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Cruel Orchid
Val is a broken woman haunted by the evil of her past. She can't escape the ominous shadow that clings to her or the monsters, both paranormal and human, that threaten to consume her. Stuck between her loyalties to them and her own inner demons, Val must make choices that seem impossible.
No longer just empty - Val is hollow, a shell of her former self. Ten years ago, she left Forest Haven and the love and acceptance she finally found there. Pain and memories are her only companions. Despite Madoc’s attempts to heal her wounded soul, he can’t reach her.
Shattered by the loss of Val, he’s given up and given in to what he hates the most. Dev struggles to get from night to night. Now a full-time enforcer, he dreams of death. Val’s death and then his own.
Bela and the twins haven't given up on finding their Sun. As their powers grow, they realize the only way to reach her is through Dev. They secretly ally themselves with him, biding their time until they can claim the freedom they left behind years ago.
Can they reclaim what they have lost and still have a future?
This is a dark story with broken creatures. If you don’t like pitch black darkness this might not be for you. It is also written from a third person point of view - if you prefer first person this might not be a right fit for you.
This particular book in the series is the second out of four - there will not be a HEA at the end - that won’t happen until book four. If that is a problem this probably isn’t the book for you. PLEASE read the content warning!
No longer just empty - Val is hollow, a shell of her former self. Ten years ago, she left Forest Haven and the love and acceptance she finally found there. Pain and memories are her only companions. Despite Madoc’s attempts to heal her wounded soul, he can’t reach her.
Shattered by the loss of Val, he’s given up and given in to what he hates the most. Dev struggles to get from night to night. Now a full-time enforcer, he dreams of death. Val’s death and then his own.
Bela and the twins haven't given up on finding their Sun. As their powers grow, they realize the only way to reach her is through Dev. They secretly ally themselves with him, biding their time until they can claim the freedom they left behind years ago.
Can they reclaim what they have lost and still have a future?
This is a dark story with broken creatures. If you don’t like pitch black darkness this might not be for you. It is also written from a third person point of view - if you prefer first person this might not be a right fit for you.
This particular book in the series is the second out of four - there will not be a HEA at the end - that won’t happen until book four. If that is a problem this probably isn’t the book for you. PLEASE read the content warning!
Paperback
First published January 1, 2023
2 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Ryana Hunter
6 books26 followersI write compelling dark stories to remind the world of things forgotten and challenge their perception of reality, relationships and beyond by giving voices to characters that are not mainstream.
Ryana is an author working in prose, screen, and comic books. She is drawn to flaws and darkness, finding honesty and depth lurking there. Some of the most interesting stories are hidden behind the day-to-day facade we protect ourselves with. She scratches at the surface, flips the coin over, and keeps digging until she finds the soul of a story.
She lives in a small island town in the wilds of the east coast. When she’s not writing or enthralling people with her oral storytelling, she can be found relaxing with a cup of coffee, designing house layouts or painting with diamonds.
Ryana is an author working in prose, screen, and comic books. She is drawn to flaws and darkness, finding honesty and depth lurking there. Some of the most interesting stories are hidden behind the day-to-day facade we protect ourselves with. She scratches at the surface, flips the coin over, and keeps digging until she finds the soul of a story.
She lives in a small island town in the wilds of the east coast. When she’s not writing or enthralling people with her oral storytelling, she can be found relaxing with a cup of coffee, designing house layouts or painting with diamonds.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 22, 2023
Do you have a favorite trope?! Found family and Why Choose are two of my top favorites and Cruel Orchid definitely delivered!
🌟OUT NOW🌟
Blurb:
Val is no longer just empty - she's hollow, a shell of her former self. Ten years ago, she left Forest Haven and the love and acceptance she had finally found there. Now, pain and memories are her only companions. Despite Madoc’s attempts to heal her wounded soul, he cannot seem to reach her.
Shattered by the loss of Val, he’d given up and given in to what he hated the most. Now a full time enforcer, after he was saved from himself and Hell, Dev struggles to get from night to night. He dreams of death. Val’s death and then his own.
But Bela and the twins haven't given up on finding their Sun. As their powers grow, they realize the only way to reach her is through Dev. So they secretly ally themselves with him, biding their time until they can claim the freedom they left behind years ago.
Can they reclaim what they have lost and still have a future?
Author: @ryanahunter23
Tour Co: @boundbymischief
#orchidbbmtour #bbmas #boundbymischief #ryanahunter #cruelorchid
🌟OUT NOW🌟
Blurb:
Val is no longer just empty - she's hollow, a shell of her former self. Ten years ago, she left Forest Haven and the love and acceptance she had finally found there. Now, pain and memories are her only companions. Despite Madoc’s attempts to heal her wounded soul, he cannot seem to reach her.
Shattered by the loss of Val, he’d given up and given in to what he hated the most. Now a full time enforcer, after he was saved from himself and Hell, Dev struggles to get from night to night. He dreams of death. Val’s death and then his own.
But Bela and the twins haven't given up on finding their Sun. As their powers grow, they realize the only way to reach her is through Dev. So they secretly ally themselves with him, biding their time until they can claim the freedom they left behind years ago.
Can they reclaim what they have lost and still have a future?
Author: @ryanahunter23
Tour Co: @boundbymischief
#orchidbbmtour #bbmas #boundbymischief #ryanahunter #cruelorchid
June 16, 2023
After the cliffhanger ending of the first book, I was so ready to jump right into this book. It has been a long time since the gang has been back together. Yet, it is not all joyous between Dev and Val. There is some built up animosity between Dev and Val. However, it just makes the moments between them that much spicier.
I liked getting to better know Ren, Gideon, and Bela. While I already did like Bela from the first book, this time around it was Ren that got to me. He will not be as high up as Dev, but he is a close second. Someone that grew on me as well is Val's husband, Madoc. In the beginning, he was a butthead but as time passed and the story progressed, he turned out to not be so bad. He really did love Val.
I am really into this series and can't wait to continue on this journey with everyone in the next book. Ryana has written a rich world with characters that have found places in my heart. So dark and delicious.
I liked getting to better know Ren, Gideon, and Bela. While I already did like Bela from the first book, this time around it was Ren that got to me. He will not be as high up as Dev, but he is a close second. Someone that grew on me as well is Val's husband, Madoc. In the beginning, he was a butthead but as time passed and the story progressed, he turned out to not be so bad. He really did love Val.
I am really into this series and can't wait to continue on this journey with everyone in the next book. Ryana has written a rich world with characters that have found places in my heart. So dark and delicious.
August 19, 2023
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5
I really enjoyed the added POVs in this one. Yes, including Madoc. He definitely provided a different feel to this already wild crew.
It is usually challenging to love more than one book in a series for me, but I can definitely say both book 1 and 2 provided a level of satisfaction for me. I loved this one, because it brought details of the 10 years they were separated, to include details of how each one struggled through it. I loved that the author did not keep me guessing.
I truly loved this book in the series because it gave me more of the 'why choose' feel, and of course I ate that up.
I loved how everyone tried their best in including Madoc in their group, even though they said they would not do that.
The only thing I wish, and I hope to get, is more time with Gideon and Bela. I want that for them all to be included. Is there more in book 3? I hope 🤞🏽
The author is doing amazing in this series, seriously looking to continue it. 🖤
I really enjoyed the added POVs in this one. Yes, including Madoc. He definitely provided a different feel to this already wild crew.
It is usually challenging to love more than one book in a series for me, but I can definitely say both book 1 and 2 provided a level of satisfaction for me. I loved this one, because it brought details of the 10 years they were separated, to include details of how each one struggled through it. I loved that the author did not keep me guessing.
I truly loved this book in the series because it gave me more of the 'why choose' feel, and of course I ate that up.
I loved how everyone tried their best in including Madoc in their group, even though they said they would not do that.
The only thing I wish, and I hope to get, is more time with Gideon and Bela. I want that for them all to be included. Is there more in book 3? I hope 🤞🏽
The author is doing amazing in this series, seriously looking to continue it. 🖤
June 2, 2023
This book is dark and intense and has all the triggers, but it was so good to slip back into this world of monsters again. Val has been gone for 10 years and finds herself broken and missing those she left behind, even though she's married to Maddoc now. But as luck would have it when she thinks she's dreaming, she connects with dev and they finally find their sun. Relationships are formed and strained and everyone is keeping secrets, but they all dare to hope that one day they'll be free. I loved getting back into ren, gideons, belas, vals, and devs head. I wasn't sure how to feel about maddoc at first, but by the end he had grown on me. It was interesting getting more backstory for everyone and I'm excited to see what will happen in the next book with the big meeting and if vals true secrets will be revealed.
April 24, 2023
So Cruel Orchid. To start i was hooked on Ryana's story from start of Savage Petal . My heart is compketely in Dev's little Demi Demon hands but then also Ren invaded my heart and asked for space in it.. so off went my heart and made space for Ren as well. The story is not your run off the mill monster/ shape shifter story . I got invested in well being of all the original characters and Cruel Orchid kept me wanting to find out more about them. the twist in the end makes you understand the siblings abit more. Cruel Orchid is a bit of slow burn love story . Dev has to find a way to deal with Ren and Gideon as well as an outsider and his anger ( yep Dev has anger issues and you kind of find out reason for it at end of the book. He also has to learn to forgive Val. . I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. TY Ryana for writing such an imaginative story. And TY for your friendship and many IG dms where we talk about my monster boohs. Barb 5/5 stars
June 26, 2023
Warning: This book is DARK! Ten years later then book 1 in the series, one more character (a human psychopath as husband) has been added and made life even more complicated. They are all still trying to get free, but now some of the softer emotions have darkened.
I still feel a little bit lost in this series, but my assumption is that more of the events are going to be revealed in the later installments. Even though I'm confused at points, I cannot stop reading.
I still feel a little bit lost in this series, but my assumption is that more of the events are going to be revealed in the later installments. Even though I'm confused at points, I cannot stop reading.
August 24, 2023
RATING: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Such a great read. I loved that i got to read and learn about everyones pov. They were all different and interesting. I like that they decided to work together even after 10 years. It was interesting having Madoc’s pov also. He became a fav character for me. The details, and awesome writing of this story were intriguing in a way that kept me wanting more. If you want to read a great book, and series,You have to read this!!
June 28, 2023
If you love DARK books, then this one is absolutely perfect for you. We are back in the world of monsters in Cruel Orchid, and I was so here for it. After reading Savage Petal and the way it ended, I was so excited for this book. I loved Dev and Val, the rest of the characters, and the whole story in general. This is a wonderful series, and I'm excited to see what's next.
August 21, 2023
Dark. Monster Romance. Why choose. Dual POV. Need I say more?
This was my first venture into a world by this author and it won’t be the last - this was dark, intense, and even though it’s book 2, I didn’t have time to read book 1 prior to and everything still made total sense, which I loved! Absolutely not my last read by this author 👌🏻
This was my first venture into a world by this author and it won’t be the last - this was dark, intense, and even though it’s book 2, I didn’t have time to read book 1 prior to and everything still made total sense, which I loved! Absolutely not my last read by this author 👌🏻
August 26, 2023
This book was great! It was so easy to get back into the world after book one. I loved seeing all the characters again and how their relationships with each other developed. I’m definitely invested in this series and can’t wait to read the next!
October 24, 2023
Dark monster why choose romance?! Yes please!! Loved it hooked me from the very beginning , I really enjoyed it and I highly recommend
November 29, 2023
Phenomenal.
This is such a complex story that addresses everything from slavery and the drive to be free to mental illness. The characters are intricate and enigmatic. The plot is compelling. Each installment ends on a cliffhanger. I'll be waiting anxiously for the next release.
This is such a complex story that addresses everything from slavery and the drive to be free to mental illness. The characters are intricate and enigmatic. The plot is compelling. Each installment ends on a cliffhanger. I'll be waiting anxiously for the next release.
September 24, 2023
What an incredible job. I was given this book for an honest review. So many times I was lost in tears for such heartbreaking words. It was dark and gritty and yet so much love and adoration. Dev can be my demon daddy any day of the week that’s for sure. I am very impatiently awaiting book three!
November 3, 2023
Fascinatingly bizarre!
This is the first book I have read in this series. Val and Madoc are like actors on a stage – masquerading as people they are not in a relationship that is just as fake as they are. Hang on for a strange ride when their real selves finally break through. Things get even wilder when they are found by her old “family”. This book can be read as a standalone but I want to read the first one now so I understand all the characters and interactions better. I received an advance copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
This is the first book I have read in this series. Val and Madoc are like actors on a stage – masquerading as people they are not in a relationship that is just as fake as they are. Hang on for a strange ride when their real selves finally break through. Things get even wilder when they are found by her old “family”. This book can be read as a standalone but I want to read the first one now so I understand all the characters and interactions better. I received an advance copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews