Dubious

Elegantly written dark romance

In Dubious, Valentina Haynes is a lovely soul with a heart of gold and a backbone of steel. She has captivated the interest of local gangster Gabriel Louws, an evil violent predatory alpha who dominates the not-so-secret criminal underworld of Johannesburg, South Africa by showing no mercy to his victims.

I mean NO MERCY! The manner in which Valentina becomes indebted to the ruthless loan shark is so innocent and ludicrous that it only serves to illustrate his evil, arbitrary and powerful nature. In order to save her brother’s life, as well as her own, she will be required to serve in his household. And wait until you meet his super evil matriarch, Magda Louws. Cinderella’s wicked stepmother was a Girl Scout next to Magda. Watch how Valentina manages in hell without benefit of singing birds or mice. Her determination to not let Magda get the best of her is awe-inspiring.

I think captive romances appeal to the dark side of the “Beauty and The Beast” myth. There must be a very delicate balance to the cruelty and the tenderness of the captivity. Too much of the first, and it turns your stomach. Too much of the latter, and it spoils the magic. We don't want the fact that The Beast is actually a Prince to be revealed too soon. I love how Charmaine navigates this in an alluring and totally original manner.

This story tugged at my heartstrings on so many levels. I felt fully immersed in Valentina and Gabriel’s world. How can they be at once such a desperate, unconscionable, yet adorable couple? How could I be cheering for them to be together?

Charmaine Pauls is cruel mistress. She tortures Valentina. She tortures Gabriel. She tortures her dear Reader. But I love it! I will happily take whatever Charmaine has planned in her next book, Consent. (Yes, please, and thank you!)

This is my sincere and voluntary review of an author-gifted ARC.