Caffeinated Reviewer | One Shattered Crown by Rebecca Zanetti
21st Jul
One Shattered Crown by Rebecca Zanetti is the third novel in the Grimm Bargains series and is a dark Cinderella retelling. The Mafia, high-tech gadgets, magic, and a steamy romance with plenty of action and suspense had me devouring this in a single evening.
One Shattered Crown
by Rebecca Zanetti
Series: Grimm Bargains #3
Genres: Dark Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
Set in a steamy, neon-lit, high-tech world of magic, money, and explosive desire, this sultry, dark fairytale retelling offers a dystopian romantasy twist on Cinderella.
ELLA
It’s the wedding of the year—a lavish union of two powerhouses. But I’m only here for vengeance against the woman who stole my position as sole heir to my late father’s company, TimeGem Moments, and shipped me off to boarding school. I’ve only made more enemies since. Tonight is my chance to reclaim control. Tonight, TimeGem’s diamond-powered servers are this girl’s best friend. Unless he ruins everything. Justice Beathach, the groom’s unbearably hot brother, with hands built for war and a mouth that spells destruction. He’s lethal, unyielding, and now has me in his crosshairs . . .JUSTICE
Ella Rendale almost killed my brother once. Now, at his own wedding, she’s almost done it again. I don’t care if he’s forgiven her or if she’s been wronged. I care about one thing: the locked flash drive she leaves behind, spelling my destruction. She can run, she can hide, but when I find her, she’ll give me what I want. But someone else wants her even more than I do—they want her dead. When our enemies close in, I’m forced to protect her, turning the fire between us into an uncontrollable weapon. Now, she’s not just my quarry—she’s my obsession. And I’ll kill anyone who even thinks of taking her from me . . .
While each of the books in the Grimm Bargains series features on romance, there are some overall arc threads and romantic spoilers that have me recommend you devour these in the order of their release.
The story opens at the wedding of one of our previous couples. Ella, best friend to the bride and heir to late father’s company, TimeGem Moments, is in attendance and hoping to get into the groom’s servers. Not to sabotage, but as part of her plan to get TimeGem back from her evil stepmother and her daughters. She’s foiled by the brother of the groom, Justice Beathach. Ella almost accidentally killed his brother, and in saving him, Justice has become ill. He’ll need her formula to figure out a way to undo it. She’s as annoying as she is cute.
You could feel the sexual tension between these two, and their back-and-forth bickering was delightful. Of course, Justice doesn’t simply ask Ella for help; he kidnaps her instead. The tale that unfolded delivered a dark and delicious game of cat and mouse. The romance felt genuine, and Zanetti provided an epilogue that left me smiling.
The overall story involving the virus, gems, and TimeGem was just as addictive as the steamy romance complete with spankings. Someone wants Ella and is trying to pit the other social media companies against each other. Poor Justice just wants to keep Ella safe, and at first maybe for the info he needs, but soon it’s because he can’t live without her. Ella escapes him at every turn, ending up in even more danger. I loved the secondary characters, like Ella’s godmother. Hilarious. I would read a series about those old gals any day. Did I mention there is an adorable pet rescue?
Before opening One Shattered Crown, be sure and turn off your phone, grab your favorite beverage, and remove all distractions because this is one I couldn’t set down.
About Rebecca Zanetti
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and sexy contemporary romances.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat.
