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Ruthless Pride: Experience the Passion in this Dramatic Romance Mass Market Paperback – May 5 2020

by Naima Simone (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 87 ratings
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From USA TODAY bestselling author Naima Simone. Feel the drama and passion in the Dynasties: Seven Sins series!

Some men are meant to sin…
Pride made him what he is but desire might change him forever…

Millionaire CEO Joshua Lowell earned his icy reserve and arrogant pride through painful experience. He refuses to allow gorgeous but determined reporter Sophie Armstrong to dredge up his family’s dark past—or circulate rumors of his secret child. But Joshua’s fierce pride is at war with his heated desire for Sophie, the only woman who could ruin him…or save him from himself.

Harlequin Desire: Luxury, scandal, desire—welcome to the lives of the American elite.

One man’s betrayal can destroy generations. Fifteen years ago, a hedge-fund hotshot vanished with billions, leaving the high-powered families of Falling Brook changed forever. Now seven heirs, shaped by his betrayal, must reckon with the sins of the past. Passion may be their only path to redemption. Experience all Seven Sins!

DYNASTIES: SEVEN SINS

Book 1: Ruthless Pride by Naima Simone
This CEO’s pride led him to give up his dreams for his family. Now he’s drawn to the woman who threatens everything…

Book 2: Forbidden Lust by Karen Booth
He’s always resisted his lust for his best friend’s sister—until they’re stranded together in paradise…

Book 3: Insatiable Hunger by Yahrah St. John
His unbridled appetite for his closest friend is unleashed when he believes she’s fallen for the wrong man…

Book 4: Hidden Ambition by Jules Bennett
Ambition has taken him far, but revenge could cost him his one chance at love…

Book 5: Reckless Envy by Joss Wood
When this shark in the boardroom meets the one woman he can’t have, envy takes over…

Book 6: Untamed Passion by Cat Schield
Will this black sheep’s self-destructive wrath flame out when he’s expecting an heir of his own?

Book 7: Slow Burn by Janice Maynard
If he’s really the idle playboy his family claims, will his inaction threaten a reunion with the woman who got away?
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 7
    Dynasties: Seven Sins
  2. Print length
    224 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Harlequin Desire
  5. Publication date
    May 5 2020
  6. Dimensions
    10.52 x 1.57 x 16.66 cm
  7. ISBN-10
    1335209093
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1335209092
  9. See all details
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From the Publisher

Harlequin Desire contemporary romance billionaires wealthy alpha rich dynasty mogul celebrity
Harlequin Desire contemporary romance billionaires wealthy alpha rich dynasties seven sins
Harlequin Desire contemporary romance billionaires wealthy alpha rich dynasty mogul celebrity
Harlequin Desire contemporary romance billionaires wealthy alpha rich dynasty mogul celebrity

Product description

Review

"Passion, heat and deep emotion—Naima Simone is a gem!" — New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates

“Ruthless Pride is written with confidence, sex appeal, and wit by a talented author. Readers can always expect a carefully crafted and steamy read from Naima Simone.” —Fresh Fiction

"I always enjoy a good Harlequin Desire by Naima Simone! She combines passion, drama and interesting characters into entertaining contemporary romances (always a little bit on the hotter side)...Ruthless Pride is a great start to what looks to be an exciting series!" —Harlequin Junkie

About the Author

USA TODAY bestselling author Naima Simone writes romance with heart, humor and heat. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.” She is wife to Superman, and mom to the most awesome kids ever. They live in perfect, domestically challenged bliss in the southern US.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harlequin Desire; Original edition (May 5 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1335209093
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1335209092
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 136 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.52 x 1.57 x 16.66 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 87 ratings

About the author

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Naima Simone

Naima Simone

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Published since 2009, USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.”

She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
87 global ratings

Top reviews from Canada

Heidi OA
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!
Reviewed in Canada on May 4, 2020
A great start to what will be an amazing series of books. It was an awesome read and the chemistry between Joshua and Sophie was off the charts. I cannot wait for the next books in the series. Definitely a 5 star read!
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Nadine
4.0 out of 5 stars Opposite attract! This one’s a hot story in true Naima form!
Reviewed in Canada on May 3, 2020
It takes absolutely no time to find out just how drawn the main characters are too each other, despite them starting off on opposite sides.
There's much to love here - including Naima's lush writing, and her characters' intense attraction.

- He had to give up who he was to make good on something that wasn’t his fault.
- She promised herself never again to compromise on who she is.
- He has reigned in his emotions and desires.
- She is fiery emotions galore.
- He’s out to protect people around him
- She’s there to tell the truth
- He’s head of a wealthy dynasty
- She’s not...

Opposite attract! This one’s a hot story in true Naima form!
And with a storyline that shows the cold, wealthy and influential alpha male as wielding his power and even indicating that he would use all that power to get his way, against her, the romance still works, and sparks fly! I particularly like the heroine though. She's smart, competent, and not shy to stand her ground and fight for keeping up her values.

I would have preferred for the story to be a bit longer so the characters could be explored further in depth.
This is the first book in the Harlequin Desire Seven Sins series with new books coming out each month. While Ruthless Pride has a satisfying HEA/HFN, there is a central topic that is not solved in this story and, according to Naima, will be carried through to the next books.

Please note that I received a copy of this book before the official release date. All views and opinions stated here in this review are my own and true to my personal impressions.
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Dar
4.0 out of 5 stars The heart overrules the brain!
Reviewed in Canada on May 1, 2020
I love how the desire between Josh and Sophie leaps off the page from the very start. There is no doubt these two have strong chemistry, but their darn pride denies it. While their professions should make them enemies, and their history should make them wary, the draw between them continues to override their thought processes on these matters. Of course, they are electric once they connect, and that passion flows into their feelings. Haunted by their pasts, moving on isn’t easy for either, but together, they make the path they want!
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Marisa Gettas
3.0 out of 5 stars The first book in a new Harlequin continuity series
Reviewed in Canada on May 7, 2020
I received this ARC in return for a fair and honest review. 
Note: I am online friends with Naima Simone on multiple social media platforms.
 
This is the beginning of a 7-book continuity series called DYNASTIES: SEVEN SINS. I love the idea of this series—each book focuses on one of The Seven Deadly Sins. The sin in this book is Pride.
 
15 years ago, Vernon Lowell absconded with money from the hedge fund he was running and hasn’t been seen since. For the past 15 years, Vernon’s eldest son Joshua has been trying to right his father’s wrongs. He left a very promising career as a mixed media artist to take over the family run Black Crescent hedge fund. Josh has worked diligently to both repay the money his father stole from their clients; and to repair the Lowell name. But all of this comes at the cost of Josh’s happiness. There is no art, no joy in his life.
 
Enter investigative reporter Sophie Armstrong who is doing a 15th anniversary piece on the Black Crescent fiasco. Obviously she wants to interview Josh, and obviously the last thing he wants to do is reopen those wounds. But, she gets to him, makes him want things; feel things, again. She is threat to all he has worked for; at least that is what Josh believes. Sophie is weary of getting too close to a man, when her career is in an upswing. It didn’t go well for her mom, but Sophie can’t help what she feels for Josh. Will it work out for these two crazy kids? Of course! HEA’s are guaranteed with Harlequin.
 
 My Thoughts: 
I’ve been mulling over how I want to say, what I want to say, about this book. Then I realized, it’s not actually the book I want to talk about—it’s Harlequin continuity series’, as a whole. This is the 4thof such series from Harlequin that I have read (I’ve read two TEXAS CATTLEMAN’S RANCH series and one DYNASTIES series) and my personal observation is that they almost always feel like watered down products. Or, they contain a few completely implausible plot-twists that you are required to believe in order for the series’ timeline to work (e.g. it takes a heroine 5 days to get over the break-up of a 5 year relationship, and within a week is ready to marry another man).
 
Also, quirky character traits are often ‘shaved off’, as these characters may be showing up in the next 6 books, and not every author can write those particular quirks for that character. The tone needs to sound similar, so in some ways, it feels as if authors are holding back some of their personal style when writing these books. My all-time favourite books from Harlequin are never found in continuity series--they are in stand-alones, or in series by the same author. 
 
Unfortunately, I spent a lot of time reading this book and thinking of ways it would be better if Naima were writing the whole series herself. As an example, there was one pop culture reference in this book (Narnia!), while in Naima’s own books, these references are sprinkled liberally throughout the pages. It’s one of the reasons I love her writing so much. For RUTHLESS PRIDE, it feels like she had to tone this down in order to make her writing fit the vibe and mood of this multi-author continuity series.
 
So, fair to say, this wasn’t my favourite book of Naima’s. But, her BLACKOUT BILLIONAIRES series from Harlequin is straight-up amazing! You must read these starting with THE BILLIONAIRE’S BARGAIN (JUNE 2019 HARLEQUIN DESIRE), continuing with BLACK TIE BILLIONAIRE (SEPTEMBER 2019 HARLEQUIN DESIRE), and finishing with BLAME IT ONE THE BILLIONAIRE (JANUARY 2020 HARLEQUIN DESIRE). And then move on to her WAGS series (such tropey goodness!), and her SWEETEST TABOO series (neither are Harlequin), but I warn you, those book will scorch you with their heat, and melt you with their warmth. 
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Andrea Daniels
4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth reading. And rereading.
Reviewed in Canada on May 8, 2020
Damn it Naima. Took me four tries to actually get this to successfully download but it was worth every second of the hassle. Characters are well developed, storyline is solid and as per usual, the heat was brought as only Naima can write it. You've got me hooked Naima. Not sure how I feel about that.
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Tripip
3.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read
Reviewed in Canada on May 9, 2020
The sins of the fathers shall be visited upon the sons. ... Poor Joshua has had to deal with the fallout of his father’s misdeeds for the past 15 years. And Sophie, a reporter, wants to bring back the spot light to Joshua’s family’s sordid history. But as Sophie investigates, she uncovers a secret that Joshua has had to bury in order to save his family’s name but which might save his soul.
Both Joshua and Sophie are strong and relateable characters. There is quite a bit of angst especially in Joshua’s history. And there is plenty of steam! While there was certainly lust between these two, I found the jump from lust to love a bit sudden. Overall, an enjoyable read.
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Top reviews from other countries

Renee
5.0 out of 5 stars Good romance with a strong female MC
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2021
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I had given up on Harlequin Desire books after reading two horrible ones included in a box set. Then this book came a long and I've changed my mind.

This was a freaking awesome book!

The male MC, Joshua, is so damaged. He's ruthless, closed-off, cold. Typically, I hate that sort of character. However the author did such a good job showing his inner turmoil and what caused him to be this way that I found myself rooting for him. I wanted him to have his HEA. I wanted him to find peace and to not continue to pay for the sins of his father.

The female MC, Sophie, I adored her. She's strong and feisty. She didn't take any of his crap. She pushed back just as hard if not harder. My heart broke for her when he did what he did. I wanted to hate him but I couldn't because I understood why he did it. I also knew things would work out in the end. I still held my breath though, just in case!

I'm shocked that this book doesn't have a higher average rating score. Once again, I'm over here in left field going in a different direction from popular consensus. I love books that don't get high ratings. I hate books that get high ratings. LOL, I march to that different tune proudly!

Oh yeah and the book is smokin' hot. Just sayin'! These two have some powerful chemistry.
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Lynne V
4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but the ending was a bit rushed
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2020
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I like Naima Simone's work and as far as I know she hasn't written a bad book yet. Overall, this was good. The reasons why this is a 4-star is because there is a lot of introspection in between scenes from the two main characters, which slowed down the pace. A lot of it felt like filler to me--had the book been 5,000 words shorter it would've made for a tighter plot.

The ending felt a bit rushed; between chapter 11 and 12 it becomes apparent that Sophie had decided to stay in FB after all, but the reasoning behind that was never explained. We also never really found out what was up with the DNA-test or who was behind it other than Zane; I'm guessing more on that will be revealed in the next installment, but since Josh and Sophie were very involved in that storyline, too much of it was left hanging in the air.
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Vilma E. Akins
5.0 out of 5 stars Anger, mistrust, and sexual chemistry right from the beginning
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2020
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Joshua Lowell is the stoic hedge fund CEO who has rebuilt a business that his father ruthlessly destroyed by embezzling millions, destroying many families, and then disappearing. Sophie Armstrong is aninvestigative reporter who is dredging up 15 year old memories on the anniversary of the date that Vernon Lowell destroyed Black Crescent Investments, the Lowell family and 10 other families.

Sophie barges into Joshua’s office, uninvited, with the voracity of a dog with a bone, she’s looking for Joshua’s input and Joshua has avoided all of her requests to meet until this moment. Their first meeting is loaded with distrust, anger, and an underlying sexual tension.

I loved Joshua, his sense of duty, loyalty, and honor are what is missing in the real world today. Sophie is smart, strong, determined, and she fights for the truth and seeks out answers. What I also loved about Sophie is how she is the one to help Joshua return to his passion and find whom he is amidst the craziness of his father's betrayal.

I'm looking forward to reading more about the Blackwell family and the other families affected by the embezzler in the future books in the series.

The story is filled with mystery, intrigue, deception, steamy interactions, and a happy ever after for Sophie and Joshua.
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Larrissa
5.0 out of 5 stars Another fabulous read!!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2020
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Sophia and Joshua was such avoid story. I hate reviews that detail the story line. What you need to know is Ms. Someone's writing was superb. It was definitely opposites attract. But I loved as they let each other in you got a little deeper into how they each tick. It was fascinating. Their chemistry was insane. I loved how the story included real life situations, real feelings and real passion. I also was real deep in the feels for them. That is what I love about her writing!! Enjoy this quick story!
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Jamaican Diva
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent storyline ..... Keeps you engaged and looking forward to the entire series
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2020
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Can't wait to find out about the father in book seven ... each one hold its own place in the series .... started reading the series at book three and that book was just as engaging so I backtracked to catch up on the series .... it you are not into steamy "love scenes" then this might be the book for you but if you are then Happy Reading .... On to book 2
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