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Wicked Games: A Prequel Dark Horror Romance Novella
A black envelope with silver filigree, a house long abandoned by residents, and a tragedy covered up in the bayou. What did these three things have in common?
Harper
When I received an invitation to the House of Horrors at the once beautiful Toussaint Manor, unease had filled every fiber of my being. And like the dumbass I was, I still went. What I didn’t know was that once I stepped foot inside, I might not ever leave.
Minos
Harper Leigh was beautiful, but beneath her sweet facade, I knew that she was a snake, just like the rest of her friends. She had to pay for the pain she’d caused, preferably in blood.
Erebus
Once I caught sight of the woman with haunting eyes and midnight colored hair, I knew that she had to be mine. My brother wanted to punish her, but I wanted to keep her. That could only happen if she lived through our trials.
Wicked Games is a dark contemporary romance novella where the main character will have more than one love interest–eventually. It contains dark themes, language, and explicit content that may not be for every reader. This book is for mature readers only.
Harper
When I received an invitation to the House of Horrors at the once beautiful Toussaint Manor, unease had filled every fiber of my being. And like the dumbass I was, I still went. What I didn’t know was that once I stepped foot inside, I might not ever leave.
Minos
Harper Leigh was beautiful, but beneath her sweet facade, I knew that she was a snake, just like the rest of her friends. She had to pay for the pain she’d caused, preferably in blood.
Erebus
Once I caught sight of the woman with haunting eyes and midnight colored hair, I knew that she had to be mine. My brother wanted to punish her, but I wanted to keep her. That could only happen if she lived through our trials.
Wicked Games is a dark contemporary romance novella where the main character will have more than one love interest–eventually. It contains dark themes, language, and explicit content that may not be for every reader. This book is for mature readers only.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2023
77 people are currently reading
2719 people want to read
About the author
P.H. Nix
12 books527 followersP.H. Nix is the bold voice behind several steamy romance series, taboo tales, and darkly addictive sagas that push boundaries and break hearts. Known for her morally gray characters and fiercely strong female leads, her stories are where desire meets danger—and nothing is ever black and white. A proud mom and full-time creator of fictional chaos, Nix writes for readers who like their romance with a little bite and a lot of fire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
November 3, 2023
“Plus, gators have souls. Dear Maman taught us that.”
GA LA FA, GA LA FA!!!
I've been reading a lot of Halloween novellas recently, some good, some bad, some just okay, but this one? It blew all of them right out of the water.
I thought I was in for an average read, BUT BOY WAS I WRONG. It was clear from the start that a lot of thought was put into the setting, plot and characters. They felt well-developed, especially for such a short read.
The revenge trope, which is one of my favourites, is ever so present in this. Not only do Vi's brothers get revenge for their sister, but Harper Leigh gets revenge on her cheating boyfriend too, what's not to love?
There's also a pet gator called Gumbo and people who seemingly disappear into thin air. There's something spooky going on, I can't wait to find out what.
Now that cliffhanger ending...masterfully done. I'm already suffering. WHEN'S THE NEXT BOOK COMING Y'ALL??? I know that this one practically just came out, but still. Can't leave is hanging like that, it's cruel.
The paperback is going on my wishlist immediately, this is going to be one of my favourite series for sure.
P. S. Do check the content warnings, it gets dark!!
GA LA FA, GA LA FA!!!
I've been reading a lot of Halloween novellas recently, some good, some bad, some just okay, but this one? It blew all of them right out of the water.
I thought I was in for an average read, BUT BOY WAS I WRONG. It was clear from the start that a lot of thought was put into the setting, plot and characters. They felt well-developed, especially for such a short read.
The revenge trope, which is one of my favourites, is ever so present in this. Not only do Vi's brothers get revenge for their sister, but Harper Leigh gets revenge on her cheating boyfriend too, what's not to love?
There's also a pet gator called Gumbo and people who seemingly disappear into thin air. There's something spooky going on, I can't wait to find out what.
Now that cliffhanger ending...masterfully done. I'm already suffering. WHEN'S THE NEXT BOOK COMING Y'ALL??? I know that this one practically just came out, but still. Can't leave is hanging like that, it's cruel.
The paperback is going on my wishlist immediately, this is going to be one of my favourite series for sure.
P. S. Do check the content warnings, it gets dark!!
October 23, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️½
“You wish you could hate me, Harper. You wish that your body didn’t like the things that it does.”
Wicked Games is a great horror novella ready to read right in time for Halloween! It’s a blend of Saw & the Texas Chainsaw Massacre in a southern Louisiana setting - the bayous surrounding NOLA. Revenge and secrets, blood and gore, and depictions of darker kinks.
Due to its shorter length, I would not consider this novella a “romance”; rather, it’s a horror story with the potential for further relationship exploration in later books.
It ends at a significant cliffhanger; I cannot wait to see what happens next.
⚠️ Very Dark Elements/Themes Warning – check TWs ⚠️
Genre: Dark Southern Gothic Horror Romance
Tropes/Features: Very dark elements/themes, captive/captor, forced proximity, enemies to lovers (kind of), virgin FMC, unhinged brothers, gore, violence, lies, bloody revenge plot, primal play, gun play, obsession, noncon
Narrator: Multiple 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: NA (eventually a why choose), fast burn, spicy
Book Type/Ending: Prequel novella, cliffhanger ending
TW/CW: Multiple dark themes; visit Celeste Night’s website for more information
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️½
“You wish you could hate me, Harper. You wish that your body didn’t like the things that it does.”
Wicked Games is a great horror novella ready to read right in time for Halloween! It’s a blend of Saw & the Texas Chainsaw Massacre in a southern Louisiana setting - the bayous surrounding NOLA. Revenge and secrets, blood and gore, and depictions of darker kinks.
Due to its shorter length, I would not consider this novella a “romance”; rather, it’s a horror story with the potential for further relationship exploration in later books.
It ends at a significant cliffhanger; I cannot wait to see what happens next.
⚠️ Very Dark Elements/Themes Warning – check TWs ⚠️
Genre: Dark Southern Gothic Horror Romance
Tropes/Features: Very dark elements/themes, captive/captor, forced proximity, enemies to lovers (kind of), virgin FMC, unhinged brothers, gore, violence, lies, bloody revenge plot, primal play, gun play, obsession, noncon
Narrator: Multiple 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: NA (eventually a why choose), fast burn, spicy
Book Type/Ending: Prequel novella, cliffhanger ending
TW/CW: Multiple dark themes; visit Celeste Night’s website for more information
October 3, 2023
This Novella left me wanting more!!! Revenge served deliciously.
These two authors together create utter chaos in the most delicious way. Twisted and wrong but I'm here for it.
This book starts out with a party gone wrong and a families way to take revenge for someone lost due to the actions of others.
Welcome to Wicked Games, where a beautiful invitation turns into a fun house of childhood games turned deadly and gruesome. There's betrayal, cheating boyfriend with supposed friend, and 4 disturbingly off their rocker men who have created this house of horrors.
Read the trigger and content warnings because this isn't a scary clown, jump scare kind of book. There's SA, noncon/dubcon situations that are spicy and disturbing. The ending left me wanting to throw my reading device and want to send angry messages but knowing these two...more fuckery is right around the corner and who knows there could be more to follow!!
These two authors together create utter chaos in the most delicious way. Twisted and wrong but I'm here for it.
This book starts out with a party gone wrong and a families way to take revenge for someone lost due to the actions of others.
Welcome to Wicked Games, where a beautiful invitation turns into a fun house of childhood games turned deadly and gruesome. There's betrayal, cheating boyfriend with supposed friend, and 4 disturbingly off their rocker men who have created this house of horrors.
Read the trigger and content warnings because this isn't a scary clown, jump scare kind of book. There's SA, noncon/dubcon situations that are spicy and disturbing. The ending left me wanting to throw my reading device and want to send angry messages but knowing these two...more fuckery is right around the corner and who knows there could be more to follow!!
Read
September 8, 2025dnf @ 37% — I am astounded this novella has over a 4 star rating. In just 27 pages the women of this book have all been referred to as bitches and one of the mmc threatens to graphically rip out one of the women’s reproductive organs. There is zero graphic detail about the other men in the story only the women. Also why the reproductive organs specifically??
To add to the fact that not only do they have dumb names, both the mmcs believe the fmc to be MOST at fault for an event that had nothing to do with her and not the THREE other people who actually committed the crime. She also wasn’t there because she had just learned horrible news about her family???
To add to the fact that not only do they have dumb names, both the mmcs believe the fmc to be MOST at fault for an event that had nothing to do with her and not the THREE other people who actually committed the crime. She also wasn’t there because she had just learned horrible news about her family???
October 29, 2023
Wicked Games ARC Review
Wow! Everything about PH Nix and Celeste Night’s book Wicked Games is phenomenal! The prologue alone is a gut punch that will have your head spinning!
After a shocking prologue, readers are introduced to Harper Leigh, an innocent southern belle who’s on her way to an invitation only haunted house with her boyfriend and friends. We get the sense that all may not be as it seems with Harper’s companions, and the imagery that Nix and Night create sets an unsettling tone for a night that will have a nightmare ending.
Wicked Games’ villains are something straight from Hell. We truly only meet two of them in this first book, Minos and Erebus; however we do get glimpses of all four. While both are equally dark and demented, Minos and Erebus initially want different endings for our dear southern beauty; it would seem, as the story progresses, however, that our murderous party hosts conclude that Harper may just deserve to live after all.
With gruesomely beautiful traps laid throughout the gothic Toussaint Manor, Harper quickly realizes that she needs to do whatever it takes to survive… and as secrets are revealed, pushing those limits may just become easier as the night goes on.
Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Wicked Games. Be mindful of your trigger warnings… this book is not for the faint of heart. It isn’t just dark. It’s pitch black. And I can’t wait to see what book 2 has in store! 🖤
Wow! Everything about PH Nix and Celeste Night’s book Wicked Games is phenomenal! The prologue alone is a gut punch that will have your head spinning!
After a shocking prologue, readers are introduced to Harper Leigh, an innocent southern belle who’s on her way to an invitation only haunted house with her boyfriend and friends. We get the sense that all may not be as it seems with Harper’s companions, and the imagery that Nix and Night create sets an unsettling tone for a night that will have a nightmare ending.
Wicked Games’ villains are something straight from Hell. We truly only meet two of them in this first book, Minos and Erebus; however we do get glimpses of all four. While both are equally dark and demented, Minos and Erebus initially want different endings for our dear southern beauty; it would seem, as the story progresses, however, that our murderous party hosts conclude that Harper may just deserve to live after all.
With gruesomely beautiful traps laid throughout the gothic Toussaint Manor, Harper quickly realizes that she needs to do whatever it takes to survive… and as secrets are revealed, pushing those limits may just become easier as the night goes on.
Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Wicked Games. Be mindful of your trigger warnings… this book is not for the faint of heart. It isn’t just dark. It’s pitch black. And I can’t wait to see what book 2 has in store! 🖤
November 1, 2024
Ууу довбаний кліфхенгер!
Новела хороша, але мені треба більше! В цілому стиль написання і сюжет мені сподобались. Цікава задумка, мікс Піли і Я знаю, що ви скоїли минулого літа + трохи містики. Далі трохи тезісно.
• Класні прізвиська з давньогрецьких міфів, якщо покапатися в їх значеннях, то вони ідеально пасують персонажам.
• Алігатор в якості домашнього улюбленця це щось новеньке.
• Не зрозуміла чого вони звинувачують Гарпер, якщо її немає на відео, де Ві вмирає. У чуваків було 4 місяці, щоб розібратися що до чого. Гарпер теж цікава. Їй сказали, що її бесті зникнула, і вона така "ну ок". Камон, може трохи спробуєш її пошукати.
• Остання сцена 18+ для мене ту мач. Мені подобаються гареми, але тут це просто групове зґвалтування.
Схоже це 0.5 до майбутньої серії і думаю нас чекає ччччж. Чекаю на продовження.
Новела хороша, але мені треба більше! В цілому стиль написання і сюжет мені сподобались. Цікава задумка, мікс Піли і Я знаю, що ви скоїли минулого літа + трохи містики. Далі трохи тезісно.
• Класні прізвиська з давньогрецьких міфів, якщо покапатися в їх значеннях, то вони ідеально пасують персонажам.
• Алігатор в якості домашнього улюбленця це щось новеньке.
• Не зрозуміла чого вони звинувачують Гарпер, якщо її немає на відео, де Ві вмирає. У чуваків було 4 місяці, щоб розібратися що до чого. Гарпер теж цікава. Їй сказали, що її бесті зникнула, і вона така "ну ок". Камон, може трохи спробуєш її пошукати.
• Остання сцена 18+ для мене ту мач. Мені подобаються гареми, але тут це просто групове зґвалтування.
Схоже це 0.5 до майбутньої серії і думаю нас чекає ччччж. Чекаю на продовження.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2024
I didn't have any idea what was going to happen in the games. Loved the revenge
May 23, 2025
3,5 🌟
October 1, 2023
I need more!
I loved everything about this! The dark vibes, the character development of Harper Leigh and the sadistically dark men! This is the perfect spooky season novella! I really hope Celeste and Nix have plans to continue this into a full length novel because I would snag that up in a heartbeat!
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
I loved everything about this! The dark vibes, the character development of Harper Leigh and the sadistically dark men! This is the perfect spooky season novella! I really hope Celeste and Nix have plans to continue this into a full length novel because I would snag that up in a heartbeat!
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
October 17, 2023
HOLY SH*T! P.H. Nix and Celeste Night did not hold back on this one. An invitation, games of live or unalive, a virgin FMC, and plenty of devious morally grey men!
I could not put this book down! It made me gasp, it made me laugh hysterically, and it made me flustered in all the best ways. I can’t wait for more because I have so many thoughts and questions!
I could not put this book down! It made me gasp, it made me laugh hysterically, and it made me flustered in all the best ways. I can’t wait for more because I have so many thoughts and questions!
October 26, 2023
Arc Review
Complaint number one: it’s too short. It’s a dope af novella that had me HOOKED from the prologue and had me gasping while reading. Complaint number two: THE FUCKING CLIFFHANGER. Guys… for real, what the fuck. I’m Britney bitch! Gimmie more, Gimmie Gimmie more!!! Complaint number three: I really have no legitimate complaints. This Halloween haunted house novella was everything I could have asked for. It gave me the best Jigsaw vibes ever and a chase scene through the woods that ends with *chefs kiss* stuffed AF turducken.
Complaint number one: it’s too short. It’s a dope af novella that had me HOOKED from the prologue and had me gasping while reading. Complaint number two: THE FUCKING CLIFFHANGER. Guys… for real, what the fuck. I’m Britney bitch! Gimmie more, Gimmie Gimmie more!!! Complaint number three: I really have no legitimate complaints. This Halloween haunted house novella was everything I could have asked for. It gave me the best Jigsaw vibes ever and a chase scene through the woods that ends with *chefs kiss* stuffed AF turducken.
October 23, 2023
Yes. Yes. And yes!
On their own, these two authors are incredible, but together, they are one twisted powerhouse.
I couldn't wait to devour this novella, so naturally I am very disappointed that it ended so quickly and I have to wait for them to write the next part. Wicked Games left me absolutely ravenous for more!
Even in the small amount that was given, the authors still managed to give us a great prequel leading us to a much larger story. The pacing was full speed ahead so be prepared for that cliff's edge.
Wicked Games is very reminiscent to SAW, a torturous house of horrors with a heaping spoonful of spice. From a dark romance perspective, I would say this is a deep gray to the edges of black writing since it does contain a bit of graphic content. Dissecting this from a (borderline erotic) horror view point, I would say this is a good toe dipper. It gives the reader a chance to tie toe around the edges and experiment with a different genre from what they are used to.
On their own, these two authors are incredible, but together, they are one twisted powerhouse.
I couldn't wait to devour this novella, so naturally I am very disappointed that it ended so quickly and I have to wait for them to write the next part. Wicked Games left me absolutely ravenous for more!
Even in the small amount that was given, the authors still managed to give us a great prequel leading us to a much larger story. The pacing was full speed ahead so be prepared for that cliff's edge.
Wicked Games is very reminiscent to SAW, a torturous house of horrors with a heaping spoonful of spice. From a dark romance perspective, I would say this is a deep gray to the edges of black writing since it does contain a bit of graphic content. Dissecting this from a (borderline erotic) horror view point, I would say this is a good toe dipper. It gives the reader a chance to tie toe around the edges and experiment with a different genre from what they are used to.
October 8, 2023
Well the story started off with a bang, did not see that coming! I totally devoured this in one sitting!!
Revenge at its finest, this was deliciously dark and I loved every bit of it 😈
I enjoyed all of the characters the angst and the wicked games.
Harper suprised me and I freaking loved it 😈 she was amazing when she let her true self out to play!
🖤 That ending though, I need more! Can't wait for the next book 🖤
Revenge at its finest, this was deliciously dark and I loved every bit of it 😈
I enjoyed all of the characters the angst and the wicked games.
Harper suprised me and I freaking loved it 😈 she was amazing when she let her true self out to play!
🖤 That ending though, I need more! Can't wait for the next book 🖤
October 7, 2023
Holy hot horror book!!!
This little Novella carved a place for itself in my chest!
It has saw vibes only with masked men and spice🥴. When the fmc finally reaches her breaking point and becomes unhinged!!!!! I Live for that moment.
Check your TW cause this book has
🔫 gun play
👺 masked men
🖤 southern gothic vibes
🖤 why choose
🖤 chasing
🖤 non- con
And more🖤
This little Novella carved a place for itself in my chest!
It has saw vibes only with masked men and spice🥴. When the fmc finally reaches her breaking point and becomes unhinged!!!!! I Live for that moment.
Check your TW cause this book has
🔫 gun play
👺 masked men
🖤 southern gothic vibes
🖤 why choose
🖤 chasing
🖤 non- con
And more🖤
December 26, 2023
"Run, little nightmare. Your demons are coming."
I have a problem.
Is it the kind of books I read? No.
Is it the fact I like the content in these books? No.
My problem is, that this is a prequel and I want to read more NOW. Yesterday even.
I really liked this short and spicy horror romance. It had the triple D 😏 Dark, depraved and delicious.
I don't want to spoil the story for the review readers, but let me just say this:
The story was fun, in a horror and spice loving kind of way. The games were sick. The characters were out for revenge and they got it. I loved it.
I can't wait for the next book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
As always: Check the triggers before diving in.
I have a problem.
Is it the kind of books I read? No.
Is it the fact I like the content in these books? No.
My problem is, that this is a prequel and I want to read more NOW. Yesterday even.
I really liked this short and spicy horror romance. It had the triple D 😏 Dark, depraved and delicious.
I don't want to spoil the story for the review readers, but let me just say this:
The story was fun, in a horror and spice loving kind of way. The games were sick. The characters were out for revenge and they got it. I loved it.
I can't wait for the next book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
As always: Check the triggers before diving in.
July 16, 2025
didn't realize this was only 70 pages when I ordered it........or I wouldn't have ordered it ! This book was hard for me to rate, I really like the plot of the book. However, the characters were really hard to like, but I guess that comes with the territory of shoving everything into 70 pages. It did keep your attention tho, I really liked the whole tarot card thrown in their at the end. Loved the cliff hanger at the end of the "book." I wasn't into the whole gang bang scene, and I thought it was very strange that Harper Leigh and Viola were supposed to look alike, and all of Viola's brothers were attracted to her....
October 8, 2023
5⭐️ 4🌶️
Omg this book!! My spooky little heart loved every minute of this book. These men were everything especially Erebus 🫠 Harper really came out of her shell as the book went on. And I loved how fierce her character was by the end. This book definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. And the spice in here was top tier 🤌🏼 And that ending 😱 I couldn’t get enough of this book!! It’s definitely a must read if you love masked men 😏
Omg this book!! My spooky little heart loved every minute of this book. These men were everything especially Erebus 🫠 Harper really came out of her shell as the book went on. And I loved how fierce her character was by the end. This book definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. And the spice in here was top tier 🤌🏼 And that ending 😱 I couldn’t get enough of this book!! It’s definitely a must read if you love masked men 😏
October 23, 2023
Spicy, dark and delicious 😋
Loved this novella! Can't wait for more! They go in thinking it'll be a fun night with friends. Little did they realize it was all for revenge. Slowly Harper sees what her "friends" truly are and feeds that darkness inside of her.
Harper survives the games but at what cost.
I still know what you did last summer mashed with saw😈 your in for a real treat.
Loved this novella! Can't wait for more! They go in thinking it'll be a fun night with friends. Little did they realize it was all for revenge. Slowly Harper sees what her "friends" truly are and feeds that darkness inside of her.
Harper survives the games but at what cost.
I still know what you did last summer mashed with saw😈 your in for a real treat.
February 9, 2024
REVENGE!!! I loved this. It was intense and amazing. That cliffy
April 13, 2024
I love crazy men
November 3, 2024
3⭐️ психічно здорові люди, не читайте це
October 29, 2025
I didn’t know what to expect going into this one. Glad I have no triggers bc wowza. What a read
October 29, 2025
This was WILD - there is something seriously wrong with me but I loveddddd this
April 3, 2024
Loquette
January 11, 2025
pure horror smut. i love a little binge-worthy novella. how did you not know your bestie above the restie had all those brothers tho
October 23, 2023
5/5⭐️
This novella was knocked out of the park! I absolutely loved the whole story. I also like Harper Leigh as a character. The things these authors had to think of to put into these games was crazy! It was dark and delicious!! Highly recommend. Check TW/CW
This novella was knocked out of the park! I absolutely loved the whole story. I also like Harper Leigh as a character. The things these authors had to think of to put into these games was crazy! It was dark and delicious!! Highly recommend. Check TW/CW
November 8, 2023
⭐️2/5
🌶️5/5
Wicked games is a prequel novella to what could very well be a fun dark romancey horror novel. Despite this being only 80 pages long and took me under 2 hours to read I did not like it.
Some of my complaints could be attributed to the face that this is an 80 page novella and that when the main book comes out, the issues may be fixed.
The pacing drove me up a wall. It was a lot. Characters emotions would change very dramatically in the same paragraph and it read as very abrasive. Also ngl the main character, Harper Leigh needs to be developed more (again this is a novella and my own opinion) but she’s a “nice religious girl” with a “secret dark side” that even she didn’t know about. (for real she really doesn’t). She gets ranked on for following religion but states in her own chapter she doesn’t care that much.
so the plot is that harper, her shit bf, the most stereotypical catty girl, and 2 frat bros get personal invites to their own torture Saw like haunted house. this is after the death of Vi cause by said bf, catty girl, and frat bros BUT not Harper leigh. Vi’s brothers are exacting recé her but somehow don’t realize that harper leigh actually had nothing to do with it. Listen the traps and stuff are sick, and twisted i loved that aspect of the world building. it felt heavily inspired but Saw and i loved it.
but Vi’s brothers (there’s 4 men running this house and they are all written the same so idk who’s who) see harper leigh and become instantaneously obsessed. this to me was annoying. they speak about “she has a darkness in her”, “she’s ours”, “she’s sin and innocence”, and “we need to unlock her darkness” and they are LITERALLY seeing her for the first time ever. it was very heavy handed and almost annoying. like Minos no she’s not sin she’s a college girl you wanna fück, jsut say that dude. and sos how do you know she’s kïnky? she a vigín broski, im sure she doesn’t even know what she’s into. oh also more than one brother wants HL to himself and while i love a broody, obsessive MMC is needs to feel justified and this obsession just isn’t justified they do not know her at all.
also the spice, not my thing. this was definitely more of the räpe dark romance and it jsut sat wrong with me. it didn’t felt hot or wanted by both sides and logically i know that harper leigh would be in so much physically pain with all the sêx stuff because there was minimal/no prep. there are lines where HL does say she wants Minos to touch her but overall the spice did nothing good for me and gave me huge ick.
OVERALL, Wicked games has really good bones. the overall plot is cool. I truly do love the concept i love any book set on Nola. I want more details as to why Vi was murdered and Harper Leigh was almost definitely supposed to be a victim to. I want to know more about Vi and her family. I just NEED NEED NEED more details and the dialogue to be a bit flushed out and i need more interaction between HL and the brothers for the obsession to be warranted. I will almost definitely read the full book when it comes out.
🌶️5/5
Wicked games is a prequel novella to what could very well be a fun dark romancey horror novel. Despite this being only 80 pages long and took me under 2 hours to read I did not like it.
Some of my complaints could be attributed to the face that this is an 80 page novella and that when the main book comes out, the issues may be fixed.
The pacing drove me up a wall. It was a lot. Characters emotions would change very dramatically in the same paragraph and it read as very abrasive. Also ngl the main character, Harper Leigh needs to be developed more (again this is a novella and my own opinion) but she’s a “nice religious girl” with a “secret dark side” that even she didn’t know about. (for real she really doesn’t). She gets ranked on for following religion but states in her own chapter she doesn’t care that much.
so the plot is that harper, her shit bf, the most stereotypical catty girl, and 2 frat bros get personal invites to their own torture Saw like haunted house. this is after the death of Vi cause by said bf, catty girl, and frat bros BUT not Harper leigh. Vi’s brothers are exacting recé her but somehow don’t realize that harper leigh actually had nothing to do with it. Listen the traps and stuff are sick, and twisted i loved that aspect of the world building. it felt heavily inspired but Saw and i loved it.
but Vi’s brothers (there’s 4 men running this house and they are all written the same so idk who’s who) see harper leigh and become instantaneously obsessed. this to me was annoying. they speak about “she has a darkness in her”, “she’s ours”, “she’s sin and innocence”, and “we need to unlock her darkness” and they are LITERALLY seeing her for the first time ever. it was very heavy handed and almost annoying. like Minos no she’s not sin she’s a college girl you wanna fück, jsut say that dude. and sos how do you know she’s kïnky? she a vigín broski, im sure she doesn’t even know what she’s into. oh also more than one brother wants HL to himself and while i love a broody, obsessive MMC is needs to feel justified and this obsession just isn’t justified they do not know her at all.
also the spice, not my thing. this was definitely more of the räpe dark romance and it jsut sat wrong with me. it didn’t felt hot or wanted by both sides and logically i know that harper leigh would be in so much physically pain with all the sêx stuff because there was minimal/no prep. there are lines where HL does say she wants Minos to touch her but overall the spice did nothing good for me and gave me huge ick.
OVERALL, Wicked games has really good bones. the overall plot is cool. I truly do love the concept i love any book set on Nola. I want more details as to why Vi was murdered and Harper Leigh was almost definitely supposed to be a victim to. I want to know more about Vi and her family. I just NEED NEED NEED more details and the dialogue to be a bit flushed out and i need more interaction between HL and the brothers for the obsession to be warranted. I will almost definitely read the full book when it comes out.
October 14, 2023
I absolutely love how dark this is. There's a lot I want to say about it but if I say them, you'll probably figure out the story quickly. So, I'll just try my best to explain how good this novella is!
WARNING: if you DID NOT LIKE Haunting Adeline, this is NOT for you.
When the content warnings include "extremely graphic torture, extremely graphic murder, extremely graphic violence" they were NOT lying. So definitely read thr warnings before you join the games!
The prologue started this off very well. The mystery behind who's point of view it was really got me invested even more. You just had to keep reading to find out who it was. The suspense with the events happening and then... ugh. I just have no words. Because these are elements in a book that I absolutely enjoy.
As the story progresses, I just couldn't put it down at that point. To be honest, I thought it was a full novel and didn't check again until I was halfway down that it's actually a novella. So it did take me longer to finish reading because of life happening. If I went into this knowing it was a novella, it would have been finished in half a day.
There is spice in the pages. Not as much as you would think but this could definitely survive without it. It was just the icing and cherry on top!
All I have to say now is, run. Don't walk. Run for your life. Because you WANT this in your reading list.
WARNING: if you DID NOT LIKE Haunting Adeline, this is NOT for you.
When the content warnings include "extremely graphic torture, extremely graphic murder, extremely graphic violence" they were NOT lying. So definitely read thr warnings before you join the games!
The prologue started this off very well. The mystery behind who's point of view it was really got me invested even more. You just had to keep reading to find out who it was. The suspense with the events happening and then... ugh. I just have no words. Because these are elements in a book that I absolutely enjoy.
As the story progresses, I just couldn't put it down at that point. To be honest, I thought it was a full novel and didn't check again until I was halfway down that it's actually a novella. So it did take me longer to finish reading because of life happening. If I went into this knowing it was a novella, it would have been finished in half a day.
There is spice in the pages. Not as much as you would think but this could definitely survive without it. It was just the icing and cherry on top!
All I have to say now is, run. Don't walk. Run for your life. Because you WANT this in your reading list.
September 14, 2024
Literally my biggest beef with this book was the fact that the largest plot point made no sense🥸 If they had video evidence and audio along with it that actively showed who was at the party and who played part in the murder, why tf did they lure girlie pop there too? And like they were genuinely confused as to why she was confused, like you could obviously see she wasn’t there! I would understand if like the video they got was from like social media and at one point there just wasn’t any more posts and the last thing they could put together was all of them were with the victim, but there is quite literally footage of the entire situation?? It took me out of it every time they brought it up😭 however, loved the idea of jigsaw/riddler-esque “game rooms” they were very much gruesome and intriguing🫢 I also can never say no to a why choose horror romance👀 I might read the actual series, but that’s tbd🤷♀️
December 20, 2023
Well okay, good morning, that just happened. I had a bit of an idea of what I was throwing myself into with this book, but I'm not sure I was fully prepared for the girlier b0n£r that Harper Leigh was going to give me. It's a prequel to a book that is coming out in October, and honestly, I can't wait to see what's coming next. I have no idea if I feel bad for Harper, or the guys, cause this girl has one h£ll of a wicked side.
We got the revenge trope, why choose, Halloween vibes, NC, captive, primal, the whole shebang. Honestly, the TW in this was more like a shopping list, one where I managed to tick off every single one.
Be warned though as I mentioned this is a prequel novella so it does end with a cliffhanger and you're going to have to wait till October before you can get the first book. But if you're anything like me, you will be waiting patiently for it.
We got the revenge trope, why choose, Halloween vibes, NC, captive, primal, the whole shebang. Honestly, the TW in this was more like a shopping list, one where I managed to tick off every single one.
Be warned though as I mentioned this is a prequel novella so it does end with a cliffhanger and you're going to have to wait till October before you can get the first book. But if you're anything like me, you will be waiting patiently for it.
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