Haze

by D. Dove

Waylen has been Luke's best and truest friend since a thirteen-year-old Waylen approached twelve-year-old Luke at the local library six years ago. Lonely and hurting, it had only taken one flash of Waylen’s golden-retriever smile for Luke to fall hard and fast. After that, Luke was willing to follow Waylen anywhere, grateful that Waylen enjoyed his company too.

Now about to enter college, Luke is faced with the fact that Waylen has joined the prestigious Alpha Beta Omega fraternity. Fraternities have never been Luke’s thing, but Luke can’t say no to Waylen’s enthusiastic desire for Luke to join the frat too so they can finally live together.

Except fraternity Alpha Beta Omega is well known for its exclusivity and the intensity of its hazing practices. If Luke is going to get in, he’s going to have to compete hard, no matter how high the stakes get. Getting in means making Waylen happy, and there isn’t much Luke wouldn't do to make Waylen happy.

Even if the pledge master, Banks, seems to have some personal vendetta against him…

Haze is a 4 Dove Rated book featuring hazing, dubcon/noncon, and hurt/comfort.

Genres: M M Romance, Dark, College, Friends To Lovers, Gay, Dark Romance, Romance

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2023

About the author

Writer of spicy MM(+M) stories on a 6 Dove Scale. (iykyk)

NEWSLETTER: https://ddovebooks.com/newsletter-sig...

Reviews

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

My thoughts while reading this: aww they’re so cute > hey they this is pretty hot > something fishy is happening here > oh wait WTF > ok that's over but now this is depressing > phew I’m happy again

The first chapter on the guys, how they meet, their friendship as teens, is absolutely gorgeous. They're both precious and must be protected at all costs.

I liked the narration, 3rd person single POV is probably my favourite style anyway, but it worked particularly well here. We see deep into Luke's mind, his devotion towards Waylen, his doubts about what's going on but ultimately his grim determination to do anything to join the frat and be with Waylen.

They are frankly, unhealthily codependent but also they're perfect together. You can see despite Luke's frequent thoughts about the sacrifices that he's willing to make for Waylen, that it's actually quite a reciprocal thing, with Waylen also going above and beyond for Luke.

There are some deeply twisted moments and some really, really dubious consent, but it's Dove scale 4 and doesn’t delve too deep into mindfuck territory. For me, this was pretty easily read because it's clear from the rating that there's going to be a proper HEA.

Anyone wanting a full recap with spoilers of the hazing acts can check out Shelba's review here. She's the one who rec'ed this to me so all credit goes to her anyway (much thanking)!

[Smutty Sully · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dove 4 on the Dove scale
4 stars

Dark and fluffy, is that a legitimate category?

I knew this was going to have hazing, noncon, a gangbang and more. What I wasn't expecting was the level of sweetness between the two MC's. It's honestly a sweet tale of boys growing up together and relying on each other for everything.

Waylen goes off to college the year before Luke and convinces him to join his fraternity. It's told from Luke's POV, so I was left wondering how much Waylen knew about the hazing, was he involved or was he going to be part of it?

If you're comfortable with the CW's (noncon, gangbang, dubcon, humiliation, manipulation), I recommend reading this. It is not as dark as it sounds. The hurt/comfort is an underlying theme throughout.

I've enjoyed every book by D. Dove so far!

[Shelba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t read the blurb for this. The title was enough to let me know what I was getting into, and I wasn’t thrilled about it, so wasn’t about to discourage myself from reading it by giving the blurb ago. I got my 4 dove rating, that’s all I need (maybe).

Things I don’t like in my books: friends to lovers, college aged characters, university, frats, reading about MCs as kids, and hazing. I hate hazing. And this book has all these things. And I didn’t mind (well, except the hazing stuff).

The hazing itself wasn’t as bad as the trepidation I had about it. Once I got to the Omega stage and knew where it was going, I was fine. But the lead up had me biting my nails. I’ll include the hazing activities at the end for anyone who might have the same anxieties about those scenes as I did.

I loved the relationship between Luke and Waylen, pre- and post- rush. There was so much caretaking and “honey”s. I loved Sad Boy TM Luke and his fierce love and loyalty to Waylen. It’s what made this book so wonderful and heartbreaking. The hurt/comfort was *chef kiss*

I loved the few comical moments that lightened things up, like the shower concussion prevention and then “second coming” pun.

I actually thought the Omega hazing activity was A++. Spit-roasting, cockwarming, some praise, a reluctant but determined Luke.

As for the hazing events:

Hazing was broken down into 3 parts: Alpha, Beta and Omega.

Alpha: The theme of this hazing was Strength. Pledges were lead to a gym, told to strip and do push-ups until failure. The bottom 5 would be cut. They were then lead into the backyard and made to run 3 laps naked. It’s mentioned that by the end, most pledges were (half)hard. The next day, the pledges are oiled up for naked wrestling. This is where Bank starts giving Luke real creeper vibes. Luke ends up having an uncomfortable match, pinned with his opponent’s dick sliding along his ass

Beta: The theme is Cunning. Luke is woken up with a hand covering his mouth, two frat brothers hauling him out of bed in nothing but his boxers and telling him to come along outside. Luke willingly goes, and is blindfolded and brought into a building. He, and the other pledges, are told there is someone across from them, who they must make come as fast as possible. Luke ends up giving a blowjob to the unknown frat bro. And afterwards, still blindfolded, is taken outside to make his way back to his room

Omega: The theme is Endurance. Luke receives a text to come to the frat house during a party. He is lead upstairs by Banks, who tells him he can tap out verbally or by double tapping at any point. Luke acknowledges this. Banks tells him he has a lot of points to make up for and then leads him to a bedroom with 3 frat boys in it. Luke is shoved in the bed, says that he know he can tap out if he wishes. They strip him. Two frat bros spitroast him, then leave. The third, now alone, uses Luke’s mouth for cockwarming. Banks returns, and sends the other frat bro outside. He tells Luke he can tap out now, or stay and can’t tap out until he is finished. He guarantees Luke a spot in the frat if he stays. Luke decides he will do whatever necessary to get into the frat for Waylen. Banks frots against Luke, fingers him, takes pics, fucks him and makes him cum, while declaring he wants to break Luke and ruin him for Waylen, to have Luke not be able to think about anything but him. There is no physical injuries.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This novella was a bit of a challenge. We start off pretty sweet with childhood best friends, we follow them all the way up to college and then things go fucking awry when one of them, our protagonist Luke, pledges at the frat his bff and secret crush - Waylen - has joined. The pledge process is hinky as hell, and some really awful and violating shit happens to Luke without Waylen's knowledge or Luke's consent. This is handled in a gratuitous way that I felt was pretty insensitive. This is going to sound contradictory, but in like 'dark romances' where there is non-con or dub-con - that element of it is part of the eroticism of the story, it is played up for effect and the story usually ends with some sort of understanding between parties. But in this story, Luke is assaulted by frat bros who are not his primary romantic interest, and I felt like it was handled pretty carelessly and with unnecessary voyeurism. The primary romance only happens right at the end. This book is well written, and definitely has the potential to be a cautionary tale about out of control frat culture and hazing, but it just ends up feeling like rapey voyeurism, and I am not personally into that.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[lex ❄ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was actually about to DNF because I wasn't connecting with the story. Besided that, the plot felt a bit rushed and it didn't feel compelling when a big conflict gets resolved in just a few pages. It definitely needed more.

Another thing is that, while I don't expect a book to realisticly tackle the themes it touches, the trauma recovery process wasn't executed in a believable way. When it isn't, it doesn't evoke much in me. I also couldn't get fully into this because of how I kept thinking to myself that some obvious actions weren't taken (like, why wouldn't Luke ask his best friend what the tests were about?). It just didn't make sense.

There are some few things I liked though, that are mainly the HEA and that the MCs make a really cute couple. I love a good comfort scene, and thankfully this had many. I also liked the dark erotica aspect, there's definitely potential here. My first D. Dove's book, definitely checking out the rest of their works.

Tags: innocent/naive MC, insecure and virgin/inexperienced, sexual assault by others, toxic ex, childhood friends to lovers, hurt/comfort, size difference, protectiveness, third person POV, strict top/bottom, barebacking, blowjobs, creampie, facial, fingering, humping/grinding, trauma recovery.

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been an email

This is by no means my first rodeo. I happen to like D Dove and I know what I'm getting into when I pick up one of their books. I'm the freak who gets excited when I see a four or above and I like when things get weird. That being said, this was a bit of a mess.

This is far from the darkest thing they've ever written and yet somehow it was the most depressing. And I'm including that almost 700 page monstrosity I'm still working through. We at least get to experience some moments of levity with River. Luke on the other hand, is struggling from page one and when he's not, it's briefly mentioned in passing or relinquished to his childhood (which wasn't that great either). Overall, Luke and Waylen do you have a sweet relationship but the majority of this book ends up being a lot and not in a fun way.

Then there's the issue with the length. A lot of scenes could have been cut or shortened. Even the smut went on for too long (words I never thought I would say). There's a lot of internal monologue going on and when I tell you it draaaagged, mama, tectonic plates were outrunning us. This could have started with them in college and we would have been fine. And did the scenes where Luke was dealing with what happened to him need to be so long? I'm going to go with no. I get this is a hurt/ comfort story, but when the hurt is this heavy and goes on for so long, by the time you get to the comfort it feels a little too late. And that is to say that the last two chapters, that were all about comfort, also went on for too long. I'm all for idiots in love figuring themselves out but when the overall story is over I'm left wondering why I'm still here. What is going on? I thought this was a Wendy's.

Now, I know this is an older piece and they've grown a lot as a writer but my point still stands. I can really only see people who are feral for heavy hurt/ comfort stories enjoying this. To the rest of y'all, go for the weird stuff. Those are also hurt/ comfort and that's where this author really shines (I'm looking at you milkie and  alien). Three stars because it's good for finding your dove rating threshold but otherwise it's just average in the worst way.

[M's ☆~HEA~☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot twist! Luke leaves Waylen and faithfully waits for Banks to get out of jail.

I kept trying to hate this book but their friendship kept sucking me back in. Both guys were equally invested in each other and outwardly showed it over & over again. The care taking and patience Waylen exhibited when Luke needed him was beautiful.

“If you’re sure.” “About you? Always.”

My first issue with the book is that these two are BFFs and manage to not once discuss the hazing activities Luke is being subjected to which is super odd. Second issue is that after waiting a whole year to be on campus together they rarely saw each other while the hazing was going on.... My biggest issue is the dub-con aspect. It was detailed and not hot because Luke was being assaulted by men who were not his love interest.

Being with Waylen after all that didn’t feel worth it. Luke’s heart felt ground up, pulverized. It felt like nothing but a betrayal that Waylen had asked this of him, even if Luke had agreed.

It was also the first time I fully supported a character wanting to run away from the problem without being mature & discussing it first. When Luke thought Waylen knew what was happening to him I was fine with Luke telling Way to kiss his ass.

Thankfully it all got sorted and the HEA was really sweet. I loved the F2L story line but tried to forget about the rest.

[❥ Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Luke & Waylen have been best friends since they were 12. Waylen’s house was a safe haven from Luke’s alcoholic father

It’s always been the plan that they would go to the same college and room together. Waylen is a grade ahead of Luke and when he goes to college and joins a fraternity, Luke pretty much has no choice but to join too

Way told Luke how much fun rush was, which baffles Luke when activities become a little.. more than expected

The sense of foreboding was well done. The hazing activities were hot.. or would have been hot if it didn’t turn into actual sexual assault. Unfortunately Luke & Way didn’t have the same intensity. They were cute but I didn’t get enough from them to make up for the squicky SA

[Zuli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though everything happened so fast and things were told superficially —I mean, we follow the MCs since they’re kids until university and the book it’s only 176 pages long— the pace actually felt perfect for the story.

I loved how the MCs met and their friendship, the hazing was so good, and the revelation that Banks was ‘getting revenge’ and what Waylen did when he found out were the icing on the cake. I would’ve liked a bit more development, but as I said, the pacing was on point all the same.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d like to defend this book

It’s well written. The scenes and the aftermath are heartbreaking and had I not been reading this on a plane I would’ve cried many times from all the feels. I will say as a sorority woman this is my worst nightmare for anyone in Greek life and I had a hard time moving through the story. I needed to know there was a happy ending and thankfully there was. I don’t want to spoil anything. But I hope all brothers and sisters have one as good as Waylan

[Amanda Engqvist · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not what I was expecting.
I thought it would be a really dark enemies to lovers, it was friends to lovers but we didn’t really see their relationship very well or much. It was basically just erotica, and the rush where the Mc where forced to do shit he didn’t really want.

Trigger warnings for this one

[Tori Wilson]

I really wish this book was longer because I just wanted more between Luke and Waylen. I hurt for Luke and it was even more painful once we realize what exactly is going on. I got a slimy feeling from Banks even at the beginning of the book and that feeling intensified the longer I read.
My only complaint would be that I really wanted more from Waylen and Luke after the fact.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

the thing i really liked about this was the way the author conveyed emotions. when the MC, Luke felt a certain way, i could feel that same emotion. from peril to joy, like being sucked into the earth and ten thousand feet in the sky.

i like how the two MC's (luke and waylen) are so devoted to each other! its really romantic how luke will absolutely let himself be used and debauched in horrifying ways (cockwarming scene during the omega trial really got to me) just for a chance to live with his bestie.

it's friends to roommates to lovers and that's my jam! it just took a road that was on fire last week and was half washed away yesterday and that was a little curvy. sexy curvy. will read again.

[Crim M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I cried, how is this book so raunchy, dark and wholesome? Idk but it was good. The only thing I wish is that D. Dove had more longer stories like this one. They develop the characters in such a lovely way and destroy them in an equally lovely way. 10/10 ty D. Dove 🫡👍

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Noncon before it's all better, but I was a little disappointed that once the hard part was over, only two characters are ever shown: the MC and the love interest. They do stuff outside of just them but it never shows it, rather it focuses just on those two.

[Callum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Short Read

A bit more trauma than I usually like but I enjoyed it, especially the parts with the two male leads

[Kindle Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW for sexual assault (and get ready to have your heart broken over those 2!)

[Valerie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. Very dark, Dove is excellent at walking you through it to a HEA.

[riya.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was actually surprisingly good. There were a lot of twists that I was surprised by. There was a plot and you felt connected to the characters. Great work, DD

[Maddox West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, it has a great ending AND its longer so perfect! I need more of these two.

[Meghan-Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

oh luke my tiny baby