Halloween Book Review: Princess Broken by Mara Leigh
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
This was a Stuff Your Kindle gem, and whether you’re a romance reader or looking to dip your toe into the genre, I cannot recommend this event enough. It, quite literally, has something for everyone when it comes to romance, and I’ve snagged quite a few books from it that I’ve really enjoyed!
This book is a little bit silly in places, but in a really good way? It’s the kind of book where you just have to go with it and not get caught up in the details. Yet it still deals with some darker topics with a careful hand.
Anastasia Romanov is looking to bring a vampire syndicate boss in line, but she does not imagine the meeting she attends to turn into a bloodbath. Ana is kidnapped by four vampire bodyguards, who vow to protect her with their lives. But Ana has recently had a sexual awakening, and being around such handsome (though dangerous) men comes with risks in more ways than one.
Now, with this being a why choose paranormal romance, you know as soon as the four men are introduced that they won’t be sticking to their vows by the end of the novel. I really liked the way Leigh wrote these vampires, and she worked into the worldbuilding reasons why they just can’t seem to stop shagging. See, in this world, the act of feeding and sex are very much tied in together, and vampires can feed from each other; Ana previously fed from her friend, but once they slept together and Ana was no longer a virgin, she craves sex every time she feeds, like most vampires. There are dedicated areas for this to happen. Oh, and vampires heal very fast, and with them being, well, vampires, the sex gets rough.
I really suggest checking out the trigger warnings before reading this novel. It deals with sensitive topics including CSA, and touches on sexual assault as well as consent. The sex does get rough between the characters, but it’s handled in a way where it’s clear the male vampires will completely listen to Ana, would not commit assault, and safe words are discussed. But there are references to other situations and a scene where Ana remembers a traumatic incident from her childhood, but again, please do check the trigger warnings!
This is the kind of book that does exactly what it suggests; it’s got a fun plot based around Anastasia that allows for her to be trapped with these men, without it feeling like the men are doing it for any reason other than to keep her safe. She’s a determined if a little naïve character, but it’s a lot of fun to read her growing closer to the four vampires, and even start planning for a future that might involve them. There are spicy scenes with some sweet, tender moments between, and the different POVs read really well. So, if you like why choose stories, or maybe are looking to explore them a bit more, this is one I recommend – I enjoy it, and plan on picking up the next in the series.
Review by Elle Turpitt
Twitter: @elleturpitt
Bluesky: @elleturpitt.bsky.social
I purchased this book during Stuff Your Kindle.
