Dysfunctional

by Isabel Lucero

A dark, MM romance


Ezra Hamilton hasn’t felt the warm spurt of blood flow through his fingers or the indescribable feeling of pushing a knife deep into someone’s flesh in a long time. Too long.

He’s been watching a man stalk women, curious as to what he’s doing with them. Ezra’s never encountered someone with similar dark tendencies before, and what starts off as genuine curiosity turns into much more when Kaspian turns the tables on him.

As their chemistry builds, so does the mistrust. They both know they can’t trust a killer, but their inner demons call to each other anyway.

When Kaspian’s impulsivity threatens to ruin Ezra’s freedom, he knows he has to stop him. Kas appears to be fixated on Willow—a woman Ezra works with. In an effort to not have to worry about her disappearance bringing heat on him, he tracks Kaspian as Kaspian follows Willow into a cabin in the mountains.

There, in the middle of a blizzard, secrets will be revealed and revelations made, but the chances of everybody making it out alive are slim.

This is a dark romance that will have graphic scenes. Warnings are on the author's website. 18+

Genres: M M Romance, Dark, Dark Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers, LGBT

308 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2022

About the author

Isabel Lucero is a bestselling author, finding joy in giving readers books for every mood.

Born in a small town in New Mexico, Isabel was lucky enough to escape and travel the world thanks to her husband's career in the Air Force. Her and her husband have three kids and two dogs together, and currently reside in Delaware. When Isabel isn't on mommy duty or writing her next book, she can be found reading, or in the nearest Target buying things she doesn't need.

Isabel loves connecting with her readers and fans of books in general. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

https://www.facebook.com/authorisabel...
https://twitter.com/AuthorIsabel
http://instagram.com/isabel__lucero
http://authorisabellucero.blogspot.com/

Reviews

[nark · Rating 3 out of 5]

“does killing someone turn you on?” i ask as we walk back toward the body.
Kaspian looks at me with a bewildered expression. “no. i’m not some sort of sicko.”
we both start laughing.

✦ this had unstable, psychotic characters. my favourite type!

✦ i enjoyed this for the most part while i was reading it, but i sadly wasn't that impressed overall. it was okay. enjoyable. hot, fun, dark-ish, smutty. possessiveness and obsessiveness galore. nothing that complicated or surprising. sadly had a pretty weak plot overall.

"his eyes stare into mine, sending me messages he’s unable to speak. in them, i see what i’ve always wanted — his need for me. his yearning. his obsession. but i also see the darkness and devilry, and i welcome it all."

✦ i am happy to find a new darkish MM romance release, even if it wasn't a new favourite. lately, most of the new MM romance releases that are marketed as dark haven't been dark at all. this book was at least slightly darker than any other "dark" recent releases i have read, so yay for that.

“i like the darkness in you. makes me feel normal.”

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I just want you to want me the way I want you."
"And how's that?"
"Overwhelmingly and all-consuming. I want you to feel my absence like you'd feel a knife in your chest. I don't need you to tell me how you love me. I'm not sure I'd believe it anyway. Love feels obligatory in a relationship. Like you have to say it even if you don't mean it. Love is just a trite four-letter word. People use it for every fucking thing. They love a movie, a song, a particular cup of coffee. I don't want to be lumped into a bunch of random shit. What I want is to be accepted and desired. I want to be craved. I want you to feel like you'd be miserable without me."
~ this quote perfectly sums up the type of relationship/dynamic these two have.

ezra and kaspian were... interesting and insane and i love them for it. 😩 it had tons of possessiveness, obsession and jealousy shit that i love to read about. it also had a few plot twists that gave me whiplash bc WHAT??


overall, it was very enjoyable—i would especially recommend this if you love dark romance (it had dark elements, but i admit i had expected it to be more darker than it had been... although i would still consider it a dark romance anyways), possessive mcs, toxicity, knife play and two killers falling in their own version of 'love'. 😌

[Crystal (Crystalreads2) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Obsessive Stars

“Do I need to secure your other hand or are you going to be a good boy?”

Pure Gold. Hello, psychopath meat sociopath. Let’s go down a twisted journey through the woods, kink club, and to our houses, we go. Yea, it’s the best kind of dark MM romance I have read.

I love the concept of this book—two killers, both dysfunctional. At first, I was a little worried about how the two killers' journey would unfold—especially Kaspian. I wasn’t a big fan of him at first. So happy I trusted the process. By the end, I was ecstatic with the process.

Dysfunctional is in the setting of a small-town Vermont. Where everyone knows everyone and gossip spreads like wildfire. Ezra lurks in the dark, stalking Kaspain to see what he is up to. But all is not what it seems, and Kaspain is too wise. Don’t underestimate either of them; after all, they’re killers.

There love is twisted. That is what they want and they are perfect for each other. I
Yes not forget to add obsession and possessiveness. Plus the lengths they will go. They would burn down the world for each other.

“But remember, as much as you love doing those things, I love being on the receiving end. I won’t allow you or anybody else to ruin this for us.”

Over I can honestly say I am screaming from the rooftops recommending to read this book. It’s addicting, and you will not want the story to end.

[Mariam, · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I don’t believe in much,” he says. “But I believe you were made for me.”
I grin and my heart sings. “It’s me and you,” I tell him. “Until the end.”

Can I get a HALLELUJAH for just the existence of fucked up, villainous characters 😩✋🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼👏👏 nothing tops them. Absolutely NOTHING.

“Who do you belong to?”
“You. Fuck,” I breathe. “You, Quintin. I’m yours.”
He thrusts deep. “Damn right you are. In this life and the next.”

God, the creepy, fucked up, unhinged characters were To. Die. For! It's been a while there's been a new mm dark romance book and *sighs in peace* YUP. THIS. ALL OF THIS. WHAT A MOMENT.

We are what we are—dysfunctional.

My bestie put this book to my attention and it's been known she the Best like... EVER so thanks girly! 😩😩

I love how they didn't trust each other, they probably weren't safe enough to each other, and each other probably had enough shit to dig up an hole for the other but the fact that they couldn't stay from one another had me WEAK.

“Look, I won’t tell you I love you, but I’ll always tell you I want you.”
Kaspian smiles slowly. “Yeah?”

I loved how Kas was just unhinged as fuck, unapologetic as hell, needy and obsessed and fucking adorable. He was so possessive and so territorial and hella jealous with a sprinkle of “Don't touch my mate or DIE.” that I. Loved!!

There are times where I don’t think I know him at all, yet I feel like he’s the only person in the world who gets me.

He stares up at me, his mouth open, saliva glistening across his lips and chin, and specks of blood splattered on his face like freckles. “Fucking beautiful,” I say with a groan before stepping forward, “Show me your tongue.”

Am I a psychopath? No. Some might say I’m sociopathic, which is definitely the better of the two if you ask me, but I’m not a fan of labels. I’m just me.

And I know Ezra is brought up to be this 'I don't feel emotions bullshit' and his attitude of “DO I LOOK I LIKE FUCKING CARE” yet he had such a great character arc. Don't get me wrong, he was still the moody, grouchy, anti social bastard I've known since page one and loved, but just the way he grew to be hella protective of Kas and soooo possessive had my heart melting from how much he evolved since the beginning. That scene of someone trying to hurt Kas and Ezra nearly murdering had the bitch had me GIDDY (don't ask where my moral code is. Just don't ✋)

He shakes his head. “I want to fuck you so hard and so deep in the hope that you’ll understand how much I do want you. So you’ll know never to pull any stupid shit again. I need you to know without a doubt that you only need me. I want to mark and ruin you. I want to hurt you while making you feel so fucking good. I want to rip you apart just to be the one to put you together again, because I want you to know that I’m capable of both.”

These characters didn't need to say the four letter word to make us, the readers fucking KNOW and FEEL just what they share together.

We won’t change who we are. As the saying goes, a leopard can’t change its spots. But we don’t want each other to change. We were drawn to each other for these exact reasons. We accept and need the other person to be exactly who they are, because we get precisely what we need from one another. Maybe nobody else understands, but we do. Together, we feel normal.

The only part of this book I didn't like was the whole Willow bullshit. Didn't care, didn't like and NO TO A THREESOME OR SHARING.


initial reaction: Nothing tops reading bat shit crazy heroes ✋
👉👈 😘 🤭 🧘

[Mila · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4.0 rating***

"He isn’t capable of articulating his feelings. He likes to act like he doesn’t have them, and maybe that’s true, but he has them when it comes to me. I hear the unspoken words on the tip of his tongue when he kisses me. I feel his emotions when he lets loose and fucks me like an animal. He talks to me through his body and I’m an eager listener."


Sociopath meets psychopath.

Sociopath becomes obsessed with the said psychopath.

The said psychopath becomes just as obsessive with the said sociopath.

The two of them together?💣🔥😍🔪🔪❤👬

Loved the craziness, toxicity, jealousy, possesiveness, chemistry, smut, and the intensity of them when they were together. They are twisted and fucked in the head but def belong together💕.

Not as dark as I hoped it would be but still an enjoyable read.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

When someone likes your old review from over 18 months ago and it is shockingly awful 😂😂😂

Awoooooo, JUMPSCARE.

Was this a 5 star read? Who knows.
Can I remember this book? NOT ONE SECOND OF IT.

Did it end on like... a mountain? 😂
I might re-read this soon actually. I'm in the mood for some serial killer vibes, and we can see if this was read during my "everything's a 5 star" era 💅

[Nazanin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars

DNF @ 40%

Well, it was supposed to be a dark romance but after reading 40% I still couldn’t feel anything! The characters were unstable, one was possessive and the other was obsessive but they couldn’t bring the dark mood I expected to! I couldn’t even feel their chemistry, if there was any!

[Renae Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was fascinated by the premise of two serial killers who fall for one another.

Dysfunctional did not disappoint with the crazy possessiveness and obsessiveness Ezra and Kasian show for one another

I was amazed at the willingness how both cross every line to show they both own one another, which was fascinating to see develop.

Overall I enjoyed this crazy dark romance, both Kas and Ezra are made for eachother, which made for an insane ride.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

WTF this book really had me rooting for two insane killers. This is the exact kind of stabby murder shit I love. Need to find 100 more books just like this.

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Our relationship doesn't fit within the bounds of what's deemed an acceptable and normal relationship, so I don't think we should tarnish it with labels that don't fit. We are what we are - dysfunctional."

Wow. I totally loved this, and it's so twisty, it kept me guessing right to the end.

But it is DARK, so be warned, and make sure you check out the author's TWs.

Dysfunctional by Isabel Lucero is a standalone, dark MM thriller. I'm not going to call it a romance - although don't get me wrong, this gets TOTALLY hot and steamy - but there is nothing cute and fluffy about this read AT ALL.

I've read and really enjoyed Isabel Lucero's South River University books, but if you think that's what you're getting here, think again!

Dysfunctional is about Ezra and Kaspian - two predators, stalkers, monsters - whose paths cross, with shockingly graphic consequences.

"I'm here because I want to be."

What happens when a sociopath and a psychopath collide and discover they have chemistry, not to mention disturbed, obsessive, possessive, murderous urges?

Read on, friends, if you dare....

5 fabulously dark and steamy stars ❣❣❣❣❣

[Drusilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two killers dancing around each other. One a stalker, plotting and watching, constantly lying. The other a serial killer, cold-blooded, repressed and hard to intimidate.
Well, that was quite difficult, not because of the violence, more because of the lack of trust and emotions. It was quite problematic to identify with the characters.
But then you get something like this:

“Overwhelmingly and all-consuming. I want you to feel my absence like you’d feel a knife in your chest. I don’t need you to tell me you love me. I’m not sure I’d believe it anyway. Love feels obligatory in a relationship. Like you have to say it even if you don’t mean it. Love is just a trite four-letter word. People use it for every fucking thing. They love a movie, a song, a particular cup of coffee. I don’t want to be lumped into a bunch of random shit. What I want is to be accepted and desired. I want to be craved. I want you to feel like you’d be miserable without me.” 😍😍😍

So yes, I loved the book. I tried to tune out the annoying plot involving other characters like Willow. When you get right down to the two killers and their dysfunctional ways, it's all quite wonderful. 🖤🖤🖤 Loving all the blood and violence mixed into with the sex.

“Do what you want to me,” I say. “Punish me. Teach me a lesson. Teach me many. I want you to lose control because it’s when I like you most.”

[alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

*detailed trigger warnings can be found here under the Dysfunctional heading: https://isabellucero.com/trigger-warn...

[3.75] a psychopathic killer doing his darndest to suppress his murderous proclivities and the sociopathic stalker-killer who's caught his interest walk into a bar…

the title spells it out loud and clear. dysfunctional is the most apt description of this twisted rendering of a dark, gritty romance, and i was absolutely here for it.

given how out of the norm it falls in the spectrum of romance fiction, i crave the incomparable dynamic of two killers who complete each other's deepest desires. if you're on the search for obsession reaching toxic heights, extreme bouts of jealousy, and of course stalker behavior all in the name of ~love~ (by their definition, that is), then you're in the right place 😌

the beginning had me falling into the story hook, line, and sinker with enough tidbits and steady revelations dropped to entice. before i knew it, i had devoured the first half thanks to the powerful fuel that is curiosity.

now i’ll admit my interest started to wane somewhat the more incredulous the plot became. while they're presented as obviously capable & prolific killers, at times they didn't exactly come across as meticulous/level-headed as you’d expect for their success rate. as a result, i did find certain situations to have been resolved a little too easily for my liking, but i'll attribute it to lady luck blessing them with masterful evasion techniques 🥷🏼

all that being said, i had an undeniably entertaining ride, and i can’t imagine these two reaching any other ending than the one they arrived at.

just make sure to read with ample suspension of disbelief (as the genre tends to require), and i think you’ll enjoy this pleasant trip into savage debauchery of knife and blood galore 😇

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Simona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A possessive and dark relationship between two souls that are perfect for each other. That was dark but I liked it

[ivy]

DNF @ 53% - I need to rinse my eyes out with soap…or something.

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

Eventually, he turns the book and shows me a page. “How? I didn’t even know you saw me.”
“I always saw you,” I say. “Even in a room of a million, I’ll always be able to find you.”
The photo is one of him at the library.

This was so fucked up and toxic, but I loved every single second of it. Both Ezra and Kaspian were so toxic and just insane. I loved how they both never stopped being themselves. Usually the psycho/socio-path become so lovey-dovey to the person they love. But in this one both Ezra and Kaspian don’t stop their tendencies. Instead they embrace it.

“Look, I won’t tell you I love you, but I’ll always tell you I want you.”
Kaspian smiles slowly. “Yeah?”
“Yeah, and right now, I want you naked and on my dick.”

They literally got each other off next to a dead body.

He shoves the man’s legs over so I have room to rest my arms. What a romantic. It’s sick to do this near someone’s dead body. I fucking love it.

Seriously loved every second.

He’s become much more than a desire. I want him, sure, but more than that, I need him. I need the acceptance he gives me. The cool detachment he often has feeds my obsessive side, forcing me to find a way to get him to show me something, even if it’s necessary to make him jealous. He’ll fuck me and claim me and whisper threats in my ear if I ever do it again. It breathes life into both of us. He needs to expel that energy just as I need to ingest it.

[~Nicole~]

DNF..
I said my prayers , put my therapist on speed dial and started this book expecting dark ….stuff. Well, no, it’s actually a rom com and whatever dark things it has, after the banter, the humor, the ineptitude of the killers , the simplistic and uncomplicated execution of the plot, the childish dialogues and characters, they don’t manage to bring back the dark mood this book advertised. And after browsing a bit I’m inclined to say that the book gets quite sappy towards the end. I’m so disappointed..

[zaxy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't want to know about Willow's pussy or tits i'm so done with this kind of shit in MM books.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️

𝚂𝙾𝙽𝙶 𝙼𝙰𝚃𝙲𝙷 ⇾ 𝚁𝚄𝙽𝚁𝚄𝙽𝚁𝚄𝙽 𝚋𝚢 𝙳𝚞𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝙼𝚎𝚕𝚛𝚘𝚜𝚎
🔪 Run, baby, run, run for your life
I'ma tear out your heart, it'll always be mine 🫀

“Pretty isn’t a word I’d use to describe you. You’re volatile and arousing. You’re captivating and dangerous.” He moans when I rock into him. “You’re absolutely devastating.”

Oh, I remember loving this so much more than I did this second time around. Granted, I read this when I was just discovering the magical world of MM dark romance, a little vanilla bean that didn’t know what good kinky spice was yet. So, this was a revelation at the time. It was crazy and unhinged and sexy, and sure it was all those things still — it just wasn’t surprising anymore.
Rambling aside, I still enjoyed rereading it.

“I can’t exist in a world where you don’t.”
“You’re so obsessed with me.”
I lean down and press a kiss to his mouth.
“You wouldn’t want it any other way.”

I loved the tension between Kas and Ezra, the raw passion, the wild sex. I loved how they fed off each other, Ezra feeding Kas’ obsessive side, Kas finding ways for Ezra to unleash his dark side.
While this wasn’t as impactful and memorable as I thought it was, not as ground-breaking as it was to my MM newbie self, I still think it’s a crazy and sexy read.

We are what we are — dysfunctional.

Tropes and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Psycopath vs sociopath
- Violence & murder
- Obsessive MCs
- Slight age gap (30 vs 23)
- Use of homophobic slur (not by MCs)
- Mention of past child abuse (not on page)
- Brief switching scene
- Just the tip
- Blood play
- Knife play
- Breath play
- Rough sex
- Restraints
- Cum as lube
- Rimming

[⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven• · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Depraved Heartstopper stars ⭐
What happens when a Sociopath falls for a Psychopath? Obsession, Stalking, Murders, Mayhem, Carnal, Lust, Want, and lots of blood, of course. This small town, age gap MM story had everything a dark romance lover (hehe, like me) needs! Leave your inhibitions and come to the dark side *Villain laugh*.

"We are what we are—dysfunctional."

Triggers: Blood & Knife kink, Murders, Obsession, Toxicity, Manipulation, Mention about child abuse, A murder disguised as suicide Is sex, while a dead body is close by, a trigger?.

I made the mistake of starting this book during exams, but with a break, I completed it. And boy am I glad, this was full of twists! I've read Isabel's MM romances prior, but I hope she writes dark ones more!

Ezra "The psychopath" is 30, antisocial, kinda grumpy, a planner and hasn't killed in 2 years, trying to settle into a normal life in a small-town.
Kaspian "The sociopath" is 23, obsessive, charming, impulsive and his kills recent here: women.
And due to his "killer instinct" Ez has set his eyes on him.

Ez & Kas fascinate eachother, and though Ez seems to be the one stalking Kas, curious. That's not the case. Kas has been stalking Ez for longer, wanting his attention. Like, damn guys, he's good at what he does.

Ez & Kas had different childhoods, different reasons for why they are a killer today. Ez's we found earlier, but Kas' was a fun mystery, & a good plot point! But they're good in blending in, have normal jobs.

Even though Ez had told Kas to stay away from him, they can't help but be drawn together. And, Kas is persistent! It was cute to see normal relationship problems (with extra heap of jealously & possessiveness) in a relationship that's definitely NOT normal. They have a deep connection, An understanding, a driving force.

"He has the need to obsess and hunt. I keep him guessing and yearning." ~Ezra

And the hotness. Ah, the sexy times are HOT, HOT & HOT. Kas & Ez's chemistry is good, on bed & on kills 🤣. With Kas, Ez can be his own self. The visits to fetish club were cool 😏.

“We kill and then we come.” ~Kas

This story was fast paced, with no dull moments. Trust didn't come easy for Ez & Kas. I mean, of course, they're killers. So secretive at 1st, but their relationship progress was sweet, killer, Want.

“Love is just a trite four-letter word. People use it for every fucking thing.... I don’t want to be lumped into a bunch of random shit. What I want is to be accepted and desired. I want to be craved. I want you to feel like you’d be miserable without me.” ~Kas (Me: *damn, he's right. Still swoon*)

Can two villains, two killers have a happy ending? Of course. But not without a heart-racing climax! An investigation & A truth. Oh shit.

I liked the side characters here, "the friend group". And 2 twists with 'em.
If you've read the blurb, you'll know Willow, Ez's coworker & friend, is a big part of plot. It's Sus. With a main scene: The 3 in a cabin. Oh guys, it's a finale scene and holy yes, things get revealed! Ah, I'm glad the threesome I've been wanting, didn't happen 🙂.

Overall, I loved this book. Loved the care Ez showed Kas at end (a big development!), Kas & Ez are so cute! And hot, and deadly 😁. That epilogue was fun. A new life, "heroes" in alaska 🤣.

“I can’t exist in a world where you don’t.” ~Ezra (Me: *Swoon*)

** #arcHonestReview #AllViewsAreMyOwn **
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[Megan [Semi-Hiatus] · Rating 2 out of 5]

MM Romance
Serial Killer Meets Psychopath
2 Stars ⭐️


I really want to 1 Star this because I think I hated it and the urge to DNF was strong with this one but then there was a bit of a plot twist I wasn’t expecting around 62% and it made me keep reading it. I should have DNF’d. This is NOT what I consider dark romance. Sure, the characters were psychos and they killed people then fucked right after but I found each of them so lackluster. “Ezra’s” backstory was a yawn fest, omg, I wanted to die reading all his shitty inner monologues that made my eyes glaze over in boredom. He’s a fucking serial killer FFS 🤦🏻‍♀️ and I love true crime serial killer shows but I felt this wasn’t done properly. He even had a moniker like so much more could have done to flesh out his character. “Kaspian” was a bit more believable, kind of, and the reason I kept reading this. He was just so fucking bratty and obsessive that I couldn’t help but like him. These two are morally gray as fuck and they had some hot sex but I never quite felt like they belonged together. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Then, there’s Willow. She bugged me and took up too much of the story although without her, this book would have just been stalking and sex. 🤔 Maybe I would have liked that more? Her story arc was just weird and absolutely ridiculous tbh. She was just a plot device and not a very good one.

What I will say is this…The cutting and bloody sex scenes in this were what I was expecting to read in Onley James’ book Mad Man. There was the one but I expected it to be more like this and when I bitched in that review, this is the kind of shit I meant.

All that being said, I’ve also read “Breaking Free” by this author and hated it so I’m thinking this author may just not be for me and to take my review with a grain of salt. And shit if you want some *real* dark MM romance, pick up something by Z.S Storm because I’ve been reading their shit lately and fuck it’s a ride I want to keep taking despite the depravity. But this? No thanks.

[25 Readings Or More · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75

Dysfunctional is the first book i read from Isabel Lucero but I can assure you she found herself a fan for life because i'm madly in love with Ezra and Kaspian 😍😍

When I found out about this story i just knew it was for me 'cause have you seen the cover???!! Have you read the blurb?! 🤩
And gosh it's freaking phenomenal!!
It's like a twisted fairy tale about a psychopath and a sociopath who became obsessed with each other and find their bloody happy ending 😍😈
It's pure madness but it works perfectly fine!!
The back and forth between the two men, the stalker tendencies, the jalousy, the twist and turns you didn’t expect, the passion, the violence... everything makes this story one you HAVE TO READ ( if you are into dark romance like me).

Plus it has one of the most beautifully twisted declaration of love that i've ever read 😍
To be honest these two psychos did a marvelous job in making me swoony with their words.... if all the sentences highlighted during the reading are an indication of it 😏😌

So what i'm trying to say is READ THIS BOOK AS SOON AS IT'S OUT.

[☆Kylie☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf at 52%.

I almost never Dnf a book. It have to be pretty-pretty bad (to me) to do that. That said... The main couple didn't have any chemistry, if you think this will be like dexter or onley james where the Psychopath kills for a reason - you will be disappointed - they killed just cuz, the whole city was their playground, and if for some reason you crossed them... You'd end up dead. I hate lake of motive, lake of chemistry and this book had both.

[Rielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 55%

I’m bored. I don’t feel the chemistry.

And call me crazy, but I like my psychopath and sociopath romances to have justifiable murdering. It’s not interesting when they kill for no reason. It doesn’t feel like a romance to me because it’s missing the passion and intensity, which is sorely lacking when dealing with emotionally inept MCs.

Edit:
Skimmed the rest to see what happens. Not worth it.

[mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Thank you The Smuthood and the author Isabel Lucero for the eARC in exchange for a honest review)

You're absolutely devastating

Trigger warnings can be found here.

Plot

Ezra Hamilton is not a typical killer but he hasn't felt the rush of warm rush of blood through his fingers in a long time. However, when he starts following a man who stalks women, he realises that he has never met somebody with dark tendencies like Kaspian which hits too close to home. The mistrust grows as their chemistry grows and Ezra knew he had to step in when Kaspian's impulsiveness could ruin him. What secrets will be exposed when Ezra finds out what really is Kaspian up to?

Thoughts

This is my first book from Isabel and it was a pleasant read! The beginning was a little confusing and dull but the book picked up from 1/4 into the book. It kept me wanting to read more to find out what happens next.

The dynamics between Kaspian and Ezra make up a huge chunk of this book that went beyond just plain romance, at least for me. When a sociopath and psychopath are put together in the same room, alone, a lot of things may go down including themselves. This book had so much of passion and obsession done the right way that made it a 4 star book - I love possessive characters and it was seen in this book which added onto the rating.

I wonder if he tastes like the darkness that lives in his eyes

I’m going to use you, and there’s nothing you can do about it

The obsession on each other wasn't the only plotline because it did focus on other aspects such as their killer tendencies and the characters around them whom had the correct amount of focus needed.

I had to deduct one star for the beginning and also because there was a lot of description on their expertise in killing but at some points it didn't hold that level portrayed. Some parts of the plot could have been developed better, some parts didn't need too much elaboration.

Overall it was a good dark read and please be sure to read the trigger warnings before proceeding with the book.

[Kate V · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

"He walks out of the room, my blood staining his hand, his cum coating my skin, and he thinks there isn’t an us.

Ezra and Kaspian - the sociopath and the psychopath - were the perfect compliment to each other. Dirty and depraved, these two were obsessive, possessive and cold blooded murderers. This story definitely has triggers but it wasn't quite as dark as I was expecting. The steam in here was Kindle melting and the twists and turns were unique.

For a darker MM read, I really enjoyed this story and liked both Ezra and Kaspian individually and together. I loved the build up of their coupling and the way they found their own unique groove.

“Overwhelmingly and all-consuming. I want you to feel my absence like you’d feel a knife in your chest. I don’t need you to tell me you love me. I’m not sure I’d believe it anyway. Love feels obligatory in a relationship. Like you have to say it even if you don’t mean it. Love is just a trite four-letter word. People use it for every fucking thing. They love a movie, a song, a particular cup of coffee. I don’t want to be lumped into a bunch of random shit. What I want is to be accepted and desired. I want to be craved. I want you to feel like you’d be miserable without me.”

[the kevin (vaguely alive) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 30%

Dark romance? This was, at best, mildly dusty.

It felt like it was trying too hard for shock factor - mild bloodplay, a weird and useless visit to a kink club, edgy musings over murder....yawn. I mean one of them is a boring vigilante murderer. The other is an edgetastic Nice Guy.

There was a lot of infodumping via internal monologue. We get the entire murder history and justification of whatshisface via internal monologue that goes on for pages, rather than a more interesting conversation.

There was no tension, murdery or sexual. Things just kind of happened. Allegedly other MC is obsessed with MC1...I did not feel that either. He felt more like a mosquito.

Overall, this tried very hard and missed so very badly on a lot of things, but definitely the "dark" part. How does one make stalking and murder a snoozefest?



Read more reviews on my blog: 
https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/

[Kimmy ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a crazy and wild ride this book was! I couldn't put it down. Quintin and Kaspian are deranged and depraved fuckers, but like Quintin said, they were made for each other. Loved them.

[Cyndi (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couples who kill together stay together, right? It felt so good to put the awful book I just finished behind me and free fall into the absolute insanity of this one. I loved Ezra's cold and calculating demeanor in contrast with Kaspian's impulsivity and alarmingly short fuse. I felt deliciously uncomfortable every time they tried to incite jealousy and possessiveness in each other. I usually don't like it when the MC's have sexual encounters with other people once they've gotten together, but Ezra and Kaspian weren't typical MC's and their moral ambiguity made it hard to care what they did or with whom since it was almost always done with the sole purpose to provoke each other. And I liked not caring. It was a relief to let go of the way I tend to judge characters and their actions and just sit back and watch a sociopath and a psychopath do their thing.

My only complaint was Willow. Her story definitely added an extra layer of interest and might have even been necessary, but her presence still annoyed me. And also, poison, honey. That cabin is a rental.

This was my first book by this author and now I'm interested in other stuff she has written. I'm also interested in other books similar to this one, so if anyone has any dark MM romance recs, send them my way!

[yaishin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sociopathy and psychopathy was not as well portrayed as a few other books I've read but it wasn't ridiculous either.

I expected some jealousy from Kaspian's end at Willow and Quin's closeness and was kinda bummed that they ended up fraternizing instead.

Willow was also supremely annoying at times especially the way she acted as if her dating Kaspian wasn't totally transparent or anything. I might also be a teeny tiny bit ticked off that neither of them felt possessive enough to just shut her the hell up (not counting those five measly seconds, not enough I tell you).

The lies and the meeting up at the cabin part would definitely have earned a boot to the backside (to the skull too if I'm being dark but that's not the point) if it were me but the story doesn't hinge on what I would have done and I didn't really mind that they thought differently.

Usually one MC having sex with a person that is not the other MC would NOT make me a fan but it was handled pretty well here.

[TrippyBooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 i didnt like this as much as i expected. I had two major issues

1. When i read a romance about killers i expect their killings for be justifiable. Like they kill bad people or for some actual reason.. they were just hurting innocent people for absolutely no reason it makes it almost impossible to even root for them.

2. This is a mm romance yet the majority of this book is focused on Willow, a woman they both have a relationship with . If i wanted to
Read mf i wouldve read mf. The first scene was hot and then she just kept popping up . Her name is mentioned 126
Times . Please spare me . Theres not even a hot dp scene which is the only way id be happy.


Theres no highstakes or interesting side plot its just them being murderers and having sex .

I guess if u dont mind those things u probably will like it idk