I guess it can’t be Christmas if I don’t read a stalker romance? Haha. Last year, I enjoyed He Sees You When You’re Sleeping, so I needed to read the interconnected sequel to that story. Today I want to tell you about He Knows When You’re Awake and what I thought. Keep on reading for more!
A big thank you to Netgalley and Avon for providing me with an eARC & ALC to read and review. This doesn’t affect my opinion in any way.
This Christmas, it’s all about getting what you really want in this dark billionaire stalker romance sequel to He Sees You When You’re Sleeping.
Stalking in a winter wonderland…
Jewelry designer Sloane dreams of launching her own custom line—but she needs a Christmas miracle to pull it off. With traditional banks turning her down left and right, she can’t resist when a mysterious stranger offers her a lifeline.
I see what she creates in those stolen moments when she thinks no one’s watching. I see everything. There’s a darkness at her core and I will unravel her until I find it.
Reclusive billionaire Cole Asher offers to fly Sloane out to an ultra-luxurious Swiss resort for a meeting. Reluctantly, she agrees—only to realize she’s met him once before in a New York bar.
She is crucial to my plans, and I need her close. She insists that we keep things professional, and I comply. But soon she will realize that every line is blurred when it comes to her and me.
Cole offers to back her company—but there’s a cost. To secure his investment, Sloane must move into his Manhattan penthouse, where she’ll complete her first round of designs for him to review before Christmas.
Sloane throws herself into her work, yet soon the attraction between her and Cole becomes undeniable. As the city sparkles with Christmas splendor from her penthouse view, Sloane wonders if she has stepped into a fairy tale—until Cole’s powerful enemies close in. They will stop at nothing to destroy him, including going after the woman he loves.
I will burn down the world to get her back…and it will be in time for Christmas.
Review
Last year, I read He Sees You When You’re Sleeping and I had a great time. It was a great combination of Christmas and dark romance. So needless to say, I was excited when the author announced He Knows When You’re Awake. Sloane is determined to have her own jewelry line and decides to believe in herself and quit her job.
Sloane is an interesting character. I love how feisty she was and that she wanted to give herself a chance. I have to say, I don’t think I would’ve gotten on a plane to Switzerland to see a stranger about a job offer. In fiction I love stuff like that, so it worked for me. Even though I will say I still don’t know why they went to a different country.
Cole is kind of a stalker, but also just very much someone who needs to be in control. He likes to support people to fulfill their dreams and Sloane is one that happens to catch his eye. With lots of security and cameras, he gives Sloane the opportunity of a lifetime. For someone so “dark” and “grumpy” he has a big heart.
I really enjoyed seeing Sloane and Cole get closer. Their connection was there from the start and the tension until they gave in was great! I’m not sure I needed the suspense near the end, but it did give the story an interesting twist. I enjoyed Cole’s gestures to make Sloane happy/feel more comfortable and the spicy scenes worked for this book. I didn’t connect to them as much as I did the characters in the first book, but I had a great time. I enjoyed the balance of their romance and also how much this was a holiday themed book. I had a great time. I would love a story with Cole’s head of security if I’m being honest.
As for the narrators, Rock Engle and Jillian Macie bring Cole and Sloane to life for this story. I feel both of them did a great job and definitely made this a pleasant reading experience. I will say I kind of was expecting for Cole to have a “deeper” voice. That being said, both of these narrators were great for this story.
He Knows When You’re Awake was fun to read this holiday season. Have you started your holiday reading yet? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!
