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Camp Kindred Book #1
The Kindler
A sexy man in a creepy bunny mask is stalking me. But that’s not even the scariest part of my story. I’m Ignacious, son of infamous slasher killer Reggie Bern, and I’ve witnessed horrors most people only see at the movies. Every night when my dad returned home from a kill, blood staining his coveralls, he’d sit on the edge of my bed and tell me stories of torture, gore, and death. I listened, learned, and silently vowed to never take up his blade. That didn’t stop him from sending me to Camp Kindred- a compound built to indoctrinate and train the children of slasher killers. Then my dad faced off with the wrong final girl and left me a 19-year-old orphan with a crown too big for my head, a target on my chest, and only a lighter to defend myself against Kindred’s class of 1990.I can become another cog in Kindred’s murder machine, or I can trust my life to a small flame and a quiet bunny rabbit with shoulders I’d love to climb.
Ignacious Bern knows my face. I held him in my arms once, when we were boys, back he first got to Camp Kindred and killing was just something our dads did. He cried that day, translucent tears that warmed my skin and my heart, and I decided that I wouldn’t let anyone make him cry ever again. Then I clashed with a strangler, lost my voice, and became Bunny Benton- the silent, masked slasher. I’ve watched Ignacious from afar, kept him safe all these years, but that won’t be enough if he refuses the title passed down by his infamous father. Because Ignacious is mine to protect even if that means stepping out of the shadows and showing my true face. The Kindler is a MM horror romance with a HFN ending. It features a soft, possessive stalker who has lost his voice and a sarcastic, visually impaired brat with daddy issues and an affinity for fire. Warnings for violence, dark humor, gore, and plenty of on-page man on man spice. The Kindler is the first book in the Camp Kindred trilogy and each book follows a different couple.
Ignacious Bern knows my face. I held him in my arms once, when we were boys, back he first got to Camp Kindred and killing was just something our dads did. He cried that day, translucent tears that warmed my skin and my heart, and I decided that I wouldn’t let anyone make him cry ever again. Then I clashed with a strangler, lost my voice, and became Bunny Benton- the silent, masked slasher. I’ve watched Ignacious from afar, kept him safe all these years, but that won’t be enough if he refuses the title passed down by his infamous father. Because Ignacious is mine to protect even if that means stepping out of the shadows and showing my true face. The Kindler is a MM horror romance with a HFN ending. It features a soft, possessive stalker who has lost his voice and a sarcastic, visually impaired brat with daddy issues and an affinity for fire. Warnings for violence, dark humor, gore, and plenty of on-page man on man spice. The Kindler is the first book in the Camp Kindred trilogy and each book follows a different couple.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2024
9 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 23, 2024
Not gonna lie, I was a bit lost at first of how things going around inside the camp and how the system and roles being explained it's very vague but I'm starting to get the grasp of it as I read.
I liked the concept overall, I didn't connect emotionally with the characters, I just wished there had moments in the book where the characters were showed being vulnerable but everything just happens so quick in a sense that
One moment we got them saying "I love you" to each other and the next second is literally them being attacked and chased around I feel like we need marinate that vulnerable more before we jump onto the next where it just actions and actions.
But despite that this was still awfully sweet, also surprisingly I thought we'd get a big fight towards the end but turns out it's just being set up for the next book or the final installment.
I liked the concept overall, I didn't connect emotionally with the characters, I just wished there had moments in the book where the characters were showed being vulnerable but everything just happens so quick in a sense that
One moment we got them saying "I love you" to each other and the next second is literally them being attacked and chased around I feel like we need marinate that vulnerable more before we jump onto the next where it just actions and actions.
But despite that this was still awfully sweet, also surprisingly I thought we'd get a big fight towards the end but turns out it's just being set up for the next book or the final installment.
April 21, 2024
3.5 stars
This was a bit weird but pretty fun.
I picked it up because of the (gorgeous) cover, and because at a stretch it fit a bingo square for bunnies - lol.
This isn't what I think of as horror, which was perfect because I am a wimp and don't really like horror. This is full of dark stuff, gore and violence, but didn't have any jumpscares or anything like that. I always enjoy morally grey characters, and don't mind violence, so I was totally onboard.
Barring that, it's surprisingly soft. The bunny-mask MC (Bunny) has been stalking Ignacious for quite some time and finally comes out of hiding to protect him from being murdered. Bunny takes on a real caretaking role and was such a sweetheart.
Bunny is mute, and Ignacious is visually impaired. I'll admit I was pretty sus on their communication method, I'm not convinced that anyone can read characters that someone is drawing on their skin, but they did also write notes when possible, and had a tactile yes/no. I'll allow it. Since Ignacious is visually impaired and struggles to get through the forest when they're on the run, there's a lot of carrying - yes, please.
I couldn't work out if there were major plot conveniences / inconsistencies or if I was just misunderstanding the layout of the site. I really could've done with a map, it was too much for me to keep track of in my head, and the escape in particular was very confusing.
This has a relatively small cast of interesting characters and I'll definitely check out the next book, especially as it seems it will be Pol and the Wolfman's story who I was very intrigued by.
This was a bit weird but pretty fun.
I picked it up because of the (gorgeous) cover, and because at a stretch it fit a bingo square for bunnies - lol.
This isn't what I think of as horror, which was perfect because I am a wimp and don't really like horror. This is full of dark stuff, gore and violence, but didn't have any jumpscares or anything like that. I always enjoy morally grey characters, and don't mind violence, so I was totally onboard.
Barring that, it's surprisingly soft. The bunny-mask MC (Bunny) has been stalking Ignacious for quite some time and finally comes out of hiding to protect him from being murdered. Bunny takes on a real caretaking role and was such a sweetheart.
Bunny is mute, and Ignacious is visually impaired. I'll admit I was pretty sus on their communication method, I'm not convinced that anyone can read characters that someone is drawing on their skin, but they did also write notes when possible, and had a tactile yes/no. I'll allow it. Since Ignacious is visually impaired and struggles to get through the forest when they're on the run, there's a lot of carrying - yes, please.
I couldn't work out if there were major plot conveniences / inconsistencies or if I was just misunderstanding the layout of the site. I really could've done with a map, it was too much for me to keep track of in my head, and the escape in particular was very confusing.
This has a relatively small cast of interesting characters and I'll definitely check out the next book, especially as it seems it will be Pol and the Wolfman's story who I was very intrigued by.
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April 8, 2024dnf 25% : I was expecting something dark regardless the resume but it’s a cute love story so dnf
April 6, 2024
Great read!
I picked this up as a horror and as a romance fan, and I wasn't disappointed. It's like a love letter to all slasher films while also poking a little bit of fun at the genre too. The relationship between Ignacious and Bunny is so heartfelt and tender, with both characters having a lot of depth to them. I'd love to read more about Bunny's life in particular. I love how intriguing and original the story is, and I can't wait to read book 2!
I picked this up as a horror and as a romance fan, and I wasn't disappointed. It's like a love letter to all slasher films while also poking a little bit of fun at the genre too. The relationship between Ignacious and Bunny is so heartfelt and tender, with both characters having a lot of depth to them. I'd love to read more about Bunny's life in particular. I love how intriguing and original the story is, and I can't wait to read book 2!
July 6, 2024
I liked it, but...
3.5 stars. This is a new-to-me author, and I also went into this book blind. I saw it recommended in a book group I'm in, read the blurb, and started reading.
First, I want to say that I liked the idea and plot behind this book. It's also technically executed well with only a few minor errors here and there. With that said, I'm not really a fan of this author's writing style. The prose is overly flowery and there is an abundance of similes, metaphors, and anthropomorphism that makes for clunky reading and long-winded sentences. This is not a period romance or an epic love story between angsty star-crossed lovers. There's a time and place for that type of prose, and this book isn't it. Furthermore, the tone of voice did not change from Iggy to Bunny, even though this is written in first-person, dual POV. Bunny's voice sounded the same as Iggy's and vice versa.
Beyond the writing style, there were also aspects of Bunny and Iggy's relationship that required quite a bit of suspended belief. You're in a school that trains kids to be unalivers, but you're totally cool accepting help from someone who won't even show you his face? Then fall in love with that masked stranger within days? All without seeing his face? I mean, sure, why not? Iggy just accepts the mask and doesn't really start asking questions until much later. Not to mention that Bunny doesn't speak, and Iggy doesn't seem to find that odd. He doesn't ask why: if it's a choice or physically impossible. Sorry, but that would have been one of my first questions! But, again, Iggy just accepts it without question until it just comes up later (I guess when the author decided it was time). So, yeah, their first interactions are pretty unbelievable. But, once they actually talk and reveal more of themselves, I enjoyed their relationship and dynamic.
Then there's the emotion and love that Iggy has for his dad. Sorry, but your daddy threw you to the wolves, and from what the reader knows, has unalived innocent people his whole adult life. He's not out there being a vigilante. He's just unaliving indiscriminately. The author tries to make the reader feel sadness and sympathy, and accept that he just is who he is, and that's all okay because he loved his wife and loves his son? That just didn't sit right with me. And, his wife knew what he was up to, as well as Bunny's dad knowing about his husband unaliving, and it's all just accepted??
Also, some aspects I could not picture well due to the writing not being direct. For example, I could not picture how Bunny's mask was broken and then fixed with string. I'd love a diagram! Haha, seriously though. Something small, but aggravating when the mask is such a huge part of Bunny. And the mention of the broken mask and how it feels against Iggy is described many, many times before it's fixed, but I could not understand! Someone please help me, lol!
I liked the ending! I like the path that Bunny and Iggy are on, leading up to book two. The romance aspect is instant lust and love, with mild physicality, but high emotions. I'm intrigued about the wolf-masked boy and Pol's story. I'm just not sure I'm up to slogging through the heavy prose again to find out what they get into and what becomes of Gila and Kindred. We'll see.
I think most readers of this genre and subgenres are going to love this book, even rave about it. It IS a good book, but the writing style may divide readers and ratings. Who knows, maybe it's just me.
3.5 stars. This is a new-to-me author, and I also went into this book blind. I saw it recommended in a book group I'm in, read the blurb, and started reading.
First, I want to say that I liked the idea and plot behind this book. It's also technically executed well with only a few minor errors here and there. With that said, I'm not really a fan of this author's writing style. The prose is overly flowery and there is an abundance of similes, metaphors, and anthropomorphism that makes for clunky reading and long-winded sentences. This is not a period romance or an epic love story between angsty star-crossed lovers. There's a time and place for that type of prose, and this book isn't it. Furthermore, the tone of voice did not change from Iggy to Bunny, even though this is written in first-person, dual POV. Bunny's voice sounded the same as Iggy's and vice versa.
Beyond the writing style, there were also aspects of Bunny and Iggy's relationship that required quite a bit of suspended belief. You're in a school that trains kids to be unalivers, but you're totally cool accepting help from someone who won't even show you his face? Then fall in love with that masked stranger within days? All without seeing his face? I mean, sure, why not? Iggy just accepts the mask and doesn't really start asking questions until much later. Not to mention that Bunny doesn't speak, and Iggy doesn't seem to find that odd. He doesn't ask why: if it's a choice or physically impossible. Sorry, but that would have been one of my first questions! But, again, Iggy just accepts it without question until it just comes up later (I guess when the author decided it was time). So, yeah, their first interactions are pretty unbelievable. But, once they actually talk and reveal more of themselves, I enjoyed their relationship and dynamic.
Then there's the emotion and love that Iggy has for his dad. Sorry, but your daddy threw you to the wolves, and from what the reader knows, has unalived innocent people his whole adult life. He's not out there being a vigilante. He's just unaliving indiscriminately. The author tries to make the reader feel sadness and sympathy, and accept that he just is who he is, and that's all okay because he loved his wife and loves his son? That just didn't sit right with me. And, his wife knew what he was up to, as well as Bunny's dad knowing about his husband unaliving, and it's all just accepted??
Also, some aspects I could not picture well due to the writing not being direct. For example, I could not picture how Bunny's mask was broken and then fixed with string. I'd love a diagram! Haha, seriously though. Something small, but aggravating when the mask is such a huge part of Bunny. And the mention of the broken mask and how it feels against Iggy is described many, many times before it's fixed, but I could not understand! Someone please help me, lol!
I liked the ending! I like the path that Bunny and Iggy are on, leading up to book two. The romance aspect is instant lust and love, with mild physicality, but high emotions. I'm intrigued about the wolf-masked boy and Pol's story. I'm just not sure I'm up to slogging through the heavy prose again to find out what they get into and what becomes of Gila and Kindred. We'll see.
I think most readers of this genre and subgenres are going to love this book, even rave about it. It IS a good book, but the writing style may divide readers and ratings. Who knows, maybe it's just me.
April 17, 2024
4/5 ⭐️
2/5🌶
This book IMMEDIATELY grabbed my attention, and I just knew I'd have to read it asap.
It did not disappoint. At all.
A camp for serial killers' kids you say? Sign me the fuck up.
The story holds your attention throughout and the plot is quite riveting.
The love between Bunny & Ignacious was beautiful, and the spice was hot as fuck.
Can't wait for Polaris's book to see what happens next.
2/5🌶
This book IMMEDIATELY grabbed my attention, and I just knew I'd have to read it asap.
It did not disappoint. At all.
A camp for serial killers' kids you say? Sign me the fuck up.
The story holds your attention throughout and the plot is quite riveting.
The love between Bunny & Ignacious was beautiful, and the spice was hot as fuck.
Can't wait for Polaris's book to see what happens next.
May 15, 2025
I didn’t think I would be kicking my feet while reading a romance about 2 guys at a camp for future slashers but I did and I loved every word of this book
June 26, 2024
While I wouldn’t call myself a fan of horror or slashers, the cover caught my eye and the promise of a stalker drew me in.
It’s unfortunate that most of the stalking is a) prior to the events of the book and off page or b) from a wolffish character we have yet to formally met. But that’s really one of the only complaints I had.
The other was the pacing. It kinda of putted along. I wasn’t getting a huge sense of urgency from what was a rather urgent situation. It was easy to read, but it was just as easy to set down. And where I’ve unfortunately been in a not-very-ready mood, I set this down a little too much.
That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy it. I liked Ignautious, I liked Bunny. I really liked Pol. I like the whole setting and concept and am excited to see how this series played out.
It’s unfortunate that most of the stalking is a) prior to the events of the book and off page or b) from a wolffish character we have yet to formally met. But that’s really one of the only complaints I had.
The other was the pacing. It kinda of putted along. I wasn’t getting a huge sense of urgency from what was a rather urgent situation. It was easy to read, but it was just as easy to set down. And where I’ve unfortunately been in a not-very-ready mood, I set this down a little too much.
That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy it. I liked Ignautious, I liked Bunny. I really liked Pol. I like the whole setting and concept and am excited to see how this series played out.
June 13, 2024
This is my first novel by this author, I can say I won't be my last. I can't was for Pol's story. This is also my first horror romance, I enjoyed both aspects. I'm a sucker for a touch him and die MC in Bunny's case it truly was literal. Bunny was the best kind of stalker, I fell in love with him from the beginning and loved how far he was willing to go to protect Ignacious at all costs.
August 22, 2024
4.99999999
I really really liked this! Such a unique idea, interesting characters, great pacing, smut but it’s not the sole focus or over done. It’s really good. It’s not a 5 because I wasn’t really connecting with the characters in the beginning, just the first few chapters, and I wish there had been a little more development there. Otherwise, super great!
I really really liked this! Such a unique idea, interesting characters, great pacing, smut but it’s not the sole focus or over done. It’s really good. It’s not a 5 because I wasn’t really connecting with the characters in the beginning, just the first few chapters, and I wish there had been a little more development there. Otherwise, super great!
September 16, 2024
4.8✮
Very fun! I liked the author’s writing and the pace that things happened, I didn't find it rushed and the characters are amazing (some adorable and others perfectly detestable). Loved the main couple (Bunny is a cutie) and especially Pol, I want to see more of him!
I highly recommend!
Very fun! I liked the author’s writing and the pace that things happened, I didn't find it rushed and the characters are amazing (some adorable and others perfectly detestable). Loved the main couple (Bunny is a cutie) and especially Pol, I want to see more of him!
I highly recommend!
December 5, 2024
The way Bunny took care of Ignacious was cute. Some parts were a little confusing and didn't quite add up.
September 3, 2025
I loved this, such an interesting concept and such a deep connection.
I cannot wait for the story to continue and truly I think we all need our own bunny
I cannot wait for the story to continue and truly I think we all need our own bunny
April 10, 2024
This was so much fun. A secret camp for training slashers. A legacy who refuses to kill his mute bunny stalker. Suspenseful. Never boring. Cannot wait until the next installment.
March 7, 2025
I didn��t LOVE it but I definitely
didn't hate it. It just wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. This turned out to be a sweet love story about essentially being abandoned and thrown into something you don't even want. Ignacious is so sweet and is stuck inside this hell hole camp for killers his dad left him in and while he’s being jumped is saved by Bunny. Bunny? Was the best part of this book - he is in all sense a "broken boy” that turned his back on everything he ever knew for love. They end up with a solid ground of friends that risk everything to give them a HEA. It's not spicy, it's kind of juvenile anf Honestly kind of hard to keep up with at points. Skips around a bit. Cute read though!
didn't hate it. It just wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. This turned out to be a sweet love story about essentially being abandoned and thrown into something you don't even want. Ignacious is so sweet and is stuck inside this hell hole camp for killers his dad left him in and while he’s being jumped is saved by Bunny. Bunny? Was the best part of this book - he is in all sense a "broken boy” that turned his back on everything he ever knew for love. They end up with a solid ground of friends that risk everything to give them a HEA. It's not spicy, it's kind of juvenile anf Honestly kind of hard to keep up with at points. Skips around a bit. Cute read though!
May 24, 2024
I love their writing style, it was easy to follow.
The storyline was enticing and the storytelling was really good, personally didn't get bored while reading it.
The characters were well written and relatable (in my case, ignacious, his relationship with his dad kinda added more relatability to him).
The world setting (idk the right word but if i didn't use the right term, i meant "the atmosphere where they made the world the story partakes in") was really well planned, i, as someone who's second language is english, really appreciated that.
And in all and all, it was well written, well planed and the author really delivered.
Can't waut to see what happens to pol and reggie.
The storyline was enticing and the storytelling was really good, personally didn't get bored while reading it.
The characters were well written and relatable (in my case, ignacious, his relationship with his dad kinda added more relatability to him).
The world setting (idk the right word but if i didn't use the right term, i meant "the atmosphere where they made the world the story partakes in") was really well planned, i, as someone who's second language is english, really appreciated that.
And in all and all, it was well written, well planed and the author really delivered.
Can't waut to see what happens to pol and reggie.
September 24, 2025
01/12/25 - 5⭐ for encouragement and because it's fantastic, unique, weird and I like it. Really hope a series follows. Into it.
09/24/25 - I still think about this book and recommend it often
09/24/25 - I still think about this book and recommend it often
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews