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Power #1
Power Play
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a playboy wants a one-night stand... No strings attached.
Gabriel Hill dates someone new every night. Glamorous parties and smoke-filled clubs. He has no interest in the prim little baker. Until he finds out she's connected to his family's downfall.
He wants information. Revenge. And worst of all, he wants Elise Bettencourt in his bed. Again and again and again.
There's no future between them.
A woman who's fought to build a new life for herself.
And the man who will bring it all down.
Gabriel Hill dates someone new every night. Glamorous parties and smoke-filled clubs. He has no interest in the prim little baker. Until he finds out she's connected to his family's downfall.
He wants information. Revenge. And worst of all, he wants Elise Bettencourt in his bed. Again and again and again.
There's no future between them.
A woman who's fought to build a new life for herself.
And the man who will bring it all down.
302 pages, ebook
First published June 7, 2022
297 people are currently reading
1,297 people want to read
About the author
Amelia Wilde
151 books3,488 followersAmelia Wilde is a USA TODAY and Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance and loves it a little too much. She lives in Michigan with her husband and daughters. She spends most of her time typing furiously on an iPad and appreciating the natural splendor of her home state from where she likes it best: inside.
Amelia does not negotiate with targeted harassment campaigns, but she appreciates the valuable time spent thinking about her books.
Subscribe to Amelia’s private mailing list for updates, giveaways, and regular chats by heading to readerlinks.com/l/525541.
Follow her on Facebook at readerlinks.com/l/525539 for all the latest giveaways, announcements, and funny jokes.
Follow Amelia on Instagram for photographic goodness at readerlinks.com/l/525542!
Click the big yellow button and follow Amelia on Amazon for new release updates at readerlinks.com/l/525544.
Want to see Amelia live? Join her exclusive reader group! Consider this your personal invitation. Here’s where to go: readerlinks.com/l/525538!
Don’t forget BookBub! Follow Amelia at readerlinks.com/l/525543.
Amelia does not negotiate with targeted harassment campaigns, but she appreciates the valuable time spent thinking about her books.
Subscribe to Amelia’s private mailing list for updates, giveaways, and regular chats by heading to readerlinks.com/l/525541.
Follow her on Facebook at readerlinks.com/l/525539 for all the latest giveaways, announcements, and funny jokes.
Follow Amelia on Instagram for photographic goodness at readerlinks.com/l/525542!
Click the big yellow button and follow Amelia on Amazon for new release updates at readerlinks.com/l/525544.
Want to see Amelia live? Join her exclusive reader group! Consider this your personal invitation. Here’s where to go: readerlinks.com/l/525538!
Don’t forget BookBub! Follow Amelia at readerlinks.com/l/525543.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
March 3, 2024
•| ⊱✿⊰ |• 4,5 Stars •| ⊱✿⊰ |•
Now it's Gabriel turn to get revenge for his parent's death.
Mason has given up when he married Charlotte.
I only gave this book 4,5 stars, that made it to 5 stars, rounding up, because of the last chapter, when Mason is preparing to marry Charlotte, Leo Morelli and Hades with Daisy made their appearance.
If it weren't for this, I only rate 4,4, rounding up to 4 stars.
To be honest, I didn't like too much Gabriel in this book.
Elise is felling too guilty, she was only a child, though a genius.
Mason and Jameson only have a small appearance, Remy is mentioned.
Though in Wealth series we can see a bit of what might have happened to Gabriel, helping Mason to survive, and keeping all them together, he has only fifteen.
He opens to Elise and tell her what he had to do.
Also, Jacob, his high school boyfriend, returns from London.
But Gabriel only have eyes for Elise now, but vengeance is a priority, and he won't stop for no one.
He has the names, and he knows that his parents were killed, Bettencourt was the one who hired an assassin, but the consortium agreed.
Cyrus Van Kempt was the one who couldn't live with the things they did, and ruined himself in the process.
The guilt was too much for him to handle, after all, the Hill's were his friends, and he was the one who took them there.
Shelved as 'not-for-me'
September 30, 2022⛔️
September 30, 2022
Take the Cake bakery owner, Elise Bettencourt, left her family behind at the first opportunity. Powerful and relentless in his pursuit of more wealth, her father is a monster.
Hell bent on justice for the destruction of his family, Gabriel Hill has devised a plan to dismantle the Consortium from the inside out. What the tortured entrepreneur doesn’t count on is the baker breaking down his walls.
Our main characters have depth and chemistry, they’ll leave you all up in your feels. As much as I love the storyline and the trajectory, the pace felt a little too slow. That said I’m here for all the revenge and redemption and makeup sėxx.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶
Range of Emotions: 😩🥺😭🥵🤬
Ending:🧗🏻♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Contemporary Romance
✨ Tropes: Age Gap, Revenge, Virgin h
🫦 Kinks: n/a
⛔️ Warning: This angsty read will leave you wanton.
⚠️ Safety Squad: Mild ViôIencė
📣 Type: Power Play is part of the _____ series and ends on a cliffhanger. This series must be read in order.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Hell bent on justice for the destruction of his family, Gabriel Hill has devised a plan to dismantle the Consortium from the inside out. What the tortured entrepreneur doesn’t count on is the baker breaking down his walls.
Our main characters have depth and chemistry, they’ll leave you all up in your feels. As much as I love the storyline and the trajectory, the pace felt a little too slow. That said I’m here for all the revenge and redemption and makeup sėxx.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶
Range of Emotions: 😩🥺😭🥵🤬
Ending:🧗🏻♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Contemporary Romance
✨ Tropes: Age Gap, Revenge, Virgin h
🫦 Kinks: n/a
⛔️ Warning: This angsty read will leave you wanton.
⚠️ Safety Squad: Mild ViôIencė
📣 Type: Power Play is part of the _____ series and ends on a cliffhanger. This series must be read in order.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
June 11, 2022
I really enjoyed this romance as it was full of emotion, and had a bit of a twist that I didn't expect. I really like Elise and think that she is such a strong woman to branch out but so feel for her. And Gabriel seems like a jerk until you learn all about his past, and you can't help but feel your heart melt. There is so much heartbreak in this story and I have to admit that I had tears during parts of the story. This novel does end on a cliffhanger and I can't wait to see what happens next for Elise and Gabriel.
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest review.
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest review.
June 11, 2022
I am shook.I started Power Play and couldn’t put it down. The author has penned an unputdownable read that had me hooked from the first page down to the very last. Gabriel Hill is more than meets the eye, a little broken and a whole lot of angry. I love how Elise was able to penetrate his barriers. She is sweet and has some jagged edges to herself which makes this pair fit imperfectly perfect together. Their chemistry jumps off the pages and had me on the edge of my seat. Just saying though, Gabriel Hill can have all my keys—all my secrets. I look forward to the next book. Bring it on!
June 12, 2022
If you’re looking for an epic alpha hole, that you just can’t wait to see soften for his chick, then Gabriel is the man for you! Except his softness only lasts for a split second. This book is full of torturous angst and Amelia didn’t hold back with it. Especially when you get to the last chapter, lord I flipped my kindle off with that one and asked “what did you just do?!” So while you might spend your time wanting to hate Gabriel, you will just fall in love with Elise. She is everything good and kind and absolutely brilliant. I mean a legit brilliant mind. Meanwhile her dad is an evil jerk that I can’t wait to see fall. Hopefully, that is. This book will live in my brain until book two comes out, and again, you must read it!
June 12, 2022
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: revenge
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Power Play is the first book in either a diet or trilogy by Amelia Wilde and does end on a cliffhanger. It is told in first person, in dual perspective. This is my first book by this author. Gabriel Hill decides to use Elise in a revenge plot against a secret society that her father is a part of - this despite his growing feelings for her.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. The writing is great, the storyline interesting, and characters with some bite to them. At first it did feel like I plopped into a story that was underway. The two characters had already known each other in a previous book and had interactions so it took me a bit to orient myself. The chemistry was super hot between them with a bit of dubcon to spice it up. There was also some other man drama - not Elise, but rather with Gabriel’s ex. I’m not sure if this is eventually going to be MMF and there are on page MM scenes. Not a fan of trilogies (it wasn’t indicated) but since I started it, I’m definitely interested in where it’s going and will read any subsequent books.
⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes contain spoilers
Trope: revenge
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Power Play is the first book in either a diet or trilogy by Amelia Wilde and does end on a cliffhanger. It is told in first person, in dual perspective. This is my first book by this author. Gabriel Hill decides to use Elise in a revenge plot against a secret society that her father is a part of - this despite his growing feelings for her.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. The writing is great, the storyline interesting, and characters with some bite to them. At first it did feel like I plopped into a story that was underway. The two characters had already known each other in a previous book and had interactions so it took me a bit to orient myself. The chemistry was super hot between them with a bit of dubcon to spice it up. There was also some other man drama - not Elise, but rather with Gabriel’s ex. I’m not sure if this is eventually going to be MMF and there are on page MM scenes. Not a fan of trilogies (it wasn’t indicated) but since I started it, I’m definitely interested in where it’s going and will read any subsequent books.
⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes contain spoilers
Shelved as 'don-t-bother'
November 17, 2022note for self : in the next book he shares her with his ex lover? bye.
June 20, 2022
This wasn’t a bad book, I just found some parts a bit lacking. It’s book one in a duology (which I didn’t realise at the time) so it ends on a cliffhanger. Although, as cliffhangers go, it’s not a particularly exciting one.
I liked the authors writing style and the pace was good. It felt like quite a short book because I raced right through it and finished it in less than a day.
I found Elise a bit pathetic and so I didn’t feel that connection with her character. She got a little better as the book went on but she really needs to grow a backbone.
I felt more connected to Gabriel. He’s had a rough life and the author made it easy to sympathise with him. However, he was a big flighty. He couldn’t commit to being fully nice or fully mean and it was constantly switching. I understand that it’s his way of pushing Elise away, but it felt really unnatural.
At 50% of the way through the book, it felt like nothing had happened. It was just constant inner monologues about what the other person is like. It was the same thing over and over again.
The self-pity / self-hate was constant aswell. It was appropriate at the start to allow us into the characters minds, but it was almost every chapter and it just ended up feeling overly dramatic.
Thank you to ValentinePR and Amelia Wilde for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
✦ Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, billionaire, alpha hero, virgin heroine
✦ Trigger warnings: child abuse, prostitution
I liked the authors writing style and the pace was good. It felt like quite a short book because I raced right through it and finished it in less than a day.
I found Elise a bit pathetic and so I didn’t feel that connection with her character. She got a little better as the book went on but she really needs to grow a backbone.
I felt more connected to Gabriel. He’s had a rough life and the author made it easy to sympathise with him. However, he was a big flighty. He couldn’t commit to being fully nice or fully mean and it was constantly switching. I understand that it’s his way of pushing Elise away, but it felt really unnatural.
At 50% of the way through the book, it felt like nothing had happened. It was just constant inner monologues about what the other person is like. It was the same thing over and over again.
The self-pity / self-hate was constant aswell. It was appropriate at the start to allow us into the characters minds, but it was almost every chapter and it just ended up feeling overly dramatic.
Thank you to ValentinePR and Amelia Wilde for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
✦ Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, billionaire, alpha hero, virgin heroine
✦ Trigger warnings: child abuse, prostitution
June 12, 2022
POWER PLAY
Release Date: 06/14/22
Kindle Unlimited: [ ]YES [X]NO
Stand-alone: [ ]YES [X]NO
Number of pages: 271
Author: Amelia Wilde
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spiciness rating: 🌶🌶🌶
POV: Dual, first person
Main Characters: Elise & Gabriel
Favorite Character: Elise
Genre: Contemporary/Dark Romance
Tropes: enemies to lovers; billionaire; alpha hero; blackmail; virgin heroine
Review:
“𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘣𝘢𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘰.”
Here I am again, devastated after another heartbreaking cliffhanger!!!
Power Play tells us the story of Gabriel and Elise, both tortured souls with traumatic pasts (Gabriel definitely had it worse) that affect terribly their present life.
For years Gabriel has been planning a revenge against the ones responsible for his parents deaths and he decides to use Elise to achieve this goal.
He tells her right away his intentions and she accepts everything he demands because she feels guilty (you’ll have to read it to find out why).
The book is really angsty. I bet I was frowning the entire time I was reading it. Amelia knows way too well how to bring the tension and make us feel bad, but we keep coming back because she is an amazing writer.
If you like intense, angsty, dark books with tortured heroes, read this book and then DM me so we can freak out about this ending together.
*** I received an advanced copy of Power Play and this is my honest opinion. ***
Release Date: 06/14/22
Kindle Unlimited: [ ]YES [X]NO
Stand-alone: [ ]YES [X]NO
Number of pages: 271
Author: Amelia Wilde
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spiciness rating: 🌶🌶🌶
POV: Dual, first person
Main Characters: Elise & Gabriel
Favorite Character: Elise
Genre: Contemporary/Dark Romance
Tropes: enemies to lovers; billionaire; alpha hero; blackmail; virgin heroine
Review:
“𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘣𝘢𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘰.”
Here I am again, devastated after another heartbreaking cliffhanger!!!
Power Play tells us the story of Gabriel and Elise, both tortured souls with traumatic pasts (Gabriel definitely had it worse) that affect terribly their present life.
For years Gabriel has been planning a revenge against the ones responsible for his parents deaths and he decides to use Elise to achieve this goal.
He tells her right away his intentions and she accepts everything he demands because she feels guilty (you’ll have to read it to find out why).
The book is really angsty. I bet I was frowning the entire time I was reading it. Amelia knows way too well how to bring the tension and make us feel bad, but we keep coming back because she is an amazing writer.
If you like intense, angsty, dark books with tortured heroes, read this book and then DM me so we can freak out about this ending together.
*** I received an advanced copy of Power Play and this is my honest opinion. ***
June 13, 2022
Love this series
Love the Hills
Gabriel and Elise broken intense emotional twisted love story
Ready for more.
Need upper hand
Love the Hills
Gabriel and Elise broken intense emotional twisted love story
Ready for more.
Need upper hand
June 17, 2022
“I’ll catch you if you fall.”
Oh my WOW! What a thrilling and tantalizing tale Amelia Wilde weaves! Power Play is a can’t-put-down dark romance that’s intense and intoxicating. I was intrigued from beginning to end by this tale with captivating characters, pulse-pounding plot, and all the addictive angst.
Power Play is the revenge tale of a handsome and hardened alpha who was wronged by the family of a beautiful and bold woman—forged together by fate—in a world of battles and bravery. I fell for the dominant and broken hero, Gabriel, an alpha in every way. I adored and admired Elise, the sweet, stunning and strong heroine. This heroine is the light to Gabriel’s dark, his sunshine in the rain.
This story of strength and salvation hypnotized me as it held my heart in its hands. This romance was so intense … so intoxicating that I was deeply wrapped around every word. The intensity lit me in flames. I burned for this book, a heady hit of heart and heat. It was easy to fall for Power Play, a cancel-all-plans-turn-off-your phone read that quickly became my air to breathe … my sweet obsession.
💋💋💋💋💋 seductive kisses
➡️ https://amzn.to/3b2bBwF
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
Oh my WOW! What a thrilling and tantalizing tale Amelia Wilde weaves! Power Play is a can’t-put-down dark romance that’s intense and intoxicating. I was intrigued from beginning to end by this tale with captivating characters, pulse-pounding plot, and all the addictive angst.
Power Play is the revenge tale of a handsome and hardened alpha who was wronged by the family of a beautiful and bold woman—forged together by fate—in a world of battles and bravery. I fell for the dominant and broken hero, Gabriel, an alpha in every way. I adored and admired Elise, the sweet, stunning and strong heroine. This heroine is the light to Gabriel’s dark, his sunshine in the rain.
This story of strength and salvation hypnotized me as it held my heart in its hands. This romance was so intense … so intoxicating that I was deeply wrapped around every word. The intensity lit me in flames. I burned for this book, a heady hit of heart and heat. It was easy to fall for Power Play, a cancel-all-plans-turn-off-your phone read that quickly became my air to breathe … my sweet obsession.
💋💋💋💋💋 seductive kisses
➡️ https://amzn.to/3b2bBwF
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
February 28, 2023
Power Play
(Power, book 1)
By Amelia Wilde
Gabriel Hill took up residence in Elise Bettencourt’s mind with that first kiss; it went downhill from there. That’s when they both invaded my mind and more so my emotions. Throughout Power Play I had a front row seat to their pasts, their present and I can only guess what their futures will hold.
Author Amelia Wilde has given readers an emotional story about corporate greed, back door deals and values.
Gabriel Hill is the 2nd oldest of the Hill brothers and omg that man has lived a life that breaks your heart and has left him with one choice, to bring down the corporate consortium that is responsible for the fire that killed his parents and had his brother Mason fighting to recover from a fall that should have killed him. Now he collects secrets…”Secrets can be traded for influence and status.” and Gabriel needs both to end the consortium, well those and Elise Bettencourt.
Elise Bettencourt has felt guilty about one thing since she was six years old; she believes she is directly responsible for what happened to Mr. and Mrs. Hill and their son Mason. It has to be her, well her father and the others in the consortium.
Since she believes it to be true she is willing to help Gabriel, little does she know that once she gets to know him, she may have invested herself more than she ever thought she would.
Not only does Wilde pull on a readers heartstrings, she also will reveal a world where ruthlessness and revenge run deep, be they be a “good person” or a “bad person”.
What I didn’t realize was that I would get a Gabriel who begins to change and an Elise who is willing to give up her freedom. We had two people whose childhoods were tragic, who could be perfect for one another, both are laden with guilt, both in need of closure.
Who will be hurt? Does revenge get rid of guilt? Who will be left standing in the end? Only the author knows and we will soon have a front row seat to see who has the Upper Hand in part two of this wonderful new series.
(Power, book 1)
By Amelia Wilde
Gabriel Hill took up residence in Elise Bettencourt’s mind with that first kiss; it went downhill from there. That’s when they both invaded my mind and more so my emotions. Throughout Power Play I had a front row seat to their pasts, their present and I can only guess what their futures will hold.
Author Amelia Wilde has given readers an emotional story about corporate greed, back door deals and values.
Gabriel Hill is the 2nd oldest of the Hill brothers and omg that man has lived a life that breaks your heart and has left him with one choice, to bring down the corporate consortium that is responsible for the fire that killed his parents and had his brother Mason fighting to recover from a fall that should have killed him. Now he collects secrets…”Secrets can be traded for influence and status.” and Gabriel needs both to end the consortium, well those and Elise Bettencourt.
Elise Bettencourt has felt guilty about one thing since she was six years old; she believes she is directly responsible for what happened to Mr. and Mrs. Hill and their son Mason. It has to be her, well her father and the others in the consortium.
Since she believes it to be true she is willing to help Gabriel, little does she know that once she gets to know him, she may have invested herself more than she ever thought she would.
Not only does Wilde pull on a readers heartstrings, she also will reveal a world where ruthlessness and revenge run deep, be they be a “good person” or a “bad person”.
What I didn’t realize was that I would get a Gabriel who begins to change and an Elise who is willing to give up her freedom. We had two people whose childhoods were tragic, who could be perfect for one another, both are laden with guilt, both in need of closure.
Who will be hurt? Does revenge get rid of guilt? Who will be left standing in the end? Only the author knows and we will soon have a front row seat to see who has the Upper Hand in part two of this wonderful new series.
June 19, 2022
I was loving this book.... and I was loving Gabriel ...right up until that cliffhanger! Ok so Elise is best friends with Charlotte.... and that is how she get to know Gabriel. Well he thinks that he needs to pick up the revenge plot for his parents death, right where Mason left off. And he goes after Elise because her dad was the one in change of it all. He starts off just wanting to get info and a way in by using Elise... but along the way he starts to FEEL something for her. What that is, we don't yet know..... But this is a great story line... I was enjoying it with Mason and Charlotte.... and I am still enjoying it with Gabe and Elise. I can not wait for the next book!!
Story 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice 🔥🔥🔥
Swoon 😍😍
Angst 💔💔💔💔
Story 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice 🔥🔥🔥
Swoon 😍😍
Angst 💔💔💔💔
June 15, 2022
POWER PLAY is the first instalment in Amelia Wilde’s contemporary, adult, dark, romance series focusing on businessman Gabriel Hill, and twenty year old bakery owner Elise Bettencourt. POWER PLAY is a spin off from , and set in the author’s WEALTH Trilogy. POWER PLAY can be read as a stand alone but for backstory and history, I recommend reading the WEALTH trilogy. Gabriel Hill is the older brother of Mason Hill (Wealth).
WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Gabriel and Elise) POWER PLAY focuses on Gabriel Hill’s hunger for revenge. Approximately fourteen years earlier Gabriel, along with his siblings Mason, Jameson and Remy lost everything the night their parents were murdered in a house fire, and Gabriel is determined to seek revenge against the people he believes responsible for their deaths. A group of elite and questionable businessman, known as the Consortium, a group in which his father was a member, is Gabriel’s target but Gabriel needs an ‘in’ and using Elise Bettencourt, the daughter of the man in charge, is his first step in destroying them all. Gabriel Hill despises Elise Bettencourt for her family connections but Gabriel has no idea as to the extent of Elise’s knowledge about what happened or why. What ensues is the tempestuous and emotional relationship between Elise and Gabriel, and the fall-out as heart break and denial force Elise to take a stand against everyone involved.
Gabriel Hill raised his younger siblings in the wake of the murder of their mother and father, a murder that left the family struggling to survive but Gabriel has been planning his revenge for close to fifteen years, and in this, Gabriel’s only focus is retribution and reprisal, at any cost. Using Elise Bettencourt meant opening the window to his past, a past that is dark and not meant for public consumption. Elise Bettencourt walked away from everything at eighteen years old but beneath the pretty façade of a wealthy and happy family, Elise knew the truth including the ugliness of what was and what will never be. Working with Gabriel Hill to take down her father means getting revenge for herself, as well.
The relationship between Gabriel and Elise is turbulent and combative. Gabriel doesn’t care who he hurts in his need for revenge, and Elise is a pawn to get what he wants. Falling for Elise was never his intention; telling her about his past meant revealing a truth that was distressing and hard; pushing Elise further adds to his pain and need for revenge. Elise Bettencourt found herself falling for a man whose needs she would never be able to control but opening her heart meant opening to a man who was about to destroy her in the process. The $ex scenes are intimate and aggressive.
We are introduced to Elise’s sisters Catherine and Lydia, and their parents; Gabriel’s siblings Mason and his wife Charlotte (WEALTH), Jameson, and Remy; Jacob Chambers, as well as several members of The Consortium.
POWER PLAY is a story of betrayal, power and control, secrets and lies, murder and vengeance, heart break and passion. The premise is captivating and enthralling; the characters are broken, determined and charismatic; the romance is cruel, intense and contentious. POWER PLAY ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned. Gabriel and Elise’s story continues in BAD INFLUENCE.
www.thereadingcafe.com
WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Gabriel and Elise) POWER PLAY focuses on Gabriel Hill’s hunger for revenge. Approximately fourteen years earlier Gabriel, along with his siblings Mason, Jameson and Remy lost everything the night their parents were murdered in a house fire, and Gabriel is determined to seek revenge against the people he believes responsible for their deaths. A group of elite and questionable businessman, known as the Consortium, a group in which his father was a member, is Gabriel’s target but Gabriel needs an ‘in’ and using Elise Bettencourt, the daughter of the man in charge, is his first step in destroying them all. Gabriel Hill despises Elise Bettencourt for her family connections but Gabriel has no idea as to the extent of Elise’s knowledge about what happened or why. What ensues is the tempestuous and emotional relationship between Elise and Gabriel, and the fall-out as heart break and denial force Elise to take a stand against everyone involved.
Gabriel Hill raised his younger siblings in the wake of the murder of their mother and father, a murder that left the family struggling to survive but Gabriel has been planning his revenge for close to fifteen years, and in this, Gabriel’s only focus is retribution and reprisal, at any cost. Using Elise Bettencourt meant opening the window to his past, a past that is dark and not meant for public consumption. Elise Bettencourt walked away from everything at eighteen years old but beneath the pretty façade of a wealthy and happy family, Elise knew the truth including the ugliness of what was and what will never be. Working with Gabriel Hill to take down her father means getting revenge for herself, as well.
The relationship between Gabriel and Elise is turbulent and combative. Gabriel doesn’t care who he hurts in his need for revenge, and Elise is a pawn to get what he wants. Falling for Elise was never his intention; telling her about his past meant revealing a truth that was distressing and hard; pushing Elise further adds to his pain and need for revenge. Elise Bettencourt found herself falling for a man whose needs she would never be able to control but opening her heart meant opening to a man who was about to destroy her in the process. The $ex scenes are intimate and aggressive.
We are introduced to Elise’s sisters Catherine and Lydia, and their parents; Gabriel’s siblings Mason and his wife Charlotte (WEALTH), Jameson, and Remy; Jacob Chambers, as well as several members of The Consortium.
POWER PLAY is a story of betrayal, power and control, secrets and lies, murder and vengeance, heart break and passion. The premise is captivating and enthralling; the characters are broken, determined and charismatic; the romance is cruel, intense and contentious. POWER PLAY ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned. Gabriel and Elise’s story continues in BAD INFLUENCE.
www.thereadingcafe.com
June 14, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a playboy wants a one-night stand...No strings attached.
Gabriel Hill dates someone new every night. Glamorous parties and smoke-filled clubs. He has no interest in the prim little baker. Until he finds out she's connected to his family's downfall. He wants information. Revenge. And worst of all, he wants Elise Bettencourt in his bed. Again and again and again. There's no future between them. A woman who fought to build a new life for herself. And the man who will bring it all down.
This is a book that you are not going to be able to put down once you start it. This is the story of Gabriel Hill and Elise Bettencourt. Gabriel is more than just a playboy who is with a different girl every night. He is a little broken and very very angry. He has barriers up so high that no one is getting over them. That is until he meet Elise. Elise is a baker who has her own bakery and has done it all on her own without any help from anyone and she likes it that way. She is sweet and kind and has some jagged edges. Gabriel is out for revenge and he blames Elise because her family is involved in the consortium. Gabriel is positive he lost his parents because of the consortium and he wants help brining them down even thought Elise hasn't seen her family in two years. This book is so good. The chemistry between these two jumps right off the pages and you are going to love every single second of their story. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a playboy wants a one-night stand...No strings attached.
Gabriel Hill dates someone new every night. Glamorous parties and smoke-filled clubs. He has no interest in the prim little baker. Until he finds out she's connected to his family's downfall. He wants information. Revenge. And worst of all, he wants Elise Bettencourt in his bed. Again and again and again. There's no future between them. A woman who fought to build a new life for herself. And the man who will bring it all down.
This is a book that you are not going to be able to put down once you start it. This is the story of Gabriel Hill and Elise Bettencourt. Gabriel is more than just a playboy who is with a different girl every night. He is a little broken and very very angry. He has barriers up so high that no one is getting over them. That is until he meet Elise. Elise is a baker who has her own bakery and has done it all on her own without any help from anyone and she likes it that way. She is sweet and kind and has some jagged edges. Gabriel is out for revenge and he blames Elise because her family is involved in the consortium. Gabriel is positive he lost his parents because of the consortium and he wants help brining them down even thought Elise hasn't seen her family in two years. This book is so good. The chemistry between these two jumps right off the pages and you are going to love every single second of their story. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
June 14, 2022
4.5/5 ✰
Thank you Valentine Pr for sending me this!
- cliffhanger ending, check tw’s !
This whole book was a rollercoaster and i felt every single emotion. Elise & Gabriel’s relationship is such a complex one, woven with secrets, lies & dark pasts not only between themselves but between their families as well. Both of these characters did things that frustrated me, but considering their pasts all their actions were understandable.
I loved when Gabriel began opening up to Elise, because he absolutely deserves the world and deserves to have someone right there by his side.
Gabriel is such an interesting character. Despite coming off cold at times, every single one of his actions is for the sake of someone else.
I also really enjoyed Elise’s character. With someone as closed as Gabriel, he needs someone as passionate and stubborn as Elise and she demonstrates both of those qualities in amazing ways.
But that ending??? i’m screaming. i need the next book now.
This is my first Amelia Wilde book and it did NOT disappoint. Amelia Wilde’s writing keeps you intrigue, entertained and desperate to continue reading!! I will most definitely be checking out her other books
Thank you Valentine Pr for sending me this!
- cliffhanger ending, check tw’s !
This whole book was a rollercoaster and i felt every single emotion. Elise & Gabriel’s relationship is such a complex one, woven with secrets, lies & dark pasts not only between themselves but between their families as well. Both of these characters did things that frustrated me, but considering their pasts all their actions were understandable.
I loved when Gabriel began opening up to Elise, because he absolutely deserves the world and deserves to have someone right there by his side.
Gabriel is such an interesting character. Despite coming off cold at times, every single one of his actions is for the sake of someone else.
I also really enjoyed Elise’s character. With someone as closed as Gabriel, he needs someone as passionate and stubborn as Elise and she demonstrates both of those qualities in amazing ways.
But that ending??? i’m screaming. i need the next book now.
This is my first Amelia Wilde book and it did NOT disappoint. Amelia Wilde’s writing keeps you intrigue, entertained and desperate to continue reading!! I will most definitely be checking out her other books
June 12, 2024
3/5⭐️
3/5🌶
Los personajes me gustan. Sobre todo Gabriel, hay un pasado doloroso, acciones desesperadas y vergüenza. Todo un poco más profundo que la simple venganza.
Elise me gustó inicio. La chica que ve como es su familia se aleja, trata de hacerse a sí misma. Pero..., después la autora mete unas cosas tan poco creíbles en su pasado que como mucho dan risa. Ya cuando empezó con El sentimiento de culpa excesivo dije "bueno, de que va esto?", cuando salio con la "mini me" de 6 años... wtf??!!!
En fin.
La relación es un poco menos torcida que en el libro anterior.
Seguiré leyendo la serie porque... masoquismo??, Jajaja.
En realidad porque quiero entender como sigue.
Está bien para pasar el rato y no buscar mucha coherencia en la trama.
3/5🌶
Los personajes me gustan. Sobre todo Gabriel, hay un pasado doloroso, acciones desesperadas y vergüenza. Todo un poco más profundo que la simple venganza.
Elise me gustó inicio. La chica que ve como es su familia se aleja, trata de hacerse a sí misma. Pero..., después la autora mete unas cosas tan poco creíbles en su pasado que como mucho dan risa. Ya cuando empezó con El sentimiento de culpa excesivo dije "bueno, de que va esto?", cuando salio con la "mini me" de 6 años... wtf??!!!
En fin.
La relación es un poco menos torcida que en el libro anterior.
Seguiré leyendo la serie porque... masoquismo??, Jajaja.
En realidad porque quiero entender como sigue.
Está bien para pasar el rato y no buscar mucha coherencia en la trama.
June 14, 2022
Oh. My. Goodness. All the feels. All the things!
The writing was awesome.
This plot was straight fire.
Gabriel. Is. Well. There aren’t enough words to encapsulate his awesomeness.
Hot. Dominate. Broken. Tortured.
Elise. I couldn’t love her more. She’s sweet. She cares. She’s broken.
What is their broken edges round out the picture?
I can’t even. So excited for book 2!
Highly recommend.
The writing was awesome.
This plot was straight fire.
Gabriel. Is. Well. There aren’t enough words to encapsulate his awesomeness.
Hot. Dominate. Broken. Tortured.
Elise. I couldn’t love her more. She’s sweet. She cares. She’s broken.
What is their broken edges round out the picture?
I can’t even. So excited for book 2!
Highly recommend.
June 17, 2022
Amelia Wilde is truly the enchanted mistress of the dark and broody broken alpha whose quest for revenge is only rivaled by their pile of secrets. And Power Play introduces perhaps her most broken hero yet. And I can not get enough of him!
Set in the Wealth world, Power Play is the first of a trilogy focusing on another of the Hill brothers, and like his brother Mason, Gabriel’s channeled his considerable childhood trauma into a hardened, mysterious, mercurial shell- his pain and childhood grief transformed into a relentless and reckless mission of vengeance. A quest that puts Elise Bettencourt in his path, and with a heaping pile of sexual tension and one everlasting kiss, these two become far more connected than their pasts.
Amelia deftly writes and delivers broken characters- with heroes with an edge and ruthlessness that their anti-hero qualities usually dominant much of their story, making them enemies to our beleaguered heroines. And Gabriel is certainly an anti-hero- he can be jerk, cold, detached, heartless- but Amelia makes his vulnerability far more accessible and open than some of her prior heroes. He’s so deeply broken, in so much pain, that unlike others, including his brothers, he can’t quite contain it, it just oozes out of his pores. And that made this story such a delicious treat- because we so quickly empathize and feel for him. We burn for him, all while keeping his edge. And that makes us feel at odds- because we ALSO feel for Elise, who has some surprising skeletons in her own closet. Both of these characters have painful pasts, both have buried their trauma and baggage into their own visages. Both imperfect, both worthy of her empathy, both wronged and at the mercy of their past. And so many secrets. There is no clear right or wrong, good or bad, innocent or guilty here, everything is gray- and it makes for the most addictive read.
Gabriel is magnetic- vibrantly broken, charismatic in his edge. And Elise is complex and complicated, a gentle hearted woman just surviving the ghosts of her past. She’s fierce but soft all at once. And the messy but intriguing connection between them is mesmerizing- redemptive yet challenging to them both. I loved how easily these two are already bending towards one another, how cloudy and complicated their romance becomes. Amelia doesn’t make us bubble slowly in the tension, she explores this dynamic deliciously.
Of course expect a brutal cliffhanger - I wait with bated breath for more!
Set in the Wealth world, Power Play is the first of a trilogy focusing on another of the Hill brothers, and like his brother Mason, Gabriel’s channeled his considerable childhood trauma into a hardened, mysterious, mercurial shell- his pain and childhood grief transformed into a relentless and reckless mission of vengeance. A quest that puts Elise Bettencourt in his path, and with a heaping pile of sexual tension and one everlasting kiss, these two become far more connected than their pasts.
Amelia deftly writes and delivers broken characters- with heroes with an edge and ruthlessness that their anti-hero qualities usually dominant much of their story, making them enemies to our beleaguered heroines. And Gabriel is certainly an anti-hero- he can be jerk, cold, detached, heartless- but Amelia makes his vulnerability far more accessible and open than some of her prior heroes. He’s so deeply broken, in so much pain, that unlike others, including his brothers, he can’t quite contain it, it just oozes out of his pores. And that made this story such a delicious treat- because we so quickly empathize and feel for him. We burn for him, all while keeping his edge. And that makes us feel at odds- because we ALSO feel for Elise, who has some surprising skeletons in her own closet. Both of these characters have painful pasts, both have buried their trauma and baggage into their own visages. Both imperfect, both worthy of her empathy, both wronged and at the mercy of their past. And so many secrets. There is no clear right or wrong, good or bad, innocent or guilty here, everything is gray- and it makes for the most addictive read.
Gabriel is magnetic- vibrantly broken, charismatic in his edge. And Elise is complex and complicated, a gentle hearted woman just surviving the ghosts of her past. She’s fierce but soft all at once. And the messy but intriguing connection between them is mesmerizing- redemptive yet challenging to them both. I loved how easily these two are already bending towards one another, how cloudy and complicated their romance becomes. Amelia doesn’t make us bubble slowly in the tension, she explores this dynamic deliciously.
Of course expect a brutal cliffhanger - I wait with bated breath for more!
June 28, 2023
This book was devastating and I loved it. Every inch of this is angst. The MFC is angsty, depressed, and feels she deserves to be punished for her perceived sins. The MMC is angsty, depressed, and ready to enact vengeance on anyone who he sees as guilty. My heart ached for these characters. I don't think my eyebrows were ever not pinched together from the emotional damage of this whole book. There wasn't a single moment of relief or happiness. There was no escape from the feelings of these characters.
Angst is my favorite mood of books and this book delivered that. It did end with a cliffhanger, but I already have the next book added to my list to buy. I'm definitely reading it.
Angst is my favorite mood of books and this book delivered that. It did end with a cliffhanger, but I already have the next book added to my list to buy. I'm definitely reading it.
June 17, 2022
Love and revenge play a powerful role in the story of Gabriel Hill and Elise Bettencourt as they seek to destroy the consortium that Mason Hill was chasing in the Wealth trilogy. This is a continuation of that story and Amelia Wilde has crafted two fascinating and dimensional characters in Gabriel and Elise. I always thought there was a certain darkness to Gabriel's character but what I never expected was the conflict in him. Elise had her own burdens and secrets to bare—only to find out too late that she was merely a victim/pawn in her father's evil machinations. Power Play was much more than I bargained for because intertwined with the fleeting moments of passion and sweetness between Gabriel and Elise, their romance was overshadowed by angst, cruelty, and heartbreak.
As the second oldest sibling in the Hill family, Gabriel uses his charm and sex appeal to accumulate secrets. Behind that distant but charming smile lies a burning fire—fueled by self-hatred and a desire for revenge, that yearns to destroy those who murdered his parents. If I were to describe Gabriel Hill, he would be ruthless, calculating, cold, and broken. As the foil to Gabriel's character, Elise has been running away from her guilt and past for many years. After emancipating herself from her family at the age of eighteen, Elise has been living her life simply and independently as the baker and owner of her bakery shop. I loved how sweet, kind, caring, and hopeful she was despite all the suffering and pain she experienced at the hands of her own family and even by Gabriel. Elise is the type of heroine who loves with all of her heart.
In the end, I enjoyed Gabriel and Elise's story even though it left me with tears and a heavy heart because of the way it ended. However, this is merely the beginning to their story and it will continue in Upper Hand. At first, I had a difficult time connecting with Gabriel because he was an incredibly complex and contradicting character. In addition to having a distorted view on love and pleasure, he punished himself for surviving and not doing enough. The persona he portrayed to the world and his family were merely extensions of himself and separated from his real self. Whether Elise will be able to save his heart remains to be a question. Fans of Amelia Wilde will not want to miss out on this continuation of the Hill family saga as Gabriel Hill seeks to destroy himself and those who played a part in his parents' murder. I recommend this to those that love angst and the revenge romance trope with a self-destructing and broken hero who does everything in his power to push away his sweet little baker.
*This ARC was generously provided by the author and publisher for an honest review*
"This has never been about falling in love. Not for Gabriel, and certainly not for me."
As the second oldest sibling in the Hill family, Gabriel uses his charm and sex appeal to accumulate secrets. Behind that distant but charming smile lies a burning fire—fueled by self-hatred and a desire for revenge, that yearns to destroy those who murdered his parents. If I were to describe Gabriel Hill, he would be ruthless, calculating, cold, and broken. As the foil to Gabriel's character, Elise has been running away from her guilt and past for many years. After emancipating herself from her family at the age of eighteen, Elise has been living her life simply and independently as the baker and owner of her bakery shop. I loved how sweet, kind, caring, and hopeful she was despite all the suffering and pain she experienced at the hands of her own family and even by Gabriel. Elise is the type of heroine who loves with all of her heart.
"Nobody will ever hate me as much as I hate myself. She thinks it was her, but it was me. I'm the one who destroyed everything."
In the end, I enjoyed Gabriel and Elise's story even though it left me with tears and a heavy heart because of the way it ended. However, this is merely the beginning to their story and it will continue in Upper Hand. At first, I had a difficult time connecting with Gabriel because he was an incredibly complex and contradicting character. In addition to having a distorted view on love and pleasure, he punished himself for surviving and not doing enough. The persona he portrayed to the world and his family were merely extensions of himself and separated from his real self. Whether Elise will be able to save his heart remains to be a question. Fans of Amelia Wilde will not want to miss out on this continuation of the Hill family saga as Gabriel Hill seeks to destroy himself and those who played a part in his parents' murder. I recommend this to those that love angst and the revenge romance trope with a self-destructing and broken hero who does everything in his power to push away his sweet little baker.
*This ARC was generously provided by the author and publisher for an honest review*
June 14, 2022
Wow Amelia does not hold back on the angst with Power Play. Gabriel is a very hard alphahole to like. His softness and emotion is fleeting. He is too used to treating relationships as business transactions. Other people's pleasure for information. A trade and nothing more. Elise is a spark Gabriel wasn't expecting. As with the best angst filled romances, Elise makes him feel.
Gabriel is tortured and closed off. We learn his side of the story that we've glimpsed in Mason and Charlotte's books. Gabriel has endured physical and emotional pain to ensure his family's survival. Elise is tortured in a different way. She carries the burden of her family's guilt and has detached herself from their money and control.
This is an angst ridden ride through the politics of these powerful families and the consortium. The ending leaves you panting for more Gabriel and Elise and what will be next in this quest for vengeance.
Gabriel is tortured and closed off. We learn his side of the story that we've glimpsed in Mason and Charlotte's books. Gabriel has endured physical and emotional pain to ensure his family's survival. Elise is tortured in a different way. She carries the burden of her family's guilt and has detached herself from their money and control.
This is an angst ridden ride through the politics of these powerful families and the consortium. The ending leaves you panting for more Gabriel and Elise and what will be next in this quest for vengeance.
June 16, 2022
I received an arc for a honest review.
Amelia Wilde seriously writes some of the best BROKEN HEROES. This trilogy follows after the Wealth Trilogy, where the Hill's parents were killed, leaving 4 children behind. Mason Hill was the oldest. Gabriel was the second brother, Jameson the 3rd child, and then youngest daughter, Remy.
This trilogy focuses on Gabriel and Elise. Elise was the oldest daughter of the Bettencourt, and supposedly the successor of the Bettencourt's family business. Gabriel was out for revenge on the consortium who killed their parents. He was going to use Elise to get into the consortium.
Guys, My heart seriously hurts for both Gabriel and Elise. I really want to go into the book and hug them both. Like I don't think this has ever happened before from all the books that I've read from Amelia. Like yes, her other books hurt, but somehow this one, hit me to the core!! Such an amazing job by Amelia.
Ugh. I already need the second book ASAP!!!
Amelia Wilde seriously writes some of the best BROKEN HEROES. This trilogy follows after the Wealth Trilogy, where the Hill's parents were killed, leaving 4 children behind. Mason Hill was the oldest. Gabriel was the second brother, Jameson the 3rd child, and then youngest daughter, Remy.
This trilogy focuses on Gabriel and Elise. Elise was the oldest daughter of the Bettencourt, and supposedly the successor of the Bettencourt's family business. Gabriel was out for revenge on the consortium who killed their parents. He was going to use Elise to get into the consortium.
Guys, My heart seriously hurts for both Gabriel and Elise. I really want to go into the book and hug them both. Like I don't think this has ever happened before from all the books that I've read from Amelia. Like yes, her other books hurt, but somehow this one, hit me to the core!! Such an amazing job by Amelia.
Ugh. I already need the second book ASAP!!!
June 20, 2022
Elise’s father is powerful and runs the investment group they call the consortium. It has many illegal activities hidden by their legal ones. Elise was raised to take over for her father but she stepped away from that life. Now she runs her own bakery and is happy with her choice to leave.
But a man from her past, Gabriel, shows up and forces her back into the life she gladly left behind. He wants revenge against her father (who ordered the death of his parents) and she’s going to help him get it.
Gabriel is dominant and powerful, and Elise is helpless against his charm. They begin an affair full of “I hate you” and “you only want to use me” that eventually turns into affection and guilt about the way they’ve treated each other.
Gabriel is really nasty to Elise in some parts that were a little too much in my opinion but he makes up for it. And of course the cliffhanger left me wanting more.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5
🌶🌶🌶/ 5
But a man from her past, Gabriel, shows up and forces her back into the life she gladly left behind. He wants revenge against her father (who ordered the death of his parents) and she’s going to help him get it.
Gabriel is dominant and powerful, and Elise is helpless against his charm. They begin an affair full of “I hate you” and “you only want to use me” that eventually turns into affection and guilt about the way they’ve treated each other.
Gabriel is really nasty to Elise in some parts that were a little too much in my opinion but he makes up for it. And of course the cliffhanger left me wanting more.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5
🌶🌶🌶/ 5
June 14, 2022
Be prepared to lose a little sleep because once you start reading this book you won't be able to stop. Let Elise and Gabriel take you on an emotional roller coaster. This book is full of angst, revenge and drama. Explosive chemistry and tons of passion. He was a billionaire playboy who was only interested in one night stands. When he found out that Elise's family was involved in the Consortium he blamed them for his parents death. He was determined to make her pay. What happens when he wants more and more? They're both broken but their chemistry keeps boiling. A page turner that you will enjoy. I read a complimentary advance copy via Valentine Productions and voluntarily chose to review it.
June 15, 2022
The amount of angst this book has is beyond everything. The whole book had me on chokehold!
Gabriel Hill is such an a$$hole but I loved him! Elise is so sweet and definitely deserves the best. The last chapter made me GASP and scream to Amelia “WHY!?” Like I knew it was gonna be a cliffhanger but this is so painful!
I can’t wait for the next one!
ARC provided in exchange of my honest opinion
Gabriel Hill is such an a$$hole but I loved him! Elise is so sweet and definitely deserves the best. The last chapter made me GASP and scream to Amelia “WHY!?” Like I knew it was gonna be a cliffhanger but this is so painful!
I can’t wait for the next one!
ARC provided in exchange of my honest opinion
June 14, 2022
Gabriel and Elise ... so, so good!! With each new story from Ms. Wilde, I have a new favorite character(s) (every single book!) and Gabriel and of course, Elise are no exception. Excellent storytelling with over the top character development makes Ms. Wilde THE author to read!!
June 14, 2022
Gabriel wants revenge for the murder of his parents. This book was so good I have absolutely no words. It left me breathless and wanting more of Gabriel & Elise.
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