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Toxic Love #2
Wild and Bright: Ein Halbes Jahr Mit Einem Rockstar
Der große Bruder meines besten Freundes hat mich immer gehasst, doch jetzt will er mich in seinem Bett haben.
Nach einem schrecklichen Streit mit meiner Mutter stehe ich kurz davor, auf die Straße geworfen zu werden. Mein kleines Mädchen braucht mich, aber ich habe keine Ahnung, wie ich uns retten soll, wenn ich in meinen Studienschulden ertrinke. Ich bekomme einfach keine Atempause.
Zumindest, bis er auftaucht.
Seine mürrische Herrlichkeit, Camden Hayes. Berühmter Leadsänger einer Folkrock-Band und notorischer Kontrollfreak. Vor Jahren hat er etwas Grausames zu mir gesagt, woraufhin ich in meiner Wut etwas Dummes getan habe, um mich an ihm zu rächen. Und das hat er mir nie verziehen.
Heute hat er mir ein Angebot gemacht, das ich nicht ablehnen kann. Wenn ich für die nächsten sechs Monate bei ihm einziehe und seine falsche Freundin mit gewissen Vorzügen bin, wird er all meine Schulden zurückzahlen.
Ich sollte ihm nicht vertrauen. Warum in aller Welt sollte er mich wollen, das langweilige Mädchen von nebenan, wenn er jede Frau haben kann, die er will?
Aber wenn ich in seine dunklen Augen schaue und seinem durchdringenden Blick begegne, zieht sich in mir alles zusammen. Ich will ihn triezen, und von ihm dominiert werden.
Ich bin noch nie in der Lage gewesen, ihm zu widerstehen, auch wenn ich weiß, dass ich mein Herz besser schützen sollte.
Anmerkung der Eine Liste der Inhaltswarnungen findet sich auf meiner Webseite.
Nach einem schrecklichen Streit mit meiner Mutter stehe ich kurz davor, auf die Straße geworfen zu werden. Mein kleines Mädchen braucht mich, aber ich habe keine Ahnung, wie ich uns retten soll, wenn ich in meinen Studienschulden ertrinke. Ich bekomme einfach keine Atempause.
Zumindest, bis er auftaucht.
Seine mürrische Herrlichkeit, Camden Hayes. Berühmter Leadsänger einer Folkrock-Band und notorischer Kontrollfreak. Vor Jahren hat er etwas Grausames zu mir gesagt, woraufhin ich in meiner Wut etwas Dummes getan habe, um mich an ihm zu rächen. Und das hat er mir nie verziehen.
Heute hat er mir ein Angebot gemacht, das ich nicht ablehnen kann. Wenn ich für die nächsten sechs Monate bei ihm einziehe und seine falsche Freundin mit gewissen Vorzügen bin, wird er all meine Schulden zurückzahlen.
Ich sollte ihm nicht vertrauen. Warum in aller Welt sollte er mich wollen, das langweilige Mädchen von nebenan, wenn er jede Frau haben kann, die er will?
Aber wenn ich in seine dunklen Augen schaue und seinem durchdringenden Blick begegne, zieht sich in mir alles zusammen. Ich will ihn triezen, und von ihm dominiert werden.
Ich bin noch nie in der Lage gewesen, ihm zu widerstehen, auch wenn ich weiß, dass ich mein Herz besser schützen sollte.
Anmerkung der Eine Liste der Inhaltswarnungen findet sich auf meiner Webseite.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2022
461 people are currently reading
3679 people want to read
About the author
Skyler Mason
14 books1,173 followersSkyler is a romance novel reader first and foremost. Her books feature strong heroines who sometimes make their heroes cry, but only because they deserve it. After all, if romance isn’t angsty, is it even worth it?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
November 16, 2021
I can't wait to share this book with everyone! Lauren and Camden's dynamic is FIRE! Wild and Bright has all of my favorite tropes, including:
-Grumpy, bossy hero paired with a feisty heroine who won't do a thing he says
-Boy next door comes back to town
-Hero who's always carried a torch for the heroine, even if he's in denial about it
-Epic hero grovel
I'm not kidding when I tell you I poured into this book my adoration of the romance genre. Every single scene has something I grew up loving, especially the grovel! I put this poor hero through hell in the latter part of the book, because naturally he deserved it ;)
Want an ARC of this book?? There are still copies available on Booksprout!
-Grumpy, bossy hero paired with a feisty heroine who won't do a thing he says
-Boy next door comes back to town
-Hero who's always carried a torch for the heroine, even if he's in denial about it
-Epic hero grovel
I'm not kidding when I tell you I poured into this book my adoration of the romance genre. Every single scene has something I grew up loving, especially the grovel! I put this poor hero through hell in the latter part of the book, because naturally he deserved it ;)
Want an ARC of this book?? There are still copies available on Booksprout!
January 5, 2022
What even was this, it was so rushed and the two love interests were so bipolar i couldn’t tell if they actually were developing their relationship or if they still hated each other
December 20, 2021
I wanted to love this so bad, I was really excited for it and it featured some of my favourite tropes, but it was just romanticised emotional abuse and possessive behaviour and it was not cute or attractive at all. Cam was irredeemable and it wasn’t an enjoyable read at all. I’ve read my fair share of darker romances with overprotective male leads but this was just an uncomfortable read that left me feeling really unsettled.
He’s unbearable for 99% of the book and it’s seen as okay because she made a mistake, which was his fault, 4 years ago and is throwing HIMSELF a pity party because his brother’s an alcoholic, all whilst constantly antagonising him. He constantly acknowledges the fact he has an issue but then makes the same mistakes over again with little to no consequences, because the female lead just gives into him every time. He has such a low opinion of her and absolutely zero respect for her and we’re supposed to root for him?
I also really hated the fact the BDSM dynamic was just pushed into the book randomly with little to no communication about it outside of sex.
His terrible behaviour is seen as a quirky personality trait and “He’s just a control freak!” I get that the author was trying to give the ‘brooding bad boy’ but it really missed the mark, Cam is awful, manipulative and abusive and this sort of thing shouldn’t be normalised as okay just because ‘he loves her so much.’
He’s unbearable for 99% of the book and it’s seen as okay because she made a mistake, which was his fault, 4 years ago and is throwing HIMSELF a pity party because his brother’s an alcoholic, all whilst constantly antagonising him. He constantly acknowledges the fact he has an issue but then makes the same mistakes over again with little to no consequences, because the female lead just gives into him every time. He has such a low opinion of her and absolutely zero respect for her and we’re supposed to root for him?
I also really hated the fact the BDSM dynamic was just pushed into the book randomly with little to no communication about it outside of sex.
His terrible behaviour is seen as a quirky personality trait and “He’s just a control freak!” I get that the author was trying to give the ‘brooding bad boy’ but it really missed the mark, Cam is awful, manipulative and abusive and this sort of thing shouldn’t be normalised as okay just because ‘he loves her so much.’
November 29, 2021
Overall:2/5
Spice 2/5
Tropes this had:
-Grumpy sunshine
-brother's best friend (the girl is the hero's brother's best friend!)
-Second chance romance (kinda!)
-single mom
-rockstar
-sugar baby situations where he asks her to move in with him and be his live-in gf for 6 months
-grovelling (somewhat)
There's a lot going on in this book (as you can tell by that list!) that I almost wish there was less going on...
Things missing:
-tension
I was looking forward to seeing lots of sexual tension and angst because from the first chapter I knew it was a kind of second chance romance but unfortunately there was no tension, they jump straight to the deep end. It really was disappointing because the story had so much potential, the characters had funny banter and their personalities were perfect for a tension-filled story that would make me want to scream at the book "just F already!" but alas...
-character development
-The FMC is very immature and she knows it. There is very little growth happening to her character in the book. she only makes one mature decision at the very end of the book, and I just didn't buy that she's all of a sudden a changed woman.
-The hero also doesn't have any growth either. He knows his faults yet he continues to behave and think the same. He has such a low opinion of the FMC that I just couldn't believe that he loved her that much. how can you love someone if you don't respect them? If you don't trust them? even at the very end he still doesn't think much of her. He only grovels because in his own words he doesn't care what he has to do/say to get her back, he'll do/say it and I'm sorry but that's manipulative.
-unclear history
I kept waiting for there to be a flashback scene where we find out what exactly happened on that fateful night 5 years ago. Unfortunately, we only get vague mentions of that night. I still don't understand what Cam said that made Lauren want to go and sleep with HIS BROTHER who is also her BEST FRIEND right after she slept with Cam...
I kept thinking Cam must have misunderstood what he saw but again no, Lauren really was that dumb to pull something like that off.
-who cares whose genes Laurens's daughter has, she decides who the father is because she can!
Then she finds out she was pregnant, Lauren somehow rationalises to herself that "biology doesn't matter" and she chooses who the father of the child is based on which of these guys was nicer to her at the time... What? biology does matter especially when it comes to paternity. You can't just say Ry is the father because he was going to make a better father!!!!
I really wish I liked this more. It had a lot of potentials but failed to deliver.
Spice 2/5
Tropes this had:
-Grumpy sunshine
-brother's best friend (the girl is the hero's brother's best friend!)
-Second chance romance (kinda!)
-single mom
-rockstar
-sugar baby situations where he asks her to move in with him and be his live-in gf for 6 months
-grovelling (somewhat)
There's a lot going on in this book (as you can tell by that list!) that I almost wish there was less going on...
Things missing:
-tension
I was looking forward to seeing lots of sexual tension and angst because from the first chapter I knew it was a kind of second chance romance but unfortunately there was no tension, they jump straight to the deep end. It really was disappointing because the story had so much potential, the characters had funny banter and their personalities were perfect for a tension-filled story that would make me want to scream at the book "just F already!" but alas...
-character development
-The FMC is very immature and she knows it. There is very little growth happening to her character in the book. she only makes one mature decision at the very end of the book, and I just didn't buy that she's all of a sudden a changed woman.
-The hero also doesn't have any growth either. He knows his faults yet he continues to behave and think the same. He has such a low opinion of the FMC that I just couldn't believe that he loved her that much. how can you love someone if you don't respect them? If you don't trust them? even at the very end he still doesn't think much of her. He only grovels because in his own words he doesn't care what he has to do/say to get her back, he'll do/say it and I'm sorry but that's manipulative.
-unclear history
I kept waiting for there to be a flashback scene where we find out what exactly happened on that fateful night 5 years ago. Unfortunately, we only get vague mentions of that night. I still don't understand what Cam said that made Lauren want to go and sleep with HIS BROTHER who is also her BEST FRIEND right after she slept with Cam...
I kept thinking Cam must have misunderstood what he saw but again no, Lauren really was that dumb to pull something like that off.
-who cares whose genes Laurens's daughter has, she decides who the father is because she can!
Then she finds out she was pregnant, Lauren somehow rationalises to herself that "biology doesn't matter" and she chooses who the father of the child is based on which of these guys was nicer to her at the time... What? biology does matter especially when it comes to paternity. You can't just say Ry is the father because he was going to make a better father!!!!
I really wish I liked this more. It had a lot of potentials but failed to deliver.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2022
What a stupid fucking book.
1) fmc is incredibly immature, loose Canon, doesn't think things through, selfish. mmc is an overbearing control freak, borderline emotionally abusive. their whole love story is weird, doesn't make sense, their back and fourth is incredibly annoying. he thought she cheated on him when they were teens and now he's paying her for sex so he can be close to her. weird stuff. then all of a sudden in the end they both do a 180 and it's woohoo we're normal now, super compatible!!!
2) fmc has a child(4 yr old). thinks it could be the mmc child but doesn't tell him because of her own insecurities, let's another man act as her dad. when the truth comes out she says let's wait until she's older so she can decide if she wants to know which her real dad is, until then you can both be her dads! WHAT? incredibly selfish, if i was her daughter I'd hate the shit out of her. fmc is told repeatedly she's a shit mum and sometimes I agreed with that. OF COURSE SHES GOING TO WANT TO KNOW WHO HER REAL DAD IS? and its so unfair on the 'other' dad who doesn't know he may not be the father!!
3) at the end the mmc admitted he was wrong and agreed to work on himself so whatever I guess. however fmc took ZERO responsibility for her actions, she's honestly such a bubble headed bimbo.
4) every single character in this book is so incredibly flawed and annoying. honestly the book would have been better if every single character just died.
very disappointing tbh as I did start out being excited for this but that's the thing about tiktok recommendations- EXTREMELY hit or miss.
1) fmc is incredibly immature, loose Canon, doesn't think things through, selfish. mmc is an overbearing control freak, borderline emotionally abusive. their whole love story is weird, doesn't make sense, their back and fourth is incredibly annoying. he thought she cheated on him when they were teens and now he's paying her for sex so he can be close to her. weird stuff. then all of a sudden in the end they both do a 180 and it's woohoo we're normal now, super compatible!!!
2) fmc has a child(4 yr old). thinks it could be the mmc child but doesn't tell him because of her own insecurities, let's another man act as her dad. when the truth comes out she says let's wait until she's older so she can decide if she wants to know which her real dad is, until then you can both be her dads! WHAT? incredibly selfish, if i was her daughter I'd hate the shit out of her. fmc is told repeatedly she's a shit mum and sometimes I agreed with that. OF COURSE SHES GOING TO WANT TO KNOW WHO HER REAL DAD IS? and its so unfair on the 'other' dad who doesn't know he may not be the father!!
3) at the end the mmc admitted he was wrong and agreed to work on himself so whatever I guess. however fmc took ZERO responsibility for her actions, she's honestly such a bubble headed bimbo.
4) every single character in this book is so incredibly flawed and annoying. honestly the book would have been better if every single character just died.
very disappointing tbh as I did start out being excited for this but that's the thing about tiktok recommendations- EXTREMELY hit or miss.
November 28, 2021
I really loved Lauren and how she grows and matures throughout the book and tries to pull herself away and change the image of herself that other people (her mom mainly) see her as! Camden is the guy that everyone wants by the sound of him. Looks, money, fame and domineering (especially in the bedroom 🥵🔥) He of course has his own set of problems like not trusting people which I totally got as his brother wasn't easy to trust considering his past. I went into this book completely blind, never read the first book but when the author asked if I wanted to read her new angsty book before it released I said yes because angsty was all I needed to know and it definitely didn't disappoint! I'm so glad things worked out in the end especially for that little girl! She was the sweetest and deserves the best!
November 12, 2021
Cameron is a control freak who has had an obsession on his childhood crush who also happens to be his brothers best friend. Well Lauren is very feisty and doesn’t like being told what to do so of course they will be butting heads. Lauren is having issues and Cameron offers to help her. But there are some conditions.
There are gonna be times you love these two and then the next moment they have you feeling ragey . You’re gonna wanna yell at them to get their shit together (Which they finally do). But before the do they have a huge fight but they find there way back. Don’t worry there is plenty of grovel.
Thank you Skyler for the ARC, I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to read about the next couple🤩🤩
There are gonna be times you love these two and then the next moment they have you feeling ragey . You’re gonna wanna yell at them to get their shit together (Which they finally do). But before the do they have a huge fight but they find there way back. Don’t worry there is plenty of grovel.
Thank you Skyler for the ARC, I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to read about the next couple🤩🤩
December 3, 2021
3.5 stars
My first book by this author, and I read it in one sitting, but I felt like I did not have the whole story at the end. So will Camden and Lauren get their second chance?
Lauren is a single mom who is successful in her own way. Her growth and confidence grow throughout the book. Camden is a rock star on a tour break who suggests a solution to get her out of a situation at home. But, as fake relationships go, they do not always stay that way. As both have histories of trust issues, will this get in the way of their happiness?
Thank you to Booksprout and the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
My first book by this author, and I read it in one sitting, but I felt like I did not have the whole story at the end. So will Camden and Lauren get their second chance?
Lauren is a single mom who is successful in her own way. Her growth and confidence grow throughout the book. Camden is a rock star on a tour break who suggests a solution to get her out of a situation at home. But, as fake relationships go, they do not always stay that way. As both have histories of trust issues, will this get in the way of their happiness?
Thank you to Booksprout and the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
November 27, 2021
4.5/5 ⭐️
Wow, this book was extremely hard to put down.
Camden is a total control freak who is crazy obsessed with Lauren, a girl he’s had a crush on since they were teenagers.
Lauren is a firecracker who doesn’t really like being told what to do.
Because they’re total opposites their relationship is hot one minute and cold the next but I was rooting for them the entire time. Their banter made me laugh and their tender moments made me swoon.
I binged it in a day, so believe me when I say… YOU NEED TO ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR RIGHT FREAKING NOW!
Thank you Skyler for sending me an early copy! 🖤
Wow, this book was extremely hard to put down.
Camden is a total control freak who is crazy obsessed with Lauren, a girl he’s had a crush on since they were teenagers.
Lauren is a firecracker who doesn’t really like being told what to do.
Because they’re total opposites their relationship is hot one minute and cold the next but I was rooting for them the entire time. Their banter made me laugh and their tender moments made me swoon.
I binged it in a day, so believe me when I say… YOU NEED TO ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR RIGHT FREAKING NOW!
Thank you Skyler for sending me an early copy! 🖤
November 15, 2021
I know some readers have to be able to connect or relate to the heroine, or better yet, like the heroine when reading a romance novel. It's just the opposite for me. I'm pretty shallow in this sense and I need to love the hero to fall for the story/book. Well, I fell for Camden pretty hard in Wild and Bright. Holy moly, he was intense! Camden’s tormented obsession with Lauren was so palpable that it made my fingers tingle reading the way he yearned for her. And, I loved seeing him tortured and so needy for her affection.
Lauren on the other hand was the title of the book, wild and bright. She was a free spirit and a hot mess but I liked her inner strength dealing with her little girl and seeing her vulnerable side with Camden.
The intensity of their relationship is what drove this book for me. But mostly, it was Camden’s broody hotness that made me love it!
comment to author-Skyler, I see Sherry Thomas's heroes in Camden-to be specific, Stuart Somerset in Delicious. Sigh! Thanks-I loved it!
Lauren on the other hand was the title of the book, wild and bright. She was a free spirit and a hot mess but I liked her inner strength dealing with her little girl and seeing her vulnerable side with Camden.
The intensity of their relationship is what drove this book for me. But mostly, it was Camden’s broody hotness that made me love it!
comment to author-Skyler, I see Sherry Thomas's heroes in Camden-to be specific, Stuart Somerset in Delicious. Sigh! Thanks-I loved it!
November 22, 2021
Wild and Bright is the second book in the “revenge” series and follows Lauren, who we met in Revenge Cake and is also Logan’s twin sister. Camden is the front man of a popular folk-rock band along with his brother, Hunter, and their childhood friend, Janie. Hunter, Camden and Lauren all grew up together in which Hunter and Lauren are best friends while Camden has secretly (or not so secret as everyone knows) been in love with Lauren since they were kids. When I say that he has been in love with her, it is to the point of obsession which again everyone knows about and makes for some incredibly funny scenes.
Lauren is a single mother to a 4-year-old daughter and lives with her parents. If you read Revenge Cake, you will know that Lauren’s mother isn’t exactly the mother of the year. After a huge blowout fight, in which they say the most horrible things to each other, her mother kicks Lauren out. When Lauren finds out that Hunter is in town after the band decides to cancel an upcoming tour, she offers to be his “wife” in exchange for pay. Obviously, Camden finds out about the offer which he completely freaks about over, so he makes his own offer to her. Six months together and he will pay off all her student debt and all her expenses. Of course, sex is part of the deal which Lauren is more than happy to indulge in that stipulation as she herself has always had feelings for him as well.
I instantly liked Lauren. She has this crazy energy that people are instantly attracted to and she is probably one of the most non-judgmental people I have read. She speaks her mind and yes, she is impulsive, but I feel like that’s part of her charm. The problem with that though is that the people in her life still believe she’s still that rebellious, wild child teenager not realizing that she doesn’t party anymore, and she has a 4-year-old daughter she places first in all of her decisions. I feel for her because of that party girl reputation, no one takes her seriously. I completely felt her frustration and I got teary eyed in several scenes. Camden is this super controlling, obsessed man who gets jealous if someone even looks at Lauren. For me, I love a hero like that, and it made for some very comical and swoony scenes but frankly Lauren is the main culprit in pushing his buttons because she loves his reactions towards her. Her impulsiveness drives him insane, but I couldn’t help and be amused right along with her. They are both unconventional leads and I loved that about this book.
I just love their banter and their back and forth is so funny. They’re such a great match because he’s so grumpy and she’s all spitfire and I love that he gets so worked up and jealous. I love how open and free Lauren is about sex and it would just frazzle and turn on Camden. Of course, we have those jerk Camden moments because he can be an a**hole but by the end you just want those two crazy kids to make it.
I felt that both characters showed so much growth and by the end of the book they both went through an amazing character arc. They are still the same people we met in the beginning but much more aware of themselves and they know what they need to work on which in turn made them perfect for each other without jeopardizing who they truly are. They accepted each other, faults and all. I loved that. Also, there is one hilarious scene involving Logan giving Camden relationship advise that included Leilani and Brenna as the peanut gallery and that whole scene just had me with the biggest, goofiest grin ever.
I think it goes without saying that I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book. I didn’t really know what I was getting into when I read the description of a Sugar Daddy, Rockstar romance but this is beyond any of my expectations. Skyler’s passions for writing and romance really showed through in this book and her passion can be felt. I think it’s also important to say that this can be read as a complete standalone and if I can recommend any book this year it would be this one. It’s just that damn good.
Lauren is a single mother to a 4-year-old daughter and lives with her parents. If you read Revenge Cake, you will know that Lauren’s mother isn’t exactly the mother of the year. After a huge blowout fight, in which they say the most horrible things to each other, her mother kicks Lauren out. When Lauren finds out that Hunter is in town after the band decides to cancel an upcoming tour, she offers to be his “wife” in exchange for pay. Obviously, Camden finds out about the offer which he completely freaks about over, so he makes his own offer to her. Six months together and he will pay off all her student debt and all her expenses. Of course, sex is part of the deal which Lauren is more than happy to indulge in that stipulation as she herself has always had feelings for him as well.
I instantly liked Lauren. She has this crazy energy that people are instantly attracted to and she is probably one of the most non-judgmental people I have read. She speaks her mind and yes, she is impulsive, but I feel like that’s part of her charm. The problem with that though is that the people in her life still believe she’s still that rebellious, wild child teenager not realizing that she doesn’t party anymore, and she has a 4-year-old daughter she places first in all of her decisions. I feel for her because of that party girl reputation, no one takes her seriously. I completely felt her frustration and I got teary eyed in several scenes. Camden is this super controlling, obsessed man who gets jealous if someone even looks at Lauren. For me, I love a hero like that, and it made for some very comical and swoony scenes but frankly Lauren is the main culprit in pushing his buttons because she loves his reactions towards her. Her impulsiveness drives him insane, but I couldn’t help and be amused right along with her. They are both unconventional leads and I loved that about this book.
I just love their banter and their back and forth is so funny. They’re such a great match because he’s so grumpy and she’s all spitfire and I love that he gets so worked up and jealous. I love how open and free Lauren is about sex and it would just frazzle and turn on Camden. Of course, we have those jerk Camden moments because he can be an a**hole but by the end you just want those two crazy kids to make it.
I felt that both characters showed so much growth and by the end of the book they both went through an amazing character arc. They are still the same people we met in the beginning but much more aware of themselves and they know what they need to work on which in turn made them perfect for each other without jeopardizing who they truly are. They accepted each other, faults and all. I loved that. Also, there is one hilarious scene involving Logan giving Camden relationship advise that included Leilani and Brenna as the peanut gallery and that whole scene just had me with the biggest, goofiest grin ever.
I think it goes without saying that I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book. I didn’t really know what I was getting into when I read the description of a Sugar Daddy, Rockstar romance but this is beyond any of my expectations. Skyler’s passions for writing and romance really showed through in this book and her passion can be felt. I think it’s also important to say that this can be read as a complete standalone and if I can recommend any book this year it would be this one. It’s just that damn good.
January 4, 2022
In a word, this book is: ADORABLE
Where do I begin? Skyler Mason is so funny on Tiktok and Instagram. Her writing is also super witty and fun to read. Several lines made me chuckle and some lines went straight to my heart. I don't think I've ever read a book with more realistic characters and conversations. Even though this book is filled with angst, I could honestly see two people having these same exact moments in real life. Because of this, Wild & Bright made for a very immersive reading experience. I felt like I was hanging out with Lauren and Cam and all their friends and family.
This is a true enemies to lovers (like seriously up until the last couple pages they seemed to both love and hate each other at the same time) with a second chance flare and all the toxic jealousy that comes from your best friend's brother being secretly obsessed with you for years.
Let's talk about this toxicity...Cam knows he has issues. And he REALLY does. Instead of being honest with Lauren about how he's felt for years, he offers her tons of money to be his sugar baby in hopes of cleansing her from his system for good. They go into lots of Dom/Sub play in the bedroom and it is HOT. It's also tender to watch their intimate scenes because he's so scared of loving her and yet that's so much how he feels. She is worried about getting attached because he doesn't know how to trust her. This makes for a lot of tension throughout the book. They have to work hard for their HEA.
As much as they fight and struggle, they truly have a love worth fighting for and forgiving past mistakes.
I REALLY loved how the author portrayed addiction and mommy guilt. Both of the characters are close to someone who struggles with addiction. ((Skyler, PLEASE tell me Hunter's story is coming, because I am HERE for it)) Lauren's fears as a mom felt so real and I loved seeing her grow and seeing Cam support these vulnerable parts of her.
All in all, these characters are charming and the book was a joy to read. I look forward to more from Skyler Mason!
Where do I begin? Skyler Mason is so funny on Tiktok and Instagram. Her writing is also super witty and fun to read. Several lines made me chuckle and some lines went straight to my heart. I don't think I've ever read a book with more realistic characters and conversations. Even though this book is filled with angst, I could honestly see two people having these same exact moments in real life. Because of this, Wild & Bright made for a very immersive reading experience. I felt like I was hanging out with Lauren and Cam and all their friends and family.
This is a true enemies to lovers (like seriously up until the last couple pages they seemed to both love and hate each other at the same time) with a second chance flare and all the toxic jealousy that comes from your best friend's brother being secretly obsessed with you for years.
Let's talk about this toxicity...Cam knows he has issues. And he REALLY does. Instead of being honest with Lauren about how he's felt for years, he offers her tons of money to be his sugar baby in hopes of cleansing her from his system for good. They go into lots of Dom/Sub play in the bedroom and it is HOT. It's also tender to watch their intimate scenes because he's so scared of loving her and yet that's so much how he feels. She is worried about getting attached because he doesn't know how to trust her. This makes for a lot of tension throughout the book. They have to work hard for their HEA.
As much as they fight and struggle, they truly have a love worth fighting for and forgiving past mistakes.
I REALLY loved how the author portrayed addiction and mommy guilt. Both of the characters are close to someone who struggles with addiction. ((Skyler, PLEASE tell me Hunter's story is coming, because I am HERE for it)) Lauren's fears as a mom felt so real and I loved seeing her grow and seeing Cam support these vulnerable parts of her.
All in all, these characters are charming and the book was a joy to read. I look forward to more from Skyler Mason!
November 14, 2021
I loved Revenge Cake by Skyler, so when she reached out to ask if I wanted to read this one, I literally screamed and typed “ABSOLUTELY”!
Lauren is so sweet, and matures SO much in this book. As a person, and a mother.
Camden is controlling, and loving to the point of driving himself insane.
Together? They’re toxic…..at first anyways.
They both learn so many things about themselves and what it means to be in a partnership. To accept the things they cannot change and nurture the possibility of the ones they can.
If you haven’t read Revenge Cake, you wont know that Skyler is the QUEEN of writing real people, with real issues, and real problems. Her writing is beautiful, her characters are raw and engaging. I absolutely adore the growth in every single character she writes. It’s like a drug, the book hangover you will inevitably have after finishing one of her novels is nuts!
This is a book filled with second chance romance, learning to trust yourself, and did I mention the spice? 🥵
Lauren is so sweet, and matures SO much in this book. As a person, and a mother.
Camden is controlling, and loving to the point of driving himself insane.
Together? They’re toxic…..at first anyways.
They both learn so many things about themselves and what it means to be in a partnership. To accept the things they cannot change and nurture the possibility of the ones they can.
If you haven’t read Revenge Cake, you wont know that Skyler is the QUEEN of writing real people, with real issues, and real problems. Her writing is beautiful, her characters are raw and engaging. I absolutely adore the growth in every single character she writes. It’s like a drug, the book hangover you will inevitably have after finishing one of her novels is nuts!
This is a book filled with second chance romance, learning to trust yourself, and did I mention the spice? 🥵
August 2, 2022
What was this ??
First of all, i read a lot of dark romances so I'm no stranger to obsessive tendencies and control freaks but cam was just not attractive in the way he did it
Obsessed with her for years?? Didn't like her being friends with his brother ?? TAKING HER PHONE AND SHARING HER LOCATION WITH HIMSELF WITHOUT TELLING HER??? Like it was not cute at all
And the way he just kept saying he knew what she was like and who she was when in reality he didn't?? Like he still thought she was a party girl and kept making those assumptions and kept getting proved wrong.
Besides his personality, this also felt so rushed and unrealistic, like Lauren just said the dom/sub thing so randomly and then all of a sudden they decide to start a brat dynamic with punishments without any kind of communication beforehand
And their relationship barely progressed when she said she wanted to be in a real relationship and not just a sexual agreement.
And he literally said i love you so fast after that like what
I dnf'ed this at 55%, i just could not keep reading
I didn't like the characters and i didn't like the writing
First of all, i read a lot of dark romances so I'm no stranger to obsessive tendencies and control freaks but cam was just not attractive in the way he did it
Obsessed with her for years?? Didn't like her being friends with his brother ?? TAKING HER PHONE AND SHARING HER LOCATION WITH HIMSELF WITHOUT TELLING HER??? Like it was not cute at all
And the way he just kept saying he knew what she was like and who she was when in reality he didn't?? Like he still thought she was a party girl and kept making those assumptions and kept getting proved wrong.
Besides his personality, this also felt so rushed and unrealistic, like Lauren just said the dom/sub thing so randomly and then all of a sudden they decide to start a brat dynamic with punishments without any kind of communication beforehand
And their relationship barely progressed when she said she wanted to be in a real relationship and not just a sexual agreement.
And he literally said i love you so fast after that like what
I dnf'ed this at 55%, i just could not keep reading
I didn't like the characters and i didn't like the writing
December 12, 2021
This Book Captured Me
This was one of those books that I couldn’t put down because I felt so invested in Camden and Lauren’s story. Lauren had always been friends with her neighbor Hunter who just happens to be Camden’s younger brother. Now both bothers are part of a folksy rock band who made it big and are now back home from the road because Cam thought it best for his brother who was battling some issues.
Lauren was a single mom who was living with her parents trying to pay off her school loans and rocked it in her own right with her YouTube site. Lauren’s mother was driving Lauren out with her abusive treatment of her and with the guy’s home it was Hunter who offered Lauren a “job” to move in with him for six months. Cam wasn’t having that because he was set on trying to get Lauren out of his system once and for all. So, he upped his brother’s offer and Lauren moved in with her daughter and that’s when the rollercoaster ride of emotions began.
I love rock romance books as it is and this book did not disappoint because it was chalked full of betrayals, control and plenty of steam. I would love to read more rock romances from this new to me author.
This was one of those books that I couldn’t put down because I felt so invested in Camden and Lauren’s story. Lauren had always been friends with her neighbor Hunter who just happens to be Camden’s younger brother. Now both bothers are part of a folksy rock band who made it big and are now back home from the road because Cam thought it best for his brother who was battling some issues.
Lauren was a single mom who was living with her parents trying to pay off her school loans and rocked it in her own right with her YouTube site. Lauren’s mother was driving Lauren out with her abusive treatment of her and with the guy’s home it was Hunter who offered Lauren a “job” to move in with him for six months. Cam wasn’t having that because he was set on trying to get Lauren out of his system once and for all. So, he upped his brother’s offer and Lauren moved in with her daughter and that’s when the rollercoaster ride of emotions began.
I love rock romance books as it is and this book did not disappoint because it was chalked full of betrayals, control and plenty of steam. I would love to read more rock romances from this new to me author.
December 25, 2024
No creo que haga una buena representación de las adicciones ni tampoco de la maternidad. Creo que es fácil señalar a la madre como enemiga pero literalmente esta pagando la deudas escolares de la hija para una carrera que no acabo porque dejo al primer año mientras paga que viva con ella y mantiene a la nieta. Me parece un poco wtf. A parte la hija quiere exponer en redes a su hija de CUATRO años y la madre dice "lol no vas a exponer a mi nieta" y el libro la tacha de controladora.
Ahora los personajes principales...yo se que es difícil tener todas las cosas de tu vida atadas y que vayan en buen cauce PERO escribir a un personaje femenino que todo el rato esta cagandola mientras tiene una hija de cuatro años a su cargo (cito textualmente "si tu madre quizás se encarga económicamente de tu hija pero tu estas con ella") que casi matas cuando tiene un año porque eres incapaz de unir tus dos neuronas es delito. Lauren es caprichosa, inmadura y irresponsable, y yo me he sideado con la madre durante todo el libro. Hay una frase que dice Lauren que es "me quieren pero no me respetan" pues normal después de todo lo que me has enseñado.
Tampoco es mucho mejor el personaje masculino eh que parecía un perro en celo con Lauren. Madre del amor hermoso, todo eran celos. Que si habla con un hombre aleatorio, que si un señor se ha acercado mucho...digo estais bien? Y todo el santo rato discutiendo. Se decían te quiero y a las dos paginas se habían pelado a muerte. A parte tienes 26 años y cantas folk, espabila.
1 estrella porque no entiendo la trama, creo que la prostitución no es una trope cute, que las adiciones no son un funny feeling y que si vas a escribir una novela romántica al menos haz que se quieran.
Ahora los personajes principales...yo se que es difícil tener todas las cosas de tu vida atadas y que vayan en buen cauce PERO escribir a un personaje femenino que todo el rato esta cagandola mientras tiene una hija de cuatro años a su cargo (cito textualmente "si tu madre quizás se encarga económicamente de tu hija pero tu estas con ella") que casi matas cuando tiene un año porque eres incapaz de unir tus dos neuronas es delito. Lauren es caprichosa, inmadura y irresponsable, y yo me he sideado con la madre durante todo el libro. Hay una frase que dice Lauren que es "me quieren pero no me respetan" pues normal después de todo lo que me has enseñado.
Tampoco es mucho mejor el personaje masculino eh que parecía un perro en celo con Lauren. Madre del amor hermoso, todo eran celos. Que si habla con un hombre aleatorio, que si un señor se ha acercado mucho...digo estais bien? Y todo el santo rato discutiendo. Se decían te quiero y a las dos paginas se habían pelado a muerte. A parte tienes 26 años y cantas folk, espabila.
1 estrella porque no entiendo la trama, creo que la prostitución no es una trope cute, que las adiciones no son un funny feeling y que si vas a escribir una novela romántica al menos haz que se quieran.
December 6, 2021
I was given this ARC for an honest review.
I completely LOVED this book, it’s messy in the best possible way. The characters are witty, well rounded and honestly flawed, but who isn’t?!
Cam has been in love with Lauren since childhood, but they had a falling out and haven’t been close since. Lauren is doing the best she can under given circumstances, and it simply trying to provide for her daughter.
This book has fake dating and second chance trope. The spice is perfect, the plot keeps you guessing, and I can’t wait for more!
I completely LOVED this book, it’s messy in the best possible way. The characters are witty, well rounded and honestly flawed, but who isn’t?!
Cam has been in love with Lauren since childhood, but they had a falling out and haven’t been close since. Lauren is doing the best she can under given circumstances, and it simply trying to provide for her daughter.
This book has fake dating and second chance trope. The spice is perfect, the plot keeps you guessing, and I can’t wait for more!
August 11, 2022
I love toxic romance done well but unfortunately this missed the mark for me
December 10, 2021
This is one of those stories that pulled me in deeper than I expected. It’s angsty, emotional, hot, humorous and so much more. Skyler made these characters so down to Earth and genuine that I could picture them easily as I read their story. The character growth is fantastic and the way she developed the side characters is phenomenal (they fit in just right but didn’t overpower the main ones at all).
I LOVE Lauren! This young single mom is a firecracker who loves her daughter, what she does, has no filter, is hilarious and has the hugest heart. I enjoyed watching her grow as her relationship with Camden grew.
Camden is one the most interesting heroes I have read in awhile. This young man is HUGE control freak but there is reason behind it. Cam loves and he loves hard - I loved watching him grow, learn from his mistakes and grovel for forgiveness.
These two together are like fire and ice and it works. I love how Lauren pushes him out of his comfort zone and how Camden balances her. Their banter is fantastic and their chemistry is off the charts.
Skyler won me over with this story - the way she wrote the characters and unfolded the plot just enveloped me. I laughed, swooned and even teared up a few times as I fell in love with this couple. This may have been my first read by her, but it definitely won’t be my last.
I LOVE Lauren! This young single mom is a firecracker who loves her daughter, what she does, has no filter, is hilarious and has the hugest heart. I enjoyed watching her grow as her relationship with Camden grew.
Camden is one the most interesting heroes I have read in awhile. This young man is HUGE control freak but there is reason behind it. Cam loves and he loves hard - I loved watching him grow, learn from his mistakes and grovel for forgiveness.
These two together are like fire and ice and it works. I love how Lauren pushes him out of his comfort zone and how Camden balances her. Their banter is fantastic and their chemistry is off the charts.
Skyler won me over with this story - the way she wrote the characters and unfolded the plot just enveloped me. I laughed, swooned and even teared up a few times as I fell in love with this couple. This may have been my first read by her, but it definitely won’t be my last.
April 4, 2023
ig this book wasn’t my cup of tea bc i hated cam with a burning passion. i’ve read romance novels with crazy, obsessive, possessive men but cam did not make it attractive nor did he have a good reason. he kept saying he knew lauren and that he can’t trust her but he’s literally the dumbass who instigated EVERYTHING. like?? lauren was okay, but she had no character development. yeah, having self awareness is good but when you don’t do anything with it, it’s pointless. the writing was decent overall but did feel a bit rushed; cam said ily but then goes and does stupid shit and lauren’s crazy sex ideas came outta nowhere. anyway.. read it, give it a try idk
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2021
If regret was a book this would be it. I can’t believe I lost my time reading this when there are better books out there.
February 1, 2023
Ugh. I hate to give this less than a five but it didn't work for me! But I didn't dnf it so 🤔😂🤷🤷
There was so much push and pull with the H in this book. He loves her but hates her. It got so tiresome after awhile 😭
She's a single mom of a little girl but he just remembers her as a perpetual 18 year old who can't grow up and adult. Hes constantly throwing that in her face. She has a child but fucked the H and this other guy around the same time so she just shares the kiddo with the other dude, not knowing who the biological father is 🙄🙄
I wish the night where she almost fucked the Hs brother was explained!!!!!! She had relations with the H....and then later the same night, the H found her in the laundry room with his brother and she was holding his dickkk? Im still scratching my head over that....but he still wants her and is obsessed with her even when she was gonna bump uglies with his bro? 🤷
He offers her lots of money to live with him for 6 months and I appreciate that she tried to make him jealous/possessive but it didn't work here 🤷 hard to explain but it felt like a dad keeping track of his teenage daughter so shes safe.
Loved other books by her but this one was not good for me 😭 but! I didn't dnf! 😂
There was so much push and pull with the H in this book. He loves her but hates her. It got so tiresome after awhile 😭
She's a single mom of a little girl but he just remembers her as a perpetual 18 year old who can't grow up and adult. Hes constantly throwing that in her face. She has a child but fucked the H and this other guy around the same time so she just shares the kiddo with the other dude, not knowing who the biological father is 🙄🙄
I wish the night where she almost fucked the Hs brother was explained!!!!!! She had relations with the H....and then later the same night, the H found her in the laundry room with his brother and she was holding his dickkk? Im still scratching my head over that....but he still wants her and is obsessed with her even when she was gonna bump uglies with his bro? 🤷
He offers her lots of money to live with him for 6 months and I appreciate that she tried to make him jealous/possessive but it didn't work here 🤷 hard to explain but it felt like a dad keeping track of his teenage daughter so shes safe.
Loved other books by her but this one was not good for me 😭 but! I didn't dnf! 😂
May 2, 2022
Everyone in this book sucks, and its no wonder how toxic this relationship is since its the same writer as “revenge cake” and yes I do understand this series is called toxic love, but there’s an extend to that rotten love in romance books.
Everyone is an asshole, specially to the heroine who is also an asshole but kind off justified.
The hero is a horrible person that treats her awfully, and thinks the worst of her all the time.
The heroine is mean but with the people in her life its no wonder, even her daughter is a jerk.
I can tell that the author is a good writer but just telling stories about awful people with barely any consistent plot and the hero who is toxic asf getting the girl super easily isnt my cup of tea.
Everyone is an asshole, specially to the heroine who is also an asshole but kind off justified.
The hero is a horrible person that treats her awfully, and thinks the worst of her all the time.
The heroine is mean but with the people in her life its no wonder, even her daughter is a jerk.
I can tell that the author is a good writer but just telling stories about awful people with barely any consistent plot and the hero who is toxic asf getting the girl super easily isnt my cup of tea.
December 12, 2021
Omg I’m so in love with this series, and all I can hope for is that we’ll get more.
I can’t even describe why I love these books so much, I think it’s because the characters feel so real, and honestly… I love the drama. And wrecked, obsessed love interests.
Plus, I really liked to see a young single mother as the heroine in a romance book. Lauren’s character and her “normal look” were a delight.
I shamefully have to admit, that it took me too long — almost the whole book — to realize that the Leylani and Logan in this story are exactly the same ones from Revenge Cake, and that made me love the book even more. (We also meet Brenna and Armaan again.)
I can’t even describe why I love these books so much, I think it’s because the characters feel so real, and honestly… I love the drama. And wrecked, obsessed love interests.
Plus, I really liked to see a young single mother as the heroine in a romance book. Lauren’s character and her “normal look” were a delight.
I shamefully have to admit, that it took me too long — almost the whole book — to realize that the Leylani and Logan in this story are exactly the same ones from Revenge Cake, and that made me love the book even more. (We also meet Brenna and Armaan again.)
December 28, 2025
For a quick story, this isn't a bad read. I initially got intrigued in this story by a reel on IG from the author. Turns out the scene was the one all the way at the end 🤣 so kept me hooked.
The story didnt feel fully developed to be honest, and with a bit of an abrupt ending. Would've loved to see more of a character development from the MMC rather than what was written. But still a decent read nonetheless but just not my absolute favourite.
The story didnt feel fully developed to be honest, and with a bit of an abrupt ending. Would've loved to see more of a character development from the MMC rather than what was written. But still a decent read nonetheless but just not my absolute favourite.
November 26, 2021
We binge read this book in 1 day. It was a very easy and enjoyable read.
This is book is about Lauren Henderson (Logan's crazy twin sister from Revenge Cake by Skyler Mason) and Camden Hayes, the boy next door.
If you like books that feature a:
- A bright bubbly social FMC with a grumpy domineering MC that does not like people;
- A bratty sub and dom;
- Girl next door romance
- Fake/contractual Relationship
Lauren broke Camden's heart five years ago. Now Lauren is broke with a child and living with her parents, and Camden is a rockstar who has returned home for a while. Camden still holds a torch for Lauren, and he resents her for it.
They enter into a 6 month agreement where they will both benefit, but have to walk away once time is up. Their relationship is steamy, and emotional and even heartbreaking at times. Will they both be able to walk away at the end.
This is book is about Lauren Henderson (Logan's crazy twin sister from Revenge Cake by Skyler Mason) and Camden Hayes, the boy next door.
If you like books that feature a:
- A bright bubbly social FMC with a grumpy domineering MC that does not like people;
- A bratty sub and dom;
- Girl next door romance
- Fake/contractual Relationship
Lauren broke Camden's heart five years ago. Now Lauren is broke with a child and living with her parents, and Camden is a rockstar who has returned home for a while. Camden still holds a torch for Lauren, and he resents her for it.
They enter into a 6 month agreement where they will both benefit, but have to walk away once time is up. Their relationship is steamy, and emotional and even heartbreaking at times. Will they both be able to walk away at the end.
Read
May 29, 2022Drama
3.5 ⭐️
The last 100 pages or so were dramatic and i loved it.
Lovers to enemies to paid lover to back and forth and this was cute. Really cute.
3.5 ⭐️
The last 100 pages or so were dramatic and i loved it.
Lovers to enemies to paid lover to back and forth and this was cute. Really cute.
September 18, 2022
I love Skyler Mason on tiktok, she’s hilarious and pitches romance books with 3-dimensional female characters. That being said I would rather be hit over the head with a pillowcase full of clams than read this again.
January 3, 2025
Two stars because it’s marketed with groveling and there’s literally 5 pages of it at the most 😵💫
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