Groupthink

by Lauren League

What happens when your inner demons show up as a harem of hotties? As a perfectionist with crippling anxiety, finding my “dream man” was the last thing on my to-do list. But after an earth-shattering breakup, I made a list of everything I wanted in my “perfect partner.”

I never expected him to show up.

I never expected that there’d be more than one.

And I never expected that I could have them all—at the same time.

Whatever I write with this mysterious pen comes to life, so I wrote down everything I guys who treat me like a princess and don’t mind sharing. There’s just one

They’re all from the pages of my diary. Including the pages I wrote about my toxic ex, who joins the party—

—and will stop at nothing to destroy me.

Groupthink is the first book in a hot new dark reverse harem series. It explores trauma and mental health, but the focus is on the romantic relationships between the characters. This series contains explicit content and may offend some readers. TWs inside.

Genres: Romance, Erotica, New Adult

442 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2024

About the author

I’m Lauren League, a bestselling author and artist known for creating the Group Therapy Series! 📚

Readers often praise my work for skillful storytelling, artistic complexity, excellent worldbuilding, and 🔥 SCORCHING 🔥 spice!

My work isn't for everyone, but if it's for you, you'll know.

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Reviews

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this one skimming through RH on Amazon. Chosen for the cover (the white one) and then the blurb. It’s an interesting book that doesn’t exactly end on a cliffhanger but does sort of feel half finished. The main theme is mental illness and self acceptance. Judging by the POVs it’s four guys.

I’m not not sure what the relationship would count as, since the guys are tailor made with a part of Grace at their core. It certainly gives another meaning to me, myself and I or maybe just really complex masturbation. Dunno, it was strange and unique.

I’m not sure how I felt about the sister. At some points it seems she’s helping and others it’s not. I liked how she chased Ink Grayson out but she gave hope based on her opinion for the real one and left Grace alone when she needed to get out.

The whole story was a bit of a mindfuck because the twist is that the ink people don’t know they’re not real, have their own issues and life. Yet one knows he bleeds black and one knows he bleeds blue. Noah is oblivious and Bo is living his own nightmare. I’d say it ends on a HFN and I’d read the next one because there were a lot of things left open. Grayson possibly knowing the truth and out to get Grace, Sawyer, Ink Summer and Bo. Interesting story.

[Mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very different concept from any other rh I've read in the past. Fascinating. Through it all, I'm wondering exactly who is real or just a figment of her imagination. Is Grace a reliable narrator?

Our lead FMC is in therapy with anxiety, panic attacks, and OCD after a nasty breakup with her ex, Greyson.

She meets Bo after she steals his pen. Apparently this pen can magically manifest whatever is written on page. Bo warns her that the men that will come into her life aren't real, they're ink people. The ink people will not believe they're not real as they have "real life" careers, friends, and problems.

She writes down all she wants in a partner. Is it a coincidence she meets Sam and Noah?

We got POVs from all the main characters, Grace, Bo, Noah, Sam, and even Greyson (well, it's ink Greyson).

Bo tells her in order to get rid of these manifestations, she'll have to conquer the issue. By the end of this book, it seems that Noah and Sam are helping her through her anxiety (which is manifested in Ink Greyson)

She's keenly aware that Noah and Sam are ink people but she hasn't shared with them.

What will happen next? Will she be able to keep her ink men? Can she move on?

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace is just trying to get over a long term relationship and fighting her anxiety disorder when she finds a magic pen that somehow not only brings her dream guys to her but also all the worst parts of her ex. She has to figure out how to get through the magic and overcome her own demons.

This is a Ruby Sparks type book but darker and spicier. I loved the characters I can't believe how well Sam was embodied with the words in his head and the feelings of a musician. I was amazed by how real it felt to be in his head. Noah felt a little underdeveloped though, I'm still not sure what his deal is. The banter in this book is next level though, laugh out loud and crazy clever. I wasn't expecting it to end so abruptly, it wasn't even really a cliffhanger it was just the end of the sidewalk and then there's nothing else there so I'm excited to get the next book.

[Essence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well. that’s a mindf*ck.

Honestly, I really really enjoyed this book. Throughout the entirety of groupthink you have so many different thoughts and emotions; so much depth that’s covered. There is so much mental health represented and played out really well. This personally for me was a very close to heart read. In many ways. I’m not prone to panic attacks anymore, but the deep representation of anxiety, and the constant spiral of it was so well written. It seems really annoying and repetitive, but sometimes that’s how anxiety is. Which I just found so real. That combined with the fantasy aspect of this book was a very new and fresh outlook. I was pleased also with the group scene and the mental clarity that came from it for multiple characters. I look forward to the next installment and the character growth and development that I hope to see there.

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very different than what I am customed to and that is a good thing. It is what keeps the genre fresh really. Not knowing who is real and who is a figment of imagination. This is about Grace and she is recovering from an ordeal with her ex, Greyson. Now trying to fix it while writing about her men. Who she wants and that includes Greyson but he's not real right? He's ink Greyson. Definitely need book 2 to see where this ends.

[Rogueish · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me awhile to really get into this book, but once I did it was pretty fascinating... Who is real and who is imaginary really put a spin on things, and the fact that this is a reverse harem with a different take is refreshing...

Very curious to see where book 2 goes...

[. · Rating 4 out of 5]

inside out if it was filmed in my head 🤣

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting concept. What would you do if all of your inner demons became your perfect matches? That's grace's new reality. I love that she accidentally did this to herself without knowing. It's very weird, in a good way, to see her interact with basically herself. I really enjoyed this book and I'm very excited to read the next one.

[Mabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the most original ideas I’ve read in a long while.

Seriously, this book is unlike anything else I’ve read, especially in the genre. It is impossible to compare to any other book; it is such a unique experience. Saying “it’s about a woman who finds a magic pen that turns her mental issues into attractive men, but accidentally uses it to turn give her anxiety an avatar in the shape of her ex” is both true and an absolute disservice in its simplicity. It’s a bit of a mystery novel, a study on mental health, and even something of a suspense book. I’m not sure how else to qualify the fact that the two men she’s with at the end of the book are supposed to disappear as Grace heals during the course of the story.

Seriously, it’s such a mindfuck. We know they’re not real. We know they’re not meant to even exist. But having entire chapters from their POV, seeing them be their own people, with friends and jobs and such complicated existences while also knowing they’re not real and that it’s just a matter of time before it comes up again… Just. Man.

The book was an overall positive experience, akin to a long therapy session. I could see my own experience with anxiety perfectly reflected back at me, and seeing Grace heal during the course of the book – even if it’s just the beginning of her journey – left a good taste in my mouth. Still, there were a couple of details that made the book less than perfect for me, including: long, drawn out rap lyrics for a song I didn’t know existed until the author’s note at the end of the book. The frankly obnoxious caricature of a Gen-Z woman—I find lazy stereotypes to be neither cute nor funny, especially when Grace herself, aged 24 years old, is very much part of said generation -- and, of all things, the fact that once again, an American author has failed to realize that Colombia and Columbia are entirely different places.

These, however, are pet peeves of mine. They affected my overall enjoyment enough for me not to be able to sincerely give the book 5 stars (seriously, entire pages of rap lyrics? Why?) but not enough to stop me from recommending the book to anyone looking for a unique plot and experience, once that’s sincerely difficult to describe with words, it is so special.

I’m definitely keeping my eye out for the next books, and for Ink-Summer’s murder threat. Can’t forget about that one.

[Shawnte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so in love with this story! I can't tell you how REFRESHING it is to read something that's completely unique! This is uncharted territory, it's hard to approach topics from angles that haven't been done before. I've NEVER read anything like this and I'm so elated! Just in complete awe! Where to start, it's easy to read a character like Grace because she thinks she's just a ball of imperfections. She's more relatable because of her insecurities, we all have them. Grace has some mental health issues, and this pen helps her dance with her demons so to speak. Though she's still in love with Grayson, it's obvious that he's completely wrong for her. Narcissistic, pessimistic and just not a likeable guy. Enter the three new guys in her life 😍 I LOVE Bo! Hopefully book 2 will finally bring he a Grace closer. Opposites attract and they couldn't be more different. My guess is that Summer will leave now that his hero complex has latched onto Grace now. Noah...I didn't like Noah. Without spoiling much, nothing is cool about what he did and has done repeatedly to Sam. No one should have a friend that constantly competes with you for women. I've definitely lost a best friend that way over a guy and it's really painful. It's because of this, I adore everything about Sam. He's the underdog in this story; how can I not root for him!? The way that he treats Grace, he's just so patient and gentle without babying her. I don't know if it's possible but I'm hoping that he's her end game. It's hard-to-find connections like what she shares with Sam. And I'm looking forward to more of his story in the other books. This book was AMAZING! A really fun ride! It was definitely a page turner. The hot scenes were SCORCHING 🔥 And the world and characters that you've created are so just unparalleled! I'm so happy that I found your work and I can't wait to read more of their story. All the stars! 💜

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

[Nora Ellen (Nbbookery) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good mental health rep in romance, and this was one of the more memorable ones. Grace is plagued by her inner voice, Disgrace, who rules her life. The pen silences Disgrace since the demons are free and in the form of ink-people. I liked all the characters, except Grayson, and am especially interested in Bowie. He seems to have potential! Definitely interested in the rest of this intriguing series!

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly had no idea what I expected when I came across this. It was such an interesting read and the subjects it’s touches on. It’s very raw and emotional and it even had me crying at times. It played on my emotions which to me is a sign of an exceptional writer and the way the could connect with me as a reader. This was fantastic. Lauren League should be proud.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm I liked it, I think. It's different I haven't quite figured out if that's a good thing yet. I just didn't feel it as much as I was expecting to. It was lighter than I imagined it would be. I might read the next one when it comes out. I will say it's probably best to go into this with no expectations.

[Sydnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! This book was incredibly well written, the dialogue and inner thoughts of the different characters were relatable and often hilarious, and the concept was something I've never read before. Very much looking forward to the next book!! Can't wait to see what happens with Grace and her men.

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an intriguing and original storyline.
I've never read anything like it, and I wasn't disappointed.
Overall, it kept my interest and I really enjoyed it!
There was drama, a bit of suspense, some spice, and it brought out so many emotions.

[Christina Ps · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars