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Collateral Damage #2
Twisted Vows
My parents raised me to believe in magic.
They showered me with love and told me tales of unicorns and princesses
What they should have done is warn me about monsters.
I wanted the fairytale
And for one perfect moment, I thought I had it
But that was before my husband became a monster
Before he hurt me, before he hurt others
And then he died
Leaving me defenseless amid the chaos he created.
Escaping my cage with broken wings just left me vulnerable to predators
My innocence didn’t matter. Nobody cared that I had paid for my mistakes with blood, scars, and broken bones.
I was guilty by association, and somebody had to be held accountable
After all, every fairytale needs a villain; I just didn’t expect it to be me.
Now with nowhere else to go, I hide with the one person who can keep me safe.
They say that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
So why do I feel like I survived a monster only to end up in the arms of the devil himself?
Triggers: This book contains scenes of violence, adult language, and sexual situations that require the reader to be 18 or over.
They showered me with love and told me tales of unicorns and princesses
What they should have done is warn me about monsters.
I wanted the fairytale
And for one perfect moment, I thought I had it
But that was before my husband became a monster
Before he hurt me, before he hurt others
And then he died
Leaving me defenseless amid the chaos he created.
Escaping my cage with broken wings just left me vulnerable to predators
My innocence didn’t matter. Nobody cared that I had paid for my mistakes with blood, scars, and broken bones.
I was guilty by association, and somebody had to be held accountable
After all, every fairytale needs a villain; I just didn’t expect it to be me.
Now with nowhere else to go, I hide with the one person who can keep me safe.
They say that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
So why do I feel like I survived a monster only to end up in the arms of the devil himself?
Triggers: This book contains scenes of violence, adult language, and sexual situations that require the reader to be 18 or over.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
January 9, 2022
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
Star Rating : 4/5 Stars
POV : Dual
Cliffhanger : None
Pace of the story : Moderate
Angst Rating : 5/10
Heat Rating : 6/10
Review :
I don't think I can ever have enough of this author's brand of darkness. Her books are messed up in the best way and damn if I don't love them!
I have read the first part of this series and they should be read in order. I have been waiting for this one for so long and jumped into it the moment it popped up on my Kindle. The characters made me laugh and cry. They are just so beautifully messed up that you can't help but feel connected to them in one way or the other. Her endings are the best and so was this one. Twisted Vows gave me everything I wanted from another amazing dark romance book and I loved it so much! Definitely recommending it to all the dark romance loving people out there.
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January 12, 2022
THIS BOOK KILLED ME. It been awhile when a book tug and snap my heart strings. You want a grey area anti hero you will not be disappointed in Cash. I love this world its dark and it full of survivors that kickass🖤
"The women who showed is all how to fly with broken wings."
Layla is a survivor and she is trying to live with past & the scar across her face. She didn't want to fix it because she wanted a reminder to not trust anyone & it's a warrior reminder that she did it. I love the V sees that on Layla and I LOVE V. I wish she was my friend and she has no patience for a**holes😆
Cash & his beautiful daughter Lily are still recovering from the rescue mission...no spoilers really recommend you read book 1 to learn more 😈 But you do get flash in this book so you know what happened previously. I love his misfit family that he loves & protects. However sometimes that love clouds his judgement...no spoilers
Cash & Layla healed eachother so many times that it warms no heart. Lily is that ray of sunshine that just made the healing more easier
Action, suspense, Steamy scenes and a love story 🦁
I love that the cover links to the story perfectly and it does break my heart. Now u know the meaning behind the cover...green eyes devil💚
☆MUST READ & FAV☆
P.s tissues are needed !! Trust me 😭
"The women who showed is all how to fly with broken wings."
Layla is a survivor and she is trying to live with past & the scar across her face. She didn't want to fix it because she wanted a reminder to not trust anyone & it's a warrior reminder that she did it. I love the V sees that on Layla and I LOVE V. I wish she was my friend and she has no patience for a**holes😆
Cash & his beautiful daughter Lily are still recovering from the rescue mission...no spoilers really recommend you read book 1 to learn more 😈 But you do get flash in this book so you know what happened previously. I love his misfit family that he loves & protects. However sometimes that love clouds his judgement...no spoilers
Cash & Layla healed eachother so many times that it warms no heart. Lily is that ray of sunshine that just made the healing more easier
Action, suspense, Steamy scenes and a love story 🦁
I love that the cover links to the story perfectly and it does break my heart. Now u know the meaning behind the cover...green eyes devil💚
☆MUST READ & FAV☆
P.s tissues are needed !! Trust me 😭
January 15, 2022
Great book but I really wish Cash had to work harder to win over Layla initially and after she found out what he did. Part of me wanted her to end up with someone else . Also, after all the abuse she endured I don't think she should have have fallen into lust with him pretty much instantly.
Other than that I really enjoyed it. Layla was a great heroine and though I hated Cash at times he had his redeeming qualities.
Other than that I really enjoyed it. Layla was a great heroine and though I hated Cash at times he had his redeeming qualities.
February 28, 2022
Nope. He went too far and didn’t grovel nearly enough.
I’m not here for it. Which sucks because this author is usually a win for me
I’m not here for it. Which sucks because this author is usually a win for me
April 25, 2024
Eh
Some misfires. If you are a fan of dark romance and Candice Wright, this one ticks all of the boxes, but the story needs to click on a cerebral level. Usually, the author does a good job of providing nuances and making sure darker themes are well integrated into the story. Some spoilers
👎🏽 This time, a lot of the FMC's trauma felt like it was happening just as a marker for "deep, deep character growth," which made the read feel less authentic or less interesting. To list off all of the things that the FMC went through and survived would drive home the point: multiple rapes by an ex-husband, multiple forced miscarriages, physical abuse by way of broken bones, shot, whipped, stabbed, tortured, mental abuse, financial abuse, "loaned out"/dubcon by ex-husband.
👎🏽 Of course, there's more, but by the third time I read the FMC say, "I've shattered/I've gone into another place/A wall is up and I'm broken," or broken splayed body/broken pieces, it just felt like another checklist on the dark romance trauma-rama scale.
👎🏽 Diatribes about rape and how it's used against women at least twice
👎🏽 Twists that weren't that twisty (they were really obvious, and we could see them a mile away), but the characters weren't aware, keeping the conflict going. Some betrayals held low interest.
👎🏽 The HEA happens, but it felt like a letdown compared to all the dark darkness and trauma.
👎🏽 Published in 2022, this is the author's third book using amnesia as a tool for the final conflict.
👎🏽 Single dad trope is here, but we barely see him interact with his child. The love is evident, and the child is referenced in tight moments, but there are many times the child is conveniently able to be with others
👎🏽 The steam just isn't really here. This feels like a romantic suspense story with all the trims, but if you are looking for good spice with explicit details there aren't a lot.
Some misfires. If you are a fan of dark romance and Candice Wright, this one ticks all of the boxes, but the story needs to click on a cerebral level. Usually, the author does a good job of providing nuances and making sure darker themes are well integrated into the story. Some spoilers
👎🏽 This time, a lot of the FMC's trauma felt like it was happening just as a marker for "deep, deep character growth," which made the read feel less authentic or less interesting. To list off all of the things that the FMC went through and survived would drive home the point: multiple rapes by an ex-husband, multiple forced miscarriages, physical abuse by way of broken bones, shot, whipped, stabbed, tortured, mental abuse, financial abuse, "loaned out"/dubcon by ex-husband.
👎🏽 Of course, there's more, but by the third time I read the FMC say, "I've shattered/I've gone into another place/A wall is up and I'm broken," or broken splayed body/broken pieces, it just felt like another checklist on the dark romance trauma-rama scale.
👎🏽 Diatribes about rape and how it's used against women at least twice
👎🏽 Twists that weren't that twisty (they were really obvious, and we could see them a mile away), but the characters weren't aware, keeping the conflict going. Some betrayals held low interest.
👎🏽 The HEA happens, but it felt like a letdown compared to all the dark darkness and trauma.
👎🏽 Published in 2022, this is the author's third book using amnesia as a tool for the final conflict.
👎🏽 Single dad trope is here, but we barely see him interact with his child. The love is evident, and the child is referenced in tight moments, but there are many times the child is conveniently able to be with others
👎🏽 The steam just isn't really here. This feels like a romantic suspense story with all the trims, but if you are looking for good spice with explicit details there aren't a lot.
March 29, 2024
I think I said the word 'apricot' more times than Layla did throughout this entire book - it's her safeword btw.
But god, I hated this... so fucking much.
Also, it's a crime that this book doesn't come with a list of triggers because there's a whole grocery list of them - just to name a few: attempted suicide, sexual assault/rape between the fmc and mmc, physical abuse/fmc being mauled/cut with a knife by the mmc, psychological abuse - and no, this is not me being dramatic, this shit is really in this book being romanticized and I cannot for the life of me understand how this book has so many 5-star ratings.
I'm actually so triggered I can't form any well-thought-out sentences, so I'll just put some of my thoughts in random order below:
- Cash was one of the most disgusting and atrocious men I've EVER read about in a romance book, even in dark romances. The shit he did to Layla was so far above forgiveness it was ridiculous. He just kept one-upping himself once you thought he reached the peak of different ways he could betray her. First, he sets her up with the whole job situation, then he makes her sign an NDA that basically says that if anything happens to him, she will be thrown out and have no access to his daughter and get nothing from him. Then he also makes her sign a fucking marriage license without her knowing, and if that isn't enough, he also makes her sign a self-admission paper for a psych ward where she had to stay for a year (she didn't but still)... and then you think, "okay, this has to be it right? like he can't do worse than this."... Well, she then finds out that he's the green-eyed man that she's been dreaming about, the man that is actually very real and not a dream, and that has sexually assaulted her multiple times, because it doesn't matter that she, at the third time he comes to her during the night, doesn't fight him - she thinks she's dreaming and is therefore not in the right headspace, and what he does to her is therefore assault... okay, but now we're at a point where you think "okay for sure it can't get worse than this, there's nothing he can do to top this right?"... well sike because then we find out that he is the man that gave her the scar that fills half of her face and not just that, but he gets turned on when he looks at it because he likes to see his mark on her... he even fantasizes about cumming all over it... I've never hated a man more in my life and he's not even real.
- the ONLY redeeming thing about Cash is his love for his daughter.
- i liked Layla to a certain point but she, of course, as all the women this author writes, has no backbone and no self-respect and is basically the equivalent of a doormat - after she figures out what Cash did, like the fake dreams/assaults and the scar, she takes only one fucking week before she forgives him. ONE WEEK. And all she does in this week is ignore him, but she still lets him sleep next to her and she also lets him have sex with her? Which was very disturbing to read because she doesn't know what she feels at this point, but she's clearly not present in her mind and she's not speaking to him, yet this man still has sex with her every night because he's afraid he's losing her? Which also completely contradicts what he told her earlier in the book in relation to the first time they have sex - he says something about him wanting her to be 100% ready and her wanting him as much as he wants her, because he wouldn't be like the men in her past and take from her body and mind except what she wanted to give herself... Well if having sex with her every night for a week even though she isn't speaking to you and just taking her silence as consent isn't taking from her without her giving it freely I don't know what it is. This woman should have screamed 'apricot' from the top of her lungs and run for the hills and if she absolutely had to end up with Cash, he should have groveled for over a year Alex Volkov style because the shit he did to her?!? I'm still in shock over it and it should honestly have taken years for him to redeem himself.
- when he cut her name into his chest, he should have cut it into his forehead because then he would know what it feels like to have his face mauled like he did to her.
- also what the actual fuck was that whole thing about him suddenly admitting to being in love with her the WHOLE time, like since the first time he saw her and cut her face? Bro you don't cut the face of the woman you just fell in love with? And the way he talked about her in the beginning of the book? The level of degradation with which he thought about her?! There's just no way that man could have been in love because you simply don't treat people you love the way he did.
- apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot.
But god, I hated this... so fucking much.
Also, it's a crime that this book doesn't come with a list of triggers because there's a whole grocery list of them - just to name a few: attempted suicide, sexual assault/rape between the fmc and mmc, physical abuse/fmc being mauled/cut with a knife by the mmc, psychological abuse - and no, this is not me being dramatic, this shit is really in this book being romanticized and I cannot for the life of me understand how this book has so many 5-star ratings.
I'm actually so triggered I can't form any well-thought-out sentences, so I'll just put some of my thoughts in random order below:
- Cash was one of the most disgusting and atrocious men I've EVER read about in a romance book, even in dark romances. The shit he did to Layla was so far above forgiveness it was ridiculous. He just kept one-upping himself once you thought he reached the peak of different ways he could betray her. First, he sets her up with the whole job situation, then he makes her sign an NDA that basically says that if anything happens to him, she will be thrown out and have no access to his daughter and get nothing from him. Then he also makes her sign a fucking marriage license without her knowing, and if that isn't enough, he also makes her sign a self-admission paper for a psych ward where she had to stay for a year (she didn't but still)... and then you think, "okay, this has to be it right? like he can't do worse than this."... Well, she then finds out that he's the green-eyed man that she's been dreaming about, the man that is actually very real and not a dream, and that has sexually assaulted her multiple times, because it doesn't matter that she, at the third time he comes to her during the night, doesn't fight him - she thinks she's dreaming and is therefore not in the right headspace, and what he does to her is therefore assault... okay, but now we're at a point where you think "okay for sure it can't get worse than this, there's nothing he can do to top this right?"... well sike because then we find out that he is the man that gave her the scar that fills half of her face and not just that, but he gets turned on when he looks at it because he likes to see his mark on her... he even fantasizes about cumming all over it... I've never hated a man more in my life and he's not even real.
- the ONLY redeeming thing about Cash is his love for his daughter.
- i liked Layla to a certain point but she, of course, as all the women this author writes, has no backbone and no self-respect and is basically the equivalent of a doormat - after she figures out what Cash did, like the fake dreams/assaults and the scar, she takes only one fucking week before she forgives him. ONE WEEK. And all she does in this week is ignore him, but she still lets him sleep next to her and she also lets him have sex with her? Which was very disturbing to read because she doesn't know what she feels at this point, but she's clearly not present in her mind and she's not speaking to him, yet this man still has sex with her every night because he's afraid he's losing her? Which also completely contradicts what he told her earlier in the book in relation to the first time they have sex - he says something about him wanting her to be 100% ready and her wanting him as much as he wants her, because he wouldn't be like the men in her past and take from her body and mind except what she wanted to give herself... Well if having sex with her every night for a week even though she isn't speaking to you and just taking her silence as consent isn't taking from her without her giving it freely I don't know what it is. This woman should have screamed 'apricot' from the top of her lungs and run for the hills and if she absolutely had to end up with Cash, he should have groveled for over a year Alex Volkov style because the shit he did to her?!? I'm still in shock over it and it should honestly have taken years for him to redeem himself.
- when he cut her name into his chest, he should have cut it into his forehead because then he would know what it feels like to have his face mauled like he did to her.
- also what the actual fuck was that whole thing about him suddenly admitting to being in love with her the WHOLE time, like since the first time he saw her and cut her face? Bro you don't cut the face of the woman you just fell in love with? And the way he talked about her in the beginning of the book? The level of degradation with which he thought about her?! There's just no way that man could have been in love because you simply don't treat people you love the way he did.
- apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot apricot.
Read
March 3, 2022I don't know how to rate this book, because honestly it's like every trigger I could possibly have is thrown in. I really liked Cash in all the other books he's been in, and though I get what happened in the last book tainted his heart .. he went way too far and didn't grovel near enough for me.
I can't say I enjoyed this but I didn't hate it either . Candice is one of the best writers out there, but I just couldn't reconcile with who Cash became. There's an anti hero, and then there's someone who carves the supposed love of his life's face. Not to mention all the other shit he did to her. Here's hoping the rest of the series won't be like this because Twisted Oaths (the first book) was sooooooo fucking good.
I can't say I enjoyed this but I didn't hate it either . Candice is one of the best writers out there, but I just couldn't reconcile with who Cash became. There's an anti hero, and then there's someone who carves the supposed love of his life's face. Not to mention all the other shit he did to her. Here's hoping the rest of the series won't be like this because Twisted Oaths (the first book) was sooooooo fucking good.
January 5, 2022
I am speechless and it's going to stay that way. Because even though this was yet again a massive book, so many things happen that are integral to both characters and plot, talking about either will not only not give the amount of justice it deserves, but I'll end up giving something important away.
I will say that from the very beginning this was the five star read I was expecting, but the last few chapters turned it into something that I couldn't not add to my top reads of '22 list.
Highly recommend that you read after book one.
I will say that from the very beginning this was the five star read I was expecting, but the last few chapters turned it into something that I couldn't not add to my top reads of '22 list.
Highly recommend that you read after book one.
December 28, 2021
Gahhhhhhh!!!!
I love all of Candice Wright’s books. But this might be my new favorite! These characters are so flawed and so messed up… I legit laughed, cried, and swooned.
And I’m still trying to recover! I won’t spoil it but maybe have a comfort blanket ready for the ending of this book.
I love all of Candice Wright’s books. But this might be my new favorite! These characters are so flawed and so messed up… I legit laughed, cried, and swooned.
And I’m still trying to recover! I won’t spoil it but maybe have a comfort blanket ready for the ending of this book.
December 22, 2021
My heart is dead, im 100% sure. Candice did it and killed me. I don't think i cried so much with a book. My feelings are all over the place.
Cash and Layla's story has the worst start ever. Can you let go off hate that easy? What about guilt? Thats a whole other thing. But slowly they heal, together and apart. Until, smash there goes your heart
Cash and Layla's story has the worst start ever. Can you let go off hate that easy? What about guilt? Thats a whole other thing. But slowly they heal, together and apart. Until, smash there goes your heart
May 23, 2022
First things first; I like the cover of this book!
Twisted vows is the second book in the ‘’collateral damage’’ series.
This story is gripping, fast paced and an enjoyable read. I read this book in one sitting and was satisfied throughout. I found the writing style easy to follow, the characters likeable and the storyline enjoyable. Cash is a dangerous man that isn’t to be messed with. He is also a single father that will do anything to protect his daughter. When he decides to get answers/revenge on his enemies widow what will happen?
The chemistry between Cash and Layla is clear to see and I liked them together. I liked the build up to them getting together.
I wasn’t a fan of Stuart at first bit halfway through the book, he grew on me. I liked that he opened up towards Layla. His protectiveness of Cash and Lily was undeniable.
My heart ached for Layla and all she had been through.
I liked the ending and the epilogue for this story.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is an enjoyable read. I look forward to more books from this series.
Twisted vows is the second book in the ‘’collateral damage’’ series.
This story is gripping, fast paced and an enjoyable read. I read this book in one sitting and was satisfied throughout. I found the writing style easy to follow, the characters likeable and the storyline enjoyable. Cash is a dangerous man that isn’t to be messed with. He is also a single father that will do anything to protect his daughter. When he decides to get answers/revenge on his enemies widow what will happen?
The chemistry between Cash and Layla is clear to see and I liked them together. I liked the build up to them getting together.
I wasn’t a fan of Stuart at first bit halfway through the book, he grew on me. I liked that he opened up towards Layla. His protectiveness of Cash and Lily was undeniable.
My heart ached for Layla and all she had been through.
I liked the ending and the epilogue for this story.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is an enjoyable read. I look forward to more books from this series.
June 29, 2022
I wasn't a big fan of this one. i liked Leo in the previous series, but in this book I found Cash to be annoying. I felt that the romance was too quick and that he was forgiven too easily. If Layla was darker ( more like Viddy) , then it would be understandable. But she was too nice to forgive so easily.
Overall, this was not my favorite from this author. But I will still read the next one.
Overall, this was not my favorite from this author. But I will still read the next one.
January 11, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
My parents raised me to believe in magic. They showered me with tales of unicorns and princesses. What they should have done is warn me about monsters. I wanted the fairytale. And for one perfect moment I thought I had it. But that was before my husband became a monster. Before he hurt me, before he hurt others. And then he died. Leaving me defenseless and the chaos he created. Escaping my cage with broken wings just left me vulnerable to predators. My innocence didn't matter. Nobody cared that I had paid for my mistakes with blood, scars, and broken bones. I was guilty by association, and somebody had to be held accountable. After all, every fairytale needs a villain; I just didn't expect it to be me. Now with nowhere else to go, I hade with the one person who can keep me safe. They say that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. So why do I feel like I survived a monster only to end up in the arms of the devil himself?
This is a dark romance and you should heed the warnings in the beginning of the book. It might contain triggers for some readers. I don't even know how to review this book but I do know that I read Twisted Oath first and you really should too. This book has a lot of things going on and so many twists and turns going on. I think you run the who wheel of emotions from laughing and crying to swooning. And you will have the biggest book hangover in the entire world. But I will warn you that you might wanna hug a teddy bear or something when you get to the end of this book. I have not read a Candice Wright book before. This is my first one but I can guarantee it will not be my last. This book played like a little movie in my head the entire time I was reading it and I loved every single second of it.
My parents raised me to believe in magic. They showered me with tales of unicorns and princesses. What they should have done is warn me about monsters. I wanted the fairytale. And for one perfect moment I thought I had it. But that was before my husband became a monster. Before he hurt me, before he hurt others. And then he died. Leaving me defenseless and the chaos he created. Escaping my cage with broken wings just left me vulnerable to predators. My innocence didn't matter. Nobody cared that I had paid for my mistakes with blood, scars, and broken bones. I was guilty by association, and somebody had to be held accountable. After all, every fairytale needs a villain; I just didn't expect it to be me. Now with nowhere else to go, I hade with the one person who can keep me safe. They say that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. So why do I feel like I survived a monster only to end up in the arms of the devil himself?
This is a dark romance and you should heed the warnings in the beginning of the book. It might contain triggers for some readers. I don't even know how to review this book but I do know that I read Twisted Oath first and you really should too. This book has a lot of things going on and so many twists and turns going on. I think you run the who wheel of emotions from laughing and crying to swooning. And you will have the biggest book hangover in the entire world. But I will warn you that you might wanna hug a teddy bear or something when you get to the end of this book. I have not read a Candice Wright book before. This is my first one but I can guarantee it will not be my last. This book played like a little movie in my head the entire time I was reading it and I loved every single second of it.
January 4, 2022
Twisted Vows: A Collateral Damage Novel by Candice Wright. You really need to read Tainted Oath first before you read this book because this story is an offshoot of that book. I thought book one was something. This book was so much more. This author is just wow. I am really loving her style of telling a story. Layla aka Lana is trying to get a job with Cash so she can stay safe while getting enough money together to start a whole new life. Being the wife of a dead human trafficker has made her life difficult. No one knows the hell she endured but they assume she was apart of his operation. Cash decides he is going to hire her as his nanny to get information on her husband's organization plus exact his revenge. However what he didn't plan on was falling for her. This book had so much going on that I was just floored. The story was definitely dark and gritty and cringe worthy at times. Layla had it rough and she didn't catch a break with Cash. Eventhough Cash had feelings for her, he and his people were brutal to her. Eventually she did win some of them over but the damaged had been done and Cash had his work cut out for him. He might have thought he was justified but in the end he found out otherwise. This was definitely an emotional read. I didn't think I was going to make it. By the end of this story I was an emotional wreck. I didn't know whether to cry, laugh or punch someone. I do recommend reading the Underestimated series and Ricochet as well. It is not necessary but they are good stories plus you get to know the other player's story. 5 star read for me
January 16, 2022
4.5 Twisted Stars
First time reading a book by Candice M. Wright and it won't be the last. Cash and Layla's story was intense yet captivating and I just read it in few hours... There are a lot of triggers in this book and by a lot, I mean A LOT still I'll go ahead and read the rest of the books connected with the characters of this book. Additionally, I found the cover a little unappealing even if it's quite accurate with snippets of the story.
First time reading a book by Candice M. Wright and it won't be the last. Cash and Layla's story was intense yet captivating and I just read it in few hours... There are a lot of triggers in this book and by a lot, I mean A LOT still I'll go ahead and read the rest of the books connected with the characters of this book. Additionally, I found the cover a little unappealing even if it's quite accurate with snippets of the story.
March 19, 2022
the plot twist in the ending left me wrecked 🥺
March 1, 2023
Normally anything by Candice Wright is an automatic 5 star. I absolutely LOVE her work. The reason I dropped this to 3 is a pretty big spoiler so I'll put it at the end with a spoiler tag. Other than that, this was a pretty damn good story. Layla is such a strong woman and her fight to live is so admirable. While Cash has pulled some shady shit, the majority (in my opinion) is forgivable. Again, the reason I dropped a star from this rating will be below. Read at your own risk. As always, check CW/TW with Candice's work - she delves into some HEAVY topics, some of which are described in detail.
There's a few scenes that could probably be described as dubcon and Layla explicitly states that just because her body is saying yes, it doesn't mean she wants it. I appreciated that tidbit as I really dislike when someone (usually the man) says that her "mouth may be saying no but her body is saying yes"... I don't like dubcon when there isn't a conversation about it beforehand and safe words aren't discussed. But - that might be a personal preference. In this book, there is discussion of a safe word but I think it's after the first dubcon interaction.
Layla and Cash's story is far from cookie cutter and I respect the drive to keep your family safe, even at the expense of others. However, what Cash did is simply irredeemable to me. Here's the spoiler -
So despite what I mentioned above, I still think this was an awesome story. I'm pretending to believe that it was someone else that did what I described in the spoiler tag. It is what it is and I'll still read every one of Candice's releases.
There's a few scenes that could probably be described as dubcon and Layla explicitly states that just because her body is saying yes, it doesn't mean she wants it. I appreciated that tidbit as I really dislike when someone (usually the man) says that her "mouth may be saying no but her body is saying yes"... I don't like dubcon when there isn't a conversation about it beforehand and safe words aren't discussed. But - that might be a personal preference. In this book, there is discussion of a safe word but I think it's after the first dubcon interaction.
Layla and Cash's story is far from cookie cutter and I respect the drive to keep your family safe, even at the expense of others. However, what Cash did is simply irredeemable to me. Here's the spoiler -
So despite what I mentioned above, I still think this was an awesome story. I'm pretending to believe that it was someone else that did what I described in the spoiler tag. It is what it is and I'll still read every one of Candice's releases.
January 11, 2022
☆☆☆☆☆
Twisted Vows was a twisted, emotional and thrilling ride that I didn’t want to put down for even a minute. I didn’t know if I would love this one as much as I did Tainted Oaths but I need not have worried.
Layla's parents taught her to believe in magic and fairytales when they should have taught her about monsters. Later in life, she thought she’d married her own prince charming, only to witness him transform into a monster right before her eyes. She carried the bruises and trauma and lived in her own private hell. He was a human trafficker who hurt so many other people. When he ends up dead, she’s finally free from one nightmare only to have others suspicious of her. Many think she was involved in the trafficking business with her husband. She gets a job with Cash as his nanny. Ever heard the saying, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”? Not when that enemy thinks you’re involved. Cash hired her with an ulterior motive. As she saves money for a new life, he will get proof of whether she’s involved or not. Just because feelings come into play doesn’t mean she has it easy.
From the first page to the last, I was fully engaged and glued to the pages. I felt every emotion across the board from laughter to anger to my heart overflowing. Candice Wright has been permanently placed on my favorite authors list. There are triggers within these pages so please heed any warnings you come across. If you love dark romances, then this book if for you. I would suggest you read Tainted Oaths first. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
Twisted Vows was a twisted, emotional and thrilling ride that I didn’t want to put down for even a minute. I didn’t know if I would love this one as much as I did Tainted Oaths but I need not have worried.
Layla's parents taught her to believe in magic and fairytales when they should have taught her about monsters. Later in life, she thought she’d married her own prince charming, only to witness him transform into a monster right before her eyes. She carried the bruises and trauma and lived in her own private hell. He was a human trafficker who hurt so many other people. When he ends up dead, she’s finally free from one nightmare only to have others suspicious of her. Many think she was involved in the trafficking business with her husband. She gets a job with Cash as his nanny. Ever heard the saying, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”? Not when that enemy thinks you’re involved. Cash hired her with an ulterior motive. As she saves money for a new life, he will get proof of whether she’s involved or not. Just because feelings come into play doesn’t mean she has it easy.
From the first page to the last, I was fully engaged and glued to the pages. I felt every emotion across the board from laughter to anger to my heart overflowing. Candice Wright has been permanently placed on my favorite authors list. There are triggers within these pages so please heed any warnings you come across. If you love dark romances, then this book if for you. I would suggest you read Tainted Oaths first. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
July 28, 2022
So. Good.
I’ve read a few books like this where the MMC goes from hating the FMC to loving her in .2 seconds and I get kind of lost wondering how we got from point a to point b. But things like that don’t bother me because the feelings and emotions portrayed feel real to me.
Layla is my favorite type of character. She’s been through a lot and has persevered. I feel like some people would describe her as weak, but I think she is so far from that. I loved her character. Cash is….well Cash is kinda…well I don’t really have a word. Cash is Cash and I loved him and his feelings for Layla. Not to mention everything he did for his daughter and how much he loves her is the sweetest.
I’ve read too much Reverse Harem because I wanted Stuart thrown into the mix. Yes it’s clear Cash isn’t a sharing man, but cmon why’d you have to make me like Stuart lol!
I’ve never had a book make me actually sweat before due to anticipation. There was something mysterious (to me) going on and when it was about to be revealed I started to sweat.
Now this is a me problem. But why did Cash and Viddy kiss? That really bothered me. It was so random and seemed so pointless to me. Am I being extremely sensitive over it? Oh most definitely. But why? That kind of hurt my heart a little even if it was platonic or whatever.
I was extremely invested in this book and it’s characters. Every time I put it down I couldn’t wait until I could pick it up again.
I was slightly mad at the ending but overall really enjoyed the book.
I’ve read a few books like this where the MMC goes from hating the FMC to loving her in .2 seconds and I get kind of lost wondering how we got from point a to point b. But things like that don’t bother me because the feelings and emotions portrayed feel real to me.
Layla is my favorite type of character. She’s been through a lot and has persevered. I feel like some people would describe her as weak, but I think she is so far from that. I loved her character. Cash is….well Cash is kinda…well I don’t really have a word. Cash is Cash and I loved him and his feelings for Layla. Not to mention everything he did for his daughter and how much he loves her is the sweetest.
I’ve read too much Reverse Harem because I wanted Stuart thrown into the mix. Yes it’s clear Cash isn’t a sharing man, but cmon why’d you have to make me like Stuart lol!
I’ve never had a book make me actually sweat before due to anticipation. There was something mysterious (to me) going on and when it was about to be revealed I started to sweat.
Now this is a me problem. But why did Cash and Viddy kiss? That really bothered me. It was so random and seemed so pointless to me. Am I being extremely sensitive over it? Oh most definitely. But why? That kind of hurt my heart a little even if it was platonic or whatever.
I was extremely invested in this book and it’s characters. Every time I put it down I couldn’t wait until I could pick it up again.
I was slightly mad at the ending but overall really enjoyed the book.
December 29, 2023
Still going strong
Well, I missed doing a few reviews but will try to cover everything.
Started a while ago with the underestimated series, when there was only 3 books! Got 5% into Reigns story and for some reason I gave up, fast forward to this MONTH. I started the series again from the start! (May I suggest you start there if you haven’t already, trust me, it will make sense). Following that series, I ended up at Ricochet (a must read) then onto collateral damage. See, the characters in this series are all off shoots of the original (being the Underestimated series). There’s Zig and Cos’ offshoot, the candy girls then Collateral Damage. Why am I waffling? Because I am so damned in awe of how all these series and characters are so intertwined, how smallest details from one series is woven into another, Candice Wright is proving to be the best Quilt maker ever. All of it has been fast paced but just the perfect pace, the characters aren’t perfect, they have flaws and pay for their mistakes, just as it is in life, no brushing stuff under the carpet, the underbelly is laid bare. I have laughed, I have cried, I have become addicted to these characters.
If you have come this far in my waffling, but still haven’t read from the beginning of the series (or should I say series of series), then go to the beginning, trust me, you won’t regret it in the slightest.
Well done Miss Wright, so well damn done.
Well, I missed doing a few reviews but will try to cover everything.
Started a while ago with the underestimated series, when there was only 3 books! Got 5% into Reigns story and for some reason I gave up, fast forward to this MONTH. I started the series again from the start! (May I suggest you start there if you haven’t already, trust me, it will make sense). Following that series, I ended up at Ricochet (a must read) then onto collateral damage. See, the characters in this series are all off shoots of the original (being the Underestimated series). There’s Zig and Cos’ offshoot, the candy girls then Collateral Damage. Why am I waffling? Because I am so damned in awe of how all these series and characters are so intertwined, how smallest details from one series is woven into another, Candice Wright is proving to be the best Quilt maker ever. All of it has been fast paced but just the perfect pace, the characters aren’t perfect, they have flaws and pay for their mistakes, just as it is in life, no brushing stuff under the carpet, the underbelly is laid bare. I have laughed, I have cried, I have become addicted to these characters.
If you have come this far in my waffling, but still haven’t read from the beginning of the series (or should I say series of series), then go to the beginning, trust me, you won’t regret it in the slightest.
Well done Miss Wright, so well damn done.
January 17, 2022
Twisted Vows is the second book in the Collateral Damage series and follows Cash and Layla's story.
There are some really dark themes within this book from the very beginning so please make sure you check the Content/Trigger Warnings before reading.
Layla was married to a monster and after his death she goes into hiding when his associates believe she could have the information they want. So when a job opens up with one of his enemies, she takes it believing it would keep her safe.
After Cash was shot and his daughter kidnapped in Tainted Oaths, he is now trying to find out any information he can about the other girls that were taken. He believes that Layla was involved in her husbands business and plans to find out everything she knows using any means necessary.
This book was amazing!! It took me on a rollercoaster of emotions from the very start and I literally couldn't put it down.
I absolutely loved the tension and chemistry between Cash and Layla. They are both so broken yet that fit together perfectly, despite everything that goes down between them.
The plot was fast paced with plenty of action and the twists had me on the edge of my seat.
And those last few chapters had me bawling into my pillow and just about killed me!!😭😭
I cannot wait for the next book in this series!!
There are some really dark themes within this book from the very beginning so please make sure you check the Content/Trigger Warnings before reading.
Layla was married to a monster and after his death she goes into hiding when his associates believe she could have the information they want. So when a job opens up with one of his enemies, she takes it believing it would keep her safe.
After Cash was shot and his daughter kidnapped in Tainted Oaths, he is now trying to find out any information he can about the other girls that were taken. He believes that Layla was involved in her husbands business and plans to find out everything she knows using any means necessary.
This book was amazing!! It took me on a rollercoaster of emotions from the very start and I literally couldn't put it down.
I absolutely loved the tension and chemistry between Cash and Layla. They are both so broken yet that fit together perfectly, despite everything that goes down between them.
The plot was fast paced with plenty of action and the twists had me on the edge of my seat.
And those last few chapters had me bawling into my pillow and just about killed me!!😭😭
I cannot wait for the next book in this series!!
May 3, 2024
Nah... The guy Cash .... He keeps on doing irredeemable actions and Layla like an abused puppy (which I guess she literally is because even though her husband abused her sexually and physically, Cash abused her mentally and psychologically with his NDA shit and Leo alter ego) keeps going back to her abuser. She doesn't try to escape Cash's prison, and allows to be swayed easily by him and her people.
It could have gotten another star ,if only those last two nonsensical chapters were not written. Like you are telling me that the girl frees herself from her prisons and then returns back to her captor?to her freaking torturer?
The side characters ,other than Lily,Mallory and the shoping assistant lady ,were despicable too. I don't know how this book got so many likes, but I don't see the appeal in Cash. Nope this book was utter trash for me, and the only thing I regret is wasting my time on this utter disappointment of a book.
For once, atleast once , I want to read a dark romance where the fmc thinks with a proper head and not with her "broken,abused" heart or her vagina. She for once doesn't fall head over heels in love with her freaking torturer/captor atleast not till the said torturer feels and undergoes the same amount of torture, betrayal, hopelessness, heartbreak like he made the fmc endure.
It could have gotten another star ,if only those last two nonsensical chapters were not written. Like you are telling me that the girl frees herself from her prisons and then returns back to her captor?to her freaking torturer?
The side characters ,other than Lily,Mallory and the shoping assistant lady ,were despicable too. I don't know how this book got so many likes, but I don't see the appeal in Cash. Nope this book was utter trash for me, and the only thing I regret is wasting my time on this utter disappointment of a book.
For once, atleast once , I want to read a dark romance where the fmc thinks with a proper head and not with her "broken,abused" heart or her vagina. She for once doesn't fall head over heels in love with her freaking torturer/captor atleast not till the said torturer feels and undergoes the same amount of torture, betrayal, hopelessness, heartbreak like he made the fmc endure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2022
I dont think my heart can take any more after reading Twisted Vows. Be prepared when you read this book because the level of abuse that Layla endued is hard reading and it will definitely upset some folks. Trust me when i say that i was in tears for the majority of this book. It was just heartbreaking.
I liked Cash/Leo from when he popped up in Ricochet but Ill be honest the lengths he went to in this book i just wanted to punch him silly!!! It was obvious from the beginning (well maybe to me) that Layla had been through some very traumatic events. Dont get me wrong in a round about way i kind of understand where Cash was coming from (not what he did at all!!) but it was like he chose to ignore what was obvious in favor of payback. I found myself shouting at my kindle constantly throughout this book with everything that happened in it.
Twisted Vows is a book full of Love, Loss and Heartbreak in equal measure or that is what i got when i read it. Even though i hated what Cash did for most of this book the ending was kinda what id hoped for. It wasnt exactly an easy going romance but it was two broken people that in the end kind of fitted together even if their relationship was dark in places and full of lies. I cant fault that i liked reading it a great deal
I liked Cash/Leo from when he popped up in Ricochet but Ill be honest the lengths he went to in this book i just wanted to punch him silly!!! It was obvious from the beginning (well maybe to me) that Layla had been through some very traumatic events. Dont get me wrong in a round about way i kind of understand where Cash was coming from (not what he did at all!!) but it was like he chose to ignore what was obvious in favor of payback. I found myself shouting at my kindle constantly throughout this book with everything that happened in it.
Twisted Vows is a book full of Love, Loss and Heartbreak in equal measure or that is what i got when i read it. Even though i hated what Cash did for most of this book the ending was kinda what id hoped for. It wasnt exactly an easy going romance but it was two broken people that in the end kind of fitted together even if their relationship was dark in places and full of lies. I cant fault that i liked reading it a great deal
December 30, 2021
Bravo, Bravo Candice Wright!!! 
Twisted Vows is the second book in the Collateral Damage Series. This book is not for the faint of heart. Oh and get ready for a roller coaster of emotions. Let me include nail biting moments too. This was a very very good book. It is also a very dark story and the opening of the book is brutal!
I knew Tainted Oaths was good! I bought 3 other books while reading it from Candice Wright! 1. The Queen of Carnage 2. The Princess Chaos and 3. Ricochet and I bought the audio books for them! Yes, this series is good, very very good! I have to read more about the other characters that played a big part in this book and series.
Sometimes the second book isn’t as good as the first one but both Tainted Oaths and Twisted Vows will have me coming back to read more by this author! 10+++ STARS
Twisted Vows is the second book in the Collateral Damage Series. This book is not for the faint of heart. Oh and get ready for a roller coaster of emotions. Let me include nail biting moments too. This was a very very good book. It is also a very dark story and the opening of the book is brutal!
I knew Tainted Oaths was good! I bought 3 other books while reading it from Candice Wright! 1. The Queen of Carnage 2. The Princess Chaos and 3. Ricochet and I bought the audio books for them! Yes, this series is good, very very good! I have to read more about the other characters that played a big part in this book and series.
Sometimes the second book isn’t as good as the first one but both Tainted Oaths and Twisted Vows will have me coming back to read more by this author! 10+++ STARS
January 11, 2022
OH MY EVER LOVIN' HOLY HELL! Twisted Vows came out of the gate at a dead run & never slowed down. I really want to tell y'all all about it, but since I'm not that kind of reviewer, I'm not coming off any detail so you'll just have to settle with all the emotions I felt while experiencing this story. OMG Layla! I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that this girl is still standing from everything that happened to her, and actually keeps happening to her. Even our hero is not without blame in her life, and frankly, I really really wanted to throat punch him all over the place. If I were Layla, I would have never forgiven anything, but that girl has the biggest heart deep down, and I'm still in awe of it. I'm telling you, Twisted Vows is a story that you don't want to pass up, but please understand it's a dark read that some may not be able to handle despite the fact that we didn't live through the worst of Layla's tragic life as I'm not sure I would have been able to handle it. I'm so ready for the next book, but in the meantime, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
March 22, 2022
This story is absolutely bananas. Despite having read all the preceding books I was still scratching my head through a good bit of it. It was late into the story before I finally realized all the confusion was intentional. The H wanted the h to think she was crazy and he took us a long for the ride.
I love Candice Wright but most of her stuff is insane you have to willfully suspend your disbelief to stay engaged and I’m good with that. This story was clever but ultimately fell short for me. I was a bit awestruck temporarily when everything finally clicked but ultimately the foundation of this story is questionable and my brain can’t let that go. It’s not a bad read but it’s a lot of work and ultimately the H wasn’t held accountable for his many egregious wrongdoings.
Cover 2/5
Story 3/5
Heat 2/5
Angst 2/5
Medium burn but can’t recall precise percentage
Push away from H
No OW/OM drama
No cheating or scenes with others
6 month separation
HEA/ HFN
No cliffhanger
Safety - safe but dark
I love Candice Wright but most of her stuff is insane you have to willfully suspend your disbelief to stay engaged and I’m good with that. This story was clever but ultimately fell short for me. I was a bit awestruck temporarily when everything finally clicked but ultimately the foundation of this story is questionable and my brain can’t let that go. It’s not a bad read but it’s a lot of work and ultimately the H wasn’t held accountable for his many egregious wrongdoings.
Cover 2/5
Story 3/5
Heat 2/5
Angst 2/5
Medium burn but can’t recall precise percentage
Push away from H
No OW/OM drama
No cheating or scenes with others
6 month separation
HEA/ HFN
No cliffhanger
Safety - safe but dark
January 8, 2022
This book almost destroyed me!
Candice wright always makes characters who grab hold of your heart, then uses them to play with it. This book is the best and the worst. Omg tissues at the ready before reading this book. There is a funeral!!! If you make it that far, keep reading. She makes it all better with a warm mushy ending.
I can't say this was my favourite as it hurt so bad hearing Lanas past, and knowing what she then had to survive during this book. I love Cash and Lily and they deserved their HEA after all the trauma of previous books. But seriously, did you have to put them all through so much?
I highly recommend reading Ricochet as that will give you lot of back story about Cash. And also the underestimated series will introduce you to the MCs who play a main part in this story. I believe it could be read as stand alone, but you will miss out on a lot of world building.
Candice wright always makes characters who grab hold of your heart, then uses them to play with it. This book is the best and the worst. Omg tissues at the ready before reading this book. There is a funeral!!! If you make it that far, keep reading. She makes it all better with a warm mushy ending.
I can't say this was my favourite as it hurt so bad hearing Lanas past, and knowing what she then had to survive during this book. I love Cash and Lily and they deserved their HEA after all the trauma of previous books. But seriously, did you have to put them all through so much?
I highly recommend reading Ricochet as that will give you lot of back story about Cash. And also the underestimated series will introduce you to the MCs who play a main part in this story. I believe it could be read as stand alone, but you will miss out on a lot of world building.
March 4, 2022
We finally get Cash’s story. And what a story it is! This books starts after events that took place in Tainted Oaths so I would recommend you read that book first so you understand what is going on. Candice pulled out the big ones for this story. Most of this story left me broken hearted. Candice has this amazing ability to write tragic characters that you just connect so easy with and make them walk through flames before finding any sort of peace. Even if that peace isn’t what you would think it is. The ups and downs Cash and Layla went through were torturous. I couldn’t see how it could end well for them. But in true Candice fashion, somehow it all worked out. Candice writes books that make you feel things you don’t want to feel, but after you are done with the book she always leaves you wanting more. It's a dark and dirty world these characters inhabit and I love every minute of being in it with them.
January 12, 2022
4.5 Stars!
Whew. My heart. Have all the tissues handy because gahhhh. I swear I think my heart is a block of ice at times compared to other readers but this one. This one right here hit me hard a few times.
Candice Wright was new to me when I read my first, Coerce and now this is my third book and she's firmly got a fan in me now. Another brilliant romance by Candice that kept me on my toes the whole time, the edge of my seat on nearly every page, and left me nearly breathless by the end.
Twisted Vows, the second in the Collateral Damage series, was everything and packed to brims with so, so much. And Cash and Layla? They won't leave your mind until long after their story is over.
I can't wait to see what kind of mind and heart twist she gives us in the next release.
I highly recommend this book.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.
Whew. My heart. Have all the tissues handy because gahhhh. I swear I think my heart is a block of ice at times compared to other readers but this one. This one right here hit me hard a few times.
Candice Wright was new to me when I read my first, Coerce and now this is my third book and she's firmly got a fan in me now. Another brilliant romance by Candice that kept me on my toes the whole time, the edge of my seat on nearly every page, and left me nearly breathless by the end.
Twisted Vows, the second in the Collateral Damage series, was everything and packed to brims with so, so much. And Cash and Layla? They won't leave your mind until long after their story is over.
I can't wait to see what kind of mind and heart twist she gives us in the next release.
I highly recommend this book.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.
March 17, 2022
Twisted Vows is book Two in the Collateral Damage Series. This is the story of Layla /Lana and Cash. Layla has been in a brutal relationship with her husband who has been killed. Now his enemies are after her and no one believes her innocence. Layla once had thought life was a fairy-tale and nothing bad would come to her but after her marriage she knows on darkness and monsters. Left to find a way to survive she goes to Cash who is an enemy of her husbands to get a job that will give her enough money to start a new life. Cash seeks to get revenge though Layla not believing in her innocence and wanting to learn all he can about her husband's business. So her treatment through him and his people isn't good until they start to see that she is a person that has been tormented by her husband too. This is a dark page turning read but I can't wait to read more from this author.
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