Book Title: Dirty Empire
Author: Nina West
Series: Dirty Empire, Book 3
Rating: 5⭐
Release Date: September 15th, 2020
Goodreads | Amazon.in (Available on KU)
Synopsis: In the third book of the Dirty Empire series, we continue to follow Mercy Wheeler and Gabriel Easton as they try to make sense of their relationship. While still protecting her father in prison, keeping Gabriel’s hands and nose clean and trying not to fall in love. This third book is far more explosive than the previous two, so brace yourself for absolute chaos.
Review: I’d like to first whine about the fact that I thought this was the end of the series, but we’ve got one more whole book before we get any resolution to everything that started in Sweet Mercy. But all that aside, holy smokes, this book just took things to a whole new level and I swear, I didn’t see any of it coming. I mean, I probably should have, but nope, I refused to accept.
I loved Mercy and Gabriel from the minute we met them in Sweet Mercy and in Dirty Empire, they are even better than they were the first time around. Given that the suspense and the danger of this book are so important to the story, writing a review without giving all of it away is a challenge. But I’m going to do my best to give you everything that is important.
“I’m a selfish asshole who can’t stand the idea of not waking to that floral smell on my pillow and the feel of her warm, soft skin pressed against mine.”
When we left off at the end of Gabriel Fallen, the private plane that the four of them (Gabriel, Mercy, Caleb and Michelle) were supposed to take to Vegas was blown up. Dirty Empire picks up from there, with Caleb and Gabriel chomping at the bit to uncover who is trying to kill them. But obviously with all of this looming over their heads, nobody is let out of sight – which infuriates Mercy, as you can imagine. Bodyguards are brought in and they’re being watched constantly. Mercy and Gabriel are stronger and closer than ever, but the fear of what being with Gabriel means keeps Mercy constantly afraid. And then there’s her constant need to protect Michelle, not just from Caleb but from everything else. Michelle didn’t ask for any of this and unlike Mercy, she was there on her own accord.
Caleb and Gabriel are still meeting with the Perris, trying to sort out everything about their deal. Their lives must go on, because how can you just focus on one thing when there’s like a 100 things to deal with at once? As tensions rise, things between the four characters also explode. There is just so much to unpack!
Mercy and Gabriel are still hot as ever. Their chemistry and their relationship – while slightly volatile – is so hot, it’s impossible to ignore. Mercy still doesn’t take any of Gabriel’s bullshit and the more she pushes him, the more he falls in love with her. It’s so incredible to watch unfold. And then there’s Mercy’s friendship with Michelle that is also quite something. We’ve seen it in the other two books, but it’s more prominent here because they’re both together a lot more.
“The appalling man I met that day in the visitor lounge at Fulcort is not the same man whose lips find mine late into the night and as the sun rises for a new day.”
The twists and turns in this book were mindblowing. I predicted a few, but I totally did not expect some of the things that happened to….well, happen. Nina West has just taken things so totally to the next level and I honestly can’t wait to see what happens in Fallen Empire when it releases later this year. I don’t think I’m going to be able to breathe till all of this is resolved!
Thanks to Nina West and Valentine PR for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
anna reads here 