Coldhearted King by LM Dalgleish
Coldhearted King by LM Dalgleish is a new book in her Empty Kingdom Series.
Cole King, the Chief Operating Officer of his family’s prosperous enterprise, exudes wealth and an air of arrogance, accustomed to effortlessly achieving his desires. He possesses an unwavering determination, refusing to accept rejection in any form.
In stark contrast, Delilah West is a youthful and brilliant architect who has tirelessly toiled to climb the ladder of success. Immersed in her work, she dedicated herself entirely, leaving little room for leisure or romance. There are moments where I struggled with Delilah’s indecisions and her gullibility. At times she comes across almost as too stupid to live but just almost.
This is a Billionaire, close proximity, age gap romance, all these tropes are ones I love and automatic must reads for me. Really this book should have been a huge hit for me in theory- but it was not.
Writing this review is no easy task. I had such high hopes for this book, especially considering my admiration for the author’s previous Fractured Series. However, the author’s recent works have become unnecessarily lengthy and convoluted, leaving me puzzled as to what may have changed.
In all honesty, this book could have benefitted from a significant trimming of around 20%. By the time I reached the 36% mark, I expected to be halfway through the story, only to discover that wasn’t the case. The constant back and forth lacked a clear sense of direction, resulting in sporadic character development and an abundance of extraneous material. This surplus of content failed to contribute to the tension or the chemistry between the characters. Instead, the story looped in circles, causing the pacing to drag and stutter.
I wouldn’t say that I disliked the book, but rather that I feel indifferent towards it. It left me disappointed. Considering the last two books by this author that didn’t resonate with me, it may be time to contemplate parting ways.
Book Stats:
Rating 2.5/5
Series: Empty Kingdom
Series of Standalones
Tropes: Billionaire, age-gap, virgin heroine, close proximity, boss/co-worker, NYC, strangers to lovers,
I received a copy of the books in exchange for an honest review
