Shattered Innocence

Black Rose Auction, Book 5

De: Sara Cate

Narrado por: Stephen Borne, Michelle Sparks, Angelina Rocca

Welcome to the Black Rose Auction where every sin can be yours for a price.

Birdie wants nothing more than to escape the clutches of her cruel and wicked stepmother, and to be with the only person she’s ever truly loved—her stepsister, Violet.

When her stepmother threatens to auction off Birdie’s hand in marriage to the highest bidder, Birdie sees it as her only way out.

Her stepsister has a plan…

Enlist the help her rich and powerful ex, Alaric Stone, to bid on their behalf.

But when things go awry at the auction, and Birdie is forced give away far more than she expected, Alaric decides he’s playing for keeps.

He wants both of them.

Can the three of them escape the clutches of Birdie’s selfish stepmother together?

And will Birdie be forced to choose between the two who have her heart…or will it be shattered forever?

Shattered Innocence is a Cinderella remix meant for mature readers who like fairytales…just dirtier.

©2024 Sara Cate (P)2024 Sara Cate

Fun, spicy Cinderella influenced story

What’s it about?
In this Cinderella influenced story, Birdie wants to escape the clutches of her tyrannical stepmother, and she’s willing to do anything–even go up for a bridal auction. But that also means leaving the woman she’s in love with: her step sister Violet. But Violet refuses to let this end tragically, and approaches her wealthy ex, Alaric, to win Birdie’s auction. Feelings get all twisted up, and soon Birdie, Violet, and Alaric find themselves in a confusing mess of shared feelings.

My thoughts:
First, I loved the audiobook version of this story. It was expertly narrated by Stephen Borne, Michelle Sparks, and Angelina Rocca. It’s also quite short at 4.5 hours, so I flew right through it. I got all the things I love about a Sara Cate story in a quick burst.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Birdie, who is only 19, has a sort of endearing innocence despite the hard life she’s lived. And I love that Violet defies her despicable mother and sister and stands up for what’s right. Alaric has some morally gray tendencies that I would have liked to learn more about. But I always love a MMC who would burn down the world for the woman, or in this case, women he loves.

Great, quick listen with a some fun spice and great resolution.

Best Cinderella Twist

I absolutely devoured Shattered Innocence and would love more!! The chemistry between the characters is perfect and I loved their unique relationships with each other.

Spicy Cinderella Retelling

Sara Cate + Kinky fun + a Cinderella re-imagining where the stepsisters are hot for each other?! Say less! I ADORE fairy tale reimaginings, particularly those where relationship dynamics or unexpected angles are explored, so I knew this one would be lots of fun and super sexy. A delicious and super spicy novella.

Two stepsisters secretly in love. One auctioned by the evil stepmother. A delicious powerful man who claims them both.....it's such a fun set up. It is only a novella- so I calibrated my expectations. This one is light on backstory and larger character development and is more so an exploration of the relationship dynamics as these three find themselves together. The Cinderella elements are great, and it's a fast read. The more layered emotional punch you'd expect from a full length story isn't really the focus here (again it's a novella)- but it's got a good edge, plenty of kink and spice. Honestly, it would have been even more fabulous full length because there is so much to explore here. There are some dark elements as well (the auction/deflowering scene is intense) and a lot of tabooish vibes.

The audio is narrated by Michelle Sparks, Angelina Rocca and Stephen Borne. I loved Michelle and Angelina, and Stephen brought some good edge, even if this performance wasn't overall my favorite of his.

About the book
-Novella
-Cinderella Re-Imagining
-MFF
-Stepsisters
-Age Gap (18, 22, 40)
-Virgin Auctions
-Part of a multi-author collection (Black Rose Auction)

hot

this was a great story line. Great characters, filled with real emotion and deep connections. I loved how it twisted and turned. narration was great.

Interesting retelling of Cinderella as an FFM

Overall Thoughts: I have yet to listen to a book by Sara Cate that I don’t like. With that said,I doo have some beef with this book…I wanted so much more. I wanted this book to keep going. I adored it and it felt like it ended too soon! I could have listened to Birdie, Violet, and Alaric’s story forever. It has so much going on, step-sisters, sister’s ex-boyfriend, evil stepmother, FFM, and so much more. This was a delightful novel, and Sara grips you and brings you in from the moment you start the book. Angelina Rocca was the perfect VA to play Birdie, who is sweet and innocent. Michelle Sparks did an excellent job bringing the slightly snarky and jaded Violet to life. This was my first time listening to Stephen Borne, who was amazing as Alaric. The whole cast worked in perfect harmony.

Narration: Dual narration, first-person present tense, multiple POV with some flashbacks

Tropes: Cinderella retelling, FFM, ‘Mine’, bathtub scene, step-sister, auction, abusive parent/step-parent, forced humiliation, ‘virgin’ FMC, morally gray MMC, group play, exhibition

Overall: 5
Spice: 3
Humor: 1.5
Drama: 3.5
Darkness: 2.5
Narration: 5

Birdie has been a captive in her own home ever since her father passed away leaving her in the care of her monstrous stepmother, and vindictive stepsister. Her only shining light is Violet, her other stepsister. The only one to be nice to Birdie, her entire life.

Violet has been planning to escape with Birdie as soon as she can get them away from her mother, until she finds out Birdie is going to be put up for auction. Not willing to let Birdie be sold of to a random high bidder, she implores her ex, Alaric to help her save Birdie.

Alaric begrudgingly helps Violet and Birdie, but unknowingly enters into a contract with many stipulations, and when feelings get muddled, and lines are crossed, the three have to decide which future they are fighting for.