Broken Empire

Ravenwood Elites #3

by Nikita.

I was Brutal while she was Bleeding and all that did was leave us both Broken…

WINTER
I’m broken.
Tired and exhausted too.
Just when I thought that my life was finally getting back on track and things with Mason could be fixed, life decides to throw another curveball into the mix.
I’m taken and shown a whole new world of depravity I didn’t know existed.
Monsters are real. They’re the people with the pretty faces and the ones you’d never expect.
I’m tired and I just don’t know if I want to fight anymore…

MASON
I’m broken too.
Without her in my life, nothing matters.
I almost had it all again, only for it to be ripped out of my hands.
I’m going to find her if it’s the last thing I do.
And when I do, I’m going to love her so hard she’ll never feel any fear or pain ever again because I’ll be there to take it all away.
My girl though, she has other plans.
She’s intent on making me suffer but I’ll take it all to prove to her how much I’ve changed and how much I love her.
But what happens when you realize that sometimes love might not be enough?
Because I’m going down a road I’m not sure I’ll ever come back from…

Note: Please read the Author’s Note at the beginning of the book to find what you can expect plus the content warning.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, New Adult, Romance, Enemies To Lovers

419 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2024

About the author

Nikita is an introvert at heart who loves to procrastinate. She spends most of her time reading or watching crimes shows because she hates to leave the house unless it's absolutely necessary.

Her love of Dark Romance really began when she moved to the US and fell in love with reading all over again. She had no plans on ever writing a book or publishing but Cole was very persistent and now she can't think of doing anything else!

She loves writing as much as she loves reading and can't wait to bring you more dark romance reads! The journey so far has been a dream thanks to all her amazing readers and she can't thank them enough for taking a chance on her books and loving those characters as much as she does!

Reviews

[Corina Rebolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I need this book to come out like NOW!

[Nikita. Nikita.]

Releasing on June 23rd 2024

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C97N4JMW
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C97N4JMW
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0C97N4JMW
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C97N4JMW

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF 3 stars

Before I leave my review I just want to point out I love all of Nikitas books and have all so far been 10/10 however this final book of the Ravenswood Elite Series was not good in my opinion. I enjoyed the first 1/4 before Winter was reduced but then it went so far downhill. Winter was immature and just annoying, Mason and Hunter spoke towards each other like they were 12 years old and very childish and the overuse of the word “baby” towards Winter was just cringeworthy. Where was badass Mason like we seen in book 1 and 2 this book he was just an immature schoolboy. As I DNF I hope that Scarlett was found as she just seemed to be completely forgotten about after Winter mentioned she wanted to find her. I couldn’t finish the book I got to about 80% then gave up.

[A Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The heart wants what the heart want

I’ve been rooting for Mason and Winter since book 1. I read book 1, 3 years ago and Book 2, 2 years ago. So maybe I forgot the extent of Mason’s betrayal but I forgave Mason. He suffocated Winter, trying to get her to forgive him, to the point she just ran way. So much happened to Winter that I just wanted her happy by the end of the book and she got that. Winter knew she would take Mason back but she wanted him to suffer. You could really tell that he loved her and just wanted her forgiveness. Mason made everyone who harmed Winter suffer and she made him suffer. I just wish his father and Emilia would’ve gotten a more prolonged suffering death. More needed to be done to them. Mason’s father did all that just because he didn’t want his son with her. Tuh!

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋
🥵🥵
😈

Excellent final book in the series, if you love dark bully romance, this is definitely for you x

[Tamarra Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The video Mason swore would never be seen has been leaked. Winter is humiliated, she flees to London. Mason, Grayson, and Hunter are in pursuit, worried about her state of mind, only they're left reeling when Winter is kidnapped.

But not before Mason learns the truth of what lengths his father went to to keep him and Winter apart, that all this time Winter was telling the truth, does Winter then share a heartbreaking truth about what his father did to his mother.

Winter goes through hell and back before Mason, Hunter, and their family find her, but not before Winter learns that her stalker is none other than Antonio and man that she trusted.

Mason, Grayson, and Hunter sequester Winter away at their family cabin. Winter goes through a range of emotions, trying to work through the chaos warring in her mind and body. It pains them to see Winter going through what she is going through. They're doing their best to support her through her trauma, and when she comes face to face with Antonio, she knows Mason will move heaven and earth to protect her.

Winter is ready to go home to Ravenwood. It should be a joyous occasion, but she knows what awaits. Mason gifts them a new home, hoping it will help her to heal, but for her, it is overbearing on the best of days.

And just when she thought her nightmares were over she learns that her father is alive, hurt by his and her brother Hunter's betrayal does she flee only to be caught up in a car accident, where she then learns that she is pregnant with twins.

Winter has endured enough to last a lifetime, and she will not tolerate being lied to anymore. Her father, Aiden, along with Mason, set a plan in motion for his father, Alistair, and her mother, Emilia.

But for Winter it isn't enough. She flees to London to the safety of her friend Adelaide. Mason is on a downward spiral he cannot cope with the fact that Winter is not with him. Hunter and Grayson fear he may do something reckless or worse, hurt himself. It doesn't take long for Mason to make his way to London, followed by Hunter. When he sees her, a calmness washes over him, but it still isn't enough.

Mason returns home, but without Winter. He can't do life without her. He sets his affairs in order. He tries to make recompense for his past actions, but it is not enough without Winter's forgiveness. He says goodbye the only way he knows how.

Grayson suspects something is up, his brotherly intuition telling him to go to Mason, and when Winter calls, him and Hunter go. Grayson is never the same again as he finds his brother, Hunter, holding him back. They're both in shock and trying to make sense as to why.

When Winter sees Mason laying in that hospital bed, she knows that she is somehow responsible. She knows no apology is going to fix his predicament. When he wakes and sees her face, he knows everything is going to be alright. When Winter tells him that she's pregnant with twins and he's the father, he couldn't be more ecstatic.

As they both heal, they make time to talk about everything, what is important to them and their family. Because when she learns that Alistair and Emilia got what they deserved, can they now both finally heal.

Because if your heart could burst anymore, Mason gifts her a new treehouse where they can build new memories with their children but also gifted her with a nursery for their children, if that doesn't beg forgiveness or second chances I don't know what will. And when they welcome Maddox and Valentina, their life is complete.

Whilst Mason was controlling, dominant, and possessive, Winter showed true strength and determination to overcome everything she went through. Mason was steadfast in his support, as was Grayson and Hunter, and we couldn't forget Royce, Nate, and Beck, who helped keep Mason in line to a degree.

Loved Mason, Hunter, and Grayson's bro-mance. Hunter helps to keep things real, ensuring that Mason does the right thing by loving and caring for his sister Winter as he should.

And alas, all good stories must come to an end. Thanks for taking us on a thrilling ride Nikita, can't wait to see what you write next.

Last but not least, those smexy scenes were extremely steamy, hot, and downright spicy. Because there is no way any woman wouldn't want Mason King worshipping their body the way he does his girl Winter.

Highly recommend both the author and the book.

[London D · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mason and Winter's story. Two years in the making

I wanted to like the book, but it is awful written. It is poorly written and pitiful—a disappointment. I waited for this book for a long time. The author promised a “soon release” for months after her last release, but it did not happen, so we waited two years. Alright, I thought it would be a great read since the wait was two years. The author had to find her inspiration to finish the book. Wow, and this is her inspiration! The storyline is carelessly written; there is no explanation or disclosure regarding the actions of the secondary characters and why they hated Winter. When Mason asks his father why he wants Winter killed, his response is, “I hate her.” No other explanation. I still do not understand why her stepmother and Mason's father hated Winter. Winter's father's resurrection was a weak explanation. However, I was not surprised that her father was still alive. He was alive and did not help his daughter. He sent some incriminating papers that were not helpful to Winter. And Winter is a clueless character who does not know what to do with the incriminating documents.
The two main characters, Mason and Winter, are not good; they are toxic. I disliked both characters in the book. Mason has no redeemable qualities, and Winter is still a silly and brainless character. She is constantly running away and always finding some gruesome trouble. For more than half of the book, Winter runs, and she is abducted, shot, raped, tortured, and for last she has a car accident. Guess what? She is pregnant in her first semester. She is pregnant when she is abducted and raped and pregnant when she has a car accident. All the never-ending drama penned by the author makes no sense and has no logic. The atrocities that Winter experienced I do not know how the author wrote the character's state of mind sane. The unfolding of the events is rushed and not accurate. Winter remembers and asks about the abducted girl imprisoned with her, and then the author forgets about the girl, Scarlet. There is no effort to find out what happened to the poor girl. I am not interested in this author's writing. The author poorly executed the plot, and the revealing of the events was rushed throughout the book. I disliked this book even more than the previous one.

[Booksaddict2020 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is dark, dramatic and romantic. This is a dark romance that comes with TWs. The story continues after the cliff hanger at the end of Book 2. The author has come out with this book after a long time which will make the readers eager to read this one. There are twists and turns with drama that will be expected by the readers from the story. Even though the readers might find the storyline similar to the author’s previous books, the readers might enjoy this one. It is a recommended book for readers who like this genre.

Personal Take:
I really liked Book 2 of this series but the author took so long to write Book 3 that I had completely forgotten about the plot. Still, I managed to recollect the plot in bits and pieces of the plot while reading Book 3. This book felt like the author was going in circles with the characters. The plot was similar to the other books by her. I hope the next book by her is better now.

[Valentina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

First quarter of the book was good but declined after Winter’s rescue, the constant push and pull. Repetitive, poor writing, slow, and a complete grovel fest. It’s as if the book lost its momentum and way with nothing to talk about. The story became so predictable, too. Full arc from enemy to sappy lover. Sure, Mason did a lot a bad things, but his redemption and forgiveness didn’t need to take almost the whole book. If it weren’t for the spice, I wouldn’t have continued as long as I did.

I had to stop reading it when I realized it was taking me days just to get through a chapter. Slow, predictable, and juvenile diction, and this time not a good enough story for me to look past the defects. Winter became whiny and annoying, too. As if. We all know she can’t live without Mason, who conquered all her enemies in the end and groveled like a simp.

DNF 70%

[Frankie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of okay

This will be my last book by this author. I’m a grown woman and this book is meant for teenagers. It’s a juvenile attempt at adult content. 3 stars for bravery to publish and consistency of effort to write a book. 0 stars for content, plot, characterization and stuffing with unimportant details to extend the book length. BTW I did finish it but have never skimmed a book so fast.

[Bookishly Ash · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

Struggled through the first 2 just to see what happens, and this is worse than they were. I don't often not finish books/series but just couldn't stomach any more!

[Sameera Alli]

When is the release date?

[Bookworm.135 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not going to be the best review at all and I don't even know how this book has achieved high ratings in the reviews because I'd rather be brutally honest about it than politely fake. Be warned there are alot of spoilers in this review.

THIS series could have been very good, it had potential to be good and it seemed like it was going that direction at the start of the first book when the MMC ( Mason) caught the MFC (Winter) in what he thought was a consensual precarious position with another man and vowed to make her pay for what she did if she ever returned to their home town. All of the characters are heirs to billionaires that seem to despise eachother and the plot seemed pretty decent at the onset, however, the more I read into it I realised the plot was changing dramatically and not in a good way.
In a very ridiculous way.

Firstly, the characters are described as being in their early 20s. They did not act like this at all throughout the entire series. It started off like it would seem they were mature adults, however at oni point in the book and I think it happened to be Winter's point of view, I had to return to the first few pages to see what age she was because I genuinely thought I was reading a 15 year old spoilt brats POV. When I went back and seen that she was in fact meant to be 22 and a studying scientist I nearly gave up on the book throughout that chapter alone.

1:The whole dialogue was so poorly written I felt like cringing anytime any of the characters in this book opened one of their mouths. Including the parents of these supposed adults. I have to admit I flicked through a few chapters when it came to any of them interacting with eachother verbally.

2: Any scene throughout this book... Actually every scene throughout this book that was supposed to be traumatising or impacted the lives of these characters in a horrendous way was so poorly written also. I can't even remember exactly what they were saying to eachother because I didn't even bother going to the trouble to quote them they are so cringe, but I remember one scene where Winter the MFC was yet again taken and her supposed boyfriend Mason was having some banter during the time she was missing with her brother. They were chatting and ruling him up about being in love and whipped by Winter.... Um... She is missing by the way and everyone is sitting around a table making jokes a sagging eachother about how much Mason was in love with her instead of panicking.... Okay.. Even the dialogue between them all when they eventually save poor Winter is just.... I don't actually know at this point into the book I think 15 year old would probably have more maturity when speaking to eachother and a well... Common sense to be honest. 🤦

3: Winter. What can I say.. I didn't like her at all throughout this book. To say she was over the top would be an understatement. She was meant to be an adult, yet every disaster or traumatic event the author decided to put her into she didn't even sound like an adult in fact I don't even think she sound like a teenager when she gave her POV, she sound like a complete imbecile with nit a brain cell to be found. Chapter by chapter every POV she gave actually gave me whiplash reading it. One minute she was this strong survivor and warrior woman waiting to take on the world and the next she was a broken shell that look in the mirror and seen blank eyes who wanted to give up on life. She must have looked in that mirror 100 times throughout the book. Why couldnt the author have just said winter was bipolar or something....

4: Mason: I didn't like him and usually I like the MMC even when they are being total d*ck heads at the start of a series but the redeem themselves by the end. In my opinion there was nothing redeemable with his character, he was just a sickner from day one... And that continued on throughout the series. Even the intimate scenes between himself and winter were so detached and childish i skipped through most of them.. At this point I just wanted to read the end of the book to see what childish nonsense happened and how these adult children ended up... I was secretly hoping one of them was killed off if not both to be honest. And I don't recall ever reading a book where I felt the two main characters would be better off being wrote off in one....

Like I have said already I really wanted this book series to be good and the first 2 or 3 chapters at the beginning really did show potential but then somewhere along the line it failed badly and got carried away with the dramatic effects and the annoying childish behaviour from the main characters throughout. The dialogue was ridiculously childish, the characters where portrayed as adult teenager and the scenes felt like something out of a badly written teenage TV show that the writers ran out of interesting things to add to it so just decided to throw in random disasters to try and keep the audience watching.

THIS is my first book from this author and maybe il try read another one but if any of the adults in the other books are portrayed like this il won't be reading any again.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Editing problems lower rating

I am reviewing all three books here. The story itself was good, but I had such a problem with the editing. Commas where they don’t belong, missing commas where they should be, and punctuation mistakes throughout all three books. There were also missing words and a few wrong words. The books could use a better editor.

Another thing that I didn’t like was how much repetition there was. I got to where I was reading the first sentence of a paragraph then skipping to the next one. Again, a decent editor would have helped this issue.

As I said, the story itself was good. The issue that started the whole thing was a bit of a problem for me. Mason ran off without any questions or in any way addressing what he saw. And when Winter went to him, and they had a big fight over his cheating claim, she never asked “where did you see me?” Or “when did this happen?” In fact, those questions were never asked, and I think it would have made more sense to me if she asked them and he refused to discuss it because he was so angry.

I liked that he was so hurt and angry that he wasn’t secretly thinking that he loved her the whole time. It did come up in his mind a few times, but he refused to recognize those feelings. I feel it made the whole thing more real, because when someone is hurt and angry they are usually out of touch with other emotions.

I love that Winter is never a pushover. She fights back through the whole story, even after she’s supposedly broken. Nope, she still comes back swinging. She’s never truly broken, even at her most fragile.

Mason was blindsided at the beginning, and couldn’t get past what he saw for a long time. But when he finally did, he was a fighter. I was rooting for him when he finally woke up.

I also like that the whole thing took place over many months. So many books squeeze everything into a week or so, which is irritating to be. Nothing is wrong with giving your characters time to develop the story.

Overall, I am glad I stuck through the whole series.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this book has set in stone anything for me it’s that women are stronger than men. Mason put Winter through absolute hell and when she gave him pushback he got drunk so many times and almost gave up. Spoilers: not going to lie I expected Winter to get kidnapped or in an altercation with Alister and/or Emilia at the end of the book. Not for Mason to have a suicide attempt. That was very emotional and made me tear up. I felt like Winter gave a lot of push back at then end and it was a struggle to watch. When she said to Mason that the babies weren’t his when she knew they were, like I understand why they did that but honestly low blow. But then again after switching her birth control to a placebo, he’s fucking lucky those actions didn’t have serious consequences. Imagine what would have happened if he had caused that. At times I was like is her dad alive? No he can’t be she saw the body. Well jokes on me he is alive. Honestly poor Grayson first he sees Winter after a discord attempt and then his brother after one, port guy is going to have severe trauma for life. I feel like after all the build up and how horrible Emilia was I really wanted to see her pay. I flew through the first two books because I wanted to see the truth come out, but we got an anticlimactic simple ending for her and Alister in my option. Also thank god for Adelaide because what the actual f***. The three girls that were supposed to be her best friends never reach out to her or apologise for their actions when she was innocent all along. Then even when she is kidnapped, sexually abused, and tortured they can’t even be bothered to show up! The guys at the end says their not in Ravenswood right now. What the hell does that mean! I’m seriously so f***ing p***ed about that. Also Scarlett what happened to her? I feel like overyone in this book was a bit of a d***head/ idiot at sometimes which was annoying. Any way overall I’m probably giving the series a 3.5, not sure.

[Lauren DePinto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tired..

I finally made it through all 3 books. Slower than any other book…

Every now and then I read a book thinking the MFC is the biggest doormat. Today I was proven wrong as I have literally never read a book with such a pathetic, spineless, doormat of a character. There is writing “dark” novels but what happened in this book is beyond that and so cringe at times. I wish the author wrote Winter to have somewhat of a spine and I kept reading in hopes that would happen and there was a brief moment where she did.
The writing was so juvenile when the characters were supposed to be well into their 20’s. You would have thought they were in high school.
Also…. You have someone trying to kill you multiple times and you have 0 body guards and proceed to go places alone or leave your house alone and continue to get attacked…
I also hate that we don’t know what happened to Scarlett or Winters 3 supposed best friends. I would have loved to have known why Masons father and her mother wanted her dead or why they all hated each other. Just so many unanswered things. I will say the plot had a lot of potential but fell so short.

[Kimberly Smith bridges · Rating 1 out of 5]

don’t waste your time

I rarely write reviews but could not let this go. Books one and two were really good. Not sure what this was about. We had to wait forever to get this book. Spoilers



Winter friends are front and center books one and two. Which book 2 we had a cliffhanger with them. Book 3 they were never mentioned until the end and it was not sure where their friendship was at.. you are teased that the other guys in the group like them but again nothing. The mob boss in the book name, wife name and city are the same as another book by another author. This book was mostly winter sting childish and crying non stop. Mason turned into someone pathetic and rushed at the end to get them back together. Her “mom” his dad and Antonio are taken care of quickly and not much done. Her brother hunt who is a mc boss sure does nothing but follow mason around. Her dad comes back and not really much said or did about it. After waiting forever for this book wish I wound have skipped all the books. Would not recommend

[Thoria Eisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the fastest book that I’ve read because I was skimming through it but this book was so bad. I love the book one and book 2 and I can’t believe I waited this long for book 3 this is not a good book the storyline was all over the place and she went through a lot and it was just a lot to handle for some reason I just didn’t like it and for her friends to not be mentioned at all in the third book is so crazy to me how she went from having a good support group to nothing and then her dad coming back being resurrected from the dead is also a bit crazy This book was definitely poorly written, but I do like the author though, but oh my God, I will never read this again. I wouldn’t know how to explain it unless you read it and you’re also going to be as confused as I am, because I just don’t know what to say.

[Laura L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ending

I honestly have mixed feelings about this book, actually this whole series. Winter was awful in this book. Mason should have just walked away a long time ago. She blamed him for everything that happened to her, which wasn’t his fault. She apparently hated him through the entire book, until the very end. I found it frustrating and almost didn’t finish. Mason was awful in the first book, second book he realized how much he loved her. The third, he did everything for her. She was just stupid throughout the series. Some of the conversations with the characters were just childish. I was really looking forward to this after reading poisoned throne. I expected better from this series.

[k's.bookshelf. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally!

I have been waiting so long for this final instalment! I am so thrilled that it's finally here!
It's been a while since I've read the first two so I was debating whether or not I should re read before diving into this one. Turns out, I'm impatient af. While a refresher never would of hurt, I didn't need it. Something about Nikita's books just sticks with me.
Nikita's dark, Taboo and just straight up f*#^$_ up books are just incredible!
In saying that, NEVER skip the trigger warnings if you get triggered easily. She does not hold back!
This final chapter tied things of for Mason and Winter in perfect Mason and Winter fashion.
Freaking LOVED IT

[Elizabeth G · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best

What a great way to finish off a series of Mason and Winter. It was so exciting and sad and all of these emotions that kept going through me. I was so pleased that Winter did not forgive Mason straight away, after everything he had done and said to her forgiveness was not a sure thing.
I am sad to say goodbye to these characters have really enjoyed this series and love Nikita’s work

[MsAprilreadswhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally

I've waited for a long time for this book to come out. I'm glad Mason groveled. But by half way through the book Winter should of forgave him. As for Winter smh girl I get you went through some shit and trusting is hard but I really disliked her in this story.

And what happens to Scarlett? Also I wanted a little more build up with masons dad and step mom
I'm really hoping Hunter and Grayson get a book too

[Gia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline is interesting but the writing is incredibly juvenile. The dialogue is particularly hard to read. There are good bones but I won't be reading anymore from this author. It honestly reads like a bad fan fiction.

SPOILERS****









She's raped by the non-hero but it's less violent than how the hero rapes her in book 2. Also, the first thing she wants to do after all her terrible encounters is screw the H.

I don't know, it's all a little ridiculous.

[BullyResQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rip out your heart and keep you on the edge of your seat (or bed) from beginning to end. Be ready to go through all the emotions and front row seat one heck of a redemption arc. You will most likely need to refrain from throwing your book/kindle across the room, but a little restraint and it will all be worth it. Very much looking forward to revisiting from start to finish (the trilogy) and taking this nerve wracking journey all over again.

[Nineette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conclusion to Mason and Winter story

On intense emotional journey for this couple. She was dealing with the trauma she endured. He was dealing well with the factor that she might not be able to forgive him for his bullying and torments. Heed the warning of the book there are complicated topics on this book and are definitely intense.

[Jodie Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mason finally gets his head out his arse and chases after Winter but she runs and is in more danger. She didn’t think there would others out there wanting to hurt her but she was wrong.

He turned into a sap and did kept running and getting in to trouble. It took me a while to get into this because it had been quite some time but was quite disappointed

Xx

[Victoria · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the other two books and thought they were very well written. This 3rd book felt like it was written by a completely different person. I could not stand all the swearing every other word. It just seems like it was written by an amateur compared to the first 2 books in this series. I only finished reading it since it was the last book and I was curious how it would end.

[Sherri Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book and loved the characters. I'm glad everything worked out for them and they finally got together and got rid of the people for what they did to her.

[Summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

HDM

Well, let's just say she is the one who goes through horrible things, but somehow, he makes all about him. She forgives him in like 30 seconds.

[Nicola Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic read as always

The final book did not disappoint. I went through every emotion you could imagine and felt the hate and love in Winter. Well worth the wait