Violent Delights

by Rebecca Massey

"I didn’t deserve to live. Not after this. This was the final sin to damn my soul."


Cherry is running away from her abusive boyfriend when she picks up a stranded hitchhiker on an Indiana highway.

Kasper is an escaped murderer from a Kentucky prison trying to make his way across the Canadian border.

These two souls on the run are about to find that freedom comes at a much higher cost than either of them expected, for these violent delights have violent ends.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Novella, Romance

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2023

About the author

Author also writes under Rebecca Massey

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was a random stuff your kindle download so I went into it pretty blind…yeah so it’s a R&J retelling? But that just means she watches the movie about 3 times on her iPad and dies at the end before he kills himself. what a start to 2024 💀

[Bekah Mondy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I heard Massey was doing a book inspired by Romeo and Juliet, I knew I needed to read it ASAP. I was told to be careful what I wished for because we all know how the original story ended and my response was "It's fine, I like my books to rip my soul out and make me question my life"...Let me tell you, this book delivered on both of those aspects. Definitely check your trigger warnings, but if this is something that sounds like it's up your alley, it's absolutely worth the read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Feral Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm...speechless

My first read of 2024 was an absolutely amazing ride! I'm staring at my Kindle in absolute shock right now.

I can tell that this will be a book that I talk about for a very long time.

I'd have liked for it to be longer, but the story was s SO worth a read. My goodness.

I'm not spoiling anything so I will say simply that I absolutely loved this story.

⭐ 4.5/5
🌶️ 4/5
🐔™ 39

Look for FeralWords_BookReviews on IG or FeralWords on TT for rating details.

[Kat Darling · Rating 2 out of 5]

Going into it, I didn’t know this was a Romeo and Juliet retelling so I wasn’t expecting the ending.

The main issue I had was there was action in the first 10% and the last 10% the rest was all characters building relationships. But after the last 10% of action the book just ends; no epilogue or wrap up.

Also the gummy bear sex scene made me so fearful for the mfc (see notes).

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/10 plot that only existed to lead into the sex scenes (the gummy bear scene legit traumatized me). The fact that this ended the way it did was unexpected as I went into this book not knowing it was Romeo and Juliette retelling.

[DarkRapture · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author for me, and let me tell you, I absorbed this book in one sitting. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. I was unprepared for the twist at the end, I never saw it coming! As I read the final phrase, all I could do is stare blankly at my kindle for close to 20 minutes. This most certainly was a tale of star-crossed lovers that has left me stunned.

[Dasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

La he leído en nada. No he podido parar hasta terminarla…
Un apunte, no tiene HEA. De hecho, es una tragedia. Y, además, un retelling. Con ese título no es muy difícil adivinar de qué historia. Lo sospeché en algún momento, pero como se suponía que era un Dark Romance pensé que no sería otra cosa 🙄
Me ha cabreado un poco, pero me ha gustando tanto el personaje de Kasper y el desarrollo de la historia que casi que se lo perdono a la autora.
Eso sí, no pienso leer nada más de ella. No me fio.
Edito: ¡Ah! Los ositos de gominola nunca volverán a ser lo mismo para mí 🤣

🚩El contenido sensible que más destaca es "suicidio". Tenedlo en cuenta.🚩

Conseguí el ebook en una de las promociones de libros gratis a las que estoy suscrita por email.

[A Crimson Petal 🥀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Shit, what a wild ride this was. I devoured this book. What a page turner.

The twist at the end was something I did not see coming and tears were shed.

That’s all I’m going to say about it. Check your content warnings going in.

[Jawa Kween Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Reader✨

As always please check your trigger warnings! This one is one hell of a ride to take!

Cherry is the girl next door that has lived through a horrific relationship.

Kasper is a sexy morally grey man who has done many horrible things.

These two get mixed up together and it’s a road trip you will not recover from. Between a wild hotel night to some gummy bears 🤤this book does not lack spice.

This book had me crying at 10pm and I’m still thinking about it!

This book is a must read!

[Courtney (withabookproblem) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Massey is my newest one-click author! I received an eARC copy and quickly devoured it in one sitting. It has lived rent free in my head ever since. I am obsessed! I know I am stingy with 5*s and this by far exceeded my expectations.

Violent Delights delivers one wild, hell of a ride. If you enjoy morally grey men who would burn the world down for their obsession, this is a must read!

Cherry is relatable and despite the traumas in her life she is feisty! Kasper… oooh, Kasper. I would do questionable things for that one. I’ll even bring the gummy bears.

To prevent spoilers, just know this will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions!

Please check trigger warnings.

[Natalie Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a page-turner, once I started I just couldn't put it down until I finished. Our main characters Cherry and Kasper both had a thrilling and interesting POV and I loved the short moments where at a character/chapter change, it would overlap events so we could see both characters POV. The spicy scenes, especially in the beginning, made me question myself and my own morality because I was cheering for it even when it seemed so wrong. I love a book with a twist that I didn't see coming and this one really got me. Overall, felt like really beautiful yet somewhat hard-to-swallow commentary on domestic violence and the impact it holds on lives permanently. Such a sweet and tender romance in the midst of heartache and violence will definitely leave me thinking about this book for a while.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did like the movie ‘The Chase’ with Charlie Sheen? Well then you’ll love this book! The forced proximity gives these two such a fun story. And the spice is pretty good too. There are some very dark topics so be prepared. But that ending? You will NEVER see that coming, I promise you!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kate Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This pulled in even in such a short book I loved Kasper. This twisted messed up Romeo and Juliet type retelling had me rooting for them so bad! The way he changed for her and loved her made me heart burst. Then that ending. I can't sleep! I did not see it coming

[A. Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is dark, contains violence, murder, blood, gore, domestic violence, suicide, kidnapping, and dubious consent. If you don't like your books or male characters on the darker side, this book probably won't appeal to you. Kasper is a murderer who escaped from Eddyville, KY penitentiary. Cherry was escaping her abusive boyfriend of too many years. Cherry stopped and picked up Kasper. Kasper's car was broken down on the side of the road. Cherry planned to drop Kasper off along the way so he could get his car fixed. Obviously, that's not what happened. At first Kasper and Cherry are enemies because he took her against her will. Kasper shows even though he has killed, that he has a softer side. Kasper is actually much nicer than Cherry's previous boyfriend, who hit her. Kasper and Cherry grow close along their journey. Things get pretty spicy between them 🚿! I think it's cute that Kasper calls her Cherry Pop. Kasper wants to cross the border into Canada. Unfortunately, nothing about their journey has gone as planned. The ending of their journey definitely didn't go as planned, especially after they basically fell in love under five days. "These violent delights have violent ends." A lot of people may not appreciate the ending but it fits the story. Not every story needs a happy ending. I mean, Kasper said himself he didn't deserve happiness but he and Cherry did get a glimpse of it at least.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kasper calmly agrees to getting coffee and even stops once we get to the drive-thru to ask what I want. He doesn’t tell me, doesn’t order what he thinks I need. He turns to me with a calm expression and asks what it is I want. And to think I have had my ideas of love so twisted over the last decade that I think a murderer asking me for my coffee preferences is a step up. Yes, I do need therapy.

I did not know that this book was a Romeo and Juliet retelling, and also did not know that there would be no HEA. I was emotionally distraught finishing this. The last scene for each character was gut-wrenching. I do believe that this shouldn't be labeled a dark romance and instead should have been a horror erotica or a traumance with a TW about the ending OR this should have been very very clearly marked as a romeo and juliet retelling.

I would have probably given this 5 stars and still would have loved it without the shock of the ending. I did enjoy it, the book was very good and had a great length, pacing, character development, etc. The plot moved nicely. But wow that ending was brutal and we were not prepared and that leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth. I just can't recommend this book without heavily stressing how devastating the ending is and preparing readers since the author didn't, and for that reason I just can not give it 5 stars, even if I think the quality is up there. For transparency, I sat on this review for about a week since I was so upset about the ending and wanted to give a real review.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A suspenseful romance that broke me

Rebecca has left me speechless with this heartbreaking tale. With the unconventional ending, this may not be for everyone - but for those brave souls willing to take a walk into deeper waters I highly suggest to dive right in.
Cherry is a woman on the run from her abusive ex. She is broken in a way that almost broke me, forced to be on edge and always be prepped for the next hit but still so kind. I adored seeing her find a little bit of happiness with the unexpected.
Kasper is a man on the run. He may be a killer, but he still has a heart. I love seeing the way he became protective over his Cherry Pop and worshipped and loved her the way she deserved.
This talented author wrote a book about an unconventional romance between two people on the run for different reasons. It’s fast paced, spicy and full of unexpected turns. She made my heart soar for these two, only to turn around and slam me back to earth with their soul shattering end. Kasper and Cherry wiggled their way into my heart and won’t be leaving anytime soon.

[Bamby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was about 80% through the book waiting for a particular trigger warning to come to fruition. It’s not easy to shock or surprise me. I’m known to figure out the ending of movies and books pretty quickly. But that one trigger warning… I couldn’t put my finger on where, who and when…

Then it clicked. Romeo and Juliet.

Had I known how the book was going to end, I think I would have stopped and considered whether or not this was the book for me. Still… I enjoyed this!! I want to say wholeheartedly, but I think a snippet of me is too damaged to say that. I just wish they could have had their happily ever after…

~~~

Trope(s): Dark. Romance. Enemies-to-lovers. Prisoner. Forced proximity. Serial killer.

Trigger Warnings: Domestic abuse. Hitch-hiker. Escaped convict. Serial killer. Dub-con. Kidnapping. Violence. Murder. Death. Suicide. Angst. No HEA.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Give this Book a 3/5 Star Rating.

HEA(?): Nope
Relationship Type: MF
Dark(?): Not to me no, Dark Lite maybe, but may be Darker for others.
Heat: 3.5-4/5
Romance: 3/5
Pacing: Mid-Fast
Drama: 2.5/5
Suspense: 3-3.5/5

Not entirely thrilled with this being the first book to be read in the New Year, there were definitely signs on how this book was gonna go, but I honestly expected more drama and it being way less obvious near the end. Everything at the ending, is fast & abrupt, minimal detail, and I just hit that instant bored feeling when closing the book.
I would’ve liked an aftermath POV from someone or something else, since reading The News/Headlines was a theme, it would’ve been cool to see something like that, a different unique take to endings like this.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a good man. She obviously knows that by now. I am an escaped criminal. I just happen to hold onto a few more morals than others.

I love Rebecca Massey's Carnival of Curiosities series. This is quite different and I couldn't wait to read it. Cherry, a woman escaping from an abusive boyfriend, and Kasper, a murderer who just escaped prison. The story is exciting, captivating, and dangerous right from the start. I was hooked. Can Cherry escape- from both her ex and the murderer who abducted her? By the end of her journey with Kasper, will she still want to be free of him?

This is my favorite book from this author. 5 stars

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoilers

No HEA no HFN
Mess up ending.
Romances end with the couple being together in a happy or happy-ish way, neither happens in this story.
They both die and it’s sad AF.

After reading this, I found it was inspired by Romeo and Juliet. It makes sense since that was a tragedy and not a comedy.

Honestly I’m angry I wasted my time. It’s my fault for not reading reviews before reading a book. I love dark but I still need a HFN at least. This just made me mad.

Don’t disregard the book or the author based on this review. My opinion is just one and I will probably still read this author. I will just make sure to do my homework instead of going in blind like I normally do.

[Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hitchhiker dark romance.
I've read a few hitchhiker romances before and this one is so unexpected. The ending in this book is one I wasn't expecting and would've had a problem with if this was any other book. So, read your trigger warnings and know that this book is dark.
Cherry and Kasper are two should who meet at a chance encounter and have a hella of a ride together. Their story is sexy and complicated.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KennuhdeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reader a hitchhiker romance and I am pleasantly surprised. This really opened my eyes to a whole new world of Romance.
If you are looking for a crazy story with a morally grey savage than this is the book for you.
I definitely recommend adding to your TBR. But PLEASEEEEE, make sure you read the trigger warnings beforehand.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll start by saying that this book had an incredible story to tell. That being said, I must admit that I am left with some complicated feelings about it. I do not do spoilers, so I won't say much but I will say that Cherry and Kasper's story is dark, intense, steamy, sweet, twisty and poignant. Their tale will suck you right in and have you captivated and hanging on every single word. I know that is what happened to me, even though I ended up liking this book just as much as I disliked it.

[La'Jacinth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, & Redemption

I literally do not know what to say. There are not many book in which I cry and this book made me cry....I mean cry.

There is no happy ending but you see love...you know Kasper and Cherry finally found love. This was definitely a contemporary Romeo and Juliet with a criminal twist.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Ramsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I struggled with this book so hard. I almost DNF, but kept going because I’ve yet to DNF a book. There were grammatical errors. The use of the proper tense was incorrect sentence to sentence. The MMC’s nickname is spelled differently throughout the book. The Stockholm Syndrome is strong in this one, which I don’t necessarily mind, but it just was too much. Then the ending, I needed Kasper to go on a killing spree instead of pulling a Romeo.

[Krissy ⚔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the what. Loved the whole hitchhiker vibe to the book. Definitely didn't go the way I though it would. I'm left speechless after that ending! The author did a great job with the writing and the story (told in pov) was great. Really liked the characters. It's a dark story so check the tw's. Because it's pretty dark, not sure how much romancing was going on, but there were a a couple good spicy scenes! Overall, I enjoyed it. If you're a fan of erotic horror you'll enjoy this book!

[Shana C · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I went into this book I was expecting a romeo and Juliet retelling as many had mentioned. It wasn't. And I think that's what made me drop at least one star. I was disappointed. However I liked both the fmc and mmc. I was truly having a hard time picturing kasper based on the authors description- just bits and pieces only. And thought Cherry was endearing she was also a bit dim which was pretty annoying. It was a just ok story, the spicy scenes were mostly good except I guess I dunno, I personally don't like when people spit into each others mouths so that I could have done without. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Words Wow - I found this book for free on Amazon's website & I'm glad I bought it - I needed a quick read. For a break in my series I'm reading and I have to say this was great! It sucked me in with in the first 10 pages and kept me intrigued all the way through. Can't wait to see what else this author has to offer.
I would say this is a 4.5/5 Stars rounded up because it was very good!

Spice Level 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5

The Gummy bear scene wow🤣

[Elise Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow build up and ending???

This started out great. The premise was one of my favorites . Very bad hitchhiker picked up by troubled girl . It went slow before and spice and then it seemed to plateau . The ending is awful and felt it could have been a far better one. I love this authors writing and the writing was a 5 but the book fell flat . However you should read it because it just wasn’t what I hoped for. I will read more of her books without hesitation ! 🖤

[Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start? I am a sucker for ex-convict/escaped prisoner books. I did not expect this to end the way it does. It broke my heart. So unbelievably sad. I don't think I would have read it had I known how it would end but I am not sorry that I did. I don't have words. Heartbreaking. This one will stay with me.