The Villain

ByNana Malone

Release Date: 2023-08-29
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Score: 4.5

4.5

From 59 Ratings

Description

Guess who's having the craziest week EVER?
That would be me.

Sunday: I get dumped by my boyfriend—right before a couple's bungee jump.

Monday: My little sister informs me that she’s invited our evil, estranged mom to the wedding I’ve spent months helping her plan.

Wednesday: In an effort to escape Massimo Igno, this creepy friend of my future brother-in-law, I somehow end up making out with a tall, dark stranger who looks like Superman’s twin.

Thursday: Tall-dark-and Superman’s-Twin turns out to be my new high-profile client, and my now totally off-limits thinks-he’s-the-boss-of-me client is demanding I drop everything to come with him to Rome. Seriously, did I hunt baby polar bears in a past life or something? What did I do to deserve this? Of course, with my sister’s wedding to plan, I tell him no.

Friday: As it turns out, no isn’t an option. My sexy new “client” is actually a ruthless, dangerous criminal. Apparently, he and the creepy guy I was trying to dodge are arch-enemies. He’s been watching me for weeks, and he wants to use me to get to Massimo.

Unfortunately, I don’t discover any of this until after he steals me from my hotel room in the dead of night and deposits me at his remote British countryside estate.

Saturday: I decide to fight like hell to escape my gorgeous British country estate prison.

Now, the question going into next week is, will I be able to get away from stupid-hot-villain a-hole whose stare makes my tummy do things it shouldn’t, considering he’s kidnapped me?

And what will he do to me if he catches me?

Other Books in the Series
The Heir
The King
The Saint
The Rook
The Spy
The Villain

Reviews

The Villain
4
By Cajalili
I enjoyed this book. Drake gas to play the villain to Daphne, he’s after someone in the syndicate that has eyes on her. But he can’t help falling for her. Loved their chemistry. There’s a bit of heartbreak but thankfully they get their happy ever after. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy and I recommend this book.
The hot tension
5
By FebruaryAquarius
One kiss is all it takes for Daphne and Drake to be confused about their feelings for each other. However, it takes more than kisses to have their happily ever in “The Villain” by Nana Malone!

We all will have a hair trigger by the end of this book! Daphne and Drake’s kissing scenes alone warms us up. You must read to know what the bath scenes does!

I couldn’t believe how fast a read this book was! It’s action-packed with villain versus villain scenes. I especially appreciate Daphne’s attempts and success of leaving the barn because I was constantly reminded of the defense acronym SING.

My favorite parts are Drake’s many gestures at the end because he messed up real good!

If you enjoy books with fake identity, forced proximity, found family, spice, spies, and strong female characters to name a few, then I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Valentine PR and Nana Malone for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Great story
5
By Dee5258
A great addition to the series! I loved the palpable suspense and drama that was so well written in this fun and engaging story. I loved how the author made these characters so personable and realistic. I loved the supporting cast of characters who added depth and detail and believability to the story. Each chapter carried me further into this intriguing world and I loved every second of it.
Drake and Daphne
5
By Waiting to be fixed
4.8 stars

This is the fifth book in the Gentlemen Rogues series and it is another action infused, steamy adventure where readers get Drake and Daphne’s story. Drake is an agent with MI5 who is on a mission of revenge. He unfortunately learned the hard way that a person he trusted sold him out and he is doing what he can to prove himself again. Daphne is an account manager who has a feeling that she is being followed. With a lot on her plate, she goes about her life but unfortunately, Drake kidnaps Daphne to save/protect her from The Syndicate. The chemistry between the two is sizzling. The journey that they embark on will break your heart while pulling out a myriad of other emotions. The one thing I would have liked was the inclusion of an epilogue to give the storyline a bit more closure. Overall, this book will keep you glued to your seat from beginning to end. I recommend this series.
Drake’s story
4
By LisanneH
Drake’s story…

I know this is a story about opposites, but Drake is so Uber, I really never bought in that Daphne was his match. Daphne is a mess, very weak, why me, wow is me. She was Nana’s least interesting female lead. I did however, like Drake. He’s on the outs and desperate to get back in the Home Office by any means necessary and that path is through Daphne as bait for Massimo and going to the Rogues for help to take down The Syndicate.
Recommend.
Sexiest Villain EVER
5
By broken_heart
If you are new to the Nana Malone Universe, welcome to a wild ride! While the book The Villain is a standalone book, it does help to have read other books in the Rouge Universe. This time, we are finally delving in to the life and times of Drake Webster. Drake Webster is the boogieman, the spy who loves you, and a jerk all rolled up in to one smoking hot sexy package! What I wouldn’t give to have this as my real life boyfriend, not just my book boyfriend! LOL Drake has been a thorn in the Rouges’ side for years and was “responsible” for one of their greatest tragedies. Entering the Drake Webster chat is Daphne Winslow. Daphne is just trying to live her best, adventure seeking life when Drake decides to muck it all up. I knew that Drake’s story would be intense, but I wasn’t prepared for the explosion of action involved in this book. I couldn’t put The Villain down until it was finished. Boy did The Villain deliver!!!! I am not sure who is next, but Drake and Daphne set the bar HIGH! I highly recommend The Villain for your next book.
I Love to See a Woman Find Her Inner Strength
4
By asildroffops
The Villian is the fifth book in the Gentlemen Rogues series by Nana Malone. This book is about Drake Webster, a MI5 agent, friend and former classmate of Gabe Webb, whowas known to the rest of the Rogues as a member of the Syndicate. He had been captured and kept in custody at a black site. Drake’s cover was blown, he was on suspension, and he wanted to get his life as a deep-operative back again. He learned that Daphne Winslow was the key to his plan and was determined to do what was necessary to take the Syndicate down.

Drake Webster is a bit of a mystery in the rest of the Rogues series, but readers learned more about him in The Spy. This book brought much more understanding of what motivated him and grounded him. I liked him in this book. He was more than just a hot-shot agent who worked in the shadows. I loved his layers and depth. Daphne I liked best of all. She had a traumatic past and had struggled to find a way to really live. It was a work in progress as fear generally held her back until the stakes became life or death. Suddenly, Daphne was determined to keep trying no matter her fear. She really gave Drake a run for his money. All that Drake needed to decide was whether he could change his course when something more meaningful than revenge could be his future. I loved this book, which included these two characters as well as the Rogues crew I have fallen in love with. I look forward to more Rogues books sometime in the future and continue to applaud the authors foray in to the world of rom com/romantic suspense. I recommend this book for lovers of this genre with a heavy dose of spice. I am voluntarily submitting this review after reading an advanced complementary copy of this book thanks to Valentine PR and Nana Malone.
Absolutely Yes!
5
By Fine pumpkin 511
Absolutely positively YES!!! I devoured everything about this story. The action was thrilling plus wildly entertaining. The love scenes were five alarm fires. Drake was infuriating most of the time yet I found a soft spot for him. I adored Daphne. Even through her fears she was courageous. Her fierce determination to never quit was awe inspiring. I also got to visit some old friends. Ugh there is so much I want to say but I won’t give spoilers away. I love this series. Until next time y’all happy reading.