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Reader Views 2025 Reviewer's Choice Awards FinalistTwo worlds. One storm.Can we survive the chaos-or will it consume us both?RyanMy goals were simple, even if my life wasn't. My world was black and white and straight lines. That is, until Risha Verma crashed into it. With her radiance, creative expression, and that burning chemistry, she enveloped me to my core. She gives me closure I didn't know I needed. She makes me a better man; I didn't realize I wanted to be. And, she opens my eyes to a world I didn't know I yearned for. RishaMy life was a struggle between control, peace, and independence. I was trapped between the weight of expectations and dreams of an elusive future. Breaking free would brand me rebellious, while every mistake would carve my present. I live in two worlds: one I can't escape, and one I can never fully claim. That is, until I cross paths with a devastatingly gorgeous Ryan McAlister. We have nothing in common-our goals, our lives, our futures couldn't be further apart-yet he awakens a storm I've fought so hard to silence. Beneath all the differences, we are alike. And he stirs a storm in me I never saw coming. I let myself get swept into it-playing along, surrendering to its rhythm, pretending the moment could last forever. And then, everything unravels, and I realize I was never meant to belong to this storm.

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9781965006085

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Reviewed by Ada Jenkins for Reader Views (12/2025) 5*- Truly Addictive Read Do you believe that opposites attract? I definitely do, and even more so after reading Cadence of the Storm by Delia Duke. Risha Verma is a successful engineering director but feels burdened by the weight of her South Asian parents' unreasonable expectations. When she meets real-estate tycoon and billionaire Ryan McAlister at a party, sparks begin to fly. These two come from opposite worlds, but there's a magnetic pull between them that cannot be ignored... What I enjoyed about this novel was that both central protagonists are well-developed characters with their own backstories. Risha, in particular, is complex and three-dimensional. Her cultural background as a child of South Asian immigrants, though she has lived in America her whole life, makes her feel conflicted about her own identity. Moreover, her mother is very controlling and constantly pressures her daughter to agree to an arranged marriage and start a family. She feels trapped and never good enough, and I feel for her predicament. The author's clever use of metaphor and imagery gave me insight into her emotions: ""The concept of matchmaking was bile constantly sloshing inside my bloodstream; neither could I run away nor swallow the poison once and for all."" The chemistry between Risha and Ryan was what made this book truly addictive to read. I don't think there was even one point at which the magnetism and sexual/emotional pull between this pair fell flat. This is due, I feel, to nuanced descriptions of body language, as well as dialogue that simmers with undercurrents of sexual tension. For example, ""His jacket brushed the fabric of my dress and, suddenly, every nerve in me was awake, raw and aware of just how close we were."" As the story continued to unfold, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this is a spicy romance that gets the pulse racing! The sex scenes are adeptly handled (I was glued to the pages!). Ryan is a dominant lover, and fans of contemporary romance with a high heat level will no doubt be enthralled with the undeniable pull between him and Risha. However, I think this book is about more than simply finding your soulmate. Risha feels lost, unable to determine what she wants, with her parents' expectations. I liked the way that Ryan encouraged her to embrace her love for interior design. He validates Risha in a way that nobody ever has, which means a lot to her. She struggles to stand up for herself, which affects her self-esteem. Ryan gives her the confidence to stand her ground with others. If, like me, you enjoy spicy contemporary romance with well-developed characters who you can easily root for, then you won't be disappointed with Cadence of the Storm. I feel that Delia Duke is able to skillfully combine sexual chemistry and heartfelt connection in a way that's bound to satisfy any discerning reader of the romance genre. This one got my pulse racing; I'll definitely be reading more of her books in the future!

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