This book was an absolute challenge. I actually held my breath till the end and even if I absolutely don’t prefer cliffhangers, I think that this story needs to have a continuous logical sense. So let’s talk about the characters. Harper and Eric, he’s the unwanted bastard of the Kingston legacy while she is the beautiful stepsister. They meet at a party and their mutual attraction is tangible. But if the reader expects to read a story with all sunshine and rainbows well I’m sorry to say that the book will get more and more twisted as the story evolves. I just loved how the atmosphere surrounding them could be cut with a knife, I had the feeling that their passion was so tangible that every time they were together I had goosebumps. Now I’m anxiously waiting for the second part of the book. This is absolutely a must read.

Holy moly this was so good!!! Eric is so hot!!! Being rejected by his dad and his family after his mom passed away he walks away never wanted to be near that family again. But the women he met for one night and six years later he can’t forget. Harper knows she shouldn’t but she needs help. The business Eric’s dad is running has some things that is happening that is not adding up and she needs help figuring out what is happening before she loses everything. She finds Eric and asks for his help. But will he after everything his family did to him? Does he trust her? Will they be able to trust each other? Holy moly the ending. I need the second book ASAP!!!! I need to know what happens! Book given to me on netgalley

2 <b> the Bastard has fallen </b> Stars

Let me start off by saying I LOVE LISA RENEE JONES like seriously.. I am obessessed.. I may have already drank her bathwater level of crazy!
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so lets talk about this book… it didn’t work.. it is way too long clocking in at 330 pages which was debuted as a duet then edited to a trilogy but when you get into the bones of the book it is insanely repetive. There is a lot of wasted space on this book sandwhich.
Here are some common lnes
<b> “I am a bastard “</b>
<i> “stop calling me princess “ </i>

And just rinse and repeat those sentences about a million times. Our two main characters as you can tell call eachother bastard and princess and they have sex .. they don’t seem to every connect outside of the sex acts and there isn’t usually any foreplay or afterplay. Its like yay we banged lets put out clotheses on and continue being million/billionaires.

The book was too insta and repetive to me.. and really never felt the character development anywhere.

As with typical lisa renee jones fashion she gives a dang good plot twist at the end of all her books but ehh

I am so sad I didn’t love MY FAVORITE AUTHORS new book OMG >>>
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Another winner from Lisa Renee Jones. Although this is a cliffy, it is totally worth the read even if you don't normally like those. Eric and Harper's story roped me in from the beginning and held me captive throughout. Great character development and ability to draw you right into the story. I love this author's style and can't wait to read The Princess!

I am a huge LRJ fan. She is one of my favorite authors. This books is what I’ve come to expect from her. All the lies, secrets and deceit that are plunged along with turns, twists and drama. It definitely kept me hooked from beginning to end.

I loved the push and pull between the two leads. There’s nothing more that I like in a book. The many layers that accompany each character is lush. The past and present seemed to be colliding non-stop. Their chemistry is off the charts, is one of the best parts. I can’t wait to see what happens with the rest of their story.

I received the ARC for a honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley.

The Bastard (Filthy Trilogy #1) written by Lisa Renee Jones is the first book in this series. The Bastard is a spinoff novel the Dirty Rich Series, which I haven't read. The Bastard can be read without reading the Dirty Rich Series. This series started off as a duet, but the author has extended it into a trilogy. I have read one other book by this author and enjoyed it very much; unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed by this book.

The Bastard is a romantic suspense book, written in a dual point of view style, with some flashbacks thrown in there to catch the reader up on the past history of the two main characters. This is Eric and Harper’s story. Where do I begin about the two main characters? Eric Mitchell is the bastard son of Jeff Kingston, the owner of Kingston Motors. Eric is an ex-SEAL, self-made billionaire who is also a mathematical savant. On the surface, Eric is very hot even if he is a bit of a caveman, but I did feel that his character was somewhat one dimensional. The hate he has for his father’s family is very intense, and because of this, he has enormous issues with trusting people. But, the author, in my opinion, goes overboard stressing this fact over and over again. Harper is a strong, beautiful woman who has helped run her family's business until her father dies and then her mother marries Eric’s father. Harper has a mind of her own, and that is one of the things I admired about this character.

Harper and Eric meet, fall instantly in lust, and have a brief sexual encounter. Eric sees Harper with his father, and he thinks that she is part of the whole Kingston machine. So he leaves, and the two don't have any contact for six years. During those six years, Eric makes a name for himself and is well respected in the business world. Six years later Harper contacts Eric to help her figure out what is going on with the Kingston Motor company. She believes that there is some type of coverup going on and she needs Eric to help her figure out what is going on.

This is the part of the book I really enjoyed, the secrets, lies, deceit, twists and turns and drama. I wish that the author would have spent more time on these aspects of the book. Now for what I didn't care for: Although there definitely was chemistry between Eric and Harper I felt it was forced and really not that hot. I felt that their relationship went around in circles repeating the same pattern over and over again. The overuse of the words bastard and princess became so annoying that they detracted from the enjoyment of reading this book. Also, I was disappointed at how quickly Harper caved to all of Eric’s demands. What happened to that strong independent woman from the beginning of the book?

I feel like this book could have either been written as a novella or combined with the second book. The book does leave the reader on the edge of the cliff, so be prepared for that. I am planning on reading the second book, with the hope that Ms. Jones will eliminate all the repetition that was present in the first book and concentrate on expanding the suspense aspects of this book.

***I kindly received a copy of this book by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion .***

I love it. You can never go wrong with a LRJ book! Hooked from beginning to end. I didn’t want to put it down. Can’t wait to read more of her work! And of course I’d recommend.

Received a ARC for an honest review. I love Lisa Renee Jones, she is an amazing author and has a way to draw you into each character. Eric and Harpers relationship is complex. There are so many influences - will the end up together? Will the truth come out? Who did it? Was Harper involved? Did she play him? I tried LRJ styles these are all answers that still need to be answered. Thank you Lisa - this story had me from the beginning.

A very good book,fast paced with smooth writing and story and characters that to just call in love with and have you routing for their happy ending!

oly moly! I need book 2 right now! That cliffhanger just about killed me!

This book is action packed, intense, and kept me completely hooked and invested in Eric and Harper’s story. Eric has had enough of being the child of his father’s mistress, and is done with his father’s company. However, Harper has the power to pull him back into a world he wants nothing to do with.

There are so many layers to this story. So many secrets, lies, and mysteries that need to be uncovered. Harper and Eric have a past and neither of them can let go of the time they spend with each other 6 years ago. Their chemistry is off the charts and watching them battle the world together is amazing!

I can’t wait to see what happens in the rest of their story and see if the bomb that went off at the end of this first part, can be fixed in the next.

Note: This is book 1, in the Filthy Duet and while it does end on a cliffhanger that I wasn’t ready for, I know it will all be worth it in the end!

Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.

If you fancy something a little bit different yet hot under the collar then this is for you, enjoy.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Julie Patra Publishing for my eARC in exchange for my honest unbiased review

Eric is the bastard son of a wealthy business man. Before his mom committed suicide (she had cancer), she made sure that Eric’s father claimed him as his own. He did, but in the end he only used Eric to challenge his other son, Isaac. Needless to say, there’s no love between Eric and his new family. He leaves, becomes a Navy SEAL, and when he comes back he meets Harper, a woman he’s immediately attracted to, at a party of his family’s house, only to find out she’s his new stepsister. Even so, they share a passionate encounter. Eric contemplates staying, but when he sees Harper on stage with his father and brother, he leaves, stating that Harper is ‘one of them’.

Flash forward six years, and Harper comes to New York, begging Eric to help her because there’s something sinister going on at the family’s company. Eric refuses, but changes his mind.

What follows is a lot of backwards and forwards between Harper and Eric. I felt at some point they kept running around in circles, which made the plot move sideways rather than forward. Eric claims to trust her, but repeatedly jumps to conclusions without asking Harper about things first. The thing is, I don’t think she deserves for him to mistrust her so badly. Eric has trust issues, sure, but at some point you’ve got to get over yourself and he really doesn’t. In the end it’s Eric who leaves after he finds out something about Harper’s past (something I guessed would happen early on) without giving Harper immediately so much as a chance to explain, and that didn’t sit well with me, because it devaluated his earlier words so much. I really hope Harper gives him a run for his money, and I really hope the second book doesn’t become a rinse-repeat of Eric’s trust issues in the first book.

It’s probably good to know that this story ends on a cliffhanger—something to do with the sinister dealings at the Kensington company—and I hope the second book will dive deeper into the suspense plot of the story than the first one did.

Having said that, I did enjoy this story (hence the 4 stars). Jones is a skillful enough writer to keep the story interesting. Admittedly, it really was touch-and-go at certain points but I never felt myself skipping parts (which is what I usually do when I don't like what I'm reading). The added mystery of what's going on at Kensington motors and the chemistry between Harper and Eric is off-the-charts hot. The Dynasty-like setting (the old Colorado one, lol) really helps bring the story to life.

I look forward to reading The Princess when it comes out.

5 Scorching 🔥🔥 HOT Stars

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Opinions expressed are my own...

I’ve been a fan of Lisa Renee Jones for some time now - most recently having read the Dirty 💰 series. The Bastard is off the charts SO GOOD !! I love Eric & Harley.
Eric is a bit of a Bastard to Harley leaving her twice - initially after a one night stand.

This book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger- but book 2 The Princess is out next week Jan 23 so you do not have long to wait ....

Excellent storyline
Great characters with amazing super hot chemistry
Sexy banter & some snark

Loved every word - immediately one clicked The Princess !!

Great book don’t miss it

Whoa!! This book was super hot and filled with intrigue, I just didn't know who to trust. I admit I was disappointed when it ended. I wish Harper was more forthcoming with Eric though. I enjoyed this book very much! Looking forward to reading Princess. I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lisa Renee Jones's book, The Bastard, is a wonderful story full of hatred, deception and sizzling attraction.
The characters have it all, beauty, rugged handsomeness, money, power and an undeniable attraction to
each other. The problem is she can't trust him and he doesn't trust her. I loved the story and the sexual angst.
I highly recommend reading.

4.5 stars! Lisa Renee Jones is an amazing storyteller, she demonstrates once more her ability to weave together gripping storylines with powerful emotional complexity. Another heart-stealer for sure and I can't wait to read the second part of this duet.

I love intrigue and suspense, but this book kind of had a repetitive spirit. Eric became a person of serious interest to me when he appeared in the first series and I couldn't wait to get to know him. I wasn't wrong or disappointed. He's everything I thought! But, I had a hard time staying with the story sometimes with Harper's constant back and forth...but that could just be my need to get to the meat of what's going on. I will see this series to the end.

Eric Mitchell is the bastard son of Jeff Kingston. When Eric's mom died of cancer and he had to go live with Jeff and his family, he was treated like an outsider. Now Eric is out to prove that he is just as good, if not better than the rest of the Kingston's.

Eric's life is going well (he's almost a billionaire) until he see her....Harper Evan, the princess who is standing with the Kingston's. She is the daughter of his father's latest wife, and his step sister. The attraction between the two is instant. After they spend some time together, Eric walks away. He believes she is just like the rest of them and that is the last thing he needs.

6 years later Harper shows up at his office in New York wanting his help. She believes Kingston Motors is in trouble and that something funny is going on. It wouldn't be a big deal except Harper's mom took her trust fund money and gave it to Jeff to use. Eric doesn't want to help but wants her to join his company instead, which she turns down. After thinking about the situation, Eric ends up flying to Colorado to help Harper, not Kingston Motors. This is when the fun begins.

There is something going on and Eric is trying to figure it out. This story is such a mystery. Just when you think you are figuring something out, wham, it changes directions. I could not put this story down once I started reading it. It does end on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to see where this goes.

The story jumps pretty much straight into when Eric & Harper meet which is very intense/in your face. Eric is the ‘bastard’ very alpha /cave man character and Harper is a strong lead which I like.

I personally did not find the hot scenes hot as they were very in your face before you get the chance to know the characters. Also I did not like Eric at all, I thought he was a very brash cave man type. This is my first book by this author so I am unsure if this their normal style of writing? Also for me I found it quite repetitive in places with the writing style.

However, there is a second book and I am half intrigued to find out what happens next. I may not read this series but I would be willing to read a different book by the same author.

Thank you to Netgalley & publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for a honest review.

10 stars,......though I love everything Lisa Renee Jones writes......I really loved this one even with its cliffhanger that will leave you counting the days for the next book in the series, this book held me hostage I just couldn’t put it down it sucked me in ......great storyline and characters