Forbidden

Blood Ties #7

by A.K. Rose

Trouble. I hit it with my car… Then I carried her home. Taking care of her wounds with my own dark depravity. Her scars tell a story, burns, cuts…some old…but there are some wounds that are fresh. So fresh they tell a dangerous, intriguing tale . One I’m captivated to learn. When she opened her eyes she didn’t recoil like the others. Instead, she told me her name. Helene… There is something about her. About the way she meets my stare. She’s not afraid of me. Some dangerous part of me wants to keep it that way. Just this once… When Halestrom Hale and the controlling fist clenches around me. I hide her in the only place I know. A place I can control. A place where I can watch her… The Order. When my brothers find out, they are furious. Everything we’ve worked for. All the lies we’ve told. All the sick, depraved things we’ve done. Could be all for nothing. If she tells. So all three of us make sure that she doesn’t whisper a thing. We keep her busy. Every night…and all day long. And pray we make it out alive.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Why Choose, Smut, Enemies To Lovers, Audiobook

444 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2023

Reviews

[xS!kDollReaderx · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.K Rose never disappoints omg.
I couldn’t put this book down!! What a wild ride. This was beyond perfection and I loved that we get the story of The Priest, The Teacher and The Principal. I can’t wait to see what happens with this story and who we might see that were in the earlier series 😎
Bring on the next one 🖤
As always check your triggers. Forbidden is a dark romance book that contain many TW. Your mental health matters.

[Gia Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was darker, spicier, and honest to god the scream I scrumpt the whole damn time

[Eva ✧ ࣪ ⋆ ⁺₊ ⋆ evathedreamer ₊˚.⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊ ✩ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taboo and tension…
Filled with forbidden desires and high-stakes drama, this installment pushes the characters to their limits as they navigate dangerous secrets and intense passion.
A other great addition 👌

Somewhere between 4 and 5 ⭐️’s

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so dang good that I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. This book is so dark. You go into this book thinking, you know, but let me tell you, you do not know. Some who you were lead to believe were bad men are not bad at all. Broken souls found each other in this dark and gripping story. I can't wait for book 2.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy wow. This book reads faaaast.
Fast because you don't want to put it down for even a second! Super dark and action packed with smoking hot spice. I can not wait to get the next book in my hands and see what happens next!

[Hannah Hall (Bower) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started this series I struggled with the whole tabboo writing with the stepbrother-stepsister trope. The sexual assault to lovers always bothers me. I had to reframe it in my mind to make it work. 😮‍💨

By the second/third book the plot and character development hooked me in.

But with each book, and new characters introduced and becoming the main point of views, they significantly got better and now I’m hooked in this series.

This last book I still hate the SA to lovers trope but with the plot, morally grey characters the author does a good job making it work and creating major tension/betrayal for future books.

Now I just need to wait for the final two books and the 3 sisters with their 3 badass man lovers can destroy the sex trafficking world together. It will be intense having all 9 alpha ego temper & stubborn men together for the 3 ladies they love 😂

[Kellie Ferris · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been hard to reconcile the men that Riven, Kane and Thomas are with the monsters they have been in the previous 6 books.....The Principal, The Teacher, The Priest...though now we know why 🥺......the ending of this book devastated me 😭....I will not be okay 😭

[Jill Haworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helene had devised a plan to get to Riven Cruz. She was going to let his car glance off her so they’d swap information details. Until it all went wrong and his car ran her over.
Riven was totally taken with this beautiful but scared woman. Her reactions or lack of them baffled him, drawing him closer. Helene knew that she had to go along with whatever Riven had planned. She needed him to get to Haelstrom Hale. She has to keep her sisters safe.
When Riven is called back to The Order to train a new group of daughters being brought in by Coulter, the new head, he takes Helene with him initially not suspecting anything is out of the ordinary. He and his brothers have spent the last decade doing this soul destroying job to all for the purpose of trying to find their sister. They too need to find Hale.
Helene’s plan goes awry when his brother Kane recognises her. She’s been treated by him for months and he knows a lot of her backstory. He’s also obsessed with her himself.
But on arrival at The Order, Riven knows somethings not right. These were the clean up crew that killed all the other daughters. Coulter wants Riven and Kane to continue to be the faces of the training: The Principal and The Teacher, yet he wants the glory and the money which includes moving the girls in weeks not months. The devastating results of mind manipulation when it’s not dealt within a sophisticated timeframe is dangerous but Coulter doesn’t care. His guards are abusive and take pleasure in beating the daughters.
Working together, Helene insists on becoming one of the daughters to get to Hale and his black site. Riven, Kane and Thomas try to keep her safe with their guards help. But Coulter sets his sites on Helene for all the wrong reasons, and the brothers realise too late that even with Hunter helping them, they’ve all been outplayed…Coulter has every intention of taking the daughters away and ridding himself of the Cruz brothers and their men.
A much darker addition to the series with Helene finding herself attracted to men she should despise. The chemistry between them all is twisted and despite their reluctance to risk her, the part she needs to play is important to all of them to get to Hale. But Coulter and his men are pure evil without conscience and a plan to outmanoeuvre them all doesn’t go as intended.
The cliffhanger leaves everything in the air. Dark but brilliantly plotted.

[Rach Light · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me just start by saying- i did enjoy reading this. However- it definitely isn’t my favourite edition to the series. I knew we were going to be introduced to a new set of characters, and in all fairness- i’m intrigued by them all- and Helene is by far my favourite sister in-terms of- she’s a fucking badass. I just felt as a whole the book was very slow- it wasn’t the usual fast paced set up i had become accustomed to with this series- the spice was there from the get go- and if i was rating this on spiciness alone we’d be at either a 4⭐️ or 5⭐️ rating easily.

My biggest issue was the fact i couldn’t get a good read on any of the male leads- i liked them for sure, i just found them very 1 dimensional and Riven becoming obsessed with Helene before Kane- considering he actually knew her was slightly jarring to me. Riven kidnapping Helene spun me- it came out of fucking no where and i was sat with my mouth open for a solid 5 minutes.

Riven is clearly a more complex character than this book has given off, unless that was intentional for more of a build up- however, i just feel that not delving deeper into him- especially on book 7 was a fat mistake.

Kane is interesting to me and i definitely preferred his interactions with Helene over some of Riven’s- i liked his dynamic and his demeanour- could definitely see me falling in love with him.

Not got much of a read at all for Thomas- which again i think is stupid considering theres 2 books left of the series, and we know a fat climax is coming, if you’ll pardon the pun- i feel he is going to be very overlooked- but never even got a chapter with him- one can argue we only got 1 Caleb POV in the first book- but at least it was something.

Helene may just be my favourite King. She is a literal badass- she is the definition of what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. I love her need to protect her sisters- and her will power. She is the moment.

[Nettie Leys · Rating 5 out of 5]

O my gosh is all the words I have !! Not in a million years would I think I would get point of views for the Priest, Principal and Teacher but boooy did I enjoy it! Hate was something I felt when I read about them in the beginning not knowing who they were truly only seeing what they gave us which were monsters but after reading this book and getting their points I knew it had to be more that they did this for a cause and of course it was for their sister !!!

Riven omg I’m hooked on his character the beginning of this book I was like wait a minute you’re abducting this woman you don’t know and then falling for her that quickly what is going on I didn’t like him at all but he’s grown on me!!!

Kane he’s kind of been intriguing from the moment he was brought into the story the first time I read his interaction with Ryth and I was hooked lol sick and twisted to be hooked on these characters but I am !

My heart hurt so much for Helene I hate those men so much she didn’t deserve that at all my heart was wrenching reading that seen that I wanted it stop I wanted riven to reach there before it all happened but he couldn’t and that made me more mad !!!

This ending had my jaw dropping Hunter who is youuuuuu I need to know because just that little scene I was like okaaaaaaaaay sir and there’s four freaking brothers holy shit !!!!

[Haylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

okayyy, this was probably the best one yet, I loved how it went into detail about what the daughter's go through and I honestly couldn't ever imagine liking the principal or the teacher or the priest but honestly I am loving riven, hes definitely not the moster we all thought he was, the only thing im confused about is how Helen is basically forgetting who she is with all the brainwashing they do to the daughter's so how did ryth and vivienne not have the same problem because viv was fighting London every chance she could in previous books in the beginning so she was very aware of who she was , that just made me a bit confused other than that this has been my favourite book by far.

[Chayde - thequeenofbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atlas can do no wrong. Book 1 in the next trilogy and this is following Helene, the teacher, the principal and the priest! If you have been reading the trilogy’s from the start you will know how amazing her writing is and what we can expect. So many twist and turns and men that are obsessed with the main character. Ahh I can’t wait to see where this goes

[Katrina Abegail · Rating 5 out of 5]

i can’t stop reading

I seriously love this series, the writer is excellent with the plot twist. I can’t stop reading it, so much action pack and twisted mind control. worth reading for sure

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fucking HATE cliffhangers 🙄

[ErikaWasReading · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thoughts while reading:

- I get that the author is trying to tell us Riven is OTT possessive (with a woman he has just met?), but like his jealousy of a made-up guy she was going on a date with is weird.
- Back to no build-up when introducing guy #2. Cool cool. You know what would be cool? Instead of just telling us he’s lusting after her, show us. Like, actually write the scenes and play out the tension.
- It would be great to have descriptions of what these guys looked like beyond occasional descriptions of injuries and attire.
- Ope, perfect lips. So descriptive *eye roll*
- Trauma! Killing! Yep, FMC immediately bounces back and on to the next action sequence.
- The second Star is because this author knows how to write a Dan Brown-style hook. The last two pages finally advance the story.

[B. Shytle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excuse me, ma'am, four of them. Umm, yes, please. Okay, thanks.

[Mercedes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible. Worst one so far.

Would you fall in love with your sister’s abusers? Well, this chick does before the book is even halfway through. I cannot believe that this author is trying to redeem a group of men with hurt and abused women in the most depraved ways possible and we’re supposed to believe they are worthy of love? I have read so many dark romances in my life and this is the first one that actually pissed me off. The FMC is incredibly stupid and bad at making decisions, the entire book and the men in the story are so woefully incompetent it’s laughable. This FMC is NOWHERE near as smart or strong as Vivienne and I actually found myself rooting for her to die. Several inconsistencies throughout the book to the point where I’m not even sure if anybody proofread it. The plot of these books are so interesting and this one could’ve been done so much better whether there was an FMC who used to brain, didn’t abandon her morals and purpose so quickly and actual male characters who deserve to be redeemed.

[The.SmuttyBookClub · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Please note that this review is mainly for my benefit as it is more of a summary of the book and may contain spoilers.***

The story was good, but had a lot of sexual violence. Towards the end, there's a gang rape scene. While it wasn't explicit as it could have been (she dissociated), it was still one of the hardest things I've ever read.

🌶🌶
• F masturbation
• M masturbation
• MF
• M to F oral
• F to M oral
• Sexual assault
• Somnophilia
• Speculum
• Restraints (leather cuffs)
• Restraints (handcuffs)
• Restraints (cord)
• Praise
• Degradation
• Spanking
• Dom and sub
• Choking
• Brainwashing
• Voyeurism
• Exhibitionism
• Rape


2 F masturbation scenes
1 M masturbation scene
20 MF sex scenes

[Tamarra Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helene puts her plan into motion, which puts her in the direct path of Riven, aka The Principle.

Yet her presence unnerves him, she stirs something inside of time, and when he sees her scars and tastes her for the first time, one thing is clear: she now belongs to him.

When his home is threatened, he has no choice but to take her and leave, to the one place he never wanted to take her to, The Order.

Riven does his best to keep her hidden, but when Kane, aka The Teacher and his brother discovers her, and it comes to Riven's attention that Kane knows her, it only raises more questions than answers.

Especially when Helene comes face to face with Thomas, aka The Priest. Helene's secrets all laid bare, revealing her true identity that she is Helene King. This changes everything.

Riven, Kane, and Thomas have one goal, finding their sister Melody. They've spent years looking for her. The only reason why they are working in The Order, doing what they're doing is because of her. It pains them to do the things that they do, now knowing they have to use their skills to train the newest Daughters.

Helene begins to connect the pieces together, of who they are, and why they're doing what they are doing. She now understands the pain and torment they face, the sacrifices they have made, because she's done the exact same thing for her sisters Ryth and Vivienne.

The only way Helene can help them to find their sister is to become a daughter. They are against it at first. However, they know that if they don't take this opportunity, they know they will never get it again.

Helene is put through rigorous training by her hands as much as it pains them to do this, to see her that way, they push through for her and their sister.

But something is afoot with Coulter. He's hiding something, and when he targets Kane's work and their access is revoked, it has alarm bells ringing in their heads. Because they know Coulter is after one thing: Helene, and when Walker raises the alarm and Riven walks into the conference room and sees all the men surrounding the table, Helene laying there vacant, and Coulter standing to the side, his vision goes red, and everything he's felt deep down inside he unleashes. When Kane, Thomas, and Walker see with their eyes what's happened to Helene, they're feeling the same rage as Riven.

When they get Helene to safety, Riven and Kane can't stand her vacant eyes. They would rather her fiesty, fierce and angry. Her mind closed off. They tend to her wounds, doing their best to provide her some comfort. Through her anguish and nightmares, they hold her and comfort her, giving her the strength she needs.

There fight is far from over, with the Daughters training incomplete, knowing they are being moved to another destination, Riven, Kane, Thomas and Walker fight, fight to keep them here, when they are overpowered and Walker looses his life, does Coulter's intentions to Riven become clear, they're not going to Hale, and Riven doesn't know how to comprehend this harrowing truth because in his mind he's failed, because his only hope is one man they call The Hunter, and when he and his men intercept the truck carrying Helene and The Daughters and ensures that they are safe, only time will tell as to them what lays ahead for all of them.

This book by far hits the nail on the head. It's become abundantly clear the lengths Helene, Riven, Kane, and Thomas will go to protect their families.

Their sheer strength and determination to not let The Order take away the things they love the most is a testament to the lengths they will go to get Helene and Melody back.

Riven and Kane have both laid their claim on Helene. Neither one budging. They assert their control and dominance. There need to own and possess her consuming them both. Because the pain and pleasure they give her they give to no one else, and as hard as Helene tries to deny them and the way they make her feel, she feels exactly the same way, she loves them and they love her and they will move heaven and earth to have her back in there arms.

Highly recommend both the author and the book, now into book 8 - Captured.

[Sogniappesi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Settimo volume, nuovo quartetto.
Questa è la storia dei cattivi e di Helene, la terza figlia di king, sorella di Vivienne e Rith. I cattivi? Beh, ho pensato lo fossero praticamente per sei volumi e lo sono stati ma, come mi ha insegnato questa serie, niente e mai come sembra e tutto ha un disegno ben preciso, che ancora ora naviga nel mistero, regalandoti pezzi qua e là che non fanno altro che ingolosirti facendoti rimanere incollata alle loro pagine.
Ma andiamo al succo della questione, si parlava di cattivi… i fratelli Cruz!
In questo primo volume si delinea quello che sarà tutta la loro storia: l’incontro, il “colpo di fulmine”. Ci si concentra molto su Riven, il maestro e poi Kane, il dottore, lasciando per ora Thomas, il prete, ai margini. In queste pagine si percepisce l’ossessione, il bisogno viscerale che fa da sfondo a tutta la serie, perché questi uomini si è ormai ben capito, non amano di certo in modo razionale, anzi. Lo fanno con anima, corpo e tutto se stessi, lo fanno in modo contorto, malato, ma totalizzante.
Un incontro che doveva finire in modo diverso, ma che ha portato Helene in una situazione assai pericolosa per stessa ma soprattutto per il suo cuore. Non si aspettava di certo di provare qualcosa per gli aguzzini delle sue sorelle, dovevano essere il tramite per trovare Hale, eppure al cuor non si comanda, e nonostante la situazione non sia delle più facile, quel che inizia a provare va al di fuori delle sue volontà. Si ritroverà nel nuovo Ordine, chiusa in quelle mura che hanno per troppo tempo rinchiuso le persone che vuole difendere, quello stesso posto che ha provato a distruggere dall’esterno per salvarle. Adesso anche lei è il topolino, ma non solo.
C’è un gatto che vuol divorare tutto, anche chi sembra sempre essere stato dalla sua parte, i Cruz.
E se tutto fosse stato finzione? E questi fratelli avessero sempre avuto uno scopo ancora più importante da raggiungere? Saranno capaci di scendere dalla ruota in cui sono stati messi a girare, salvando il salvabile e la ragazza che hanno iniziato ad amare nonostante tutto?
Un inizio che per gli standard di questa serie parte a rilento, gettando le basi di quella che so già sarà un continuo che mi piacerà un sacco! Come dicevo per ora ci si concentra molto su due dei fratelli, uno in particolare. Si sente ancora poco quell’aria di condivisione che è il marchio di questi volumi, qui, si sente aria di gelosia, possesso, sapranno condividere? Chissà…
È anche questo è un volume davvero molto caliente e ricco di domande che stanno ancora senza risposta, come ogni volta il finale è qualcosa di imprevedibile che lascia senza fiato e spezza ogni congettura fatta. Riesce a toglierti la terra sotto i piedi, lasciandoti così, con la voglia di correre verso il prossimo libro.
Anche questo libro mi ha letteralmente catturato, ma avrei preferito sentir tutte le voci, invece di questa esclusività, più azione, perché diciamocelo, questi libri mi hanno portato a pretenderla e quindi questa “lentezza" mi ha lasciato un po' l’amaro in bocca.
A parte questo però, sono curiosissima di sapere cosa succederà e come tutto troverà il suo posto in questo infinito puzzle di pezzi mancanti. Li troveremo tutti? Non ci resta che scoprirlo!

[Kiley McLane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: The Blood Ties Series
Books: 9 Total
1. Mine
2. Hers
3. Ours
4. Owned
5. Traded
6. Claimed
7. Forbidden
8. Captured
9. Consumed
Author: A.K. Rose (aka Atlas Rose)
Release: 2022 - 2024
Pages: Varies
Genre: Dark Romance
Main Characters: Ryth, Tobias, Nick, Caleb, Vivienne, London, Carven, Colt, Helene, Riven, Thomas, Hunter and Kane.
Tropes: Forbidden, Why Choose, Angsty, Possessive, Spicy, Dark and Intense.
⭐️ 5/5 for all 9
🌶️ 5/5 for all 9
* PLEASE CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS

The series kicks off with ‘Mine,’ introducing Ryth, who finds herself in the tumultuous household of The Banks Brothers: Tobias, Nick, and Caleb. These men, soon her stepbrothers, are not thrilled about her presence, nor is she, but beneath the surface, attraction simmers, overshadowing their animosity. The brothers are irresistibly drawn to her, vowing to do anything to ensure their ‘Little Sister’ is safe. ‘Hers’ and ‘Ours’ continue this thrilling saga, filled with danger and forbidden romance. The narrative is packed with unexpected twists and a heat that will leave you breathless, making each chapter a pulse-pounding experience. The author masterfully crafts intensity, making these books addictive and impossible to put down.

‘Owned’ shifts focus to a new set of characters, though it remains intricately connected to the first three. ‘Traded’ and ‘Claimed’ follow Viv, the spirited captive of London St. James and his sons, Carven and Colt. Known as their Wildcat, Viv is strong and defiant, yet she can’t resist the magnetic pull they exert on her. Their obsession becomes a reality, binding them together in a powerful love that is the only thing that can keep her safe. As you navigate through every shocking twist, you’ll find yourself questioning if it will be enough. Can they protect her? Should they risk everything for her? Amidst the chaos, Viv captivates them with scenes of desire that bring them to their knees.

‘Forbidden,’ ‘Captured,’ and ‘Consumed’ delve into the lives of Helene (Trouble), Riven, Thomas, Kane, and Hunter, the Cruze Brothers. This story is a complete surprise, with the forbidden aspect reaching new heights in a why-choose scenario. Helene is aware of the stakes, yet she can’t resist the brothers, who fall for a woman who has nearly dismantled their decade-long efforts. The intense push and pull between the characters makes the story unexpectedly captivating. The raw and beautiful passion between them is unforgettable, ensuring you won’t be able to put these books down.

While the last three books focus heavily on these characters, the final installment will offer chapters from Ryth and The Banks, as well as Viv and The St. James. Throughout this series, you’ll never anticipate what comes next, which is my favorite part. Each twist fueled my imagination and curiosity, keeping me hooked and unable to stop reading.

This review doesn’t dive deep into the story, but there’s enough to pique your interest and leave you craving more. There’s so much I could share about these books, but that would spoil the exhilarating journey that is THE BLOOD TIES SERIES. Trust me, it’s a ride you won’t want to miss.

A.K. Rose, also known as Atlas Rose, is an exceptional author whose works are both thrilling and captivating. You become immersed in the characters and their story, feeling as though you’re experiencing it alongside them. The emotion and passion infused into these books are truly exquisite. She is a remarkable author, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of reading this series.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Principal one of The Order's most feared men along with his brothers The Teacher and The Priest; are in for the ride of their lives when Helene King enters. Riven our principal is captivated by this woman who stepped out into traffic, but he doesn't know why, he never has felt such consuming need and obsession he doesn't care how or why but he must have her and keep her. Helene had a plan one that didn't involve the stupid rain but here she is a captive of the monster her sisters call The Principal, he is everything they said and yet she experiences more. When things with The Order pick up Riven must make a choice to bring Helene with him into the place where he is the monster haunting the halls. When his brothers Kane and Thomas also known as The Teacher and The Priest arrive it turns out Riven isn't the only one who knows Helene jealousy anger and his obsession skyrocket. Unfortunately for our main characters The Order seems to be under new management and things are about to get dangerous. Where we all wrong about the Cruz men? Will Helene survive The Order? Where the fuck is Hale? Can we handle more emotional rollercoasters? First of all, the spice in this book is delicious definitely chef's kiss. Secondly, the number of times I yell at my phone and want to throw it while reading this series is a little unhealthy but that doesn't mean I don't love every second of it. I wasn't sure I was going to like Helene, but I should've known she would be a bad ass strong boss bitch her and Riven's banter and chemistry are sheer perfection. Obsessed doesn't even begin to describe my love for these books I can't put them down and will be rereading them over and over for sure.

[Merilu Keenum · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Forbidden’ is the 7th book in AK Rose’s Blood Ties series and it is freaking crazy awesome!! I was afraid I would hate these men, but it didn’t work out that way. Helene will do ANYTHING for her sisters: lie, torture, whatever it takes to keep them safe. Her end goal is to kill Halestrom Hale: he gives Satan a bad name and seems to have the best luck ever.

Atlas writes this devilishly twisted saga with adrenaline rushes, emotional attacks that are so high&low almost at the same moment, and irredeemably terrifying men that I felt scared, horrified, and angry with Helene (even as the non con morphs into mutually obsessive hate sex). The Principal/Riven is one seriously messed up monster: his motivations, his personality, and his ability to justify his actions are beyond a normal person’s comprehension.

The triggers are heartbreaking: Helene is so strong that some of these heinous acts become her mark of strength. Mind over matter: do you allow the scum to win- NEVER! Riven, Kane, and Thomas Cruz are worse than morally grey, but they have a familiar history with Helene’s sisters. They find themselves in a dangerous position and their end goal becomes unreachable while also losing their greatest asset. Gahhh! Cliffhangers!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MMSTFUATTDLAGG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice/Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Relationship: FMM
Tropes/Triggers: car accident, somnophilia, dubcon, gang noncon, drugging/mind controlling substance, violence, past self harm
Series: Forbidden - Blood Ties #7

Review
The first six books were captivating and dark but this seventh book completely ratchets up the darkness. There is actual violence against women and NONcon. There is mostly the delicious “I don’t want to but this feels so good so I change my mind” dubcon but there is also the complete opposite NONCON. It isn’t completely graphic but it’s confirmed and loosely described.

FMC Helene King seeks to infiltrate the infamous Cruz brothers: The Principal, The Teacher and The Priest to get more information on Haelstrom Hale. We know the Cruz brothers to be ruthless and savage, yet…their backstory shockingly turns that all around. We learn what is at stake for them and drives their behavior.

The MMCs are mostly Riven/The Principal and some Kane/The Teacher. They are tasked with training a new set of Daughters but there is a new commander changing everything. So many twists and turns. I’m not a noncon person at all but I pushed through it because the story is just that good. If anything, it drives me to read more because I want a HEA so damn bad for all the characters I have come to know and love.

[Shayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forbidden by A.K. Rose (Atlas Rose) Rating: ★★★☆☆ Book 7 of the Blood Ties series

I’m giving this a soft three stars (really a 2.5). The world-building and tension carried it, but Forbidden was more frustrating than compelling.

Helene had potential — her mission to protect her sisters and fight The Order was solid. But her sudden entanglement with the very men complicit in that system felt forced, not nuanced. The doctor-patient scenes with Kane especially veered into uncomfortable territory without proper critical framing.

Riven, Kane, and Thomas had interesting backstories, but their redemption arc was rushed. The chemistry? Often jarring, not earned.

The plot — black sites, mind control, Coulter’s terrifying reach — had weight. But emotional focus kept shifting to romantic subplots that undercut the stakes. Helene’s transformation into a Daughter could’ve hit harder if her priorities stayed clear.

Final thoughts: This entry lacked the emotional realism I wanted. Still, I’ll keep reading — mostly out of loyalty. Recommend only if you’re deep into Blood Ties and craving the full arc.

Content warning: Very dark themes including abuse, coercion, and trauma. Please read with care.

[AshReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forbidden

Atlas Rose does it again for this series. I swear some of ya’ll sleeping on this series.

Helene King is the daughter of the infamous King from Ryth and Vivienne’s triologies. He started the daughter and son programs and had over people take over, Halestrom Hale, annoying little bug of a man who has managed to stay hidden from the people hunting him for awhile. Anyways, Helene comes up with a plan to enter the Principals life, Riven, only she underestimates how crazy and obsessive the man can be. He keeps her for himself until he is called back to the “school” to train more girls. He brings her there and she discovered her therapist, Kane, is Riven’s brother. Plot twist! And Thomas, who was tortured for info in Vivienne’s story, is also their brother and now she stuck with these brutal men she lied too and has to find a way to complete her mission… Find Hale and finally end this for good.

Can she keep her heart away from these men even when she finds out the true reason they work for Hale? I guess you have to read to find out.

This book was super spicy and it is definitely darker than the previous books in this series. There is a depiction of se*ual a**ault and brainwashing so be prepared for that!

[Just_Read_Instead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryth. Vivienne. Helene.

Three sisters. King's daughters. And the Order WANT THEM.

So what does Helene do? She hands herself over to the one they all fear - The Principal.

You guys, i know this is dark, I know you have checked the triggers and been good so far ... this one had be stopping to think for a minute. There is CONTENT here guys. CHECK THE WARNINGS. If SA is on your list I hope you havent even started this series, but guys this one is ROUGH.

So, that aside, its a conflicting story for me, because no matter how much Helene feels I can't forgive the things they have done ... and when we learn why they have done them, my heart breaks.

How many broken lives are worth one? Apparently, hundreds, as Helene ends up back in the hell they have all tried to escape - The Order.

Its the first book of another trio, and of course another why choose, and for this one I don't think I can choose, they are all .. interesting.

But, we finally learn about the Order, about the Sons, about the Daughters, about all of it. Who they are are why the are, and who started the whole thing in the beginning....

Its so good - and there are two more books to go.

[Phylicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Look at that… Trouble could play nice after all.”


3⭐️Okay so it’s been a while in between drinks for me and this trilogy of the series so I’ll be honest, I’ve forgotten a lot of the history so bear my memory loss in mind when you read my review.

The pacing of their spice relationship feels a bit off for me and I don’t really get her motivation or drive towards this even with the “relief” angle. The second MMC of the why choose crew is a bit interesting too in terms of their previous doctor-patient relationship and how easily they crossed those boundaries is a bit disturbing. I guess in the grand scheme of dark elements of this series I probs shouldn’t be as bothered about it as I was, but I still was so there’s that.

It took a little while for the plot to kick in and I understand it’s the first in this trilogy so I get that. Once it did I started to enjoy it a lot more. I could go with the flow a bit more with the spice. It felt a little bit more centered for me.

[Yadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Triggering

I almost want to give this 3 stars for the content in this book. It’s past dark, tortured, and taboo. There is some genuinely disturbing content to read and I highly advise to read through the trigger warnings. Please, do not read this if you are triggered by any forms of SA or the likes.

This book kicks off with Vivienne’s POV; the MMC and goes into her own encounter within the world of The Order and the daughters as she gets vengeance and revenge for her family. The passion between Viv and the other main characters is stemmed from a deep, soul-bearing understanding of pain, sacrifice, brokenness and the need to protect one’s family. This ties to their darkest, carnal desires used as their form of expressing their depravities, emotions, and thoughts.

While it was personally triggering for me solely due to the difficulty of mentally envisioning some of the scenes and my views/morals in life, I enjoyed the book for the softer chemistry.

[LuLu Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is killing me!! (in the best way!)

I am not a patient person, so reading a 9 book series, even though it is broken down in trilogies, is not normally something I can handle. However, from the minute I read book one, I was hooked and so invested in this story that there was no stopping me. The themes of this book are absolutely dark and can be difficult at times, but the story is so intriguing I am just pulled into this world! Throughout this whole series, it is so difficult to determine who the "bad guys" are because everyone is so flawed and has been through so much of their own trauma that has turned them into who they are. There really is no way that I can describe this story and the series as a whole without simply saying the stories are so creative and original and just pull you into this world of a something like a secret society. So if you are into something dark, definitely pick up this series. I cannot wait to continue on.