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The Beak
When a mysterious serial killer goes on a killing spree in Hadley's hometown, she has two reasons why she wants The Beak to visit To help her escape her abusive relationship2. To explore her darkest fantasies that include a masked serial killerCheck out the author's Instagram for the list of triggers for The Beak
50 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2023
39 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Seven Rue
59 books3,732 followersSeven Rue is an international bestselling author. Born and raised in a small town by the Lake of Constance in Switzerland, she loves writing books that not only make hearts melt but also push limits. When she's not writing, you can find her on long walks with her pup, Bowie, or kicking around a ball on the soccer field.
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sevenrue
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sevenrue
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 13, 2024
Woah !!
November 2, 2023
3.5⭐️My first time reading Seven Rue! I liked her writing. This was a sweet serial killer/Dexter style love story. Perfect novella to get out of a slump! Can’t wait to read more from this author!
December 4, 2023
a lot to unpack here… the idea of this book was amazing. and the beaks character through Hadley was phenomenal, he was dark and gloomy and everything you want in a serial killer. but then you figure out who’s the person behind the beak and everything turns bad, the person is so sweet and kind and the beak gives gloomy, dark vibes. it just doesn’t fit, no matter how hard i try!! those are two completely different characters and they shouldn’t have been made into one 🥲 the persons character didn’t fit the beak and just completely messed up a story that would have easily been 4 stars. not only that but it really seemed like it was going to be a stalker/serial killer romance but no, missed opportunity and just turned bland after a certain point.
aside from that PLEASE stop using irl references in books 😩 Tiktok and Selena Gomez? really?!?! just don’t.
i truly think this was such a great storyline and could have been deep, dark, and beautiful but the character needs work, and if one of the MCs isn’t written well, than the whole story is basically ruined.
aside from that PLEASE stop using irl references in books 😩 Tiktok and Selena Gomez? really?!?! just don’t.
i truly think this was such a great storyline and could have been deep, dark, and beautiful but the character needs work, and if one of the MCs isn’t written well, than the whole story is basically ruined.
June 8, 2024
I saw this one pop up on bookstagram I'm pretty sure. I saw someone comment with the name of the novelette and that it was a dark, smutty, serial killer romance. As soon as I saw that, I was sold. It was a fantastic premise, but I feel like the execution let it down a lot.
First up, I knew who the killer was from the second we meet him. Even though it didn't quite fit, I knew, without a doubt that's who it was. And I don't really have an issue with this, I've worked out the reveals and twists in numerous other books and it still kept me on the edge of my seat, and I fell absolutely in love with the story. What let this one down a bit for me was the need for another round or two of editing. The sentence structures were weird in places, and there were repeated words incredibly close together which, for me, doesn't read well. It makes the story telling feel clumsy and it doesn't flow for me.
I can see why it is marketed as a dark romance; it touches on sensitive subjects, and it also has the whole masked killer love interest vibe going for it, which, if I'm honest, that's the real reason I picked it up. But it wasn't actually that dark at all. I was expecting DARK, and I got a light grey instead. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just not what I was expecting when I found the book and that let me down a bit. Also, it's marketed as smutty, but it's...not. Yeah there's a scene, but, again, not what I was expecting. I wouldn't call it smutty, I'm more inclined to call it a little bit spicy. Again, not a deal breaker, but not what it was advertised as.
I didn't have an issue with the characters, I liked them well enough, though the neighbour, Wilson, was a bit too sunshine in his personality than I'd have liked. I love a cinnamon roll psycho, but he wasn't even that. I can't explain what he was. I feel like if the story was given a bigger page count, it could turn into something dark, depraved, and amazing. It's almost like I got a teaser for the real thing.
Hopefully, one day, Rue will revisit this story and give it the overhaul it deserves. I think the real issue was that it was described and marketed as something different to what it was. If it was described as it actually is, my review would probably have been higher. Overall, I just feel like I didn't get what I thought it was and this greatly impacted my view on it.
First up, I knew who the killer was from the second we meet him. Even though it didn't quite fit, I knew, without a doubt that's who it was. And I don't really have an issue with this, I've worked out the reveals and twists in numerous other books and it still kept me on the edge of my seat, and I fell absolutely in love with the story. What let this one down a bit for me was the need for another round or two of editing. The sentence structures were weird in places, and there were repeated words incredibly close together which, for me, doesn't read well. It makes the story telling feel clumsy and it doesn't flow for me.
I can see why it is marketed as a dark romance; it touches on sensitive subjects, and it also has the whole masked killer love interest vibe going for it, which, if I'm honest, that's the real reason I picked it up. But it wasn't actually that dark at all. I was expecting DARK, and I got a light grey instead. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just not what I was expecting when I found the book and that let me down a bit. Also, it's marketed as smutty, but it's...not. Yeah there's a scene, but, again, not what I was expecting. I wouldn't call it smutty, I'm more inclined to call it a little bit spicy. Again, not a deal breaker, but not what it was advertised as.
I didn't have an issue with the characters, I liked them well enough, though the neighbour, Wilson, was a bit too sunshine in his personality than I'd have liked. I love a cinnamon roll psycho, but he wasn't even that. I can't explain what he was. I feel like if the story was given a bigger page count, it could turn into something dark, depraved, and amazing. It's almost like I got a teaser for the real thing.
Hopefully, one day, Rue will revisit this story and give it the overhaul it deserves. I think the real issue was that it was described and marketed as something different to what it was. If it was described as it actually is, my review would probably have been higher. Overall, I just feel like I didn't get what I thought it was and this greatly impacted my view on it.
December 2, 2023
Sexy Serial Killers!
If this is your first Seven Rue book then you may want to pay attention to the Trigger Warnings. There's 2 1/2 pgs of them! However, if you've read a book by her before then you should already know you'll get something taboo and delicious!
Considering this was just 50 pages long I was surprised that it felt like a complete novel. It was a great story and I hope that the author writes more like this!
If this is your first Seven Rue book then you may want to pay attention to the Trigger Warnings. There's 2 1/2 pgs of them! However, if you've read a book by her before then you should already know you'll get something taboo and delicious!
Considering this was just 50 pages long I was surprised that it felt like a complete novel. It was a great story and I hope that the author writes more like this!
November 9, 2023
“Stay,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes as I longed for him. “I need you.”
I love Seven's ability to bring a story completely together even in a novella. The plot? So good. The SPICE?? Lawddddd I loved it. This novella just made me realize how much of a... love I have for masks. ;) My only complaint is that it wasn't a full novel. It just was so so so good. 10/5 stars.
I love Seven's ability to bring a story completely together even in a novella. The plot? So good. The SPICE?? Lawddddd I loved it. This novella just made me realize how much of a... love I have for masks. ;) My only complaint is that it wasn't a full novel. It just was so so so good. 10/5 stars.
March 16, 2024
Entretenido, se veia venir eso si
Espere mi escena de ellos haciendo role play pero anyways
Espere mi escena de ellos haciendo role play pero anyways
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2023
ok
Cute quick story. Not dark really and mild steam. Fleshed out would be good but for a quick story it covered the basics and was good.
Cute quick story. Not dark really and mild steam. Fleshed out would be good but for a quick story it covered the basics and was good.
December 7, 2023
A bit cliche…but not too bad
It was a pretty standard cliche serial killer “romance” novelette.
**SPOILERS**
Hadley is living with her long-time abusive boyfriend. The man, Ricky is horrible. He had swept her off her feet when she was younger, and only when he had her under his thumb did he show his true colors.
Her only “reprieve” comes in the form of a next door neighbor, Wilson, who is always jovial and kind with her…but only when Ricky isn’t around.
A serial killer has been terrorizing the neighborhood, but strangely Hadley doesn’t care. She finds herself dreaming about The Beak (the name the reporters have given the elusive serial killer) and wishing he’d come to her place to dispose of Ricky, her “problem.” But she always feels guilty afterwards for her awful thoughts.
One night The Beak DOES visit Hadley. He “gets her off” (which totally excites, but scares her) - I mean, WHY IS SHE AROUSED by a serial killer, she thinks? Then he shows her…he has killed Ricky. At first she’s horrified, but then she’s so very grateful.
She begins to “start her life” again. Going so far as to begin to date her lovely neighbor, Wilson. She and Wilson have a great relationship but there is ONE BIG SECRET THAT WILSON IS KEEPING FROM HER…I’m sure you guys can guess what that is.
Anyway, “The Beak,” as I said follows many of the staid tropes, is short and pretty cliche, BUT, it’s an easy, short read if you enjoy a quick serial killer romance.
It was a pretty standard cliche serial killer “romance” novelette.
**SPOILERS**
Hadley is living with her long-time abusive boyfriend. The man, Ricky is horrible. He had swept her off her feet when she was younger, and only when he had her under his thumb did he show his true colors.
Her only “reprieve” comes in the form of a next door neighbor, Wilson, who is always jovial and kind with her…but only when Ricky isn’t around.
A serial killer has been terrorizing the neighborhood, but strangely Hadley doesn’t care. She finds herself dreaming about The Beak (the name the reporters have given the elusive serial killer) and wishing he’d come to her place to dispose of Ricky, her “problem.” But she always feels guilty afterwards for her awful thoughts.
One night The Beak DOES visit Hadley. He “gets her off” (which totally excites, but scares her) - I mean, WHY IS SHE AROUSED by a serial killer, she thinks? Then he shows her…he has killed Ricky. At first she’s horrified, but then she’s so very grateful.
She begins to “start her life” again. Going so far as to begin to date her lovely neighbor, Wilson. She and Wilson have a great relationship but there is ONE BIG SECRET THAT WILSON IS KEEPING FROM HER…I’m sure you guys can guess what that is.
Anyway, “The Beak,” as I said follows many of the staid tropes, is short and pretty cliche, BUT, it’s an easy, short read if you enjoy a quick serial killer romance.
March 3, 2024
This was a fast paced, suspenseful, dark romance read that I really enjoyed. Hadley is stuck in an abusive relationship with no end in sight. She has accepted that this is her life and that there is no way out. When she sees a story about a masked serial killer on T.V. she is intrigued. Hadley loves horror movies and has always had a thing for the masked killers in them. As more killings happen it becomes clear that the masked killer only kills men and never their female partner. The news calls them The Beak and Hadley starts to wonder if they could possibly help her. The plague doctor mask is creepy and they are cloaked in black but maybe instead of the wicked person everyone assumes is behind these killing is actually a hero. Maybe The Beak can be her hero and save her from the cage she is trapped in. Hadley is such an interesting character to read. She is complex, emotionally drained, and has basically given up. Despite that, or maybe because of that, she is strong and makes it through each day. The desperation she feels leads to some pretty intrusive thoughts and when her dark fantasies become a reality we get to see the real Hadley. This short novella was packed with darkness, eeriness, and suspense. While I could tell where the story was going I couldn’t guess how things would end up in the end. I would suggest this book to someone looking for a quick read that has a serial killer, hidden identity, gloomy vibes, murder, and great spice.
February 14, 2024
This was nothing like I thought it would be. The writing felt very immature in my opinion. The whole story fell flat after the first few pages. The characters weren't fleshed out well.enough (yes i know it's only 50 pages but I've seen more done with less pages than that) and it was TOO PREDICTABLE. I wouldn't call this "smut" either with like very little there was. It also wasn't very good spice at that. It wasn't dark at all in my opinion either so I felt this entire story was misleading from the blurb. The concept of the story was interesting but needed major execution work and editing as far making you feel more engaged with the story and not feel two deminsional.
October 6, 2025
okayyy..just putting it put there that this is the second book of sevenrue that I'm reading after a long break. Both of the book's I'm mentioning (Wet paint and The beak) are among her recent releases. I feel like the quality of her writing has declined. Her earlier novels usually used to be long in terms of pages and also used to have a solid plot even if the plot was smut. It used to be taboo and feel like it had a semblance of a plot. But I find this standard missing from her recent releases. These days its just smut that too...I feel not that taboo nor good...soo... yeah do with that what you will.
October 26, 2023
Crazy, Psychotic, but kinda hot!
A “nice” little novella based on a serial killer romance that make you question your obsession with masks. I loved how Seven was able to still tell a story even with the limited amount of pages. Like wow, you were able to gather all the details while still receiving the spice, the plot, and form an attachment to the main characters. It was just so good like wow a great novella and I hope to hear more about the Beak and the two main characters in general. Love love anything Seven Rue so this once again didn’t disappoint!
A “nice” little novella based on a serial killer romance that make you question your obsession with masks. I loved how Seven was able to still tell a story even with the limited amount of pages. Like wow, you were able to gather all the details while still receiving the spice, the plot, and form an attachment to the main characters. It was just so good like wow a great novella and I hope to hear more about the Beak and the two main characters in general. Love love anything Seven Rue so this once again didn’t disappoint!
July 7, 2025
I wasn't expecting a great plot, but I also didn't expect the writing to be this bad.
The writing reminds me of Wattpad circa 2012, where every 9-year-old was writing about adult relationships, - badly if I might add.
The Beak is a dark romance, serial killer novella, which intrigued me enough to get me to read it.
I wish my intrigue and curiosity had not led me to this book, because the only thing I feel now after completing it, is complete and utter regret.
its my fault for being able to read.
The writing reminds me of Wattpad circa 2012, where every 9-year-old was writing about adult relationships, - badly if I might add.
The Beak is a dark romance, serial killer novella, which intrigued me enough to get me to read it.
I wish my intrigue and curiosity had not led me to this book, because the only thing I feel now after completing it, is complete and utter regret.
its my fault for being able to read.
November 28, 2023
2.5 i read like like 3 weeks ago so i have forgotten some things but firstly i really wanted more of the stalker murderer type trope but the mc didn’t even know he was the murderwr till like a long time aftwr also i felt no h chy emistry between the two like wa i literally thought winston or whatever his name was just gna be a friend or stn j dno ive read a lot better of seven rue i just think it weren’t what i was expecting when i was going into it
October 29, 2023
🖤🖤🖤
Buckle up for a wild ride with this page-turner, even though it's short and sweet. It's the perfect tale for this season, following the story of The Beak - a mysterious masked man who's on the hunt for men but spares their significant others. I can't get enough of Hadley and The Beak!
Buckle up for a wild ride with this page-turner, even though it's short and sweet. It's the perfect tale for this season, following the story of The Beak - a mysterious masked man who's on the hunt for men but spares their significant others. I can't get enough of Hadley and The Beak!
April 24, 2024
Harassing taboo authors and getting them banned out of pettiness and jealousy ? Nah, you can burn for that. Readers: DO NOT SUPPORT THIS AUTHOR. She’s been anonymously attacking other taboo authors, getting them banned from Amazon, and ruining their livelihoods! There are FAR better authors out there that aren’t completely psycho obsessed like this one.
November 17, 2023
I always love a good serial k*iller
5 stars- I absolutely love a book with a serial killer. I need more the Beak books. Or just more bad guys you can't help but love.
The Beak is just a great masked serial k*iller
Wilson is a sweet contradiction.
F*ck Ricky.
5 stars- I absolutely love a book with a serial killer. I need more the Beak books. Or just more bad guys you can't help but love.
The Beak is just a great masked serial k*iller
Wilson is a sweet contradiction.
F*ck Ricky.
January 19, 2024
This could have been awesome if it was fleshed out a bit more. I love the concept it just fell a bit flat for me. You didn't really get any time to get attached to the characters & it was a lil too predictable. As soon as Wilson showed up I knew what was up
November 24, 2024
It's not what I expected. It's not really that dark. And it's pretty predictable. I was expecting more gore, more development and burn in the stalker relationship, and I definitely wasn't expecting her to make him stop killing.
March 13, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
The writing had a few grammatical errors that didn’t detract from the story but were still noticeable.
Also a bit too mushy gushy for such a dark tale. Still love a good revenge story though
The writing had a few grammatical errors that didn’t detract from the story but were still noticeable.
Also a bit too mushy gushy for such a dark tale. Still love a good revenge story though
October 26, 2023
I need a longer version of this. It could’ve had so much potential if it wasn’t a novella. But i still like it.
October 26, 2023
A great short novella
Even though it was about a masked serial killer, I thought this was a sweet read. I am glad for the happen ending.
Even though it was about a masked serial killer, I thought this was a sweet read. I am glad for the happen ending.
October 27, 2023
Quick little novella that is perfect for this time of year! Lightly dark and spooky but sweet!
October 27, 2023
Quick Read
A quick spicy serial killer masked man story . A killer is going around killing men but leaving their wives and girlfriends alive they named him The Beak.
A quick spicy serial killer masked man story . A killer is going around killing men but leaving their wives and girlfriends alive they named him The Beak.
November 4, 2023
new mask kink
Great little novella. Some dark content but written from someone who understands dv I think. Written with compassion and also a hot rando in an unusual mask 🥵
Great little novella. Some dark content but written from someone who understands dv I think. Written with compassion and also a hot rando in an unusual mask 🥵
November 10, 2023
i loved this plot idea.
i wished it was more developed, a lot of stuffs where off page.
i wanted more chapters with the beak.
i wished it was more developed, a lot of stuffs where off page.
i wanted more chapters with the beak.
December 7, 2023
Love love love. Dark and spicy with HEA. Perfect short read.
December 23, 2023
5/5 - I really liked this novelette. The story had meat to it and the HEA was earned.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews