Ripped Souls

The Born Trilogy #1

by Sasha R.C.

What would you do to keep your bloodline alive?
We will wait forever for our mate.
Our hearts don't beat, we have no soul.
Not until we have her.
The only thing that matters is finding her, what happens next, we have no idea.
Being a vampire should be fun right?
It is more like a curse that we can never escape from.
We are powerful, ruthless, cold, and strong.
But who are we without our mate, we are in fact nothing.
This is our story. This is how it happened.
Welcome to The Born.
Welcome to the world within your world.
Welcome to the darkness of the Guardians.

What you need to know about Ripped Souls
Why Choose
Fated Mates
Vampires
P/J/C/D MMC's (Possessive/ Jealous/ controlling/ Dominant)

This is a dark why choose vampire romance. This book contains themes and topics that might be hard for some readers. 18 +
Please read TWs and CWs (Inside book)

Highly Recommended that you read The Fated Trilogy next

Genres: Why Choose, Vampires, Romance, Dark Romance, Paranormal, Dark, Fantasy

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2023

About the author

Hello I am Sasha R.C.
I am a dark romance author. I love anything that has to do with Dark Romance. The Darker the Better. Some of my Favs are: The Ritual, The Sinner, Church, Den of Vipers, and The Sacrifice

I am currently writing many different dark romance standalones

Please read TWs and CWs

Reviews

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Welcome to The Born, where vampires rule the South in mafia families, and human women are raised in chosen families to be their bonded mates.

I really enjoyed this story - I always like a good mafia romance, and everyone knows I’m a sucker for paranormal romance, so when a book comes around that offers both, you know I’ll be at the front of the line.

While the premise, story and characters are all excellent, I found that a few things kept me from really loving this story. First, there is very little dialogue and direct character interactions. Most of the book takes place within the minds and monologues of the characters. Even though we know Nellie and the men are connected, outside of the spicy scenes, we don’t *see* their relationships develop - it’s described in their inner monologues. Secondly, this book was very repetitive. During their bonding spicy scene, each of Nellie’s men get a POV chapter, and nearly every chapter is the same. Every chapter in the antagonists POV read like a repeat of the last - I feel like all of the characters could have been a little more fleshed out and their chapters could have been deeper.

That being said, I am very excited to jump into book 2 and see what is coming next for the Rosetti/DeLuca family… especially in the pool house 👀

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited for this book and although I did enjoy the concept of the story there was a lot of repetitive dialogue. There is no real interaction within the characters it is mostly inner monologue except for the spicy scenes which were good but I wanted more story more character interaction more development! But with all that being said I did enjoy it and I am looking forward to book 2.

[Vee’s Bookish Adventure · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Synopsis:
Hidden within the world we know is a darker more paranormal world. One where you have to be invited in as a guard or a chosen one. Nellie falls under one of the chosen, a woman who will find her mates and help them keep their line going. Will Nellie’s mating be as awful as she was taught or will she be treated like a Queen and loved?

My Review:
I’ve been waiting for a chance to read this story for a while and it did not disappoint! I love the story, the spice, and the characters. There were some redundant inner monologues that kept repeating but it didn’t take away from the story. I cannot wait to get my hands in the second book coming to us in October!!

Tropes:
Why Choose
Multiple POVs
Vampires
Fated Mates
Kinks
Trigger warnings
“Touch Her and Die”
Alpha Males
Jealousy
Annoying Ex

[Audi♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVE the cover.
I'm really not a RH girly, but I thought I would try it out seeing there's MM in it. (It happens once at the end) I found out I don't like coochie anymore, but that's a me thing. 🤭
We had a lot of POVs. Mostly inner thoughts that all sounded the same. They don't even talk to each other much. I just couldn't connect to them.
This wasn't for me, but heck, the spicy parts were hot .

Ps- I hated Darius.

"She is all I can think about ever since my heart jilted alive. All I want to do is touch her. Claim her. Protect her. My heart only beats because of her. The soul I now have is only there because of her."

[Raisa_booksntatts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author ripped my soul when she wrote this book, it was that good. It gives the bond that ties vibe mixed with mafia and vampires but not the typical vampires we imagine. The cliffhanger killed me though especially after one of the men in the why choose category comes to a big realization like what?!? I cannot wait for the second and third book to come out because I need more of these characters.

[tattooedbooknerdgirl35 (Amanda Lynn) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow. My mind is completely blown away after reading Ripped Souls. This book is one in the series. This story has it all, drama, action, vampires, sexy, hot scenes, hot alpha Guardians.

I feel for the heroine. She knew she didn't have a normal life. She was a part of something bigger, since before her birth, she was chosen to be a mate to Guardians. She feels like she has no choice.

Enter in these HOT Alpha Guardians who fall at her feet, they mate call they felt.

Read & see how Nellie and her mates Darius, Loyal, Neo, and Christo handle being mates. Some don't fight it as hard and one who has issues with a past love. Will they win her love?

This book was everything I could ever want in a dark read. Sexy dirty bedroom scenes, vamps. It will have you on the edge of your seat. The sexy scenes will have you sweating & panting for more.

A must-read. Read your triggers before reading. Definitely have you wanting more.

[Ash Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This series has me in a chokehold (🤪😉) I can’t remember a time were I have had this much love for a series

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Binged in 1 go as soon as my family left me alone. I couldn't put it down. Can't wait for the next one.

[Samantha Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing, always read the triggers before reading. Sasha did an amazing job she had me not only on the edge of my seat wondering what next is going to happen but my emotions were all over the place. I literally would vent out loud cursing up a storm about wanting to hit a character. My heart would race when I was angry at a character while reading. I was just all over. I absolutely love the MMC’s and MFC and the development between them. This is the first book in a series so yes there is a cliffhanger that will have you wanting to know what happens next.

This is a dark why choose alpha vampire romance with breeding mentioned, and whew those spicy scenes I devoured. Again Sasha did an amazing job writing this book and her characters. I definitely recommend reading this book!

[Mikayla Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book. Omg it’s so, so spicy. And the way she writes it. You can feel the emotion behind the characters and how they’re all feeling. The guys just 🤤. And the lines are totally swoon worthy. I can’t wait for book two.

[TheBlondishBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where do I begin?! This book was kind of out of my comfort zone, as I’ve never read a fantasy romance before, and definitely my first spicy vampire encounter! I thought the forbidden romance trope between one of the human FMC’s and human MMC’s was a great storyline hidden beneath the surface. But then, the FMC is forced to mate with four, yes I said FOUR, spicy sexy vampire men. The story follows the relationship build up between the FMC and four fated mates who start out as total strangers, and are suddenly connected in unimaginable ways. We see the revenge trope as a murder in revenge occurs, and it’s definitely full of drama! The spice was a lot than what I usually go for, but that’s not a bad thing at all! It was great to try something new for sure. I’d say this wasn’t fully my cup of tea, purely because I tend to go for full on smut, but I definitely felt the storyline was great! So, if you’re into sexy vampires and fated mates, go try out Ripped Souls!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ripped Souls Book 1
Sasha RC

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Everything we have been told about Vampires is wrong. In this world they are called Guardians. If you are human you are a “chosen” or a “guard”. Nellie is a “chosen” where she will be mated to one or more guardian, to keep their bloodline going.

I was excited to read this book, I love anything to do with vampires and dark romance. I loved the romance between Nellie and her guardians. I thought the spice between the characters was believable and not overdone. But, the only problem I felt the story had, and it may just be me, was there wasn’t a lot of dialogue. The story was told by each character’s thoughts and after awhile, I grew tired of reading the same thing over again.

But, I did genuinely enjoy the story and definitely look forward to reading book 2.

Tropes
Why Choose
Multiple POVs
Vampires
Fated Mates
“Touch Her and Die”
Alpha Males

[kariany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is why I keep going back to Sasha’s books because she can write a story and like you could never get bored and after that you get a book hungover 😵‍💫
This book is a little different from her other books this one is fantasy with lots of more smut, Sexy Vampires, Jaw opening scenes, and of course a why choose plus much more 😉 and I love that she can just write anything!
This is book 1 of a series and it was definitely a page turner beginning to end be aware it will leave you wanting to know more of the story but I’m so so ready to know what happens next!

Please read TWs and CWs before reading!

This book is available for preorder and comes out Sept 30th 2023 so go and grab a copy this is definitely one that you would want to add to you TBR of Dark Romance books.

[Anita Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ripped Souls is book 1. of a series so keep that in mind.
This is my first read of Sasha RC.

It is a very slow start for me but if you can wait for a little way through it starts coming alive. I think the beginning was almost like a prequel to the story that will be in book 2. It had a lot of Information about who and what the characters were all about and where they came from. Which was good to know.

I am not much of a multi-POV person but this particular book did flow better than others, which was nice and it explains so much about each person involved

This book has great potential for being an exciting and very spicy read.
I do like vampire and Mafia-type books. So, I will keep with it to see where this book leads.

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Check Trigger Warnings*

3.5 stars

- Why Choose
- Fated Mates
- Vampires
- P/J/C/D MMC's (Possessive/ Jealous/ controlling/ Dominant)

I have really been into dark romances lately and this one has combined paranormal with it, I am so there! I really enjoyed the premise of the book. I found some of the dialogue repetitive, but it didn't make me dnf. I loved how the world is written as we were wrong about vampires all this time. The cliffhanger caught me off guard, so I am looking forward to seeing how book 2 plays out.

[Shaina Crank · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author knew what she was doing when she wrote this book! I loved the twist on vampires and that they are not like every other literary vampire that already exists. I was instantly hooked from page one, and once all the characters were revealed I could not put the book down. I fell in love with reading the story and seeing the character development unfold between the 5 main characters. I absolutely cannot wait to read the next book in this series.

[Pitch Black J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the dynamic of this story. You get enough of the character building and backstory to understand certain aspects of some of the characters. I think Ashton is going to be one of my favorite characters. The relationship between Nellie and her mates is intriguing and I can’t wait to see what more you get from them. Zay is the worst I don’t agree with his mindset and I think he takes things too far. I can’t wait to read the rest of this trilogy. This one has definitely kept my interest.

[Kathy Gioxaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this story! This book has everything you would want in a Dark Romance and more! Left me wanting more and can’t wait for the other two books to come out.
A must read!
Please check the TWs before reading

[Jessica Grooms · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait to read this book!! I mean it had vampires, mates, mmfmm, knife play, breath play, everything I love in dark romances this book had it! The way they knelt at her feet had me losing my mind!! I cannot wait til the second book to see how their story continues!

[Brianna Arbelaez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know where to begin with this review! Sasha R.C has done it again! She wrote another dark romance why choose that had me sitting on the edge of my seat and blowing my mind! I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their story and how it has only just begun! That cliffhanger at the end has me 😭

[Pam's Lil Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different and interesting take on vampires. I personally don't like multiple point of views, sometimes it is hard for me to follow but this one flowed with past and present. Sex scenes for me were about a 2 to 3 on a 5 scale.They weren't long in details. I felt the main female character did not have a lot to say but this is a series.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap man that was a twist and dark and fun romance if I have ever read one. Damn boi 😳 that was amazing

[Dolores Villa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from the start! MMCs are awesome and it's awesome that you feel like you know em. Leaves you wanting to know what's next!!

[KayCee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Go read this book! I have been reading dark romance for a while but dark romance and vampires was what I didn't know I was missing. The story is about a human girl (Nellie), who has been fated to be mated with a vampire. However, you was mated with four vampires from two very powerful families who have been at odds. How will Nellie navigate this new role and keep the guys families from going to war? Oh, did I mention there's a human ex-boyfriend that won't leave her alone? Just go read the book, you won't regret it.

[Bookgirlie14 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would! It has vampires, mates, look at her you die, stalking, obsession, and so much more. Definitely read the trigger warning but I mean if you go in blind all the better I believe 😁 the smut when it happens is perfection. The internal battles everyone goes through with being mates and having to share a mate is written so well. I can't wait to see what happens in this series!

[Stephanie Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

If i could rate this book it would be like 10000000⭐️!! But sadly i guess i will rate it a 5⭐️😂😂 this book was so good! I cant wait for the second one. @Sasha RC Author is truly an amazing author i have loved everything she has written but by far this is my favorite one ever!!

BORN TRILOGY BOOK 1
☠️Vampires
☠️Why Choose
☠️Mafia Vibes
☠️Spicy
☠️Smutty
☠️ Alpha Males
☠️Fated Mates

Please read TWs and CWs

[Bookish Aria Bookstagram former Bookish Aria Booktok · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ 4🌶️ Mafia Fantasy Why Choose Dark Romance

Okay let me start by saying I’m going to separate this review into a couple sections with headers:

Tropes/Themes:
Why choose, fated mates, vampires, mafia, possessive/jealous MMC, MMFMM, check your trigger warnings lovelies!

Things I loved:
Not your typical vampire book, set in New Orleans, Original Lore, Spicy

Things that could be better:
As others have said, a lot of “telling” rather than “showing,” some repetitive parts (although I was impressed with the improvements in this from the ARC to the final release! There definitely could still be some tidying), and also as others have said, I wish there was also even more character development, relationship development, I think it would have helped me get invested more. I think if there was more “showing” rather than telling and more to the plot in the beginning that illustrated the characters and relationship this would have helped.

Things that are my own personal issues and NOT issues with the book:
I have realized that I am not a huge fan of mafia books, and this was my first one, but I figured I would try it because I love RH/Why Choose, Monster/Vampire/Fantasy books, Fated mates and dark romance books so I thought the combo would be interesting. I also don’t mind secret society books like in Scream for Us/Bloodshed or The Ritual/LORDS series. For me, the mafia side seemed more prevalent than the fantasy side other than the Fated Mates trope. But again, this ended up being my own personal preference and I did NOT base my rating off of this.

Overall:
If you love mafia fantasy books with fated mates then this is the series for you! Also, Sasha and her team are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met and it was a pleasure to be a part of her ARC team. I do look forward to see where these characters go.

DISCLAIMER: I received an eARC for my honest review. I received no compensation and this review was not pressured or coerced.

Also note, this review was originally published under my personal account but I have since shifted to my Booktok persona account and have therefore copied over all my reviews!

[Valerie Gadd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start by saying before reading this book please check the trigger warnings before hand!
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
Now to the good stuff!!
The name is a perfect fit for this book! Because Sasha girl you have ripped my soul out with this one!! The way I sobbed at the end!!! Book 2 can not come fast enough! This book was fast paced which I love!!! The way I fell in love with the Guardians from the start!! The cliffhanger has ripped me apart and left me wanting more!! I can not wait to see how this story unfolds!! Definitely give this book a go!!! You won’t be disappointed!!

[Maranda Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I could not put this down I loved loved loved it. One of the best I have read this year!!! 5 on my spice scale. Make sure to read triggers.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title Ripped Souls must be referring to the readers’ souls, because OMG! So many emotions and a crazy cliffhanger! I can’t wait for book 2!