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Having read several books by this author, I went into Keep Me with certain expectations, especially given its setting in the Salacious Players’ Club universe. While it wasn’t quite as intense on the “spice” front as previous titles, it delivered with deeply emotional layers, well-developed backstories, and two flawed but endearing protagonists who win your heart from the start. For me, this is the author’s most compelling work yet.

Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Scotland (yes, kilts included!), Keep Me opens with a compelling setup: a fake marriage between two stubborn, strong-willed characters, Killian and Sylvie. The book dives into their individual traumas and family dynamics, and it explores how they support each other’s growth while grappling with mental health struggles. The author’s nuanced approach to these sensitive themes made the characters’ journey feel authentic and earned.

This novel skillfully balances emotional depth with lighthearted moments, and I couldn’t help but root for Killian and Sylvie. As their journey unfolds, we see two people who not only survive together but help one another heal and thrive in different ways. I’m looking forward to more in this series and am hoping for books about Killian’s siblings, who bring their own unique elements to the story.

For readers seeking a romance that goes beyond the surface and touches on real emotional growth, Keep Me is an excellent pick.

Sara Cate has been on my tbr list for a looong time so I was so excited to receive this eARC🤩. Despite the characters being so hateful, I actually found them quite loveable 😂 couldn't put this book down, so easy to read but I just wish there was more in depth coverage of the main characters back stories

Keep Me is a little different to what I was expecting - it was labelled as 'dark', 'bdsm' and 'erotica' with another author's review quote calling it 'super sexy' so I had an idea that it might be fairly depraved in the very best of ways. Especially as reference was made to Killian's 'raunchy house parties' in the blurb.

In fact, it was quite different, and for a Sara Cate novel, fairly tame on the spice front (which is fine - she's allowed to write all sorts of different things!). There's a tiny bit of restraint, and one instance of Killian and Sylvie getting it on at a party - all of which works well with the story but surprised me with how limited it was given the labelling. Nor would I describe this as dark. Yes, Killian struggles with his demons and drinks heavily in the beginning, but we're not in the realms of true dark romance here in my opinion.

As always Sara Cate's writing is superb and I enjoyed the main narrative of the story despite not liking the characters very much! Sylvie is an entitled New York miss with mummy and daddy issues, she's downright unlikeable for the first third of the book and behaves like a teenager, not someone in their early- to mid-twenties. Killian is more interesting and rather than sweetheart, though I wondered why his family didn't just get him the therapy he so obviously needed rather than trying to take his house away from him in such an odd way. I was also a tad frustrated by Killian (a born and raised Scotsman who didn't seem to watch TV and never left his house) using occasional Americanisms in general speech which felt like poor research. This leads me to the fact that I hardly felt like this book was predominantly set in Scotland, because of their seclusion in Killian's manor house, they could have been anywhere which is a shame and feels like a lost opportunity.

Overall, this was a really mixed bag for me, somewhere between 2.5 and 3 out of 5 stars. My biggest issue was not connecting with either character, though particularly Sylvie. I can't say I loved this but I certainly didn't hate it either and I'm sure others will feel more positively than I did!

Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks UK and the author for the ARC, this is my honest opinion.

Having previously read the Salacious Players Club series I was delighted to be approved for this new title. This book brings a new story of a unlikely headstrong couple that have to make things work in an arranged marriage to get what each of them need. A family secret, a troubled past and unique lifestyle choices are just some of the themes that make this an addictive, entertaining and gripping read.

Love, love this book! I’ve previously read all the salacious players book so was very excited to be approved to arc read keep me!
The plot was great kept me on my toes I couldn’t put it down. I am gutted it ended the way it did I wish there was more of what was to come for there life’s but I throughly enjoyed the storyline and a fiesty female lead character. This was definitely a milder spiced book than I’m used too but the story made up for it.

Great start to a new series!

I have loved every Sara Cate book I read before this and Keep Me isn’t any different! Keep Me has some off my favourite tropes including marriage of convenience, age gap and enemies to lovers. The only reason this isn’t a five star read is that some things felt either rushed or unfinished. Cannot wait to read the rest of this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to have an ARC in return for an honest review.

I wasn't sure at first, it seemed as if it was going to be too predictable. However, I loved the main characters and there were plenty of surprises along the way. A good read.

sylvie is in Scotland to help her boyfriend find a family heirloom. Once they tracked it to a manor in the middle of nowhere sylvie decides to sneak into the house. Thinking she can sneak in and out unnoticed was shot when a tall, muscly Scotsmen demands to know why she's in his house. After a tense interaction and after heading back home to America, she's shocked to find, weeks later, a beautiful woman with a Scottish accent at her door with a very appealing offer.

I've never been so entertained a rug before 😂

I really did love this story and I'm not being biased being Scottish. I loved the dynamics between the two mcs and I loved the plot of it. I loved how i just didn't see the parties coming and the possessive nature they both fell into was well laid out.

Both mcs had amazing background stories that made you feel for them and neither felt overpowered by the other.

I did however have a few things that didn't wrap up in a nice bow for me which is why it's a 4* and not higher. The start was almost forgotten about? But then the rest of the story was great so I just brushed it off.

💙

"Grip the desk, mo ghràidh. Hold on tight."

"We're all a mess, but the trick is to find someone who
thinks your mess is a masterpiece."

Right, don’t come for me but this is the first Sara Cate book I have read… I’ve had Praise on my tbr for god knows how long. But, anyway, here I am jumping in the deep end, but at least its book 1 of a new series…

So Sylvie, our FMC, is trying so desperately to find her place in the world after being raised in what I will call an elite family. She may have grown with money and all the nicest things she could buy but the only thing she ever desperately craved, was the love of her parents. Then comes along a marriage of convenience.

Enter Killian, the angry Scotsman. I feel like we could of benefited from a bit more of his background, his story. We only got snippets and sneak peeks. But his character was thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless. Together, they turn their anger into chemistry, leaving me waiting for when they would finally give into the tension!

It wasn’t quite as smutty as I expected, but I will now dive into my tbr and finally read others of her book.

4 ⭐️

Thank you to Sourcebooks UK and NetGalley for the e-arc! I absolutely adore Sara’s work and the Salacious Players Club, it’s one of my favourite series!

This is a new series that follows Killian and Sylvie, who were a lot of fun; they really hated each other to begin with, at the start of their marriage of convenience.

I really loved the character development from both Sylvie and Killian; they really matured, especially Sylvie and Killian’s mental health representation was beautifully done. Underneath the grump exterior, he did really care about those close to him.

I will say, that I couldn’t help but feel that this is different to Sara’s usual work; it was refreshing and a different change of pace. It’s definitely on the more tamer side of things; if you’ve read any of Sara’s work previously, so if you go into this thinking that it’s similar to SPC, with all the steam, taboo aspects and kinks, then you may be a little disappointed. Nonetheless, it still had the kinky vibes that you’d expect from Sara’s writing and great banter between the characters, and I can’t wait for what’s to come next in the Sinful Manor series.

Tropes

age gap (12 years) 25/37
enemies to lovers
marriage of convenience
forced proximity
grumpy x grumpy

Ms Cate has done it again!

I loved these characters so much. The way that anxiety has been portrayed within this book is wonderful and meant that I really related through my own. While reading Killian and Sylvie's story I laughed, and I cried, and I definitely fell in love with them. This is such an easy read that ,if I hadn't forced myself to slow down, I would have easily finished this in a day.

If you have read any of Sara's other books (and even if you haven't to be fair) you need to read this.

Fake marriage with a grumpy Scotsman and a hot headed American who act as a mirror so each can see themselves as they should be. 10/10.

Marriage of convenance, forced proximity with a healthy dose of hate to love with a good dose of instant attraction. Oh baby this one hit the spot.

Is this more tame than the previous Sara Cate books I have read? yes but no less delectable.

Sylvie is a spirited young woman trying to find her place in the world. Having been brought up in the world of elite one would assume that meant her life was easy and she was spoilt but honestly the sad reality of her life was that the only love she ever craved was that of her parents and coincidently the kind that she didn't get. It led to her making choices that didn't favour her and acting impulsively but what it didn't make her was bad. Or useless..

Poor Sylvie did not have it easy but made a deal in the hopes that her life would be easier. Her character was sad and lost and felt misunderstood and truly my heart ached for her. What I loved though is that she still had spirit and fire. She just needed time to find her way and the help of a angry Scott man most certainly helped.

Killian Barclay... Our angry Scott, kilt wearing delectable brute really tickled all my pickles. Oh his story broke my heart and I totally understood from his perspective the anger, the resentment and the need to drown his sorrows. Funny enough despite his angry disposition, he was actually super sweet and caring and oh so dirty in all the best ways.

Killian and Sylvie had this anger fuelled chemistry that had me on the edge of my seat waiting, wondering when they would finally give in. The name calling, bickering and secret admiration sent me in a tail spin. I laughed at them, swooned when they finally gave in to the inevitable and waited in dread for the moment all would come to light and hearts would be broken. To my utter surprise it didn't turn the way I thought it would. The growth of both characters was sweet and believable not just an instant change from love. No... it was a gradual thing. One that wasn't easy but needed for them to become exactly what they did. That ending... SIGHSSS, UTTER PERFECTION.

What a ride.

Unfortunately this one just fell flat for me which was a big disappointment as I'm a huge fan of the Salacious Players Club series. I just didn't vibe with the characters at all and didn't get the experience I was wanting from this book

I was unsure if I was going to like a book set in rainy Scotland but as soon as I started reading about Killian and Sylvie I was hooked!

I loved the tension between them and when they finally gave into their feelings for each other the spice was off the charts!!

This book made me cry and I was extremely worried at one point I wouldn’t get to read their HEA but Sara has once again written an amazing book.

Now I just need to find myself a Killian and all will be right in the world!

3.5* - This was a tricky one for me, as reading this after the Salacious Players Club series, given the similarities of the covers, I really expected a little more. The header of "sinful manor" along with the extensive trigger warnings at the beginning, left me expecting a book that I didn't get. Whilst I loved the concept, I loved the characters, I found myself wondering what the relevance of certain aspects of Killian's past was, particularly in relation to both this book and the relationship with Sylvie. I think if the back story of Killian isn't going to be included in the current (ie he still partakes in these parties), I would have liked a bit more of the falling in love scenes between them. It definitely felt a bit lacklustre for me, although I did enjoy it, I just didn't love it.

Keep Me by Sara Cate

Thank you @netgalley, @saracatebooks and Source Books UK @sourcebookscasa for this one!

🏰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💍🌧️✈️

9 / 10 ⭐️
4 / 5 🌶️

After American girl Sylvie is caught boldly intruding into Killian’s Manor House she finds herself offered a 10million dollar deal - marry Killian for a year, so his family can reclaim the manor. The catch, he’s a grumpy Scotsman and doesn’t know the manor will be taken from him. Can Sylvie survive a year married to this brute, and make everyone else believe the charade in order to get her money?

Hang on hang on - we have;
grumpy x grumpy ✅
Scottish billionaire ✅ (I can’t wait to hear this on audio book)
Fake marriage and marriage business deal ✅
Enemies to lovers ✅ and the fighting exchanges 🫦
“My wife” and “mine” ✅
AND Gaelic pet name! ✅✅
Kinky parties and Dom ✅🔥

This was my first Sara Cate book and I was NOT disappointed. I was drawn back to the story wanting to know what was happening with Killian and Sylvie, a year of marriage but the story beautifully flows and doesn’t feel stuck to stale at any point.
The manor and Scottish landscape had a perfect autumnal feel to the read that was perfect for this time of year and only added to my already enjoyable reading experience.
I loved the actual spite in their arguements and loathing for each other though they were otherwise strangers, the passion of hate was sizzling from their first encounter. I enjoyed both of their character development and felt it all come together beautifully and was true to the characters throughout the book.

As a whole this story had everything I needed and enjoyed, as a bedtime reader I stayed up late 3 nights in a row to read this - and that’s saying something.

Thank you again Sara, NetGalley and SourceBooks for this ARC. I am already adding more Sara to my kindle library!

I'm a huge fan of the Salacious Players Club series, so I was excited to read something else by Sara Cate. I love her writing, her stories are sexy af and she always depicted kinks accurately and respectfully. Unfortunately, I didn't quite get the same feeling in this book. It seemed a bit more...messy? It wasn't as smutty, which is totally fine, the kinks that were included just seemed a lot more superficially described, not well thought out, and more of an after thought, and I thought the story had some issues with pacing.

While Killian definitely had his issues, though I don't think the book delved into his backstory enough, his issues weren't more than the average MMC. Sylvie however, was unbearable at first, then things quickly changed and I wondered if she was even the same character. She was still her brash self, but seemed less like a ignorant cruel brat that we were introduced to.

Killian and Sylvie have an explosive relationship (read lots of yelling and insults), but they do quickly develop feelings and have a very supportive relationship, with many tender moments.

It wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't the level I was expecting from Sara Cate, and I was left feeling disappointed.

This was really fun to read! I love a story where the reader knows a secret that one or more of the main characters don't know and this book has that.

I also love a marriage of convenience too, but I think this is a melting pot of convenience and arrangement as a contract is involved and everything is very formal with the main characters to start - they really dislike each other at the start, but the arrangement for the marriage suits them both.

The way the author allows us time to get to know the characters, and allows the characters to develop throughout the story, is really good. I liked that we traveled in time by way of seasonal events or weather changes, no need for bold statements of time passing as chapter starts for example.

I also liked the setting. I wanted to read this because it was set in Scotland. If written well, these sorts of books can be good. As someone from Scotland, I've also found that this can be done not so well. But even in the first chapter with the description of it being 'grey and rainy for days' I knew I was onto a winner. The well written vagueness of the location allows the reader to imagine a fair amount of the location and setting themselves, which I appreciated. I think this is what made this work so well.

There's no stereotypical Scottishness either, which I was very pleased to see; the language and tone was on par with what I'd expect, the side characters sounded about right for their class etc. All in all, I think this was well written for its location and setting and I really enjoyed it (even though I read it over a few dreich days myself ;))

The story itself was great. As a new to me author I was excited to see how secrets would surface and what the results would be, how certain characters would work to resolve issues and how the story might twist and where it would end. I was hooked, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole book; reading the first half in a day!

I'll look out for more in this series for sure, and go back to read more from this author (the other series is on my radar anyway) but this book was certainly enjoyable enough to make me want to pick up more from Sara Cate!

This a marriage of convenience plot and I absolutely love that trope. I am also Scottish so when I read that it was set in Scotland I was intrigued. I really did enjoy this book it had me smiling so hard in parts and also tearing up a little bit. I'm not sure if it was just because it was on my kindle but the layout was strange and some words were on a new line when they didn't need to be so that was a bit off putting but looking past that minor detail I really got into this.

I really liked Killians character i feel like he had really good development i also really liked that it was highlighting mental health in a male which is something I haven't read much about in other books. I loved how he learned to be vulnerable with sylvie and how she really was there to support him.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Keep Me - @saracatebooks

Sylvie Devereaux is impulsive and quick tempered. She has made a catalogue of poor decisions, but marrying an impossibly handsome and infuriating Scottish man she has only met once? Yeah, that’s up with the best of them. She must stay married to Killian for one year in exchange for a cool $10 million. All she needs to do is tolerate this rude and frustrating man who has a propensity for debauchery and a predilection for raunchy house parties. Breaking the contract will bring dire consequences, ones Sylvie isn’t prepared to manage.

The enigmatic Killian Barclay agrees to the marriage, but he has his own reasons for doing so. He doesn’t plan on falling for the angry, whip-smart American who he can’t help but find maddeningly beautiful and alluring. As their connection builds and the tension reaches a climax (😏), will the terms of the contract break them?

—-

Killian Barclay! What a gorgeous, tortured, loving brute of a man. He made me so angry at the beginning - so rude and so unnecessarily awful to Sylvie. Then when you least expected it, he changed and I melted. I adore when a grump switches to being lovable (but only for her).

This story had everything. Two excellent leads who needed their wounds healing and who found unexpected solace in each other. Gorgeous locations of Scotland and NYC. Super steamy spice (check your trigger warnings before reading). Troublesome family and meddling and scheming. It was so enjoyable that I read it within 8 hours, couldn’t put it down.

I can’t wait for this to be released so I can share it with my other friends who adore this genre. Thank you to NetGalley and Sara Cate for the opportunity to read this e-ARC ahead of release.