Rising

Vincent and Eve Series 1

By: Jessica Ruben

Narrated by: CJ Bloom

As the bus approaches my stop on the Lower East Side, I raise the hood of my black sweatshirt. Anonymity is key in my neighborhood - particularly as a lone female walking at night.

All I want is to leave my crime-ridden shadow of a home in New York City. I've done everything I can to keep my head down and focus on my studies. College is my only goal; love has never been on the map...That is, until my sister brings me to an underground fight, where I meet a gorgeous and mysterious man: Vincent.

He is the ghost in my shadows, showing up to feed me pieces of his upper-crust life, then evaporating into darkness until his next visit. I'm falling hard and fast. How can I trust him amidst the depth of his secrets?

Vincent may be even more dangerous than the dark world I'm trying to escape.

Contains mature themes.

©2018 Jessica Ruben (P)2020 Tantor

READ THIS SERIES!!! One of the best I’ve ever heard!!

I absolutely loved this book and every one after!!! I loved the characters, their growth, their love…. Just so good!!! This is now one of my most favorite series!

love

I was 2 chapters in when I decided to get all 3 books. A Must.

Great characters

I love books with angst. This was well written with believable characters. Cannot wait to continue Vincent and Eve’s story in the next book.

Yup this book was fire! Easy 5 star read.

Man oh man and I glad I stumbled upon this new to me author, Jessica Ruben. The blurb hooked me instantly and the book did not disappoint even once. This story was dark in a real life manner. I mean the things that happened here truly happen in real life. Jessica balanced perfectly on the knife’s edge of real vs. fantasy. I read to escape so don’t want too on the nose but also need the authenticity in some stories too and this had it all.
I truly love Eve and feel for our h. Yea, she had her head in the clouds but she was determined to get out. She and her sister had to endure so much living in the hood. Was scary times and I know these places exist. My eyes were definitely opened to the lifestyle of the poor and forgotten. These people are literally fighting for their lives just to scrape by with almost nothing. Taught not to dream because it won’t put food on the table. Just all around depressing!! Eve refused this narrative, she didn’t allow herself to be left on the ground she kicked there. It was a struggle and her anxiety was real but she persevered. I want to be like Eve when I grow up. ☺️
Then we have our H, Vincent. I picture him as fine AF. Super hot 🥵 with a brain to go along with it. He too was conflicted with his world even though it was completely opposite from Eves…randomly only to be a lot alike too. He was doing his best to be better and not give into the darkness. This story was very sweet, only maybe 2 or 3 super stëamy scenes but I quickly discovered that’s not what this love story is all about.
Then we have one of my ultimate favorite narrators, CJ Bloom for the listening portion. (I saw this book on Audible and only planned on listening but here we are, less than a day later completed as I just couldn’t wait to only be in my car to listen. I bought the next book/listen before I was even done with this one. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
All in all this was a banger! Yes, it ended in a cliffhanger but what a cliffy it was! I was wondering about one of the grand reveals but wasn’t sure. Glad I had my suspicions validated on some things but new questions popped up on others. I can’t wait to find out so off I go!

Vincent Eve

Vincent’s family is mafia and he meets Eve at an underground fight. The MMC finds Eve knowable, spirited and goal oriented. Eve doesn’t live in the best neighborhood, she also does not want to be indebted to the mafia and strides for achievement.