Malice

Lost Souls MC #1

by Brooklyn Cross

MMFM/Dark Motorcycle Club/Rock Star/Enemies to Lovers/Friends to Lovers/Second Chance/PTSD/Trauma/Alphahole/Pierced MMC/World Crossover with T.L. Hodel's Lost Souls

My life had been a series of tragic events. When Snake stormed back into my world, I was forced to stare into his vengeful blue eyes and the word agony took on a whole new meaning.

Innocence is a funny word. It means something different for everyone, but for me it meant growing up far too young. It meant falling in love with a boy, and then having my heart ripped out of my chest in such a painful way that I never thought I’d recover.

That was until Avro came into my life. He helped me believe in humanity and goodness again, but most of all he helped me find myself. He urged me from the dark where I’d been hiding and piece by tiny piece my heart began to heal.
Being with Avro seemed like a fantasy, but when the fantasy became reality, it brought the complication of Jace. Jace Everly, Avro’s long-time friend and lover was a walking contradiction. To the world he was a rock star and wore his arrogance like a shield, but I quickly learned there was far more behind those silver eyes than the jerk that picked at my wounds. Jace saw me in ways that I tried to keep hidden, ways that terrified me.

Any nervousness over Avro or uncertainty of Jace seemed trivial when Kai, the boy I’d loved as a girl found me again as a woman. Kai was no longer the boy that melted my heart. He was now Snake, the walking embodiment of my nightmares.
Snake could be summed up in one word…vicious. Ten years in prison and inducted into a motorcycle club as an enforcer would do that to someone, but there was more to it than that. The anger, hurt and betrayal that we both felt burned white hot, and he was out for my blood.

I thought I knew fear, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the reaper of souls that came knocking on my door.

Genres: Dark Romance, Why Choose, Dark, Romance, M M Romance, Enemies To Lovers, M M F

510 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2023

About the author

Brooklyn's Social Media Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_broo...

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorbrookly...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brooklyn.cro...

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brook...

Brooklyn Cross grew up loving stories in a world that never quite understood how her mind worked.

Severe dyslexia and short-term memory challenges made school a constant fight, and success was something she was told to expect for others, not herself. Instead of quitting, she taught herself how to keep going.

Today, Brooklyn Cross writes dark romance for readers who don’t want safe love or perfect heroes. Expect morally grey men, fierce women, obsession, emotional chaos, and spice with consequences. If you like your romance messy, dangerous, and impossible to forget, you’re in the right place.

She has published multiple books and is relentlessly building worlds designed to ruin hearts, spark obsession, and stay with readers long after the final page.
Follow your dreams. Break the rules. Write anyway.

Reviews

[Larissa Cambusano · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ omg???????

[Rain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bisexual dancer/acrobat, turned bartender. A bisexual rock star manwhore. A recently released from prison enforcer of a MC, (also a manwhore) and a traumatized, insecure FMC, who is gorgeous, and all the men lust over.

Bartenders
Rock Star
Motorcycle club
Second Chance
PTSD/Trauma
MM, MMF
Foster care
Friends to Lovers
Childhood bff to enemy
11 year celibacy to insta-sexpot
VERY graphically violent
Rape, and physical assault on-page

It pains me to say this, (as multiple people have recommended the story to me) but I didn’t in like it very much. Superficial characters, surface level emotions, with every possible kind of psychological and physical trauma dumped into the mix.

It’s hard to empathize with a character when the amount of trauma they endure, no longer seems realistic or plausible . It was the moment during another physical and sexual assault when a character has multiple orgasms, that I lost whatever hope I had of this story having any kind of emotional depth or realistic intimacy.

I can buy that the legal system failed a 15-year-old girl, but I don’t buy the fact that the DNA evidence left all over her body wouldn’t prove the accused is 100% innocent. Not to get all logical on a fictional story, but when the premise doesn’t make any sense, it is hard to take any of the characters seriously.

At 500+ pages. This author had plenty of time to create genuine character growth, but instead ended this story with more trauma and a cliffhanger.

My favorite character in this book is the one that gets the least amount of page time, Wilder.

[Kursed Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

After serving a 10-year prison sentence for a crime he didn’t commit, Kaivan McMillan vows to make the life of his foster sister, Raine Eastman, a living hell.  
 
The shell of the girl she was, Raine is taking each day as it comes, trying to heal and face her fears. Her Eclipse coworker, Avro, has been integral to her progress as he works through trauma of his own.  
 
Malice is a multilayered story with twists and turns, love and laughs, tragedy and tears. Each broken character has a unique story to tell and I’m here for it. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🫣😩🥵😠😳
Ending: 🧗🏻‍♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👨🏼‍🤝‍👨🏻👫🏻 {Multiple}

🗂 Genre: Dark Romance

✨ Tropes: Alphahole, Motorcycle Club, Friends-to-Lovers, Miscommunication, Revenge, Rockstar, Stalker, Why Choose, Workplace

💋 Kinks: 🍑, Dirty Talk, Domination, Finger Licking Good, 🏳️‍🌈, Pierced 🍆, ⚔️

⚠️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care.

🚩 Safety Squad: Dub/NonCon, SA (Past, Not by H), and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📣 Type: Malice is part of the Lost Souls MC series and ends on a cliffhanger. This series must be read in order.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Momma Eureka · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE STRAIGHT AUDACITY OF BROOKLYN CROSS TO PUT ME IN ALL TYPES OF FEELINGS IN THIS BOOK !!!!!!

I CLAIM KAI ! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I had to take a minute after the epilogue. I held my breath in the last chapter. How dare the author made me so emotionally invested in those characters? The story is GREAT. It’s an absolute banger. I am reading Surrender IMMEDIATELY!
I have to say I am not very into RH, besides the Losers duet from Harley Laroux I really never liked any RH. In this first book they are not all together and I am itching so see how the hell she did write Kai and Jace in the same relationship with Raine and Avro?!?!? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Kai and Jace are almost he same in possessiveness and aggression. Will be interesting to read it.
The book starts with Kai been sent to Prison for a crime he did not committed, he was sentenced for 10 years behind bars at he age of 18. Needless to say he was angry, broke, sad and above all disappointed because the only person he ever loved and care, the only person he trusted was the very one that sent him to prison and destroy his life, dreams and aspirations. He was a boy ready to head to college and begin a life he never had, but prison transformed him in everything he never wanted. To survive in prison he became a monster and remained one after he was released and now he is the most feared enforcer for The Lost Souls Motorcycle Club. And he only has one desire, revenge on the girl he loved but now hate, Raine. But does he really hate her or truly never stopped loving her ?????
Raine is this girl that had to relearned to live after what happened to her, she’s been living in complete fear for 11 years, she’s terrified of everyone, she hides her body and she doesn’t trust any man because if her best friend, the boy she trusted and loved was capable of doing what he did to her than how could she trust any man? She only trust Avro who’s this SUPER SEXY GORGEOUS bartender that works with her in this club and they’ve been working together for 4 years, he LOVES her but his been in a relationship for 17 years with Jace his best friend and rockstar and they LOVE LOVE each other, they agree long ago to bring a third person into the relationship since they are both bissexual and Avro wants Raine but he needs to make Jace and Raine fall in love. HE NEEDS them to fall in love because he isn’t ready to let any of them go and he won’t let any of them go period.
This book is exciting, fast pace, entertaining, thrilling, SEXY, has some humor with Wilder and also with Kai’s inner monologues. Avro is this sweet amazing guy that would do anything for Jace and Raine. Jace is this dominant jackass rockstar who would do anything for Avro including have Raine with them. But Kai has other plans and OMGGGGGGGGGGGGG.
Say what you want, I love all 3 men individually and will probably love their relationship all together, but I AM TEAM KAI ALL THE WAY. That’s why I have a little problem with RH cause I always pick one and the whole point of a why chose book is that you don’t chose, and here I am immediately team Kai. 😂KAI HAS MY HEART AND SOUL.

Warning : this book is not for everyone. This book might cause severe blushing and toe curling moments. DARK subjects, descriptions of rape on paper and mentions also very violent scenes.
Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you. NOW GO READ! lol

[Sammy's Study · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another banger (pun intended) by Cross!!! I'm kinda digging the why choose trope more and more.

Do be warned, this is again a black romance! Not just dark, but black! And I'm here for it 🖤 but please read your trigger warning because this definitely isn't for everyone!

I think this FMC (Rain) is living my dream, she doesn't have one, not two but three man pursuing her... what about us, Rain? And the fun part about this is, is that that all three have different personalities and traits! This isn't your typical why choose with just a copy and paste personalities for the MMC, which I detest. Every MMC has his own personality traits and are actually really thought-out with their own background stories and qualities that match Rain's needs. I loved the dynamics between al the characters so much!

And let me say something about the spice. You don't get thrown into it right at the start. There is a build-up and tension and teasing before you actually get to that part. That is how I like my smut 😏
And this is some hot smut... Cross knows how to write a spicy scene. There are tender moments and there are f*cked up moments. Together they are chef's kiss 💋

🎧 but the award for most enjoyable part about the book, goes to the narrators!!! Those men did the best job ever! I was hooked from the first moment! Those deep voices just do something to me 🫠

Thank you so much Netgalley and IBPA audiobooks for this amazing, wonderful and intoxicating ARC!!! I had the best time ever!!!! 🖤

I can't wait for Surrender to come out as an audiobook as well!!!! 🧎🏻‍♀️

[Bookishness · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart absolutely broke for Kai. Life has been so unbelievably unfair to him. Ten years in prison for a crime he didn’t even commit? That was absolutely heartbreaking, all from the hands of the girl he loved and protected in the past!!!

“No one hurt Raine but me. She was Mine.”

Second chance romance, foster sibling, Motorcycle club ! HELLOOOO where have you been..

At first, I was honestly a little put off by how Avro brought Raine into the relationship with Jace. It didn’t really feel like love to me it felt more like recruitment. 😂 But the more I read, the more invested I became in their dynamic… sort of! Jace was giving off total bad-boy rockstar vibes, while Avro was the caring, nurturing one. I actually really loved seeing Jace and Avro together.

If I were writing Book 2, though, I’d have Jace stay with Avro and then have Raine with Kai have thier second chance. 😊

And that ending?! I have absolutely no idea how Book 2 is going to play out. I’m usually not a why-choose girlie, and I’m still 100% Team Kai, but now I’m dying to see what happens next!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5. What a ride! This story is unexpected good.
The characters are very well built.
I loved this book.
It’s worth the reading.

[Shelly Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to take a moment to compose myself before I could write this. The straight audacity of Brooklyn Cross to write a book that put me ALL in my emotions. When I tell you I was hooked from page one. I did not put it down. How dare she get me so invested emotionally, get my hopes up, break my heart, and then…cliffhanger! How am I not suppose to be impatiently waiting for book 2?!! I have so many question and so many emotions. Now, I’m done with my tantrum let’s proceed.

New series from the incredible Brooklyn Cross. A solid 5 star dark MC romance-ish (for now) read. The journey you’re going to go on is not for the faint of heart. Read. Your. Trigger. Warnings. This book contains content that is only for those comfortable reading it.

To start, we have Raine. She has a dark past. One that broke her. She lost trust. She lost the only person she trusted and almost her life. But she’s worked hard to fight to make her way back. And even through the book, she fights to take back power that was stolen from her. She is tired of living her life in fear.

Avro is Raine’s coworker. He can see things regarding her past, because it’s similar to his own. He’s watched her for years, with hopes to become more. He has it all figured out. If he can just get her and Jace on board. He’s waited long enough and it’s time to put the chips and the table and see if it pays off.

Jace is tired of being on the road. And only has 2 years left. He and Avro have an arrangement. But things are changing. Avro wants Raine. Jace trust Avro. They talked about bringing in a third. Could she be the right fit? She challenges him and found a way to get under his skin. But he can see there is a broken past. And dangers that could hurt him, or Avro. He can’t lose Avro.

And finally. Kie/Snake. 10 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s out. And the world is full of opportunities. There is a vengeance coming. Raine turned her back. Lied. But why? He has had 10 years to wonder. And now, he can finally get answers. He wants to hate her for what she’s done. But she was his best friend. He loved her. He still does. And seeing her just reminds him the lengths he will go. Especially after he starts learning what really happened.

And that’s only a SMALL part. This book had me screaming. The last 2 chapters had me crying. And the final chapter left me with so many questions. But this book, I needed. I love the dark and twisted mind of Brooklyn and after being in a bit of a reading slump, this book just yanked me back out. I couldn’t read it fast enough and wanted more when I was done. Expertly written. Plot driven. Spice 🥵 yes!!! Read this book.

Again I will say, PLEASE read the trigger warnings. Then find a spot, get comfy, and dive in. Maybe add some snacks and water cause you might be there for a while.

Happy Reading Ya’ll!

[꒰ঌAlejandra໒꒱ ♥️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa. This was INTENSE! My love for fated mates made this so hard for me to read, but it was so good! I couldn’t stop reading. I hated all of it. What happened to Kai, what happened to Raine, even the side characters. Team Kai! Brooklyn Cross’s mind is so dark and twisted, I love it. Malice is book 1 in the Lost Souls MC series. And what a start! Chapter one gave me palpitations.

This book will take you on a ride. There is smooth sailing, bumps on the road, and then anything you could possibly throw at it. I had my heart in my throat the whole time. Block out some time to read this, you won’t be able to put it down. It does end on a cliffhanger, but surprisingly I’m okay with that. I feel like I need a minute to process everything. Book 2 can’t come soon enough!

Spice level (1-5): 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Kink level (1-3): ⛓️ MMF, sword crossing, public, exhibitionism, bridge, Prince Albert, etc.

Kai is sentenced 10 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Prison changes you and Kai is a prime example. Kai went in a boy with hopes and dreams and came out a man, hardened by life and incarceration. Kai vows to unalive the girl that started this nightmare for him. Raine, his foster sister. But when Kai finally finds her, can he unalive the girl he loved so much all those years ago?

I would recommend Malice to everyone if I could! But Malice is not for everyone. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Read the trigger warnings! This book does include grape on page and off page. If this is a trigger for you, do not read this book. There is also a lot of violence on and off page. If you don’t like spice, don’t even look at this book, it will burn your eyes off. If you like dark romances with morally grey/villainous MMC, all kinds of trauma, MC, stalking, alphaholes, friends to lovers, triads, revenge, toxic relationships, so much angst you need to remind yourself to let go of that breath you didn’t know you were holding, you’ll love Malice. For the true pitch black dark romance readers this one is for you!

Warning: Reading Malice may make you cheer for Team Kai! May make you questions your morals. May make you choose your type of toxic. May make you choose all types of toxic. Gotta catch them all. May make you want to be in a triad. May make you want to get a motorcycle. May make you want revenge. May make you wonder how many innocent people are in prison right now. May make you wonder who is stalking you right now. May make you hope in your time of dire need someone will help you. Read responsibly.

*I received an Advance Reader Copy for free and I am leaving an honest review of my own volition. All thoughts are my own.*

[Brianna’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brooklyn has this amazing talent to hook you on the first page and not release you to the end of the book! Malice played on all my emotions and that is a result of an amazing author who creates a world you get sucked into and characters who you become invested into. I love that the book has all the spice you could ever want but still has a strong story/plot. I would recommend this book time and time again, it was amazing. A MUST READ! Do not delay, sure you could add the book to your TBR, but then you need to bump it up to the top of the line and read it immediately. This is that book that you will find yourself asking “why didn’t I read this sooner!”

Malice is a motorcycle club, why choose romance. It follows Raine who has a traumatizing, dark past as she is trying to grow and become stronger despite it. It can take more than one person to help you find yourself and that is the case here. Raine needs to lean into her future with Jace and Avro in order to mount her past, Kai.

What to expect:
🖤MMFM
🔥Enemies to Lovers
🖤Jealous Possessive
🔥Friends to Lovers
🖤Stalking
🔥Non-Con
🖤Trauma
🔥Motorcycle Club
🖤Revenge
🔥Pierced MMC
🖤World Crossover
🔥Multi POV
🖤Alphahole

Check trigger warnings as there is some explicit content. Also in case you are wondering….Snake is mine 🖤

[Amanda LeAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. I love the plot, I love the characters and I absolutely loved the SPICEEEEEE. Kai being accused of raping the one person he loved and trusted more than anything in the world Raine, and having to spend 10 years in prison for a crime he knew he didn’t commit, made him a mad man, and he had one thing on his mind….REVENGE!!!! Raine just wanted to move on with her life and start to feel again, and not feel scared. So many truths are set free and learned and slowly things started getting dark. Definitely left on a cliff hanger so make sure when done reading, you follow the author to make sure you don’t miss out when BOOK 2 comes!!!! Man oh man I’m still on edge lol.

Rating: 5 ⭐️
Spicy : 5 🌶️

Favorite quotes:

“The laundry always smelled bad, but fuck, I didn’t want to know what these assholes did this week. It reeked like rotting canned-tuna mixed with sloppy shit with the underlying scent of ‘I jacked off too much’. If there was a scent you could bottle and call it Eau de Prison, this was it”

[Leticia🌻 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Malice is a multi-POV dark romance that follows several characters who have been facing challenges and trauma throughout their entire lives. Although the characters were very well developed, it felt that the characters were going through too much, which made it very hard to follow in the story. If you love reading messy storylines with lots of spice, this is definitely the book for you. At this point, I am invested in these characters, can't wait to read what happens in the second book.

The narrators did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life in the audiobook.

Thank you Brooklyn Cross Books & Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[T.L. Hodel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I claim Jace.

[Ive · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF….Wow am I really the exception by not liking this book? Look at this cover! I thought I would love it, and while the story was intriguing enough (but it was clear where it went), I felt nothing. The description of their feelings was so flat. Idk 🤷🏻‍♀️ and the sex scenes? Even my cook book is more exciting. It was like reading and bunch of words. Let me show you what I mean:

„I’d already sucked Jace off, but as soon as he came, he ordered me to fuck him hard. Who’s going to say no to that invitation? “Shh,” I said, as Jace’s moans grew louder in the small shower. “The walls aren’t that thick.” “Feels so fucking good,” he mumbled between my thrusts. “You want it harder?” “Yes, I’m so fucking close again,” Jace said, and I smirked.“

Does this sound sexy in any way? I mean, yes I can read the words but is it not detailed enough or what’s wrong with me?

And the rest? Hmmm okish…

Maybe I am the problem here

So DNF at 50%.

[Shelby | Spicy.booknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

- MM, MMF Dark Romance
- Psycho You Love To Hate
- Friend To Lovers
- Second Chance
- Biker/Rock Star

This story has my brain going all over the place. There is a lot going on. Lots of layers to peel back. Some are more believable than others but overall I enjoyed this book, even though it went to some very rough places.

Kai is release from a 10 yr sentence for a crime he didn’t commit. That time made him into a monster, and he fully intends to take vengeance on his foster sister, Raine, that falsely accused him of that crime.
Raine has started her life over has worked hard to overcome the trauma of her past. Her friend and crush Avro has helped her and as they grow closer, his own secrets come to light and change the dynamics of their relationship.

This is a roller coaster of a story. It’s dark, so the characters do things that are pretty horrible. That said, I found it to be a pretty good story. On to book two.

[XxLaVampiresaAlexisxX · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all....I NEED MORE!!!

Malice is the first book in the Lost Souls series. After serving a 10 year sentence for a crime he didn't commit, Kai was back with a vengeance against his foster sister Raine. Raine is a girl who has been through hell and back and just trying to survive. Along with the Lost Souls MC, enters Avro, Jace, and Kaivan, Raine's life is about to get even more effed up than before.
Please note: There are hella triggers involved and a cliffy that will make you throw your device/book. This is set in T.L. Hodel's Lost Soul's world and is a crossover.

Like I mentioned before I NEED MORE!!! This is my first time reading Brooklyn Cross's and Lost Souls world, so I didn't know what to expect. But maaan, was I thrown into a doozy. The writing, the worldbuilding, the character chemistry, (how much I'm in love with these dark, delicious men), definitely gonna check out T.L Hodel's series as well. I'm hooked!

[annasbook nookk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Brooklyn Cross book I've read and I intend to go back and read her backlist. This is a dark romance MC book, the book was addictive and the characters were great. Each coming from different backgrounds, each with their own turmoil. Raines back story broke my heart but her character development was brilliant. Brooklyn's writing is addictive, taking us into her world, I didn't want the book to end. Can't wait for the next book to end after that cliffhanger.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf @ 59% for multiple reasons..

Reason #1 being Kai raping Raine to prove he didn’t rape her??? Alright

#2 being this should have been two separate storylines. Avro, Jace, & Raine or Kai & Raine. In literally no way does it make sense to have them happening at the same time 🙄

#3 being the absolute clownery of Kai being a ✨murderer ✨ like we get it

[Lammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

Every once in awhile you read a book that ticks every single box. EVERY BOX. This was that book. The characters were incredible and so was the story line. There was heat …love.. and angst. My heart broke for these characters and what they have been through. It also soared for what they have become.

Onto book 3. Brooklyn Cross … your talent amazes me 😢☺️

[Megsy Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Traumatised

Spoilers ahead This book was recommended via TikTok

………

Rain is trying to escape her traumatic past and finds herself falling for her co-worker Avro. We quickly learn that those feelings are reciprocated. Avro makes his move when his “other” love returns and he tries to convince Rain to become a permanent part of a threesome.

Now the lead up to this good and there’s plenty of hot sword ⚔️ crossing scenes.

But from here the author loses me.

We learn that as a young teen Raine was besotted with her childhood friend and foster brother Kai. But after they share a kiss she freaks out and runs. Kai is an underground fighter and after some soul searching Raine goes to face him.

It’s here where we learn Raine was abducted, beaten, raped repeatedly by 3 different men and then left for dead when she gets stabbed multiple times. She identifies Kai as one of her attackers and he goes to prison for ten years.

Fast forward 11 years later and Kai is full of rage and out for revenge. Working as an enforcer for the Lost Souls, death is his occupation. He spies Raine working in a bar and so he seeks out his retribution.

Kai breaks into her house, assaults her (throws her across the room), hits her and chokes her to the point of her passing out. Now beaten and terrified he carries Rain to her room and rapes her, despite her pleas to stop, she fights him, screams, cries and it is a traumatic experience, however the author then has Raine orgasm several times through this experience! Are you for real!

We then have a flashback to Avro being raped as a teen by his uncle.

So yeah this book has a lot of trauma.

Our writer tries to redeem Kai ‘s action by having Raine admit she likes the rough and fight type of sex.

Kai goes on the hunt to find and end the three men that raped Raine as a teen.

There’s more fighting and more aggression when Kai confronts Jace & Avro Raine runs.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should expect this by this point- Brooklyn Cross books are a rollercoaster. Y'all I legit never knew what was going to happen next. I honestly still have no idea how book 2 will go.

This one is dark, twisted, so much trauma. Please check triggers first.

Audio: Narrated by PJ Freebourn, Richard Brock, Nowhere Eternity, and Audrey Obeyn- I loved the full cast. I do think the extra sound effects sometimes were a little too much but overall, enjoyed it.
POV: Multi POV
Standalone: No- ends on a cliffhanger
Tropes/Vibes:
- stalker
- MMF
- MC
- second chance
- rockstar
- friends to lovers

[Nattyclibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in a chokehold. I read this in one day and I can't stop thinking about it. This was my first Brooklyn Cross read and it definitely won't be my last!

The storyline was incredible. The character development was so well written. It was dark and spicy and I even teared up when Jace was telling his story.

The moment Raine realized it wasn't Kai, my heart broke. Although I was so angry at Kai in that moment, I was also heartbroken for Raines realization.

The relationship between Avro and Raine was incredible. The way he was so understanding of Raines past without knowing the full story. He was patient and respectful and it was beautiful to read.

And then we have Jace and Avro, the power couple. I loved everything about this relationship. They have been through so much together and despite everything are so deeply in love with one another. I hope we get a lot more of their past in the next book.

Roach was hilarious and I hope to know more about him in the next book!

The ending made me angry, only because i now have to wait until May to know what happens.

Can we take a minute to talk about Wilder. I've never been so torn on how to feel about a character before. He is so incredibly creepy and does he have a hostage... like I need to know more about him! I feel like I'll have a lot more answers in the next book.

[Kandace_Bookaholic_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like crack!!! And its why choose!! Im sold i devoured this and cant wait for the conclusion in book 2

[Becca Sabala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible.
From beginning to end I was hooked. This book is full of angst and steam, and it’s impossible to put down.

Rains I had overcome so much in her life starting from a young age, and she finally finds someone who she can depend on. Then her life gets turned upside down by the one person she least expects. She’s forced to grow up quickly and fix herself since she has nobody to depend on to help her through it.

Avro is so incredibly sweet, he’s the best of both worlds and oh so yummy.
Jace is the sweet and sexy rockstar but when he whips that dominant side out 🥵🥵🥵
Then there’s Kai, the man whose life gets blown to bits at a young age. Betrayed by the one person he’s ever cared about and he has no idea why. He goes through a lot over the years, and ends up finding a new family in his MC. Only for his past and his future to collide again.

I can’t wait for surrender!!!

[Lauren promisevideo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book weeks ago now and I still can't even decide how I feel about it.

This review has some spoilers, so don't read on if you want to go in completely blind.

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Initially, you had me with our FMC's back story leading to her current situation. Her exploration with Avro/Jace made sense to me based on her history and I felt Avro and Jace each brought something unique to the relationship dynamic, which I feel is important in a Why Choose scenario.

Where you started to lose me was with some of the details on Raine/Kai's past and how it played out. It feels like a bit of a stretch that Kai would have been convicted based on the evidence (or lack thereof)... Wouldn't Raine have been covered in DNA that wasn't Kai's? I know we make some degree of ~*factual allowances*~ for fictional stories, but it wasn't fully believable for me. It all felt like too big of a miscommunication.

Next, Kai gets out of prison and decides to ACTUALLY commit the crime he was falsely accused of in an act of revenge to prove he didn't do it the first time? And we're not talking dub-con here, we're talking he straight up purposely attacks her in the name of payback and punishment (which we're expected to forgive later) because his plan WAS to straight up unalive her but he can't bring himself to do it. I don't know, I've read my fair share of books that handle non-con and dub-con but the way it was done here just didn't work for me.

Where you fully lost me was with the idea that moving forward, the relationship will continue to be Why Choose with Avro/Jace AND Kai. I can't see a world based on Kai's personality where that dynamic is believable and he is interested in joining their poly relationship situation. Nothing about how his personality was portrayed in book one made that feel realistic for me as a possible book two outcome. I think this would have made sense as an Avro/Jace/Raine story OR a Raine/Kai story, but the two storylines blended together didn't work for me.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing and like an action movie playing out in my head with each word I read! There were so many layers to this story and I was on the edge of my seat as each mystery came up and some questions got answered! I’m pretty sure Jace is my favorite but Avro is so sweet and Kai is deliciously unhinged. I honestly need book 2 asap!

Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
CHECK TWS!!!!!!!!

[Billie Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!! Avro, Jace, and Kaivan are drool worthy. Another book in the Lost Souls’ world … yasssss!

[Khadija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for providing the advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was written in a way that kept me hooked from beginning to end, which, if anything, proves the writer's talent .

First, I would like to point out that this novel is not for everyone. It addresses many sensitive issues, including rape—specifically statutory rape (rape of minors)—drugs, murder, self harm ,stalking, prison and the horrific things that happen inside, family neglect, psycho ,abuse, losing family, feeling lost. It also contains powerful, traumas for almost every character.
please note that it features explicit sexual scenes and a very high level of spice."

The type of relationships—or romantic relationships—between the characters in this book is : -MMC-FMC-MMFC.

What to expect:

Trauma-Stalking-Revenge-Motorcycle Club-Multi POV-Enemies to Lovers-Jealous Possessive.

Well, I want to say that this type of relationship (sexual sharing). isn't really my thing but this novel It features a unique backstory for each character—spanning both the past and the present—and a compelling plot. It also shows how the hardships and psychological traumas they endured made them stronger, or at least shows how others helped them overcome these challenges and grow stronger.

The writing style was easy to read and easy to follow.

I have a point to raise regarding Kai unjust imprisonment and his inability to defend himself: how did they rely solely on Raine testimony—without any DNA analysis or other evidence—to convict him? This raises serious questions.

What I was hoping for was that Raine relationship with Kai would improve after she accusing him of raping her and having him imprisoned for ten years, only to realize later that she had accused the wrong person. and the relationship between Jace and Avro to remain strictly between the two of them.

The audio narration was absolutely superb; they did a truly amazing job bringing the story to life. In fact, I have never heard a performance of such quality before.good job 🩷

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of RH and I’m so picky about my tropes etc. I received this as an ARC, it’s my first MC book that I have ever read and my god I loved it!

This book had everything I look for in an RH read.

Firstly, Kai 🖤 he has my heart.

This book had everything I could ask for; multi point of view, dark romance, spice, it was an emotional rollercoaster and there were hot, emotionally damaged guys it it 🤷🏻‍♀️👀

Kai finishes his 10 year prison sentence and decides that he’s going to get revenge on his foster sister Raine who is already dealing with her own trauma.

Brooklyn managed to write an intriguing storyline for of her characters, each unique in their own way. On top of this, she wrote a story that was gripping and in depth keeping me wanting more.

There was a good amount of spice to plot with plenty of kinks to keep you entertained.

If you’re looking for a fast burn, dark RH romance with dirty talking alphaholes then give this a go. If you want friends to lovers, this is the book for you… honestly, I could go on. It has everything and more 🖤🥵

 Obviously, check your triggers before proceeding because there may be something that make you uncomfortable such as Dub/NonCon.

Also… Kai 🥹🥵🖤

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg what a great book and the cliffhanger left me speachless. The characters are terrific. They all suffered from some kind of trauma.

Snake a pycho, he's the enforcer of the MC. I feel really bad for what he went through. The hatred and revenge he feels is 100% understand able. He had my heart from the beginning.

Avro is a jerk in my opinion for some stuff he did. I can feel the love he has for Jace throughout the book. Also can see where he does care for Raine also.

Jace am still confused about. He is hot then cold with the idea of Raine. He had a major life trauma and you can tell that he confused.

Raine i love this character. She has gone through alot when she was younger. The belief that your best friend and someone that you loved could hurt you the way she was is heartbreaking. I enjoyed watching how she starts to let her wall down and become more confident in her skin.

I can honestly say that once you start this book your not going to want to put it down. The second book can't be released soon enough.