Unholy Sinner By Havoc Wilde

Synopsis:


Dearest Initiate,

The Black Crown Society does not welcome the unworthy.

It crowns the ruthless. It protects the Chosen. And it buries the rest.

Lucien Devereux is born with sin carved into his bones—captain on the court, heir to the Sinners, and destined to rule. Power follows him. Fear respects him. He does not kneel.

Seraphina Carvelli is the one temptation he was never meant to claim. The whispers call her forbidden. The truth makes her his obsession.

Three years ago, she disappeared. Now she’s back in Black Crown’s sacred halls, pretending she was never his.

But the Society is watching.

Every Son of Black Crown must choose—one woman bound to him in ritual, sealed in blood, and made untouchable. Once chosen, there is no escape.

When an outside threat begins circling the Society—and Seraphina becomes leverage—Lucien faces an impossible decision: let her walk away again…or bind her to him forever.

Because every crown is bought with blood.
Every vow demands loyalty.
And the most dangerous love is the one you’re willing to kill for.

He is the Sinner no one dares cross.
She is the girl he was never meant to touch.

And once he chooses her…the world kneels.




Review:

Lucien Devereux was completely unhinged, but in the best way possible. His possessiveness over Seraphina was almost terrifying, yet.. I loved every moment of it. Their relationship was built on manipulation, obsession, power struggles, and raw emotional chaos.

“Sometimes when you push someone past the edge, you find out exactly what they’re capable of.”

Seraphina was a total badass. The stunt she pulled during Lucien’s game was perfection. Even though Lucien tried to control her, she never stopped fighting back. Their dynamic was toxic, explosive, and completely addictive.

The constant back and forth between Lucien and Seraphina kept me stressed the whole time. One moment, they were at each other’s throats, and the next, they were drawn together by an attraction neither could resist. And after she finally submitted to him, the guilt she felt combined with that moment of aftercare really pulled at my heart.

The spice was absolutely wild. I was genuinely thankful for the downtime at work while reading this, but I kept checking to make sure no one was looking at what I was reading. Yeah, they're nosy that way lol.

This is not a sweet romance. This perfectly represents dark romance: obsession presented as devotion, control masked as protection, and love twisted into something dangerous and all-consuming.

⭐️ 4 stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I received this ARC from the SmutHood and the author in exchange for an honest review.

Crown Crusher by Kade Vale

Synopsis:

She thought she was entering a harmless contest for a clay crown. She never imagined it would end with fire, rebellion, and an empire brought to its knees.

The Crown Trial was supposed to be simple. Win. Break the crown. Go home.

When Rory’s victory draws her into stolen secrets, buried history, and a truth the Empire has spent generations trying to erase, the game becomes something far more dangerous.

As old legends begin to stir beneath the mountain and rebellion begins to take shape in the shadows, Rory must decide whether to stay silent and survive—or risk everything to become the spark her people have been waiting for.


Review:

Romantasy/Fantasy is still a newer genre for me, but if stories are like this… I totally get the obsession now.

“I am here. I choose to be here. I will be here tomorrow.”

That quote alone perfectly captures the heart of this story.

Watching Rory grow from a girl running the Spring Run into the spark of an uprising was incredible. She wasn’t fearless or powerful just for the sake of it. She was angry, grieving, determined, and willing to carry impossible burdens.

Kael’s sacrifice hurt deeply, but it also ignited the fire in Rory to fight back against the Empire.

Dragons usually creep me out a little 😅, but I loved Vokarath. He felt ancient, intelligent, and deeply connected to the Heart of the Mountain. The covenant mythology gave this story such a haunting atmosphere that totally pulled me in.

This felt less like the end of a story and more like the beginning of a legend.

⭐️ 4.5 stars

I received this Arc from the author in exchange for an honest review

This is war By Nakeira Nashae

 

Synopsis:

“SHE DIDN’T START THE WAR… BUT SHE’S ABOUT TO FINISH IT.”

Armadale was supposed to protect them. Instead, it became their prison.
Behind towering walls and silent streets, a divided community struggles to survive under the watchful eye of the Forces — a system built on control, secrets, and fear. When a group of teens steps out of line and into something far bigger than themselves, they uncover a truth that was never meant to surface.

Sabrina knows that truth better than anyone. Once a soldier.Now a threat.

After losing everything, her family, her freedom, and her identity, she refuses to stay broken. While her daughters, Kim and Terri, are pulled deeper into the very system that destroyed her, Sabrina begins a dangerous rise from the shadows… one fueled by pain, betrayal, and a need for answers. But beneath Armadale lies something darker than war.

Experiments, Disappearances, and Lies buried so deep they were meant to stay forgotten.
As loyalties are tested and the lines between right and wrong begin to blur, one question remains:
Are they fighting to escape … or did they just destroy the very place they called home?
Because in Armadale, trust is deadly, freedom is an illusion, and once the truth is exposed—
There’s no going back.



Review:

This is generally not my kind of story. However, as I try to branch out and explore more narratives, I decided to give this one a chance, and it really paid off. I was captivated right from the start.

What starts off feeling like a survival story in a divided society quickly turns much darker. Secrets, human experimentation, manipulation, and betrayal appear one after another. Every time I thought I had a grasp on what was happening, another layer unfolded. As Kim, Terri, and the others dig deeper into the truth behind Utopia and Mr. Lesley, everything becomes more disturbing.

Watching these characters come to terms with the fact that their lives were built on lies was intense in the best way. The story forces them to choose between survival and humanity, and some of those losses hurt deeply 😭. You can sense the desperation, fear, and the burden of carrying truths that were never meant to be revealed.

"If tonight is all we have, I want to remember it with you. Not as something stolen by fear, but as something we choose."

Even amidst violence, control, and psychological warfare, a thread of hope holds everything together.

But of course, this war is far from over...

If you enjoy dystopian stories packed with conspiracy, rebellion, morally gray choices, heartbreaking truths, and the feeling that "everything you know is a lie," this one really delivers.

I received this arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.
4⭐

Nabbed by the Bratva

 

                            

Synopsis:


“If I catch you, I keep you. Now run .”

I get caught up in a mafia shootout, and I guess I should have kept my eyes shut, because I end up looking a terrifying and gorgeous man in the face. Gray eyes. A scowl. And when the bullets stop flying, I expect to be left for dead.

But the next thing I know, the Bratva boss has taken me to his country estate, and I’m his captive. He says it’s for my protection, but I’m not so sure.

I beg my captor, but he’s stone. I try to escape, but he anticipates my every move.

Finally, he gives me a choice.

Play his game. I’m the prey, he’s the hunter.

If I can get away, I win my freedom. If he catches me, he’ll hold me down and take everything.

Run.




Review:


What happens when you witness a mafia shooting?
Apparently… you get kidnapped. 😮‍💨
What you absolutely DON'T do is fall for the man holding you captive… right?

Yeah. About that...

This book had me in an absolute chokehold with the tension, the obsession, the possessiveness, the
I should run from him, but instead I’m climbing into his lap, energy.

We’ve got a powerful, wealthy mafia monster of a man who should be terrifying… yet somehow he’s buying her books, cooking for her, making sure she’s comfortable, spoiling her rotten while slowly unraveling all his secrets. And Tess...she was down bad.

The chemistry between them was addictive, the flirting, the tension, the absolutely feral behavior from both of them.

“You make me want to be better, to be worthy of your affection, to love you, and keep you.”

And the primal play??
SIGN. ME. UP. 🫠

If she escapes, she wins her freedom.
If he catches her...He gets to take everything.
But the real question is… did she even want to be free anymore?

If you love dark romance with possessive antiheroes, survival games, primal play, and morally gray men that make you question your sanity, this one definitely delivers.

⭐️ 3.5 stars

Audio ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op in exchange for my honest review

The Ruins by Kora Nyx

Synopsis:


POV: You wake up with no memory of the night before,
and the boy you’ve trusted your whole life
is already telling you what happened.
What you wanted.
And ultimately, who you chose to belong to now.

Would you believe him?

Harper did.
Just like she believes the paternity results he puts in front of her.

Until the cracks start showing…
and she realizes—
someone has been rewriting her story all along.

Now the truth is coming for everyone who kept her from Caleb. The gut-wrenching conclusion to Harper and Caleb's story.


Review:


After the chilling cliffhanger The Rules left us with in book one, I was ecstatic knowing I wouldn’t have to wait long for The Ruins. This sequel completely spiraled in the best and worst ways possible.

The story picks up not long after where we left off, and the deeper we dive into Z’s lies, manipulation, and deception, the more horrifying everything becomes. In book one, I already didn’t fully trust Z… The level of deceit was absolutely insane. I was genuinely floored by how deep it all went.

What frustrated me most was Harper. She’s portrayed as this unhinged, sharp FMC, yet she blindly believes everything Z tells her for eight years without truly questioning him or verifying anything. That part made me want to scream because you can see the cracks forming long before she does.

But the moment the truth finally comes to light... Everything completely unravels. Secrets explode, emotions spiral, and the entire story turns into chaos in the most addictive way possible. The tension, betrayal, and emotional fallout had me glued to the pages and absolutely wrecked my sleep because I needed to know what happened next.

Dark, toxic, messy, emotionally intense. This series knows exactly how to keep its claws in you.

This is absolutely a must read for dark romance readers.

*I received this arc from Booksprout in exchange for my honest review

⭐️ 4.5 Stars

Glass & Sin by Cordelia Cross

Synopsis:

The Queen doesn't just want to be the fairest; she’ll kill to keep the title. Princess Shay has spent her life mastering the art of invisibility, but silence can no longer save her. Marked for death and hunted by a man who never misses, Shay flees into the deep woods.
But she finds no prince charming.
Instead, she finds the mines and the six hardened outcasts who rule the dark beneath the earth. These men are not heroes. They are rough, possessive, and starving for a touch they haven’t felt in years. To buy her sanctuary, Shay strikes a devil’s her submission in exchange for their protection.
It was supposed to be a transaction—a cold, calculated surrender to ensure her survival. But as the agreement binds her to Dax, Gage, Bennett, and the others, Shay discovers a dark hunger she never knew she possessed. In the shadows of a mirror, she isn’t just a princess to be protected. She is a prize to be shared, claimed, and corrupted.
With the Queen’s magic closing in and Hunter on her trail, Shay must decide who she truly is. Because in a kingdom built on Glass and Sin, the only thing more dangerous than being hunted... is wanting to be caught. Forget the poison apple—in this shattered retelling, the true danger is the temptation to stay.




Review:



We all know the fairytale of Snow White ... the poisoned apple, the jealous queen, the damsel waiting to be saved. However, this is Snow White rewritten for adults… and honestly, I ate it up.

Going into this, I was skeptical because this was my first fairy tale retelling, and I wasn’t sure how well it would translate into a darker romance setting. I'm happy to report that adding in a splash of dark romance & tropes like reverse harem/why choose, forced proximity, and a cast of morally gray men, and a well-written story, you've got yourself a winner!!. I was hooked for the very first chapter.

This story managed to stay true enough to the original fairytale to feel nostalgic while still twisting it into something addictive, seductive, and completely unhinged in the best way possible.

Mrs. Cross.. You definitely did my man Gadge wrong.. Imma need more of him and scenes like that in book 2, OKAY.. IYKYK 😉

If you love dark romance and fairytale retellings with morally men, I highly recommend this one.

Came for the story… stayed for the spice. 🔥

I received an arc, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4 ⭐️ for the story
5 🌶️ for the spice

Masked Stalker By Angel Dee

Synopsis:

She's his obsession. He'll stop at nothing to possess every inch of her.

Vincent left their town and a broken past behind to become an alpha billionaire-CEO of a weapons conglomerate with power, secrets, and a darkness that hides beneath his tailored suits. But one memory never left him: the only girl who showed him kindness in high school.


Years later, he finds her again-Jules, trapped in a relationship that turns violent. When her boyfriend raises a hand to her, Vincent intervenes, spiriting Jules away to his remote compound under the guise of protection.


Pulled into a world of wealth, danger, and whispered promises, Jules must navigate Vincent's controlling intensity and the intoxicating pull between them. As they explore desires she never dared speak aloud, their fragile trust is tested when Vincent's company is attacked and a ruthless human trafficking ring surfaces-dragging Jules into the crossfire. Loyalties fracture, secrets unravel, and every choice forces them closer to a line neither can afford to cross.

Dark, suspenseful, and fiercely erotic, this dark romance / romantic suspense delivers an obsessive protector, forbidden attraction, and high-stakes danger. Perfect for fans of dark billionaire romance, enemies-to-lovers, and romantic suspense who crave tension, moral ambiguity, and a love that fights to survive.


Dive into the danger. Surrender to the obsession. The crows are watching.



Review

When I initially started this book, I didn't think I was going to finish it. Honestly.. The pacing in this story was moving way too fast for me. Like, we literally went from him surveillancing you, stalking you, watching you.. coming to rescue/kidnapping you.. to being chained up in his house.. to you being in love with him within a matter of pages.. as impatient as I am, that's wild ..Secondly, some of the things that were happening just seemed wrong, even for someone as unhinged as I am.

But I kept reading everyone who has read this book said that they loved it, so I had to believe that I would do if I just stuck with it, and by the time I got to chapter 16, baby, I was kicking my heels and giggling like a school girl cuz nobody loves a thirsty bitch!! ...Sorry, I got a bit carried away there..

This is where I was fully invested in this story. Vincent is the typical guy that you ignored in school years later, you find out, he's infatuated with you. He is unhinged, obsessive, possessive, touch her and die.. all the red flags we love to ignore.

Jules is a freak, though and through.. with some secrets of her own.. who never got to let her freak wings fly until Vincent set them free. They were definitely made for each other. Cuz honey some of the unhinged behavior she deemed okay, I certainly could never..but, that's why she's in a book, and I'm not lol.

The smut in this book is in abundance, like there's A LOT of it and it's hot as hell....

So if you like your men obsessive and overly unhinged.. and you can look past the insta love, don't skip this one.

Thank you, Angel Dee and book sirens, for allowing me to read this arc

4 ⭐

Sweet Nightmares By Hazel St. Lewis

 

Synopsis:


Jane Whitfield rose from nothing to become the youngest Prima Ballerina in the history of the Royalle Ballet—despite having a violent husband three decades her senior. But her carefully choreographed world shatters when her husband’s enemies come to collect his debts. Jane is tortured into making an impossible die, or strike a bargain with an evil god trapped inside a mirror.

Nightmare is ancient, cruel, and feared for a reason. He trades magic, wealth, and knowledge for soul-crushing costs—and he believes Jane is the witch destined to destroy him. But instead of killing her, he toys with her, offering a twisted sell her soul, serve him, and receive an endless supply of riches—enough to satisfy her wretched husband and his debtors.

Now bound to a god who revels in ruin, Jane becomes more than just his minion—she’s his growing obsession. But obsession doesn’t spare her from his darkness. He’s evil. She’s supposed to hate him, but the more time she spends in his realm, the harder it is to tell if he’s her monster… or her salvation.

She was destined to destroy him, but love might destroy her first.



Review:

This story sank it's hooked me right away.

Because of her husband, she makes a deal with an evil god trapped in a mirror, and this is where the story really takes a turn.

Nightmare lives up to his name, cruel, manipulative, and completely out of control in how he wields his power.

There’s no illusion that he’s a good guy. He’s not. That’s what makes their dynamic so unsettling and strangely addictive. The relationship is toxic and obsessive. The lines keep blurring.

" I will fuck you in all the ways, gentle, rough, possessive, demanding, lovingly. I will own and destroy you, but first, you must be ready."

You wait for Jane to realize she needs to destroy him, but instead, you watch her get pulled deeper into his world, deeper into him. That shift is uncomfortable in the best way, making you question what you truly support. I will say this isn’t a romance full of softness, healing, or redemption.

It’s about control, survival, and obsession, and how those can start to feel like something else entirely.

Did I love it? Yes... was I hooked.. Absolutely, I couldn't put it down




If you enjoy dark fantasy with strong power dynamics, morally flawed characters, and a relationship that breaks all the rules, this one will leave a mark.

4⭐

Vow or Never By Danielle Dexter

Synopsis:

She’s about to say “I do.” He’s about to ruin everything.

Eighteen months ago, Everly Hart had a one-night stand with the hottest guy she’s ever been with, yet she still found herself
No last names.
No phone numbers.
No expectations.

Now, she’s engaged to Carter Jacobs—the perfect fiancé with the perfect life who wants to plan a wedding straight out of a magazine. Everything is going according to plan until she arrives at the first wedding planning meeting to discover a very familiar face in the room.

Reese Myers.

He’s the tattooed bad boy who apparently writes vows for a living.
He’s also the man who disappeared after one perfect night.
And the last person Everly expected to see while planning her forever.

However, Reese doesn’t believe in love or promises of forever. He just writes them for other people. But shadowing Everly and Carter’s wedding means having to spend weeks watching the woman he never truly forgot prepare to marry someone else.

He knows he should keep things professional.
He also knows he should keep his distance.
And he definitely shouldn’t remember exactly how she sounded when she said his name over and over again.

But soon, professional boundaries blur.
Wedding chaos escalates.
And every appointment brings Reese and Everly closer to a truth neither one of them is ready to face.

Because the safest love isn’t always the right one…

…and sometimes forever begins with the person you were never supposed to see again.

Review:

"Every love story starts with a yes. Not everyone ends there..."

This was a cute, slightly messy take on love. It explores what love is, what it isn’t, and what happens when timing doesn’t cooperate.

After Reese disappears following what Everly thought was an unforgettable one-night stand, she moves on, like most people would.

She meets Carter Jacobs, the safe and stable choice. He would quite literally move heaven and earth for her. On paper, he’s everything.

Then, Reese walks back in. Not just anywhere, but into her wedding planning process. Of course he does. From there, the story dives into forced proximity, unresolved feelings, and a lot of emotional back-and-forth. Both Everly and Reese must confront what that one night actually meant and whether it was ever just that.

"Love is unconditional, so if he makes you happy, all I can do is be happy for you too."

This story reminded me of The Wedding Planner, one of my favorite movies, but with a bit more emotional depth added. The “what if” tension between Everly and Reese was somewhat predictable. Still, if you’re a reader who enjoys soft, emotional romance like I do, you will love it anyway.

Overall, I enjoyed the journey this story took me on.

Thank you, Danielle Dexter, for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review


3.5 ⭐️

Unholy Obsession By Stasia Black

Synopsis:

I used her body like an altar. Now she’s here for confession.

I left my past behind.
Then she walked into my church.
Once, I was Bane Blackwolf—heir to a legacy of blood and sin. A monster in the making. Instead, I chose the cloth over the crown, buried my name, and became Father Blackwood.
For years, I was in control of my darker nature. Until her.
Moira.
The woman with a sinner’s mouth and a body made for worship. The woman who doesn’t know it was me behind the mask that night—me who had her on her knees, begging.
Now she’s here, whispering confessions that twist the knife deeper. Tempting the man I pretend to be and the beast I’ve tried to bury.
I vowed to be a good man. I vowed to never take what doesn’t belong to me.
But Moira is mine.
The moment I touched her, I knew—I’d never crave anything the way I crave her. She’s the only thing that silences my demons and makes me forget the weight of my sins.
And I’ll be damned before I let her go.




Review:

I went into this without reading the first two books 

I must say this story does a solid job of pulling you in quickly.

Moira is restless, searching, a little reckless in the way she tries to fill the void. And then there’s Bane… or Father Blackwood. A man split clean down the middle. Priest by day, something much darker underneath. Watching him struggle between restraint and obsession was easily the most compelling part of this story.

What really worked for me was the emotional tension. These aren’t just two people drawn to each other; they’re both carrying heavy pasts, trying ...and failing to outrun who they used to be. Their connection feels messy, intense, and at times a little dangerous in the best way.

And when it matters most, they do show up for each other. That balance between chaos and care kept me invested.

Now I’m definitely curious about what led up to all of this because it feels like there’s a lot more beneath the surface I haven’t seen yet.

4 ⭐️

Spitting Off The Edge of The World By Courtney W. Dixon

 

Synopsis:


I found you just when I thought my life was over.

Julien Kendrick

Not only am I a recent high school graduate from a prestigious school, but I also come from money—a lot of money. So why am I miserable? No, it’s more like apathy. I crave to escape this life, while others are desperate for it. I want to feel again. To feel something, anything. The decision to leave my horrible parents and friends to spend two weeks doing what I want to do is meant to be my last hurrah, as the old saying goes. I don’t want to spend it alone, though, so I hire a prostitute I find on the street. Not only is he stunningly beautiful, but his pain calls to me.

He’s the one I want to spend my last two weeks with.

Romeo

No kissing. No holding. And no loving. Ever.

Those are the rules. They’re simple when I need life to be easier. But then along comes Julien, who pays a small fortune to have me for two weeks. This is my chance to escape my hell—a life I’ve known for as long as I can remember. My only memories are of being used and abused. I don’t even know my birth name, having lost it somewhere in my past. When our two weeks are up, I plan to run, but Julien is derailing that plan. He’s so kind to me. Gentle. I’m not used to it, but I’m greedy for it. Now, I’ll do anything to keep him.







Review:

Thank you, Courtney Dixon, for providing me with this arc.

This story opens with raw, traumatic moments, and some scenes were hard to read.

Julien decides to take control of his life.. on his terms. When he meets Romeo, their connection is instant. As their relationship develops, it becomes clear they share more than just chemistry. They both carry similar wounds and histories. Through each other, they start to find what they’ve both been missing: stability, understanding, and a chance for healing. Before the end of this book, I was a blubbering mess! lol so be sure to keep those tissues handy for this one.

This story reminded me of a mix between an M/M  version of Pretty Woman and the emotional weight of Me Before You. It’s tender, intense, and it's beautifully written. It captures what it means to rebuild yourself while allowing someone else to come into your life.

Watching Julien and Romeo move from merely surviving to finding something to enjoying the possibilities of a beautiful life together was incredibly powerful.


I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next in this series.


That said, this book tackles some heavy themes. I recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in.

5 ⭐

Daggermouth By H.M. Wolfe

Synopsis:


Set in a corrupt surveillance state ruled by the masked elite, this true enemies-to-lovers dystopian romance that’s Conform meets V For Vendetta follows a mercenary who botches the assassination of the president’s son and ends up forced to marry him.

The first thing you’ll learn in New Found Haven is that mercy doesn’t exist. The second thing is that, from the highest glass atrium in the Heart to the windowless slums of the Boundary, the Veyra are always watching.

The last lesson is the hardest, but you must remember it: Love outside of your ring is a death sentence.

The city is carved into rings of privilege and poverty, ruled by the masked elite who will do whatever it takes to hold onto power. Obedience is demanded. Rebellion is crushed.

Greyson Serel has spent his life caught between two worlds. Publicly, he’s the flawless heir to the presidency. Privately, he’s entangled in secrets that could topple the regime. But when he’s forced into a political marriage meant to bind him tighter to the government’s brutal laws, he finds himself shackled to a bride as lethal as she is unwilling.

Shadera Kael is a mercenary raised to kill, not to wed. Yet when her bullet misses its mark, survival leaves her tied to the very man she was sent to eliminate. Trapped inside the corrupt heart of the city, she becomes both prisoner and wife, her every step watched, her every move tested.

Their union is no love story—it’s a battlefield. As secrets come to light and betrayals fester within the walls of power, Greyson and Shadera must decide between annihilating each other or burning the city to the ground together.

In a world where passion has consequences and loyalty is paid for in blood, their forced bond may be the spark that ignites a revolution. Or the fire that consumes them both.

Review: 

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

First, I can't express how excited I was when I got approved for this ARC!  

I'm sorry, I know this isn't about me... on to the review..


"Beautiful things are often built on ugly foundations."

Daggermouth feels like the ugly road we're already on.

Greyson is controlled and precise, unraveling in silence under the weight of power. While Shadera is lethal and defiant, forged into a weapon, unwilling to be anything else until survival forces her to change.

What happens between them isn’t just romance; it’s an ideology clashed with instinct. Trauma competes with desire.

Watching them shift from enemies to uneasy allies and then to something more dangerous felt like seeing a war unfold in slow motion.

Every interaction is charged. Every moment seems ready to explode... The writing hits hard. You feel every emotion and the overwhelming weight of injustice.

Then there’s the ending. It didn’t just surprise me...it shattered me, leaving me to figure out what TF just happened!

Visually, it felt cinematic, full of moments that need to be seen as much as read. It screams adaptation. I can't wait to see this on the big screen! Trust me, I will be there!

4.5

Bonds of Slavery by Charley Mayne

Synopsis:


Ryan’s Story Begins.

OBEDIENCE IS SURVIVAL
RESISTANCE IS PAIN

In a future where freedom has a price, how far would you go to survive?

The year is 2045. America’s war on drugs has turned into a war on its own people. Overcrowded prisons and a ruthless new administration give rise to the Chainmark Act – a brutal solution to prison population control, cloaked as justice.

Ryan Murphy, sixteen and already hardened by life on the streets of New York, becomes one of the first minors “offered” into the program. Sentenced for a crime he didn’t fully understand, Ryan is sold to Brad Wilkins, a sadistic Texas rancher who sees obedience as the only law.

As Ryan grapples with pain, isolation and control, he must learn the rules of survival in a system designed to break him. But even in the darkest corners of captivity, hope flickers – because Ryan knows that survival isn’t enough.

He wants to live.
And he wants to be free.


Review:

“One hundred and eighty years after slavery was abolished in the United States… it was brought back.”

I’ve always been the type to test my limits. You don’t really know what you can handle until something forces you to find out.

This book?
Yeah… it found mine.

Set in 2045, we follow Ryan—just sixteen—who makes one mistake. A stupid one. The kind most people would expect a slap on the wrist for.

That’s not what he gets.

What he’s forced into is brutal, dehumanizing, and honestly hard to even process at times.

I’m not exaggerating when I say this book broke me. I had to stop reading more than once just to breathe. Just to reset.


“Stay quiet. Stand still. Stay quiet. Stand still. Stay quiet. Stand still” 

This line still sits on your chest. 😭

The writing is raw and immersive in a way that doesn’t let you look away. I didn’t just read Ryan’s story, I felt every second of it. Every ounce of fear, pain, and helplessness.

Sleep didn’t exist for me.
Peace of mind was nonexistent. Not til i finished it

By the end, I wasn’t just emotional..I was gutted.

This is not an easy read. It’s not supposed to be. And it’s definitely not for everyone.

But if you can handle something heavy..something dark, suffocating, and brutally honest...this is one of those books that stays with you long after you finish it.

Just do yourself a favor...

Check the trigger warnings. Seriously.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yes Chef By Grace Reilly

Synopsis:

If you can’t take the heat…get out of the kitchen.

After a public meltdown in the dining room of one of Manhattan’s most elite restaurants, Chef Jack Hartman is back in his South Florida hometown. Angry, grieving, and saddled with the unwanted storefront his late mentor left him, his life is spinning out of control. And that’s before Poppy Winfield, the blond, bubbly, utterly infuriating daughter of his former boss, shows up at his dock.

Poppy needs to escape. From her disapproving family, her horrible ex-boyfriend, and her reputation as someone who has never taken anything seriously. But more than that, she wants to prove herself—and she has just the plan to do it. Unfortunately, that plan involves Jack Hartman, the most arrogant, prickly, intimidating man she’s ever had the pleasure of throwing a shrimp at.

She knows Jack is desperate to come back from his unceremonious firing, so she proposes a deal: working together to open a revamped version of his mentor’s restaurant. He’ll handle the menu, and she’ll use her skill as a social media influencer to sell the hell out of its grand opening. If she and Jack can make the restaurant a success, it’ll be an accomplishment no one can deny—and a ticket for them both to return to New York.

Jack is intrigued, but only on his terms: if Poppy’s going to work for him, she must learn the ropes of the entire business. Including how to cook. From him.

As sparks fly both in and out of the kitchen and tensions reach a boiling point, Poppy and Jack are left wondering--could they be a perfect pairing? Or is this whole experiment a recipe for disaster?

My Review

Poppy, a successful lifestyle influencer seeking her family's approval, meets Jack, a talented chef dealing with the loss of his mentor and the shock of losing his job. As Jack takes on the challenge of reviving his mentor’s dying restaurant, he’s forced into an uneasy alliance with Poppy for the exposure he desperately needs.

What begins as an unwilling partnership soon evolves into a thrilling enemies-to-lovers type romance, filled with tension and undeniable chemistry.

I truly enjoyed this story. It offers strong summer vibes, charming side characters, and a heroine who is easy to cheer for. Though Jack can be frustrating at times due to his rough edges, his character growth and the sizzling dynamic he shares with Poppy made this an enjoyable and engaging read.

4⭐

Thank you, Netgally, for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Madly Driven by Tiye

Synopsis:

Kensie Garrett turned her worst heartbreak into a bestselling brand. As a social-media influencer and author of a hit self-help book teaching women how to find love without losing themselves, she’s built a career on staying in command. But one reckless night threatens everything she’s created when she gives in to the magnetic pull of Canaan Jackson, the infuriating race car driver she’s despised since college.

When a private video from that night leaks, Kensie’s credibility and Canaan’s shot at racing glory are suddenly on the line. To save them both, he does the announces their engagement during a live press conference. What begins as damage control quickly spirals into a dangerous chemistry neither can contain.

Thrown together under the scorching Miami sun in the months leading up to his first Formula One race, Kensie and Canaan must outmaneuver paparazzi, past betrayals, and a passion that refuses to stay off camera. But as lies blur into truth and old wounds resurface, Kensie has to decide whether protecting her image is worth losing her heart to the one man who may know her better than she knows herself.


Review:


Kensie and Canaan hated each other. Until one unforgettable night in Jamaica..Then, they suddenly couldn't keep their hands off each other.

This book started strong... but the miscommunication & holding on to past trauma between these two went on for far too long for me..

The story itself was good, I kept wanting to scream at these two, wake up and see beyond their own nose..

If you're looking for fake dating & messy romance.. this one's for you.

3 ⭐

*I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

3000 Reasons to stay By Jaime P. Bradley

Synopsis:

When a workaholic hotel manager and a Marine with big dreams collide, will she check him off her to-do list before he opens her heart to new possibilities?
Delaware single-mom Carrie Waller can’t seem to be enough. She juggles custody issues and never-ending parental demands while working at her ex-in-laws’ hotel, determined to deliver another flawless wedding even though her own love life is more neglected than a VHS rental card. The people-pleasing divorcee is so used to putting fun on the back burner that it takes crashing headfirst into a handsome guest to awaken all her dormant desires.

With retirement looming, Marine Ryan Duran is in desperate need of stability. Stress nips at the reserved thirty-seven-year-old’s heels when he attends his best friend’s wedding across the country, and he welcomes the distraction of the cute, quirky hotel manager. But when he gets back to California and his grandad offers to fund his dream business—if he’ll settle down with a wife—Ryan can’t shake the memory of near-kisses with the East Coast beauty.

When a new job gives Carrie a chance to tackle her freshly written to-do list for fun—and reconnect with the fling that got away—she breaks the safe confines of her planner and takes it. She knows their passion is temporary because her loyalty will always lie with her daughters. But as the weeks pass, Ryan becomes harder to let go. And while Ryan can’t help falling, he needs to lock down his future with a woman who’ll fulfill his meddling grandfather’s stipulations to secure funding for the veterans’ fitness center.


My Review:


Carrie has one mission: to give her best friend the perfect wedding. It seems simple if you ignore the nightmare ex-husband, his even worse parents, and the fact that her personal life is nonexistent.
She’s playing it safe, keeping her world small and manageable until she literally crashes into one of the groomsmen, which throws that plan out the window.

Enter Ryan, a Marine fitness instructor and the embodiment of San Diego sunshine, temporarily stuck in snowy Delaware. He’s there to support his friend and keep everything running smoothly. That’s the plan, right up until Carrie collides with him, making “smooth” no longer possible.
These two fight it. Hard. The tension is ridiculous. The slow burn feels almost torturous. It’s the kind of drawn-out, will-they-won’t-they drama that makes you want to yell at the pages.

But when they finally give in, it’s worth every moment.🤩
Completely worth it. This is exactly what a romance reader lives for

4.5 ⭐

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

The Rules by Kora Nyx

Synopsis:

She’s my stepsister. The one girl I shouldn't want... and the only one I can't resist.

Five minutes earlier she was just the new girl in class—
Chaos in human form with her sharp tongue and those scuffed combat boots,
Calling me a coward in front of everyone.
Then we were alone in the parking lot.
She stepped close.
Wrapped her arms around my neck.
And kissed me like she meant it.
Then she stole my wallet.
I was still trying to figure out what the hell just happened when my dad tackled her as she was sprinting away.
“I see you’ve already met your new stepsister.”
Stepsister.
She stares at me. I stare at her.
“Oh, you have got to be forking kidding me,” she sighs.
Because now the girl who kissed me like my life depended on it…
is living in my house.
We should stay away from each other.
But neither of us has ever been very good at following the rules.



Review:

In the history of reviewing books, I don't think I've ever clapped for any book that ends on a cliffhanger. If you've ever followed along with any of my reviews, it's quite the opposite. Although this book ends on a major cliffhanger, I'm sooo excited to read the second book in this series.

I'm so excited, I'm getting ahead of myself.

We start with Harper, stuck in East Texas with a mother who cares more about her next fix than her own daughter. Survival mode is all Harper knows. Her only real lifeline? Z—her best friend, her escape plan, her way out. They’re ready to do whatever it takes to break free… even if that means making reckless, life-altering decisions.

But before Harper can choose her own future, it’s taken from her.

Enter Silas—the father who’s been absent her entire life—suddenly deciding to play hero. He uproots her and drops her into a brand-new life in Dallas… complete with a picture-perfect home, a stepmother… and stepbrother Caleb.

Harper is a strong and fierce young woman who's dealt with a boatload of trauma in her life.

While Caleb is a sweet, controlled, structured, rule driven. His world runs on order, routines, and a rulebook he doesn’t break. Ever. That is, until he meets Harper.

"She just called me cute.... Does she mean puppy-dog cute or handsome cute?"

What starts as curiosity turns into something neither of them is prepared for. Because Harper doesn’t just challenge Caleb..she unravels him. And Caleb? He makes Harper feel something dangerously close to safe… which might be the most terrifying thing of all.

But that ending you never see coming oooh chileeeeee

Caleb's next move is gonna be one for the books. I can feel it!!!

This was a 6 star read!

I received an arc from Booksprout in exchange for my honest review

The Finish Line by Kate Stewart

Synopsis:

Secrets and Lies...

I’ve lived the entirety of my life wrapped up in subterfuge for one purpose—revenge.

Through the years, I lived more as an enigma than a man.

For so long, I denied I had a beating heart of my own.

Until her. Until she unearthed the starving vessel inside, forced me to acknowledge it, forced me to understand that I’m capable of bleeding the same as any other.

For that, we paid. We're still paying.

Yet, she demands it still, the useless heart of the ruthless thief and shameless villain she fell for. My fear is, I’m no longer that man.

With the lies I’ve told, the life I’ve led, my mistakes are beginning to catch up with me, day by day, one by one.

This is my last chance, and I have no intention of losing her again, but as the deception of my past starts to unravel and close in, shedding my humanity may be the only thing that can save us both.

Maybe it’s already too late.




My review:

“Asking permission to kiss you? Never going to fucking happen.”

This book picks up right where Exodus left off, and Tobias wastes no time reminding you exactly who he is..ruthless, relentless, and absolutely unhinged when he wants something. And he wants Cecelia back.

The difference this time? She’s not folding. Watching Tobias struggle to win her over was everything. For the first time, we get cracks in the armor. A softer, more vulnerable side that I did not expect… but fully devoured.

He’s not just fighting for control anymore; he’s fighting for the love of his life. And it changes him. In the best and most painful way.

I laughed until I cried. Then cried until I couldn’t see.

“I’ll wait for you, Trésor… as long as it takes.”

The flashbacks with him and Dom were easily some of my favorite parts. They add depth, answer long-standing questions, and hit emotionally right when they need to. Everything threads perfectly into the present.

And now I’m stuck with a decision I’m not sure I'm ready to make…
Do I read 'One Last Rainy Day'…

Because after this? I love Dom even more.
And I already know… whatever comes next is going to hurt. 

The Player's Promise by Tierney Page

Synopsis:

Anna's not looking for love. Fresh out of a divorce, she needs an escape. One reckless night of fun - and the gorgeous Irishman who buys her a drink at the bar promises exactly that. No last names, no strings, just fireworks.

Liam's used to hiding behind his game face. But after a brutal betrayal and an even messier brawl, he's lost everything: his football career, his team, and his reputation. A one-night stand with a stranger? Just the distraction he needs. He never expected to see Anna again...until she turns out to be his son's new teacher.

Anna knows she shouldn't get involved with a student's father, especially not him. But Liam's not the man the tabloids say he is. He's everything she thought she wasn't ready for. Which makes him so much worse.




Review:

This is book three in the London Heart series. To be honest, I didn’t have high hopes after reading the first book. I skipped book two and went straight to this one, and I’m glad I did, because it pleasantly surprised me. There’s just something about a single dad romance that captivates me every time, and this one really delivered. It had the perfect blend of excitement and those tender, emotional moments that us romance readers crave.


“I've lived in different places, but none of them ever felt like home until you. You taught me that love isn't about being seen. It's about being understood, it's about showing up, it's about sitting in the quiet together and still being heard. I've never truly felt success in my life until I've heard you say I love you.”

Even though some parts of the story were a bit predictable, I couldn’t put it down. It drew me in and kept me engaged. And the spice 🥵… Liam’s way with words? Unmatched.

This story gave me exactly what I came for. Honestly, that’s what matters.

3.5 ⭐️

✯★‿¸.••.¸‿NEW RELEASE: Corrupting His Wife‿¸.••.¸‿★✯

Drugged.
Kidnapped.
Held hostage.
Is her captor the savior she needs?
Or a monster from her worst nightmare?
Be warned: violence and torture (not between the H/h) and erotic scenes are inside these pages. If you like darker themes and full-on excitement, this book is for you!

Download Corrupting His Wife for 99 cents:
Direct from Author – https://books.amberdaulton.com/CorruptingHisWifeDirect
Universal - https://books2read.com/CorruptingHisWife
Amazon - https://amzn.to/3H7ssPi
Blurb for Corrupting His Wife
Kidnapping a reluctant bride is easy. Staying off her jilted fiancé’s radar is tough.
As the second-in-command of the Lozano Cartel, Enrique Briceño always gets what he wants. So when Lourdes’s father demands she marry another man, Enrique makes his move—abduction. Vowing to corrupt his sweet little captive in every wicked way imaginable, he doesn’t expect her to fight him with fire.
Cartel princess Lourdes Villegas longs for peace. Freedom. A chance to let her artist soul breathe. Yet once again, a man is pulling her strings. In Enrique’s arms, she trades one ruthless capo for another. His touch sets her ablaze, but she’s already plotting her escape.
As political alliances crumble and the streets run red, Enrique must prove he’s more than just another monster in Lourdes’s life. Because this time, love might be the most dangerous thing of all.
Read an excerpt: https://amberdaulton.com/.../releaseday-corrupting-his.../
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Cutthroat By Octavia Grant

Synopsis:

Eden Shelton was once told that you can’t spell embarrassment without MEN. She never believed it because, according to her, there was nothing better than being a wife to a loving and appreciative man. Marrying her college sweetheart seemed to make everything in her life better. But, when her rose colored glasses are removed, Eden discovers that the man she planned to walk through life forever with has secrets. Secrets that will change who she is forever.




Review:


I admit I was skeptical when I started this book. So I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this

"If I'm asleep when you get home, f&%K me anyway." What?!? 🤯

Famous quote. Hell has no fury like a woman scorned, and boy did she serve him the dish he deserved and then some.
While there were some details in this book we could have lived without, but it was definitely worth it!

"It ain't no fun when the rabbits' got the gun."

I can't say too much without giving this book away. But please be warned, this book is NOT meant for everyone. 

4.5⭐️

How Not to Fall I love By Karla Sorenson

After one reckless night, Archer Evans is sentenced to community service at the local animal shelter. But the owner of the Shelter, Remi Sinclair, has no tolerance for the Archer's celebrity antics. She's like, if you're gonna do community service here.. I'm gonna make sure you work for it!! And boy does she put him through it lol.
Without much pushback, he does everything she asks. Eventually, Remi learns that everything is not black and white. And this revelation changes her whole perception.


This book had me hooked from the very first chapter! The chemistry between Remi and Archer was completely unmatched, no matter how much they fought it.... oh, and did they fight it! Sooo much that there were times I found myself wishing to tell them how foolish they were being. lol

There were moments in this book that felt personal.. I felt like they were talking to me specifically.
It gave me all the emotional reminders of why I love romance.
This story is made for romance buffs like me.. DON'T SKIP THIS ONE!

By the way.. Mrs Sorensen..
The letter...genius! I was laughing the whole time!

Solid 4 star read

Exodus by Kate Stewart

Synopsis:

Can you live a lie?

It’s a ghost town, this place that haunts me, the one that made me.

It’s clear to me that I’ll never outgrow Triple Falls or outlive the time I spent here.

I can still feel them all, my boys of summer.

Even when I’d sensed the danger, I gave in.

I didn’t heed a single warning. I let my sickness, my love, both rule and ruin me. I played my part, eyes wide open, tempting fate until it delivered.

There was never going to be an escape.

All of us are to blame for what happened. All of us serving our own sentences. We were careless and reckless, thinking our youth made us indestructible, exempt from our sins, and it cost us all.

I’m done pretending I didn’t leave the largest part of me between these hills and valleys, between the sea of trees that hold my secrets.

It’s the reason I’m back. To make peace with my fate.

And if I can’t grieve enough to cure myself in my time here, I’ll remain sick. That will be my curse.

But it’s time to confess, to myself more so than any other, that I’d hindered my chances because of the way I was built, and because of the men who built me.

At this point, I just want to make peace with who I am, no matter what ending I get.

Because I can no longer live a lie.

My Review:

I'm totally at a loss for words. this book... oh this book..😭😭😭😭

the heartbreak..

"If you had waited for me, I would have given you the opposite of nothing." 😔

No one prepared me for chapter 25.. I would never not beable to read this line without crying, 

"We love rainy days, don’t we, baby?"


"Are you happy?... So f... happy pup."😢

The nerve of this man.. after finally getting her life back on track NOW NOW NOW he shows up? MEN!!

"My future has no more room for tears." Mine either!!

This book took me through all of the emotions!! Call me sadistic because I loved it!!