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Prize

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Author Lilly K. Cee's dark romance addresses trauma on a broad spectrum. It contains intense trigger warnings. Please consult the list on her LinkTree if needed before committing to reading.



TAKEN. SILENCED.

Decorated in gold, she landed at the feet of a man who hates her.

She’d been taken, stripped of her name, and then her voice. One minute, she’d been a struggling college student. The next, she’s living a nightmare. Or at least, another one, because lessons from her brutal childhood would provide her with the tools to navigate her new reality with the man who’d won her.

She will be resilient. She will endure.

She needs him to survive as much as she needs to survive him.

BETRAYED. VENGEFUL.

Rogan was robbed of his dreams and his true love with a single action at the ceremony honoring his years of devotion and loyalty to the island. But the reward that landed at his feet was not what he expected. Betrayal coursing through him, he walked away with a gold-plated woman: his prize.

He hates her. Because he is as captive as she.

But besides his best friend, Wes, the golden woman is all he has: his pet, his prize. And he will protect what he owns.

Theirs isn’t a typical love story. But dark, toxic love is still love.

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 16, 2024

7 people are currently reading
27 people want to read

About the author

Lilly K. Cee

9 books52 followers
Lilly is a Kansas City native currently residing in sunny California. She has a degree in English literature from The University of Kansas (and an incomplete degree in medieval history... So does that count? The tuition bills say it does.)

Lilly is a frequent traveler with a soft spot for Ireland, but Puerto Rico is her favorite destination. No matter where she is in the world, however, coffee is a need, necessity, addiction, and obsession... one that she shares with all of her FMCs.

Although romance and containing HEA/HFNs, Lilly's stories address a range of trauma-related issues and are not intended/appropriate for readers under 18 years of age. A complete list of TWs for each book can be found on her LinkTree: LinkTr.ee/LillyKCee

Linktr.ee/lillykcee

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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly.
833 reviews32 followers
March 15, 2024
Prize by Lilly K. Cee, what can I say about this book? I thought I was prepared but this still took me by surprise. This book completely caught me off guard and I don’t mean that in a negative way. This is a truly unique book that is so good in its own right. When I sat down to read this book, I never expected to feel and be hooked the way I was. This became a sole focus for a day. I will warn you that you must check your trigger warnings because this isn’t for the faint of heart. This a raw and intense dive into some sensitive subjects like exploring morals, depravity and how far a human can go. What someone will do to survive. I want to say more but I refuse to give any spoilers because this is a book you should dive into blind to experience the rawness of reading this world. (Again, check the triggers!) The way the relationships were written was great as was the development and “Prize” I just formed such an emotional attachment to her. You can clearly see how hard the author worked on this book, it shines through the pages. This is a dark romance set in a dystopian world set on an island. The worldbuilding was done so well I was able to imagine everything even though at times I wish I didn’t because of my poor heart. If you love an intense dark romance story then this is one hundred percent your book. I’m looking forward to reading more from Lilly K. Cee.

Final review:
4 out of 5 stars


Profile Image for Nikki Winkler.
142 reviews8 followers
October 18, 2025
Check your triggers!! I cannot say that loud enough…

Listening to this book brought a whole new perspective to life on the Island!

Thank you for the opportunity to experience this advanced listener copy!

The narration brings to light an even more sinister layer of evil, deception, and corruption that lives in the hearts and minds of some people. To know this kind of depravity exists in the world (and worse even) just twists my heart in two.

Prize is one of my very favorite characters in any book I’ve read for such a long time. Her inner fortitude and ability to disassociate herself from her situation and pain is tragic yet admirable (as awful as that sounds). She commands the room even while being locked within its walls.

Toxic love is still love indeed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Author 7 books60 followers
March 15, 2024
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book.

First, I'll remind readers to check content warnings. And then check them again. There are extremely sensitive topics covered in this book. Please read responsibly.

Second, I'll admit I've gone back and forth about HOW to review Prize, and that's really because I haven't read anything remotely similar to it, and I don't want to give too much away. I will say if you can handle the triggering content and are looking for a quick read that will send your mind somewhere else entirely, give this a go with no additional hesitation. 

Prize is a dark romance that takes place in a dystopian reality on an island, where morals are compromised for survival. It's a tale about objectification, dehumanization, revenge, and lastly, about how people treat one another when the world is upside down. The last point is extremely important because nothing here feels written as "shock value," and everything and everyone's action feels natural in an unnatural habitat.

It's a complex story of "Prize" (FMC), Rogan (MMC), and Wes (semi-MMC) that primarily involves the possession of "Prize" and what she represents to each man (shown by the way they treat her) and the trauma bond(s) that follow.

I was fortunate enough to beta read Prize last summer, so I can attest to how much careful work the author put into the world building and character development, both of which were excellent. In addition, each word is purposeful and poignant. When I said it was a quick read above, I meant it, despite this being a heavy, heavy book, and that is a testament to the author's strong and careful storytelling.

Don't worry--romance (and spice!!) shines through. It's amazing that even in such an alternate society, readers can connect with these characters' doubts and insecurities and cheer them on. Prize is worth stepping out of your comfort zone.
Profile Image for Just A Girl And Her Smut.
297 reviews12 followers
March 4, 2024
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

First I wanna start off by saying this is NOT YOUR TYPICAL ROMANCE. Second I wanna say that this book BLEW ME AWAY!! To have a book where the FMC doesn’t speak or have a name, where she is referred to as only “Prize”, “pet”, or “Doll” 😯 Where “Prize” is stolen and stripped of her life, dignity, voice, and given away as a prize to a man who despises her because “Prize” represents everything he lost. I’ve never encountered a book like this before, and that’s not to say they’re not out there, I just haven’t read one yet. I was so not prepared for the emotional wreckage this book bestowed upon me. I highly recommend reading the TW before diving into Prize.

There’s so much I want to say but can’t without giving too much of the story away. I will say I was awestruck at the way Lilly was able to write about and convey human depravity, human objectification, trauma, navigating one’s personal moral compass, and a persons will to survive through anything. Not only was “Prize” objectified in this book but so were the two MMCs Rogan and Wes, both growing up on the island but as much as a captive as “Prize” herself. The difference in way both men treated “Prize” were complete polar opposites, one caring in his own way while the other despised “Prize”. I was absolutely captivated with the way the relationship developed over the course of this book between Rogan and “Prize”. Again remember this isn’t a typical romance so don’t go in expecting that.

However, if you’re prepared to walk into a world where normal rules and morals don’t exist, where people have their own version of right and wrong, where s3x trafficking is normal, where people are objectified, used, abused, and getting out isn’t an option, but ends with a HEA of sorts … then Welcome To The Island 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
Profile Image for Simoné  Wolmarans.
521 reviews16 followers
October 13, 2025
🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧

Prize by Lilly K. Cee
Narrated by Helena Walters, Sean Masters, Ryan Stone and Dawn Dexter.

Ok where to even begin… oh yeah, ⭐️ ALL ⭐️THE ⭐️ FREAKING ⭐️ STARS ⭐️ I love Lilly, I think she can do no wrong but holy mackerel this was something else!

Lilly K. Cee has yet again left my brain a bit fried, scrambled and baked. Prize is incredibly DARK, raw and very traumatic but yet at the same time you’re so in love with the love born from these horrific circumstances that you feel utterly conundrum-ed.
Fantastic writing. So many emotions coupled with devastation and very real, very triggering situations.

I absolutely jumped at the chance to listen to this audiobook with an A M A Z I N G cast (SEAN 👏 MASTERS 👏 HALLELUJAH 👏) and they brought not only the characters but also their story, traumas and unexpected love story to life. They did a phenomenal job. The audio (coming November 2025) was pure perfection!

Again, as always with Lilly’s books I’d strongly advise to not skip over the trigger warnings and also a friendly reminder that this is not a romance book. It’s a clusterfuck of events which just happens to unexpectedly bring forth an untraditional HEA and love story.
Profile Image for Candice Moul.
10 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2024
Loved This Book!! SPICE WAS GREAT!! Not your typical dark romance plot, it gave a lot in terms of not just one person in the book being the main target of the objectification. I liked how it told all the aspects of each person and how not only was the Prize a big roll in the trauma bond but Rogan also had a whole set of his own issues and a part of the Island dark dealings himself. The twist was having Wes be his own part and almost being the third wheel but keeping things together and bringing out Rogan's confidence for lack of a better term. The way they all overcame their differences and their own personal issues to work with each other was in its own was heartwarming. Loved the cliffhanger hoping it left room for more books to come! The only "issue" I had with this writing style was the the excessive vocabulary for this subject matter. Some words were so big that i feel some people may have trouble getting through a chapter without having to ask someone or look up what a word means if they are not well versed in large vocabulary words. This was a great read and hit the spot and I'm hoping the end gives us more from this author for sure.
Profile Image for Summer Waters.
273 reviews23 followers
April 4, 2024
*BOOK REVIEW*
BOOK: Prize
AUTHOR: Lilly K Cee
PLOT: First, I need to say PLEASE heed all trigger warnings! This is a tough one! "Prize" is a woman that was kidn@app3ed and sold. She was a struggling graduate student before her worst nightmare began, but sadly, this whole situation is her second nightmare. Her first began during her childhood when she was being @bus3ed! She had to learn tough lessons from an early age. She's sold to Rogan who hates her with every fiber of his being, yet wants her simultaneously. He hates her because she's just as caged as he is, and her captivity is a reminder to him of his own. He lost the love of his life during an honoring ceremony on an "Ep$t3!n-like" island. The reward for his action was "Prize." This book is a hard read if you're not prepared for it. There is an additional character involved, but I"ll let you find that out for yourself; you don't want me giving everything away, now do you? 😉 This is one of Lilly's shorter novels, but just as amazing as the rest! I'm hoping she writes more about Rogan, "Prize," and this mystery character I didn't tell you about! I need more of them, and I need more of their love story!
RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for Kayla.
65 reviews4 followers
March 18, 2024
First off, this book was so different than a lot of other books that I have read in the past. The FMC is called prize. No other name other than that, or pet, or doll. Prize is basically stolen out of the life she knows and is wiped away from that and is sold to a man who cannot stand her at all. This story is absolutely full of triggers and isn’t a light read or pallet cleanser book by any means. This is a heavy book with so many heavy themes. There are two MMCs and while one may despise the FMC and the other may be more caring towards her, it’s kind of like a why choose situation because you will love them both. Don’t get me wrong though. This is not a lovey dovey romance by any means, this is dark with no morals and full of objectification. I loved this book and loved the way it was written.
Profile Image for Shellina.
23 reviews3 followers
March 3, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 for this dark, twisted MMF love story. I had the honor of beta reading this project, and I’m happy to report that it only improved upon my second reading. @writerlillykcee’s Prize is an exploration of human suffering, morality, and will to survive. It’s a case study in trauma attachment. It’s an adventure I’d never choose and yet from which I couldn’t look away. Prize will shock and win your heart, as she did mine.

Maximum 🌶️ and zero closed doors. Recommended for the experienced extreme dark romance lover.

The triggers warnings on this one are significant: SA, kidnapping, human trafficking, Stockholm Syndrome, references to child abuse, violence, murder, etc.
Profile Image for Jess Elizabeth .
303 reviews7 followers
March 19, 2024
I have now read this story three times and each time I can't help but cry and feel more attached to them.

This story has so much pain and heartache. It's heavy in content and not a traditional love by any means.

Even though this story broke me. I felt a little out back together.

It's ok to feel the pain, the sadness, and the version of attachment and love.

You will feel everything. This is a story that deserves to be told and read. It is beautifully written and I would give it ten stars if I could!
Profile Image for Marina Garnica.
279 reviews34 followers
February 29, 2024
The objectification in this book is simply amazing in this book. Loved the POV from the Prize and Rogan, giving an understanding on why the objectification happens for each of them. Also loved the contrast between Rogan and Wes with her, and their friendship not being plain at all, having ups and downs when extreme circumstances are around, making that have even more contrast between the humanization and tje objectification
Profile Image for Book's  4 Books Sake.
96 reviews1 follower
March 2, 2024
I really, really, really was not prepared for this book!
It was an emotional roller coaster on a par with Torment 1 & 2 by Dylan Page.
Soooo well written. Fast-paced, very detailed and a terrifyingly accurate portrayal of how inhuman humans can be to one another.
It is equally intriguing, harrowing, dark, and spicy.
I can't say too much because I don't want to spoil it for other readers but definitely give it a read.
HEA (of sorts).
Author 6 books17 followers
March 16, 2024
Please check the triggers before you read this. They are there for a reason. With that said, this book surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. It talks about the serious subject matter of Human Trafficking, but it's written in such a way that it's not off-putting. As readers, we follow along with this unconventional romance where three very broken people are thrown together and somehow develop a deep bond in the most unlikely of places.
Profile Image for CRYSTAL RENNER.
228 reviews
March 24, 2024
Underneath the Pain

Darkness takes shape that can sometimes mask reality. The reality of right, wrong, pain, suffering, and emotions that can’t be explained. Wes and Rogan found themselves at odds with a world that by all accounts turned them into monsters. Somewhere, deep inside lived a molecule of life, a life which could change them forever. Their Prize, revived a lost spirit that most people could never understand.
Profile Image for Ashley Morgan.
98 reviews11 followers
March 31, 2024
*Received as an ARC* First of all please take the trigger warning seriously ! This was unlike any romance I have read before, I was expecting mostly spice. I did not expect to be sobbing from the plot. This story has so much pain and heartache. It's heavy in content and not a traditional love by any means.

Prize and Rogan were so complex and well written. You will feel all the emotions reading this book !
Profile Image for Jennay Williams.
990 reviews17 followers
March 1, 2024
This was so good! It was super fast paced and I wish there was some more backstory on each character cuz dang I really loved them and loved this story and everything about it.
I loved the darkness of this book and the realness of how the flesh trade can really be! I thought this was super well written and I would definitely read it again.
Profile Image for NikiReadsRomance.
312 reviews16 followers
March 26, 2024
This story was absolutely unlike any romance I’ve read before! Knowing that there would not be any words from Prize was such an intriguing prospect and it totally made me really focus on her perspective. Definitely dark and it will not be the romance you are expecting but, the characters and the story creates its own type of romance and happy ending.

Prize is taken from the only life she knew and thrust into the dark world on The Island and ultimately ends up at the feet of Rogan. Rogan and Wes have been loyal to the island and just when Rogan expects his prize to arrive in one form, he does not expect a trembling woman covered in gold.

Life on The Island definitely throws your moral compass away and leaves you in a world where everything dark, depraved, absolutely questionable is 100% “normal”. Whatever the definition of that might be.

Rogan, Wes and Prize endure a lot and you somehow see them processing everything on the page in a really complex way. The traumas that they all experience, separate and together, definitely bond them and they make their own way despite all because of that I think 🤔 Their love is not typical but, their own unique brand born out of their unique and strong connections.


✨Quick Notes✨
Not your typical romance
Dark, check the trigger warnings please
Could not stop reading!
Multi POV


Profile Image for Brandy Harmon.
296 reviews2 followers
March 16, 2024
Awesome

This book takes you on a journey that is different from most. But let me tell you, I am here for it. This is a dark romance with a twist that keeps you wanting more. I devoured this book and was sad it ended. I love Lilly k. Cee is writing, and I recommend that if you haven't checked her out, you should. You won't be disappointed.
Profile Image for Kay.
51 reviews2 followers
May 5, 2024
I actually didn't mind this book. It was a bit of a wild card and nothing I had read before. There were times where my heart was actually hurting for our FMC and there were bits were I had no idea what was happening but overall, I did not mind it. It is quite dark so beware of some overwhelming and triggering scenes.
Profile Image for Bobbie.
330 reviews5 followers
December 16, 2025
Let's just say I sent a message to the author before I even finished the epilogue, and it went something like this "Lady, I love and hate you simultaneously!" This book is so painful and heartbreaking and freeing and beautiful in the most horrific way. I have no other words. Be sure to check your triggers because she will try to break you!
Profile Image for Pricilla.
494 reviews9 followers
March 16, 2024
Prize
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I found this to be a unique read. I would highly recommend reading your triggers before reading. This is such a heartbreaking story and I'm glad they got their version of an HEA. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Profile Image for Catherine.
462 reviews9 followers
June 21, 2024
This is not a typical romance book, even in relation to dark romance. This is a unique, dark, twisted story that demanded my attention. The story is incredible and emotional, but definitely check your TWs before reading.
Profile Image for Karla Escutia.
1,078 reviews6 followers
May 22, 2024
It was a good read with a dark twist and dark vibes really a roller coaster of emotions.
Profile Image for N.R..
23 reviews8 followers
August 1, 2024
Love this dark read by Lilly! It was different and I went in blind. I’m glad that I did! It’s very fast past. Always check your TW. Always love anything Lilly writes!
Profile Image for Bridget Hale.
Author 9 books64 followers
November 7, 2025
Prize.

I have both read the physical book and listened to the audiobook.

Lilly does an outstanding job dealing with heavy subject matter. I find I can relate to each and every person in her stories in some way or another. She takes us down paths we didn’t know we needed to go down and does a phenomenal job. Lilly has an amazing talent for creating incredibly well written books. I have devoured and enjoyed everything she has written.

The audiobook instantly pulled me into the world submersing me into this emotionally charged storyline. The cast of narrators did an exceptional job bringing everyone to life and took them to the next level.

Lilly is and will remain a top favorite author for me.
Profile Image for Amaysing Reader85 Ashli Mays.
45 reviews
September 28, 2024
OMG, this book!!!! I’m not gonna lie when I first seen this book I thought it would be all about the spice and not about the story. But I have never been so glad to be wrong. Yes there is plenty of spice in this book but that’s not what hooked me it was the story that I loved. The characters in this story, especially Prize and Rogan were so complex and well written. I enjoy reading how the bond grew from the start till the end. 10 out of 10 definitely worth the read.
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