The Trap: A Dark Romantic Thriller

by N.J. Weeks

Imagine an underground escape room that's so exclusive, it can't be found on a map and entry is by invitation only. Sounds fun, right? Well, it is, if you actually receive an invitation. But for those who aren't as fortunate and find themselves trapped within the soundproof walls of Venganza's Pass it means you aren't playing for fun...you're playing for your life. The rules are simple. Listen carefully. Do as you're told. Tell the truth...even if it kills you. It's an old-fashioned game of life and death which for Raiden who has perfected the art of deception and Colson, who doesn't begin to comprehend the corruption he was born into... it should be a scream. After all, that scream meter isn't going to feed itself.The Trap is an ex's brother/ forced proximity/ spicy stand-alone novella intended for readers 18+. A detailed CW will be listed in the beginning of the book. *This is part of 'The Pasts That Haunt' series. It is NOT required that The Trick or The Treat be read prior to reading The Trap. All are interconnected standalones that can be read in any order.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Forced Proximity, M F Romance, Horror, Enemies To Lovers

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2024

About the author

A born and raised New Yorker, N.J. is a Latina romance author who loves to utilize her bachelor's degree in creative writing to write gritty romances that contain strong leading men, and even stronger leading women. Banter, thrills, and twists are key elements in her stories to keep her readers on their toes while making them swoon.

When she's not writing, she's likely jotting down ideas for a future project, lost in a book, or adding to her never ending tattoo collection.

Connect with N.J. on Instagram: @njweeks.books

njweeksbooks.com

Reviews

[The Book Villain · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝙈𝙤𝙖𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙩. 𝙒𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙡.”

✨ Overall Rating: 5/5
🔥 Spice Rating: 5/5
📈 Plot: 5/5
🖋️ Writing: 5/5
👤 Characters: 5/5

Themes:
🖤 MF Horror Romance
🖤 Saw Vibes/Escape Room
🖤 Ex's Brother
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Voyeurism
🖤 Shminky
🖤 Axe Throwing

Please read TW’s before starting this book. Your mental health matters.

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s nothing like a bratty black cat FMC, a golden retriever MMC with a FILTHY mouth and copious amount of banter to take center stage for an er0t!c thriller, amirite?

N.J. Weeks knocks it out of the park yet again with her engaging standalone The Trap, a novel that takes readers on a journey of twists and turns to deliver us to the truth after enduring a deadly game. The narrative is ripe with the urban gothic aesthetic we’ve come to love from Weeks, which has become a bit of an infatuation I never knew I’d have, but here we are.

This is a story best experienced, so I’m not going to tell you much about the plot. If that’s what you’re looking for, read the blurb. So, what can you expect? Tension, obsession, enough spice to melt your face off, and a plethora of deg that fed my dirty little soul. Add in some Saw vibes, an injection of organized crime, and a whole lot of secrets that are begging to emerge from the shadows, and you’ve got a story that’ll keep you on your toes til the very end.

The ex’s brother trope is one that’s been growing on me lately, and I have to say, this book cranked that volume up to max with AGGRESSIVE teasing and unruly denial from our FMC, Raiden. Did she make me feel things I never thought I’d feel about a woman? Yes. Aaand enter Colson…I’d run *towards* him to throw myself at his feet regardless of the axe he’s fixin’ to throw at me.

He’s got some pretty decorations, too.

With every novel I read from Weeks, my adoration of her stories continues to grow. If you’re looking for a good, lip-biting time with a healthy dose of laughs, this is the book for you. It’s a wild ride, and I can’t wait for the next standalone in this intricate world she’s crafting. Really enjoyed this one.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE NJ and her books and I loved Colson and Raidens story ! They are so perfect and probably one of my favorite couples (right after Carmine and Sienna LMAO) 😭😭. The banter between the two characters was so fkn HOT and the Spanish UGHHH EVEN HOTTER ! Raiden is such a headstrong person and I think that’s something I admired about her. She wouldn’t take shit from anyone including Colson. Oh and Colson…BREAK ME LIKE A GLOW-STICK PAPI 😩😩😩 he was my favorite through out the whole book and he smokes !? EVEN BETTER 🤸🏻‍♀️ I loved how much 4/20 representation there was. As someone who smokes daily, it’s fun to see it in books lol. It was just a really fun read in general and I found myself laughing and enjoying it so much.

This was such a perfect spooky read if you’re looking for some recs 🥹 any of NJs books should be on your spooky tbr IMMEDIATELY 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

Thank you NJ so much for the artwork 🥺 I love them all so so much 🫀

5 ★
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

*latino representation
*ex bfs brother
*fun axe throwing
*they both smoke 🍃
*slow burn
*pierced FMC/MMC
*🍑 play

[Kendra Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Out March 8

𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
I have to start this review off by saying that the banter in this book is so god damn top tier, this is 100% enemies to lovers done so well it's not even funny.

Colson and Raiden are constantly at each others throats, constantly throwing quips at each other and THE MOUTH ON THIS MAN 🤭 I was blushing throughout this entire book.

Also, I do actually love the Horror Spicy Club/Escape Room aspect of this book, I have never read something like that and N.J. Weeks does such a great job incorporating that into the story 🖤
.
.
𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔:
💋Ex's brother
🖤Horror Spicy Club / Escape Room
💋Forced Proximity
🖤Axe Throwing Wall
💋Feisty FMC with secrets
🖤Pierced & Kinky MMC
💋Masks, Knives & Sleepy Meds
🖤Feed the "Scream Meter" or you're tráppéd
💋Degradation heavy
🖤Let's Play a fun game of "just the tip"
.
.

[Samara · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know how they say don't judge a book by its cover? Well I absolutely do, and will continue even after I say all of this. When I saw this floating around on bookstagram, I had zero intention of reading it. The cover made it look like a poorly written B rated horror movie, which I wasn't interested in at all. I then kept seeing reels or quotes that came from the book. Mind you, after seeing the cover the first time, I completely forgot about the name of the book. After the reels and other stuff I was seeing, I decided to look up the book. Imagine my surprise when it was the very book I wasn't going to read because of the cover. I decided to ignore it and forget about it...again. Well repeat of what happened one more time, and here we are. I'm mainly a thriller reader, but I have been on a dark romance kind of kick here lately. I do enjoy that this one has a bit of mystery to it. While I did know what part of it was, it still had a good reveal moment. I went in blind, the only thing I knew about the book is what I saw in the reels, which didn't give away much, thankfully. I also skip over TWs, because I feel like they ruin it for me too. I will say, if you have ANY triggers, you either need to look them up, or keep walking. This book is FULL of them. Your morals? Leave them at coat check. I really did like how much fire Raiden had. Colston *chefs kiss*. These two had some fun banter. I've complained about it once, and l'll complain about it again. I hate when a nickname has "little" in front of it. I didn't even know it was erotic thriller until I started to write this review. I don't think thriller is the right word I'd use to describe the book though. Some of these scenes made me laugh. The situation they found themselves in, but how they react to it is absolutely comical. I don't think it's supposed to be, but it is. I'll say this about this book..she spicy with a a little plot. Not a super huge one, but enough for me to be interested.

[Lauren ♡︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I've been so excited to read this, the whole idea of an escape room.. but make it sexy.. DAMN! I just love that.

I think I personally would have liked it to be a bit longer because it felt like some things were missing that I would have liked to read. The whole escape room part was amazing.. I mean goddamn DELICIOUS. The spice was SPICING!!
I don't think I got more excited for a smut in ages.

However, i just think it would have really benifited from being more than 280 pages. It took a while for me to get into it and I onky really started to enjoy it when it got to the escape room part, which was almost half way through. It felt really slow at first, in my opinion, and the bond between colson and raiden just came out of nowhere. There was zero built up. Like at all. It was like one minuite she hadn't even met him and next it was 4 months later and they already have this mad crazy sexual tension. I would have really liked to read more when they first meet instead of jumping to 4 months later. I just felt rushed and I had trouble liking any of the characters. They felt a bit dull and it was kind of bored.. until the escape room.

The kind of structural layout aside, overall I loved the vibes of this book and the playlist fucking ROCKS. such amazing songs that totally fit the "sexual saw vibes" 🤣

This is a dark romance but suprisingly it was also hella funny. The banter and flirting between colson and Raiden was fucking hilarious. At a time where they legit thought they were going to die too.. I was like "guys.. this is not the time." 😅

ANYWAY.. back to the smexy scenes... did I mention he's PEIRCED?! 🥵🥵
might not be your vibe but it is mine and I fucking LOVED it.

Overall, I liked the book and was totally here for all the "sexy saw vibes" but would've liked to read more of the "romance" and not JUST spice and what seemed like a rushed plot to get to the escape room part.

[J.N. Bamforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

⛓️𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗣⛓️
ᴀʀᴄ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ

Holy hell, when I say this book is hot.. it’s steaming, volcanic even!🔥 Colson and Raiden are one spicy couple and I’m living for it. I ate this book up!👅

“𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙗𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣. 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙡 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚. 𝙂𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚.”

N.J Weeks is elite when it comes to plot twists, horror elements and downright filthy men. There isn’t a single one of her men that I haven’t had the hots for. The storyline was perfection and I was constantly gripped on every page. Now, Colson isn’t your typical, unhinged dark man. Oh no, but don’t be fooled by that, this man had me SQURIMING! That man could have me on my knees and call me Mama any day of the week and paired with Raiden, the ultimate unhinged, black cat woman are a power couple! And I fancy them both, Thankyou.

“𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙮, 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡. 𝙇𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙄 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙, 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚.”

This has alllll the spicy elements that you could want, an excellent plot twist, forced proximity, axes? and a somewhat delicious Saw trap.👀

“𝙈𝙤𝙖𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙩. 𝙒𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙡.”

You have three minutes to feed the scream meter.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Gabby S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think Saw, but make it spicy. Add a bit of the mob feel in there with some love interests and you’ve got The Trap. N.J Weeks always knows how to draw me in with her books and this one was no different.

I know I may not be a horror buff or even a scary movie “fan”, but the Saw series back in the day was one of my favorites. I don’t know why, but I loved them. And this book had such a Saw feel to it; trapped in a room, needing to complete tasks or else death is near. And then when you add in an F ton of the spiciest relationship in the mix, sign me up, ok?! I’ve said this before and I’ll forever say it, N.J.’s writing is so hypnotic. The way she writes is darkly poetic. It sucks you in from the very beginning and holds onto you tightly until the very end. I loved Colson’s character and how much he loved and worshiped Raiden from afar, until it wasn’t. I did guess the little twist that was thrown in there, but the way it was revealed was perfect, even making me giggle, despite the dark nature of it. I love how N.J. ties in her previous books and characters into each story, giving us just enough of a taste of them so we don’t miss them as much. Another N.J. Weeks book that I completely devoured!

[Smuttydarkromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

NJ Weeks did it again!!! This Saw/ Escape Room inspired book was a crazy good time!! Raiden was a complete badass, total girl crush! Then… COLSON COLSON COLSON!!! This man’s mouth!!! And boy does he know how to use it! Not to mention all of his special 😏😏😏 piercings! This gave me all the vibes that I’m obsessed with from NJ! So many piercings, tattoos, weed smoking, and gothic aesthetic that makes my black heart so happy! You also get to see so many beloved characters from her other books! Pre Order yours today! (P.S her paperbacks are always BEAUTIFUL!)

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

SAW/escape room vibes but make is spicy , with axe throwing


As always
🥁🥁🥁🥁

🙌DUAL POV 🙌


The banter and sexual tension in this book is worth the 5 stars alone. But this is overall a really great book. Kept me interested from star to finished and blushing more and more as the book went on
Has  all kinds of action *eyebrow waggles* and twisted  twists and turn and I definitely recommend this book.

[Optimisticbooknerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

This was so intense and so hot!

Horror movie SAW vibes for sure. I love the escape room. The smexy scenes slapped so hard and I could NOT put it down.

Intriguing, sexy and kinda scary. Definitely recommend reading this one in the dark as it's definitely spookyy

[Book Babe V · Rating 5 out of 5]

N.J Weeks doesn't disappoint in The Trap. We're back in Sleepy Hollow with FMC Raiden and MMC Colson as they face twists and truths that unleash a whirlwind of "WTF!?"
This book has all the spice, twists, and holy shi* factors that only get with N.J.

[Ingríð Älva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh gods it was fun! I devoured it whole today 😳
It has Saw horror vibes, with all the little details.
I enjoyed Spanish insults 😂
It was so wild!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

sucia, sucia, sucia!!!!

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure this author is for me as I largely had the same issue with this as I did book one. I liked it, but unfortunately didn’t love it, so again it’s a middle of the road rating. What i did appreciate was all of the unique aspects to the storyline and the fact it kept you guessing this was certainly very memorable even if I didn’t fully connect to the characters involved.

So this has character crossovers from the other books but I’m fairly confident you could read this as a standalone. I’ve only read the trick before this one and had no issues. The writing was good and the story intriguing. I read the previous book in this series mainly because of the blurb for this one and it having an escape room scenerio. I like to start at the beginning but I don’t think you need to, it will just give you added context and enhance your experience with some prior exposure.

So I think some of my issues may be down to the characters themselves I just didn’t find them at all relatable especially Raiden. In fact I’d go as far as to say I didn’t like her at all. Her abrasive combative crude personality turned me off in every single way and the dynamic she shared with Colson just wasn’t doing it for me. I was also internally cringing when she spat at Colson. I was dumbfounded and it was totally gross. It’s one of my instant turn offs. I don’t mind it when it’s done in a sexy intimate kind of way if you get my drift but plain just cobbing on someone well, it’s just disgusting and hell disrespectful. Colson was the lesser problem for me but i do think he had the patience of a saint when it came to dealing with Raiden and her theatrics and constantly shitty attitude. Which I didn’t find quirky and sassy just plain irritating and rude.

The idea of an escape room situation was cool and I did like that part i just also wish that it had been more than it was. You know much more blood and mayhem and all of that. The chemistry between these two also wasn’t quite working for me and they had such a weird dynamic though I will say the scenes between these two when they finally get down and dirty were hot as fuck. Lots of degradation and such which I was so there for.

Overall this was an intriguing read and if you’re looking for something different this one should work. I guess I was just after something a bit more deadly and macabre and this escape room is less saw and much more an excuse to get it on with lots of voyeuristic sexy times included.

[BookSpice_and_EverythingNice | Malika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a WILD RIDE...

Raiden has become a perfect liar. She's had to since she's constantly portraying different roles as the unofficial honeypot of her cousin's organization. She's stubborn, has a sharp tongue, and keeps most people at arms length. So when she gets her newest assignment she knows she has to stay focused and not be distracted by her target's brother, no matter how hot he is.

Colson is used to cleaning up his brother's messes and being suspicious of everyone he meets. So his brother's newest plaything is no different. He tries to ignore the supercharged chemistry burning between them or the way her disrespectfulness makes him hard. He knows she's lying to them and is up to something, but why does she have to be so sexy doing it?

After a series of secrets and unfortunate events lands them inside someone's sick version of an escape room game, can they stop letting their angry sexual tension flare long enough to get out alive?

The plot of this book is very over-the-top and WILD. The twists, turns, and reveals had me on the edge of my seat. The tension between these two and the interesting dynamic was entertaining to watch unfold. Their banter had me laughing out loud even though it was a bit much at times.

This is a good pick if you're looking for an FMC that's the more unstable and unhinged one leaving the MMC struggling to anticipate her motives and next moves.

I was a bit disappointed with the ending and some choices made there, but all in all this book was entertaining and unhinged.

[spicybookmama · Rating 5 out of 5]

⛓️NJ weeks is a new author to me, but I felt a connection to her vibe and oh my, was I spot on!!!! The Trap is a phenomenal, dark, romantic thriller that I devoured. This book has a fantastic plot with massive twists that kept me guessing. Filled with, suspense, horror, forced proximity, voyeûrism, kinky action and intriguing sultry characters I could not get enough of.

“With the mask on his face he looks like a god or Devil, but either way, I’m about to pay homage to whatever deity is in front of me. “

🖤Raiden and Colson are fierce, unhinged and emotionally turbulent. The sexually impassioned banter between them is epic and provides some humor through some very fervent moments. Speaking of intense, once Raiden and Colson give into the undeniable lust between them, the passion explosion is beyond measure and we are left smirking and thigh clenching. All of the characters in the story are intriguing and play an important part in unraveling the chaos and mysteries.

“She looks like damnation and I’ve never wanted to fall deeper in the fiery pits of hell more than I do now. “

⛓️The Trap is an incredibly creative fun and kinky read with lots of action, secret, suspense and a sensational shocker of an ending. NJ Weeks knows how to write an intriguing thriller, with plot twits, horror, superior females and the most desirable deviant men. I absolutely love her writing and cannot wait for more. Veins for life 💪🏼 IYKYK

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“How could I forget, you aren’t a good girl, you’re papi’s dirty little whore, aren’t you?"

I am obsessed with this world and the unhinged characters of Sleepy Hollow. Who knew we would find a swoony, hot AF golden retriever tattooed man in a Saw type book. I just melted instantly for Colson and could easily read another book about him and Raiden. He is obsessed and when he gets the girl, I am dead.

Raiden was sent in on a job to date his brother Brett.The tension between her and Colson is strong while she is dating Brett. Colson doesn't hide his interest in her, letting her know often she is more than welcome in his bed. Raiden puts up quite a fight to resist him, as badly as she wants him.

Things take a big twist when they're taken together, and get more than that bargained for. The SAW elements I loved and mixing getting answers with some spicy scenes made it even better! The twist, again like The Trick, had my jaw dropping. I let out an audible "no shit" a few times. I just loved it!

[Erin Pasket · Rating 5 out of 5]

NJWeeks killed it again with this book. Raiden and Colson were so spicy and the perfect at each other’s throat couple.

When it comes to dark romance with horror elements and morally grey men you know NJ Weeks knows how to provide it. Colson gives off bad boy vibes with piercings, a don’t f*** with my vibe, and a man who can’t help but want his brother’s ex-girlfriend. Raiden is a spicy MMC who has a dark taste and can’t ignore the connection she has with Colson when she should be paying attention to her target Colson’s brother.

The chemistry and badass vibes these two had for one another made you eat them up and this book. What’s an escape room without some sexual tension and a major plot twist?

This book is a standalone, but I would recommend reading NJ Weeks’ other books because those past characters make several appearances in this story. The Trap is a must-read for those who love a dark romance with some horror elements and morally grey characters.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review*

The spice! The chemistry! Let's not forget the black cat and golden retriever energy. Well, maybe Colson is more like a Doberman.

Raiden has to get close to Brett, who is bland and boring, but can't stop the attraction that she feels for his brother Colson. It's just a job, but once it's over, things don't quite go as planned. She is feisty and very bold. She knows what she wants and goes for it.

Colson can't get his brother's new toy out of his head. She brings out something in him and drives him crazy. Little does he know that she has secrets, and between the two of them, even more are uncovered.

This isn't as dark as some of the other books in the series, but always check warnings first. The plot is perfect for this couple. It's intense, just like the energy between them.

P.s. the axe throwing and scream meter scene is *amazing*.

[Kata · Rating 4 out of 5]

“No exemptions. No lives spared. This is more than revenge… this is fate.”
“Fine. If she wants to play, then let’s fvcking play.”
“Moan like your life depends on it. We have a meter to feed after all.”

Dark erotic thriller with Saw vibes, deadly games, and full of twists and turns.

I loved the tension and banter between the MMC, Colson, and the FMC, Raiden. Their bratty black cat x filthy-mouthed golden retriever dynamic worked so well together, leading to some funny, flirty one-liners (“Wet? Yes. For you? No.”).

I enjoyed the escape room aspect and the deadly games, and I would have loved to read more about what goes down in there.

I’m not going to say much about the plot itself because I don’t want to accidentally spoil anything. The storyline kept me hooked, and I finished the book in one sitting.

I can’t wait to read more!

Please check the trigger warnings before reading!

[Gemma (Bookishgem94) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think the Saw movie but with lots of spice and shocks with twists and turns all throughout the book. This was such a fun read for me. I love a strong fmc that is bratty and doesn't take no shit. Raiden had me laughing a lot with the stuff she comes out with and Colson is so hot and wants nothing but Raiden. The end shocked me i did not see that coming and it gave no clues as to what was coming.

I really did enjoy this book and would recommend to anyone who loves a dark spicy mafia romance, it will draw you in so fast and have to wanting more.

[Holly Cliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trap
N.J. Weeks

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book was an absolute maze of twists and turns.
The sass is real between Raiden and Colson and their banter was so hilarious, even when kidnapped and forced into a twisted escape room.
Colson is such a golden retriever and is absolutely adorable. Despite everything, he only wants to have Raiden to himself and take care of her.
Overall, this is my new favorite book in the Pasts That Haunt series. This book does get pretty dark, so please check those TWs before reading.

[Nouha Jullienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I have been BAMBOOZLED by N.J. Weeks.

N.J. never fails to take me on a looped rollercoaster where I never know how it’s going to end, but when I get there, I’m amazed!!! I really enjoyed reading a character like Colson. He was such a golden retriever with high daddy energy! I wanted to be Raiden so bad. She was such a firecracker and Colson was the perfect brat tamer. I want more of this couple!!!

I don’t want to say much about the storyline/plot as to not ruin it, but be prepared to be taken on a ride. The vibes were on point and it was such a fast-pace story that didn’t feel rushed.

Don’t sleep on this book!!!

[Erika Brassard · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3 *

I really enjoyed the unique story and set up in this book, the pacing was fast wich I love. The FMC is very unhinged and funny, the MMC was okay but lacking a little spark to his personnality. The concept of the escaping room was nicely done but I feel this book could have been a lot more, there is a good potential. I thought it would be more gory and horror so i wasnt fully invested in this story, i guess it was too vanilla for me. Still a well written short book !

[Jessica ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This book was hot🥵 MMC with a FILTHY mouth, feisty FMC with high tension with hate/lust and the chemistry between Raine and Colson is EVERYTHING. Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
with twists and turns and the Spanish insults? chefs kiss 🔥

[Kellie McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

NJ Weeks did it again with this dark work of art! It has tension, it has banter, and spicy scenes that will make you blush while also wanting more! I need more of these two!

[Dezireè · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIRST OFF LET ME SAY THIS I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS GETTING INTO! I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN SINCE I OPENED IT UP! ITS GOT SO MUCH SAW VIBES ITS GREAT!!!! I LOVED EVERY HOUR OF THIS BOOK AND WAS UP TILL 2AM AND FINISHED IT TODAY! 10/10!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Taylor Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5/5

I devoured this book in one sitting and loved the halloween vibes this book was giving. At first I didn't know which way was up when they got to the escape room but then it became clear 😏 HOTTTTTT

[Marissa Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚰️ARC REVIEW⚰️

“Stop being so f**king stubborn. Get on those pretty f**king knees and crawl to me. Give into me.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

NJ Weeks knows how to write feral MMCs and bad a** FMCs. This was freaking amazing, the plot and all the twists and turns were phenomenal. I was definitely on the COLSON & RAIDEN train, and it was one hell of a ride, but I didn’t want it to stop😈

The smexual chemistry & banter was perfection. I really enjoyed the Horror/Escape Room Smex Club vibes, I couldn’t put it down. Colson his pierced 🍆 , tattoos, and psycho golden retriever energy made him one of my absolute favourite MMCs I’ve read. He’s PAPI goals for sure🥵
Our girl Raiden is such a feisty bad a** woman. I loved her and her black cat energy so much, she takes no s**t. These two were the perfect power couple & the sp!cy parts…… let me tell you they were sp!c!ng HARD!!

This was an incredible read and i absolutely fell in love with these two. Thank you for allowing me to be apart of your ARC team!

TROPES:
💋Exs Brother
💋Forced Proximity
💋Horror/Escape Room
💋Ax Throwing Wall
💋Bratty FMC
💋Psycho Obsessed MMC
💋Black Cat FMC
💋Golden Retriever MMC
💋F!lthy Mouths
💋Pr!mal & Heavy Degr@dation
💋Kn!fes & Masks & Sleeping Meds
💋Game of “Just The Tip”
💋Pierced MMC
💋Scream “O” Meter
💋Spi**ing & Squ**ting
💋Dub Con & Somno
💋Come Play & Breath Play
💋Use of Recreational Drügs (W33d)
💋G0re & Vi0lence