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Kingdom of Immortal Lovers #2

House of Crimson Kisses

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Once upon a time, a vampire fell in love with a hunter…

The trials for the heir of the city have begun, and the stakes have never been higher.

Red, a hunter, is struggling with her growing hunger for blood and the truth of her identity.
Octavia Beaumont, one of the original three vampires, is determined to win the trials and take control of the city.

But as Red and Octavia navigate deadly challenges and political machinations, they must also confront the lies and betrayals that have shaped their past.

Memories have been stolen.
Secrets have been kept.
And the line between love and hate has never been more blurred.

As the trials progress, Red and Octavia's bond grows stronger, but so does the target on their backs. Enemies lurk in every shadow, and even allies can no longer be trusted.

To survive the trials and uncover the truth...
They must decide how much they're willing to sacrifice.
Confront the monsters they've become.

And embrace a destiny that could destroy everything they hold dear.

But in a world where blood is power and love is a weakness, can Red and Octavia emerge victorious? Or will their secrets be their undoing?

This is a dark and steamy lesbian vampire romance with a generous dose of enemies to lovers, fated mates, and political intrigue. Featuring a snarky dhampir heroine, a morally grey vampire queen, explicit BDSM, blood play, and shocking twists, this book is not for the faint of heart. Please check the author's website for a full list of trigger warnings. 18+ only.

387 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 17, 2024

528 people are currently reading
4625 people want to read

About the author

Ruby Roe

14 books1,794 followers
Ruby Roe writes lesbian fantasy romance. She loves a bit of magic with her smut and will read anything as long as the characters get down and dirty. When she isn’t writing, she’s beasting herself at the gym or wandering the world on her next adventure. She lives in England with her wife, son, and two devious Ragdoll cats.

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5 stars
1,894 (50%)
4 stars
1,148 (30%)
3 stars
560 (14%)
2 stars
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1 star
28 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 316 reviews
Profile Image for Sterling Sapphic Reads.
395 reviews486 followers
July 6, 2024
Due to the emotional hangover induced by this book, I'm barely okay enough to write this review but here we go.

House of Crimson Kisses picks up right where House of Crimson Hearts left off, and let me tell you, I'm an emotional wreck. This book is a seriously intense read that left me reeling in the best possible way. Ruby Roe has outdone herself with this continuation of Red and Octavia's story.

The trials for the heir of the city have begun, and the stakes have never been higher. Red, our snarky dhampir heroine, is grappling with her growing hunger for blood and the startling truths about her identity. Meanwhile, Octavia Beaumont, one of the original three vampires, is fiercely determined to win the trials and claim control of the city. The tension between them is palpable, and their journey is fraught with danger, betrayal, and unexpected alliances.

Volcanic steam warning—this book is packed with so much sapphic steam, it practically melted my kindle. Roe knows how to write chemistry, and the dynamic between Red and Octavia is electrifying. The explicit BDSM and blood play scenes are intense and incredibly well-written, adding a unique layer to their already complex relationship.

The plot twists are relentless. Just when you think you have a handle on the story, Roe throws another curveball that leaves you gasping. If you think you know what's coming, trust me, you don't. Only Ruby Roe knows, and she's keeping this information on lockdown, clearly enjoying the delicious torture of her readers.

The complexity of the relationships in this book is superbly written. From familial bonds to romantic entanglements and deep friendships, Roe brings these characters to life in all their flawed beauty. The trials themselves are unique and inventive—Roe truly knocked it out of the park with these creative challenges.

And that ending. This book ends on one helluva cliffhanger, and I'm still not okay. I'm still thinking about these characters as I sulk in my emotional hangover. Roe has a knack for leaving readers desperate for more, and this installment is no exception.

Ruby Roe has stated that this series will be available in audio, and you can bet that'll be a one-click for me so hard! If the audiobook is anything like the written version, it's going to be an unforgettable experience. This dark and steamy lesbian vampire romance is not for the faint of heart, but if you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further. Ruby Roe has delivered another masterpiece.
Profile Image for Sapphic Reads.
232 reviews436 followers
February 26, 2025
Le sigh. Red, Red, Red… I don't think I've ever wanted to throw a fictional character off a cliff as much as her. Octavia deserves so much better. She has sacrificed everything for Red—again and again—and not only is Red ungrateful, but she's also downright spiteful in return. It’s exhausting. I’m hoping for some kind of redemption arc in the final book, but at this point, Red has a lot of ground to cover before I’m remotely back on her side.

I enjoyed this second book, but not nearly as much as the first. It felt so dragged out, like I was trapped in an endless loop of “I love you, I hate you” for 387 pages. By the end, I was just tired. Fingers crossed the third and final book brings back the magic of book one.
Profile Image for Hanna.
47 reviews8 followers
July 20, 2024
I'm unwell. I gave 5 stars obviously, but if I didn't love this series so much I would've given 0 stars just because of how pissed off I am at Red.

Ruby Roe, you have hurt my feelings. You do not get to treat Octavia like that, she's such a precious bbygirl.

Okay so now for the real review:

This books continues where House of Crimson Hearts finishes off, the next trials are well underway, more schemes and betrayals are uncovered and everyone is acting unreasonable as usual. The chemistry between the MCs is very different than in book1, because Red decided to be a bitch the whole book and I truly didn't like her at all. The book itself was obviously great but I did have some moments where I wished for more tenderness and love between Octavia and Red. I feel like I preferred their chemistry in book 1 where there was such a great ballance between love and hate. Here it was the typical case of "you hurt me so jow I'm gonna hurt you 10000x back", which really doesn't sit right with me but makes for a good read.

Overall, obviously this is one of my favorite series and everyone should go read it.
Profile Image for MJ.
363 reviews63 followers
October 4, 2025
I have just this second finished the book and oh wow! Ruby Roe, you did it again! Absolutely smashed it out of the park! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I was so lucky to receive and arc to read. Was so good to follow on where we left on in book one, the reveals, twists and turns, the answers and that cliffhanger! I’m gagged.
Also, just take a moment to talk about that spice!! Holy hell that was good 🥵 so much more intense, in the best way, spanking, straps, cages, bratting and so much more! (9 total incase you were wondering 😉)
Can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy. Go pre order/buy it now. I promise you won’t regret it!
Countdown to book three now!! Can not wait!
Profile Image for Guerunche.
661 reviews35 followers
February 18, 2025
I LOVE these audiobooks! Love. They are exciting, heartbreaking, mysterious, sometimes shocking and as sexy as they come! OOF! 🔥🔥🔥

Narrators Allie Rose and Anais Inara Chase are FABULOUS. I’m especially in love with the performance of Octavia by Allie Rose. Lord. Have. Mercy.

Ruby Roe is spoiling me in a big way. Excellent storytelling and hotness for DAYS. I can’t wait to dive into the next one!
Profile Image for Fern.
18 reviews
July 29, 2024
Before mentioning any spoilers, I have to say that I was skimming most of this book because of the amount of s*x scenes in it. Granted, the author does mention that the book is NOT for everyone but still. It felt extremely possessive in every scenario between Red and Octavia which gave me an ick. Now we can get into the actual story:

The dynamic between Cordelia and the Chief had always thrown me off. In the first book, I had a brief thought of “could the Chief be Eleanor?” But quickly let that idea go as I felt it was insane for the Chief to be a thousand years old. But, ALAS, she is Eleanor! And I felt myself continuing this series solely off the Cordelia chapters! They were so pure compared to the possessiveness of Octavia over Red. And the whole bullshit of Octavia keeping Red’s memories from her because she promised not to give them back? Like…girl…give them back to her if she wants them back? This whole book just needs better communication, it’s killing me!

There were so many things that upset me in the book that regarded Octavia. Everyone else has kept my interest on the story. I love that we now know Octavia is the real favorite of Cordelia. They have a whole mirror character situation happening. I want to know more about the story and what happens after these trials but I cannot fathom reading 20 more chapters of Octavia and Red repeatedly saying their safe word to each other when the entire damn world knows what it is) while Octavia is having a whole “YOURE mine and I take what’s mine!” Episode in the middle of what should be an intimate moment. I don’t know, this book has just taken me by surprise and I knew what I was getting into but I’m not one to just DNF a book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Paige.
241 reviews4 followers
July 23, 2024
And yet again my soul is crushed. I am not ok

Octavia is a little marshmallow baby and doesn’t deserve this.
Profile Image for Michelle.
151 reviews1 follower
December 19, 2024
3.5 stars - I was really enjoying it in the beggining but i quickly got tired of Red and Octavia's 500 sex scenes. They do not interact in any other way. I don't even understand why they love each other. But Cordelia and Eleanor's story is so interesting that it kept me going. Want more of them and less of the sex addicts.
Profile Image for Emma Odell.
19 reviews3 followers
July 16, 2024
I am obsessed with Octavia! Patiently (or not) waiting for the third😭
Profile Image for Lore Veiga.
30 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2025
Just like the first installment, this book’s plot holds itself on infuriating miscommunication, ashtonishing historical inaccuracies and poorly written smut.
Profile Image for Tegan Rosenbaum.
74 reviews14 followers
August 3, 2024
5⭐️ A fantastic, sapphic, paranormal, fantasy! I love the two female main characters, (Octavia, where are you? How about dinner? ❤️‍🔥🖤😂) … and the weaving of multiple storylines is brilliant. I’m hooked and can’t wait until book 3!

Love, lust, adventure, violence, hate, mystery, miscommunications, and complicated, so deep connections between vampires and humans … or maybe not humans?
If you love sapphic fantasy, then this book series is a must read!
Profile Image for Juniper L.H..
944 reviews39 followers
December 27, 2024
This novel, and trilogy, are awesome. To cut straight to the point. There is a solid plotline and romance, excellent worldbuilding, well developed characters and a lot of different relationship dynamics. Putting it simply, its good and you should read it.

Reader beware that this is a trilogy and needs to be read as such. None of these novels stand on their own (and are not meant to) so if you plan on reading then you should plan on reading all three books (and in order). This somewhat counts against it for me, as I like it when books in a series can stand on their own at least somewhat. This book (and book 1) end on massive cliffhangers that would have frustrated me a LOT if I hadn’t waited to have all three books before reading. I don’t think this novel would make any sense without reading the first one, so make sure you do!

This was very much a middle-of-the-trilogy sort of book. You get answers to some questions from the first book, but just as many new plot points open up. This novel spends a lot of time teasing out a few details, but ultimately keeps the big resolutions and reveals hidden away until book 3. I had mixed feelings about that. This novel does an excellent job however, at hitting the ground running following book 1 and takes full advantage of the fact that all the set-up is done and it can focus on just being awesome. I think this was my favorite book of the trilogy, although it’s a hard decision between this one and the third.

I gave this one a “A“, and 5-stars. Its good, to put it simply. It still lacks the resolution of a complete book and ends on a frustrating cliffhanger, but it is PACKED with quality content.

So, Highlights:
-Once again, spicy. I think its clearly a main focus of these novels. The spicy scenes have a bit more variety than the previous novel which is nice, and some bigger and different emotions. Still a bit repetitive at times, but considering there is something like 9 spicy scenes packed into the novel its not surprising. A few felt forced in, but eh.
-The worldbuilding. It was excellent in the first novel, and even better in this one. It’s a rich fantasy world that is delivered without too much infodumping at all. Very accessible, and very fun.
-The romance is great. No spoilers; its just great.
-The side romance that I didn’t expect. Again no spoilers, but this series delivers a second romance plotline that is honestly worthwhile of its own novel.
-The plotline. I like it when a romance has a solid plotline that stands on its own, and this one delivers. I was invested to seeing how things turned out, so that’s a win!
Profile Image for Amira Vasileva.
Author 5 books2 followers
August 10, 2024
Yeah, it felt repetitive now. Too many sex scenes, and too many of them that were done in public—and this time they were not high, not really to justify it. The plot started to make sense, kind of, but I started to lose interest in it. The romance and struggle between Octavia and Red was good, but damn every time I feel like there is going to be an actual tension between them, they sleep together. Again. And again. And unlike in the first book, I can’t say it makes sense here.

Well, as I always say, even though it wasn’t for me, it might be for you. Also there is a cameo of characters from the Girl Games series, which was surprising to me.
Profile Image for Jasmine G.
9 reviews5 followers
August 15, 2024
I am so shattered at the cliffhanger this book ends on. I don’t know how I am going to make it until March 2025 for the next one 💔
Profile Image for Melissa.
267 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2025
Damn and I thought the first book was pornographic… it can in fact, get smuttier 🥵🤤🫠 *AHEM* Okay so now onto the actual review.

House of Crimson Kisses picks right up where we left off in book 1 and hits the ground running. The world building expanded in this book which I was here for. We even got some fun cameos from Ruby Roe’s characters from the Girl Games series 🕵️ In classic middle book of a trilogy fashion we got answers to questions from book one, while also getting new questions I’m hoping will be answered in book two. I will say, Ruby Roe writes character dynamics and relationships with such juicy complexity I really enjoy learning about all the characters in this world.

Octavia and Red have a polarizing relationship. They’re hot and cold, ALWAYS spicy, sometimes tender, messy toxic sapphics that I just can’t get enough of BUT. That. Fucking. Ending. I feel personally attacked and gasping for air as I hang off of the cliff Ruby Roe left us on 😒



Profile Image for Aunt Missa.
306 reviews32 followers
October 21, 2024
I think my kindle might have melted during the House of Crimson Kisses. I love this vampire smut so much. The BDSM isn’t so much my favorite, but Ruby Roe writes it in a way that just makes sense for Red and Octavia. I do wish there were more moments of tenderness between them , but it’s the 2nd book in a trilogy, so I knew going in I would be crushed by the twists and turns.

Ruby Roe is a friggin’ genius. This is coming from someone who doesn’t like dark romance. Just friggin’ genius.
Profile Image for Georgie.
90 reviews4 followers
February 4, 2025
4⭐️ Well that was a hot bloody mess that I couldn’t put down. Book 3 better heal my heart or I don’t think I will forgive Ruby Roe…I’m rattled.
Profile Image for dirtfog.
23 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2025
.“filthy little blood slut” so nope! should’ve put down the first book the moment i saw the pic of the author.
Profile Image for Camila Dalles.
Author 1 book3 followers
May 18, 2025
The premise of this book follows the exact same of the first.
90% - Hot sex between a vampire and a hunter
5% - Plot evolution
5% - Plot nonsense

I'm reading this book for what it truly is, sex with a smudge of plot, and because of that, I cannot give this less than four stars.
I do take issue with how and where most sex scenes are written because, they make no sense. Some truly makes no sense in the 5% plot I feel like they are there simply because the author needed that five percent for the last 80% of the book.
The revelation about who Cordelia was wasn't such a big revelation, but I did love how Mommy Dear came to be.
It was tragic, I loved it.
The book ends on a clifhanger but in all honest, it didn't need to because there is a third installment and I am quite curious as to how the next... love affairs... are going to happen. I don't accept anything other than complete nonsense and out of place at this point.
Profile Image for Kathryn Crowley.
143 reviews22 followers
July 2, 2024
Thank you Ruby Roe for an ARC!

Books like this are why i read.

HOLY SHIT! I am still recovering from this. I’m sure most of you know I’m only slightly obsessed with House of Crimson Hearts, therefore I knew I was gonna devour this second book and I did.

It was so fun, so emotional, creative and left me wanting more always! (Seriously I’m already rereading it!)

Lets start with I love it, I loved the second trials, and now I NEED Octavia even more. Seriously how do i get her to be real? I am absolutely in love with her for real.

I’m going go start with this one had a very different emotional undertone to their relationship. If you’ve read the first one then you know how it ends and that sets the vibe for book 2. It was definitely different than I expected it but equally delicious. It was something I wasnt expecting but I absolutely ate it all up.

I also like that in this one there is more sibling dynamics and it sheds mores light on all of their relationships and not just Red and Octavia’s. It built all those up more than the first one and I loved their little group.

Now the trails were so fun!! Ruby roe is so creative there is so much happening in the book already i cant imagine building a whole magical trial going on too.

NOW if youve had questions after book one (and lets be honest we all did) then get ready for book two!
Profile Image for Ashley Raimo.
15 reviews3 followers
June 29, 2024
I had the privilege to read this as an ARC. This book is so amazing! Ruby has a great way of sucking you in and keeping you there. I devoured this book which is a testament to how much I love ruby’s writing but also the story. There were a-lot of feelings with this! I laughed, cried, got mad, devastated, fell in love and had my heart broken. There’s a sense of mystery and clearly deceit. You can’t help but fall in love with the characters. Ruby’s writing is so beautiful that you lose track of the day. If you want an amazing WLW story look no further! I will continue to be broken and dead until book 3 comes out 🤣.
Profile Image for Matthew Goodall.
Author 12 books6 followers
June 30, 2024
Where on earth do I start?!

Book 1 ended on a whopper of a cliffhanger. Octavia - the vampire love interest - had just erased a whole whack of Red’s memories - the human hunter who just also happens to be her lover.

Of course, no good ever came from hiding things, even when it’s been done because the person begged you to.

While the spice content in this book is off the charts, and nothing is left for you to guess (believe me, by the end of book 3 I expect to be fully blown lesbian), it truly is the story and the desperate emotional pain at the heart of the two main characters, that drives everything.

Octavia wants to be seen, to be accepted and to be loved, not to be seen as a monster.

Red wants honesty, safety for everyone she cares about, and to be secure, not to be turned into a monster.

Both of them hold secrets that will only tear them apart, that will only confirm their deepest fears.

And of course, there’s the even darker secret at the heart of the kingdom that threatens to destroy their entire world.

But how can they hope to overcome that if they can’t overcome their own sins?

If you want saucy, if you want spicy, if you want dark, treacherous and dangerous with incredibly painful emotional stakes, then this is the book you need!

I received an Advance Reader Copy - this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Jocelyn Fields.
7 reviews
January 14, 2025
This book was honestly a hot mess. The two main characters have the same conversation every time they speak then Red drinks Octavia’s blood and they have sex. Great. Around the 5th time even the sex got boring and I found myself skipping over it. I get Red has her own thing going on, but homegirl is so easy to manipulate, the last few pages of the book were painful to read. She also doesn’t deserve Octavia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Isaaa&#x1f353;.
42 reviews1 follower
November 2, 2024
no lo queria terminar pq me hacia un poco feliz, pero por favor lo estupida que fue red, sinceramente si se dejaba morir me daba igual, soy fiel defensora de octavia, pobre lesbiana lo que tuvo q aguantar por esta pelotuda, voy a tener q posponer el sword hasta que salga el otro pq necesito venganza DIOS
yo queria a mis lesbianas, pero ahora solo quiero a una
Profile Image for leah.
111 reviews
February 5, 2025
For some ungodly terrible reason I am kind of emotionally invested in this series however that does not change the fact that it is appallingly written and I am on my hands and knees begging the author to try and describe the colour red without mentioning the word “claret”
Displaying 1 - 30 of 316 reviews

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