved it! If you want a great read with a little bit of everything, 1-click and get started today. Reading Neil really makes me want to go back and read Talon
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
Neil was a great 5 star read.
I am in love with Neil (Viking), he is a hot Danish Alpha who is a no BS kind of man. He is very dominant and doesn’t waste his time on too many words or lies. He comes across cold at times but you can’t help but open your heart to him.
His deep, quiet voice didn’t bend the silence, it owned it.
Ariel is a young single mom who is working as a secretary at a security company. She has a worthless ex that shows up on her doorstep after 2 months and wants to spend time with their son, while at work she gets a phone call that sets everything in motion. She is thrust into danger and finds herself and her son being protected by Viking.
This story is so thrilling and the connection between Ariel and Viking is so intense. I went through so many “will he or won’t he” moments. And their first kiss, OMG.
Viking kissed me. Except it wasn’t a kiss. Soul crushing, bone melting, bring me to my knees, he didn’t kiss me, he possessed me.
I can’t say enough about this great read. Just when you think everything is okay, you are wrong. I think what really drew me in about Neil is his dominance and protectiveness. He comes across as a very scary guy and then you have Ariel's sassiness and take no crap attitude. She really knew how to push his buttons. Loved it! If you want a great read with a little bit of everything, 1-click and get started today. Reading Neil really makes me want to go back and read Talon
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
August 20, 2016
When Neil and Ariel meet the first time they are aware of one another but neither has a clue the impact that meeting a second time would eventually have on their lives.
Neil…definitely a man unwilling to compromise…ever! He is capable of anything at any time but also a man with a heart of gold that can charm or kill in the blink of an eye. Not a man of many words he is a man whose actions speak for themselves.
Ariel, born Ariella, is uncompromising in her love for her son, Conner, and in her relationships with men. She has fought hard to get where she is and works hard to maintain the status quo even if that means working in a strip club to make ends meet from time to time. Her baby-daddy screws up, again, and puts her and Connor in harm’s way so Neil, André (her boss), Tyler, Talon (from the first book in the series) and others are there for her when she needs them. What a team of alpha males André has working for him or that he can call in to assist from time to time…hopefully they will get books of their own in the future!
I have to say that this book sizzles. The chemistry is off the charts between gruff dominant Neil and sassy un-submissive Ariel but there are plenty of twists and turns that kept me wondering then hoping and finally happy and relieved that they both were able to finally achieve a happily ever after at the end.
Great story! I highly recommend it and want to thank the author who bequeathed me a copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I can’t wait to read André’s story in book three!
Neil…definitely a man unwilling to compromise…ever! He is capable of anything at any time but also a man with a heart of gold that can charm or kill in the blink of an eye. Not a man of many words he is a man whose actions speak for themselves.
Ariel, born Ariella, is uncompromising in her love for her son, Conner, and in her relationships with men. She has fought hard to get where she is and works hard to maintain the status quo even if that means working in a strip club to make ends meet from time to time. Her baby-daddy screws up, again, and puts her and Connor in harm’s way so Neil, André (her boss), Tyler, Talon (from the first book in the series) and others are there for her when she needs them. What a team of alpha males André has working for him or that he can call in to assist from time to time…hopefully they will get books of their own in the future!
I have to say that this book sizzles. The chemistry is off the charts between gruff dominant Neil and sassy un-submissive Ariel but there are plenty of twists and turns that kept me wondering then hoping and finally happy and relieved that they both were able to finally achieve a happily ever after at the end.
Great story! I highly recommend it and want to thank the author who bequeathed me a copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I can’t wait to read André’s story in book three!
October 4, 2016
UNCOMPROMISING was putting it mildly. Neil was a dick, an ass, a jerk, a neanderthal, a bone-headed alpha Viking. Like him, hate him, or just be indifferent was hard to pin point. It was hard to nail it down to just one way. I did all and then some as I read this one.
Now Ariel was strong, edgy, determined, sensible (mostly), and very protective of her son. She knew that her ex showing up out he blue was going to be trouble. Just not to the depth of trouble she found herself in. This was nail-biting intense.
The Viking thing again was a moment-to-moment thing for me. Vikings can just rub the wrong way and Neil was no exception. I was with him in moment then ready to beat him another. Then the way that he kissed Ariel. Now, the man had my attention in more ways than one or two. He did not take over Talon's place in my heart but he did earn a honorable mention.
Thanks Sybil, you wrote another that was male hotness and alpah-tastic.
Now Ariel was strong, edgy, determined, sensible (mostly), and very protective of her son. She knew that her ex showing up out he blue was going to be trouble. Just not to the depth of trouble she found herself in. This was nail-biting intense.
The Viking thing again was a moment-to-moment thing for me. Vikings can just rub the wrong way and Neil was no exception. I was with him in moment then ready to beat him another. Then the way that he kissed Ariel. Now, the man had my attention in more ways than one or two. He did not take over Talon's place in my heart but he did earn a honorable mention.
Thanks Sybil, you wrote another that was male hotness and alpah-tastic.
July 13, 2017
I actually really liked this one. I shouldn't have. I usually don't go for books that really don't develop the characters and I don't like it when they call each other quirky names. At the beginning of the book I hated it when she kept calling him Viking. But you know what? It just worked. The author pulled me in with her incredible sexual tension and super steamy sex scenes, that did NOT happen right away. I love it when they take their time. Neil, aka Viking, was the epitome of brooding alpha male. Push through the first 25% and the book really takes off. Couldn't wait to finish it. Will put this book on my favorites.
July 30, 2021
SO glad I decided to go ahead and take a chance with NEIL after the hot mess that was Talon. Talon was a waste of my time, but NEIL stole my time be dragging me, wet and aching, into a book I couldn't put down.
Sexy as hell, emotional, suspenseful, sweet, and ooey-gooey! What else could you possibly want in your erotic, contemporary tales?
Neil fulfilled all my fantasies...can I have more?
Sexy as hell, emotional, suspenseful, sweet, and ooey-gooey! What else could you possibly want in your erotic, contemporary tales?
Neil fulfilled all my fantasies...can I have more?
July 10, 2017
I enjoyed this book more than Talon. It explains more than the previous book in this series. I enjoyed it, but after reading 5 books of hers, the patterns are becoming more similar. I enjoyed Neil though. He's a badass and he now has a badass bitch by his side :)
July 29, 2018
This was a good book, I loved the heroine she was strong willed, and could hold her own agaisnt the hero. One of the books where I liked the heroine more than the hero. #ALPHAMALE #POSSESSIVE #JEALOUS HERO #NOTADOORMATHEROINE #HEA #MILITARYMAN #SWOONWORTHY
November 12, 2016
4.5 stars out of 5 stars
More thorough review to come!
More thorough review to come!
June 18, 2023
2.5 stars
I wasn't planning on reading Neil, for reasons I'll explain later, but I was intrigued by all the gushing reviews. I felt like I needed to experience this guy for myself to see what all the fuss is about. I'm not sure yet if I'm completely sold on Sybil Bartel, but she definitely writes the type of alpha men I like to read about and has a lot going for her in terms of how realistically she writes the male POV. Her heroes are unapologetically alpha, sometimes they can be a bit high-handed, but they wouldn't be alphas if they weren't. What's important is that those alpha weaknesses are evenly tempered with their biggest and most attractive strengths - their protectiveness and how well they take care of the people they love, esp their woman! And not least of all their prowess in the bedroom. Lord have mercy! haha
Neil was action-packed and full of colourful characters.
I'll start off with the one whom I loved the most - Connor, Ariella's 2 yr old baby boy. I love when you have kids in a book and they're actually featured rather than treated as just a prop. I don't know why some authors bother to include kids if they're just going to regulate them to background decoration (looking at you, J.M Madden! :). Nope, sweet Connor was front and centre with all his cute baby babble. I adored him just like everyone else!
Ariella
I didn't dislike Ariella, but she's not my kind of heroine. She has attitude for days, cusses worse than a sailor and has no qualms about parading herself naked in front of strange men (she's a stripper). Most readers will consider her 'strong' based on these traits alone, however, unlike most readers, I don't define a woman's strength based on how much of a bitch she can be.
I do like sassy, smart - mouthed heroines who can stand their ground with quiet strength (I loved Audrina & Brooke, the heroines in Scandalous & Merciless), but I don't like loud, bitchy heroines with too much stupid, over the top attitude like Ariella (I've decided to pass on Andre's book because I hear the heroine there is the same). I mean I admire a heroine who strives to be independent and all, but you don't say no to opportunities and blessings that come your way out of stupid pride when your baby doesn't have milk to drink. :/
Ariella's cussing was a huge pet peeve of mine throughout this book. Goddamn, did this woman have a dirty ass mouth! And that's coming from someone who cusses herself, but heck, I do not cuss this much. I certainly don't mind a woman who cusses occasionally or in situations that really calls for it, but Ariel's cussing was on a whole other level. I didn't like it. I didn't like it at all. I'm pretty sure she cussed more than all the heroes in this series combined.
I also don't want to read about heroines who are sex workers. I know women do sex work for a myriad of reasons and I'm not here to pass any judgement. Ariella did it as a side hustle to supplement her income - but I didn't understand why this was still necessary when she worked fulltime for Andre and he paid her almost 5 grand a month to be a receptionist/personal assistant.
After taxes, her take home pay was at least $3500, if not more. I sure as heck didn't get paid 5 grand a month as an entry level college graduate, muchless a receptionist with no qualifications. Prior to working for Andre she stripped full time for 'years' - dunno what exactly that means, but I'm guessing she started as soon as she was legally able to, so 18, which means she's been stripping for about 4 yrs given that she's 21 now. She claimed to not like having to strip, but I couldn't understand why she continued after getting the job at Luna & Associates. Certainly she and her son could survive on $3500 a month?
Furthermore, most 18 yr olds first choice of a job is probably not sex work so the fact that Ariella chose this as her profession right out of high school gives a certain insight into the type of woman she is. She wants fast and easy money and she was willing to do sex work to get that bag. Sad. When Connor came along, I can perhaps see why she may have chosen to strip to take care of him, esp when her no good boyfriend wasn't bringing anything to the table. But before Connor and after getting the job at Luna, why not find/stick to more respectable work?
I just don't understand why someone would choose this line of work if they're other options. I can't relate to sex work, even in its most benign form, in any way so I don't want to read about heroines who engage in it, at least not in romance. Perhaps as general fiction, but not romance. Had I known beforehand she was a stripper - and a super foul-mouthed, bitchy one at that - I probably would have skipped this one. It would have been a lost to not experience Neil and Connor, but I could live with that.
Now it might seem like I disliked Ariella because of what I described above, but I didn't. Yes, I prefer a certain type of heroine and she ain't it, but I didn't not like her. I imagine in her line of work you have to be tough and have a fuck you attitude. Plus despite some of her more stupid choices - refusing company perks like a free car and phone. (Andre even offered her one of the company apartments with subsidized rent ... yet she refused all of this to continue stripping and living in a flea bag apartment complex crawling with gangbangers. Most nights her stripper earnings wasn't even enough to pay her babysitter!). Anyway, despite some of her more stupid choices, she was a resilient young woman and a decent mother. She fed Connor a lot of crap most of the time, but she gave him what was most important - all her love and devotion. She doted on him and I loved their bond. Connor was a happy and healthy baby.
Niel, aka Viking
I had my reservations about reading this book because when I heard Neil was Danish and supposed to be this uber dominant alpha man, I really had a difficult time reconciling those two things - Danish man + alpha dominant - in my mind. I lived in Scandinavia for almost 20 yrs, never met an alpha in all that time. The Vikings who lived 1000s of years ago were certainly alpha barbarians, but in modern times the words 'Scandinavia men' and 'alpha' are anathema to one another. Scandinavian men are so conditioned to be sappy beta males, they might as well have vaginas (and let it be known, I love vaginas, just not so much on a man).
The alpha male archetype is super stigmatized in that neck of the woods, so much so that it's tough for me to imagine Neil as this larger than life, Terminator like, dominant alpha man who all other alphas steered clear of. Where would he have learnt to be so alpha from? The Danish Military? Uh ... no. Scandinavia is hyper feminist in pretty much all aspects of its society and that includes the military. The alpha is vilified and viewed as so-called 'toxic masculinity'. So I don't know where he would have gotten the training to be the alpha of all alphas. It was seriously too laughable to be believable. I kept changing his nationality to something else in my head because sh*t just did not compute.
His nationality aside, Neil was a fascinating character. He almost seemed otherworldly. Not only because his communication style was very clipped and to the point or because he seemed to have super human strength, both mentally and physically. No, he seemed above normal human conditions. Like, we never saw him eat or sleep or banter with the other guys. When he got injured, he never expressed pain or discomfort that neither Ariella nor us could see.
In fact, he treated his own wounds, all off the page, kinda like some self-healing alien cyborg. Every time he made an appearance, he was dressed to kill, both when he's all decked out in tactical gear & ready to pop some bad guys and when he's trying to woo Ariella in his expensive Brioni suits. I don't know if this was deliberate on the author's part or just a coincidence, but he just didn't seem ... real.
I agree with other readers who said this story would have benefited greatly from having his POV. I think because he seemed so otherworldly, untouchable and a man of few words, the story could have been so much richer if we knew what he was thinking. Yes, he's a man of action rather than meaningless talk, but I wanted to connect with him more and I probably would have if I was able to get under his skin - know his thoughts, worries, concerns, vulnerabilities.
I wanted to know why he fell in love with Ariella, what he thought of her as a woman, a mother, what he admired about her and made her stand out from all other women in his mind. We know he had very strong feelings for her and Connor because of everything that he did for them, but to be completely honest I wasn't very convinced that they were actually in love. In lust? Deep, passionate, blazing hot off the charts lust? Definitely.
These two had chemistry like a motherfucker! Their sex was hot as fuck! But I dunno, man ... I got the impression that he likes her because she's this young, hot stripper with double D tits and a tight ass, not to mention that she has attitude for days and he sees her as a challenge. It's not only women who fall in love with bad boys, men love bitchy women like Ariella too, for the same reason women find bad boys so irresistible. One of those men appear to be Neil.
Ariella was still in love with her ex and even told him (the ex) so at one point. Towards the end of the book she said she fell in love with Neil, but I think she fell in love with what he could provide for her more than she actually was in love with him, the man. Here she had this hot as fuck, muscle-bound former military badass who could and would protect her & her kid from the repercussions of any shit storms her no-good ex got them into.
For the first time in her life, she doesn't have to worry about money & how she's gonna keep a roof over her son's head. She got to live in a nice, safe high rise apartment with a killer view and a part-time nanny. He paid for her to go back to school and she can now spend her time on more productive pursues instead of shaking her ass in a sleazy strip club. She even quit her job at Luna & Associates.
So no, I don't think she actually accepted him for him. I think she liked that he could fuck her real good and I think she liked his money. But does she really like him, Neil, the man? I wasn't convinced that she did. I didn't see that on the page. She was constantly and to the very end annoyed by his ways. His clipped communication style, his dominance ... everything that made him, him.
She's still super young, just 21, even though with the life she's lived she acts and sounds more like 31. As she gets older her attitude isn't likely to improve because she seems to have a naturally rebellious, unsubmissive nature (and two dominants in a relationship ... well, as Collins like to say, bleeder or trouble). I can see Ariella being both bleeder AND trouble. She'll probably become less and less tolerant of Neil's alpha dominant ways, esp once she gets what she wants out of him and once the lust wears off. It won't be that big of a task to kick him to the curb then.
Ariella just strikes me as the type of female who only cares about numero uno, and who will probably take Neil to the cleaners in the event they should ever marry and divorce. I think if she was a little bit older and more emotionally mature, maybe I'd be more convinced of her sincerity, but as things are ... nah. I think all she's feeling is lust, not only for the sex but the high life too.
That said, Neil probably does love her. We know he loves kids, despite his badass, alpha to the max image. He doted on Connor and taught him Danish. But I think ultimately he'll suffer from the alpha dilemma of everyone, secretly or not secretly, hating on you & trying to take you down because you are the top dog. Even your woman. Also rich, uber alphas have high testosterone levels and are usually highly sexed ... is Neil really the type to be a one woman man? Well, as Kevin Samuels says rich alpha dominant men don't cheat ... they ... 'exercise options'. Yup, I can definitely see Neil 'exercising options' alright.
All these factors combined made this a less than stellar read for me, but I did enjoy it. It was entertaining and I read it pretty much in one sitting. Neil, even though his nationality was messing with my view of him, was the kind of man fantasies are made of. I just wanted more emotions, from both of them. I'm fine that they're not this cheesy, touchy-feely romance couple, but I want the feels. I want to experience that emotional connection between them even if there's no grand declarations of love. I missed that in this story, therefore, my rating can't be more than 2.5 - 3 stars.
I wasn't planning on reading Neil, for reasons I'll explain later, but I was intrigued by all the gushing reviews. I felt like I needed to experience this guy for myself to see what all the fuss is about. I'm not sure yet if I'm completely sold on Sybil Bartel, but she definitely writes the type of alpha men I like to read about and has a lot going for her in terms of how realistically she writes the male POV. Her heroes are unapologetically alpha, sometimes they can be a bit high-handed, but they wouldn't be alphas if they weren't. What's important is that those alpha weaknesses are evenly tempered with their biggest and most attractive strengths - their protectiveness and how well they take care of the people they love, esp their woman! And not least of all their prowess in the bedroom. Lord have mercy! haha
Neil was action-packed and full of colourful characters.
I'll start off with the one whom I loved the most - Connor, Ariella's 2 yr old baby boy. I love when you have kids in a book and they're actually featured rather than treated as just a prop. I don't know why some authors bother to include kids if they're just going to regulate them to background decoration (looking at you, J.M Madden! :). Nope, sweet Connor was front and centre with all his cute baby babble. I adored him just like everyone else!
Ariella
I didn't dislike Ariella, but she's not my kind of heroine. She has attitude for days, cusses worse than a sailor and has no qualms about parading herself naked in front of strange men (she's a stripper). Most readers will consider her 'strong' based on these traits alone, however, unlike most readers, I don't define a woman's strength based on how much of a bitch she can be.
I do like sassy, smart - mouthed heroines who can stand their ground with quiet strength (I loved Audrina & Brooke, the heroines in Scandalous & Merciless), but I don't like loud, bitchy heroines with too much stupid, over the top attitude like Ariella (I've decided to pass on Andre's book because I hear the heroine there is the same). I mean I admire a heroine who strives to be independent and all, but you don't say no to opportunities and blessings that come your way out of stupid pride when your baby doesn't have milk to drink. :/
Ariella's cussing was a huge pet peeve of mine throughout this book. Goddamn, did this woman have a dirty ass mouth! And that's coming from someone who cusses herself, but heck, I do not cuss this much. I certainly don't mind a woman who cusses occasionally or in situations that really calls for it, but Ariel's cussing was on a whole other level. I didn't like it. I didn't like it at all. I'm pretty sure she cussed more than all the heroes in this series combined.
I also don't want to read about heroines who are sex workers. I know women do sex work for a myriad of reasons and I'm not here to pass any judgement. Ariella did it as a side hustle to supplement her income - but I didn't understand why this was still necessary when she worked fulltime for Andre and he paid her almost 5 grand a month to be a receptionist/personal assistant.
After taxes, her take home pay was at least $3500, if not more. I sure as heck didn't get paid 5 grand a month as an entry level college graduate, muchless a receptionist with no qualifications. Prior to working for Andre she stripped full time for 'years' - dunno what exactly that means, but I'm guessing she started as soon as she was legally able to, so 18, which means she's been stripping for about 4 yrs given that she's 21 now. She claimed to not like having to strip, but I couldn't understand why she continued after getting the job at Luna & Associates. Certainly she and her son could survive on $3500 a month?
Furthermore, most 18 yr olds first choice of a job is probably not sex work so the fact that Ariella chose this as her profession right out of high school gives a certain insight into the type of woman she is. She wants fast and easy money and she was willing to do sex work to get that bag. Sad. When Connor came along, I can perhaps see why she may have chosen to strip to take care of him, esp when her no good boyfriend wasn't bringing anything to the table. But before Connor and after getting the job at Luna, why not find/stick to more respectable work?
I just don't understand why someone would choose this line of work if they're other options. I can't relate to sex work, even in its most benign form, in any way so I don't want to read about heroines who engage in it, at least not in romance. Perhaps as general fiction, but not romance. Had I known beforehand she was a stripper - and a super foul-mouthed, bitchy one at that - I probably would have skipped this one. It would have been a lost to not experience Neil and Connor, but I could live with that.
Now it might seem like I disliked Ariella because of what I described above, but I didn't. Yes, I prefer a certain type of heroine and she ain't it, but I didn't not like her. I imagine in her line of work you have to be tough and have a fuck you attitude. Plus despite some of her more stupid choices - refusing company perks like a free car and phone. (Andre even offered her one of the company apartments with subsidized rent ... yet she refused all of this to continue stripping and living in a flea bag apartment complex crawling with gangbangers. Most nights her stripper earnings wasn't even enough to pay her babysitter!). Anyway, despite some of her more stupid choices, she was a resilient young woman and a decent mother. She fed Connor a lot of crap most of the time, but she gave him what was most important - all her love and devotion. She doted on him and I loved their bond. Connor was a happy and healthy baby.
Niel, aka Viking
I had my reservations about reading this book because when I heard Neil was Danish and supposed to be this uber dominant alpha man, I really had a difficult time reconciling those two things - Danish man + alpha dominant - in my mind. I lived in Scandinavia for almost 20 yrs, never met an alpha in all that time. The Vikings who lived 1000s of years ago were certainly alpha barbarians, but in modern times the words 'Scandinavia men' and 'alpha' are anathema to one another. Scandinavian men are so conditioned to be sappy beta males, they might as well have vaginas (and let it be known, I love vaginas, just not so much on a man).
The alpha male archetype is super stigmatized in that neck of the woods, so much so that it's tough for me to imagine Neil as this larger than life, Terminator like, dominant alpha man who all other alphas steered clear of. Where would he have learnt to be so alpha from? The Danish Military? Uh ... no. Scandinavia is hyper feminist in pretty much all aspects of its society and that includes the military. The alpha is vilified and viewed as so-called 'toxic masculinity'. So I don't know where he would have gotten the training to be the alpha of all alphas. It was seriously too laughable to be believable. I kept changing his nationality to something else in my head because sh*t just did not compute.
His nationality aside, Neil was a fascinating character. He almost seemed otherworldly. Not only because his communication style was very clipped and to the point or because he seemed to have super human strength, both mentally and physically. No, he seemed above normal human conditions. Like, we never saw him eat or sleep or banter with the other guys. When he got injured, he never expressed pain or discomfort that neither Ariella nor us could see.
In fact, he treated his own wounds, all off the page, kinda like some self-healing alien cyborg. Every time he made an appearance, he was dressed to kill, both when he's all decked out in tactical gear & ready to pop some bad guys and when he's trying to woo Ariella in his expensive Brioni suits. I don't know if this was deliberate on the author's part or just a coincidence, but he just didn't seem ... real.
I agree with other readers who said this story would have benefited greatly from having his POV. I think because he seemed so otherworldly, untouchable and a man of few words, the story could have been so much richer if we knew what he was thinking. Yes, he's a man of action rather than meaningless talk, but I wanted to connect with him more and I probably would have if I was able to get under his skin - know his thoughts, worries, concerns, vulnerabilities.
I wanted to know why he fell in love with Ariella, what he thought of her as a woman, a mother, what he admired about her and made her stand out from all other women in his mind. We know he had very strong feelings for her and Connor because of everything that he did for them, but to be completely honest I wasn't very convinced that they were actually in love. In lust? Deep, passionate, blazing hot off the charts lust? Definitely.
These two had chemistry like a motherfucker! Their sex was hot as fuck! But I dunno, man ... I got the impression that he likes her because she's this young, hot stripper with double D tits and a tight ass, not to mention that she has attitude for days and he sees her as a challenge. It's not only women who fall in love with bad boys, men love bitchy women like Ariella too, for the same reason women find bad boys so irresistible. One of those men appear to be Neil.
Ariella was still in love with her ex and even told him (the ex) so at one point. Towards the end of the book she said she fell in love with Neil, but I think she fell in love with what he could provide for her more than she actually was in love with him, the man. Here she had this hot as fuck, muscle-bound former military badass who could and would protect her & her kid from the repercussions of any shit storms her no-good ex got them into.
For the first time in her life, she doesn't have to worry about money & how she's gonna keep a roof over her son's head. She got to live in a nice, safe high rise apartment with a killer view and a part-time nanny. He paid for her to go back to school and she can now spend her time on more productive pursues instead of shaking her ass in a sleazy strip club. She even quit her job at Luna & Associates.
So no, I don't think she actually accepted him for him. I think she liked that he could fuck her real good and I think she liked his money. But does she really like him, Neil, the man? I wasn't convinced that she did. I didn't see that on the page. She was constantly and to the very end annoyed by his ways. His clipped communication style, his dominance ... everything that made him, him.
She's still super young, just 21, even though with the life she's lived she acts and sounds more like 31. As she gets older her attitude isn't likely to improve because she seems to have a naturally rebellious, unsubmissive nature (and two dominants in a relationship ... well, as Collins like to say, bleeder or trouble). I can see Ariella being both bleeder AND trouble. She'll probably become less and less tolerant of Neil's alpha dominant ways, esp once she gets what she wants out of him and once the lust wears off. It won't be that big of a task to kick him to the curb then.
Ariella just strikes me as the type of female who only cares about numero uno, and who will probably take Neil to the cleaners in the event they should ever marry and divorce. I think if she was a little bit older and more emotionally mature, maybe I'd be more convinced of her sincerity, but as things are ... nah. I think all she's feeling is lust, not only for the sex but the high life too.
That said, Neil probably does love her. We know he loves kids, despite his badass, alpha to the max image. He doted on Connor and taught him Danish. But I think ultimately he'll suffer from the alpha dilemma of everyone, secretly or not secretly, hating on you & trying to take you down because you are the top dog. Even your woman. Also rich, uber alphas have high testosterone levels and are usually highly sexed ... is Neil really the type to be a one woman man? Well, as Kevin Samuels says rich alpha dominant men don't cheat ... they ... 'exercise options'. Yup, I can definitely see Neil 'exercising options' alright.
All these factors combined made this a less than stellar read for me, but I did enjoy it. It was entertaining and I read it pretty much in one sitting. Neil, even though his nationality was messing with my view of him, was the kind of man fantasies are made of. I just wanted more emotions, from both of them. I'm fine that they're not this cheesy, touchy-feely romance couple, but I want the feels. I want to experience that emotional connection between them even if there's no grand declarations of love. I missed that in this story, therefore, my rating can't be more than 2.5 - 3 stars.
did-not-finish
April 25, 2024DNF @ 15%. This is part of the Uncompromising Alphas series, and that is accurate marketing! I don’t mind an overbearing MMC, but all his short sentences (read: commands) was a bit too much for my liking.
September 2, 2016
3.5 helms
Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages
I don't know..I just don't know....this is a very difficult and confusing review to write as I really don't know how I feel about Neil...This book reads like an action packed movie. It's non-stop action with plenty of swearing and hotter than average sex scenes. I really did feel like I was inside a movie!
Viking-sized, ex-Jægerkorpset Neil Christensen a.k.a Viking is THE most alpha hero I've ever read about. He only speaks for around 20% of the book with Ariella/Ariel doing most of the
I don't know if I want to rage on Neil or like him and I don't know how much I wanted to dislike Ariel for her choices concerning Jason. Jason is an ABSOLUTE F*&$. He not only puts Ariel in a very dangerous motorbike gang related situation, he involves Conner too and put the child's life at risk. I felt like Ariel was too in love Jason to think clearly about her actions and hence the situation that placed Conner and her in danger. But this character flaw is what I also like about her as she feels very human. Sybil captures Ariels's emotions honestly. I cannot imagine how despairing and difficult being a broke, single parent is and I highly commend any single parent. No one wants to be in love with their ex especially a lying, cheating d*$^ like Jason who is also the father of her child. But, sometimes you can't help it. Everyone wants that fairytale where your first love is your only love and Ariel desperately wants that but she is also smart enough to know what was best for Conner and herself. I also liked how Ariel could stand her own against Neil and doesn't take any bullshit from him. She was sassy and smart mouthed and stood her ground at times against his alphaness.
Neil only "speaks" in short words and commands and is EXTREMELY bossy but he does have a kind heart and a soft spot for kids. He treats Ariella quite cave man like at times but that's part of his character and sex appeal as an alpha. Neil is also portrayed to be an honest character but towards the end, there is something major he hides from Ariella and his pedestal crumbles. I really hated him for this as he tried to classify his lie as not a lie on a technicality. It jaded his character for me and I think many readers will be torn regarding it. This secret is explained later on and reasoning is given which also portrays a depth to his character. I didn't feel like I knew Neil better at the end of the book but he does demonstrate depth. You just have to read between the lines and his actions speak louder than words.
The age gap bugged me. He's 36, she's 21. She's broke and a single mum. He looks at her. She goes gaga! Of course a 21-year-old in her situation is going to have stars in her eyes over a rich, older man! Neil being rich felt convenient. He also treated her like a horny teenager and Ariel also allowed her body to rule her thoughts. A lot of things were manipulated by sex. It was sort of like reading 50 Shades but with better writing and no BDSM. I wonder how Neil would handle a woman who is older and equally worldly.
I think this book will divide readers. It really depends on what you like and don't like. This is not a conventional, straightforward contemporary romance. If you like your men OTT alpha, your books action packed, steamy and snarky this is for you! If your inner feminist is going to rear her head by reading a whole heap of male, muscular, grunty, alpha bossiness you may want to stay clear! But make no mistake, whatever side you choose, the story is good, it's very well written with characters that will make you think outside the box and that's enough reason to read it. I'll just sit on my little white picket fence and analyse which side I'm eventually going to fall on.
*Thank-you Sybil Bartel & Netgalley for the ARC.
May 31, 2018
This is, simply put, one of the best books I have ever read. Neil Christensen is an enigma. Incredibly tall and built, Ariel Walsh nicknames him Viking and it’s apt. He doesn’t talk much, although he can speak seven languages fluently. His face gives nothing away. His demeanour can’t be read. Ariel, a twenty one year old single mother with a two year old son, Conner, is both intrigued and frustrated by him. Conner’s father, Jason, is Ariel’s high school sweetheart and they were happy until he cheated on her and left her for the other woman.
Life has been tough for Ariel; she strips on the side to help pay her rent. There’s little food in the apartment. She’s embarrassed about not being able to provide for her son but bristles when Neil turns up with groceries. He annoys her by refusing to call Conner by his name because he doesn’t want to get attached, but can’t deny the spark when he kisses her. Neil doesn’t ask questions, he makes demands and he expects them to be followed. Ariel doesn’t like being bossed around and she pushes back when he tries to help in his silent, inscrutable way, but as they spend more time together Ariel comes to learn that actions, not words, are what make Neil tick.
Jason gets Ariel involved in a motorcycle club war and she’s frightened for Conner and herself, so she turns to Neil, who also involves Andre Luna (who’s featured in several other books and his own is the next in the series) and several other characters we’ve met before. She loves how he interacts with Conner, speaking to him in Danish. She keeps telling Neil that Conner can’t understand him, but her son does – and this is so spot on because two year olds are like sponges. Neil also helps Jason and his girlfriend, because he knows that Ariel – to whom he refers as Ariella, her full name – wouldn’t want him to be hurt, despite what happened between them. There’s a really sweet scene with Ariel and Jason towards the end that just broke my heart.
You can’t help but feel for Ariel, who’s sassy and strong and sometimes bitchy, which made me laugh because she’s so like a twenty one year old. Neil is much older at thirty four, but the age gap never really felt odd. When Ariel finds out a secret Neil’s been keeping, she’s devastated, even when she learns the reason behind it. But Neil refuses to give up on her, give up on them, and Ariel’s already in love with him so she doesn’t need much persuading to fall back into his arms. The sex scenes were so hot I’m surprised my Kindle didn’t burst into flames!
A really great book that I enjoyed a whole lot. I’ll be adding the paperback to my collection.
***Cross posted from my blog, The Romance Shelf. http://theromanceshelf.wordpress.com
Life has been tough for Ariel; she strips on the side to help pay her rent. There’s little food in the apartment. She’s embarrassed about not being able to provide for her son but bristles when Neil turns up with groceries. He annoys her by refusing to call Conner by his name because he doesn’t want to get attached, but can’t deny the spark when he kisses her. Neil doesn’t ask questions, he makes demands and he expects them to be followed. Ariel doesn’t like being bossed around and she pushes back when he tries to help in his silent, inscrutable way, but as they spend more time together Ariel comes to learn that actions, not words, are what make Neil tick.
Jason gets Ariel involved in a motorcycle club war and she’s frightened for Conner and herself, so she turns to Neil, who also involves Andre Luna (who’s featured in several other books and his own is the next in the series) and several other characters we’ve met before. She loves how he interacts with Conner, speaking to him in Danish. She keeps telling Neil that Conner can’t understand him, but her son does – and this is so spot on because two year olds are like sponges. Neil also helps Jason and his girlfriend, because he knows that Ariel – to whom he refers as Ariella, her full name – wouldn’t want him to be hurt, despite what happened between them. There’s a really sweet scene with Ariel and Jason towards the end that just broke my heart.
You can’t help but feel for Ariel, who’s sassy and strong and sometimes bitchy, which made me laugh because she’s so like a twenty one year old. Neil is much older at thirty four, but the age gap never really felt odd. When Ariel finds out a secret Neil’s been keeping, she’s devastated, even when she learns the reason behind it. But Neil refuses to give up on her, give up on them, and Ariel’s already in love with him so she doesn’t need much persuading to fall back into his arms. The sex scenes were so hot I’m surprised my Kindle didn’t burst into flames!
A really great book that I enjoyed a whole lot. I’ll be adding the paperback to my collection.
***Cross posted from my blog, The Romance Shelf. http://theromanceshelf.wordpress.com
August 15, 2016
Check out more of my reviews on my blog http://gemmareadstoomuch.co.uk
Of late I’ve suffered with a serious case of the book funks. My book consumption is up but my book wowiness is seriously down.
It’s no secret that I’ve been looking forward to this book.
So I’ve read it, what did I think?
WOO FUCKING HOO!!!!
That just blew the fucking rafters off!!
This book is action and drama and chemistry from the very first word and it never stops. I’ve no idea how this author does it but the story never lulls, I never at any point thought ‘well that bit was just padding’. Because Sybil Bartel thinks about every word, sentence and paragraph.
It constantly leaves you wanting more.
Neil is an enigma wrapped in a mystery surrounded by a rubix cube. He’s an incredibly complex character and at the end I’m not really any closer to understanding what makes him tick.
Honestly the only things I feel like I need to know about him are….
He’s a serious badass.
He’s like a hotter, more brooding MacGyver.
If you look up the words, Viking, Alpha or sexily stoic in the dictionary his name appears.
What I loved about Neil and honestly all of Sybil’s hero’s is that they are proper actual heroes. They may have unapologetically violent ways of getting the job done but they do get the job done, they save the day and thats seriously sexy.
Shall we talk about the sex for a minute?
Bloody hell!!!! It got a bit bossy!
I liked it!!!!!!!
Like Neil the sex was minimal, not in the fact that there wasn’t a lot of cock, cus it was huge. But more about the fact that it wasn’t overly descriptive. Instead somehow the lack of details made it more raw and dirty.
This couple had so much palpable angry chemistry, hes so silent that what he lacked in words he made up with actions. Every interaction even if it was just his palm on her back or a full blown angry sex session felt full of expectation and laced with desire.
Ariel was sassy and full of attitude, but honestly at times she was just background noise.
No idea how this happened but this entire book is told in Ariel’s POV and yet it’s the Neil show.
This story may have been told in her voice, but everything was about him and I loved how he completely consumed her.
I loved that he took over, I loved his need for control, I loved his quiet ways but unwavering dominance.
And OH MY GOD the epilogue “You wanted the fairytale” I straight up swooned!!!
This book was brilliant!
5 Stars.
Of late I’ve suffered with a serious case of the book funks. My book consumption is up but my book wowiness is seriously down.
It’s no secret that I’ve been looking forward to this book.
So I’ve read it, what did I think?
WOO FUCKING HOO!!!!
That just blew the fucking rafters off!!
This book is action and drama and chemistry from the very first word and it never stops. I’ve no idea how this author does it but the story never lulls, I never at any point thought ‘well that bit was just padding’. Because Sybil Bartel thinks about every word, sentence and paragraph.
It constantly leaves you wanting more.
Neil is an enigma wrapped in a mystery surrounded by a rubix cube. He’s an incredibly complex character and at the end I’m not really any closer to understanding what makes him tick.
Honestly the only things I feel like I need to know about him are….
He’s a serious badass.
He’s like a hotter, more brooding MacGyver.
If you look up the words, Viking, Alpha or sexily stoic in the dictionary his name appears.
What I loved about Neil and honestly all of Sybil’s hero’s is that they are proper actual heroes. They may have unapologetically violent ways of getting the job done but they do get the job done, they save the day and thats seriously sexy.
Shall we talk about the sex for a minute?
Bloody hell!!!! It got a bit bossy!
I liked it!!!!!!!
Like Neil the sex was minimal, not in the fact that there wasn’t a lot of cock, cus it was huge. But more about the fact that it wasn’t overly descriptive. Instead somehow the lack of details made it more raw and dirty.
This couple had so much palpable angry chemistry, hes so silent that what he lacked in words he made up with actions. Every interaction even if it was just his palm on her back or a full blown angry sex session felt full of expectation and laced with desire.
Ariel was sassy and full of attitude, but honestly at times she was just background noise.
No idea how this happened but this entire book is told in Ariel’s POV and yet it’s the Neil show.
This story may have been told in her voice, but everything was about him and I loved how he completely consumed her.
I loved that he took over, I loved his need for control, I loved his quiet ways but unwavering dominance.
And OH MY GOD the epilogue “You wanted the fairytale” I straight up swooned!!!
This book was brilliant!
5 Stars.
October 29, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved it! Wow, I really did. The hero was like no other alpha I’ve read about, almost to the point of being too alpha (but that’s not a thing now, is it?). I also really liked the heroine. She was strong, confident and loving.
This author sure know how to write. The books always give a romantic story but made realistic and honest.
This is the second book where I felt that including kids in the story actually made it better. Never that I would admit that. The son in this book is such a cute boy, and he was present in the story - but not annoyingly so.
Would definitely recommend and definitely read again.
Spoiler alert!
Plot:
The heroine, Ariella, meets the guy, Neil, when he and his coworkers are saving her from an asshole boss. Some time later, he shows up at her work. He’s cold and scary, but acknowledge her. Bit by bit he’s seems to be everywhere where she is, and are always helping her and her son out and at the same time telling her he’s not interested in her or her boy in any way. His actions continue to say other ways, and their relationship turns sexual. She’s confused all the time, since he seems to be hot and cold no matter how much time passes. After they’ve been together for a long time, she meets a woman who introduces herself as his wife and the mother of his children. Ariella, shocked and heartbroken, leaves Neil without giving him time to explain and shuts him out of her life completely. Some time later, he forces her to talk to him and tells her the woman is his ex-wife and the kids are not his. He married her so that she and the kids would be allowed to come to America. He tells her the ex wife and family are finally safe to travel back home and is helping them move. When he returns, he will come for her. He does, and they end up together. The story ends with Neil telling Ariella they are getting married and that he plans to adopt her son.
I loved it! Wow, I really did. The hero was like no other alpha I’ve read about, almost to the point of being too alpha (but that’s not a thing now, is it?). I also really liked the heroine. She was strong, confident and loving.
This author sure know how to write. The books always give a romantic story but made realistic and honest.
This is the second book where I felt that including kids in the story actually made it better. Never that I would admit that. The son in this book is such a cute boy, and he was present in the story - but not annoyingly so.
Would definitely recommend and definitely read again.
Spoiler alert!
Plot:
The heroine, Ariella, meets the guy, Neil, when he and his coworkers are saving her from an asshole boss. Some time later, he shows up at her work. He’s cold and scary, but acknowledge her. Bit by bit he’s seems to be everywhere where she is, and are always helping her and her son out and at the same time telling her he’s not interested in her or her boy in any way. His actions continue to say other ways, and their relationship turns sexual. She’s confused all the time, since he seems to be hot and cold no matter how much time passes. After they’ve been together for a long time, she meets a woman who introduces herself as his wife and the mother of his children. Ariella, shocked and heartbroken, leaves Neil without giving him time to explain and shuts him out of her life completely. Some time later, he forces her to talk to him and tells her the woman is his ex-wife and the kids are not his. He married her so that she and the kids would be allowed to come to America. He tells her the ex wife and family are finally safe to travel back home and is helping them move. When he returns, he will come for her. He does, and they end up together. The story ends with Neil telling Ariella they are getting married and that he plans to adopt her son.
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