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Ambros Brothers Duet #1

Obsessions of the Heart

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I've had a hard life. Orphaned at birth and living in a small broke town, one that believes I'm a cursed child. The bringer of bad luck.


I tried to escape the stigma, to create something better for myself. It all came crashing down one night and my world shattered.

While dealing with the aftermath, an unbelievable opportunity landed in my lap. A scholarship to attend an exclusive university far away. This was my chance to start fresh.

With nothing left to lose, I take it.

I didn’t expect to run into a blast from my past. The Ambros triplets. My only friends at the orphanage until they were adopted, and I never saw them again. These boys are now grown and everything about them calls to me.

They want to make good on their promises all those years ago. They want to protect me. Take care of me.

The longer I’m around them the more I see their wants bleed into something dark, something obsessive.


I know it's wrong, but why does it feel so good?

This is a dark romance where the good guys and bad guys are blurred, nothing is quite as it seems, and its hard who to know who you can trust. This is a romance where the FMC doesn't have to choose between love interests. Make sure to check authors website for warnings.

459 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2024

1708 people are currently reading
3430 people want to read

About the author

Kira Stanley

20 books709 followers

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Profile Image for ❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books.
2,620 reviews10.9k followers
July 17, 2024
pi-Zap-3 MY REVIEW AND OTHERS can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS

'O𝐁S𝐄S𝐒I𝐎N𝐒 𝐎F T𝐇E H𝐄A𝐑T' Is the first full length book within the (Ambros Brothers) duet by new to me author, Kira Stanley. Spoken in multiple POV's (The Ambrose triplets: Ravi, Roux, Rion & The heroine: Layrin) and ends on a cliffy.

❥ 𝚆𝚑𝚢 𝙲𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚜𝚎
💣 𝚃𝚛𝚒𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚜
❥ 𝙼𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚒𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝙿𝙾𝚅
💣 𝙾𝚋𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗
❥ 𝙳𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝙰𝚌𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚊
💣 𝚃𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚑𝚎𝚛 & 𝚍!𝚎
❥ 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝙼𝙼𝙲𝚜
💣 𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝 𝚂𝚘𝚌𝚒𝚎𝚝𝚢

So first of all it was the cover which grabbed my attention, then the blurb sealed the deal, come release day my fingers did the rest of the work. Once I dived in, I was hooked.

This was a pleasant surprise.

This kick started off when they were nine years old and all placed within the same orphanage. She jumped in (literally) and saved them from a pack of bullies setting them on a path of friendship. From the get go she could always tell them apart by small mannerisms which set them apart. 4 orphans (1 girl and 3 triplets) From the very first meet these 4 had a strong bond up until the 3 boys were gone, then they lost contact with the unwanted girl they left behind.

Or so it seemed.

YEARS LATER: Bad things seemed to happened to the people around her, from death to the removal of body parts. Thinking she was cursed she left that township and moved over a few towns.

Working in a dead end job she wanted better for herself and visited the library regularly filling out endless forms of universities offering scholarships until she was accepted to one.

All expenses covered.

But things here aren’t all that they seem and it looks like that curse of bad luck may have followed her.

Now all in their 20's
It's here that she reconnects with them all. Things aren't all that they seem at this university, rivals, secrets and most of all the boys are hiding their true identity from everyone, only at any given time they see only one boy, mystery surrounds them and after some snooping at their home she uncovers a secret that has her running off and getting ensnared leaving us on a cliffy as we're left guessing who could've grabbed her.

I'm definitely keen to grab the next book when it goes live, I need answers, I want more dirt on the boys and what they had to go through living with their uncle, the roommate seems a bit fishy, what's her deal? And her family who the hell are they? Who grabbed Layrin at the end of the book? Soooo many questions...This definitely kept me intrigued throughout and ticked many of my boxes when it comes to my books from the storyline to the characters I easily got pulled into the story.

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Profile Image for nikki.
769 reviews702 followers
Read
November 10, 2024
DNF@20%
I'm bored. And this is too long. Don't have the patience for it. Ideally, I would have loved to read a dark romance featuring a triplet sandwich but the story/writing doesn't have me hooked so DNF it is🤷🏻‍♀️

- no OW drama, slight OM drama???, no cheating, RH ft triplets, virgin MMCs???, OTT J/P MMCs, cliffy
Profile Image for Maria.
96 reviews87 followers
dnf
October 19, 2024
Tropes: why choose MFMM, FMC w/ past trauma, touch her and 💀, college, secret society, obsessive stalkers, triplet MMC’s.

DNF @ 20%

I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately it didn't work out for me.
To be honest, I almost fell asleep while reading this.
It took me over two days to read only six chapters, and I couldn’t even finish the last one.
It was too slow, boring, and I really couldn’t stand the FMC. I struggled to see her as an intelligent young woman.
Everything that happens to her is swept under the rug, and still everything is her own fault.
I am confused as to why the three MMCs are obsessed with her. I mean, they met when they were nine, been friends for all a year and then had no contact whatsoever.

Idk, I might give it a second chance in the future but for now we definitely have to part ways.
Profile Image for Allia Reads (semi hiatus).
259 reviews128 followers
September 23, 2024
3.5⭐️

I swear, these brothers are next level with their unhinged behavior and obsession, and I ate it up every single time.🤭🙂‍↕️


Safety info:

-OWD: There is no OWD, and even though the brother’s past isn’t mentioned, I assume they stayed virgins and waited for Rin, as they always planned to reunite with her after being adopted by their uncle. They haven’t seen anyone since they were 10, and now they’re 21. The brothers had a strict life with their uncle, so when they got some freedom, they used it to stalk the h and plan how to get her back. They only have eyes for Rin.

-OMD: The h is not a virgin, and every time she interacted with OM during the years, Roux killed them and kept either their toes or something similar as a souvenir in a jar in his room, because he’s unhinged like that. Earlier in the book, there was a OM who tried to assault the h, but the brothers saved her in time and killed the OM.

There is no cheating and it ends on a cliffhanger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ciara Brewer.
60 reviews6 followers
July 11, 2024
This books was absolutely amazing! I was hooked from the very beginning. Layrin was such a tough little girl. She was willing to stand up for anyone even if it meant consequences for her. Then she met the Ambros triplets and found people that cared for her also. She had a tough life growing up and with them leaving her behind. After some things happen she goes away to college on a mystery scholarship and gets reunited with the triplets. The boys were so good to her in the way that they cared for her and her needs just made them that much more attractive but they have secrets. Being with them has put Layrin in danger. They will stop at nothing to protect her but with their secrets she may struggle with that. This ended on some miscommunication which I hate by the way but at least this was where she was willing to hear them out and a big cliff hanger. I can’t wait to see how this story unfolds in the second half of the duet. Can I just say the Ambros uncle is a jerk! I need more of the Ambros Triplets and their girl. I have always been a why choose girl when it comes to books. Absolutely can’t wait for the next book. So many unanswered questions.
93 reviews3 followers
October 2, 2024
DNF 38%. FMC is the brightest, most street smart bad-ass ever according to the author. However, she constantly feels someone watching her and just shrugs it off. Every man that she has a sexual encounter with has something bad happen to him so she believes she is cursed rather than the intelligent thing of (feeling watched by someone) + (every guy she interacts with sexually having something bad happen to him)= unhinged stalker. She's so unintelligent that she gets carried out of the club that her bff just got killed in by a man, ends up back at her studio apartment and yet does not question any of it or wonder about the man's identity. A man who clearly knows where the fuck she lives. But the author wants you to know how street smart she is.

The final straw was her being given wine by the brother of her college roommate and not being able to remember anything after being given the wine. Now someone with even a SLIVER of common sense, much less actual street smarts, would surmise that the brother drugged her. Instead she's wondering who it could've been and accusing the roommate of drugging her. Then when she next sees the brother he's glaring at her and looking at her weird and yet she still doesn't make the connection. These authors write the most incompetent, unintelligent, and mediocre women, who we are TOLD are amazing, intelligent AND street smart as we witness her lacking basic common sense. This FMC is so unintelligent it's not even funny, but what grinds my gears is being told how smart and amazing she is when a fucking rabbit likely has more basic common sense than she does. Street smart my ass. And of course all the men in the story lust after her and want her because she's just so irresistible. I'm starting to think these unintelligent, incompetent, mediocre but still desired by anyone with a penis in the story heroines are self-inserts by these authors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for The_Book_Brat.
938 reviews162 followers
July 8, 2024
*Reverse Harem
*Contemporary
*Multi 1st PoV
*College Setting
*Orphans
*Secret crime syndicates
*long lost friends
*triplets
*mid-burn
*1/2
Intriguing Start
Thai is my first read of this authors and I will definitely be reading the next book 😄 there’s a great level of intrigue within this book in terms of what is Foetus and what it actually is Ambross doing for it!
Rin has had it tough at the orphanage and then being left behind by her best friends and seemingly followed by a curse 😣 she’s been lonely and it’s hardened her outlook on life! But a chance scholarship at the academy brings new possibilities and blasts from the pasts 😅 love her new bestie she’s like a territorial little rottie and Rin definitely needs that! Although the rest of that family are hit and miss 🙈 then there’s the triplets…you start to get the inkling they’re behind more of Rins life than can be believed 😳 but i love how obsessed they are with her and will clearly do anything for her 🥰 they’ve each got distinct personalities as well which brings them all a good level of depth and connection! Looking forward to seeing how this progresses in the next one, I have a feeling that necklace might be key!
688 reviews4 followers
August 6, 2024
Review for the duet

I kind of struggled through book one. I felt the story dragged but my main issue was that I was just reading a story. I didn't feel anything. No connection whatsoever with any of the characters. And when the plot unfolded as it did in book 2, I just didn't care enough for the characters to continue with a plot that was so.... I don't even know what word to use here. Unbelievable? Improbable? Unrealistic?
It's not a bad book, but it is too much when I don't like the writing style, the smut is meh, the characters are flat and the plot turns out to be too fantastical. I DNF'd at about 22% of book 2.

I'd say 2.5 stars.
But also, maybe it's just me.
Profile Image for Mary Rose.
877 reviews53 followers
July 19, 2024
I was hooked from the first page! Orphans. The tough, brave little girl who stood up to the big, bad bullies to protect the new boys, even though they probably had it handled. They spend a year together, then get pulled apart. Sets up a perfect story for second chance many years later!

Layrin is the orphaned girl, and triplets, Rion, Ravi, and Roux, are the boys. My heart hurt so much for Rin, but she kept pulling herself up and didn't quit. Her existence was from pure determination and resolve, and I respect the heck out of her.

I have no idea what to think of Cin and Elio, but I'm rooting for them to be allies. Eventually. lol

And the triplets! Omgoodness! They are the best kind of obsessed stalkers who make readers swoon. Rin has no idea of their wicked devotion to her, but she's gonna find out. I can't wait to see what happens after that cliffie!
Profile Image for Christy Bailey.
662 reviews25 followers
November 19, 2024
Wow, what a read! This was definitely my kind of crazy, bazaar, and wtf is going on type of book! This book had me guessing every step of the way, and im still trying to figure it out. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, it did not go as my mind had planned. Can't wait to read the next and final book in this duet.
Profile Image for AnotherRomanceReader.
261 reviews71 followers
October 27, 2024
Book Name/Series: Obsession of the Heart (Ambros Brothers Duet #1)
Author: Kira Stanley
Standalone?: This is the first book in a duet and ends on a cliffhanger.

4 Stars

My Opinion: I really enjoyed this book, and it didn’t take me long to get through. I love a dark why choose romance and this one had an interesting premise and good writing. I also loved that the heroes were unhinged in their devotion to the heroine. This book was mainly about the heroes and heroine reuniting after having been apart since they were 10 years old and developing a relationship. I hope and assume that in the second book we’ll get more information on the heroes’ family and their uncle, because it was all kept quite secret in this one.

Hero 1: 3/5. Roux was the rough and grumpy triplet. He was protective of Tayrin, but at one point he also thought she was conspiring with a rival family which I didn’t get at all. There was zero proof that that was the case and Layrin had done nothing to warrant the suspicion.
Hero 2: 5/5. Ravi was my favourite. He was the charming cinnamon roll who had puppy energy, but he was pretty unhinged when it came to his obsession with Layrin. All he wanted was to make her happy and earn her love.
Hero 3: 4/5. Rion was the intense and serious triplet. He was good with computers and used that to stalk Layrin through cameras a lot.
Heroine: 4/5. I liked Layrin. She was tough, but she still had vulnerable moments and deep insecurities. I do think she made a dumb decision towards the end though: .

POV: 1st person POV (Roux, Ravi, Rion and Layrin).

Push/Pull:

Sadness: 0/5.

Explicit Sex and Spice Level: Yes. 3/5.

OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) Drama: Kind of.

Separation:

Cheating: No.

Closure/Ending: This book ends on a cliffhanger.

Possible Triggers:
Profile Image for Ve (ve_xo).
671 reviews113 followers
September 19, 2024

I enjoyed this one! Perfect for lovers of Dark Romance, why choose, and secret society.

The main character’s tough upbringing and struggle to escape her cursed reputation really tugged at my heart. I was rooting for her the whole way through. When she gets that life-changing opportunity to attend an exclusive university, I felt like I was on the journey with her, hopeful for a fresh start.

But then, enter the Ambros triplets! These boys are all grown up, and their connection with the main character is INTENSE. 🔥 I loved the way they showed up for her, protective and caring, but with an hint of darkness that made the tension between them so addicting. The line between what’s right and wrong, good and bad, blurred so perfectly, and the obsessive pull between them had me turning pages like crazy.
This dark romance kept me on my toes with its twists, secrets, and complicated emotions. If you’re looking for something where trust is tricky and the heroine doesn’t have to choose between love interests, this is it!

I can’t wait to read more! Huge thanks to the author for gifting me the copies. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for alex.
947 reviews179 followers
September 17, 2024
3.5 stars ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

・ 。゚☆:Obsessions of the Heart *.☽ .*:☆゚

⁺₊★·.´🎧✩°。 0:56 ──♡───── 3:32 ⁺₊🎧★·.·´

🎶
Tell all of your friends that I'm crazy and drive you mad
That I'm such a stalker, a watcher, a psychopath
🎶

As Layrin (h) spends more time with the Ambros triplets (H), she begins to notice a darker, more obsessive undertone to their protectiveness. What initially appears as a generous offer of support starts to blur into something more unsettling, revealing the complexities and shadows beneath their seemingly benevolent intentions.

─── ・ 。゚☆: THOUGHTS*.☽ .*:☆゚. ───

Wow, this book has really been a game-changer for me. I was deep in a reading slump, struggling to find anything that could pull me out of it. Then I stumbled upon this book, and I’m so grateful I did—it’s exactly what I needed. There’s a lot going on in this story, and it’s hard to pin down exactly what made it so captivating, but I think it’s a mix of the characters and their dynamics. Each character brought something unique to the table, and that kept things interesting and engaging. Layrin, is not your typical character who just lets life happen to her. Instead, she’s fiercely independent, knows what she wants, and goes after it with determination. I love that about her. She’s the kind of resilient female protagonist I always find myself gravitating towards. It’s really unfortunate that she’s been branded as bad luck or cursed throughout her life. In reality, it’s the Ambrose brothers who are behind the chaos she’s experienced. It’s kind of a twist that they’re the ones causing all the misfortune she’s endured, but their actions come from a place of deep care—even if it’s a bit obsessive. I get that to some, their behavior might seem unhinged or deranged, but I find it oddly romantic. They’ve been looking out for her since they left the orphanage, and even though their methods are extreme, their intentions are to protect her and ensure her safety.

[Ravi]

“How did she look? What did she smell like? Did you grab a memento? Please tell me you snagged something! Her toothbrush, her comb… maybe a piece of clothing? Please, please, please tell me you have some bit of a brain in that large, thick head of yours and grabbed one of her panties? It would be even better if you grabbed a couple, but beggars can't be choosers, you know?”


Ravi is like a walking ray of sunshine and totally gives off that adorable puppy dog energy. I just can’t help but love him. His obsession with her is kind of intense, but it’s also super endearing. He’s always fascinated by her and just wants to be around her, soaking up all the affection she’s willing to give. It’s like he’s this lovable puppy who needs all the love and attention. Honestly, he’s basically a golden retriever in human form, and I’m here for it. Sure, his obsession can get a little unhinged and over-the-top, but that’s part of what makes him so compelling. His charismatic energy and genuine personality really draw you in and make you want to keep reading about him. He’s also way more approachable, which makes sense why he was the first to reconnect with her. His warmth and care really stand out, and it’s hard not to root for him. I’m definitely looking forward to more of his scenes because he brings such a positive vibe to the story. Don’t be fooled—despite all that sunshine and puppy dog energy, he’s definitely got a darker edge. Even with his intense obsession and occasional unhinged moments, there’s something irresistibly charming about him. It’s that mix of charisma and unpredictability. So yeah, his psychotic side might be a bit unsettling, but it just makes him all the more intriguing and, in a twisted way, perfect. He’s definitely one of those characters who makes you go, “I know he’s a bit unhinged, but he’s just so baby!”

[Rion]

Didn’t Rion give her money? Why wasn't she eating enough? Stupid girl.


Rion is definitely an interesting mix compared to the other brothers. He’s got this unique blend of traits that make him stand out. He’s right in the middle of the spectrum with his personality, giving off that strong protective vibe and peacemaker energy. He’s got this alpha male side to him, especially when it comes to making sure she’s okay. He’s constantly on guard, ready to step in and ensure that no one messes with her. That level of dedication and his obsession with her add a lot of depth to their dynamic. It’s fascinating how he manages to balance being protective while still being genuinely present in her life. He spends time with her, listens to her, and really engages with her, which makes their relationship feel authentic. The way he’s always on alert yet still manages to be a supportive presence creates this perfect blend of care and intensity. Rion’s obsession with her is intense and all-consuming, and honestly, I can’t get enough of it. It’s not just a casual fixation; it’s deep and pervasive, and it colors everything he does. I love how his dedication is so all-encompassing. There’s something captivating about how he’s constantly focused on her, making sure she’s safe and okay, and how his presence is almost always felt. His vibes are just so compelling. There’s this intensity in how he cares for her that feels both overwhelming and completely absorbing. It’s not just about being protective; it’s about being so invested in her well-being that it drives his every action.

[Roux]

Roux sighed. “Fine, but I want it on record that I didn't like this from the beginning. She’s just going to… get in the way and be a distraction for you two. A distraction that we don’t need right now.”


Roux is definitely the brooding, silent type, which gives him this intriguing, mysterious vibe. He’s the kind of guy who’s often lost in thought and keeps his emotions tightly under wraps. What’s really striking is his frustration with his brothers moving faster than he is. It’s not that he’s not interested in her—he absolutely is. It’s just that his main focus is on her safety and making sure everything unfolds just right. He’s got this calculated approach where he’s constantly evaluating the situation, prioritizing her well-being over making any hasty moves. Even though he’s keenly interested in her and wants to be involved, he’s willing to hold back until he’s sure everything is under control. It’s this careful, deliberate nature that makes him stand out. When Roux does decide to act, it’ll be with all the precision and thoughtfulness he’s known for, making sure it aligns perfectly with his goal of protecting her.

─── ・ 。゚☆: OVERALL*.☽ .*:☆゚. ───

They’re all so unhinged in their own unique ways, but that’s what makes them so great. There’s something incredibly compelling about their flaws and their intense personalities. It’s like they’re a beautiful mess, and that’s exactly what makes them unforgettable. Whether it’s their obsessive tendencies, brooding silence, or just their off-the-charts charisma, they bring so much depth. You can’t help but be drawn into their chaotic world and root for them despite their quirks. They’re definitely my babies—unpredictable and intense, but completely captivating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
859 reviews17 followers
November 26, 2024
I honestly am not sure how to feel about this book.....spoilers?


Nothing happens.

I'm sorry I know we are supposed to be ready for this big build up and we are going to hopefully have some suspense since she gets kidnapped at the end of the book. But nothing else really happens. They go to class, get possessive, and that's it.

I needed more, God even more conversation I feel like we are told everything and never see anything. They care for each other in childhood and we see momentos but no huge flashbacks or references. So how do you make us feel the connection? We also get jumps in time where it just says yup over the last 3 weeks I've been hanging out with the guys and have learned the following things: and then lists them. Again told not shown.


Another sticking point for me is when I a rh you take one character and split it into three people. All three think the exact same way. Honestly if the name wasn't listed at the beginning of the chapter I would have ZERO chance of telling you which of the triplets was in that chapter. Outwardly I know she did the quiet observant one, the golden retriever one, and the angry one. Honestly though we don't get to see that much because again we are told these personalities and they don't shine through in their chapters. Mam, I am down for your insane stalker obsession plot you have me on the hook with the weirdest aspect of these guys, but finish it up with real personality.

Oh, speaking of personality.....anyone know where to find our main characters? She just is so flat for me. She gets sassy? Sort of? But is maybe a little innocent? Curious but not enough to ever find answers or ya know ask any. She is surrounded by shady ass people and she just keeps thinking they won't answer so why ask. Why ask? Mam. You ask because you've almost died, everyone around you is loaded and somehow all connected and everything in the house you live in is locked and secret. That's why ask. It just makes me happy she gets kidnapped. The scene before her kidnapping though, I feel like the first two bedrooms of secret stuff bothered her too much? I know it's a stalker romance and only some of us read this and think what's the problem but it was weird but not to the extent of her anger weird especially since we hinted at some darker thoughts she was starting to have....but ....

Third room yeah. I would be freaked out by that.




I'm not sure I'll read the next book. I don't feel invested and I don't feel like reading a book about them getting her back, working on her trauma and betrayal, them whining about loving her and her not understanding how much. I just wish I had more to keep me going.
Profile Image for Nicole Minken.
169 reviews28 followers
July 11, 2024
"𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳."

💋 𝚆𝚑𝚢 𝙲𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚜𝚎
🥀 𝚃𝚛𝚒𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚜
💋 𝙼𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚒𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝙿𝙾𝚅
🥀 𝙾𝚋𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗
💋 𝙳𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝙰𝚌𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚊
🥀 𝚄𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜
💋 𝚃𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚑𝚎𝚛 & 𝚍!𝚎
🥀 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝙼𝙼𝙲𝚜
💋 𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝 𝚂𝚘𝚌𝚒𝚎𝚝𝚢
🥀 𝚃𝚛𝚊𝚞𝚖𝚊 𝚁𝚎𝚙
💋 𝙼𝚢𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚢
🥀 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎

I absolutely devoured this book! It was so hard to put it down and do anything else, and when I was doing something else I kept thinking about how I'd rather be reading this book. I couldn't get enough of it. I swear it just had everything I needed.

This is meant to be a completely spoiler free review so I can't really tell you much more than what's in the description. I did leave tiny hints in the trope list. That's how I went into this book as well, and I was absolutely blown away with how much I deeply enjoyed it.

It's starts out at the orphanage where our FMC meets and befriends the triplet MMCs. They become close, and then they're separated.
She grows up being known as the cursed child because of the unfortunate things that happen to the people around her.
Then she's given a once in a lifetime opportunity at the right moment, and ends up running into the Triplets who are now super hot & rich adults.... and they are absolutely obsessed with her.
Even though they're all obsessed and clearly unhinged, the romance itself isn't dark, the book just has darker themes all through out.
There's a mystery behind who she is, and also behind who the Triplets are and what they do.
I loved the mystery aspect of it.
This book also made me laugh a lot from the unhinged friends she makes and one of the Triplets, like everything he did had me cackling.
It does end on a cliffhanger because it's a duet but the next one comes out August 1st, so the wait isn't even too bad.
Profile Image for Maria Elena | pagesofmaria.
782 reviews235 followers
August 24, 2024
When why choose romance is done well, I’m obsessed and this, my friends, was done well.

The Ambros Brothers duet is a dark romance where the lines between good and bad are blurred. Obsessions of the Heart is the first book and it follows Layrin, who lives with the stigma of being “cursed”. Her chance to have a fresh start comes when she receives a scholarship to an exclusive university far away—one she doesn’t remember applying for. Little does she know that her old friends from the orphanage, the Ambros triplets, are there too, and they want to make good on their old promise to protect her.

Well, they keep their promise, and we as the reader get to see the lengths they’ll go to do just that. I adored the bond between the brothers and Layrin, already from their days at the orphanage. Layrin starts looking out for them the moment they set foot into the orphanage and a bond forms between the four of them. A bond the brothers have not forgotten, even when they’re forced to leave her behind. This devotion makes me especially weak once you factor in the morally grayness of these men. It takes a while for Layrin to be aware just how close she is to the brothers again and for present interactions to happen, but once they do, they’re delicious. And honestly the buildup was half the fun!

There is tension, spice, a bit of mystery, and all the allure of secret societies and rivalries in a college setting, but also some fun moments with Layrin, the brothers, and even the secondary characters that made me smile. The book ends with a bang, but thankfully the sequel is already out!

Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Lizs.book.nook ||Elizabeth||.
1,390 reviews47 followers
July 4, 2024
I freaking loved this book! Kira Stanley sucked me in right from the starting line and kept me hooked until the very last word! I adore Layrin. She is so resilient, tough, smart, kind, and just all around awesome. She is such a great FMC and I love seeing her story unfold. Then there are the Ambros triplets…oh my danggggggg! Rion, Ravi, and Roux were something else y’all *fans self*. And their obsession and devotion to Layrin…holy swoon! However, these brothers have a lot of history that Layrin is in the dark about and it might just be their downfall…time will tell.

I cannot wait to see where Kira Stanley takes this story in the next book of the duet! I need to know what happens!!!!! I am in way too deep with these characters, I am wholly invested. The anticipation will be so worth it though.
Profile Image for Paperbackstoriess.
251 reviews22 followers
August 22, 2024
It was a good read but I felt like the book could have been shorter. That way, the story could have been in a single book instead of duet but none the less, I loved the suspense. I'm excited to read the 2nd book. Also, I don't understand what could have been so bad to hide it from her. Let's hope the suspense is worth waiting for.

Tropes & T/Ws:
>> Dark romance
>> RH/ Why Choose
>> Suspense/ Secrets
>> Secret-society
>> Overprotective MMCs / Obsession
>> Dark Academia
>> Violence / Murder
>> Drugging / Poisoning
>> Multiple POV
>> Orphans / Long lost friends
>> Triplets / Stalker
>> Childhood Trauma
>> Tech Geek
>> Ends on a ciff-hanger

The story continues in the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Sarah Froiland.
61 reviews8 followers
July 14, 2024
A wonderfully written book!
This starts out as children who end up meeting when the triplets get brought to the orphanage that Layrin is living in. Layrin puts herself in the line of fire to save the boys from punishment from the woman running the orphanage.
The story picks up years later and Layrin is now in danger because of their mafia association, the guys will do anything to protect her.
I absolutely love the reverse harem aspect of this book. The love and devotion shown by the guys is just astounding.
Profile Image for Kassie.
348 reviews3 followers
September 18, 2024
Tropes:

•Mafia Romance

•Academic Romance

• Mafia School

•whychoose/reverse Harem

•MFMM

•Triplets

•"touch her and di£"

•"Who did this to you?"

•Overprotective MMC's

•Morally Grey MMC's

•Exhibition

•Breeding Kink

•Biting

•Hidden Identity

This book is just wow…… if you take Forbidden Romance and mixed it with friendship. This is what you get.

The characters keep you interested the entire time. And that major Cliff hanger omg. I wanted to just keep reading.

Loved it 100%
339 reviews3 followers
October 6, 2024
What a wild ride. Layrin has definitely had her fair share of hardships throughout her life, but when her three childhood friends reappear, she learns that not everything is as it seems. Among both new and old friends, Layrin needs to decide if she can trust the people around her, while those friends all desperately want to protect her and keep her on their side. And with that cliffhanger? I’m not sure how anyone will come back from it! Can’t wait for the next one!
July 9, 2024
Layrin, Rion, Roux, + Ravi

-whychoose
-triplets
-secret society
-dark academia
-stalker mmcs

this was real cute at first…hahaha then poor layrin found out the boys little secrets. i mean she didn’t think they were cute..but *i* totally thought they were still cute! haha can’t wait to see how they explain their ways outta this one.
Profile Image for Colleen OKeefe.
14 reviews2 followers
October 12, 2024
I LOVED this book. Absolutely amazing. Just wow. 🫠

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Melissa.
41 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2025
This book was written by like a horny high schooler with basic English skills . First book I’ve read as an adult with spelling mistakes 😵‍💫

She also doesn’t explain what Foedus is which is literally in the title. You just have to guess.

Imma read the second one tho cuz it ended in a cliff hanger
Profile Image for nikki.readsbooks.
95 reviews
October 11, 2025
Triplets, Organized Crime and a Sad Sack of a Girl

Rion Roux and Ravi. The men you are✨️ all very different but of one mind when it comes to the FMC Layrin (Rin for short)

Rin has a chip on both shoulders. One i can't blame her for. The other i want to rip off her shoulder and shake her. Snap her out of thia facade that shes unwanted or unlovable.

The Ricci's? Chefs kiss. I loved Cin and Elio off rip. I have my guard up bc there's a second book. But right now? Love him.

The ending is a cliffhanger but an expected one. Lets see what the next one has in store.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn.
351 reviews5 followers
July 30, 2024
In "Obsessions of the Heart," Kira Stanley weaves a captivating tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. From the very first page, I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. The story revolves around intense obsessions, and let me tell you, the boys in this book take it to the next level—especially Ravi! His character had me both intrigued and amused.

The novel delves into darker themes, so be sure to heed the warnings. But if you're a fan of unexpected twists, suspense, and a touch of spice, this book is a must-read. Stanley's writing style is engaging, and I'm eagerly anticipating the next installment in this series.

🌶️ 🌶️ - MMMF why choose w triplets and does end on a cliff
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