Bitter Sweet Love (The Dark Elements #0.5)

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Bitter Sweet Love (The Dark Elements #0.5)

Author(s)

Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher

Harlequin TEEN

Genre(s)

Paranormal Romance

Age Range

12+

Release Date

December 01, 2013

ISBN

B00DPAFPQG

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In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series The Dark Elements, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.

Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining the balance between good and evil. He was her everything…right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.

And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again…

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4 reviews

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JLA has gone and made gargoyles sexy! Who can top that?!

December 12, 2013

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5.0

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When an author can take the preconceived notions of “ugly & terrifying” gargoyles and turns them into “hot & sexy, yet terrifying” gargoyles, you know you’ve got a winner! I was excited about this series way back when Jen told me she was even attempting to write a book about gargoyles, where we appropriately joked about the actual cartoon show, Gargoyles. I knew if anyone could do these creatures justice, it would be Jen. And boy, did she! Barely getting a glimpse of these creatures, known as Wardens, I’m already intrigued and eager to learn more. Not only that, Jen introduces a slew of new (to me) creatures (i.e. Herbert) and adds her twists to some known ones. In between learning about all these fascinating creatures, you get the typical unrivaled JLA romance that I love so much.
Dez is yet another guy I’ll be adding to my list of book boyfriends, in the special top “JLA section” that all her boys tend to be categorized in. Seriously, her boys need to be placed in a category all of their own, because damn, can they make me swoon! Dez is sexy, strong, sweet, and considerate. Sure the way he left Jasmine three years ago was abrupt and hurtful, but when the truth comes out, you can’t help but feel for the guy. I loved their relationship, how they grew up together, friends-turned-lovers. Their dialogue was fun and their personalities clicked together very well. Jasmine also gets props for not giving into Dez right away and learning to trust him again, despite moments of lust-driven slips. I also liked that she wasn’t afraid to break free from the norms in her race of creatures, yearning for more and not content with what the women in their world were supposed to do.
Oh, and I loved seeing Zayne, Layla, and even Roth a bit in this, too. They are the main characters in the first book in this series, White Hot Kiss, which I can’t wait to read!
Bitter Sweet Love was a great prequel to what I’m sure will be an amazing series. I’m already intrigued by the cast of characters, the supernatural world, and the mesmerizing romances Jen has created and I know it will only get better and more intense as the series progresses. Trust me, this is one series you don’t want to miss!

Vi, Promotions Manager Top 50 Reviewer 116 reviews

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OHMYGARGOYLES, this was so good!

November 23, 2013

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5.0

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What I Loved: When I think of gargoyles, I tend to think of the creepy little pewter statues my husband was so fond of when we first met. Not anymore. Jas and Dez are anything but creepy in this intriguing new series about the ghoulish looking guardians.

Jas has spent the past three years trying to put Dez behind her. They used to be BGFs (Best Gargoyles Forever) and were even supposed to be mated, but then he left and broke her heart. No calls, no texts, no random fly-bys, nothing. When Dez returns and claims Jas as his own, she is not exactly ready to fly off to make little gargoyle babies. Dez will have to prove himself to Jas and he only has seven days to do it.

I loved how the "real" world and the spiritual realm, where evil formerly presided, are combined and we get to see humans interacting with the mythical creatures.

We glimpse a few of the characters from Book One - White Hot Kiss (2/2014), but this novella is a story all it's own.

What Left Me Wanting More: Nothing. It was the perfect segway into the next book.

Final Verdict: Exciting start to a new series! Aliens, Demigods, Nephilim and now Gargoyles...I'm pretty sure Jennifer L. Armentrout could write a book about spiders and find a way to make them swoonworthy. ;)

Jen Top 10 Reviewer 415 reviews

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Cute!

February 16, 2017 (Updated: February 16, 2017)

Overall rating

5.0

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This novella was meant to introduce the reader to the series. Gargoyle Wardens and demons being the main characters. This book shows us Dez and Jasmine. Two Wardens. The plot isn't amazing nor will it blow your mind. Dez left when Jas's father announced they were to mate. With not even a goodbye. He comes back three years later and still thinks he can just mate with Jasmine. She has some conditions that he has to fulfil even though she thinks she is going to tell him no. As the seven days go by, she falls even more in love with him and tells him yes. He finally tells her the real reason he left and they get to meet Layla, Roth, and Zayne.

It was a sweet romance story that was very very predictable but enjoyable. I wouldn't recommend buying it, but maybe borrowing from the library like I did. It's worth reading just to see Roth.
Did I mention Roth already? Well then, #TeamRoth!

Carrie Artrip Top 50 Reviewer 113 reviews

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Cute!

July 23, 2015 (Updated: February 16, 2017)

Overall rating

5.0

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This novella was meant to introduce the reader to the series. Gargoyle Wardens and demons being the main characters. This book shows us Dez and Jasmine. Two Wardens. The plot isn't amazing nor will it blow your mind. Dez left when Jas's father announced they were to mate. With not even a goodbye. He comes back three years later and still thinks he can just mate with Jasmine. She has some conditions that he has to fulfill even though she thinks she is going to tell him no. As the seven days go by, she falls even more in love with him and tells him yes. He finally tells her the real reason he left and they get to meet Layla, Roth, and Zayne.

It was a sweet romance story that was very very predictable but enjoyable. I wouldn't recommend buying it, but maybe borrowing from the library like I did. It's worth reading just to see Roth.
Did I mention Roth already? Well then, #TeamRoth!

Carrie Artrip Top 50 Reviewer 113 reviews

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Super Fun!

July 11, 2014

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4.7

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It is an undisputed fact that Jennifer L Armentrout can do no wrong! I have twelve posts about her books that can prove it for you. I have read all but one of her YA's, and they ROCK! Bittersweet Love is a prequel novella to White Hot Kiss, the first book in a new series. This also marks Jennifer's first publication with a big publisher. What is the series about? Demons and gargoyles, that's what! Have you ever seen gargoyles as both the good guys and lead creatures in YA? I think not. It's a new frontier that Jennifer conquers brilliantly. The main character is Jasmine. The novella takes place over the course of a few days, where she is deciding if she wants to give in and become the mate of Zayne or make or own path. In the end, she does a bit of both. The novella was amazing and I couldn't put it down! Read it now and you will NOT regret it! I give it a full five stars!

Isabel @ Tween2TeenBookReviews Top 100 Reviewer 45 reviews

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Great intro to the series, its characters, surroundings & plot. Armentrout is a master storyteller!

May 22, 2014

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4.7

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Jennifer L. Armentrout can do no wrong - give her a speck of dust and she will be able to weave not one story, but billions of stories out of nothing! She has a gift, and definitely knows how to create with it, and share it with us...
This brilliant writer has now given us a world with gargoyles and demons - adorable, smart, witty and sexy - there is no resisting Jasmine and Dez's story...

Jasmine's heart was broken three years ago when Dez took off without saying goodbye, without leaving a note, an explanation - how she ever get over losing the only friend, her best friend? The one that she was just 'mated' to?
Jas goes through the motions and tries to be as independent as she can be. With a heavy heart, she does her best to move on, do what she has to do, and every now and then, sneaks off to spread her wings and look for a way to calm her lonely heart.

Dez comes back.

He comes back just like he left, without any warning. As if he never left. And expects to fit right in as though nothing ever happen.
As hard as it is to say no, Jas has yet to forgive him. And she is determined to at least find out why he left before deciding whether or not he deserves a second chance to be her friend again... let alone, her 'mate'.

The chemistry between Jasmine and Dez is the hottest perfection out in YA right now. There banter and cuteness balances out and creates a wonderful page-turner.

What I love about this prequel - great intro to the series, its characters, surroundings and plot.
Jennifer L. Armentrout is a master at storytelling!

Margie Cortina Top 100 Reviewer 63 reviews

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Amazing Novella! Wish there was more!

April 04, 2014

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5.0

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I don't think Jennifer L Armentrout could write something I don't instantly fall in love with and want to fangirl to the world about! Like I have said many time before, this women is a paranormal romance writing god!!

Bitter Sweet Love is book #0.5 in Jennifer's The Dark Elements series. It came out before book #1, White Hot Kiss. I actually read Bitter Sweet Love after reading White Hot Kiss instead of before. I was a bit surprised to see it wasn't about our main character in WHK, but actually took place a few year prior and was focused on Jasmine. Yes, our mommy of the two toddlers who could transform even though Layla couldn't.

BSL tells the story of Jasmine and her "mate" as the gargoyles call it. Like Layla with Zayne, she grew up with this boy, Dex, and has been in love with him since the beginning. & Now her father says he has claimed her. She should be happy, the only thing is he's been absent in her life for the past 3 years and he broke her heart. So things aren't gonna be so easy. Dex, isn't going to give up though. He plans to do whatever it takes to win her back.

I loved this little tale! I just wish it could have bee longer! & the little snippet of our characters from White Hot Kiss was EPIC!!!!!!! Now I just need more of the gargoyles, demons! I love The Dark Elements so far and beyond ecstatic for the next book!!! I just can't believe we have to wait to October! It's gonna kill me!

If you like Paranormal Romance and you have read this series yet pick this book up now!!! & then get White Hot Kiss because they defiantly worth the read!

Amanda Rutherford Top 500 Reviewer 5 reviews

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Swoony, fell for the characters.

February 27, 2014

Overall rating

4.0

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I wanted to read Bitter Sweet Love because first off, I love Jennifer's writting. She never fails to entertain, make me forget the real world, and make me swoon. So of course, a new series, and one about gargoyles, something I have never read about before, makes it even more appealing. I have the first book already on hold at the library and this one was free, so of course, I grabbed it.
Bitter Sweet love gives what I imagine will be very important backstory and context for Jasmine and Dez. He left her and all of the sudden is back in her life. She thinks that he was running from her dad's announcement that they would mate (this is their tradition) and since they have been friends since they were kids and she was in love with him, it would have been great news, except that, he left. For years. And never called, and she thought it was because he didn't love her back. He comes back and says he is ready to mate with her now, and she is so torn and hurt.
While I did get a good sense of their characters and relationship, I was still a bit confused about the world setup and what the gargoyles were all about. I understood some of their traditions and how the world is setup as well as how they fit into the human world, and some of their abilities. But I still can't picture them and their shifts.
I loved their tension, but also her resolve that she deserved an explanation and that it should have come much sooner. So she tries to buy herself time to make her decision (she has 7 days to say no if she wants). So they go on a road trip, and along the way they start talking and opening up. There is also some delicious kisses and tension of the attraction and sexual nature. Loved every moment.
I think that it was long enough to give me a sense of both of the characters and their history without going into the first book with all of their baggage and backstory and needing info before the next story starts. It wrapped up its themes and left me wanting the next book.

Bottom Line: Swoony, fell for the characters.

Brandi Top 50 Reviewer 201 reviews

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Jennifer L. Armentrout has done it again!!

January 06, 2014

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5.0

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Jennifer L. Armentrout has done it again!! She has made another freaking AMAZING book!! I literally can not wait until I can get my hands on the next one!
I LOVED the characters in this book! When reading a Jennifer L. Armentrout book you should totally expect some droll worthy boys and ohhhhhh did we get them!! Even though this was a short book I already know I'm going to fall hard for Dez, Zayne, and mysterious demon dude. Three gorgeous dudes in one book!!! Is Jennifer trying to kill us?!?!? :) Who else thinks there is going to be a major love triangle in this book???
Ok onto the other characters, I think Layla is sooooo sweet. She is half demon and half gargoyle... which is a total no no for a lot of the full blooded gargoyles. I honestly feel SUPER bad for the poor girl. Nobody really gives her a chance and she is so sweet and she is totally spunky. Got to love that spunk. Finally Jasmine, I think she is really cool. She doesn't let men control her, and she doesn't want to be the damsel in distress that hides in the corner while her "prince charming" rescues her. Which is totally opposite of most girls in books that I have read lately.
If you would like good read then this is defiantly one that you should look at. =)