User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
It’s all about control!
The following ratings are out of 5:Romance: 💚💙💜❤️🖤
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📘📗📕📙
World building: 🌏🌎🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 👤👤👤👤👤
The setting: Boston
The Hero: Braden Black – a self made billionaire playboy. Braden came up from blue collar roots. He and his brother Ben worked for their fathers construction company and Braden came up with a new design for safety goggles, which took off and are the design most used today. Braden started his company and diversified and became a young billionaire. His brother and father now work for the company as well. Braden is into control and is very dominant.
The heroine: Skye Manning – wants to be a photographer featured in National Geographic some day. She graduated with a degree in photography and works as a personal assistant to an instagram influencer, Addison Ames, taking the pictures so they look like selfies.
The love story: Braden meets Skye when he goes to Addison’s office to tell her off because of a disagreement they had over instagram. Braden is immediately taken with Skye and makes no bones about exactly what he wants.
This book is off the charts hot, very near scalding. Braden likes what he likes and is a very sexual being. He almost always wants it when they are together and what he wants most of all is for Skye to give up all control to him. Skye is always in control in life, so with Braden she is slowly learning to give up control little by little and she finds she really likes it.
Though this is a book and so of course there are secrets being held that Skye is dying to find out and Braden is not open to talking about at all. I don’t want to give more away, I try to only give a bit more background information and not to stray to far from what is given away in the blurb. So if you see any spoilers that I shouldn’t include, please let me know.
The world building was great as was character development. Of course we still don’t know all that much about Braden’s past, since was all told from Skye’s POV. However, that is part of what makes it good. There weren’t a bunch of other side stories and there were quite a few intimate encounters. Which were written extremely well and I liked quite a lot. This did end in a big cliffhanger though, hanging by a tiny little thread I might add. I will have trouble waiting till January 2021 for part 2, but I will be one of the first to pick up that book when it is ready.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Rating: really liked it
Woah... Alright, so where do I start? Follow Me Darkly has been on my radar since it was announced that Helen Hardt was coming out with a new series. The blurb and cover lured me from the beginning and it became one of my most anticipated reads for 2020. I went in not sure what to expect. It's a bit different from this author's normal style, but in saying that, she did not disappoint. AT ALL. I think I may have found my new favorite by this author.
In Follow Me Darkly, we have Braden, the self-made billionaire. He's possessive, dominant, desirable, and sexy as hell. He has worked hard to be where he is and never forgets where he's come from but he holds secrets, making mysterious and intriguing as hell.
Skye is a country girl from Kansas, she is an assistant to social media influencer Addison Ames. Her job lets her do the thing she loves most, and that's photography. She struggles to give up control in most things, even in the bedroom.
These two come together after Braden leaves some comments on Addie's Instagram that Skye manages and that same day they find themselves out for dinner and the moment they are in the same room, the chemistry between them becomes known. The moment Braden met Skye, he knew that he needed her and he makes her a proposition that she can't refuse. The thing is... These two both crave control in the bedroom... So one of them has to give up the control, which is Skye, but will she be able to?
I won't dive in much deeper than that, but I will say that this was so much more than what I expected. I knew the author would deliver an amazing start to the series but this had so much more to it than first met my eye. It's got the dom/sub feel to it, with a nice twist of darkness... and oh how I loved the darkness! It completely consumed me and I'm in love with the mysterious Bredan, I want and need to know more about this man. This was all-consuming, alluring, and addictive and I cannot wait to see what the author has up her sleeve next for these two.
5++++++ Stars!
Rating: really liked it
This was my first book by Helen Hardt and it made me an instant fan of hers because of how well-written and sexy it was. I have always been curious about her books and will now be interested in reading more from her.
Follow Me Darkly was an incredibly sensual, sometimes mysterious, and erotic story about a young woman who finds freedom in relinquishing control. It's a little dark and the characters do dabble in some bondage, but I don't consider it BDSM. There is mystery, intrigue, and passion. Braden and Skye were both really interesting characters and I want to see how their relationship will play out in the end. I was surprised that the book was entirely in Skye's POV. Braden was such a mysterious character and his refusal to tell Skye what happened to him in the past has left both Skye and readers curious and wanting more.
“Do you know what that means to me? It means you’re mine, Skye. In this bedroom—in the dark, you’re mine.”
Although the romance does play a second role in Skye and Braden's relationship, they have a lot of chemistry and it is obvious that they are incredibly attracted to each other. However, Braden's non-commitment to relationships was a big flag to me. I wonder why... The sexual encounters between the two, in my opinion, was the star and main focal point of the story. Braden is obsessed with Skye and I feel like there is more to him than meets the eye. I was completely fine with the romance not being front and center because I feel like Hardt will eventually dive deeper into that aspect in the next book. The book does NOT end with a cliffhanger and we do get "promises" being made by Skye and Braden. There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered, but for now, I am content with the ending.
“I have more in store for you, now that I control you in the dark. Will you follow me, Skye? Trust me to give you all kinds of pleasure?”
In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read more about Braden and Skye in
Follow Me Under . Their relationship was all-consuming and passionate. Braden was such a mystifying character and there is definitely a darkness to him that we haven't begun to even scratch the surface to. Skye is equally obsessed with him as well and I liked that about her. For those of you who love to read dark romance and books like
Fifty Shades of Grey, I highly recommend this book.
*This ARC was generously provided by Entangled Publishing and Helen Hardt for an honest review*
Rating: really liked it
Mmmm bit by bit give up the control. Yummm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love billionaire stories. I don’t know why. I think it’s just the fact that they get what they want which as a woman we should run from. LOL
There’s also that control aspect and business knowledge. The sales and negotiation acumen comes into play especially when it comes to negotiating terms of their next conquest.
This book started innocently enough with some great characters: the boss you love to hate and the photography major working for an Instagram influencer. Somewhat naïve but old enough to know what she wants. Then there is Braden! Oh my!
Being swept along by Braden has to be a definite ego trip and Hardt hit it perfectly with her step by step walk down the garden path.
He asked for a little control today. A little more control the next day and he keeps coming back because there truly is something special about her that he finds intriguing.
The author showcases her craft with this awesome story and her timing is perfect. A little mystery of who he is. The apprehension, and then complete all in as Skye starts giving him more and more of her.
This is a super-steamy sexy read that includes a little taste of erotica and BDSM. It’s ramping up hotter and hotter leading to some issues along the way. But then we get tossed right into the cliffhanger. Ack!
Hardt certainly grabbed me hard with this heated story and I cannot wait for the sequel!
Compelling, fabulous character development and connection, a plot that keeps you wondering what is coming, and those sexy times that bring a bit of sweat to your brow!
And that cover? Damn! Right out of the book! Yesssssssss
* Copy received for review consideration
Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/follow-me-da...
Rating: really liked it
I'm not sure where to begin with the love I have for this book. It will pull you in form the very first page and not let you go until the end, but even then you are left wanting. I had a hard time putting this book down. The romance was secondary to the sexual chemistry between Braden and Skye. I can't say too much or it will give away the story. I really loved this book and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Rating: really liked it
Follow Me Darkly is a beautifully written story about infatuation and possession. Helen Hardt creates her characters and lets them tell their stories in the best way possible.
Braden and Skye come together in an unusual way and they both struggle with their relationship, both trying to hold on to the control they feel they need. The struggle is real, the action and reactions are true to this couple throughout the book.
I am excited to see what happens next for this couple!
Rating: really liked it
While the promise of this book was really interesting, the writing style was good to read... the execution was unfortunately not doing it for me.
It has some of the typical '50 shades vibes', which I definitely don't mind though, but without the proper depth and development for my taste. This book had me rolling my eyes so many times.
From time to time I was really enjoying it thanks to the writing style that was, as I said, good to read and for the fact that I thought that Braden was such a mysterious character, but I just couldn’t fully connect and lose myself to this story in the end unfortunately. The mystery and not getting much the wiser during most of the book, the resolving part of it all... It dragged on a bit too much for my taste.
I did really like how the steamy romance went more darker towards the end and I have to say though that I’m still quite curious to see how the story continues in the next installment but I’m not sure yet if I’ll actually pick it up then.
Overall this book had lesser positives than ‘negatives’ for me which I’m really sad about seeing it started off as such a fast paced read.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book. My opinions on this book are entirely my own and not influenced by the fact that I got a review copy
Rating: really liked it
I'm always in need of a kinky, hot billionaire, and Helen Hardt delivers. I am entranced!
Rating: really liked it
This series is sitting on my Kindle since before it's release, considering that it was given to me as an ARC, in exchange of my honest review .
I don't know why, but I never started it before, so here I am now, almost 2 years later with my honest, but not so flattering, opinion.
This first book doesn't sell the trilogy very well, and if I had to pay to continue reading the next book, I honestly, wouldn't continue.
Since I do have the next two books, I'll finish them in the hopes that it'll be more mature than what was presented in this first book.
The beginning was a mixture of Gossip Girl after highschool, with a lot of The Old Paris Hilton in the present days, being a social influencer without having any talent besides her money and looks.
When Braden comes into the picture, it was like read Anastasia and Christian Grey first encounter from another perspective, when she just drop to the ground to get the stuff from her fallen purse.
After that the book became a lot of social media posts about lipstick, him trying successfully to get her in bed, petty rivalry and the secret between Braden and Sky's ex boss (the Paris Hilton's wannabe)... And let me tell you this... If what was revealed at the end is really the secret, I'm even more disappointed.
I couldn't feel the chemistry between them, and everything felt really forced.
The way he acted or the way she did ...
It was like watch highschool kids playing around as social media influencer and bondage enthusiastic.
The sex scenes were mildly good, I'll give it that!
If I ignore the words labia or vulva thrown at the mix, or that ridiculous condom talk, it was the best part of the book, which is sad cause I love my smuty books with a good plot!
When the I love yous came, I was like:
Seriously? Why? For what? Just cause she have great tits? (He mentions it every other chapter!)
Yeah... It wasn't my cup of tea!
Will I be reading the next book?
Probably, cause I have the ARC and i seriously want to see what else there is to say about this couple.
Would I recommend it?
Based on this one, I wouldn't.
Rating: really liked it
I mean .... WOWYou know what I never get tired of reading? Billionaire alpha heroes that could literally have grown up next door to me. That’s the kind of uber rich alpha male I like to read about. It’s on my level. It’s not out of touch for my realm of possibility so it makes the
fiction romance realistic for me and I like to
believe :)
I
know how this author writes or rather I know the process of her
trilogies so I was prepared for the build-up and also the different plot points embedded into the story like breadcrumbs. Have no fear readers, everything has a purpose and its purpose will be revealed in due time. What I was not expecting is how much eroticism there was to the storyline. Yes, I expected the
bedroom to be kinky and erotic but the story itself was edgy and passionate and quite frankly was maybe what it feels like to walk a tightrope! I mean I’ve never done it, but I can imagine …
I don’t have very much to share with you now because as these things go, the less you know going in, the better off you will be as the story unfolds. I never ever read the synopsis. All I needed was the cover and I jumped. I am on pins and needles right now waiting to see what comes
next in the storyline but I suspect it will be just as edgy and sexy and sensual as it has been. I read in a review earlier that this should be made into a movie if it keeps up the trajectory it seems to be following and they are absolutely correct in that assessment. There’s a lot of passion in this story and I have to agree that it would make for one heck of a Passionflix!
Rating: really liked it
THE REVIEW FOR THE BOOK FOLLOW ME DARKLY BY HELEN HARDT. 
GENRE: DARK EROTICA ROMANCE.
AUTHOR: HELEN HARDT.
TYPE BOOK #1
POV: SINGLE POV...
MY RATING: 5 hot BDSM Stars...
HOT GUY ALERT!!!
Braden was the billionaire hot guy who relishes control in Bed.
Syke is a small-town girl in a big city with her dreams of photography. She works with a hotel heiress, Instagram Influencer as her social media manager and photographer.
When they both meet, they are instantly attracted to each other and had a one night stand...
But it is not enough, and Braden can't seem to not be with Skye anymore.
“Since I first fucked you, all I can think about is fucking you again. You're all I think about and it... Perplexes me. Not much Perplexes me, Skye. You're like a Narcotic, I hunger for you.”
For a girl who never Relinquishes Control ( a complete control freak!!), to be with a man who dominates and requires her Submission is not going to be easy.
Also, he is also a really mysterious and private person...which starts to grate on Skye as he requires to give him everything but never reciprocates...What if Skye wants more from Braden outside of his bed? Will this ruin their arrangement?
Cliffhanger ahead!!!
Rating: really liked it
4.5 Stars
Follow Me Darkly - erotic, dark, intriguing, and risqué! I couldn't put this book down. The chemistry between Braden and Skye is definitely one for the books. You'll never know who's going to give up control.
It was well-written and there are twists and turn which makes the story more engaging. There's so much more to discover about Braden and Skye's relationship in book 2 - Follow Me Under and I cannot wait to read it. Yes, it ends with a cliffhanger. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. If you're into this kind of read, Helen Hardt won't disappoint you.
Rating: really liked it
(1/13/21 #Ad) Currently $1.99 grab your copy now https://amzn.to/38FPk42
There was a lot going on in this book but you know I won't spoil anything for you so I will keep this review short and sweet. I loved this book and I cannot wait for the next in the trilogy, FOLLOW ME UNDER, to be released in January. This has a Fifty Shades of Grey feel to it but it's different as well, I will not compare the two because that's not fair to anyone but I will say that if this trilogy continues on the path set forth in this first book I would love to see it be made into a movie one day. Hey PASSIONFLIX, you need to put this on your list of must do's!
You can read my full review here: https://bit.ly/NBReviewFMD
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**
You can find me here: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
Rating: really liked it
I am not 100% sure why I actually read this. It was featured as one of the recommended Kindle Unlimited books for March and I decided to give it a try. It was very, very meh.
Rating: really liked it
When this cover was first revealed, I knew instantly that I wanted to read this book! It just had that instant pull for me that said yes in so many ways! Now that I read the book, I know my gut instincts about this book were right on the money!! Mind blowing is one of the first things to come to my mind in describing this book! I just couldn’t completely let go of it once I started reading it!! So gripping, so intriguing, so remarkably written - you really just can’t help yourself - you have to know what happens next!! Compelling! Consuming! I’m literally just blown away! And I can’t wait for the masses to read this book! Loved it! Everything about it!! It seems also I can no longer speak in complete sentences to describe my feelings or how blown away I am! But I hope you can figure it out and this review, though I feel like I’m babbling, makes sense and encourages you to read this book! It’s amazing!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
