Vipers and Virtuosos

Monsters & Muses #2

by Sav R. Miller

Aiden
From the second I saw her, I knew she’d be my ruin.
Sitting all alone at the bar, she looked like an angel.
Eurydice in human form; her beauty eclipsed by demons.

Now, I’m one of them.
The ghost she’s tried for years to escape.
Thinking I wouldn’t be able to find her.

But I never stopped trying, and now that I have,
Her past sins should be the least of her worries.

Riley
From the moment he saw me, I knew I’d ruin his life.
Alone at the bar, I dared the monster to come and play.
Orpheus in the flesh, with his sad songs and strange obsessions.

I became one of them.
The siren who calls to the darkest parts of him.
Only, I disappeared before he could act on it.

But now he’s here,
and he wants me to repent for my sins.

*Vipers and Virtuosos is a full-length, standalone dark rockstar romance inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. It is NOT fantasy, historical, or a retelling. If you are not a dark romance reader, this book may not be suitable for you. Reader discretion is advised.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Fantasy, Smut, Mythology, Enemies To Lovers

416 pages, Hardcover

First published December 12, 2021

About the author

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Sav R. Miller is a USA Today bestselling author of adult romance with varying levels of darkness and steam.

In 2018, Sav put her lifelong love of reading and writing to use and graduated with a B.A. in Creative Writing and a minor in Cultural Anthropology. Nowadays, she spends her time giving morally gray characters their happily-ever-afters.

Currently, Sav lives in Kentucky with her dogs Lord Byron, Poe, and Arrow. She loves sitcoms, silence, and sardonic humor.

Reviews

[aly ☆彡 (on vacation) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you expect less, you’ll be disappointed less... or maybe this book is just good?

After the downfall of the first installment, I didn't think I'd love Aiden and Riley's story but I did anyway. I love their dynamic and how perfectly fit they are for one another.

Not to say that Boyd and Fiona sound so cute together too. I didn't know they have a book written about them (makes me wanna pick the series or at least read theirs only). Everything that not seems to adding up on the first book seems to be much clearer now. Kal's presence in this book is quite heartwarming too.

Though I didn’t see the plot twist at first, but because I accidentally read a spoiler, saurrrrr it feels kinda meh + the epilogue was mediocre but other than that? I actually devoured.


Further RTC.

[jaime ⭐️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

are we seriously not gonna talk about the fact that he ejaculated into her lotion and she never found out or...

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lmao 🤣 I can’t… not the f—king lotion bottle.

The way she takes the news after finding out what he did. LOL.

𝕀 𝕜𝕖𝕖𝕡 💦, 𝕝𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕒 𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕘𝕣𝕠𝕒𝕟 𝕒𝕤 𝕤𝕙𝕖 𝕡𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕤 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕤𝕜𝕚𝕟 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕞𝕖, 𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕔𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕦𝕖 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕤𝕞𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘. "𝕊𝕖𝕖, 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕖, 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕤 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕒 𝕗𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕔 𝕤𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕖," 𝕤𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕒𝕪.

Who hasn’t had one of those kinds of facials before 😉🤣

[Lexi (updating reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much more than the first one in the series. The feelings were deeper, there was more plot, more suspense, more emotional tension. The obsession was obsessing, the spice was spicing, the plot was plotting (mostly) 🌙💖✨

📖 Book: Vipers & Virtuosos
🖋️ Author: Sav. R. Miller
🌟 Rating: 4.5 ✧
💖 Genre: dark contemporary romance (inspired by Orpheus & Eurydice)
📚 Series: Monsters & Muses (interconnected standalones)
🌸 Summary: This book begins with the fateful night Riley, a girl haunted by trauma and desperately trying to rebuild herself, crosses paths with Aiden, a world-famous rockstar who becomes her unlikely savior. One reckless night sparks an undeniable connection… only to end in flames by sunrise. Three years and a new life later, Riley thinks she escaped that night and the ghosts from her past. But what happens when Aiden returns to haunt her, after obsessing day and night with finding her, seeking revenge for what happened three years ago?

“I nod, not wanting to add lies to my list of offenses. ‘I was supposed to ruin you.’
She laughs, but the sound is hollow. Empty. Not the lilted caress I've come to love from her.
‘Do you think you haven’t?’”

♡ What I loved most:
• The Orpheus & Eurydice parallels: this was easily my favorite element. Watching a timeless Greek tragedy reimagined as a modern dark romance — with all the tropes we adore — just reminded me how eternal love stories really are 🌿
• Aiden being hopelessly, catastrophically down bad: his obsession with Riley was delicious. Reading his thoughts? I was feral. His love was intense, messy, consuming in the best way. 🔥

“She swallows, and my heart aches. Begs. Yearns. For all of her — body, mind, soul. Whatever pieces of herself she’d allow me to enjoy. I believe in this moment that I’d take them and run, damn the consequences.”

• The explosive beginning: so much happened so fast, and I loved how easy it was to speed through chapter after chapter ⚡
• The chemistry: sparks? Fireworks? Literal emotional immolation. Aiden and Riley were combusting on the page 🥹✨
• The stalker trope: my forever weakness. And the tension was *so good* — even if Aiden may have pushed it a little too far at times 🖤

“One second, I'm sitting at the vanity across from my bed, removing my makeup, and the next, Aiden's standing behind me, glaring at our reflection.
He doesn't say anything. Just stares, storms raging in his gray eyes.
The kind of storms you lose yourself in. That destroy without discretion, obliterating everything in their paths, leaving behind worthless terrain.”

• The suspense: this book thrives on anticipation — waiting for choices, confessions, consequences. It made me devour every page 😭
• The musician’s obsession: as an artist, Aiden’s passion feels bigger, wilder, unfiltered — like loving Riley is an instinct he can’t unlearn 🎶

“(…) when an artist has a muse, even if that muse is toxic and life-ruining, they don't stop seeking them out. Can't stop, even when they desperately want to.”

• The spice: absolutely delectable 😮‍💨
• The character arcs: watching both Aiden and Riley evolve into stronger, more self-aware versions of themselves was genuinely beautiful 🎭
• Riley and her brother: their relationship was such a tender, painful, healing part of the story. I adored every moment with them 🥺🫶
• The soft wintery atmosphere: it fit December perfectly — cozy, cold, and a little magical ❄️🎄
• The writing: as always, sharp, emotional, and addictive ✍️

✘ What I didn't love:
• Everything involving that cursed lotion: truly… if you know, you know 😵‍💫
• The middle of the book consisting mostly of spice: after the 250-ish page mark, the story slowed down a lot. We got spice (and then more spice and then more), but I was desperate for the plot to move 😭

───♡─────────────

୨ৎ Overall:
I enjoyed this book so much more than the first one in the series. The feelings were deeper, there was more plot, more suspense, more emotional tension. The obsession was obsessing, the spice was spicing, the plot was plotting (mostly). Even with the few little weak spots (like the abundance of spice in the middle), I ended up loving the experience. I truly flew through it.
Therefore, I will continue with the rest of the books.
One question, though: why does Sav keep pairing parents with their children’s lovers? 😭 I need answers.

xoxo, until the next book 💋🎻✨

「Monsters & Muses series」
#0.5 Sweet Sin — 4.25 ✧
#1 Promises and Pomegranates — 2.5 ✧
#2 Vipers and Virtuosos — 4.5 ✧
#3 Oaths and Omissions — TBR
#4 Arrows and Apologies — TBR
#5 Souls and Sorrows — TBR
#6 Liars and Liaisons — TBR
(spin-off) Stolen Vows — 5 ✧

「Monsters Within series」 (next gen series)
#1 Endless Anger — TBR
#2 Jealous Rage — TBA
#3 Vengeful Destruction — TBA

[mira · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️

“You have scars, but they don’t have you.” I’m not sure if either of us is breathing anymore. “And you, Riley fucking Kelly, are beautiful in a way that’d make the constellations weep.”

where do i fucking begin? i've never been more disappointed with a book especially since i liked the first book. was the plot ehhh in the first book? yes but at least the smut was good and the characters were loveable.

this book literally was the most BORING book out there. i wouldn't have known it was a dark romance book if the blurb didn't have say it was. the first 50% is all fluff and cheesiness and just fucking boring. the next 50% were just, oh? ok? but at least kal showed up <3 the only reason why this book is getting 2 stars is for kal.

spoilers below

- fluff until the 46% mark. i mean genuinely nothing dark nothing happening. those 46% were all set in ONE day. imagine reading 16 chapters of them spending their "one night stand" i was bored out of my mind bc there wasn't any smut either.

- shit was insta love but 3 years later he's stalking her bc he SAed her but it wasn't her who did it. the whole plot was ??? bc it was so obvious that it was her "friend" who kept calling her a whore... like how dumb are you to miss that?

- way too much miscommunication. bitches spent more time jerking off than talking.

- they have sex for the first time at 71%. i waited that long... for that... ugh.

i don't trust arc reviewers at this point. i haven't read rated any new release more than 3 stars and i'm just?? is it me, am i the problem?

[Lori [semi-hiatus] · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*
I don't think this author is for me.
The writing was fine, but her plots are either plain bad or boring af.
There's nothing interesting or inovative.
Concern 1:
stringing together a bunch of tropes does not make a for a good plot
Concern 2:
don't sell this as a dark romance but deliver fluff

The only plus I can give it is that the OP drama wasn't as big as in her other books and the hero is not a manwhore.

Safety: safe; both celibate after their first encounter. heroine is a virgin; hero has only slept with one other woman before the heroine, and he stated that only the h mattered (although that was a very vague statement and oddly phrased)

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second book in the Monsters and Muses series more than the first book. The writing and the story line was more clear, there was a lot more depth that seemed missing from the first one. We got answers from the previous book, which was very nice and very helpful. This can be read as a stand-alone, although it best be read after reading book one, Promises and Pomegranates. Also please read the TWs before deciding to pick this one up.


I did like seeing Kal again. I did like seeing the moment where we see him in father mode. Very much would like to see more of that.

I might be in the minority here but I personally felt like this book was darker than the first. Part one of the book, wasn’t dark, but once you hit part two, there was definitely a change of tone to the story. The stalking, the paranoia, abuse, etc.

When I read this was going to be a “dark stalker rockstar romance” I had a very different idea of what I was expecting when going into the book. I was expecting the author to play heavily onto the rockstar part, but in reality the stalker side outshine his career. I was ready for this whole the whole typical rockstar cliche. However, I actually where the author went instead, it really kept me turning the pages.

Aiden and Riley have such a hot and toxic relationship. A lot of the drama centered around miscommunication and Aiden wanting his revenge. There was a lot of sex and smut and I wish there a little bit of more time for finding an emotional balance. There definitely was scenes toward the end, but not enough to were I feel like they are that strong of a point. Their relationship was a little bit of a slow burn. But I needed more of after the burning settled and a steadier path.

Aiden was definitely a little erratic. He would flip a switch to being soft (well softer) to being a complete asshole at times wants to see Riley suffer. He’s very much sadistic about it. (Aiden very much has dacryphilia and doesn’t do much to hide it) he’s so obsessive and compulsive, as we see him breaking and entering, stealing her clothing, and the peppermints. He changes from a charismatic celebrity to a someone that is so dark and controlling.

Riley gave me mixed feelings. Her backstory did give her some depth. But I felt like her backstory was revealed later than I would like. Throughout the story, there were hints of her trauma. But I found it confusing until we finally get the entire story.

There was a scene that seemed so unrealistic, she walked outside in a robe through the snow to see if the house across the lake really belong to Aiden. She upset because he didn’t come in and stalked her. It was like walking into a lion’s den.

I feel she really pushed the cause of miscommunication. She did have some reasons to not explain her side, such as her safety. But I think there was some workarounds.

There was some plot holes in the books. I think some of the most glaring ones are Riley supposedly doing so much to conceal her identity and create and safe space for her in her little cabin, that she had mafia men install security. Somehow Aiden, who somehow knows enough of about security to bypass her cameras. Or when Kal calls and ask how is everything is, she lies. Like girlie, I don’t know, if I were you I would tell the person who could keep you most safe the truth. Especially after all the work you did to get him to help you in the first place.

There is an entire chapter of her getting a tattoo and for several more chapters I have no idea what it was. That seemed frustrating, especially when characters kept saying ‘the tattoo.’

I don’t know why the author keeps doing this, but this is the second time were a parent starts to get sexually involved with their child’s significant others. This time it wasn’t as big a plot device. But it being brought up again, ick.

Although I actually enjoyed reading this. I like the suspense aspect the author creates. I found myself reading through this very quickly. It was dark, yet it was enticing. The smut was pretty hot. The story was very sex driven, so at least when it came the sex scenes it worth the read.

The lotion scene- that was crazy. That’s all I’m going to say. I don’t think I’m going to look at peppermint lotion the same.

The ending, eh. The epilogue was fine. But the last chapter. I don’t know, I needed more. I don’t wanna give away too much. But it could of have a bigger blow.

Overall, I did enjoy. I would recommend this anyone who is looking for a dark romance. I’m patiently waiting for book three to come in the mail. So I’m excited to read that once it arrives.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I never thought a book could fundamentally change my outlook on body lotion, but here we are. Sav has done it once again, following Promises and Pomegranates with an equally delicious and immersive dark romance.

Aiden and Riley (the same Riley from the end of P&P) meet by pure chance at a charity auction in which he buys her time for the night. They go on an adventure together, getting to know each other on a mostly surface level, until things start to heat up and Riley bolts.

A little while later, Aiden finds Riley once again to pick up where they left off (and also dole out some punishment for the events following their date). To say this man was surprisingly unhinged would be an understatement but I was absolutely here for it. Is it so much to ask for a man to stalk me for x number of years and constantly chew peppermint candies because they remind him of the scent of my body lotion? When will it be my turn to be happy?

If you know me you know I LOVE the trope when the hero has scars and the heroine finally sees them and fully accepts and cherishes him for what he is. In this case, it’s reversed—Riley has some pretty bad scarring from a previous traumatic attack and Aiden is the only one who sees them and thinks she’s more beautiful for them—and I loved that 🥺

Highly recommend this if you’re looking for a wild and dark ride.

[Nerlie౨ৎ&#x1f3a7;&#x1f4da; · Rating 2 out of 5]

⋆. 𐙚 ˚ 𝐏𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 ⋆. 𐙚 ˚
I think I liked the fourth book—can’t say for sure, but since this one’s at my library, I figured why not give it a try.

[marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

she’s in high school (she’s 18 but personally that doesn’t make it better for me) and he’s 22 so immediate dnf

* my problem isn’t the age gap it’s the fact that she’s in high school cause that’s weird

[Cass (wonderlandandwhisky) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Please accept my tongue as an apology."

Yes I'm starting with that quote but I warn you, this review will go deeper (no pun intended).

To start off - I don't tend to read rock star romances. The few I have read always made me cringe when he 'sings to her' or blah blah blah. So I was pleased that this one didn't delve into that side of it.

Instead we get a stalker romance. And the kick? Both MCs were the other's stalker at one point. Which I loved!

We briefly met Riley in Promises and Pomegranates and also heard about Aiden too so the characters weren't 'new' new but my god was this both a hard and refreshing read.

The reason for both (the hard and the refreshing part) is the same. I found so much of myself in both Riley and Aiden, having highlighted so many quotes where they describe their mental state or their level of inadequicy.

I want to start with Riley - the invisible girl. The one ignored. The one that thought, "You tiptoe around people just to avoid upsetting them, because it's easier than admitting to yet another of your shortcomings."

I felt this deeply. From my experiences in my younger years and adulthood. It is something I have been battling and more recently, acknowledging.

As for Aiden, there is one quote where I knew I loved him - not for his rock start image but for the way Sav wrote this, "I don't want to leave my bed at any point of the day. Dragging myself from it is the purest form or torture; my body sags into the mattress each morning, desperate to return to my unconscious state, where the only things that hurt me are figments of my imaginatinon."

I don't think I've every felt so seen in another character's perspective the way I did with that paragraph.

Hard truths? Yes - but as I said, also refreshing. It is fantastic when an author can help you connect to characters through their personalities and body types. It is a gift when they can help you connect with a character through their mental health.

Now I know all of that is a bit deep, so to conclude:
-So happy we got some more Kal - love you boo
-I adore Fiona and will need to go back to that series and read her and Boyd's story
-I ADORE a stalker romance. They aren't for everyone though so please check out those warnings before you dive in.
-Although, again, the FMC is a little young for my taste, I absolutely fell in love with Riley.
Only one 'serenading' scene and by golly that makes me happy

I'm off to Oaths and Omissions now!

[Gigi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of stupid characters in this book 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Neelakshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐
“You have scars, but they don’t have you.” I’m not sure if either of us is breathing anymore. “And you, Riley fucking Kelly, are beautiful in a way that’d make the constellations weep.”

After promises and pomegranates I was waiting for this to suck ass BUT it was.....decent and that is baffling.

All this good book just for the ending to be so lame and.... something you can catch on and dumb.

This book's potential before the ending was so high but nevertheless it was tolerable.

Also things that y'all should know about because i STAN Aiden.
I knew he'd be a king bitch and would serve🥰

He ✨cums in her lotion✨ when he was stalking her so he can leave something to make her all anxious about someone being in her house.

He ✨stole her panties ✨

I said it before but ✨he stalks✨

He calls her ✨angel✨

He ✨ spends three years searching for her after she disappeared on him

One of his ✨nipple is pierced✨

He also ✨fingers Riley(h) in front of a friend✨

He did not bully her but ✨was mean to her✨

Also he did that one sex education thing where he deleted a voicemail of a friend because he's jealous 🥰🥰

Said things like
For every question you get wrong, or you don’t answer, or that just generally pisses me off, I’ll slide this blanket down until your dignity ceases to exist. Got it?”
Awh💓💓

And the fact that he tried to ruin her but then fell in love😌
“If you’re asking, am I giving up a lucrative career at its height just so I can spend my free time balls deep inside of a girl completely removed from this fucked industry, then yes. Yes, I am. I’m surprised you’re not more proud that I’m finally understanding the power of pussy.”

This book was SO MUCH better and compared to the previous one.
But it was so dumb
But i liked it
I love it for them.
Noice.

[Salma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies & gentlemen, Aiden James & Riley X

I was waiting for this one and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Easily 5 starts, if not more

A dark stalker/rockstar romance with spice. What more do you need? Let me tell you something, Aiden’s mouth, no one could resist it because the way he was praising Riley, I just wanted to print him out of the page and marry him ASAP. Like who doesn’t love to be called pretty gril & a good girl.

This story hooked me from the first page to the last. I literally didn’t want to put the book down and only had to because, well real life responsibilities. But I ate it up and low-key sad that I finished it so fast because I just wanna go back and read it. This def is a strong contender for my top 10 reads this year.

Go pre-order this bad boy, because trust me (as always) you will want this, because you NEED this

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the tropes 😍

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: Rockstar, bully, stalker
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: past assault, dubcon

Three years ago, mega rock star Aiden and Riley had an electric night together. But when Riley’s traumatic past ruined their night together and had her fleeing, she never could have guessed the outcome. Within hours, someone had claimed Aiden had assaulted Riley, but being drawn into the spotlight wasn’t an option and would jeopardize Riley’s safety - so she stayed hidden - even at the cost of Aiden’s public image. Demonized publicly and without a name to go on, Aiden has searched 3 years for Riley, wanting answers and maybe even a little revenge.

Really enjoyed this book and it has it all!  It’s a rock star romance. It’s a stalker romance. It’s a bit of a bully romance with some revenge thrown in. An emotionally and physically scarred heroine. Just so many of my favorite things, lol. The storyline is great, it's well written, and had a bit of suspense thrown in. While it was a bit of an emotional slow burn, the chemistry between the two of them was super hot, right from the start. Aiden is completely obsessed with Riley and wasn’t going to let anyone get in his way. I can’t wait to see where Ms. Miller takes us next!

Vipers and Virtuosos is the second book in the Monsters and Muses series by Sav R. Miller. It can be read as a standalone, but best enjoyed when being read in series order.

[veronica ☽ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mhmm not my favorite read. I love dark romance, but I wasn’t sure where the plot was.

tropes: stalker romance, and dark romance
tw: sexual assault and mention of suicide

[Sammie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could NOT put this book down!!! I didn’t expect to love it even more than the first book, which is one of my favorite types of retellings. This was so heavy on the feels, the obsession, the anger, the hurt, the lust. Holy!

Aiden immediately fell head over heals in love with Riley, and he didn’t even know her name. She ran away from him and into hiding from some dangerous people, and he thinks for years that she betrayed him and tried to ruin his career.

He finds her hiding in Colorado, using his nickname for her as her given name, and all kinds of delicious stalking and bullying ensues. Of course the truth comes out and they live happily together in love, but Sav definitely makes them bleed for it.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"All I want is you, Riley."

I really just like the stalker trope. That's all I gotta say.

[siff ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

☆ 𝟥 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗌

“𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙄 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙄’𝙢 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙮?”

“𝙊𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙪𝙥𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚, 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙖 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣.”
❧ Riley is a girl who’s been through a lot, and has a hard time letting people see the real her. Because her past trauma isn’t only on the inside, but on the outside too.

“𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮. 𝙊𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙝𝙚’𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤.”
❧ Aiden is a rockstar who’s had a tough childhood, and he’s never really had anyone there was in his life for him and not the rockstar Aiden. He uses music as a distraction from the real world.

“𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜.”

“𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮.”
❧ This doesn’t exactly need to be in the review, but I just couldn’t not put it in.

“𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙢𝙚.”

“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”

“𝙏𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩, 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚, 𝙨𝙤 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨.”
❧ Riley and Aiden fits each other pretty well in my opinion. They make each other feel seen, and confident in who they are.

“𝙄’𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙩𝙝, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙.”

“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙬𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨.”

“𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩.”
❧ Their relationship may have had some bumps on the road, but they did always come back to each other.

➵ This book was an easy quick read in my opinion. I liked the characters, but I didn’t feel like I fully connected with them. I liked the way the comforter each other, and I liked their background stories. This book got 3.5 stars because I liked it better than the first book in this series (Promises and pomegranates) but like I said I didn’t fully connect with the characters. But I would recommend it your looking for an easy, dark romance read.

⋘Tropes ➺ dark romance, rockstar romance, stalker romance and strangers to enemies to lovers⋙

[Kina Pixel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much better then the first.
I did not see the end coming. An was shocked the last bit of the book.
I absolutely loved this read. An I am ready to read book 3.

[Yas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars: How a magical night can change two lives irrevocably.

Second chance + boy-obsessed heroes are one of my favorite tropes in Romance, and this book delivered both!

I loved how what seemed like a magical night could permanently change the MCs' lives.

“Part of why we work so well is that we’re both fucked in the head. Equally tangled up in one another.”

I really liked that both characters had their struggles. Especially Aiden's mental health issues and past were unexpected, and I appreciated that it was the MMC for once.
I wished there would've been more insight into Riley's past, considering how much it played a part in the story. However, I admired Riley's strength and felt for her and what she's gone through.

While their chemistry was palpable, I wished at times (especially after their reunion) that their relationship would be less about doing it and more on a deeper emotional level.

While I enjoyed most of the book, the last part felt mediocre, and I didn't love it.
I also wouldn't call this a DARK romance. The little stalking could be considered dark-ish, but the rest felt like a typical spicy contemporary novel. I didn't mind, but it's good to know for setting your expectations straight.

I definitely will read more books in the series now!
I'm especially looking forward to Souls and Sorrows because my favorite greek myth inspires it: Eros & Psyche.

🗂Genre: Dark-ish Contemporary Romance
📕Type: Interconnected Standalone

🏷Tropes:
- Vague/ very loosely inspired by Orpheus & Eurydice
- Famous Rockstar x Normie
- Boy obsessed
- Stalking
- Second chance
- Little revenge vibes
- Spicy AF

⚠️Safety: no cheating, slight omd (not reciprocated), Content Warnings

📖Format: 1st person, dual POV and narration (Rock Engle & Charlotte Claremont)

🎧Theme song: blackbear - dead to me, One Direction - Midnight Memories lol

•••Monsters & Muses•••
#1: Promises and Pomegranates - 2.75★
#2: Vipers and Virtuosos - 3.75★
#3: Oaths and Omissions - 4★
#4: TBR

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
This is a story of two parts and is a darker contemporary romance inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. I did enjoy this but not as much as the previous book which I loved. Aidan just wasn’t a hit with me I never warmed to him. Firstly he took everything on surface value without digging any deeper. I am aware he was an anti-hero but that wasn’t really my issue I love a good baddie but Aidan just rubbed me the wrong way and he was so indecisive over his own intentions and for someone who had previously been plagued by a SA scandal he was surprisingly blasé now about crossing that particular line. His stated intentions of clearing his name also didn’t quite line up with his actions here and a lot of their beef could have easily been cleared up by an actual conversation.

Riley also wasn’t doing it for me. Her burying her head in the sand and ruining Aidan's career with zero attempts to rectify anything just wasn’t cool. I know the rationale used but I’m sure there was something she could have done. I mean even reaching out and explaining why she couldn’t go public would have been a start.

Later she really didn’t try that hard to clarify things and considering she was supposed to be in hiding she seemed very unconcerned regarding her own safety. Despite that, these two did have explosive chemistry together and the story was interesting enough to keep me reading though I did see the twist coming as soon as it was hinted at.

Overall though I liked but didn’t love this but I think that maybe more to do with me than anything else. I did find this well-written I just didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. I’m still planning on reading book three and I’m hoping it’s a better fit here I just struggled to connect.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/

[Vicky Sp · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐, 5
Durante l’evento di beneficenza a cui Riley aveva preso parte quella sera non pensava che avrebbe finito per ritrovarsi insieme al dio del rock per il quale aveva una cotta quando era una ragazzina.

Lo amava all’epoca e impazziva per la sua musica.

Ma adesso era cresciuta e non aveva tempo per pensare a lui. Erano cambiate tante cose da allora, troppe, soprattutto negli ultimi due anni. Anche se nulla era dipeso da lei.

Riguardo a Aiden era sinceramente convinta che l’ossessione nei suoi confronti fosse ormai sopita. Ma la partecipazione ad una singolare festa che la vide protagonista riaccese l’interesse per il rocker, e un sentimento più forte e tormentato di quanto fosse in precedenza si fece strada nel suo cuore.

🖋️Una lettura intrigante. Un mistero fitto e ingarbugliato che riguarda il passato dei protagonisti, di quando erano dei ragazzini, permea per l’intero romanzo e spinge il lettore a porsi delle domande e a cercare di svelare i segreti.

Amore, ossessione, vendetta.

Le terrificanti esperienze vissute dai ragazzi mi hanno lasciata scossa, ma ho compreso il perché, nonostante ora siano adulti, non riescono ad ignorare i mostri che li perseguitano. Subiscono il peso di profonde cicatrici che si portano addosso, sulla pelle e sul cuore.

*Ringrazio la CE per la copia ARC in Anteprima e la collaborazione



 

[leanne ♡ (warner’s version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️ i loved everything about this. so so much better than the first book. their was a proper plot, story and ending. there are some thing i would clarify within the book but it doesn’t really affect it. “And you, Riley fucking Kelly, are beautiful in a way that’d make the constellations weep.” tell me why i was the one that ended up weeping. that stalker psycho trope is something that i will always eat up. no questions asked. chefs kiss.

[mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

You have scars, but they don’t have you

Yes I know, not the usual quote that I'd highlight or put at the top but it seemed fitting for this book. It showed all of the ugliness and the beauty that comes after. It was better than the first one, less draggy and more plot-filled.

Though the end of the book was a little boring, I liked how crazy Aiden was. This guy was crazy about his cum indeed.

Monsters and Muses ratings
Promises and Pomegranates
Vipers and Virtuosos - 3.5 ⭐

[shreya · Rating 2 out of 5]

describe this book in one word: why was i told this was dark romance 🤔
what I expected: dark romance, angst, saucy smut, brooding male mc
2.4 ⭐️
what I got:
dark romance 1/5 with a side of fluff 🙄🙄
angst 2/5 mediocre 😐
smut 2/5 cause I didnt feel the attraction 🌶🌶
Aiden 3/5 just cause the name Aiden is HOT af 🥵

too much build up to no pay off. I liked Riley’s backstory and the mystery surrounding her fears and trauma but aside from there she didnt have any unique personality trait i liked. This was genuinely more fluff than dark romance tho. Riley and Aiden are both children, they act like teenagers in love tbh and it felt like i was reading a drawn out slow burn love story. And to be honest, im not a fan of the the whole plot about sexual assault allegations ruining Aiden’s career for 3 year. It just makes me feel bad for him and if I can get over the “love at first sight” trope 🙄 it just seems something you need to be plain ANGRY ANGRY over.
Not see her, mildly stalking her and then be the softest and nicest partner. LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO “IM GONNA RUIN HER” like bitch stfu you would drop your panties every time she would look at you. Like I love my simps but this was just wasn’t IT for me. There was def something missing here for me. maybe the writing just isn’t for me I guess. I loved the side characters tho. Even tho I dnf ed promises and pomegranate I loved Kal and Riley’s relationship and Boyd too. But other than nothing got me head over heels for this book. Ending was bizarre and farfetched like seriously now HE HAS A STALKER?? There are too many tropes in this that I’ve lost sight of what even is happening.

[Erin]

I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

This book has me EMOTIONAL, okay? I spent the first 25% of the book grinning like a fool, the next 50% nervous and just completely absorbed in the tension between Riley and Aiden, and the last 25% crying. I’ve felt all of the emotions and I’m drained. Someone bring me chocolate.

I’m trying to think of the best way to put my feelings about this book into more words than that and I’m struggling. I just keep playing my favorite parts over and over in my head - I adored it that much.

Aiden has officially been added to the harem - he was dark, brooding and OBSESSED, which is something I’m coming to learn I love in romance. Seriously, the man gives new meaning to the phrase tortured artist, and I was all about it.

Riley’s pain and struggles poured through the page, and I really felt for her throughout the book. She matched Aiden in both darkness and brokenness and I loved the way that they came together slowly and healed each other in their own twisted ways.

Most importantly though…CAN WE DISCUSS DR KAL ANDERSON? I did not expect to see him playing such a prominent role in Riley’s store and I was thrilled to see him. Honestly, every time his name appeared on a page I squealed in delight. The man has a hold on me, okay? Give me more Kal, Sav. More more more.

[Samantha Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'll choose his warmth, even if it means getting burned. At least when you're on fire, you know you're alive."

5/5 ⭐ (DARK ROMANCE, 18+ || CHECK TW)

DID I FINISH THIS IN A DAY?? You bet your ass I did. It was seriously THAT GOOD!! I couldn't put this down. The premise was sooo different and I loved every bit of it. And getting to see a little bit of Kal from the first book? Icing on the cake.

I think dark romances with stalkers may be a new favorite trope of mine to read... and I'm not sure what that says about me, but let's move on.

THE TATTOO SCENE IN THE BEGINNING? HAD MY LEGS QUAKING AND KNEES SHAKING. That scene was so irresistibly HOT. I will never look at getting a tattoo the same, ever again.

ALSO - we shall take just a moment to talk about the main character, Riley. My heart BROKE for her, but the way she stood her ground and was as fierce as can be? I was rooting for her. Her struggles with her scars on her body and face really broke me (maybe because that's relatable to a degree?) but when Aiden changed her perspective on her scars? That lit my heart on fucking fire.

IS THIS BOOK SPICY? HELL YES AND IT WAS SO DAMN GOOD SOUP. 🤌🏻

Sav... Queen... What are you doing to me. The husband might be calling you for what I am about to request in the bedroom, if you know what I mean 🤣

[lilwtr · Rating 3 out of 5]

i really wanted to love this book but it just didn’t give :(

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes I changed my rating because I can’t stop thinking about this book - that is all thank you