The book is a prequel to a following story called embrace me darkly. It tells the tale of Sara and Luke. Luke being someone who was tasked to protect her from the dark. The story progressed very quickly with switching pov‘s. Definitely a recommendation if you like Vampire story’s 18+.

Luke has been looking after Sara since her father was killed when she was a kid. But Sara had no idea that someone was looking out for her. Over the years Luke has gotten to know her really well and has fallen in love with her even though Sara doesn't know him at all. She only knows him as a creepy stalker that she spots in the shadows every once in a while. The fact that she thinks she has a stalker doesn't freak her out the way it should, in fact she kind of likes the fact that she spots him following her around at times.

Luke wasn't supposed to let her see him but he's slipped up a time or two and doesn't realize that she's seen him. One night when she puts herself in danger, Luke has no choice but to save her and they finally come face to face.

From that point forward he can't stay away and she doesn't want him to until she finds out he's a vampire. Then she's not sure what to think but she knows she's not scared of him because she knows he'd never hurt her.

This is the prequel to the Dark Alliance series and so we get a little back story as to what her father was into that got him killed. She had no idea about any of it so some family secrets come to light which I always like. It was a good setup for the next book but it ended a little abruptly, which I didn't like. But I am willing to read the next book and see how I like that because anyone who knows me, knows I love a vampire romance.

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

For me, this book was a 3.5 ⭐
I loved Luke's character. I am a sucker for confident men who know what and who they want.
The story was a bit slow at the start, but Inhaled the last 60% of the novella.
I rarely read supernatural themed books, so this was a nice book to shake it up a little.
My grade might've been affected by the fact that this book is written in third person, since I have a hard time reading and relating to characters when I am "on the outside" of the situation.
I wholeheartedly recommend this novella, since I think it's fun and I can't wait to read the rest of Luke and Sara's journey!

***

The story of Luke and Sara begins with her fathers violent death.
Luke is the one in charge of looking after her, keeping her safe, but that's not where he stops. Watching over her for years, getting to know her true persona, following her every move, he couldn't help but fall in love with her, which is one of many things that I love about him. He gives me stalker vibes (which Sara also notices) and I am just enchanted with that trope.
Sara is obsessed with supernatural world, but at the same time she doesn't want to believe it's real. She surges into dangerous situations and is almost looking for trouble. She follows all the dangerous leads if she (just for a moment) thinks it might be connected to her fathers death, she is smart but reckless, which reminds me of ME, and she has a strong urge to make everything right.
And that's how we ended up here.
Her curiosity got the best of her and almost got her killed. She would've been, if there wasn't for Luke.
He never once failed being her protector and how he's proved it to her too. She wanted nothing more than to repay his kindness, but he wanted nothing more that to claim her in a fiery, addicting kiss.
So what happens when both of them want more?
What happens when Sara finds out the truth?
Will their love ever be possible or accepted?

Crave Me Roughly by Kira James is a great short story about Luke and Sara.
I've read the first couple in this series and I've really enjoyed them.
This is a fantastic fantasy that will hook you immediately from the very first page!
I loved every single moment and these characters are ones you will fall in love with!
Kira James has done an awesome job here with her amazing writing skills and lots of detail!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and Kira James for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first time reading this, and it was a wonderful story. Even though the romance was kinda rushed, I feel like this book is okay for a prequel. I cant wait to read the first book in this series.

Crave Me Roughly was my first introduction to Kira James as an author, the characters of Luke and Sara, and the world in which they live. And, wow, what an introduction. From the description of Luke and his buddy, Serge, I'm picturing Jason Momoa sans beard and Chris Hemsworth but both have fangs. Um, oh, hells yeah!

As this is a prequel novella set a few years prior to the events of the first book in the Dark Alliance series, Embrace Me Darkly, I won't go into a lot of detail regarding the plot. Basically, the plot breaks down like this: Assistant District Attorney Sara Constantine has been looking for the person who killed her father nearly twenty years ago. She gets a lead from a sketchy dude. Goes to an even sketchier part of Los Angeles, alone, at night, to meet Sketchy Dude and learn what he knows. Mayhem ensues. Sara is rescued by the mysterious and hunky Dynamic Duo of Luke and Serge. Luke and Sara fall in lust. Cue the hot sex. Things happen. Secrets are revealed. More stuff happens. Questions are raised. Can Serge be even snarkier? Will Luke and Sara work out their issues? Will Luke's state-of-the-art kitchen be used for actual cooking at some point?

I don't know, but I want to know.

Anyone who truly knows me knows just how much I loooooooooove vampires, and just from the short introduction to the Dark Alliance series I got from Crave Me Roughly, I need to read the rest of the series now. But it's not only vampires populating James's world. Other preternatural creatures are hinted at through conversations between Luke and Sara, creatures such as werewolves, demons, fairies, and much more. So, yeah, color me intrigued.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some hot vampire books to download...

This is just a short introduction to the main story. Maybe not my preferred genre so my opinion may be biased.

The connections between the two main characters was instant (almost unbelievable) and strong. There was so much development in just this short part of the story.

I did enjoy reading it, but as stated, not so much my genre so I don’t know that I will follow through and read the rest of the series.

(My brain can’t not think of Twilight as I read vampire romances!)

*This was read as a Netgalley preview

Crave Me Roughly by Kira James is the prequel novella to the Dark Alliance series. It’s a dark fantasy romance revolving around lawyer, Sara and the man in the shadows her silent protector Luke. This novella is fast paced, quick read that reveals some of the background for the author’s upcoming series. It ended in a mouth-dropping cliffhanger that made me want to read the other books in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

So I went into this one completely blind. I have never come across this author before, nor have I heard of this series, but I was in love with the cover and for once, judging a book by it's cover did not do me dirty!

Crave Me Roughly is a series opener novella that follows Luke (a stalkerish hunky vampire bodyguard [sorta]) and Sara, who is a prosecutor. Sara's father was murdered and her whole life has been about tracking down who killed her dad. Low and behold... someone wants to give her information.

But you know the saying if it's too good to be true, it normally is? Well, ditto here.

So much happened in this novella to set up Sara and Luke's actual novel but it made me instantly get the rest of the series (and request the ones I could on Netgalley). In only a few thousand words I fell in love with Sara's strength and tenacity, and Luke's utter dirty mind. And mouth. Not to mention the other vampires he works with intrigue me a whole lot. (I'm looking at you, Sergius and Tiberius).

This was a great find on Netgalley and I'm so glad I picked it up!

This book had me completely addicted in just the first few pages! A must read for fans of "Twilight" and other Vampire themed romances with added spice!

** POSSIBLE SPOILERS**

I loved having the dual POV, especially so early on. I think being able to see first hand what was going through Luke's mind made it so much easier to warm up to him as well as give us an overall better view on why he was watching her for as long as he has been. All the characters are written great, and I had no problems getting sucked into the world of Sara and Luke.

The intense "craving" or "wanting" leading to the spicy scenes were epic. It left me wanting more and more every time. I can tell there are secrets and plot twists still to come in the story! What exactly happened to her father and why would he risk exposing their world to the public? As well as the whole "abomination" situation.

I'm hopeful in the next book we will get some answers and get to see more of Sara and Luke! Cause I refuse to accept that's just the end for them!

Quick Summary: Electric and enticing!

My Review: Crave Me Roughly by Kira James was titled to draw the attention of readers. It certainly did that with this reader. This prequel novella whet my appetite for more.

My Final Say: I'm all in! Dark Alliance #0.5 is now on my radar, and I have already ordered book 1. Would I recommend it to others? Yes, indeed.

Rating: 4.5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Series: Yes

Thank you to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. The words I have expressed are my own and were voluntarily shared.

* A Goodreads review has been posted.