Spider (British Bad Boys Book 3)

This book was fantastic. An amazing book. The story and chemistry is so real it had me screaming. I cried with ? and with Spider. This book blew me away. One of the best romances I have read in awhile.

Rose is the adopted daughter of a wealthy socialite. While she appreciates what her mom has provided for her, she wants to forge her own path, one that doesn’t involve sticking around Dallas and attending her adoptive mother’s alma mater. So under the guise of visiting an aunt in New York, she sets her sights on college in the big apple. It is the flight home that changes her life forever though, when she is seated next to the cocky Spider, an up and coming musician headed home at his estranged father’s request. He is about to meet his new stepmother and stepsister, who just happens to be Rose. But the two share a searing kiss on the flight, so when they find out that they are now “family”, things get complicated real quick. Add to that that Spider has been threatened to stay away from Rose and their relationship might be over before it really gets the chance to start.

Told in the first person from dual points of view, the story takes place over the better part of a decade. And while you might expect the two to have moved past the feelings they have for each other, they’re unable too. But the time is never right...until finally, it is. When that happens, things get explosive. While the sexual tension between the two is palpable, it was more the history between the two characters that really drew me into the story. I love second chances/friends to lovers so this one his the mark for me.

Spider was hot, hot, hot. I love broody rock stars, especially when they are just finding their fame, willing to hold on to those relationships they had before they made it big. While Spider IS a stepbrother romance, it was a nice departure from the slew of them that we had a year or so ago. Maybe it was the rock star thing, or the fact that he’s British, but Spider did it for me. While I’m not a big fan of angst, it seems as though there could have been a little more drama to add a little bit more to the plot, but all in all, this was a very enjoyable read!

Spider has been a slightly mysterious side character in other books that Ilsa has written and now he gets to be his sexy self in his very own book. I have fallen in love with this slightly cocky, full of fun mysterious character with every snippet we have got from him in the other stories. This story is ALL ABOUT HIM and it will have you smiling, swooning, and even feeling a little sorry for him and the female lead, Rose. Their story is different and wonderful. A little heartbreaking and definitely an epic love story.
The ay that Ilsa wrote the characters pulls you and to the story and you can feel all the emotions coming from the pages. I hurt when they hurt, laughed when they laughed and fell in love with them as I read. I always thought there was so much more to Spider than what he let be seen and this book gives all of that to you. If you are like me and think Spider has been a story that needed to be written then the wait is over and it was so worth the wait too. Seriously, the feels from this has made it my new favorite story but Ilsa Madden-Mills.

Spider has been a character who has remained with me for a while. He has appeared in many of Ilsa's stories, but hasn't had his own until now. Spider had been this guy that is lurking (in a good way of course), and screaming to be seen and understood.
This book answers everything. Ilsa carried the story through the years flawlessly answering all the questions I think I could have ever wondered.
I'm only sad it's over, because I truly do want more. More Spider. More of our British men. Just more.
5☆ read for sure ❤

The writing was great. I was prepared to have this author be one of my rare favorites. But...(spoiler alert) there was cheating. A TON OF IT. I realize it made sense to the story line, but good grief. You can't let a reader get that close to the characters, CARE about the characters, and then throw that many heartbreaking bombshells at them. I wanted to throw my kindle against the wall. Very disappointing.

I absolutely devoured it! A book totally worth of 6 stars, considering I barely pay attention to Rockstar/Hollywood celebrities romances (I rarely like their Blurbs). I live for great stories like this one, and I'm So happy I gave this book a shot because I love my characters...damaged...and the somewhat Forbidden case between them just makes it more...IN.CRE.DI.BLE! I have no words left to describe how was their family drama because I'm not a fan of too much family scenery, but with this book, all bets were off and it was something Unexpectedly amazing! I will read it again, because it is so well-written... if you didn't like any of her previous books, I can guarantee...this book will change your opinion...mind-blowing!!

I made the mistake of reading Fake Fiancee first. I loved it. It was written so well. Characters were great. The story was strong. I was stoked to see she had another book out, so I immediately downloaded Spider to read. It started out with so much promise. The sweet interaction between 11 year old Rose and 16 year old Spider had me thinking that this was going to be even better than her last book. I was so wrong. The author made grown up Spider such a douchebag that he was pretty much nonredeemable from the start. Rose was a weak character in her own right. She was more impressive as an 11 year old. Honestly, this book just blows. There is a lot of cheating. No self respect. Crappy parents - money doesn't buy love. I'm also sick of the attitude that because he was on drugs it excuses all the horrible things he did now that he is clean. It was the old cliche rockstar story made even worse. I'm bummed that it was such a letdown.

Spider... A story about a Rock star...Yes, please!
A forbidden, second chance romance. A first love.
This story was so much more! I loved everything about it!
Ilsa Madden-Mills how can you write a "short" story with so many layers and complex characters?! Spider evolved right before my eyes. From the backstory in the beginning to the very end, I was drawn in.
I loved the time increments and how the story flowed along seamlessly.
This story gave me ALL the FEELS.
Snarky, cocky, funny, heartbreaking, smart and truly a must read!

I have recently been introduced to this very talented author. After finishing Filthy English and realizing Spider was as getting his own book I may have screamed, just a little. You meet Spider very briefly in Filthy English, you learn very early on he’s in a very successful band and has many, many, demons. Spider gosh there are so many things to say about this intoxicating man.

Band.
Sexy.
Demons.
British.
Troubled.
Lost.
Tattoos.
Did I say sexy?!

Those are just a few things to think about when picking this book up. The writing as always, is instantly addicting. The way this author blends these two characters who have lived such different lives, but ultimately fate is what intwines them from the get go and she won’t let go. This very forbidden love story goes back years.
Fate has these to by the neck and they don’t even know it. ILSA is a one stop, cant do anything but gasp, and sigh, and hate the things she puts you through. But by the end, she creates meaningful love stories. I️ have fallen in love with all things ILSA Madden Mills and I don’t want to ever stop. I loved every minute of Spider.

Second chances? Check. Instant chemistry? Check. Angst? Check. First loves? Check. Heartbreak? Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. CHECK! Check all that on your list of what you want and expect when reading a second chance standalone romance from bestselling author and master at making your heart beat fast and slow at the same damn time (and yeah I got that from the movie Hot Chick in case you were wondering where you might have heard that before) Ilsa Madden-Mills.

I really don’t know where to start, without blabbing about how long I’ve waited for Spider’s story and how British men bring me to my knees, but I’ll try my best, so bear with me here! I’d like to start off by saying that I’m beyond grateful that I received an ARC of SPIDER, just yesterday, and this is my honest review (and my sappiness):

Ever been in love? Like really in love? So in love, you’ll go as far as committing illegal acts to either save or be with the one you’d move heaven and earth for? How about if you ever had your heart broken? What about having your heart broken by that one person you claim to love? And now the thought of that person brings this kind of pain that feels like your insides, including your now broken heart, is squeezing the ever loving sh*t out of you?

So now, here you are, walking the earth in a shell of yourself because your soul mate broke your heart and you’re just there, barely existing…okay see now I’m just blabbing, sorry! Okay, to the point, my reason for blabbing like a love sick fool:

The story follows bad boy Spider, who’s British and a rock star God, the lead singer of the band Vital Rejects (Ilsa can we please get these shirts made?) who’s on his way to Dallas to visit his pops after six months and meet his new stepmum and little stepsister; and the ever so self-reliant, sharp as a whip, pure and innocent Rose, who’s on her way back to Dallas after visiting her cousin in NY. When fate puts these two on a plane, next to one another, she lights the wick, burning the flame, and lets the insta-chemistry take over, because fate can only work with a pair of soul mates one at a time. Hey, they were okay with that because holy hotness, they shared a kiss! The toe curling, deep in your bones kiss, that seared their hearts and left a mark forever.

What we don’t expect is for the flame to burn out so fast because hello! Clarence aka Spider, meet your new stepsister Primrose aka Rose! Sweet Jesus! Insert angst here! Of course both have been warned to ‘behave’ and to stay away from each other because he’s heartless, and messed up and uncaring and she’s too good for him, and has a bright future and blah blah….PFFT! You can’t mess with Fate! She brought these two together, and that was long before their run in on the plane! Dun dun dunnnn! Didn’t see that coming huh? HA!

How can you tell the girl that you’re damaged in every way, broken inside and out, and have demons that run too deep to ever escape? You break down her barriers and break her heart in hopes that one day, in the distant future she forgives you. Insert ugly cry here! Insert heart aching here! Insert all that sh*t about walking around in the shell of yourself!

Ilsa delivers, like really delivers. She’s written a story that will make you turn the pages until the very end and wiping your snot on your favorite hoodie (hey, I’m an ugly crier and I’m okay with it). SPIDER is everything I hoped it would be and more. I can’t remember how many times I said oh my God my effin heart while clutching at my chest, until my boyfriend asked if I was having some kind of mini heart attack and when I said no then he said then shut up…he later apologized and told me that he was just wary about my reaction to reading SPIDER he just foolishly reacted without thinking, so I figured I might have said it about 80% of the time. Any ways, Spider got the story he deserved and oh my God, his story is beyond raw, it’s downright beautiful and ugly at the same time and it was worth the wait (p.s. please tell me there will be an audio?).

She left me breathless, that Ilsa…left me with giving SPIDER the five beautifully flawed stars it deserves!

After reading the previous books, I was convinced life would end if Spider didn’t end up with Mila, BUT I WAS WRONG! So wrong!
I was so excited to read this story and it did not disappoint. I’m not usually a step-sibling story reader, but I couldn’t not find out how Spider’s story ended.
Worth the wait. Worth the read. I’m so glad it got told! Rose & Spiders story is an epic love story.

Spider has been one of my most anticipated books from Ilsa Madden-Mills. From the moment we met him in previous books and then got more of him in a short story she wrote, I needed more of this charismatic character who seemed to draw me in with his persona alone. And while I would have liked a little more depth to the story in general, Spider, as a character, and his heroine did not disappoint in any way.

Spider is on the surface a bad boy rockstar. He is damaged, a bit broken from his past, and self-medicating. Even with all of his pitfalls, he still has this personality that entices readers. They, along with the heroine and many other females in the book, will be drawn to him. His desire to want to be a good person, not only for Rose but for himself, makes readers overlook his more troublesome qualities. The one thing that I do wish is that we would have gotten more depth to his character. Readers get the basic information, enough to understand his choices, but I ultimately wanted to dive into more layers of his character to really understand him and what drives his character other than the surface level.

Rose, surprisingly, had much more development to her character. Readers get to see her past experiences, they get to see her grow and change from a teen to a woman, and they get to see her grab onto the life she wants. There are going to be readers who don't like her choices, one in particular, as she gets older, but as a reader, I bought into the her reason for making the decision. The attraction between the two, the pull, makes this choice a no-brainer, and I ultimately like the growth and development of her character over the course of the novel.

This story, very similar to my feelings on Spider, is enjoyable, but I really wanted more. I wanted more of them together. I wanted more intimate moments between them. I just wanted more. Ultimately, this speaks to how much I enjoyed the characters, their story, and their romance, but it felt very surface level instead of really getting to the meat of their story. I wanted to see the struggle, the journey of them getting to their HEA, but a lot of these moments are skipped with the with jumping of time. If I could have seen inside these times, this would have been a five crown read for me.

If you are looking for a quick, angsty read with characters that are relatable but also have troubled pasts, then Spider is a read for you. Readers will be enamored with Spider, will enjoy the growth and development of Rose, and will relish in their journey.

Voluntarily read an early copy.

Like Jane Eyre and Edward Fairfax Rochester in the classic novel Jane Eyre, Rose and Spider in Ilsa Madden-Mills newest release have contrasting personalities as well as differing social backgrounds, which get in the way of their happily ever after…at least at the beginning and throughout the middle of their story.

But given that Spider is a contemporary romance, the darker sides of modern society also stand in Rose and Spider’s way because the path that Spider is on when fate brings them together is self-destructive and self-loathing because his need for drugs, booze, and sex to chase everything else away overpowers his connection and need for someone like Rose…someone who gets him on almost every level and understands how one’s past can control one’s present/future.

In a span of a decade, Ilsa Madden-Mills takes readers through the ups and downs of loving a man who doesn’t love himself and the push and pull between two people who seem to be kindred souls but can’t quite make it work because there always seems to be someone or something in the way of their happiness. Both Spider and Rose make choices that change their lives in significant ways, but while Rose’s path seems to be about finding happiness despite everything she’s been through, Spider’s choices revolve around making his mind numb and his heart void of any warmth because he can’t trust anyone to stay nor is he willing to suffocate the one girl who kind quite possibly free him from the darkness because he’s not ready to face his demons and he’s the only one who can battle them back and set himself free.

‘Every day is a second chance, son. All you have to do is take it.’

Spider can accept these words, but until he’s ready to deliver on that promise, it’s better if he stays away from Rose and the life she created without him. But Fate can be a tad bit fickle when it comes to bringing two people together who were meant to be one from the start, so while there were missed opportunities and heartbreak caused, it’s up to chance as well as free will to set things right again, but the only way that Spider can undo what he’s done is if he finds a way to let go of his past…let go of his destructive activities and prove, once and for all, that what was between him and Rose from the beginning is all he’s ever wanted regardless of his actions illustrating otherwise.  

Ever since meeting Spider in Sebastian Tate’s book, I NEEDED his story…I wanted to understand the reasons behind his snark and the giant size chip he seemed to have on his shoulder, but what I craved more than anything was insight into his past…a clear view of what forced him to become the manwhore, drug addict he does and then what helps him to clean up his act and find a way to make things right with the people he hurt the most.

I’m not sure if I had a different idea in my head as to what I thought Spider’s story would be, but while I enjoyed reading it, I did feel like it was missing the backstory information that I needed to get a clear perception of both Spider and Rose. Things fast forward rather quickly in the storyline, which means that sometimes I didn’t have a clear view of everything that happened and what it meant for the main characters as well as those around them before I was moved forward and asked to understand situations that took place behind the scenes and without much of a discussion in the text itself.

I desperately wanted to see Spider and Rose together, but I also wanted to experience the things they did and the ways they grew while they were apart, especially the two years just before Spider goes after Rose to reclaim her once and for all. I wanted these two characters to be larger than life…to be as dynamic as possible because with everything they both have been through, they deserved to have as much happiness and love as they could handle, and while in the end, Fate reunites them and works its magic, making it right for both Spider and Rose to finally get their happily ever after when most of their life was anything but pleasant.

I adore the way that Ilsa Madden-Mills uses components of classic literary works and gives them a contemporary outlet to recreate some of the magic that occurred all those years ago. Jane and Rochester’s relationship and issues aptly fit all that Spider and Rose go through in this modern take on Jane Eyre and while I wanted a bit more character development and back story, Madden-Mills’ writing as well as her sexy broken alpha males never fail to entertain or endear, which is what I always want to experience when I sit down to read a story.

I voluntarily read/reviewed this story.

4 Poison Apples

I love this author and how she writes, she rarely disappoints. Like her English characters. I always look forward for her new released book especially when there is nothing else interesting. Spider and Rose both characters are great and well developed throughout the book. This story is sweet and romantic with a predictable ending. But, regardless of the predictability I still like how the story is written. Spider is English, and with his English accent and good looks, he is a lady man. But, he has demons and he is a mess. Both characters meet for the first time when he was sixteen and she was eleven, and both feel a connection. Especially Rose feels so drawn to Spider that later on, in the story she gets a tattoo to hold on that connection, and memory. The reason for the four 1/2 stars is because it is a precditable storyline, and I am still debating on cheating factor. Not happy how Rose cheats on her boyfriend. This bothers me because the author could have gone by it in a different way about the cheating being the reason why she ends up with Spider. However, I will always look to read another book from this author.

First off, the cover of this book (fans face) whew! Love it!!
This is a genuinely beautiful story about a rich boy and the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. No matter how much you want something, or someone, life doesn't always happen on your timetable or even the way you want it. Spider, while surrounded by material things, isn't whole. He's been through tragedy and pain and came out the other side of it incomplete. He's turned to women, whiskey and drugs to feel alive. Rose grew up always watching her back. She wasn't always wanted, and she had to work for everything she's ever had. She yearns to be someone's everything. They meet as young teens and that meeting will stay with them forever. Years later, they meet again on a plane. The attraction is immediate and we are sucked into this dysfunctional relationship. Life isn't ready for them yet. We ride the highs and the lows, take the punches and celebrate the successes. We end where we began and it's beautiful.
I had to set the book down a few times to just breathe and collect my thoughts. It's beautiful and sad at the same time. But it's so worth it. Another brilliant story from Ilsa Madden-Mills!!

From the moment we met Spider in previous books, I knew we needed to meet him properly, he needed his own book and it would so be worth the wait ! Ilsa didn’t disappoint.

Oh Spider, I adore thee, My Rockstar, my Achilles heel when it comes to the world of romance, they make me go weak at the knees.

Fate brought them together and had a hand to play 6 years later when they caught the same plane to the same destination unbeknown to them for the same reason !

Spider and Rose have an instant connection, and when two hearts align and it’s meant to be, how do things end up so messed up ! Split into two parts (all in one book) and told in dual POV, it’s a story about two halves never forgetting and finding comfort and love in the darkness !

The main characters and supporting cast are brilliant and there’s a few I hope to see more of. It’s not an Angst filled book but there’s definitely moments of emotional stability ! It still has all the feels and I love the way Ilsa writes, this worked as a quick easy read x

Loved it

4.5 Stars

Donna
4TLOREADING

The writing was great. I was prepared to have this author be one of my rare favorites. But...(spoiler alert) there was cheating. A TON OF IT. I realize it made sense to the story line, but good grief. You can't let a reader get that close to the characters, CARE about the characters, and then throw that many heartbreaking bombshells at them. I wanted to throw my kindle against the wall. Very disappointing.

I made the mistake of reading Fake Fiancee first. I loved it. It was written so well. Characters were great. The story was strong. I was stoked to see she had another book out, so I immediately downloaded Spider to read. It started out with so much promise. The sweet interaction between 11 year old Rose and 16 year old Spider had me thinking that this was going to be even better than her last book. I was so wrong. The author made grown up Spider such a douchebag that he was pretty much nonredeemable from the start. Rose was a weak character in her own right. She was more impressive as an 11 year old. Honestly, this book just blows. There is a lot of cheating. No self respect. Crappy parents - money doesn't buy love. I'm also sick of the attitude that because he was on drugs it excuses all the horrible things he did now that he is clean. It was the old cliche rockstar story made even worse. I'm bummed that it was such a letdown.

I have recently been introduced to this very talented author. After finishing Filthy English and realizing Spider was as getting his own book I may have screamed, just a little. You meet Spider very briefly in Filthy English, you learn very early on he’s in a very successful band and has many, many, demons. Spider gosh there are so many things to say about this intoxicating man.

Band.
Sexy.
Demons.
British.
Troubled.
Lost.
Tattoos.
Did I say sexy?!

Those are just a few things to think about when picking this book up. The writing as always, is instantly addicting. The way this author blends these two characters who have lived such different lives, but ultimately fate is what intwines them from the get go and she won’t let go. This very forbidden love story goes back years.
Fate has these to by the neck and they don’t even know it. ILSA is a one stop, cant do anything but gasp, and sigh, and hate the things she puts you through. But by the end, she creates meaningful love stories. I️ have fallen in love with all things ILSA Madden Mills and I don’t want to ever stop. I loved every minute of Spider.

Second chances? Check. Instant chemistry? Check. Angst? Check. First loves? Check. Heartbreak? Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. CHECK! Check all that on your list of what you want and expect when reading a second chance standalone romance from bestselling author and master at making your heart beat fast and slow at the same damn time (and yeah I got that from the movie Hot Chick in case you were wondering where you might have heard that before) Ilsa Madden-Mills.

I really don’t know where to start, without blabbing about how long I’ve waited for Spider’s story and how British men bring me to my knees, but I’ll try my best, so bear with me here! I’d like to start off by saying that I’m beyond grateful that I received an ARC of SPIDER, just yesterday, and this is my honest review (and my sappiness):

Ever been in love? Like really in love? So in love, you’ll go as far as committing illegal acts to either save or be with the one you’d move heaven and earth for? How about if you ever had your heart broken? What about having your heart broken by that one person you claim to love? And now the thought of that person brings this kind of pain that feels like your insides, including your now broken heart, is squeezing the ever loving sh*t out of you?

So now, here you are, walking the earth in a shell of yourself because your soul mate broke your heart and you’re just there, barely existing…okay see now I’m just blabbing, sorry! Okay, to the point, my reason for blabbing like a love sick fool:

The story follows bad boy Spider, who’s British and a rock star God, the lead singer of the band Vital Rejects (Ilsa can we please get these shirts made?) who’s on his way to Dallas to visit his pops after six months and meet his new stepmum and little stepsister; and the ever so self-reliant, sharp as a whip, pure and innocent Rose, who’s on her way back to Dallas after visiting her cousin in NY. When fate puts these two on a plane, next to one another, she lights the wick, burning the flame, and lets the insta-chemistry take over, because fate can only work with a pair of soul mates one at a time. Hey, they were okay with that because holy hotness, they shared a kiss! The toe curling, deep in your bones kiss, that seared their hearts and left a mark forever.

What we don’t expect is for the flame to burn out so fast because hello! Clarence aka Spider, meet your new stepsister Primrose aka Rose! Sweet Jesus! Insert angst here! Of course both have been warned to ‘behave’ and to stay away from each other because he’s heartless, and messed up and uncaring and she’s too good for him, and has a bright future and blah blah….PFFT! You can’t mess with Fate! She brought these two together, and that was long before their run in on the plane! Dun dun dunnnn! Didn’t see that coming huh? HA!

How can you tell the girl that you’re damaged in every way, broken inside and out, and have demons that run too deep to ever escape? You break down her barriers and break her heart in hopes that one day, in the distant future she forgives you. Insert ugly cry here! Insert heart aching here! Insert all that sh*t about walking around in the shell of yourself!

Ilsa delivers, like really delivers. She’s written a story that will make you turn the pages until the very end and wiping your snot on your favorite hoodie (hey, I’m an ugly crier and I’m okay with it). SPIDER is everything I hoped it would be and more. I can’t remember how many times I said oh my God my effin heart while clutching at my chest, until my boyfriend asked if I was having some kind of mini heart attack and when I said no then he said then shut up…he later apologized and told me that he was just wary about my reaction to reading SPIDER he just foolishly reacted without thinking, so I figured I might have said it about 80% of the time. Any ways, Spider got the story he deserved and oh my God, his story is beyond raw, it’s downright beautiful and ugly at the same time and it was worth the wait (p.s. please tell me there will be an audio?).

She left me breathless, that Ilsa…left me with giving SPIDER the five beautifully flawed stars it deserves!

Spider has been one of my most anticipated books from Ilsa Madden-Mills. From the moment we met him in previous books and then got more of him in a short story she wrote, I needed more of this charismatic character who seemed to draw me in with his persona alone. And while I would have liked a little more depth to the story in general, Spider, as a character, and his heroine did not disappoint in any way.

Spider is on the surface a bad boy rockstar. He is damaged, a bit broken from his past, and self-medicating. Even with all of his pitfalls, he still has this personality that entices readers. They, along with the heroine and many other females in the book, will be drawn to him. His desire to want to be a good person, not only for Rose but for himself, makes readers overlook his more troublesome qualities. The one thing that I do wish is that we would have gotten more depth to his character. Readers get the basic information, enough to understand his choices, but I ultimately wanted to dive into more layers of his character to really understand him and what drives his character other than the surface level.

Rose, surprisingly, had much more development to her character. Readers get to see her past experiences, they get to see her grow and change from a teen to a woman, and they get to see her grab onto the life she wants. There are going to be readers who don't like her choices, one in particular, as she gets older, but as a reader, I bought into the her reason for making the decision. The attraction between the two, the pull, makes this choice a no-brainer, and I ultimately like the growth and development of her character over the course of the novel.

This story, very similar to my feelings on Spider, is enjoyable, but I really wanted more. I wanted more of them together. I wanted more intimate moments between them. I just wanted more. Ultimately, this speaks to how much I enjoyed the characters, their story, and their romance, but it felt very surface level instead of really getting to the meat of their story. I wanted to see the struggle, the journey of them getting to their HEA, but a lot of these moments are skipped with the with jumping of time. If I could have seen inside these times, this would have been a five crown read for me.

If you are looking for a quick, angsty read with characters that are relatable but also have troubled pasts, then Spider is a read for you. Readers will be enamored with Spider, will enjoy the growth and development of Rose, and will relish in their journey.

Voluntarily read an early copy.

Like Jane Eyre and Edward Fairfax Rochester in the classic novel Jane Eyre, Rose and Spider in Ilsa Madden-Mills newest release have contrasting personalities as well as differing social backgrounds, which get in the way of their happily ever after…at least at the beginning and throughout the middle of their story.

But given that Spider is a contemporary romance, the darker sides of modern society also stand in Rose and Spider’s way because the path that Spider is on when fate brings them together is self-destructive and self-loathing because his need for drugs, booze, and sex to chase everything else away overpowers his connection and need for someone like Rose…someone who gets him on almost every level and understands how one’s past can control one’s present/future.

In a span of a decade, Ilsa Madden-Mills takes readers through the ups and downs of loving a man who doesn’t love himself and the push and pull between two people who seem to be kindred souls but can’t quite make it work because there always seems to be someone or something in the way of their happiness. Both Spider and Rose make choices that change their lives in significant ways, but while Rose’s path seems to be about finding happiness despite everything she’s been through, Spider’s choices revolve around making his mind numb and his heart void of any warmth because he can’t trust anyone to stay nor is he willing to suffocate the one girl who kind quite possibly free him from the darkness because he’s not ready to face his demons and he’s the only one who can battle them back and set himself free.

‘Every day is a second chance, son. All you have to do is take it.’

Spider can accept these words, but until he’s ready to deliver on that promise, it’s better if he stays away from Rose and the life she created without him. But Fate can be a tad bit fickle when it comes to bringing two people together who were meant to be one from the start, so while there were missed opportunities and heartbreak caused, it’s up to chance as well as free will to set things right again, but the only way that Spider can undo what he’s done is if he finds a way to let go of his past…let go of his destructive activities and prove, once and for all, that what was between him and Rose from the beginning is all he’s ever wanted regardless of his actions illustrating otherwise.  

Ever since meeting Spider in Sebastian Tate’s book, I NEEDED his story…I wanted to understand the reasons behind his snark and the giant size chip he seemed to have on his shoulder, but what I craved more than anything was insight into his past…a clear view of what forced him to become the manwhore, drug addict he does and then what helps him to clean up his act and find a way to make things right with the people he hurt the most.

I’m not sure if I had a different idea in my head as to what I thought Spider’s story would be, but while I enjoyed reading it, I did feel like it was missing the backstory information that I needed to get a clear perception of both Spider and Rose. Things fast forward rather quickly in the storyline, which means that sometimes I didn’t have a clear view of everything that happened and what it meant for the main characters as well as those around them before I was moved forward and asked to understand situations that took place behind the scenes and without much of a discussion in the text itself.

I desperately wanted to see Spider and Rose together, but I also wanted to experience the things they did and the ways they grew while they were apart, especially the two years just before Spider goes after Rose to reclaim her once and for all. I wanted these two characters to be larger than life…to be as dynamic as possible because with everything they both have been through, they deserved to have as much happiness and love as they could handle, and while in the end, Fate reunites them and works its magic, making it right for both Spider and Rose to finally get their happily ever after when most of their life was anything but pleasant.

I adore the way that Ilsa Madden-Mills uses components of classic literary works and gives them a contemporary outlet to recreate some of the magic that occurred all those years ago. Jane and Rochester’s relationship and issues aptly fit all that Spider and Rose go through in this modern take on Jane Eyre and while I wanted a bit more character development and back story, Madden-Mills’ writing as well as her sexy broken alpha males never fail to entertain or endear, which is what I always want to experience when I sit down to read a story.

I voluntarily read/reviewed this story.

4 Poison Apples

THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING!!!! Now that I got that out of the way.....Seriously, Spider is the type of book that you pick up and cannot put down until the very last page. Ilsa Madden-Mills' writing is flawless in her newest standalone story. It's chock full of secrets, forbidden love, angst, stunning characters, incredible chemistry, scorching hot love scenes and an epic journey of chasing your happily ever after. Spider is an unforgettable story that is not to be missed!!

The characters are completely magnetic. Spider, from the first scene is someone that readers are going to be drawn to. He's charming, charismatic and sexy as sin but underneath all of that, he is a tortured soul, battling demons that he can't seem to break free from. Rose has her own demons from childhood. She fought her way out of an unthinkable fate and has risen above her past to a bright future. She's tough yet sweet, sassy and stubborn yet struggling to follow her dreams without letting others down. When fate places these two dynamic characters together on a plane, their worlds are turned upside down. What happens when you find out the one you want is actually your new step-sibling? Madden-Mills does a phenomenal job conveying the angst that these characters go through. I found myself feeling so much right along with Spider and Rose as they fought so hard to stay away from one another. Their heartbreak was my heartbreak and it had me on an emotional roller coaster as their story played out. I laughed, I cried, I swooned...Oh how I swooned!!!! Spider......<sigh>

Told through a dual POV, the book is broken down into different time periods. The time hops are perfectly executed and smoothly transition the story throughout. Readers will devour Spider---it was truly hard for me to put down and leave the house---I only wanted to stay home and READ!!! Angsty, emotional, beautiful and sexy, Spider needs to be on your must-read list. It's a passionate love story with all the feels....ALL. THE. FEELS people! 5 stars isn't enough for this truly dynamic masterpiece.

Spider is Ilsa Madden Mills' newest work of art. Ilsa's heroes are some of my all-time favorites. She writes complicated, sexy, swoony, funny men who fall for sassy, beautiful strong women. Her writing is always fresh, witty and beyond entertaining. Spider is complex. He's sexy with his tattoos and his accent, but he's fighting demons. Women, booze, drugs. The total rock star life. He meets a sexy stranger on a plane and they share more than a kiss. Rose knows who he is. He's Spider and he's gorgeous and sexy and he kissed her. Fate is a funny little b. Turns out Spider is her stepbrother. They want each other, but that can't happen. He's no good for her and he won't lose another person he loves. She's young and she wants to go to college and make something of herself. Can Spider be strong enough to let her go? What happens when Fate steps in again? Can Spider become the man that Rose needs? I loved this story. It has heart, depth, love, sexiness and hope. Spider is beyond sexy. He has a way with words that gave me the chills. Rose is strong, independent and beautiful. They have a love that was just meant to be no matter what obstacles were put in their way. Overall, I laughed, cried, got tingles, laughed and cried more. I loved every word of this story!

He's sex with a side of hard music.

I thought she was simply pretty. She is f luminous.

"You know what Frank Sinatra says about people who don't drink…that when they wake up in the morning, it's sad, because that's as good as they're going to feel all day."

His chest is broad and sculpted, his biceps look like I could bounce a quarter off them, and the deep V at his waist is making me salivate. All hail, England.

"Everyone warned me about him. They said he was ruthless and screwed up. That he'd leave me with a hole in my heart. Maybe I should have listened."

Let me tell you something!!! This book is just as Hawt and a awesome story on the inside as the Hawt book cover on the outside!!

Dang I just loved reading about the rocker Spider!!

I had no idea what this book was about, I just seen it all over Facebook and everybody was raving about it. And boyyy were they right and I am here to rave about it myself!! lol

This book is about Rose, she is on a flight to Dallas and she happens to sit next to this really Hawt guy on the airplane. They chat it up, share their stories and he helps her through her fear of flying. OMG y'all, get ready to fall in love with Spider, he will definitely be your next book boyfriend!!!

"He called himself Spider. I just knew him as the sinfully gorgeous guy with eyes of fire that fate sat next to me on the airplane. I didn’t know who he really was…rock star…my stepbrother."

Of course when they land, they figure out that the sparks that were flying between the two, really needed to stop since Rose found out that Spider was her stepbrother. But Spider couldn't back off, he wanted Rose, but could Rose get past him being her stepbrother? What would everyone think if they went out together? Wellll, you will just have to pick up Spider and find out if this Rocker gets the chick!!!

I gave Spider 5 Yummy Stars!! Go one click today and read this delicious book!!!