Venom and Lace

Oh my god. LOVE. A perfect balance between spice, humour, friendship, mystery, and suspense. This book had me hooked from the beginning. With a witty and relatable main character, I enjoyed every moment of Novas ups and downs. Constantly trying to figure out what was next, I always found myself pleasantly surprised with the twists and turns I never would have expected. I will be adding this book to my TBRA (to be read again)!

I LOVED this. Thank you so much to net galley for allowing me to read early.

The suspense, the SPICE, the cliffhanger ! I can’t wait to read the second one ! By far the best book I have read in March!

my god. this book 🫶🏻 this was so good, you need to read this one. billionaire romance and fake marriage? YES, sign me up.

but then you start reading and OH MY, this plot 🤌🏻 the twists and turns? PERFECT. my head was spinning all the time

this book was just the perfect balance between a cute and fun romance, spice, mysteries and friendship.

a warning that there’s a cliffhanger in the end of the book. truly can’t wait to read the rest of this series 🤌🏻

thank you NetGalley for this ARC. the views expressed are my own, freely given.

Holy eff. At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to get into this book, truthfully, because I am not a huge fan of the billionaire trope, but holy HECK, I NEED MORE. The back and forth between Ryzen and Cian was insane, and I wasn’t sure who to trust, who to love and who to hate. Nova is such a badass woman, and I have no doubt that the second book is going to be even more kick ass. I won’t spoil anything, but the ending… WHEW, @authordaniantoinette you had me sweating! I cannot wait to read the second book, and find out what happens to Nova, Ryzen, and how Cian’s side of the story goes😅 I NEED TO KNOWWWWW!

Sweet heavens and all that's sacred in this world, where should I even begin?? First off MY MIND IS STILL BLOWN AWAY, I'M SHAKING, I WANT TO SCREAM AND BREAK SOMETHING BECAUSE THIS BOOK WAS SO FREAKING GOOD AND I CANNOT HOLD IT IN ME! GAH!!!

Okay, but seriously, where should I actually begin?! Wow, wow, wow! Just WOW!

So I definitely didn't expect this rollecoaster of emotions, I didn't expect the book would take such turns when I started reading it, it's super different from your typical romance books, and I definitely didn't expect I'd become obsessed with Venom and Lace but here we are AND I AIN'T EVEN SORRY! OBSESSED AND FREAKING HAPPY!

The author's writing is fantastic-amazing-perfect! Seriously. Such an easy read, the pace is perfect, everything is perfect!

Okay! Okay. Let's start with a motherfucking queen here aka Nova La Roux because GURL this character is literally motherfucking GOALS! Gosh, she's so fucking confident, she's such a badass, she's bossy, she's powerful, she's sexy AS FUCK, she's funny - SHE'S LITERALLY THE DEFINITION OF GOALS Y'ALL!! I absolutely love her!
I also absolutely get her confusion, because if I were in her shoes I'd probably (most definitely) flee the country. Yup.

Okay, Ryzen Goodacre - not gonna lie, I fell hard for his charm, all gentleman-like-self, and being completely honest - give me a sexy af billionaire and I'm a goner. Yup, that easy.

And then enters Cian Blackwood with his majestic entrance and I knew that it was it for me.

I seriously don't want to give any of the story away because this book is so so good that I genuinely-one-million-percent recommend you picking this up. But let me tell you what annoyed the shit ouf ot me: TO BE CONTINUED?! ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?! I literally almost threw my Kindle against the wall BECAUSE HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME! TO US! *ugly-crying-and-sobbing-in-the-corner-thank-you-very-much*

I so cannot wait for the second book. And the third. And the fourth. And however many more books Dani Antoinette is willing to give me BECAUSE I'M HERE FOR IT ALL! GIMME, GIMME, GIMME!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Victory Editing and Dani Antoinette for providing me the early copy of this book!

Damn I enjoyed this book! Super sexy characters, twists, turns, and spice galore. I didn’t expect to be as invested in Nova’s life as I became. The main protagonist is the co-owner of a sexual wellness shop. She’s sassy, outrageous, a badass lioness, and curiously relatable. I love her style. Total escapism with a killer cliffhanger — you know how you have different book friends? I know exactly who I’ll be recommending this one to. Only problem now… the wait for the next one.

I literally could not put this book down. Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review and most of all Dani Antoinette for writing such an incredible book! That cliffhanger tho! Can't say I wasn't warned.

Life must really have it out for Nova, because when billionaire Ryzen offers her a fake engagement in exchange for her to keep her office location, she can't turn him down. Enter Cian, the once best friend turned enemy of Ryzen. Cian and Ryzen have a painful history, and Nova gets thrown right in the middle of their revenge on one another. How much will Ryzen ask of his fake fiance to get what he wants? How much pain must Nova endure to secure everything shes worked so hard for? And to what extent will Cian go to get back at the one who took everything from him?

This book has it all; love, lust and spice. Lies and betrayal. Success and failure. I picked this book up one afternoon, read a couple chapters, picked it up the next morning and had it finished by mid afternoon that same day. This book is so amazing. Dani Antoinette's writing is incredible! A style that flows easily and a story line that's paced perfectly. I will and am very anxiously be waiting for book 2.

Here in lies a witty piece of adult fiction. Entertaining to read. Brilliantly brings so mainly familiar book/movie themes and ideas together under one cover. Nova is co-owner of Shiver Box, a sexual wellness company. In trying to help her business she finds her self in trouble asking herself one big question - Who you gonna to trust? The blurb is upfront honest there is a cliff hanger, but you could read this as a stand alone - you will know how Niva gets herself into trouble but you just won’t she gets out of it. Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Omg what did I just read!!
I thought i wasn't going to love this book but i did love it- the cliffhanger at the end my god!
I really liked the way the book was written in first pov, it seemed like Nova was talking to the readers, the audience.
Definitely loved this book and the slow burn and plot twists!!

Thank you NetGalley, Dani Antoinette and to the publisher to let me read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Venom and Lace, the newest release by Dani Antoinette, is a captivating enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance that left me on the edge of my seat. The book features Nova, a business-savvy and outspoken protagonist who is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the success of her and her best friend's sexual well-being business. Even if that means posing as the fake fiancé of Ryzen Goodacre, Chicago’s most eligible bachelor, who is also her rich and grumpy neighbour.

Ryzen's ruthless pursuit to be number one has made him one of the richest men in the city, and Nova finds herself blackmailed into proving to the world that they are madly in love. However, Nova isn't like most women, and she refuses to follow the rules blindly. She is determined to protect her dreams, but little does she know that Cian Blackwood, Ryzen's bitter rival, is waiting to destroy anyone who stands in his way, including her and her heart.

Antoinette has done a fantastic job with the characters, each having their own distinct personalities and motives that keep the story engaging. Nova's strength and independence make her an admirable protagonist, while Ryzen's complexity adds depth to his character. However, it is Cian's haunting past and intense need for revenge that truly steals the show.

The writing is beautifully crafted, with a perfect balance of dialogue and narrative, making the story easy to follow and the characters easy to connect with. The slow-burn romance is well executed, and the love triangle adds an extra layer of tension to the story.

The book's ending leaves readers with a shocking cliffhanger that will leave them eagerly anticipating the next instalment. I found myself dragging my feet in finishing it because I just didn't want it to end. As a result, I am more than willing to do questionable things for an ARC of the next instalment.

Overall, Venom and Lace is an enthralling read that I highly recommend. Antoinette has created a unique and compelling world filled with complex characters, romance, and a plot that will leave you begging for more. If you haven't already, add this book to your TBR list and don't miss out on this amazing story.

This review has been shared on Instagram (@literaryinspired), GoodReads and my personal blog (literaryinspired.com).

OH MY WOW , This was outstanding 🤌🏻 I finished this book in one sitting being that it was impossible for me to put down!
The writing , the spice , and the plot were pure perfection! ❤️‍🔥

I am thankful that I was able to receive an ARC copy from NetGalley!

Oh my gosh. I never expected to get so invested in Nova's story because billionaires aren't normally something I get into, but WOW. Just Wow. I was so into it I immediately thought "I can't wait to read the next one." I LOVE LOVE LOVE the badass fun, confident women in this story! The men are drool inducing, the burn is slow and the story is compelling.

R. U. KIDDING. ME?
This book had me hooked since the first chapter.
Throughout the book, I didn’t know who to trust, there was so many manipulations, one person blaming the other, lies after lies.
It will make you question every single character. This is freaking GOLD. I need the second book.

Nova is owner of a sexual wellness company, who sells sex toys, and on the way to her new apartment, she bumps into a hot guy, Ryzen, in the elevator who turns out to be the richest real state developer in Chicago, they are photographed together and he takes advantage of that to close a deal he’s looking forward to, and proposes to Nova to be his fake fiancée for 4 months. But… she did not intended to be caught on this mess and falling for the archenemies of his, Cian.

Oh boy, does this Cian know how to make a woman crave something she never had. I was in love with him since day one, when he appeared while she was shopping.

This book. God. AMAZING.
I ate this book up.

Will post a review on my instagram the beginning of next week.

I absolutely loved this book! I read it in one sitting and stayed up far too late because of it. The author’s writing draws you into the characters’ drama and emotions. I love experiencing the main character’s thoughts as she is trying to figure out who to trust.

I really enjoyed this! 😍 Going into this blindly, I am not disappointed at all. I absolutely loved the main character cause gosh, I want to be her! The twists and turns this book has, really got to me because I did not see that coming goodness gracious. The pace in this book was fast, and world building was intriguing. Looking forward to the second book hehe 🌟

This book looked SO good and it exceeded my expectations. The plot, twists, turns and tropes were SO good and I need book two ASAP. I just was so blown away by this title and will recommend it to everyone!

I would like to firstly thank Netgalley for this ARC.

I really wanted to love this book,

I went into this book with very high expectations but sadly I didn't love this as much as I wanted to.

I will start with my favourite parts! CIAN hehe.

I really enjoyed his character, he was dark, secretive, spicy and all the good stuff but we just didn't get enough of him in this book, there was a chapter in this book where he and the main character visited a house (no spoilers) and this was one of my favourite scenes of the full book, there was back story, emotions and the truth that the readers were waiting for.

I also really loved the ending of this book and I think the second book has so much potential after that ending.

Now for the not so great stuff, I felt like the relationship between the main character and Ryzen was way to coincidental and didn't make a lot of sense to me.

Girl meets boy in elevator, boy owns building and then they are engaged because someone snapped a photo of them?

Overall if you're looking for a quick read I feel like this one could be a good one to pick up however I it took me until 70% to start enjoying the book.