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The Necklace Chronicles #2

The Gigolo’s Bride

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Sold into slavery….

Only one person can truly set former sex slave Eden Atarn free: his soul mate.

Taken from her planet….

When Ashleigh Turner receives a beautiful necklace as a gift from a secret admirer, she has no idea who it came from. When another delivery shows up at her home, instead of finding out who sent her the necklace, she finds herself transported onto an alien spaceship as it speeds her away from earth.

Will she be what he needs or find herself a slave as well….

On a planet where forced prostitution is a punishment and young adults are sold by their families for money, Ashleigh must decide if she can be what Eden needs when she comes face to face with what he once was. Will she always want to go home, or will she find that the place she longs to be most is in Eden’s arms?

90 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2012

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281 people want to read

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R.E. Butler

165 books1,596 followers

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5 stars
147 (32%)
4 stars
142 (31%)
3 stars
117 (25%)
2 stars
36 (7%)
1 star
14 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Maya.
858 reviews493 followers
January 22, 2016
Seriously, what's this shit?! Thank God I didn't had to waste my money on this one, since it was free on Amazon. What a waste of my time! Yes, the H is a whore and he can't do anything about it but I could have seriously gone without the descriptive scenes and even h helping him please OW. Are you for real?! Fuck that shit!!!
Profile Image for Jen.
32 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2016
Okay, the relationship between the two protagonists was very good. It was the only thing I actually liked about the book and is the sole reason I gave the book a second star. The couple's relationship is a four star one but the rest of the set up in the book I just hated and really destroyed my enjoyment of the book.

Let me start out by saying that I really enjoy Ms. Butler's work. I have read almost all of her shifter books and enjoyed the relationships between the protagonists but sometimes the background world she chooses to use in her books really spoils the stories for me.

Case in point: in this book, the heroine is kidnapped by aliens to become a bride because there are no fertile females being born on their world. Something of a trope but workable. What is UNWORKABLE in this instance is that 1) the world in question forced the abducted women to either marry the guy who dreamed about them or it forces them into brothels. In addition, the world in question allows the parents to sell their children into slavery. Sexual slavery at that. So then we have pedophilia involved.

Honestly, this story world sucked big hairy monkey balls. Yuck and yuck. And okay, the heroine able to put aside her cultural prejudices and help the man she loved in a situation he didn't want to be in but honestly - who the hell wants to read a book where the hero is being forced to service another woman? It's basically a reverse rape scene. Not cool.

I don't expect everything to be sweetness and light in a fictional world but I do have some expectations I want filled in a romance. One of those being that there should always be a valid story reason for outside sex to take place when the couple/group is geting to know each other. There wasn't one here except to allow the heroine to find out her lover-to-be was a former sex slave (sorry, he's not a gigolo if he's being FORCED to have sex). That could have happened any number of ways - there was no valid reason for her to find out like she did.

This is not a series I'll be reading any more of.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Malinda.
1,852 reviews246 followers
November 21, 2014
3.5-4 stars

This was a pretty good story. I liked Ashleigh and Eden and their story was unusual. I couldn't help but feel badly for Eden but it the story was sweet and had me rooting for Eden and Ashleigh to work things out.

Ashleigh is a human with a normal life. She has her friends and family that she's happy with (outside of a small disagreement with her mom). Her last boyfriend was a cheater who she broke up with. He tried to get Ashleigh back for a couple months after their breakup so she thinks it might be him that sends her an unusual (but very beautiful) necklace.

Eden is a beautiful man and has suffered for it. On his planet things work a little differently and parents are allowed to sell their children. Eden's parents saw his good looks as a way to profit and they sold him to a brothel against his will. Eden hated his life and himself and turned to drugs, even trying to overdose to escape his misery. Eden's sister wanted to give him hope so she paid for him to do a soulwalk, a mystical journey to find the perfect woman for him. Once Eden found Ashleigh he had something to work for...someone to live for.

Eden's planet started finding mates on other planets because for an unknown reason the women of their race became infertile. The only babies born to their people were males and not many of them. The males started searching for mates on other planets with women that would be able to interbreed with their people. One of those planets is Earth and when enough mates are found, the planet government sets up a trip to Earth to pick up all the current mates. Well ones that have been paid for...the males have to pay a lot for the cost of transport and all that. Eden had 5 years before the next trip to Earth was leaving so he worked hard (and that means sleeping with lot of women) in order to earn the money to free himself from his captivity and to pay for Ashleigh's abduction (as well as money for a home and other things they'd need to settle in). Ashleigh isn't happy when she's abducted but doesn't freak out like some of the other women. When she's taken to Eden and told that she's his "bride", Ashleigh makes it quite clear that she has no intention of sleeping with Eden. Eden accepts her restrictions but sadly and Ashleigh is rather annoyed that him being sad affects her.

The arrangement for the males and their brides is set up so that they're isolated together for the first 3 months (2 for the trip back to Eden's home planet and then 1 month on the planet). Eden takes care of Ashleigh well and sees to her every need. Ashleigh notices that he seems to put her on a pedestal, like she's a princess that is everything he's ever wanted. Ashleigh is nice to Eden but holds him away emotionally, even when she realizes that she's stuck in her situation and there's no chance for her to go home. Eden accepts the restrictions and just tries to do anything he can to win her love. He's determined to win her before telling her about his past but an unfortunate situation brings everything to the forefront just when Ashleigh is beginning to feel more accepting of Eden. Ashleigh actually deals with it very well (after an initial shock) and it's the impetus behind her and Eden finally bonding. Thankfully, after this situation, things go much better for Ashleigh and Eden. I really liked Ashleigh and Eden together and was so happy for Eden because he's just been through so much in the past and I really thought he deserved to find happiness. It was good to see him gain some confidence and more of a sense of self once he had Ashleigh and was able to move on with their life together. The story ends with Ashleigh and Eden starting a sweet (and well deserved) HEA.

I found this story to be pretty enjoyable. I liked Ashleigh and Eden and was really happy to see them get together. The main downer of the story was the shocking way this "advanced" society treats some of their people...they're more technologically advanced but definitely aren't more morally advanced. Overall I really liked the story and will probably read more of the series in the future. I'd recommend this story. :D
Profile Image for Rhonda Jones.
2,794 reviews17 followers
July 31, 2014
I felt sad and angry reading this book

I love RE Butler's books. I have read them all. This one was very well written with the two main characters people I felt strongly about. But I have to admit, I felt sad through most of the book. Ashleigh is a human woman on the planet Earth. She has a relatively good life, single, employed in a job she enjoys, but slightly miffed at her mother because her mother sided with Ashleigh's ex-boyfriend when they broke up. Ashleigh is abducted by an alien race to be the bride of a man who found Ashleigh through a procedure that determines who their soul mate is. The alien man, Eden, has a very tragic past and lives on a world that does not value its own women or children. I loved Eden, he is a gentle soul who desperately needs and wants to be loved. I am glad Ashleigh and Eden were put together. But I want justice, revenge, a change in their societal values, SOMETHING! Quite frankly I do not like most of the people on this alien world. This appears to be the first book in a new series. I hope the author plans something spectacular to shake this world up, because right now I just want to blow it up.
Profile Image for Ana.
2,037 reviews6 followers
June 1, 2014
R.E. Butler does it again, but this time she went through time to the very distant future and Aliens!! I was so pleasantly surprised, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would enjoy this type of story....Goes to show that a good author doesn't have to write a certain type of genre.... R.E. can write anything and have the reader enthralled.

I loved the Alien in this story so loving and passionate with his earth girl.

I really hope that this is just the beginning of many in a series of stories about these Aliens I want to read about Paoli and Kate and how it works out for them.

Awesome R.E. I loved it!
Profile Image for inas.
377 reviews37 followers
July 24, 2017
The idea is unique: a woman abudcted by alien to be married. What's more unique: Norlan, the alien's planet, has lots of men rather than women (the opposite of Earth, eh?).

I like the description. It makes me want to read more, the pace become steady, and the chemistry become well-built. I like the development of Eden and Ashleigh relationship, although at first I was confused as well, just like Ashleigh.

Overall, I like how R. E. Butler can have this exquisite point of view. I just wish she also wrote more about Kate and Paoli, even though I know it might be out of the core plot. Wkwkwk.

P. S.: I love the Smashword-edition cover mooooore!

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4,039 reviews
May 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I LOVE THIS AUTHOR!!
The Gigolo’s Bride takes an unexpected twist with its blend of science fiction and romance, as Ashleigh Turner is swept into a world of alien intrigue and forbidden love. The relationship between Ashleigh and Eden, a former sex slave, is emotionally complex and adds a layer of depth to the otherwise steamy narrative. The alien setting and the exploration of forced prostitution on a different planet create an intriguing backdrop that is both dark and thrilling. Eden’s journey from being a victim to finding love and freedom with Ashleigh is both heart-wrenching and empowering. The romance, while intense, also highlights themes of healing and trust. While the pacing might be swift, and the world-building could be expanded, this story provides a satisfying and intense ride for those who enjoy sci-fi romance with deep emotional stakes.
1,108 reviews5 followers
May 13, 2017
Tender and Sweet

Eden and Ashleigh are quite the couple. Eden is an alien with such a horrible childhood and Ashleigh is an earthling bought to Eden through him seeing her in a soul walk. The plot is tender, loving, and sweet. Ashleigh does miss her home but comes to love Eden and his gentle ways. A lovely story of acceptance and love.
Profile Image for Debbie Harrison.
372 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2020
Nice quick read

Just try it yourself
Likeable characters
New words to learn
A new experience for all
Love eventually finds a new home
Profile Image for  Mandy  ♥.
102 reviews51 followers
July 22, 2013
~3.5~

The Gigolo's Bride is the second Book in R.E. Butler's Tantalizing Necklace Chronicles, if you haven't already guessed from the title this one is a little unique. 

It follows the story of Ashely Turner who had a seemly ordinary life as a Child Care Teacher until she gets abducted my  her soul mate Eden who is from The Norlanian People & basically their Aliens!...

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& that's when things got real interesting...

But then it started on some whole other tangent, of Eden trying to get Ashley to except & understand her new world & I was just like...wat?

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the relationship building was poor & lacked any real substance..their were moments which were moments i like but a lot of it confused me & wen they did come together I was left wondering at what point did she actually fall in love with him! 

But despite my annoyances the last half of the book was really good, & when Eden revealed his whole story to Ashley I couldn't help but shed a tear or two...

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It was sweet, romantic & oh so sexy!..& had R.E's trade mark Happily Ever After..

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& I really hope there is more in this truly unique series.
Profile Image for DirtyLittleBookWhore.
7 reviews
April 21, 2013
Alien abductors at their most depraved! Here Ashleigh was, living her nice, non-crazy life, going to her book group, blah-blah-blah, when she gets this gift that she assumes is from her boyfriend. Surprise! No, it’s a necklace from some alien organization who kidnaps women from all different galaxies to become mates to a species who can no longer procreate on their own.

Her “mate” had actually saved up money to bring her to him – while he was a sex slave on his planet! So, she’s trapped on this space ship for weeks with this guy, trying to deal with her situation, and he’s being awesome about her not wanting to have anything to do with him. When he winds up disappearing for a couple of days, and she finds that she misses him and starts looking for him, she finds out that his past has caught up with him. She has to decide to accept her Fate and mate with him, or he will wind up being a gigolo for the rest of his life.

Again, this is more of a romantic erotica story, but it is crafted so well and has enough naughty sex in that it warrants attention from DirtyLittleBookWhore. What poor Eden has to do to earn his bride is erotic but also a little sad. He really takes a beating – literally at one point – because of his former role as a prostitute on his planet. I’m not really sure why Ashleigh held out for so long, but when she finally came around, it was . . . quite an enjoyable read, shall we say?
Profile Image for Julie Ramsey.
Author 2 books33 followers
April 26, 2013
The Gigolo's Bride (The Necklace Chronicles #2) by R.E. Butler

When Ashleigh Turner receives a beautiful necklace as a gift from a secret admirer, she has no idea who it came from. When she finally puts the necklace on she gets another delivery that she should never answered her door for!
Abducted and waking up on an alien ship with a group of other earth woman they are brides for men from a planet that has no females that can bear children. With no hope in hell of ever getting back to earth Ashleigh must make a very difficult choice , accept the man who paid for her abduction our end up in a bordello.
Eden was sold as a child to a bordello he must make enough money to buy back his freedom, pay for his brides abduction and new housing. What with drugs, attempted suicide, low self worth, being a whore. How will his future bride ever love someone like him?

This 2nd book in the The Necklace Chronicles really delivers and more. I love how R. E. Butler writes her stories and draws you in. The premise may sound out of this world (lolo) but the story line and the depth of characters really make this all seem possible. I would have liked this story to have been longer but it still worked.

5 STARS
Patches

complimentary book given for a free review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
Profile Image for Roxie's Reviews.
1,106 reviews23 followers
January 15, 2016
"Incredible Alien Romance"
The storyline is intense and exciting!. The characters are fantastic.
Ashleigh is a daycare worker. One day at work she receives flowers and an odd necklace. Before this she had broke up with her cheating boy friend. At first she thought he had sent them as there was no card with the items. Eden is from plenty Norlan . He was sold by his parents to be a sex slave. Years later he tries to kill himself only his friend saved him. To give him a reason to live his sister pays for him a soulwalk witch is a way to find his true mate. They find her and Eden works real hard to free himself from selvery. Back on Earth Ashleigh puts the necklace on and a delivery guy shows up with another delivery but it was a trap, and Ashleigh gets kidnapped. She wakes up on a Alien space ship.
You will love this sweet, touching and steamy hot Romance!. This is a must read book!.
Profile Image for Ann.
1,716 reviews8 followers
July 28, 2019
After Eden nearly kills himself while trying to escape from his life of slavery, his sister, Sloan, convinces him to go on a soul-walk to find his soul-mate. Ashleigh is a human. She doesn't know anything about aliens, soul-walks, our mating necklaces...until she's kidnapped and brought onboard a ship bound for the planet Norlan.
All Ashleigh wants is to return to Earth. Eden had until their ship lands on his planet to convince her she belongs with him. Otherwise, the consequences are too horrible to consider.

I loved this book. The characters are wonderful, the storyline is fresh and interesting and sometimes tragic (I cried a time or two), and the smexy-times are hot. I recommend it highly.
Profile Image for Carol.
397 reviews
April 10, 2015
A formulaic abduction romance with aliens but it worked for me. The young hostage a former Librarian is to be married to a male prostitute when they reach a planet light years from Earth.
Once the young women meets her soon to be husband she feels a connection as he teaches her the ways of his world.
I liked this book because I was looking for something different to read and it ticked all the boxes. Everything played out in the story as expected but it interested me with the descriptive background of life on another planet. The male lead character claimed my sympathy has he explained his forced career to the young women. A decent read that filled an evening slot when I needed something light to enjoy.
Profile Image for Hayat.
573 reviews195 followers
December 30, 2013
This is a sweet tender story with the usual alien abduction storyline taking place in an intriguing world that we don’t get to know more than the basic outline. I really loved this story but I wish there was a more in-depth world building here. The little glimpses you get from this world is not enough and I just wish the author had gone on to explore this new alien world, their culture and politics because there is so much potential here that the story feels rushed and unfinished. But because this is a free story, it is well worth reading.
Profile Image for Shelley Chastagner.
2,685 reviews38 followers
June 16, 2016
This is an intense book that deals with some ugly issues. I found it deep and haunting as it stuck with me for days. Little bits and pieces kept coming back to me. If you are sensitive to sexual abuse, be aware. I liked the strength of the heroine and her compassion when she learns the truth. The Hero is amazing in that he has survived unthinkable circumstances and yet is still sweet, kind and giving. I would love to see another book with the secondary characters as the leads.
Adult read
3,068 reviews
May 18, 2014
Sweet, out of the world, story

Eden is from the planet Norlan. He was a gigolo who went on a soul walk to find his mate. Ashleigh, a daycare worker, was from Earth. When she is abducted and put on a spaceship, to become Eden's mate. Until they mate, Eden can still be made to have sex with others. When she realizes he has been forced to have sex, she goes and confesses her love to him.
Profile Image for Brutally Honest.
495 reviews31 followers
March 17, 2015
So I really like these kinds of stories, crazily enough. The Mars-needs-women trope, the destined-mates stuff, I love that stuff. This story had both. However, I only gave it three stars because it basically read like a fan fic. Nothing wrong with fan fiction, but I usually prefer my fan fiction free, not $2.50.
Profile Image for Deborah.
1,841 reviews
January 23, 2016
Eden has been treated so wrong in his life. Sold as a sex slave by his parents. Only his soul mate can free him. This is a story about how being kidnapped can end up being a blessing. This is a sad sweet story that pulls at the heart and have you wishing that everything turns out right for both of them. Enjoy I did. This is a reread.
Profile Image for Lory.
3,204 reviews30 followers
February 1, 2016
Cute Read

I found this to be a very emotional read. My heart literally broke for Eden. My only issue was that I don't like the whole idea of trafficking and abduction of the females but, besides that the storyline was really created looking forward to reading Paoli and Kate story.
800 reviews6 followers
January 28, 2016
The necklace

So vastly different from book 1 yet still so very good. R.E. Butler is an exceptional author with a real heart for delicate stories that reach out to you and ask you how would I have dealt with the issue.
Profile Image for Raina.
4,121 reviews33 followers
February 15, 2016
Intended for mature readers only. There are a few scenes that be to offensive for some.

The story is about a broken alien man that is forced to sell his body. He wants to leave this life and find his soul mate. He will go through a lot to find her and make a life for her.
Profile Image for Cristina.
335 reviews2 followers
October 2, 2012
love it, not like the other's were you have two man after you, but still loved it...
Profile Image for Teresa.
708 reviews24 followers
November 15, 2015
Completely and utterly ridiculous but I really quite enjoyed it!
Profile Image for Amber "Epp".
1,134 reviews63 followers
April 12, 2015
This was a pretty good read I liked the futuristic setting to this book it was a very original story line and I enjoyed reading this book .. ;)
Profile Image for Jennifer L Powell.
93 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2016
Love everything RE Butler has written. Not your average story line. I like here studies because they are different. Characters are hot, sexy and would love to travel where these women get to go.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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