Shattered Innocence

Black Rose Auction, Book 5

By: Sara Cate

Narrated by: Stephen Borne, Michelle Sparks, Angelina Rocca

Welcome to the Black Rose Auction where every sin can be yours for a price.

Birdie wants nothing more than to escape the clutches of her cruel and wicked stepmother, and to be with the only person she’s ever truly loved—her stepsister, Violet.

When her stepmother threatens to auction off Birdie’s hand in marriage to the highest bidder, Birdie sees it as her only way out.

Her stepsister has a plan…

Enlist the help her rich and powerful ex, Alaric Stone, to bid on their behalf.

But when things go awry at the auction, and Birdie is forced give away far more than she expected, Alaric decides he’s playing for keeps.

He wants both of them.

Can the three of them escape the clutches of Birdie’s selfish stepmother together?

And will Birdie be forced to choose between the two who have her heart…or will it be shattered forever?

Shattered Innocence is a Cinderella remix meant for mature readers who like fairytales…just dirtier.

©2024 Sara Cate (P)2024 Sara Cate

Fun, spicy Cinderella influenced story

What’s it about?
In this Cinderella influenced story, Birdie wants to escape the clutches of her tyrannical stepmother, and she’s willing to do anything–even go up for a bridal auction. But that also means leaving the woman she’s in love with: her step sister Violet. But Violet refuses to let this end tragically, and approaches her wealthy ex, Alaric, to win Birdie’s auction. Feelings get all twisted up, and soon Birdie, Violet, and Alaric find themselves in a confusing mess of shared feelings.

My thoughts:
First, I loved the audiobook version of this story. It was expertly narrated by Stephen Borne, Michelle Sparks, and Angelina Rocca. It’s also quite short at 4.5 hours, so I flew right through it. I got all the things I love about a Sara Cate story in a quick burst.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Birdie, who is only 19, has a sort of endearing innocence despite the hard life she’s lived. And I love that Violet defies her despicable mother and sister and stands up for what’s right. Alaric has some morally gray tendencies that I would have liked to learn more about. But I always love a MMC who would burn down the world for the woman, or in this case, women he loves.

Great, quick listen with a some fun spice and great resolution.

Best Cinderella Twist

I absolutely devoured Shattered Innocence and would love more!! The chemistry between the characters is perfect and I loved their unique relationships with each other.

Birdie

Shattered Innocence- Sara Cate
Narrated by Stephen Borne, Michelle Sparks, Angelina Rocca

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Narration 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧

This was a sexy, spicy, dark Cinderella retelling but the step sisters are hot for each other. Just like in the Disney version, the dad dies but in this version he was a grade A a-hole who abused his wife, daughter, and stepdaughters so he deserved to die. Now stepmommy dearest is taking everything out on Birdie that her dad did, even though she didn’t do anything to deserve it, so she forces her to enter the auction to be sold to the highest bidder to be wed and for her virginity. The only problem is, she’s in love with her step sister, and her step sister is in love with her. They come up with a plan for freedom but do plans ever go to plan? The Sara Cate spice was absolutely spicing on this one. There was some FF, MF, FFM action and it was hot hot hot!

Stephen, Angelina, and Michelle did incredible on this narration! Dual narration, so they each did their own chapters, but I think they portrayed each character perfectly!

Step-Family Bonding

I gobbled this one up in one sitting. I had a rough week, laid up with an injury and this naughty little delight was just what the doctor ordered. Well, maybe not, but it was still fun!
Birdie and Violet have such a sweet, forbidden relationship. Stepsisters they may be, but I could feel how deep their connection was. Living under the thumb of Violet's mother, they turn to Alaric, Violet’s ex, to help them out.

How is he helping them out? Well, by buying Birdie’s hand in marriage in an auction, of course! And it ain't even as simple as that. So buckle up!

This was a spicy little novella and I truly enjoyed myself, listening to the audio in just a few hours. It was narrated by Michelle Sparks, Angelina Rocca and Stephen Borne. They were all well done, though I did find the male narrators's depiction of the women to be slightly off base. Just being honest!

Interesting retelling of Cinderella as an FFM

Overall Thoughts: I have yet to listen to a book by Sara Cate that I don’t like. With that said,I doo have some beef with this book…I wanted so much more. I wanted this book to keep going. I adored it and it felt like it ended too soon! I could have listened to Birdie, Violet, and Alaric’s story forever. It has so much going on, step-sisters, sister’s ex-boyfriend, evil stepmother, FFM, and so much more. This was a delightful novel, and Sara grips you and brings you in from the moment you start the book. Angelina Rocca was the perfect VA to play Birdie, who is sweet and innocent. Michelle Sparks did an excellent job bringing the slightly snarky and jaded Violet to life. This was my first time listening to Stephen Borne, who was amazing as Alaric. The whole cast worked in perfect harmony.

Narration: Dual narration, first-person present tense, multiple POV with some flashbacks

Tropes: Cinderella retelling, FFM, ‘Mine’, bathtub scene, step-sister, auction, abusive parent/step-parent, forced humiliation, ‘virgin’ FMC, morally gray MMC, group play, exhibition

Overall: 5
Spice: 3
Humor: 1.5
Drama: 3.5
Darkness: 2.5
Narration: 5

Birdie has been a captive in her own home ever since her father passed away leaving her in the care of her monstrous stepmother, and vindictive stepsister. Her only shining light is Violet, her other stepsister. The only one to be nice to Birdie, her entire life.

Violet has been planning to escape with Birdie as soon as she can get them away from her mother, until she finds out Birdie is going to be put up for auction. Not willing to let Birdie be sold of to a random high bidder, she implores her ex, Alaric to help her save Birdie.

Alaric begrudgingly helps Violet and Birdie, but unknowingly enters into a contract with many stipulations, and when feelings get muddled, and lines are crossed, the three have to decide which future they are fighting for.