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Wilted Kingdom Duet #1
Seeds of Malice
I’m a pawn in a twisted game I never agreed to partake in.
There’s no getting out.
Dax Carrington decides all the moves.
He’s always two-steps ahead of me.
An animal disguised in warm, privileged, snakeskin, he’ll sink his teeth into every inch of my soul until he owns all of it… all of me.
When I’m at my lowest, he’ll blindside me, pulling me back into his arms, continuing to win the match that I don’t know how to play and just want to escape.
The only problem?
In Dax’s world, the plot ends once he’s the last one standing and there’s nothing left but dust—including me.
Seeds of Malice is book one of the Wilted Kingdom duet. It’s a dark college bully romance between the rich kid and the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Dax and Ivy’s story continues in Book 2 of the Wilted Kingdom duet, Thorns of Malice. See author website for trigger warnings.
There’s no getting out.
Dax Carrington decides all the moves.
He’s always two-steps ahead of me.
An animal disguised in warm, privileged, snakeskin, he’ll sink his teeth into every inch of my soul until he owns all of it… all of me.
When I’m at my lowest, he’ll blindside me, pulling me back into his arms, continuing to win the match that I don’t know how to play and just want to escape.
The only problem?
In Dax’s world, the plot ends once he’s the last one standing and there’s nothing left but dust—including me.
Seeds of Malice is book one of the Wilted Kingdom duet. It’s a dark college bully romance between the rich kid and the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Dax and Ivy’s story continues in Book 2 of the Wilted Kingdom duet, Thorns of Malice. See author website for trigger warnings.
519 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2024
704 people are currently reading
839 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Cole
64 books2,296 followersJoin Maggie Cole's newsletter for exclusive updates and material: https://www.authormaggiecole.com
Grab e-books, paperbacks, special editions, and audio at discounted prices!
Visit https://maggiecolebookstore.com/
Hang out with Maggie in her reader group: https://bit.ly/3cGMxIw
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Maggie Cole is committed to bringing her readers alphalicious book boyfriends and fiercely strong heroines.
She’s been called the literary master of steamy romance. Her books are full of raw emotion, suspense, and will always keep you wanting more. She is a masterful storyteller of contemporary romance and loves writing about broken people who rise above the ashes. Her books can often be found hanging out in the top 100, even years after publication.
Maggie lives in Florida with her son. She loves tennis, yoga, paddleboarding, boating, other water activities, and everything naughty.
Her current series were written in the order below:
All In (Stand alones with entwined characters)
It's Complicated (Stand alones with entwined characters)
Together We Stand (Brooks Family Saga - read in order)
Behind Closed Doors (Read in order)
Mafia Wars
Mafia Wars New York
Club Indulgence Duet
Mafia Wars Ireland
Wilted Kingdom Duet
The Underworld
The Cartwright Family (Holiday Romance)
Grab e-books, paperbacks, special editions, and audio at discounted prices!
Visit https://maggiecolebookstore.com/
Hang out with Maggie in her reader group: https://bit.ly/3cGMxIw
Instagram: @maggiecoleauthor
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i5zmSk
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@maggiecole.au...
Maggie Cole is committed to bringing her readers alphalicious book boyfriends and fiercely strong heroines.
She’s been called the literary master of steamy romance. Her books are full of raw emotion, suspense, and will always keep you wanting more. She is a masterful storyteller of contemporary romance and loves writing about broken people who rise above the ashes. Her books can often be found hanging out in the top 100, even years after publication.
Maggie lives in Florida with her son. She loves tennis, yoga, paddleboarding, boating, other water activities, and everything naughty.
Her current series were written in the order below:
All In (Stand alones with entwined characters)
It's Complicated (Stand alones with entwined characters)
Together We Stand (Brooks Family Saga - read in order)
Behind Closed Doors (Read in order)
Mafia Wars
Mafia Wars New York
Club Indulgence Duet
Mafia Wars Ireland
Wilted Kingdom Duet
The Underworld
The Cartwright Family (Holiday Romance)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
February 6, 2024
All I'll say is... there was no romance to be found here.
You could argue it's because this is only part 1 of a duet but I still found little here to urge me to continue. I can get behind an ass-hole hero, but I'd still like some tiny reasons why I should like him. Dax just felt nasty and I had a knot in my gut whenever he was manipulating Ivy. I didn't have the forbidden tingle that usually comes with a Dark Romance for me. I just wanted Ivy to run.
And speaking of Ivy.. there's naive, and then there is just stupid. If you decide to trust a "sexy" billionaire over your wonderful father after 48-hours.... you deserve what's coming to you. I might have felt different if Dax had worked on her over multiple weeks or months before making his move.. but it was like the timeline was on steroids... why did it have to be? He could have flirted and wooed and made her trust him.. but it just felt like he went too hard too fast and she fell for every single lie..
He didn't have to work for it at all, which just made Ivy feel pathetic.. there was no one to root for.
I'm sure there will be revenge for Ivy and a "come to Jesus" moment for Dax in book 2 but I didn't connect with these two enough to care. So I'm going to bow out here.
Finally, I just have to say that I found the group scene extremely predatory.. I know Dax was coercing Ivy into it.. but it just felt icky and I didn't appreciate it. It didn't feel sexy because Ivy wasn't enjoying it. Every single sex scene was her bending to his will, and if there's never a scene where SHE wants it.. not one... then there's nothing to have me desiring more.
I would have liked to see Ivy maybe be reluctant but then eventually LIKE what's happening. Then she can feel guilty about liking it and slowly fall into it more and more... There was just none of that. And with the tease for book 2 showing she becomes a "sex addict" now.. That makes no fucking sense. What did she even like about sex to become addicted.
Anyway.. I could rant for pages and pages but I'll stop now.
Heed the content and trigger warnings. And if you're not prepared to not like anyone in this story... just skip it. You'll save yourself some frustration.
I truly have loved this author for years but I'm just not into these recent releases where the heroes feel "mean". Dark Romance doesn't have to feel like that. The hero doesn't have to be evil for it to be Dark Romance. I need someone to root for.. Until I feel that, It's a no from me.
2 stars
5 on the spice scale
CW: Coercion, public sex, anal, group sex (coerced), Coerced same sex situations, manipulative hero, drugging, unwanted recording of sexual situations
You could argue it's because this is only part 1 of a duet but I still found little here to urge me to continue. I can get behind an ass-hole hero, but I'd still like some tiny reasons why I should like him. Dax just felt nasty and I had a knot in my gut whenever he was manipulating Ivy. I didn't have the forbidden tingle that usually comes with a Dark Romance for me. I just wanted Ivy to run.
And speaking of Ivy.. there's naive, and then there is just stupid. If you decide to trust a "sexy" billionaire over your wonderful father after 48-hours.... you deserve what's coming to you. I might have felt different if Dax had worked on her over multiple weeks or months before making his move.. but it was like the timeline was on steroids... why did it have to be? He could have flirted and wooed and made her trust him.. but it just felt like he went too hard too fast and she fell for every single lie..
He didn't have to work for it at all, which just made Ivy feel pathetic.. there was no one to root for.
I'm sure there will be revenge for Ivy and a "come to Jesus" moment for Dax in book 2 but I didn't connect with these two enough to care. So I'm going to bow out here.
Finally, I just have to say that I found the group scene extremely predatory.. I know Dax was coercing Ivy into it.. but it just felt icky and I didn't appreciate it. It didn't feel sexy because Ivy wasn't enjoying it. Every single sex scene was her bending to his will, and if there's never a scene where SHE wants it.. not one... then there's nothing to have me desiring more.
I would have liked to see Ivy maybe be reluctant but then eventually LIKE what's happening. Then she can feel guilty about liking it and slowly fall into it more and more... There was just none of that. And with the tease for book 2 showing she becomes a "sex addict" now.. That makes no fucking sense. What did she even like about sex to become addicted.
Anyway.. I could rant for pages and pages but I'll stop now.
Heed the content and trigger warnings. And if you're not prepared to not like anyone in this story... just skip it. You'll save yourself some frustration.
I truly have loved this author for years but I'm just not into these recent releases where the heroes feel "mean". Dark Romance doesn't have to feel like that. The hero doesn't have to be evil for it to be Dark Romance. I need someone to root for.. Until I feel that, It's a no from me.
2 stars
5 on the spice scale
CW: Coercion, public sex, anal, group sex (coerced), Coerced same sex situations, manipulative hero, drugging, unwanted recording of sexual situations
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2024
I'm really disappointed.
I honestly did not like this book at all. I love bully and dark romance(they are one of my fave genres) but this wasn't even a romance... just rich pricks bullying a naive girl. I had to skim through so much as I just was disgusted most of the time. I didn't like ANY of the characters, they had no redeeming qualities.
Apparently in the second book, she isn't naive anymore and gets revenge, I may give that a go. Just to see if she actually grows some balls.
I honestly wish the author put this story into one book rather than a duet. Putting a couple of chapters in the beginning of the past,letting us know what Dax did to Ivy. Then letting us see her getting her revenge.
I honestly did not like this book at all. I love bully and dark romance(they are one of my fave genres) but this wasn't even a romance... just rich pricks bullying a naive girl. I had to skim through so much as I just was disgusted most of the time. I didn't like ANY of the characters, they had no redeeming qualities.
Apparently in the second book, she isn't naive anymore and gets revenge, I may give that a go. Just to see if she actually grows some balls.
I honestly wish the author put this story into one book rather than a duet. Putting a couple of chapters in the beginning of the past,letting us know what Dax did to Ivy. Then letting us see her getting her revenge.
Read
February 1, 2024Full RTC since my review will not be favorable and this is a new release.
This book has made me rant more than I have in a long time. I actually like bully and I enjoy noncon or dubcon when it is done right.
This is not done right. I was angry and disgusted through the entire book. It does not even seem like the same author who wrote the Mafia War series.
DISSAPOINTED!!!
This book has made me rant more than I have in a long time. I actually like bully and I enjoy noncon or dubcon when it is done right.
This is not done right. I was angry and disgusted through the entire book. It does not even seem like the same author who wrote the Mafia War series.
DISSAPOINTED!!!
February 5, 2024
Seeds of Malice is the first book in the Wilted Kingdom duet. It’s a dark college, bully romance between a rich kid and a poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks. This book will make your jaw drop with the depravity, perverted, psycho tendencies that the characters are involved in. The elite entitlement played against innocent naivete is an emotional roller coaster. Be aware of your triggers and proceed with caution! Dax and Ivy’s story will continue in Book 2, Thorns of Malice.
TW: Bullying, dub/con, manipulation, drug and alcohol use, multiple partners, sexual manipulation, etc...
Dax Carrington V, heir to a gardening fortune, 21 and a senior at Clinton University in Greenwich, CT. He's bored and needs something to new to gain his interest and when he spots a young, attractive girl out his window, he knew his new toy had just arrived.
Ivy Ford, 18, just graduated high school and moved with her father from West Virginia to Connecticut. He's a Botanist for the Carrington Gardens and she will be getting a free ride attending Clinton University.
Dax immediately befriends her and starts his mind game of training his little puppet. She picks up quicker than he thought which makes his destruction plot easier until his best friend and sister gets involved.
Ivy doesn't like the lies and distance between herself and her father but she needs and craves Dax and will do anything to keep him. She tells him that she loves him while he fights his feelings for her and keeps reminding himself of his endgame.
Until the games ends before Dax is ready and his sister has just issued a CHECKMATE...
I would like to Thank @maggiecoleauthor and @theauthor.agency for my early copy and in return I'm voluntarily providing an honest review.
TW: Bullying, dub/con, manipulation, drug and alcohol use, multiple partners, sexual manipulation, etc...
Dax Carrington V, heir to a gardening fortune, 21 and a senior at Clinton University in Greenwich, CT. He's bored and needs something to new to gain his interest and when he spots a young, attractive girl out his window, he knew his new toy had just arrived.
Ivy Ford, 18, just graduated high school and moved with her father from West Virginia to Connecticut. He's a Botanist for the Carrington Gardens and she will be getting a free ride attending Clinton University.
Dax immediately befriends her and starts his mind game of training his little puppet. She picks up quicker than he thought which makes his destruction plot easier until his best friend and sister gets involved.
Ivy doesn't like the lies and distance between herself and her father but she needs and craves Dax and will do anything to keep him. She tells him that she loves him while he fights his feelings for her and keeps reminding himself of his endgame.
Until the games ends before Dax is ready and his sister has just issued a CHECKMATE...
I would like to Thank @maggiecoleauthor and @theauthor.agency for my early copy and in return I'm voluntarily providing an honest review.
June 11, 2024
3.5⭐️
This book was a tough one for me to finish reading. Dax, his sister Avery and their friend Bobby are toxic and malignant to say the very least 😖. The title is apt because these character are so full of malice you can’t relate to them, which I am assuming is the authors intent.
Ivy is 18 and although sweet, she is incredibly naive and gullible.
The book is written in the dual perspective of Ivy and Dax. It was interesting to know what Dax’s intentions were as the story played out. It was to break Ivy and ruin her. The reason … just a game to be played for entertainment.
If the second book wasn’t going to be a revenge book I would have dnf. Dax’s constant calling Ivy slut and whore were so overly done. If the intention of the author wasn’t to gross out her readers on purpose then I just don’t know what the hell else this much use of that language would have been for.
With Dax’s point of view in his chapters … his inner monologue of his regret, remorse, and “love” for Ivy while continuing to play the game made me despise him even more.
I hope Ivy reins down fire on everyone in book 2!!
This book was a tough one for me to finish reading. Dax, his sister Avery and their friend Bobby are toxic and malignant to say the very least 😖. The title is apt because these character are so full of malice you can’t relate to them, which I am assuming is the authors intent.
Ivy is 18 and although sweet, she is incredibly naive and gullible.
The book is written in the dual perspective of Ivy and Dax. It was interesting to know what Dax’s intentions were as the story played out. It was to break Ivy and ruin her. The reason … just a game to be played for entertainment.
If the second book wasn’t going to be a revenge book I would have dnf. Dax’s constant calling Ivy slut and whore were so overly done. If the intention of the author wasn’t to gross out her readers on purpose then I just don’t know what the hell else this much use of that language would have been for.
With Dax’s point of view in his chapters … his inner monologue of his regret, remorse, and “love” for Ivy while continuing to play the game made me despise him even more.
I hope Ivy reins down fire on everyone in book 2!!
February 9, 2024
My goodness me! Heed the warnings indeed! This first book of the duet hits the ground running and just doesn't stop. I am shouting at Ivy and ready to extract revenge on the manipulative jerk that is Dax Carrington. He needs a few years on the naughty step!! Ivy's innocence is palpable from the very start and it's hard to see anything redeeming in Dax's actions, particularly as we provided with a ringside seat to his thoughts. The harshness of the characterisations of those around Dax reinforces the isolation of Ivy in this pack of wolves, though I did want to shake her and tell her to wake up on many occasions!
This has been an intense, sometimes unsettling, start to this duet and has left me tapping my fingers with the need for part 2!! 💖💖💖💖
This has been an intense, sometimes unsettling, start to this duet and has left me tapping my fingers with the need for part 2!! 💖💖💖💖
November 5, 2025
So fucked up...and I inhaled every second of it
January 31, 2024
This book is not for the feint of heart, so with that said, please read the trigger warnings before proceeding. Seeds of Malice is book 1 in the Wilted kingdom duet. This book contains manipulation, multiple partners, dub/con, sexual manipulation, etc.
With that said, I really enjoyed this read. It gives off Cruel intentions vibes on a far superior level. The depths of Dax's depravity seem to know no bounds, and I will admit I was actually shocked in multiple places, and that doesn't happen often to me. It's one of those books where you simultaneously hate everyone but can't stop reading at the same time. This book had me gripped, and I devoured it very quickly. I am very much anticipating the next one.
If spicy bully romances with depraved MMC are for you, you should definitely read this book
With that said, I really enjoyed this read. It gives off Cruel intentions vibes on a far superior level. The depths of Dax's depravity seem to know no bounds, and I will admit I was actually shocked in multiple places, and that doesn't happen often to me. It's one of those books where you simultaneously hate everyone but can't stop reading at the same time. This book had me gripped, and I devoured it very quickly. I am very much anticipating the next one.
If spicy bully romances with depraved MMC are for you, you should definitely read this book
February 1, 2024
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
THIS BOOK.
It is currently 1:51 a.m. I had to finish the book; stopping wasn't an option.
Readers, please check all trigger warnings as this book is not for the faint of heart. This is a dark romance/bully romance.
Seeds of Malice is the first book of the Wilted Kingdom duology that follows Dax Carrington, a 21 year old college student who likes to break pretty things and has his eyes set on his newest toy - Ivy, his newest employee’s daughter.
Ivy is an innocent girl who moved with her father to Connecticut when he was offered a high paying job doing what he loves. When she see's Dax for the first time, she's know’s she’s in trouble.
All she wants is to be his, and all he wants is to ruin her in a game he had played with countless others. He discovers that with Ivy, the game is becoming harder and harder to play.
There are twists and turns, tears, anger and twisted love in Seeds of Malice, and I could not get enough of it!
-
I absolutely hate how much I loved this book. I absolutely DEVOURED it in one sitting. It was just impossible to put down! The spice was detailed, the dirty talk and praise was just outstanding. I really wish that the next book in the series was out, but I will wait as patiently as I can! The reader is left hanging a little bit, but Maggie, we are ready for book 2!
Thank you Maggie and The Author Agency for allowing me to review this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
THIS BOOK.
It is currently 1:51 a.m. I had to finish the book; stopping wasn't an option.
Readers, please check all trigger warnings as this book is not for the faint of heart. This is a dark romance/bully romance.
Seeds of Malice is the first book of the Wilted Kingdom duology that follows Dax Carrington, a 21 year old college student who likes to break pretty things and has his eyes set on his newest toy - Ivy, his newest employee’s daughter.
Ivy is an innocent girl who moved with her father to Connecticut when he was offered a high paying job doing what he loves. When she see's Dax for the first time, she's know’s she’s in trouble.
All she wants is to be his, and all he wants is to ruin her in a game he had played with countless others. He discovers that with Ivy, the game is becoming harder and harder to play.
There are twists and turns, tears, anger and twisted love in Seeds of Malice, and I could not get enough of it!
-
I absolutely hate how much I loved this book. I absolutely DEVOURED it in one sitting. It was just impossible to put down! The spice was detailed, the dirty talk and praise was just outstanding. I really wish that the next book in the series was out, but I will wait as patiently as I can! The reader is left hanging a little bit, but Maggie, we are ready for book 2!
Thank you Maggie and The Author Agency for allowing me to review this book!
January 27, 2024
"No one's special like you, Ivy, and I just... Well, I need you. I do, baby girl. You don't understand. I'm hurting without you down there. I need to see what it's like for you to be consumed by me."
I received this book from the Author Agency.
This book gave major Mean Girls vibes… if mean girls was a dark romance with lots of spice. The MFC is a sweet, innocent, and extremely gullible girl with no experience that falls prey to the MMC, his sister, and friends that play an elaborate game of humiliation for their entertainment. I love bully romance, but it seemed like he was constantly and obviously gaslighting her for a good portion of the book. I had to frequently remind myself that I too was taken advantage of when I was a teenager and first dating but damn, homegirl was dumb.
This is part one of the duet and does end on a cliffhanger, but part two is coming soon! Im excited to see her development in the next book and see how she has grown.
*there is a crap load of bullying, check TW
MF
Bully
V MFC
Alphahole
Forced proximity
🍑 play
FF scenes
Drugging
🖤🖤🖤
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received this book from the Author Agency.
This book gave major Mean Girls vibes… if mean girls was a dark romance with lots of spice. The MFC is a sweet, innocent, and extremely gullible girl with no experience that falls prey to the MMC, his sister, and friends that play an elaborate game of humiliation for their entertainment. I love bully romance, but it seemed like he was constantly and obviously gaslighting her for a good portion of the book. I had to frequently remind myself that I too was taken advantage of when I was a teenager and first dating but damn, homegirl was dumb.
This is part one of the duet and does end on a cliffhanger, but part two is coming soon! Im excited to see her development in the next book and see how she has grown.
*there is a crap load of bullying, check TW
MF
Bully
V MFC
Alphahole
Forced proximity
🍑 play
FF scenes
Drugging
🖤🖤🖤
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 2, 2024
Cruel Intentions Reap Cruel Rewards
Quote:📖
I'm going to make it my mission to run into this girl. My boredom's over. I have a new project. Her.
Thoughts: 💡
This is not a light hearted bully romance. Dax, the MMC, is an unapologetically cruel and spoiled rich boy and he embraces it. He doesn’t learn his lessons because of the shining goodness of his lady love, insteads he leads her down a path of corruption and burns in the flames of his own making. Ivy starts sweet but this FMC proves to be the perfect counterpart for Dax. The writing is easy to follow and flows well with clear delineations between dialogue, inner thoughts, and the rest of the plot. I really liked that the author stuck with the characters she created and gave them realistically cruel twists.
Important Note:✨
Book 1 of 2, brace yourself for the ending.
Full Content Warning:⚠️
illicit substances, addiction, manipulation, graphic and taboo smut, dub con, humiliation, bullying, and revenge
Stats:📊
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters 💙💙💙💙
Dark Romance: NA, Bully, Billionaire, Bad Boy, Opposites Attract, Cruel Intentions
First Person, Present Tense, Dual POV
Quote:📖
I'm going to make it my mission to run into this girl. My boredom's over. I have a new project. Her.
Thoughts: 💡
This is not a light hearted bully romance. Dax, the MMC, is an unapologetically cruel and spoiled rich boy and he embraces it. He doesn’t learn his lessons because of the shining goodness of his lady love, insteads he leads her down a path of corruption and burns in the flames of his own making. Ivy starts sweet but this FMC proves to be the perfect counterpart for Dax. The writing is easy to follow and flows well with clear delineations between dialogue, inner thoughts, and the rest of the plot. I really liked that the author stuck with the characters she created and gave them realistically cruel twists.
Important Note:✨
Book 1 of 2, brace yourself for the ending.
Full Content Warning:⚠️
illicit substances, addiction, manipulation, graphic and taboo smut, dub con, humiliation, bullying, and revenge
Stats:📊
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters 💙💙💙💙
Dark Romance: NA, Bully, Billionaire, Bad Boy, Opposites Attract, Cruel Intentions
First Person, Present Tense, Dual POV
January 16, 2024
Wow what a start to the Wilted Kingdom duet. Seeds of Malice has left its mark on me. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read the trigger warnings before reading this one, it's a college bully/dark romance that really can be unsettling if you're unprepared.
Not to give too much away but Dax Carrington is a master manipulator and when he meets naive 18yr old Ivy Ford, you get to witness just how manipulating he really is. But little did Dax know that he'd catch feelings for the first time ever and by that time its little too late to stop the damage that comes Ivy's way.
Can't wait for Thorns of Malice and the conclusion to this duet, Will Ivy get her revenge on Dax?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Not to give too much away but Dax Carrington is a master manipulator and when he meets naive 18yr old Ivy Ford, you get to witness just how manipulating he really is. But little did Dax know that he'd catch feelings for the first time ever and by that time its little too late to stop the damage that comes Ivy's way.
Can't wait for Thorns of Malice and the conclusion to this duet, Will Ivy get her revenge on Dax?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2024
This book really had me so enthralled. I wanted to strangle the characters and scream at them all at the same time. This book reminds me of the movie Cruel Intentions but on steroids. DAX Carrington is a manipulative man and so used to getting his own way that when he finally finds the love of his life he destroys his chance at true love and happiness. He, his sister and friend like to play games at the expense of innocent women and humiliating them. Can’t wait to read how Ivy hoes about getting her revenge.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2024
This book…OMG!!! The depths of depravity of Dax and his friends seems limitless. Boredom has a new meaning in this very dark, bully romance by Maggie Cole. Just how far will these demented college students go to alleviate their boredom?! The answer is, unfortunately, too far for the innocent Ivy when Dax sets his sights on her. Twists and turns, manipulation and roofies, love and loss lead to destruction, but not just for the one you expect. This intense story will haunt your dreams.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 31, 2024
This book is so riveting so fantastic!!! There is so few words I can use to exspress how good this book is!! I found my self experiencing all range of emotions When you find a book that takes you on a journey and sucks you into a book where you forget your reading and feel like your a part of whats going on in the book you know its fantastic and you start to miss the characters!!!! I can not wait for the next book.
January 15, 2024
This book was so intense and had me wanting to keep reading the whole way through! I finished this book in 2 days (fastest I have ever read a book)! Dax pushes Ivy a lot in this book and Ivy puts up with A LOT that I would never be able to put up with, but it is so beautifully written and I cannot wait for the second book in this duet to release so I can find out what happens!!!
January 13, 2024
This book grabbed ahold of me and would not let go! I absolutely love bully romance and this was like nothing else I’ve ever read! It’s an emotional rollercoaster with characters you will root for and hate all at the same time! Ivy and Dax live in my head rent free and I already can’t wait for the conclusion! If Book 1 was this phenomenal I know Book 2 will be outstanding!
February 9, 2024
(Will hold off from giving an actual rating until later)
Ivy is the new girl at Clinton University, & when Dax spots her through his window on her first day at Greenwhich, he immediately decides that she’s going to be his new prey & plaything which he’ll use as his puppet in his sick & twisted games…
This book is very fast-paced, immediately jumps into the story, has alot going on at all times, & the smut is VERY smutty, however that’s really where the positives stop for me unfortunately:(
This book is labelled as a dark, bully romance, & whilst it WAS dark and there was ALOT of bullying going on, this was in no way a romance. There was absolutely no romance in this book, & certain scenes that were meant to come across as romantic just simply weren’t🤷🏻♀️ I believe that this is also labelled as a college romance too however most of the storyline happens OUTSIDE of college.
I actually liked Ivy’s character at first, however you quickly learn just how naive & foolish she is, but then again she was so deeply gaslit & manipulated so can you really blame her?🤷🏻♀️ the fact that she was so pure, naive, kind hearted, & saw the best in everyone made her the easiest target for Dax & his crew to mess around with like a toy. I literally felt sick reading about everything she went through. She deserves the biggest hug💔
I have NEVER in my life read about a mmc that was a bigger manipulator & gaslighter than Dax carrington… this man was actually SO terrifying because of how easily he would manipulate even the smartest of people. Every second word out of his mouth was manipulative, & he knew how to control every situation & have everyone following his commands. He disgusted & annoyed me so much.
There was tension between Dax & Ivy from the very beginning, & the physical/sexual chemistry & passion between them was so freaking palpable, however because this was such a dark & messed up book with no romance, I can’t really say that there was a deeper connection between them. I wasn’t even rooting for them as a couple because Dax did NOT deserve even a crumb of Ivy in his life because of how vile he was towards her.
Every single one of the side characters was awful, vile & horrible. None of them had any redeeming qualities & they made me sick to my stomach😬
when signing up for this arc I didn’t even check the content warnings so it’s my fault that I read a book that’s literally FILLED from start to finish with dubcon scenes even though I absolutely hate the dubcon trope… so just be wary of that if you decide to read this book.
anyway, I’m sad that this book wasn’t a fun experience for me at all, but since writing this review I’ve actually now finished the second book in the duet & that experience was MUCH better for me & im so glad I continued reading🙏🏼
Ivy is the new girl at Clinton University, & when Dax spots her through his window on her first day at Greenwhich, he immediately decides that she’s going to be his new prey & plaything which he’ll use as his puppet in his sick & twisted games…
This book is very fast-paced, immediately jumps into the story, has alot going on at all times, & the smut is VERY smutty, however that’s really where the positives stop for me unfortunately:(
This book is labelled as a dark, bully romance, & whilst it WAS dark and there was ALOT of bullying going on, this was in no way a romance. There was absolutely no romance in this book, & certain scenes that were meant to come across as romantic just simply weren’t🤷🏻♀️ I believe that this is also labelled as a college romance too however most of the storyline happens OUTSIDE of college.
I actually liked Ivy’s character at first, however you quickly learn just how naive & foolish she is, but then again she was so deeply gaslit & manipulated so can you really blame her?🤷🏻♀️ the fact that she was so pure, naive, kind hearted, & saw the best in everyone made her the easiest target for Dax & his crew to mess around with like a toy. I literally felt sick reading about everything she went through. She deserves the biggest hug💔
I have NEVER in my life read about a mmc that was a bigger manipulator & gaslighter than Dax carrington… this man was actually SO terrifying because of how easily he would manipulate even the smartest of people. Every second word out of his mouth was manipulative, & he knew how to control every situation & have everyone following his commands. He disgusted & annoyed me so much.
There was tension between Dax & Ivy from the very beginning, & the physical/sexual chemistry & passion between them was so freaking palpable, however because this was such a dark & messed up book with no romance, I can’t really say that there was a deeper connection between them. I wasn’t even rooting for them as a couple because Dax did NOT deserve even a crumb of Ivy in his life because of how vile he was towards her.
Every single one of the side characters was awful, vile & horrible. None of them had any redeeming qualities & they made me sick to my stomach😬
when signing up for this arc I didn’t even check the content warnings so it’s my fault that I read a book that’s literally FILLED from start to finish with dubcon scenes even though I absolutely hate the dubcon trope… so just be wary of that if you decide to read this book.
anyway, I’m sad that this book wasn’t a fun experience for me at all, but since writing this review I’ve actually now finished the second book in the duet & that experience was MUCH better for me & im so glad I continued reading🙏🏼
January 26, 2024
ARC BOOK REVIEW
This was a very anticipated book to read for me, as saw as I saw the sign up for this book with the blurb and tropes. I knew this book was right what I wanted to read. And wow, it was definitely a brilliant book but I think it may have broke my mind just like Dax did to Ivy and all I need is the second book of the duet to hopefully sort my brain back again. The whole book is just swirling around my brain, and I think it's going to be like that for a while.
Ivy and her dad move to a new place for his job, which he lands at a very rich and powerful family property. There Ivy meets Dax, the oldest child of the Carrington's, and his favourite game is breaking girls, and as soon as he sets his eyes on Ivy, he decides to do just that to her.
Being completely honest, I hated Dax so so so much in this book, and how he practically made Ivy brain dead was just utterly insane. Trust be on this, you will read this book and crave the revenge that Ivy hopefully takes on Dax in the second book.
Their story was so dark and twisted and my heart broke for Ivy entirely every second, it was something I never expected and it was sure tough to read soke scenes without wanting to lob my kindle across the room.
Maggie wrote this book beautifully to make you not want to put the book down at all even if it got extremely tough in the plot. She is such a talented author, and I can't wait to see what she has written for the second book in this duet. Just reading the first chapter of the next book has me craving for more!
This was a very anticipated book to read for me, as saw as I saw the sign up for this book with the blurb and tropes. I knew this book was right what I wanted to read. And wow, it was definitely a brilliant book but I think it may have broke my mind just like Dax did to Ivy and all I need is the second book of the duet to hopefully sort my brain back again. The whole book is just swirling around my brain, and I think it's going to be like that for a while.
Ivy and her dad move to a new place for his job, which he lands at a very rich and powerful family property. There Ivy meets Dax, the oldest child of the Carrington's, and his favourite game is breaking girls, and as soon as he sets his eyes on Ivy, he decides to do just that to her.
Being completely honest, I hated Dax so so so much in this book, and how he practically made Ivy brain dead was just utterly insane. Trust be on this, you will read this book and crave the revenge that Ivy hopefully takes on Dax in the second book.
Their story was so dark and twisted and my heart broke for Ivy entirely every second, it was something I never expected and it was sure tough to read soke scenes without wanting to lob my kindle across the room.
Maggie wrote this book beautifully to make you not want to put the book down at all even if it got extremely tough in the plot. She is such a talented author, and I can't wait to see what she has written for the second book in this duet. Just reading the first chapter of the next book has me craving for more!
January 26, 2024
I started this book early this morning and pretty much did not put it down.
FMC Ivy had me wanting to shake my kindle with how naive and insecure she was, making her an easy target to play with. I also think she must have been totally dickmatized because girl WTF?!! MMC Dax had his manipulation down to an art form. Something he has practiced and perfected many times before. Dax manipulating and playing on her insecurities had me reeling because I could see how easy it would be to fall into the trap.
I can’t lie, describing my thoughts on Dax would include a lot of swears and probably get my review banned. A true bully romance villain.
The suspense in this book had me on edge. I knew what was happening but I also didn’t know what to expect next. I anxiously prayed for the worst friend group to have a massive down fall and for the FMC to come out of the d***fog and get that revenge!!! There is plenty of spice and dirty talk in this book.
The only thing that truely disappointed me in this book was that it ended and that I now must wait for book two… I NEED IT ASAP!
The sneak peek into book two has wondering how it all will play out. Will Avery get what she deserves? Will Bobby still be in the picture? Who will have revenge? Is there any redemption? And how will anyone find a HEA??? I can’t wait for this story to continue
FMC Ivy had me wanting to shake my kindle with how naive and insecure she was, making her an easy target to play with. I also think she must have been totally dickmatized because girl WTF?!! MMC Dax had his manipulation down to an art form. Something he has practiced and perfected many times before. Dax manipulating and playing on her insecurities had me reeling because I could see how easy it would be to fall into the trap.
I can’t lie, describing my thoughts on Dax would include a lot of swears and probably get my review banned. A true bully romance villain.
The suspense in this book had me on edge. I knew what was happening but I also didn’t know what to expect next. I anxiously prayed for the worst friend group to have a massive down fall and for the FMC to come out of the d***fog and get that revenge!!! There is plenty of spice and dirty talk in this book.
The only thing that truely disappointed me in this book was that it ended and that I now must wait for book two… I NEED IT ASAP!
The sneak peek into book two has wondering how it all will play out. Will Avery get what she deserves? Will Bobby still be in the picture? Who will have revenge? Is there any redemption? And how will anyone find a HEA??? I can’t wait for this story to continue
January 24, 2024
Holy sh*t!!!!!! I have never read anything like this ever! This is some crazy stuff y’all!! Think Cruel Intentions the movie but 100 times worse. This is a long book but I finished in a day because I could not put it down.
So Ivy Ford is 18, very sweet and sheltered, and about to start college soon. Her and her dad move from West Virginia to Connecticut. Her dad’s a botanist and he gets hired working for the Carrington family’s floral business and they move onto their property. Dax Carrington is 21, about to be a senior in college, and is a super rich, arrogant entitled person. Being rich means he gets bored and likes to play games. He is brutal and so callous but also very manipulative. He takes Ivy under his wing…. And well…you just have to read this. This is the ultimate bully romance and so toxic. I actually couldn’t stand Dax for 99% of the book. It ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read the next book. I don’t know how you come back from this.
Either way, it was so well written and I’m obsessed!
I will warn you that there are definitely very graphic spicy scenes…. And not in the good way you’re used to.
So Ivy Ford is 18, very sweet and sheltered, and about to start college soon. Her and her dad move from West Virginia to Connecticut. Her dad’s a botanist and he gets hired working for the Carrington family’s floral business and they move onto their property. Dax Carrington is 21, about to be a senior in college, and is a super rich, arrogant entitled person. Being rich means he gets bored and likes to play games. He is brutal and so callous but also very manipulative. He takes Ivy under his wing…. And well…you just have to read this. This is the ultimate bully romance and so toxic. I actually couldn’t stand Dax for 99% of the book. It ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read the next book. I don’t know how you come back from this.
Either way, it was so well written and I’m obsessed!
I will warn you that there are definitely very graphic spicy scenes…. And not in the good way you’re used to.
January 20, 2024
Dax is disillusioned, living life each day looking for something that makes him feel alive. The moment he sees Ivy, he knows he's found it. He's rich, powerful, and used to getting his way.
Ivy grew up in an entirely different world. She's not rich, in fact, she's only there because her father got a job working for Dax's company. She's young and naive, and though she doesn't realize it right away, she's desperate to feel something too.
Dax is exactly what you expect him to be, smart, arrogant, and a manipulative asshole. The problem here is that his character is so well written that even I found myself making excuses for him.
Ivy, on the other hand, is not what I expected. She's strong willed, until she isn't. She knows something's not right, but she goes with it anyway. It really gives credence to how well Dax was written.
At first, the pacing of the book bothered me. Things moved too fast, and it didn't feel organic. It felt stiff and superficial. As I read on, it found its flow, and I was sucked in. Now, I'm desperate to know what happens next because things did not end well for anyone.
Ivy grew up in an entirely different world. She's not rich, in fact, she's only there because her father got a job working for Dax's company. She's young and naive, and though she doesn't realize it right away, she's desperate to feel something too.
Dax is exactly what you expect him to be, smart, arrogant, and a manipulative asshole. The problem here is that his character is so well written that even I found myself making excuses for him.
Ivy, on the other hand, is not what I expected. She's strong willed, until she isn't. She knows something's not right, but she goes with it anyway. It really gives credence to how well Dax was written.
At first, the pacing of the book bothered me. Things moved too fast, and it didn't feel organic. It felt stiff and superficial. As I read on, it found its flow, and I was sucked in. Now, I'm desperate to know what happens next because things did not end well for anyone.
January 24, 2024
✨Seeds of Malice by Maggie Cole @maggiecoleauthor )✨
4🌟
✨RELEASES FEBRUARY 1st, 2024✨
This is my first ever real dark romance read so I was a ✨little✨ unsure/uncomfortable to how I would react to this novel. Not that it made me uncomfortable, just some parts were a little cringe- imo. The writing is immaculate and very very impressive!
And if I had a dollar for every time someone said the word “Prude”, I’d be as rich as Dax Carrington.
This novel is a dual POV which y’all already know I devour that shit up.
I promise you, trigger warnings do not scare or intimidate me- give it your alllllll. I just wasn’t ready for that though😅🫣 but now I am 🥵
4🌟
✨RELEASES FEBRUARY 1st, 2024✨
This is my first ever real dark romance read so I was a ✨little✨ unsure/uncomfortable to how I would react to this novel. Not that it made me uncomfortable, just some parts were a little cringe- imo. The writing is immaculate and very very impressive!
And if I had a dollar for every time someone said the word “Prude”, I’d be as rich as Dax Carrington.
This novel is a dual POV which y’all already know I devour that shit up.
I promise you, trigger warnings do not scare or intimidate me- give it your alllllll. I just wasn’t ready for that though😅🫣 but now I am 🥵
February 5, 2024
Omg,what a story! Bully Romance is one of my favourite tropes,so I knew going into this would be exciting...but exciting is not the word I would use! Dark,suspenceful,rollercoaster ride...the list goes on! From the first moment Dax notices Ivy through the window,he knew she was the new thing,the new toy he needed to pander to his every whim. Ivy was the new girl,the girl that was obviously not right for the university,but she held her own despite what was bestowed upon her. Dax is the epitome of the guy you never take home to your parents,but I have a really strong feeling,everyone is going to grow to love him. Literally cannot wait for the second part to this duet...simply amazing!
February 3, 2024
Rating: ☆☆☆☆ Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Angst: 💔💔💔💔
Cliffhanger? ✔️
Do I recommend it? ✔️
Trigger Warnings: ☠️☠️☠️
Tropes: dark bully romance, new adult, college romance, enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, opposite sides of the tracks
Ivy Ford is a pawn in a twisted game she never agreed to partake in. There’s no getting out. Dax Carrington decides all the moves. He’s always two steps ahead of her. An animal disguised in warm, privileged, snakeskin, he’ll sink his teeth into every inch of Ivy's soul until he owns all of it… all of her. When she's at her lowest, he’ll blindside her, pulling her back into his arms, continuing to win the match that she doesn’t know how to play and just wants to escape. The only problem? In Dax’s world, the plot ends once he’s the last one standing, and there’s nothing left but dust—including Ivy. Seeds of Malice is book one of the Wilted Kingdom duet. It’s a dark college bully romance between the rich kid and the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Dax and Ivy’s story continues in Book 2 of the Wilted Kingdom duet, Thorns of Malice.
First and foremost, please read the trigger warnings before beginning this duet. I absolutely despised Dax and really wanted to slap some sense into Ivy. Don't even get me started with what I would have loved to do to some of the side characters. But like the saying goes, when witnessing a car accident, you can't look away. I don't know if there is any possible redemption available, but the angst had me glued to the plot. That fact made it worth the time. I sincerely hope that revenge plays a role in book two. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
Angst: 💔💔💔💔
Cliffhanger? ✔️
Do I recommend it? ✔️
Trigger Warnings: ☠️☠️☠️
Tropes: dark bully romance, new adult, college romance, enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, opposite sides of the tracks
Ivy Ford is a pawn in a twisted game she never agreed to partake in. There’s no getting out. Dax Carrington decides all the moves. He’s always two steps ahead of her. An animal disguised in warm, privileged, snakeskin, he’ll sink his teeth into every inch of Ivy's soul until he owns all of it… all of her. When she's at her lowest, he’ll blindside her, pulling her back into his arms, continuing to win the match that she doesn’t know how to play and just wants to escape. The only problem? In Dax’s world, the plot ends once he’s the last one standing, and there’s nothing left but dust—including Ivy. Seeds of Malice is book one of the Wilted Kingdom duet. It’s a dark college bully romance between the rich kid and the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Dax and Ivy’s story continues in Book 2 of the Wilted Kingdom duet, Thorns of Malice.
First and foremost, please read the trigger warnings before beginning this duet. I absolutely despised Dax and really wanted to slap some sense into Ivy. Don't even get me started with what I would have loved to do to some of the side characters. But like the saying goes, when witnessing a car accident, you can't look away. I don't know if there is any possible redemption available, but the angst had me glued to the plot. That fact made it worth the time. I sincerely hope that revenge plays a role in book two. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
January 31, 2024
Reviewed by Natalie for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner
Wow, you should definitely take note of the trigger warnings as this one is a doozy!!! So much depravity and deviant behaviour from nearly all of the characters in this story.
A college bully dark romance, and this delivers in spades.
Dax Carrington a rich and powerful alpha male who likes to manipulate girls it entertains him, but in walks Ivy, the poor girl whose father is employed by the Carringtons to look after their extensive grounds.
Ivy is a naive young girl, unlike any of the others... but like all the others she falls hard for Dax's charms.
I do hope the next book is where at least some of the characters redeem themselves as I had a hard time warming to any of them. I do think that under all the armour that there is a heart beating in the chest of Dax Carrington, I look forward to seeing what transpires in the next installment.
Wow, you should definitely take note of the trigger warnings as this one is a doozy!!! So much depravity and deviant behaviour from nearly all of the characters in this story.
A college bully dark romance, and this delivers in spades.
Dax Carrington a rich and powerful alpha male who likes to manipulate girls it entertains him, but in walks Ivy, the poor girl whose father is employed by the Carringtons to look after their extensive grounds.
Ivy is a naive young girl, unlike any of the others... but like all the others she falls hard for Dax's charms.
I do hope the next book is where at least some of the characters redeem themselves as I had a hard time warming to any of them. I do think that under all the armour that there is a heart beating in the chest of Dax Carrington, I look forward to seeing what transpires in the next installment.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
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February 2, 2024
Seeds Of Malice ; Wilted Kingdom Duet Book 1 ) Tropes 🖤Dark College 🖤Billionaire 🖤Dark College Bully 🖤opposites / wrong side of the tracks What a phenomenal start to what I know will be an unforgettable and unputdownable new duet . Maggie Cole never disappoints. In fact every single time I pick up one of her books or series my expectations are always exceeded. This time is no different. Dax and Ivy’s journey was like being on the wildest rollercoaster at the amusement park . From page one your emotions are literally all over the place . You’re on the edge of your seat holding your breath and anticipating what’s to come . You may hate Dax in the start but trust me by the end you’re going to be a goner . Your heart will break for all Ivy goes though but by the end her character evolves so much you’ll find yourself rooting so so hard . You might even smile during certain scenes because there are some really sweet ones , even with the dark , raw and gritty moments. This is without a doubt one book you absolutely should mot miss .
February 1, 2024
So much of this story just left me speechless. This is a dark, college romance. Check your triggers.
Dax Carrington is the worst kind of villian. He is your typical rich boy with an “I can do anything and everything I want” attitude. He is a master manipulator and he has his sights set on sweet, innocent, naive, Ivy Ford. Her sick father is working for the Carrington’s and she would never do anything to jeopardize his job. Dax uses every form of manipulation and mind-f!@kery possible to get Ivy to not only fall for him, but to do anything he asks of her.
Maggie states that these characters redeem themselves in the end, so I’m sticking it out to get the HEA I NEED. Although, redemption for Dax is unlikely.
Spice is lots of dirty, DIRTY talk (degradation) and there is A LOT. Plot definitely kept me intrigued and I’m dying to know more about this “game” being played between Dax, Avery and Bobby. Can’t wait for book 2!
I received an advanced copy from the author. This is my honest review.
Dax Carrington is the worst kind of villian. He is your typical rich boy with an “I can do anything and everything I want” attitude. He is a master manipulator and he has his sights set on sweet, innocent, naive, Ivy Ford. Her sick father is working for the Carrington’s and she would never do anything to jeopardize his job. Dax uses every form of manipulation and mind-f!@kery possible to get Ivy to not only fall for him, but to do anything he asks of her.
Maggie states that these characters redeem themselves in the end, so I’m sticking it out to get the HEA I NEED. Although, redemption for Dax is unlikely.
Spice is lots of dirty, DIRTY talk (degradation) and there is A LOT. Plot definitely kept me intrigued and I’m dying to know more about this “game” being played between Dax, Avery and Bobby. Can’t wait for book 2!
I received an advanced copy from the author. This is my honest review.
February 1, 2024
Dax Carrington along with his best friend Bobby and his sister Avery have a long history of playing a game of degradation, sex, humiliation and blackmail for their own personal game - also to claim that number one spot. Dax has been the King of this game with many pawns along the way. When he first sees Ivy, he figures she is the perfect candidate for the next game and her innocence makes the stakes even higher. Something about her makes Dax have second thoughts about how far he is willing to take this round and what he is willing to make her do. Her innocents might make the manipulation that much easier, but his desires and conscious make it harder. Now he has set up the perfect ending, but he keeps battling with how far he really is willing to take her.
Please check the triggers as there are some strong mental health things in this book, but the spice is next level and the cliffhanger is TORTURE!!! Luckily the second book comes out in a couple weeks!!!
-Kayla/Hot.Bookmance
Please check the triggers as there are some strong mental health things in this book, but the spice is next level and the cliffhanger is TORTURE!!! Luckily the second book comes out in a couple weeks!!!
-Kayla/Hot.Bookmance
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