Review: Once Upon A Time by S.K. Hartley

Synopsis

I don't believe in fairy tales. I don't believe in glass slippers. I don't believe in Prince-Freaking-Charming.

Cinderella can kiss my ass.

I kiss frogs, sometimes even toads. I've given up on meeting Mr. Right, instead it seems all I meet is Mr. Wrong, Mr. Very-Wrong and even, Mr. Lets-Not-Even-Go-There.

Fairy tales are for morons.

Well, that's what I thought until Gabriel Black barged through my life, turning everything upside down. He's hot, sexy and little rough around the edges. But, he's hiding something, something deep. I can feel it, taste it and smell it.

Now I'm left wondering if he's my Prince Charming or my fairy tale villain. Will I ride away safely into the night, dreaming of happily ever afters? Or, will I stumble and fall in ridiculously high heels only meant for women with a death wish?

Once Upon A Time... I met Gabriel Black.

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Review

**ARC given in exchange for honest review**

To start off, I am so glad to say that this is a standalone, not a cliffhanger and it is a romantic comedy with a twist.  I gave it 5 stars.  I always start with a summary of the book and then explain what I loved, so here it goes. 

Payton Miller doesn’t believe in fairytales, glass slippers or prince-freaking-charming.  She has yet to kiss a frog that has turned into her prince.  Mr. Right has not made himself known.  In the meantime, she has met Mr. Wrong, Mr. Very-Wrong and Mr. Let’s-Not-Even-Go-There.  She thinks fairytales are for morons up until she met Gabriel Black. 

Gabriel Black is tall, dark and dangerous.  He’s sexy and has something that he is hiding.  Does Prince Charming really exist?  If not, Gabriel Black does. 

Will Payton get her happily ever after or do they only exist in fairytales? 

Payton Miller is a stubborn, independent woman that when she sets her mind to something, she achieves it.  She has worked hard to get where she is and make it in the big city life.  She has an ogre for a boss.  What is it about her boss that makes her so hostile?  Why is Payton given lead to the one account she if offered?  Something just isn’t right with her boss.   Where would she be without her two best friends?  She works her butt off and doesn’t have any life outside of work. 

Gabriel Black is every woman’s dream.  He exudes sex and masculinity and is the megalomaniac, multimillionaire of Black Enterprises.  What is it about him?  What is his secret?  How will it affect Payton when she finds out? 

This book had me all over the place.  I was laughing, I was pissed off, and saying “OMG you have to read this.”  There were so many emotions throughout this book.  One night I was wide awake from 1-3am just reading because I couldn’t sleep and I almost finished the book.  I loved how there were quotes or analogies that made you understand exactly what was going on.  There were references that fit perfect.  I loved Payton and her relationship with her two best friends.  I definitely want a piece of Gabriel.  He is an enigma that you will only understand my reading this book.  He has good reason for keeping his secret.  But guess what?  Not only is there one Black, there is 2!!  I hope S.K. Hartley will give us some of Luca, Gabriele’s brother in another book.  I highly recommend this book.  Thanks SK for another awesome read.  It was fabulous!! 

Favorite Quotes:

“Well, you know what they say, once you go black you never –“

“Don’t worry, this isn’t Fifty Shades, I’m not about to screw you in an elevator.  Although being balls deep in your pussy sounds amazing right now, no matter the location.”

“What?  Just because you don’t believe in fairy tales, it doesn’t mean they aren’t real.  Come on, Pay, from what you’ve told me this guy is pretty much you but with a dick.” 

“Do you know how much I crave my fairy tale?  Here you are, the workaholic, the woman who doesn’t believe in love and romance and happily ever after, and your Prince Charming is staring you right in the face.  They say a woman gets two loves in their lives.  First, their daddy, because no matter how many princes walk into your life, your daddy will always be your king.  Second is your true love.  The one.  I want that.  You have it, so stop being so frightened of something that could ultimately make you happier than you ever imagined.”

“Sometimes, in the middle of everyday life, a fairy tale appears.  This is yours, princess.  I’m your fairy tale.  Stop looking for happily ever after and start looking at once upon a time.”

S.K. Hartley is a wife and mother to an oil soaked husband and a tomato sauce covered son by day, by night an International Bestselling Author who's first novel, Finding You, quickly shot up the charts in fall 2013, winning blog awards for the tear inducing writing and breath catching ending.

Since releasing her first novel, she then went on to release two more books in the series, Finding Me & Finding Us, proving that New Adult is vastly popular among readers and writers a like.

Located in the not so sunny North West of England, UK, S.K. Hartley deals with daily battles against Microsoft Office Word translations. Working as a British author who writes in American English is a challenge that's both frustrating and fulfilling.

When she's not doing all the above, S.K. Hartley spends the rest of her time interacting with her readers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and also via her newsletter.

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