S.J. Tilly
Hans (Alliance, #4)
by S.J. Tilly
Cassie, a hopeless romantic with a penchant for disastrous baking, has spent a year leaving cookies on her brooding neighbor’s doorstep in hopes of catching his attention—until her boudoir photos accidentally land in his mailbox and turn his world upside down. Hans, a deadly assassin who dwells in darkness, finds himself unable to resist the pull toward her light, watching her from the shadows with dangerous intent and unexpected tenderness.
Tropes & Themes
About This Book
In "Hans," the fourth installment of S.J. Tilly's Alliance series, Cassie Cantrell, a warm-hearted woman with a passion for baking, has spent a year attempting to capture the attention of her enigmatic neighbor, Hans Eklund. Her efforts, including leaving cookies on his doorstep, go unnoticed until a mix-up leads to her boudoir photos being delivered to his mailbox, sparking an unexpected and intense confrontation.
Hans, a man with a shadowy past and a reputation for ruthlessness, finds himself drawn to Cassie's light and warmth. Despite his inclination to remain in the shadows, he becomes captivated by her presence, leading to a complex and suspenseful relationship.
The narrative delves into themes of obsession, protection, and the struggle between darkness and light. As Cassie and Hans navigate their growing attraction, they confront the challenges posed by their contrasting worlds, creating a slow-burn, intense atmosphere filled with tension and unexpected tenderness.
What Readers Say
Readers praise the book's intense chemistry and emotional depth between the protagonists. Many commend the author's writing for its engaging narrative and well-developed characters. Fans note the story's ability to balance dark themes with humor and romance effectively. Some readers caution about the book's mature content, including stalking and violence, which may be triggering. Ideal for fans of dark romance seeking a compelling and emotionally charged story.
Reader Reviews
8 curated reviewsAlanasThoughts
Aug 26, 2015
One of my favorite stories !!!!
I will start off by saying I absolutely fell in love with this story.. This is Lucas (a.k.a. Hansel) and Leah's (a.k.a. Gretel) story. While trying not o give too much away, this story is a bit dark as both the characters have gone through quite a bit. Lucas and Leah met years before but Leah never knew Lucas's real name. Their situation at the time was difficult for lack of a better word. Years later they meet again. Leah had searched years for Lucas but never found him until a chance meeting. As the story progressed we were let into their life as younger kids and what all they went through a
AvidReader
Oct 24, 2015
Definitely worth reading
Wow! This type of book is kind of outside my wheelhouse, or so I thought. I tend to avoid a lot of "dark romance" and BDSM titles because I'm just not into the debasement and humiliation of women. This book, however, crept under my skin. The H and h are written in so many layers, and their pasts (both together and apart) are richly complicated and intertwined. There was a twisted believability to their interactions, and a deep river of emotion between them that made all of the painful parts of the story so very poignant. This isn't one of those stories where a guy beats and rapes a girl
Kindle Customer
Aug 26, 2015
This is one of my favorite stories by James
This is one of my favorite stories by James. Hansel is the hero that is also the anti-hero and we can't help but love him. Yes it is dark, yes there are parts that are not happy, but this is exactly why I love James. She has characters that although flawed are closer to real then most of the people that inhabit books anymore. Plus this set is on sale right now. Buy it! Buy it now, you'll be glad you did :)
Scandy
Aug 30, 2015
Amazingly well-written. Hooked me and I had to keep reading
Wow...really deep, intense subject matter woven thru this whole series it could easily have gone wrong but it was so well done that I had to keep reading. I'm so glad I got this in a bundle and didn't have to wait to get thru 4 parts Happy to have found another author to follow!
KristiBooks
Aug 28, 2015
5 Dark and Twisty Fairy Tale Stars!
Love, loved this series! I knew going in that this would be a twisted, erotic fairy tale, but it was far beyond what I had imagined. Poor Hansel and Gretel growing up in Mother's house!! Now grown up and meeting each other again, they have overcome so much already, can they be together? My heart was breaking for them both. I loved the erotica in this book, as well as the back story, the setting, the romance...it really has it all. The visual imagery in the writing is stunning as I could imagine where these 2 kids grew up, and where they are now. The plot is twisty and quite a ride. It's defi
Lori E. Jones
Aug 31, 2015
Amazing erotic thriller
This was really an amazing book series that could stand alone as just a thriller if the sex scenes were toned down. Not sure how much that would affect the story, though. My point being, it does not rely on the hot sex to make it a great read. And the sex is hot! The characters are real and flawed, and trying to make their lives work after the horrors they faced. My only complaint is that the author could have gone into more depth with how they worked out their problems, especially in part four. But overall, a compelling read.
