In Too Deep

by Erin Trejo

Bellmont has been in his family for generations, each son following the traditions of those before him until Ares. Trained from a young age in a world of darkness and blood, ruthlessness is a way of life.When Ares spots Sage, he is confused by her pull on him, as women have no value in their world. Watching her from afar quickly becomes unsatisfying, and the decision to kidnap and keep her for himself is made.Ares begins to question his father and the secrets he keeps, learning why there are so few women at Bellmont. The secrets his father kept stun Ares and his father’s expectation to accept the new order.When Ares discovers Sage is missing, he vows to find those responsible and destroy them. With help from an unexpected ally, Ares unleashes his inner demon destroying all in his way.Can the darkness in Ares survive in Sage’s light?

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2023

About the author

I am a wife, mother, child chauffeur and author. I love being able to create different characters and spin a web that makes them come together in the end. My books do not stick to just one genre, they span many.

I write about things that are real life situations and fairy tales are not always smooth sailing. My MC books are hard and gritty and they have struggles just like you would in life.

I also have books that are not so in your face. There are several that are good love stories that are fraught with issues that the characters have to deal with.


Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Erin-Trejo/e/B...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorerintrejo

Reviews

[➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just let me get the following out of the way-
If you’re looking for a light and fluffy read STEP AWAY NOW. This book contains DARK themes not suitable for everyone. If you’re squeamish this might not be the book for you. Possible triggers including but not limited to: Blood Play, stalking, kidnapping, torture (not done to the MFC by MMC) just to name a few. This is a Dark Secret Society Romance. So you’ve been warned


Come-on let’s be honest here. How many times have you read the authors warnings and it just didn’t hold up to their expectations or yours? Well, guess what? This is one of those books that you really do need to follow the. authors Warning.

I really didn't know what to expect with this story, since most of Erin’s books are MC/BIiker reads …..this was dark and very interesting. I just couldn't put it down ……..




Ares has stalked Sage for little over eight months, now he wants to take it to the next level

He has been groomed his whole life to take over his father’s Kingdom in small town called Belmont,

To say that. Ares is a broken man is putting it mildly. As well as trying to say that he is not a killer. That does his father’s sick bidding.

Now Ares decides to kidnap Sage when his father tells him he needs a wife and child


I would have loved to have dual POV, we only had Ares…. It would’ve been so much better if we had Sage’s POV as well

Even thought that this is A dark and twisted read. It also was compelling and consuming story as well


Happy reading see you on the other side. ………

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

damn that was dark

[Peaceful · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was confusing. The writing was lacking like it felt like it was unfocused and there was something missing within the story. It might have been that the character was detached himself so maybe the writing style came off detached because of that.

[Gnome Patronus · Rating 3 out of 5]

More, this book needs more. It has such a great premise and I love the dark, but it just kept missing the mark by moving through everything too fast. Stockholm-ish vibes but feel towards insta-love. Insane MMC that un-alives and tortures others his whole life, but is protector of her. It has all the boxes a dark romance girly loves, add that the FMC is plus size (part of the story, not the whole story), talk about a cherry on the top. I would love to see it with more build up, everything went from want to get super quick.

[Ana Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomely dark tale

Whew!!!! What! A! Ride!
Wow….okay…..Sage and Ares are the couple who star in this very dark and twisted tale. Please heed all of the author’s warnings at the beginning. I am here for ALL of it!!!!!
If you like very dark stories with twists and turns, deeply tortured heroes and heroines who can tame the beasts - this one is for you!!! I absolutely loved the epilogue!!!! Awesome read!!!!

[Jennifer Halloway ong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it !

Didn't know what to expect with this story, it was dark and beyond interesting. I couldn't put it down it was THAT GOOD !!! Loved it

[C. Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know who Erin Trejo was until late 2018 and I’m still kicking myself for not finding her sooner. This woman is wicked as all heck with her words and I love them all. I love that she goes outside the “norm” and has no issues pushing the limits like she did with this book. The way Ares was raised and the things he went through were far from easy and I found myself rooting for him the whole time. And that ending, yeah I think it’s one of Erin’s best ones yet. 🖤🔥🔪🔥🖤

My favorite quote from Ares:

I nod my head once. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I can overcome this. I think with Sage, there’s a lot I can do. But without her? If something happens to her? That will end me. I will never be the same, and I don’t think I can pull myself out of the darkness if that’s what’s to come.

It’s time to make a choice. End myself. Or save her.

[Phyllis Wolford · Rating 5 out of 5]

They were meant to be together, but not on their terms. They were born there and then meant to never see each other until the great awakening of the new King.
Ares is the crown prince of a ages old cult. He never knew and was just raised to hate and abuse women. He started stalking Sage, and from there their lives were intertwined and it starts Ares’ journey into the light of semi-normal life.
Sage has always been told no one wanted her from her birth mother to her adopted parents. When she and Ares’ meet it starts her on a course of fear and self-love, to her feelings for Ares that change as they get to know each other better.
Their fates and love is in the makings of a cult and they come out stronger and more in love then anyone could hope for.

[Sally Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ares is a broken man but is only starting to realize it when he finally "meets" Sage. Ares has stalked Sage for about eight months before he comes face to face with her. Sage has her own issues to deal with but Ares makes her feel wanted, which is more than she has ever felt. Their story is tragic, heartwarming, and very real.
The things that Erin Trejo writes about are superb and generally leave you wanting more. I read this book in about four hours and I couldn't put it down. I would love to have a follow-up story just to see how Ares and Sage turn out in later years.

[Kolleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I read from this author. It is a dark Stalker Romance. I enjoyed the story.

I would have like dual POV, so there were more details as to what exactly took place with the FMC in certain scenes.

Ares is troubled and has been conditioned by his father to do unthinkable things to women.

Sage has always felt unloved and unwanted. When she is stalked and ultimately kidnapped by Ares, she can't understand why he would want her.

Their love story is like no other.

Check triggers

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ares was raised to be a ruthless killer. His father is the “King” of their small town of Belmont, Ares has been groomed his entire life to take over. Ares is stalking Sage for a while then decides to kidnap her when his father tells him he needs a wife and child. This story has everything. You get a mystery, darkness, HOTTNESS, heartbreak and possibly love. I love how Erin can give you a dark story yet have a small light shine in.

[Jojo Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ares is a twisted broken man , raised to be a torturer of women without knowing why. His father is brutal and he will become just like him. His one one light is the girl he stalks, sage.
She has her own demons that Rob her of confidence and self esteem which makes her an easy target.
Things are not what they seem, they are entwined by the fates but not how they think.
There are twists and turns, secrets and lies, nobody can be trusted .

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed my attention right away and the drama never stopped! There’s mystery and suspense in abundance. The intrigue and mayhem of the plot was overwhelming! I enjoyed Ares’ and Sage’s twisted story. He is a dark character and she is his (willing) victim. Their connection and chemistry is very strong and undeniable. I think this is a very interesting read.
(this was a complimentary copy and this is my honest review)

[Clayr Catherall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ares has known no other life, but what his father taught him. He’s never wondered about life outside Belmont. That is until, he comes across Sage. She makes him want to know.

He wants her, but will she accept him?
Her stalker, a killer…

This story was so dark and all kinds of twisted. It kept me on the edge of my seat till the very last page.

[Kandace_Bookaholic_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a freaking amazing dark read! Be sure to check your trigger warnings this is a DARK romance but man was it freaking amazing! I knew he would fall hard for the FMC once he had a taste! Amazing read!

[carries_bookish_corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written so well. You don’t see very many books written from only the mmc pov and I loved it. It was heavy so definitely check your cw/tw. This is my first read from this author but definitely won’t be my last.

[Genoveva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please check CW and TW before reading. Sage has a stalker but she’s unaware of him at first. Ares is not a good guy by anyone’s standards. But the way he is obsessed with Sage was kinda hot!!! Definitely the touch her and die guy that you can’t help but swoon over.

[DyAnna Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just wow! The pace was pretty quick but I absolutely absorbed it all! This is a new take on mafia/secret society then what I have ever read. So many twist I didn’t see coming and I love how Ares wasn’t just magically better but had work he had to do!

[Hollie Senn Bookish Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sage and Ares are EVERYTHING!!! This is one heck of a wild ride with dark twist and turns that had me flipping so dang fast holding the edge of my phone so dang tight!!.. blown away is all I can come up with and the spice!! Lord!!!!

[Teresa Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ares and Sage intense emotional broken heartstopping twisted dark insta love story.
All the feels

[Amanda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ares and Sage are fire. Their story omg so damn good. It had me hooked from page one. Dark, intense, gripping, secret society, and plenty of twists.

[Dana Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Absolutely loved this story, the dark twisted bits were just as fantastic as the light fluffy bits.
I would definitely recommend reading it

[Eleni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Should Have DNF'ed

I really wanted to like this book, but it just wasn't there. The storyline was rushed at times, the MMC was very whiney. I do like myself a dark romance with some stalking, but this really didn't do it for me. It was too late to DNF.

[Fatimah · Rating 1 out of 5]

i tried reading this but every page they bring up her weight and it weirded me out 😭

[Kimber Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book from Erin and I only hope that we get another book showing ares and sage in later years. Ares is ruthless and dark due to everything he has been taught by his father. Him stalking sage sucks to say this but may have been the best thing he's ever done. Definitely check triggers before reading though.

[Dicea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely not.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review:
Story 💜💜💜 - Good
Darkness 🌑🌑🌑 - Dark
Spice 🥵🥵🥵 - Spicy
Trigger warnings ⚠️⚠️⚠️ - Be careful
Note: 1 POVs, fast pacing, Trauma and grooming recovery

This was a very interesting read. I normally prefer dark fantasy romance but gave a try to this one. It is dark and it starts from the first chapter.

We follow the journey of Ares, who was groomed by his father to torture women. He does it without question until he sees Sage. From then on, he starts to question why he does hurt the women, whats the purpose, what his father is hiding, and if life could be better. We follow him as he comes to terms with what was groomed to him since a boy and how he ended up being who he is.

This is a journey of exploration, of recovery from the abuse he suffered and how it transformed him. How Sage helps him. The journey is not an easy one and he is a massive red flag.

I removed 2 stars because part of the story was a bit weird to me. And there was a lot if repetition. Second part of the book took a very weird turn. And was not at all what I expected.

Overall, it was good read but it just missed something to be an amazing book. Sadly.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Too Deep is a bit out of the norm for this author and Ares and Sage's story and journey is significantly different from the journeys and stories of her other characters. That being said, In Too Deep is a great read with a very thought provoking storyline. Ares is slowly learning that everything he's believed and been taught all of his life is not at all the truth. He's learning that women are not as evil and indispensable as he's been led to believe. And those doubts are because of Sage.

"My heart beats for you. Any light I have in me is from you."
She brings out things in him and they feel drawn to each other in unexplainable ways.

"I pledge my life to her. It was signed in blood that night in the rain."

Their journey is compelling and consuming and holds you captive long after the story ends.

“We might fail sometimes. We might fall, but we’ll always rise and do our best.”

[BookishBarbie (Annette) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ares is the future King of an old cult and has been groomed since birth. He was raised to hate and abuse women. Until he started leaving the compound and stalking Sage. As time goes on, Ares begins to question his life and the journey into what a semi-normal life would be like.
Sage has always been told no one wanted her since birth. Knowing she was adopted, her self-hate just grew with time. Then she comes face to face with Ares, who eventually kidnaps her, and keeps her for himself. During that time, her feelings for Ares change as they get to know each other and he shows her that she is wanted and the most beautiful thing in the world.
Death and destruction follow, but their love for each other pulls them through the dark.
What an amazing read!! This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Looking for a dark suspense romance, you have found it!!

[Cynthia Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ares and Sage are not your cookie cutter type couple, she is everything he thinks he is not. For months he has watched her, and with what he does, and his father, and his past he thinks he can't have her, until he takes her and keeps her. When he locks up her in his basement and he has to,leave his best friend Juno hurts he does something he never had to do, and when he searches for answers his father is keeping from him he finds more than can possibly imagine. When she gets taken he does what even never thought he would and turns on his father. Will he be able to save her? Will he be able to change and keep her?
This book is not your typical romance. It's dark, twisted, emotional, heartbreaking, intense, and so much more. I was pulled right in and i5 did t let go even at the end. I so can't wait to read what she has next.