The best so far? 4.5 stars.
It's hard to imagine living Anya's life, she's never known anything else having been born into the Anointed Heavens it's been her entire life. We know the cult leader was taking her to his bed when she was only ten years old, she's been beaten and abused and yet she remains incredibly strong, she's a true survivor.
Things are changing within the Anointed Hearts, numbers have dwindled and their leader Priest is becoming unpredictable.
Carlo we know and love from the previous books his problem with the Anointed Hearts is the fact that they're protesting and recruiting outside his family's casino the La Bella Regale and not only is it bad for business but it draws unwanted attention.
The question is why just La Bella Regale and not the other casinos?
While moving the cult away Carlo spots Anya and something about her draws him in and she haunts his thoughts.
Meanwhile the cult has a new member and Anya can't understand what Priest doing and why, everything is changing and it's unsettling.
I think this is my favourite so far in this series I loved all the characters especially Jessie and I was hooked from the first page to the last. Anya's suffering made difficult reading at times and I really really wanted her to find her HEA but I had every confidence in Carlo.
I don't read many ARC's but since this was a book I was going to read anyway I couldn't say no.
Why not 5*?
I don't give 5* easily or often otherwise it becomes worthless but at 4.5* this came close.
###### SPOILER ######
How did Anya end up at the casino wearing nothing but a blanket?
I thought at first that Priest had dumped her but then I couldn't figure why, surely he'd lock her up or beat her again not just kick her out and if he was mad enough to kick her out I can't believe he would have given her a blanket.
So it had to be Anya that ran away but then I couldn't see that she would leave without clothes or shoes it's not as if she wasn't rational she had a conversation with Kylie which ended with ".......he's not walking all over me anymore. I'll keep his secret but I won't keep his house or his bed."
Now you're probably thinking I'm just too picky and trust me I know and I wish I wasn't.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
(reviewed the day of purchase)