A Dangerous Game

by Leila Starling

I traded one monster for two…

I should have kept going. He seemed nice enough, but I was so wrong. I was willing to get into that truck with him to leave my broken home, but I’ll soon learn that no matter how much trouble you’re in, you can’t trust anyone.

Pretty soon, I’m in an unfamiliar place and completely at the mercy of two brutal men who want nothing more than to hunt me. To hurt me—to torture me.

It’s a dangerous game…

Will I make it out alive?

Loosely inspired by The Most Dangerous Game and Bluebeard, A Dangerous Game is a dark erotic thriller, and as such contains themes that some may find disturbing or uncomfortable. Please view the content warning at the beginning of the book.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Novella, Romance, Why Choose, Enemies To Lovers, M M F

174 pages, Paperback

Published February 8, 2024

About the author

Leila Starling is a lover and writer of many types of romance: mafia, reverse harem, fantasy, paranormal, dark, and contemporary. She can usually be found in front of her computer writing her next novel (or bingeing a show). You can find her on Instagram and TikTok @leilastarlingauthor.

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5.
It’s spicy and disturbing!
I liked it!

[Kendra Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Out February 8th

𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
If you are looking for a quick dark read, this is the book for you!! But definitely check tropes and TW before going into it 🖤

I honestly crushed this in about 2 hours and I loved it! It definitely had me thinking "should I be liking this" at some points of the book but as a dark romance reader, that's a given 😂

I'm a sucker for a captive/captor romance but make it Why Choose and you have me hooked. The spice was absolutely amazing and the premise of them hunting her I thought was amazing 🖤
.
.
.
𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒃:
𝙄 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙬𝙤...

I should have kept going. He seemed nice enough, but I was so wrong. I was willing to get into that truck with him to leave my broken home, but I'll soon learn that no matter how much trouble you're in, you can't trust anyone.

Pretty soon, l'm in an unfamiliar place and completely at the mercy of two brutal men who want nothing more than to hunt me. To hurt me-to torture me.

It's a dangerous game...

Will I make it out alive?
.
.
.
𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔:
🖤Dark erotic thriller
⛓️Loosely inspired by The Most Dangerous Game and Bluebeard
⛓️Kidnapping
🖤Captor/captive
⛓️Age gap
🖤Somno
⛓️Virgin FMC
🖤Spanking
⛓️Father & Son (NO MM)
🖤Choking
⛓️Obsessed MMCS
🖤Praise & degradation
⛓️Triggers galore

[Neelakshi · Rating 2 out of 5]

“SHE’S A VIRGIN,”
“How do you know?” he asks.
“She flinched when I put my fingers inside her.”
“That doesn’t mean anything, Dad.”
“There was blood on them when I pulled out. I don’t even think she noticed.”
“So, you’re saying we should be gentle with her?”
I shake my head. “No. We’re going to traumatize her.”


If you could hear my laugh.
CACKLED

also dad and son fuck her 🎀

[KitKat K8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ending Had Me Shook

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

what a wicked storyline! a quick read, but full of shocking twists & turns! this is the first book i’ve ever read with a taboo relationship the way it is here & it was hot! I laughed at some parts because the reality of the thoughts were great!

great book to knock out a quick read before the end of the year!

[Laura J (allbooksniceandspice) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5

Damn… this novella was intense!!

This was my first read by Leila and it did not disappoint. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started, but this had me shook from the very beginning.

This was definitely something else; it was fast af paced, it was DARK and it was spicy!! It had me questioning my morals on more than a few occasions but it was thrilling and kept me sat on the edge of my seat.

This was a dark, erotic thriller. I 100% recommend checking the TW before starting this. The content, both on page and off page, will not be for everyone.

The plot was exciting and the world building was spot on. Leila describes the visual so perfectly; it’s like you’re actually right there with them. The characters are unique, following their journey is like taking a ride on the emotionally damaged rollercoaster. You feel all sorts of emotions from start to finish. To say the book is short, you still get the background depth of each character. The ending felt a little rushed and seriously questionable but didn’t take away from what was a captivating read.

A story of a woman in the wrong place at the wrong time trying to flee a broken home; only to find herself in another nightmare alongside two dangerously brutal men.

Raine comes across as deceptively naive at the beginning but this changes very quickly, there’s a darkness in her that comes to the surface in light of the events that unfold.
Micah and Judas are both seriously unhinged but surprisingly soft at certain points. They compliment each other very well and the duo (as taboo as it is), just works.
The relationship between Micah, Judas and Raine is fast paced and constantly hot/cold. It’s frustratingly brilliant!

Would recommend to those on the search for a short read that will blow their mind and make them question their morals ♥️

[Malischa Nijenhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read of this author definitely want to read more of her books. Never thought that age cap i would like. But this was something else entirely.

[Pyro Aleksandr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivity, Virgin FMC, Multiple POV, Father&Son, breeding, Questionable HEA.

This book was very fast paced and very dark. Would read all the trigger warnings.

Poor Little Doe, just can’t catch a break. I guess being held against your will by two hot mountain men, things could be worse right? I mean they could have a cage to keep her in.

Micah & Judas, unhinged beyond words. This father and son duo never kept one alive before… before her that is and now they love her while ruining her.

🌶️🌶️🌶️

[kt · Rating 1 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨


not worth the time it took me to read all 100 pages.. super rushed. weird verbiage. bad vibes. i cannot recommend this to literally anyone.

[nicklein · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was disturbing on so many levels

[Stormborn Bookshelf · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️

I am so sad.
I wanted to give this book 5 stars up to 60% of the story.
What happens after that threshold is just total nonsense and rushed stuff.

I liked how the tension built up to the point the two MMCs decided they were to keep her. However, from that point onward the path increased in a way it was no longer enjoyable.

I assume she kind of developed Stockholm syndrome, but the story didn’t give her enough time to develop it in a realistic way, so it felt a bit forced.

I genuinely thought at some point that Judas was going to be the main love interest, which didn’t happen and that is okay.

The time skip was a bit too rough, and I wished the author had spent more time explaining what happened during the time she was pregnant instead of jumping 5 years ahead.

If you like fast paced novellas with no HEA, this book is definitely for you.
Though I don’t mind a bad ending, since I think this was the only reasonable way a story such as this one should have ended, the extreme fast pace doesn’t fit what I want from a novella. But this is extremely personal.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fragt einfach nicht
(disturbing af)

[Luce.Obscura · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book had me questioning my morals, but as a dark romance reader we love a book full of trigger warnings.

It’s a fast paced dark erotic thriller featuring two very dark men.

This one starts with a FMC escaping her life, who happens to stumble on a sexy mysterious man, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, which ends up changing her life.

Tropes:
- Captivity - Age Gap - Kidnapping - Degradation
- Father and Son - Virgin FMC - Breeding Kinks

It’s spicy as hell, and has a questionable happy ending.
I did not see it ending that way, either way it’s a smutty, degrading novella worth a read.

[Véronique (Vee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this ARC for an honest review💕

O.M.G this book was something!! the spice was spicing🌶️and the captor/captive vibe was perfect! honestly this book was exactly what i needed in between a series! it was short it was spicy and the story was really good! i love the fact that even tho the book is really short we still got some background on the characters. This book deserves a
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️for me definitely gonna read more of her books!

[Megan White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in two sittings, I just couldn’t put it down! It kept me on the edge of my seat, second guessing everything and questioning the ending...

Micah and Judas have heartbreaking pasts, questionable morals and unsavory hobbies. When Raine stumbles into their lives one stormy night, nothing will ever be the same - for any of them.

Fast paced, terror driven plot with a generous dose of spice and a very unconventional Happily Ever After.

[Bookreviewsbysusan · Rating 4 out of 5]

~Lawdd I enjoyed this book. I was in a reading slump when I picked up this book and it got me out of it. . A fun dark, spicy, taboo novella. I recently developed an obsession with captive and captor trope. I mean I have always liked it but its now one my fave trope. Also I never saw a lot of what happened coming like this book had me gagged, my jaw dropped. It was so intense. I didn’t even see the ending coming also before I forget the son kidnaps the girl and shares her with his dad 🙈

This is one of those book you put down for a minute with your hand covering your mouth to regain your thoughts after reading an unhinged scene. I did that a lot. I this book so fast I finished in less that 3hours. I have also reread like 2-to probably five stars.

The only this isn’t a five star read for me was because it felt rushed and I wanted more of her resisting. I wanted more of the book. Overall it was a great book. I loved it 🥰.

Taboo 😌
Dark romance 🔥
Why choose 🥵
Father and Son 🌚
Breeding 💧
Captive and Captor 🪢

[Shelí Gabriela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another ig rec… completely my fault for reading it and i want to applaud myself for the fact that i didn’t abandoned it halfway like i planned to do once i got to a certain point of weirdness. Sooo this is a dark and twisted book, nothing wrong with that (love the genre) nonetheless the book itself was the problem😅. I honestly don’t feel right saying i hated the protagonist for being her because she grew up in a abusing household and was experiencing Stockholm syndrome by her two captors (a father and a son, i mean i was already perturbed by this point) but I couldn’t connect with her. I was almost a tiny bit ecstatic with the ending and then the epilogue fuck it right up.

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ermm…it was gripping, how to describe that feeling 🤔 it’s one of those storylines you read where you think FFS stop! Do something, don’t let them win, sheesh! Lady fight. Then there’s the other part of you that thinks from bad to worse or worse to bad, there’s smut. This quick read is that, one you don’t want to read, one you can’t help but read, one you wished you had/hadn’t read 🤣 ⛓️

[Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is short, spicy, and tab00.
Do not read this book without checking TW.
If you don't have any, then proceed.

The FMC has been living in an ultra abusive home and the events of one night are the final straw. She gets out of the house and thinks she lucks out when a stranger offers her a ride to get out of the pouring rain...

Non c0n
Forced 0
Primal
Cäptive
St0ckholm
Age gap
Dad/son

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect short smut read to get me out this reading slump😈

[laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

*this arc was sent in exchange for an honest review*

“To those who want nothing more in life than to be hunted and fucked by two bearded men”

This book is a good quick read, a short dark erotic thriller about Raine, Judas and Micah.
Definitely not for the faint of hearts but I enjoyed the read!

Thank you Leila for letting me read this early!

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always try to go into a book with no expectations. I definitely wasn't expecting what I just read. The characters and backgrounds were so interesting and heartbreaking. It was so fast-paced and made for a quick read. The constant push and pull between Raine and her captors kept me on my toes and had me speeding through the story to see how their relationship would end. It was a complete surprise. I enjoyed the story and felt satisfied at the end. It was steamy and so dark and intriguing. A really good read!

[mrsbattle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps you on the edge of your seat as to what will happen next. The ending caught me by surprise, then the epilogue pulled a reverse uno on me and caught me by surprise again.

[Marisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think this might be the worst thing I’ve ever read.

[Lilith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc review coming through
Does have spoilers

Honorable quotes:
*“You don’t want our kids?” Micah seethes as we follow him back to the room. “We’ll make you want them.”
*“Shut the fuck up and suck Daddy’s cock like the good little bitch you are.”

Raine is escaping from an abusive situation when she gets taken by not one but two monsters. Will she be able to escape or will she accept her fate as theirs.

So starting of I had mixed feelings with this book, it was kinda like a wreck I couldn't look away from. The MMC's are giant red flags but unlike other books where I'm just blind there was points in this book when I was like "ermmm that's not okay"
Prime example being when they locked her in a cage for over 9 months only taking her out when she was in labor

But the smut was good and if there was a second book I would read it

I do feel like the ending was a bit rushed but that sometimes can be the case for novellas because they are smaller

Overall I did give it 4 stars because of the smut scenes and although it wasn't my cup of tea I do know people who would enjoy it alot.

[thoseofusinbetween · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝚁𝚞𝚗, 𝙻𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝙳𝚘𝚎, 𝚊𝚜 𝚏𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗!

This was my first @leilastarlingauthor book and she has me hooked until the end of time moving forward. I will forever fold for taboo/dark couplings. In this case we have Daddy Judas and his fine AF son, Micah. There is absolutely no ⚔️ crossing. It’s easy to lose the qualities that set family members apart in these kinds of romances, BUT they had such different personalities and punishment/praise styles that I found myself subconsciously thinking “oh sh*t” what’s the other one going to do now?! 🥴

Let me tell yall, Raine was put through it! She has to work for everything, but the guys rise to the challenge and are more than willing to provide. I’m not going to spoil anything, BUT there is a super sweet scene with Micah and Raine that melted me instantly. You’ll know what I mean when you get to that part 😉

Imagine The Most Dangerous Game x Bluebeard 🖤

🖤Captor/captive
🖤V!rgin FMC
🖤K!dnapping
🖤MFM (Father & son *no MM)
🖤Cage usage
🖤Standalone
🖤Age gap
🖤Praise/degradation
🖤“Daddy” moment
‼️HEAVY TRIGGERS‼️

[Tamara Dyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh little doe, how innocent you are.

My first thoughts on this one were “holy shit” it sucked me in and made me feel all sorts of naughty things. I loved every second of it and given half a chance I would probably try to ride both Micah and Judas. This is such a good little read. Leila Starling has written such a wonderful story but I really would have loved to have found out more of what happened at the end of the last chapter before the epilogue. I wanna know more! I think I’m gonna have to go find more of Leila Starlings books because I adore her writing style and her characters have more depth than the ocean. Definitely found myself a new favourite author to recommend to my friends to ruin their lives (because I love them of course)

[Ramona Strijkers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fast paced spicy little thing with some subjects that definitely make me question my sanity but the story just sucks you in and almost makes you feel compassion for Micah and Judas.
The part where Micah washes Raine's curly hair after they locked her in the cage for five days and he said he watched some videos to make sure he would do it right made me go aaaaawww 🥹 only to realize 2 seconds later that I had to snap out of it, that's not aaaaaaww that's still fucked up 😅

One little sentence in this book made me forget all the questionable stuff though....
"touch me, Daddy".....🥵

Go read it!

[Hearteater · Rating 1 out of 5]

Uhg

What the actual fuck did I just read 🤦🏻‍♀️ I don't even know why I finished it... A smutty book about a father and son kidnapping and "sharing" a freshly 18 year old virgin girl, who has been abused for years by her dad, was not on my bingo card for 2024, but here I am. This was smut with nearly zero plot, messy in an annoying way, and the sex scene where they're both banging her at the same time and their d's are touching inside was so fucking creepy 😅 Like no thanks, dude. If the book had ended at the final chapter instead of the Epilogue, I would have been a little happier, but then the author pulled some bullshit and I hate it all.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

From the start I was intrigued, disturbed, I had to see the book until the very end. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but briefly glanced at the TW (check them out b4 u read) and thought wtf why not? The detail in this story had me visually seeing every dark room and clenching my fists 🚗🛶🚤🏚. I instantly formed a trauma bond with the MFC Rein and felt her pain and was not going to leave her side until the end. This is absolutely 💯 a dark erotic thriller that is NOT for everyone, and you may find disturbing or uncomfortable (father & son but no MM). The ending has me SHOOK.🙀

[Jennifer Robertson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars. I just wanted a quick little read which this story was. I wasn't prepared for all the plot holes, bad writing, and illogical character reactions. It was taboo but that wasn't my issue with it. I understand erotica isn't held to the same standard of good storytelling but this was rough at best. I had potential to go somewhere good but just had odd choices of info included or excluded that made it fall apart for me. It felt so impersonal and none relatable and unrealistic. 3.5/5 spice. I'm only giving it that score because of the taboo shit not because it was written well or explicitly. I wouldn't recommend it to others and will not be rereading this book.