The Lesser Series by Penelope Sky
I have been a long time fan of author Penelope Sky. Her Buttons and Lace series was one of the first Dark Romances I ever read. That book was off the charts steamy and so much tension but it is absolutely the darkest of the dark with mayhem from chapter one.
I recently took 2 days and binged her Lesser Trilogy. It was good. I will say it wasn’t as dark as previous offerings from her and it did have consent.
Over all Tropes for this series age-gap, alphahole, anti-hero, mafia, sex-worker
Things to know about this series before going in. Our Heroine Camille and later Elise are sex workers. There is consent in this series. Be warned there is graphic violence on page. There is almost sexual assault of our heroine. If any of these things trigger you than this author is not for you.
Lesser Evil – Book #1
Cauldron and Camille captivated me with their remarkable chemistry. Their passion blazed with intensity, while their playful exchanges were simply delectable. Two formidable men engaged in a captivating battle for her affections. Though the journey had its highs and lows, it remained an enthralling and refreshing experience.
Camille, a complex character, both intrigued and frustrated me. She possessed the ability to endure immense hardships without complaint, yet her readiness to forgive sometimes troubled me. Some hailed her as a paragon of strength, while others criticized her for moments of perceived weakness. In truth, she embodied both qualities, leaning more towards the latter.
Cauldron, with his unpredictable nature, alternated between warmth and aloofness, exhibiting traits of the most infuriating kind. However, his presence added a captivating dynamic to the narrative. The storyline itself was a captivating departure from the conventional tropes I had encountered before, which heightened my anticipation and excitement.
Overall, the entanglement between Cauldron, Camille, and their tumultuous relationship provided a mesmerizing and unconventional tale, offering a refreshing departure from the usual narrative patterns.
Better Man Book #2
This book proved to be somewhat frustrating for me. The so-called hero, Cauldron, seemed to follow a familiar pattern seen in the author’s previous works, presenting a hero devoid of deep emotions. Camille initially accepts this, but later she yearns for more and is left disappointed when Cauldron cannot fulfill her desires. Unfortunately, this leads to her being hurt by him for the third time. Nevertheless, I still hope that Cauldron will come to realize his love for her and step up to the plate.
To my surprise, the book takes an unexpected turn halfway through when the author switches the point of view to Grave, Camille’s former lover, and his new companion, Elise. I appreciated the introduction of Grave and Elise into the story, as well as the brothers’ attempts at reconciliation and the reappearance of their father.
Now, we have two women who, due to their circumstances, have resorted to using their beauty to earn money through sexual means, and both have fallen in love with men incapable of returning that love. It sets the stage for a potentially captivating story.
My biggest complaint lies in the author’s lack of thorough plot development in this particular title. It revolves around how the author chose to depict each woman’s experience with her “one true love.” Camille repeatedly emphasizes that Cauldron is dominant in bed and attentive to her pleasure, contrasting with her previous clients who made her do all the work. However, considering she spent three years with Grave, it is assumed that she is referring to him as well since he was her client during that time. Now, with Elise entering the story, she echoes similar sentiments about Grave being dominant and attentive, as if she had never experienced such treatment from previous clients.
Despite my criticisms, I remain invested in all four characters and will continue reading the third book. However, I must admit that I found numerous grammar, spelling, and typographical errors throughout the book, leaving me with the impression that it was somewhat unfinished. I had higher expectations in terms of the quality of the author’s work.
Harder Betrayal- Book #3
Book 3 brings conclusion to most of the storylines in this series.
I do think this trilogy could have easily been condensed into a duet. Grace needed his own book to focus on his character arc more.
However, the third book managed to become my favorite, primarily due to the deepening relationship between Grave and Camille. It was in this installment that Cauldron finally recognized the harm he had inflicted upon Camille and the twisted way he had treated her. Additionally, I found myself enamored with Bartholomew and wouldn’t have hesitated to include him in the harem that I secretly wished Camille had.
Now, let’s talk about Elise. There was something about her character that simply rubbed me the wrong way. Perhaps it was my hidden desire to see Grave and Camille remain together, but whatever the reason, I struggled to connect with Elise. Her parts in the story became a chore to read, and I had to consciously remind myself not to skip them. Nevertheless, I’m relieved that Grave exhibited some personal growth and didn’t follow in Cauldron’s footsteps. It’s bewildering how these alpha men resist being loved, truly drama queens.
As for the epilogue, I believe it could have been more intimate. Throughout the series, Camille’s desire to settle down was a recurring theme, so I expected to witness their lives five years after the wedding. I longed to see how Cauldron would embrace his role as a father and husband, and how Grave would adapt to being an uncle and all the intricacies that come with it.
Overall, while there were some flaws in the structure of the trilogy, the third book managed to captivate me the most, especially with the evolving relationship between Grave and Camille. The inclusion of other characters brought both enjoyment and frustration, leaving me yearning for a more comprehensive epilogue that would satisfy my curiosity about their future lives.
