Poison Roses

Boys of Bellerose #1

by Jaymin Eve, Tate James, Brooke Daniels (Narrator)

You know that saying, things can’t possibly get worse? They always can.

I thought I’d hit rock bottom when I turned 16. The day I broke my first love's heart, ending things before I could ruin his career as a rock star.

But damn, was I wrong.

Things got progressively worse from that moment on, until now. Eight years later, when I find myself homeless, jobless, covered in blood, and running from a ghost of my past.

Angelo Ricci, the second boy I've ever loved, knows I saw him shoot a man. He’s coming for me, has men out all over the city looking for me, and if they find me, I’m as good as dead.

But I’m not giving up so easily. I’ll do whatever it takes to escape the Ricci family’s wrath, even if it means seeking sanctuary with the most unlikely and unwilling of allies.

Bellerose is the hottest rock band in the world right now—in popularity and looks—and it’s just my luck that I stumble into their laps while running for my life. It’s not the best plan to hide out on their tour, but it’s the best I’ve got.

Except, the only person that Bellerose’s front man hates more than Angelo Ricci...might be me. Too damn bad. Jace owes me. After all, I’m Billie Bellerose.

Poison Roses is audiobook one of four in the Boys of Bellerose series. This is a mafia/rock-star reverse-harem romance series with dark elements and gripping cliff-hangers throughout. Content is intended for a mature audience.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Why Choose, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Dark, Second Chance

9 pages, Audible Audio

First published January 3, 2023

About the author

Jaymin Eve is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and sci-fi novels filled with epic love stories, great adventures, and plenty of laughs. She lives in Australia with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and a couple of crazy pets. To date, she has sold over three million ebooks, and still can't believe that she gets to create fantasy worlds as a job. 

For action, adventure, romance, and a guaranteed HEA, start one of her series today.

Reading order:

Secret Keepers series (Paranormal Romance) House of Darken. House of Imperial. House of Leights. House of Royale.

Storm Princess Saga (PNR/Fantasy)
The Princess Must Die. The Princess Must Strike. The Princess Must Reign.

Curse of the Gods (Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance series) UpperYA/NA
Trickery. Persuasion. Seduction. Strength. Neutral. Pain.

Supernatural Prison (UF/PNR romance -shifter, vampire, fae, magic user) Upper YA/NA
Dragon Marked. Dragon Mystics. Dragon Mated. Broken Compass. Magical Compass.

NYC Mecca Series (UF/PNR Romance - shifters) Upper YA
Queen Heir. Queen Alpha. Queen Fae. Queen Mecca.

Hive Trilogy (UF/PNR Romance - vampires) Upper YA
Ash. Anarchy. Annihilate.

Walker Saga (Fantasy/adventure/romance - gods, mermaids, dragons) YA
First World. Spurn. Crais. Regali. Nephilius. Dronish. Earth.

Stay updated:

http://www.jaymineve.com

https://www.facebook.com/JayminEve.Au...

Reviews

[Namera [The Literary Invertebrate] · Rating 2 out of 5]

⤅ DNF at 45% in, but I rounded up from 1.5 stars for exceeding my (very low) expectations.

I DO enjoy both Eve and James - separately. Somehow when they combine, as they did for that Broken Wings book, the product was basically unreadable.

Still, hope springs eternal, so I tried this one out. It was marginally better than their last outing, though not by a massive amount.

24-year-old Billie Bellerose has been scraping a hand-to-mouth existence since the death of her parents eight years ago. That's also the last time she saw her two best friends, Angelo Ricci and Jace. The former is now an active part of his mafia family, while the latter has become a world-famous rockstar - and named his band after her.

When Billie sees Angelo commit murder, she realises she needs to get out of town ASAP before he catches up with her to silence her. She runs into Rhett, Jace's bandmate, who offers to let her come on tour with them so he can smuggle her out of the state. Of course, Jace isn't happy, but their bandmate Grayson is pretty thrilled. Cue everyone falling in love with Billie for no reason.

I'm not joking. Basically, this entire book is saturated in insta-lust/love, and I was so not here for it. Rhett and Grayson take one look at Billie, decide she's all 'fragile' and gorgeous, and end up pledging their lives to her pretty much straightaway. They know Jace is pissed off at her, and this could have created some tension in their relationships, but the authors just totally bleed out any conflict by having them so ridiculously in love with her so quickly.

And like... WHY are they so in love with her? There is literally nothing interesting or compelling about Billie, such that I could believe a bunch of world-famous rockstars are enticed by her. Her characterisation is paper-flat. I could give you actual character descriptions of Eve and James's other heroines, like Madison Kate, but I don't have a single thing to say about Billie.

I DNFed once I realised I simply do not care what happens to these people.

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY REVIEW AND OTHERS can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS

ღ 🅿🅾🅸🆂🅾🅽 🆁🅾🆂🅴🆂 ღ Is the first full length reverse harem romance book in the (Boys of Bellerose) series co-written by Jaymin Eve & Tate James. Spoken in 'Multiple POV's' And ends on a cliffy. Band boys: (Rhett, Jace, & Grayson) Heroine: Billie Mafia Angelo

Mafia/rock star reverse harem romance ← All that in one sentence and of course my ass ran off to Amazon to purchase it!!

Billie, Jace & Angelo go way back, she was the girl who had it all, lived on top of a hill in a mansion with a shared pool, it's here when she meets two boys who change her life. Billie loved them both but in the end as the story goes she chose Angelo, things back then are pretty vague so I'm guessing that's all getting saved for the next books in the series. She broke Jace's heart big time, so big he became one of the most sort after rock stars who quickly rose to fame as he sung songs about a girl who broke his heart.



'𝑱𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒌 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅, 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒃𝒖𝒎 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒃𝒖𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚. 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰'𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕.'

It's been about 8 years give or take since she saw either of the two boys she'd loved. Until as karma would have it all in the same night she encounters both of them separately. One in a chilling situation, the other with hatred running in his veins. Billie witnessed something she shouldn't have, now those men are out for her blood.

'𝘼𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙡𝙤 𝙍𝙞𝙘𝙘𝙞 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚. 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚, 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙤. 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙅𝙖𝙘𝙚, 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙮 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙.'

On the run!
Saved by a knight in shining armour just in the nick of time.

One of the most famous rock bands is going to give her the cover she needs until she can disappear.

I was hooked as soon as I started, and that never waned, straight away we’re thrown into a wee bit of darkness which set up the whole book perfectly and I loved it. And just my lucky stars as I’m racing towards the ending to see how it’s all going to unfold I’m thrown over a cliffy! Of course I am!

Highly anticipating the next book eagerly waiting for more Grayson moments.

* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *

                  

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy cliffhanger... thoroughly enjoyed this book. (Grayson is my favourite so far) Excited for the next.

[Siobhan Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

EPIC. I loved every word and I am OBSESSED. An amazing start to this new series by Tate & Jaymin. They guys are to die for. Jace is a douche but I know I'm going to love him the most. He seriously needs to get his head out of his ass. I tried to savor this book but it was virtually impossible to put it down and I devoured it in one sitting. Now I am craving the next one sooooooo bad. Awesome job, ladies.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally love Jaymin Eve and Tate James books, but this one just didn't really do it for me as much.

This is both a mafia and rockstar reverse harem romance, which was unique, but also a bit too much. The premise and setup was done well enough, and it is interesting. The weak point of the book is the characters themselves. Billie could literally be replaced with a cardboard cutout. She had absolutely 0 personality so I have literally no idea why these 4 guys are all obsessed with her. 2 of the guys are her ex-boyfriends who have not gotten over her after 8 years (when they dated at 16 years old), and the other 2 are the bandmates of one of the exes. The bandmates fall in love with Billie immediately after meeting her in a club. We are talking full on insta-love. They call Billie their soulmates about halfway into the book, and I'm like, why? This girl has shown zero personality.

The other piece of this book that drove me a little crazy is that Billie doesn't tell anyone the truth "to keep them safe." I don't know if this is a trope or not, and it could be because I just read a different book that had this storyline, but this is quickly becoming my least favorite plotline in books - when the heroine won't just be honest about the past because she's "keeping them safe/they can't know because they'll hate her" It drives me nuts having to read Billie's internal monologue just agonizing over things from the past that she won't just tell her boyfriends. There is a way to have the heroine communicate with the 4 guys who are absolutely obsessed with her and still push the story forward, I promise.

I'm not sure about this series. I might try to push through to the 2nd book because I'm interested enough to see what happens, but I could see myself not finishing the series if things don't progress or if Billie continues to be bland as hell and keep everything to herself. I don't have the energy for her being so secretive - it's honestly stressing me out.

[Destiney Bomberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ 3.5🌶

I FINISHED THIS IN 3 HOURS!!! I sat down and didn’t get up once in that duration of time! Holy crap this book sucked me in from the start!!!

The books gives you so much, why choose, mafia, rockstar romance, angst, tension, like on the cusp of bully romance, mystery, and twisty reveals all through out!! And how could I forget SPICE!

Trust me when I say this was amazing!! If you need a book that starts off with a bang and just keeps on going , this is for you!!!!!

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Tropes:
- rockstars
- mafia
- why choose

In the span of 24 hours Billie Bellerose finds herself homeless, being hunted down by the mafia, and reconnected with her hateful ex who has spent the last 8 years earning millions of dollars singing about how much she ruined his life in the band he named after her… Needless to say she has a lot on her plate.

It pains me that I didn’t love this like I thought I would, because Tate and Jaymin’s books are usually five star reads for me, but I didn’t connect with Poison Roses like I’d hoped. It’s been one of my most anticipated reads since I learned these two were pairing up again to write, but it fell a bit flat for me.

I struggled to connect with Billie’s character and feel like I’m more invested in Rhett and Grayson at this point than anything else. She just comes across as so vague and bland, but I’m hoping her character evolves and gets some more depth as the series progresses and her secrets are revealed—cause homegirl is hiding A LOT.

I’m for sure continuing the series because the Angelo/Jace triangle from her past intrigues me, and I really love Rhett and Grayson.

[tane'a · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ i’d let grayson throw me around like a rag doll🧍🏾‍♀️

[Shelby · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

I swear a tin opener has more personality than Billie. WHY DOES EVERYONE WANNA RAIL THIS GIRL?! She’s the blueprint of beige.

So chapter 1 Billie has been kicked out by her landlord bc she can’t pay the next months rent. We aren’t told why. She’s then accosted by her neighbour Liz, who says ‘hey, I can give you a job.’ Billie agrees, goes to the restaurant where Liz works. There’s a random shootout at the restaurant 😂 Liz is shot dead lmfao, Billie is unphased. Turns out Angelo is involved, who is Billies ex, she sees him there. He’s not happy, locks her away in the office. Billie escapes, but is being followed. Finds herself outside a nightclub, some hot guy helps her inside. Start of chapter 2, which is Rhett’s POV.

Then the Insta lust hit with Rhett for Billie and I cannot with that 🥲 he’s got a rock on for a girl who hasn’t even opened her mouth yet, willing to start a fight with his band members for her BC HE KNOWS HER SOUL 💀💀💀 a girl he’s literally just met. Oh and one of the band members is ALSO an ex of hers. All these conveniences popping up. And don’t even get me started on the nicknames ugh.

What does ANY OF WHATS HAPPENING MEAN TO BILLIE? Why can’t she pay her rent? What does she want? What’s her goals? Her motivations? What’s she afraid of? What does Angelo mean to her?

Classic example of characters telling you WHAT is happening without telling you WHY any of it matters. To them. And if your characters don’t care, neither do I.

Nothing makes me fall asleep faster than plot happening TO the characters, not BECAUSE of the characters. They are punchbags to the plot and therefore the story has no meaning. Ergo, I DNF bc I need way way more.

TALLA

[Jess | jadecanread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is...is this about to be one of my favorite series of the year?

This was PHENOMENAL. When I read this was going to be a mafia AND rockstar romance I was skeptical. How would it work? But it DOES. IT WORKS SO WELL.

This hits the ground running. We're immediately dropped into Billie's life and the chaos that ensues when she runs into not one but TWO of her past loves. There's glimpses of each character's troubled pasts, the fall out, and allusions to the secrets they keep.

After witnessing a murder, Billie's on the run and finds safety with a touring band...where her ex is the lead singer. There's angst, there's tension, there's delectable smut, and the guys all have a nickname for the fmc! We focus on the rock star life and touring in this one, so I feel like we're switching over to the mafia side in the next book. I can't fucking wait to get deeper into these books.



Character Summary/Thoughts (MILD SPOILERS~):
Billie - I really like her! She's been knocked down by life and I'm rooting for her. She's strong, sassy, and selfless. After that last chapter, I desperately need to know what happened in the past.

Rhett - Such a sweet, sweet man. He's a ripped, tattooed lead guitarist with a turquoise mohawk and a pierced dick hehehe. The first of many in this RH. He's so supportive and immediately in Billie's corner to defend her even though her ex is his best friend. There's some references to some darker trauma with him and I'm really intrigued. (Calls her Thorn)

Grayson - An aquaman look-a-like drummer who doesn't talk much by choice and has some out of pocket skills with a gun? And he's an acts of service daddy? Who realizes he likes Billie and doesn't beat around the bush and just tells Rhett that he's going to pursue her? And he doesn't hide his feelings at ALL after this all comes out? I LOVE IT. (Calls her Prickles and hedgehog (lol))

Jace - Oof the ex. The past love. The man that made a career off of making music of his heartbreak over Billie and his relationship. The angst, anger, and hurt radiating off this man is making me weak. We see him get so upset this whole book, barely giving Billie any Grace, but we also see his hurt side and chapter 38??? Just stomp on my heart, thanks. I love that his friends call him out on his bullshit. ("hates" her but he slips and uses his nickname for her a couple times! Calls her Rose)

Flo - Band's bassist. She seems really nice and in need of a female friend but her relationship with Tom? Ick. I don't know if I 100% trust her. Yes she cares deeply for the guys but I'm not sold yet.

Tom - Choke on a dick and swallow vomit.

Angelo - SUCH A WILDCARD. I don't THINK he's going to be the bad guy?! There's hints of tenderness from him. I need to know more about who he is right now and what happened back then! (Calls her Bella)

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY MOLY this story snuck up on me. I mean I knew I’d love it- one of my favorite writing duos back together again! But I did not anticipate to be so holy consumed and ripped apart by this story. I’m enamored, completely. Poison Roses is a brilliantly complicated and addictively entertaining thrill ride of emotional tension and riveting danger. Jaymin and Tate skillfully weave the quiet intimate moments with the loud and sparkly rockstar glitter and mafia intrigue to create a story like no other. A tour de force of character complexity married with a action-packed adrenaline rush thriller, full of twists and secrets. I have not been so ravenous or desperate to turn the pages like this in a while. I AM POISONED completely.

On the surface, Tate and Jaymin deliver a widely sexy and intriguing rockstar crashes with mafia love story full of their characteristic romantic tension and emotional turbulence. But underneath the flashy bravado, sexual tension, and heart-pounding action and danger, what we really have is an intimate…albeit still enigmatic….character exploration of the impact of emotional trauma. Billie and the Bellerose band all share one common trait- and it’s more than their musical connection or their shared lust for one another. Oh no, what is buried beneath the surface is the REAL beating heart of this story- how each of these hiddenly broken characters carries the weight of their past pain, the snowballing cascade of how trauma can consume you from the inside out. We don’t even know the full depths of anyone’s past- but we know it’s there, bubbling under the surface, starting to breathe out like steam from a newly active volcano. The clues are there, the cracks are showing. So even if we don’t know just WHAT shaped each of these characters, we know that something hard and painful HAS warped them. They are all survivors in their own right- coping in their own unique ways. One by trying to protect and save others to alleviate their own traumatic guilt, one by lashing out with heartbreak heavily veiled in vitriolic animosity, one by retreating into a carefully curated armor of detachment and indifference. Perhaps even one in violence and power- though jury’s still out on if he really IS part of this romance. Or like Billie, hiding in plain site, burying her pain and loss, her lifeline has become the fact that she’s barely surviving- it keeps her from having to confront all her baggage. UNTIL NOW. Because while each has learned to COPE with their pain in their own varyingly destructive ways, none has truly confronted it. Until they all crash together, until the rose finds her way amongst the thorns, only she has her OWN thorns to carry. They’ve each swallowed their own poison, and now they’re being challenged little by little, some faster than others, to face the real darkness, to let go of the deceptive facade they all hide behind.

I love how Tate and Jaymin have them all working on their own pace, connecting in their own ways. Some are more ready to explore what’s right in front of them than others, and some have more to risk, more at stake. The guys have their own journeys to take, and right now we know far less about them. Because Poison Roses is really Billie’s beginning- a heroine who has lacked physical and emotional safety for so long that she finally finds it in the last place she expected, but it comes with a steep emotional price. Book 1 helps us unravel her, and I love how vulnerable she is. She’s not a completely soft or hapless damsel in distress, but she does have her own fragility amidst her survivalist strength. She’s open, has a gentle heart, and most of all, she’s lost. She’s been lost for a while, since a fateful moment, one we still don’t fully understand, caused her to make a sacrifice greater than her first love- it also meant sacrificing all that she is, or was, or could be. And now we see her start to grapple with the lost aspects of herself- she can no longer just rest on “getting by,” she now has to deal with her “ish”- in part because her “ish” is right in front of her face. But it’s more than just Angelo and Jace, and that’s what so BRILLIANT about this harem. Each of these men represent something fundamental in Billie- both something she needs to heal but also a part of herself that she’s lost or trying to nurture. We get the foil of Jace and Angelo preying upon her pain and past trauma in their own ways juxtaposed to the flowering NEW relationships she finds in Rhett and Grayson.

I love how Billie-focused this beginning is- because before we can truly deepen the connections she has (or rebuilt the broken ones she’s lost), Billie has to really take a hard look at herself, her needs, but most important, to feel WORTHY and deserving of any form of tenderness or love. She’s put in the most complicated of character arcs- facing everything that hurts about her past, running from a terrifying criminal, while also suddenly finding camaraderie and kindness in a veritable emotional hornets’ nest of a hideout situation. She’s surrounded by connections she never anticipated all while avoiding emotional landmines all around her- including her own. But my do I love her- she’s tenacious but patient, strong but vulnerable, a little reckless and brave, but also so captivatingly broken yet hopeful. She’s a big bleeding heart, wrapped in invisible thorns.

Of course, outside of this giant existential confrontation of past trauma and what I see to be a steady journey towards healing and redemption, we have just SO much entertainment. The chemistry is scorching between Billie and the boys, and even more so, the chemistry between the band is so entertaining. The funny moments, the tensions, the drama, but most of all the brotherhood. It will be necessary to survive what seems to be coming, and I love the relational matrix we have going here. And all the “on the run” and in hiding in a freaking ROCKBAND (what a fun take on the trope) plus the slow burning steam, and I AM DESPERATE for more. The pages just kept turning. Of course, the cliffhanger knocked me down- my mind is desperate to know just what this means, and thank the sweet Bellerose gods that we don’t have to wait long for book 2!

[Crystal (Crystalreads2) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when I thought I was done with cliffhangers, Bam, this gem slides right in, and that’s the end of my no cliffhangers.

What’s a girl to do when she sees something she isn't supposed to? Well, you hide in the spot where you think your ex won’t find you? At the same time, that one spot has another ex. Your past is now haunting your present while trying to stay alive. Now add Rock Stars and Mafia into the mix. Oh wait, let's not forget the best friends trope.

Poison Roses is like an onion, peel one secret at a time, and yet we are left with so many more layers to peel. The book is raw and emotional. They ripped the characters' hearts wide open. Especially Jace.

As much as I loved Rhett's character, I’m all over Grayson. I need to know more about Angelo. How many cards does he have hiding in his sleeve? Proper mafia format never shows what you are holding.

I can't wait to see what happens next after that doozy of a cliffhanger.

[bookgalbrock 🐝✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poison Roses

I never want to fucking see you again, Billie Bellerose. You’re throwing away the best fucking thing in your life, and now you’ll see my face everywhere. I’ll be haunting you, Rose, but thank fuck I’ll never have to see your deceitful face ever again.


star rating: 3.5
spice rating: 2.5🌶️🌶️

The love/hate relationship I have with cliffhangers… I have so many questions, thankfully I can jump directly into book II.
Not one question presented throughout this book was answered so I’m gonna need reparations in book II. The claws are deep in me with this one.

Also, ima need Jace to get his head out of his deere. (I get the timeline of the book) The fact that his attitude has been the same the entire time is upsetting to me. Heartbreak slowly heals but this anger that he’s double fisting and refusing to let go of is just poisoning. He’s been festering for eight year and now that Bella’s back in the picture he’s floundering, digging in even with the self torture. And the full out war on Bella. I simultaneously I want to club him over the head and fix him and put him back together again.


Rhett completely dove in head first off a cliff into deep waters *inserts mental video of Bella cliff jumping in New Moon* his crash was full force since the moment he ran into her (literally) in the alleyway outside the club.

Grayson is the onion I want peeled back in this book. He’s seems so interesting and has peaked my interest.. so many carrots were dangled regarding him.
As for Tom and Flo I would loveeeeee to know what Tom has on her.. because it has to be something. Either that or he’s the world’s greatest manipulator. No one likes this man (and for good reason) I think even think Flo likes him.
He’s an interim manger and a mediocre boyfriend. How much power does he really thinks he has?

Well I need to give over to book II to find out because this has turned into a rant and ‘I HATE TOM’ campaign at this point.

[Krystal- Celestialbookdragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd like to start by saying that I was excited for this series before I even knew what it was about because it was our first Jaymin and Tate RH cowrite! Once the blurb came out I was more than intrigued to see how these two would combine rockstar and mafia themes into one series. And now having finished book one I can confidently say that this series has a good shot at becoming one of my favorites for 2023!

First thing's first, it's a rare occurrence for me to rate the first book in a series so high if only because usually its job is to set the scene and get us readers acquainted with all of the characters and that's not normally super exciting lol. Poison Roses does all of that and more! I was sucked in from the first chapter and did not put this book down until I made it to the end where my heart proceeded to break for Billie and the past trauma she's now been forced to face again! 🥹

The rockstar and mafia components are both there for sure but I'd say this book was more heavily focused on the rockstar side of things due to where we started the story. I can feel that the mafia themes will begin to feature more heavily as we make our way through the books but for now I love the angst we get from both sides since they're both crucial to Billie's past. One thing I really like about Billie as a character is that she is one of the more sensitive FMC's I've read in the best way. She cries a lot but it's because she is so overcome with emotion and guilt about her past with Jace and Angelo and I think it really helps to show the emotional depth of her history with them and how it affects her so heavily even 8 years later.

The history also made for some great angst between past lovers and man did this book have spades of it! There was also an instance of instalust which I usually don't enjoy but in this case I did! Homegirl really needed someone on her side and it felt perfect for that character, and when the time came they did not disappoint! Truthfully I love all of the men, even our resident jerk and I have a feeling that this will be one of those harems where I struggle to pick a favorite by the end! I already can't wait to get more guy POV chapters because I need to know what's going on in everyone's heads after that ending, ESPECIALLY ANGELO! 👏🏻

I could go on and on about how much y'all need to read this book but I think I've made my point for now! We will return to my regularly scheduled word vomit about this series next month once I finish book two! 👀💙

[Lynnzie (lynnziebooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

So book two comes out when? I devoured this book, rockstar romances are 100% my thing, mafia romances not so much but I don’t mind it so far! I will say, these are not two tropes I expected to see together but somehow it’s working and I need answers.

I’m so freaking intrigued by the dynamics of this group. I have so many theories and wants and I know the wait for information will be torture. I’m in love with these characters though. I don’t have favorites yet but I enjoy them all and I’m very jealous of Billie honestly. Like rockstars fighting over me? Sign me up.

I already know this series will be addictive and I cannot wait for the rest of it. Each book is going to take me by surprise and I’m going to eat every one of them up and beg for more. I’m calling it now.

[nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fuck bruh. This was so good. A bit on the dramatic side? Maybe. But still really good. Poor Billie...I felt so bad for her. But also stupid Billie because she made so many idiotic decisions that had me wanting to shake some sense into her. Still gotta love that girl tho. As for Rhett and Gray...they're the definition of fictional men who fell hard and fast. Jace...let's just say I'm not too fond of him rn but hopefully he makes up for his shitty behavior later on. Angelo's still kind of a mystery character as well that we'll prolly get to know better in the next book. And Flo...I FUCKING KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING SUS ABOUT THAT GIRL FFS. This is my first ever Jaymin Eve x Tate James read and I'm loving it so far. It's like the authors have laced this with crack or something because I simply CANNOT get enough lmao😂🤭

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

[Jenifer Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are two for two, babes!!! This is the second book I've read this year & it's immediately gone on my best books of 2023, and it's made me SO excited (and impatient) for the rest of this series. I've never read these authors before, but omfg, it was SO GOOD.

I love both mafia and rockstar romances, but I've never read one with those tropes blended together. Right away I was sucked into this beautiful woven web of mystery, death, betrayal, second chances, love, and the ruthless men who have my heart.

Billie is a fighter through and through, and this poor girl just couldn't catch a break. She's obviously not the person her ex (Jace) has made her out to be. He made a career of how much he hates her, and while she will freely admit she broke his heart, she broke her own too. Since she had to say goodbye to him, every day since has been a fight. Especially now when she's literally on the run for her life, with her exes ex best friend on her trail (who seems to love her too?!) This ride is just insane in all the best ways possible!!

For the men, Rhett is obviously my favorite. From the beginning he had an instant connection to our girl, and he sure fell hard and fast. He knew right away that she wasn't who Jace said she was, and their relationship is just everything.

Greyson really surprised me -- he's a dark menace with an equally dark past, but his little prickle made him into such a softie who would literally unalive anyone who hurts her. Plus he's the only one at the moment who knows she didn't run freely, so maybe he is my favorite after all. *winks*

As for Angelo (if he's a part of the Harem, which I'm thinking he will be?) His part in the destruction of Jace has be begging for answers. But he genuinely seems to care for Billie, despite all the dangers and obstacles in their way. And that jaw dropping cliffy has me NEEDING answers right now!

As for Jace -- ugh. Like I get she broke your heart dude, but you never heard her out as to why she did what she did. He just believed the worst, and then made a life for himself making his fans hate her too. I need his grovel to be
E P I C.

As for the twisty twisty with a certain sister and scumbag -- I KNEW IT. I had a bad feeling right away, and I can't wait to see how it all plays out.

I'm so glad the rest of the books are coming in the next respective three months, but I'm gonna go crazy until I have them all on my kindle. I'm already obsessed!

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mafia/Rockstar huh? 😂 This was totally a guilty pleasure read. It’s super freaking silly but a lot of fun. I mean you have a drummer who was once a contract killer?!? 😅 I was hooked and flew through this!

I’m excited to see where this all goes but if you’re looking for some soul changing deeply touching read and romance you aren’t going to find it here. You’re getting soap opera plots with tattoos, pierced dicks, and guns.

I did have some trouble with the h which bummed me out. She’s not my favorite. I felt like she was dismissive about her connection with Rhett when she kissed Grayson and given that Jace keeps calling her a cheater and we don’t have that full story yet it kind of felt like there is a kernel of truth there. I love all four guys though so they’re def carrying the series for me at this point.

Lots of secrets, lots of twist, quickly paced fun and I’m looking forward to book two.

Overall: 3.5

[m_likesbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ogólnie ta książka mi się podobała, zawsze oceniam książki z motywem odwróconego haremu bardzo wysoko, bo mam obsesję na punkcie romansu w której jest kilka postaci, a nie tylko dwie 🔥

Ale finalnie coś mi w tej książce nie pasowało, w sensie znakomicie się na tym bawiłam, podobało mi się, że w tej książce Billie musi uciekać przed ludźmi ze swojej przeszłości i dołącza do grupy muzyków z bellerose, w której znajduje się też jej były, który teraz jej nienawidzi. Sama fabuła, podróżowanie z nimi i romans między Billie a Rhettem i Graysonem były genialne, a wyżej wspomniani faceci to ideały. ❤️

Natomiast nie jest to książka która trafi do moich ulubionych, to była świetna rozrywka, ale to tyle. Mimo wszystko sięgnę po następne tomy jak tylko będą u nas, bo jestem bardzo ciekawa kontynuacji ❤️‍🔥

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SO GOOD! I love how this had the vibes of a mafia romance but was also a rockstar romance. This is a why choose romance and I loved how unique each hero was in their romance with her. The one hero is obsessed, one hates her, and one doesn't really know what to make of her. The plot was non-stop and I never wanted to put this down! And that cliffhanger!? I can't wait for the next book!

[Carolina Batista · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very insta love and they didn’t do a good job at building the main character, Billie. The plot got to repetetive and the story could have move a lot faster. It stay still in the middle of the book. It’s entertaining but not in addictive way. I will continue to see what happens but not that much invested.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. WOW. Book two when? I need it ASAP.

Mix rockstars with mafia and add in some why choose? I freaking gobbled this book up. I’m obsessed.

This series is off to an amazing start. I was hooked immediately. I can’t wait to see the story unfold. All of the members of the band are flawed and definitely seem to be hiding things, which adds to the tension and the mystery. I definitely don’t trust a few people, and I can’t wait to see how this all plays out.

Five freaking huge stars!!

[⇝ b ⇝ · Rating 3 out of 5]

you ever read a book that’s not bad, but not good? this book encompasses all that bc while it’s lukewarm at best in regards to writing and plot, it’s got me slightly interested to pick up the next installment.

i’m surprised a bit this is only 3 stars, while also surprised it earned 3 stars. the best word to describe this word is average, even though the authors attempted to throw in multiple beloved tropes.

the only thing that’s got me wanting to continue the novel is that i need to know the big secret the h is keeping from the men. there’s so many tropes, so obviously things aren’t what they seem.

things that don’t make me hate the book:
- most of the men being rockstars? ✔️
- second chance romance? ✔️
- mafia? ✔️
- some tragedy in childhood making the characters hate each other? ✔️
- best friend drama? ✔️
- a decent cliffhanger? ✔️

things that aren’t unbearable…yet:
- the men are literally archetypes of rh males nw. no development
- special snowflake h
- feels like a caricature rh
- mediocre writing and plot

not sure what else i can say to elaborate on this bc honestly, it didn’t invoke any strong feelings of love or distaste. i bet i can even guess that major plot. anyway, still gonna pick up whatever the duo authors write bc it’s mildly entertaining

[Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate this book.

The crude sentences and insane amount of immature horniness was so off putting I wanted to DNF but couldn’t bring myself to since I was already halfway through the book.

At the 66% mark, I hated myself for thinking this would be a fast, fun read. It was a fast read, but it pained me deeply. There was absolutely no connection or bonding happening between Billie and the main love interest of this book. It was insta-lust and a huge savior complex. Nothing else.

I managed to skim my way through the last 30% of the book, as it thankfully had a bit more action and was therefore more tolerable. I will not be reading the next books in the series.

[nush ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐

i would just thank rhett and grayson for being in my presence

my only issue w the book was that rhett x billie felt v lust based initially and moved too quickly. i wished there was a little more development there but the boys can run me over with a truck and I'd thank them

[Alicia · Rating 1 out of 5]

The main character’s defining feature is her magical unicorn vagina. It’s the thing that really sets her apart from every other groupie.

[My_Strange_Reading · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s definitely gripping? Lol

The plot is kind of unbelievable and the threads that hold it together are a little laughable, but I’m at least going to read the sequel to see where it goes? 🤷🏻‍♀️😂😅

[Lunarbookwyrm aka Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝒜 𝓅𝑜𝒾𝓈𝑜𝓃𝑒𝒹 𝑅𝑜𝓈𝑒, 𝒷𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒾𝒻𝓊𝓁 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒸𝓇𝓊𝑒𝓁, 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓁𝑒𝓃 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝒷𝓎 𝒻𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓃 𝒜𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓁, 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝓎𝑒𝒹 𝓂𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒶 𝒻𝑜𝑜𝓁.

Rockstar romance has always been a hit or miss for me, but DEFINITELY, this book made me hurt,
cry, and I am amazed by the writing and the flow of the story. This is one of the books where I could've read this sooner!!! It's not only a rockstar romance, but it does have a dark mafia to it, and damn, every page really caught my attention, which is hard to do these days.


Billie was just trying to get by and escape from her past as much as possible. She just got kicked out of her home, and well, she needed a job. A stranger offered her one, but then she witnessed and heard things she shouldn't.

She ran so fast, and oh shit, her past comes to haunt her, cough cough, specifically an X or two. It turns out that after years of running, it's time to face the music and ask for help from her X, who hates her with passion. Problem is, will he help her? Plus, his bandmates are just...Swoon, help me lord, irresistible. TEHEE!

The tension, the spice, the angst. Such a perfect combination. My heart just clenches and cries. I got the 2nd book right away cause there's no way I could end with that cliffhanger.


🎸 Rockstar Mafia Romance
🎸 Enemies to lovers
🎸 Why choose
🎸 Second chance
🎸 ANGST oh lord secrets and lies
🎸 Close proximity
🎸 I am biased and I LOVE RHETT must PROTECC!

Rating 5/5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Spice Level 3/5🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️