Corrupt Game

Into the Darkness #1

by Cora Masters

I'd do anything for my brother. Even if it means confronting the man who destroyed his life. To get close to Ian Holdt, the enigmatic billionaire with a dark past, I must agree to work for him. But working for him means surrendering myself to his will, living under his control, and being subjected to his merciless dominance.

Ian is a force of nature—powerful, confident, and ruthless. His eyes seem to see right through me, laying bare my deepest secrets, while his touch is both electrifying and devastatingly intimate. With every encounter, I struggle to remember that our relationship is built on a foundation of enmity and revenge. He is the boss who holds the reins of my fate, and every moment spent with him blurs the line between hatred and desire.

I am consumed by a burning need for revenge, driven by the memory of my brother and the shadows of the truth I am determined to uncover. Yet, as the tension between us intensifies, so does the undeniable attraction. Ian and I are locked in a dangerous game where passion and vengeance intertwine, and the stakes are higher than I ever imagined.

When the secrets are finally laid bare, and the truth comes to light, someone will pay for what happened to my brother. The question is, will the price be my sanity, my heart, or my very life?

594 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2024

Reviews

[Stephanie Vicente · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ This was a dark and action packed story. The writing was strong and kept me hooked from the very first page. I could not put it down. Some parts were heartbreaking, but I also really enjoyed the journey the book took me on. Overall, it was a very satisfying read.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow this book has some serious trigger. It was a very heartbreaking book. Collette grew up in the foster care system. She was used to just surviving. And her last foster care home she met Andrew AKA Andy and he protected her became her brother and best friend. When he was found murdered in Ireland she vowed to get revenge. How she came to the conclusion that Ian was for sure his murderer was beyond me so her reactions to him were off-putting for me. I didn't like how she kept saying he was holding her captive but she knew that she could choose to leave at any time. Ian had a lot of faults and issues but he wasn't a bad person. There were several inconsistencies in the book like her knowing Erin's name before she was ever told it. There was Changers and names and other small inconsistencies. But the hardest thing for me to swallow was the very abrupt ending. Also after everything that they went through to find Heather and the baby and then to walk away without the baby. I don't care if it was given to another couple.

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

[Ashley Carr, LSoR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author to me and I definitely will be reading more of her work. She developed her characters well and the storyline is intriguing, entertaining, dark and captivating. Collette just wanted to figure out who murdered her foster brother and the only lead she had was Ian and she knew he pulled the trigger. So she is bound and determined to get close to him to gather evidence so he incriminate himself but she just doesn’t know what she bargained for when she is getting close to him. Ian is an eccentric billionaire with dark proclivities. He hires Collette as his personal assistant, has her sign a non-disclosure agreement and takes her to an underground cabin. Then the real “torture” begins but she endures because she has one goal in mind- to find Andy’s killer, which she knows is Ian. But through all this process things inside her change and she falls just a little bit in love with and but he is not as unaffected as he tries to play it off. A great way to start the series I can’t wait for what happens in book 2!!!

[undeadtears · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Andy was the only person that ever tried to do nice things for me. Just when this man was trying to get inside my head, it drew me toward him more. He’d taken the one person that I cared about and appeared to be replacing him without even realizing it.”
looking for answers for her brother’s Andy death Collette accepts an assistant position for the person who she thinks may be responsible Ian. Cora Masters has a way with writing dark stories that have strong heroines, morally grey hero’s with dark past and having them trapped together in one building.
this was an entertaining, read that i couldn’t put down until i was finished. read it in one sitting and the dual pov was perfect for this kind of story. if you like enemies to lovers, millionaire, or boss romance this book should definitely be added to your tbr!!
can’t wait to see what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was unexpected and surprising in the best way.
A dark romantic thriller with a twist of suspense that burns fast. If you're into Dom/Sub with twisted contracts and a mystery underneath all the steam this book is for you.

Contains:
Enemies-to-lovers
Billionare
Bossy alpha
Resilient FMC
Morally-gray
Obsessed/possessive
Revenge
Workplace
Spicy
Dubcon
And more...

Check TW

Dual POV
Collette enters into a contract with Ian without fully understanding what she was getting herself into because she's looking for answers but she gets a whole lot more than what she bargained for. They have intense chemistry that is scorching hot.

Cora Masters writes delicious dark romance that's always addictive and leaves me wanting more.

[Erin Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was pretty heartbreaking in parts . Collette went through so much in the foster system ( you learn about further in the book) only to lose Andy in the opening of this book. Andy deserved better . Ian and Collette's romance has a rocky start but the character development Ian goes through is worth it . I enjoyed the ride this book takes you on. I just felt like the ending was rushed is my only complaint .

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collette just wanted answers for her foster brother Andys death and she knew Ian was the key. Becoming Ians assistant is only the start and they form a deeper darker bond will Collette get what she wants? Well written steamy dark desires a great start, I cant wait to find out what happens next!.

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

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC READ
**No Spoilers**

Another great read from Cora Masters.

Betrayal, obsession, enemies to lovers, set in a corporate environment with a morally gray MMC and FMC set on vengeance.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! That was an intense and intriguing game of cat and mouse that had me hooked right from page one and kept me entertained the whole way through. I had a hard time putting this one down after starting. I needed to know what was going to happen with every turn of the page. It continually had me on the edge of my seat and on the verge of combusting at any given moment.

After learning some devastating news, Collette sets her sights on exacting revenge on the person or persons that murdered her brother. She is one hell of a smart cookie. She does whatever it takes to find the killer even if it means putting herself in danger by working for the person she thinks had a hand in killing her brother. Collette has no idea that by taking a job with Ian (her brother’s possible killer), her world is about to became dark, twisted and debauched. But no matter what, Collette knows just how to keep herself going and fighting everything that she is put through.

Ian has some serious issues, but I loved the darkness surrounding him. He doesn’t deny that he has issues and needs certain things in order to get off. When Collette falls into his lap, there is something about her that calls to his darkness that he can’t deny. But he will put Collette through hell before he allows her into his life.

The banter between Collette and Ian is very twisted. It wasn’t happy, it was anger and pain filled. The push and pull for power was intense and neither wanted to give into releasing that power to the other. But holy crap was the sexual tension between them incredible. I loved their chemistry and how perfectly matched they were.

I really enjoyed this story. It was filled with suspense, mystery, violence, BDSM, spice and twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.

Loved it.

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corrupt Game is a suspenseful romance and is definitely a page turner. While reading Corrupt Game, I realized that I didn’t want to set the book down until I read the last page. Corrupt Game is beautifully written, well balanced and perfectly executed by Cora Masters. Cora Masters continues to prove what an incredible author, storyteller and writer she is with each book that I have read by her so far. In my honest opinion, Cora Masters pours her all into the books she creates and writes for her audience’s enjoyment. The characters are well developed and beautifully executed throughout the book. I absolutely enjoyed getting to know the main characters and seeing their amazing story unfolding before my eyes. I would absolutely give this book as a recommendation for anyone to checkout this amazing book. I can’t wait to see what will come next from this author in the future.

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

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters in Collette and Ian. The author does a great job developing the story and pulling you in , bringing the story to life with her descriptive scenes. She takes you into their lives with truth and revenge, intense passion and tension throughout. She moves the story fluidly and delivers a terrific read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and are freely given.

[Happyscribe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mmm this read was full of the late night feels where you read in guilty pleasure (and with icecream or chocolate on the bedside table). So good - just a great balance of suspense, seduction, lust, mistrust and all the good stuff.
Cora Masters really knows how to write a story that gets the blood pumping.

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

[Booklvr89 · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you in regards to someone that hurt your sibling? Revenge is the name of the game. Revenge is sweet until it isn't. This book was intriguing and enjoyable for sure.

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

[S I · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corrupt Games by Cora Masters
I loved this story. It took a moment to get into it, but overall it really pulls you in for a game. Grab your popcorn and reading glasses, you’re in for a thrill!.

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

[Joni (livebythemoon7) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love!! I began and finished this nearly 600-page book on the same day. I would definitely recommend to dark romance lovers.

I received a gifted copy. This review is honest and voluntary.

[Alwaysdarkromance · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I absolutely loved Collette and Ian’s story. This was dark, spicy, and action packed. Throw in a little bit of dom/sub dynamics. This was great. I highly recommend!!!