The Bastard (Filthy Trilogy #1) by Lisa Renee Jones Series: Filthy Trilogy #1
Published by Audible Studios on November 26, 2019
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Jason Clarke, Erin Mallon
Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense
Amazon Audible
ERIC MITCHELL'S STORYI'm the bastard child, son to the mistress, my father's backup heir to the Mitchell empire. He sent me to Harvard. I left and became a Navy SEAL, but I'm back now, and I finished school on my own dime. I'm now the right hand man to Grayson Bennett, the billionaire who runs the Bennett Empire. I'm now a few months from being a billionaire myself. I don't need my father's company or his love. My "brother" can have it. I will never go back there. I will never be the mistake my father made, the way he was the mistake my mother made.
And then she walks in the door, the princess I'd once wanted more than I'd wanted my father's love. She wants me to come back. She says my father needs to be saved. I don't want to save my father but I do want her. Deeply. Passionately. More than I want anything else.
But she's The Princess and I'm The Bastard. We don't fit. We don't belong together and yet she says he needs me, that she needs me. We're like sugar and spice, we don't mix, but I really crave a taste. Just one. What harm can just one taste do?
***The Bastard was originally titled Dirty Rich Bastard. Long story short, as I was nearing the end of The Princess, I realized I can't possibly end Eric and Harper's story with this book. It would be unfair to my readers to be shortchanged on their ending. So I made the decision to make their story three books instead of two. I hope you'll understand and be excited for the remaining two books in their story.
These three books can be read independently of the Dirty Rich series.
I was hooked on The Bastard from the first chapter with its fast pace and intense emotions. The story left me eager for more, despite some flaws that would normally have me giving the book a lower rating.
My biggest peeve is that the dialogue is repetitive. It reminded me of the movie Groundhog Day. Eric and Harper hurl accusations at each other only to have the exact same argument minutes later as if for the first time. Eric accuses Harper of being “one of them”—allied with his enemies. Harper is resentful of Eric leaving her and is worried he will walk away from her.
That said, there is a ton of juicy suspense surrounding an intriguing mystery. I found myself constantly questioning loyalties and truths. Eric has a brilliant, analytical mind and the sexy confidence one expects from a Navy SEAL. Harper’s devotion to her mom, while irritating, shows just how devoted she is to those she loves. Eric and Harper are magnetic so I wasn’t surprised by the amount of sex, but I think Eric often uses it as a way to distract himself from doubt.
The book ends on a huge cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to dive into book two next.
About the Audiobook
Erin Mallon never steers me wrong. I love the passion she brings to this story. Jason Clarke. Le sigh. I’m pretty sure I could get pregnant just by listening to his deep, gravelly voice. I often cringe when I hear males impersonating female voices and vice versa, but these two are enjoyable. I value narrators like Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke who put genuine emotion into storytelling rather than sounding like they are simply reading words on a page.
Recommended for fans of:
Romantic suspense
Mystery
Family drama
Rubix Cubes
Purchase The Bastard
Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo
About Lisa Renee Jones
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series, which is now in development for a television show to be produced by Suzanne Todd of Team Todd (Alice in Wonderland). Suzanne Todd on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy – a modern girl we all can identify with. I’m thrilled to develop a television show that will tell Sara’s whole story – her life, her work, her friends, and her sexuality.
In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin’s Press.
Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.
Any thoughts? (Comments may be held for moderation.)