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Bleeding Outside the Lines
This is a dark romance and is intended for readers 18+. Please see author's website for trigger jessallenauthor.com
Ruby is a hired killer. Trained from childhood to be empty and detached, she's never known what love is. It's not allowed. But when someone close to her questions the person she's become, Ruby's convictions begin to waver. With her guard already down, her latest mark, the handsome Cassius Cross, seizes the opportunity to infiltrate her heart.
Cassius is not a good man, he has secrets and vices, one of which has put a price on his head. Desperate to discover who hired the beautiful assassin, Cassius fights back. But he's quickly enamored by the woman keeping him in check and finds himself fighting for her instead.
Will Cassius capture Ruby's heart? Or will she go for the kill?
Ruby is a hired killer. Trained from childhood to be empty and detached, she's never known what love is. It's not allowed. But when someone close to her questions the person she's become, Ruby's convictions begin to waver. With her guard already down, her latest mark, the handsome Cassius Cross, seizes the opportunity to infiltrate her heart.
Cassius is not a good man, he has secrets and vices, one of which has put a price on his head. Desperate to discover who hired the beautiful assassin, Cassius fights back. But he's quickly enamored by the woman keeping him in check and finds himself fighting for her instead.
Will Cassius capture Ruby's heart? Or will she go for the kill?
- GenresDark RomanceDarkRomance
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2024
156 people are currently reading
786 people want to read
About the author
Jess Allen
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
March 14, 2025
For a debut author this book is amazing. I mean, it’s really good anyway but totally surprised this is a debut. I was hoping to have a backlog of books to read but I guess I have to wait until she writes more!! Ruby and Cassius are hot as hell together.
♟️ Dark romance
♟️ Female assassin
♟️ Morally black characters
I could not put this one down. It’s spicy and sexy and sinfully delicious. 🤤😊
♟️ Dark romance
♟️ Female assassin
♟️ Morally black characters
I could not put this one down. It’s spicy and sexy and sinfully delicious. 🤤😊
June 14, 2024
I am always so excited to read a new author and BOTL did not disappoint! Ruby was the perfect FMC and Cassius was her willing prey. Their dynamic was intense and let’s not forget the amazing side characters (Rowan I adore you!).
Jess’s first book was so much fun to read and dark enough to appease my appetites. I can’t wait to read more from her!
Jess’s first book was so much fun to read and dark enough to appease my appetites. I can’t wait to read more from her!
July 7, 2024
Beware this book is dark and 🌶️. Please check TW!
Let me give you a background of me. Always enjoyed true crime, thrillers, psychological thrillers, etc. I am newer to my dedicated reading adventures as it took many years to even find books I enjoyed reading. I saw the cover of this book pop up in a FB group and it looked intriguing. I thought what the hell let me give it a try because it is a shorter novel than most. I’m trying to be more open into reading things I may not normally pick.
I was not expecting to dive into a dark, captivating romance that pulled me into a world of danger, trauma, secrets, and unexpected passion. An intoxicating blend of suspense and steamy romance, making it impossible to put down. Think cat and mouse, vulnerable, and an intense battle between two peoples duties and desires. I did have a few laughs at some of the banter, but I also felt heartbreak for the Loyal Reds who are a group of girls or women who were taken out of dangerous situations/traumas and trained to be assassins.
In my opinion this book is fast paced and well written. I completed it in one day. I am surprised that this is a new author! I can now check a dark romance off the list of genres I need to try.
Let me give you a background of me. Always enjoyed true crime, thrillers, psychological thrillers, etc. I am newer to my dedicated reading adventures as it took many years to even find books I enjoyed reading. I saw the cover of this book pop up in a FB group and it looked intriguing. I thought what the hell let me give it a try because it is a shorter novel than most. I’m trying to be more open into reading things I may not normally pick.
I was not expecting to dive into a dark, captivating romance that pulled me into a world of danger, trauma, secrets, and unexpected passion. An intoxicating blend of suspense and steamy romance, making it impossible to put down. Think cat and mouse, vulnerable, and an intense battle between two peoples duties and desires. I did have a few laughs at some of the banter, but I also felt heartbreak for the Loyal Reds who are a group of girls or women who were taken out of dangerous situations/traumas and trained to be assassins.
In my opinion this book is fast paced and well written. I completed it in one day. I am surprised that this is a new author! I can now check a dark romance off the list of genres I need to try.
February 5, 2025
3.75🌟
A fast and enjoyable read, with an interesting plot and characters, but at some points it missed the mark for me.
Since it is a novella, I expected a fast pace of the action and the rapid progression of the relationship, but it felt too rushed. The whole concept of the book was amazing; I loved Ruby's organization, and I think it deserved more space on the page to shine.
Everything between Ruby and Cassius escalated very quickly because of how short the book is, so their relationship didn't seem credible. Some transitions to the sex scenes were too sudden, as if some paragraphs were missing.
*Hated that he cursed at her half the book.
A fast and enjoyable read, with an interesting plot and characters, but at some points it missed the mark for me.
Since it is a novella, I expected a fast pace of the action and the rapid progression of the relationship, but it felt too rushed. The whole concept of the book was amazing; I loved Ruby's organization, and I think it deserved more space on the page to shine.
Everything between Ruby and Cassius escalated very quickly because of how short the book is, so their relationship didn't seem credible. Some transitions to the sex scenes were too sudden, as if some paragraphs were missing.
*Hated that he cursed at her half the book.
November 11, 2024
Okay let me start off by saying this is not my usual go to genre. I’m a die hard Romantasy girl who’s wanted to dip her toes into dark romance for a while now. This book did not disappoint! Once I started I didn’t want to stop and would have finished it in one day if it weren’t for adult responsibilities.
Make sure to check trigger warnings. It was hot as hell, fast paced and suspenseful. I absolutely love an unapologetic, powerful, badass FMC who shows her vulnerability for the ones she loves and that is exactly who Ruby is. Chapter 5 will live on repeat unashamedly in my mind forever. And Cassius … ugh … enough said.
Extra bonus points for the playlist in the beginning of the book, when authors do this it is just *chefs kiss*. Just read it, you won’t regret it.
Make sure to check trigger warnings. It was hot as hell, fast paced and suspenseful. I absolutely love an unapologetic, powerful, badass FMC who shows her vulnerability for the ones she loves and that is exactly who Ruby is. Chapter 5 will live on repeat unashamedly in my mind forever. And Cassius … ugh … enough said.
Extra bonus points for the playlist in the beginning of the book, when authors do this it is just *chefs kiss*. Just read it, you won’t regret it.
July 1, 2024
I had to force myself to put this book down and get some sleep. It was absolutely amazing!!! It was an easy read, fun, sexy, dark, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t want the story to end!
June 26, 2024
Phew, what a read. Swallowed it whole in one day. The plot and writing had me hooked up from the beginning and that doesn't happen often. I will be recommending it to everyone that is looking for that type of spice 🔥
June 26, 2024
Ruby and Cassius have demons that play well together. Neither can finish the what they started and ghosts of the past come back to finish the job for them.
Definitely a 5 star read.
Definitely a 5 star read.
June 25, 2024
Loved this!!! Highly recommend reading!!
June 14, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Checkmate ♟️❤️🔥🗡️🩸
MY FRIEND WROTE A BOOOOOKKKK!!!!!!
And it’s SO.FUCKING.GOOD.
I’m SO proud of her, and hope she’s SO fucking proud of herself.
I’m not saying this book is good because I love her. I’m saying this book doesn’t feel like a debut from a fresh new author. It feels like it belongs on the shelf of the well-loved, seasoned authors who are long accomplished. IT BELONGS THERE BECAUSE IT’S THAT GOOD.
How often do you read a book, let alone the first by someone and find no errors. That will never not impress me.
This book is just that, impressive.
It’s the 👌🏼perfect👌🏼 mix of hot, dark and holy shit. It makes your jaw literally drop. I was aghast from chapter thirty-two until pretty much the end.
SHE DID THE DAMN THING. And, she did it SO well.
Jess. I can’t. 😭😍 THIS IS SO GOOD!
Ruby + Cassius
She’s the Queen. The contract killer.
He’s her latest mark. The one who threatens her entire kingdom, and might just make her cold, dead heart beat again.
Has the Queen finally met her match? Or will she end up bathing in his blood?
READ THIS BOOK. Mark your calendars. June 25th. IT’S SO GOOD!
Checkmate ♟️❤️🔥🗡️🩸
MY FRIEND WROTE A BOOOOOKKKK!!!!!!
And it’s SO.FUCKING.GOOD.
I’m SO proud of her, and hope she’s SO fucking proud of herself.
I’m not saying this book is good because I love her. I’m saying this book doesn’t feel like a debut from a fresh new author. It feels like it belongs on the shelf of the well-loved, seasoned authors who are long accomplished. IT BELONGS THERE BECAUSE IT’S THAT GOOD.
How often do you read a book, let alone the first by someone and find no errors. That will never not impress me.
This book is just that, impressive.
It’s the 👌🏼perfect👌🏼 mix of hot, dark and holy shit. It makes your jaw literally drop. I was aghast from chapter thirty-two until pretty much the end.
SHE DID THE DAMN THING. And, she did it SO well.
Jess. I can’t. 😭😍 THIS IS SO GOOD!
Ruby + Cassius
She’s the Queen. The contract killer.
He’s her latest mark. The one who threatens her entire kingdom, and might just make her cold, dead heart beat again.
Has the Queen finally met her match? Or will she end up bathing in his blood?
READ THIS BOOK. Mark your calendars. June 25th. IT’S SO GOOD!
June 21, 2024
Wow! Just WOW!!! I loved this book from start to finish! Jess did an incredible job with her debut book! Ruby & Cassius take you for a ride that you didn't know you needed to go on! There was twists & turns and moments that shook me! I am so excited to see what she writes in the future if it's anything like this! Thank you, Jess, for providing the people of the dark romance universe, a great read!
June 17, 2024
I don’t even know where to start. This book was truly captivating and I was hooked from chapter one. The spice was there and the plot was so good, with all the twists and turns you won’t want to put it down. Ruby and Cassius grabbed hold of you from the beginning and held you til the end. I loved their story and the push and pull of them. She is such a badass FMC one of the best I’ve ever read. Her and Cassius were definitely meant for each other and Jess truly brought them to life in such a good way. I cannot wait for whatever she has next for us! Thank you so much for this amazing story!
June 15, 2024
Truly captivating and better than any game of chess I’ve ever seen. So much character development and plot twists. I haven’t read a book this quickly in a long time and now I’m legitimately upset I don’t have another book in this series to read!
June 13, 2024
I truly enjoyed reading this book! The FMC is such a bad ass and Cass is perfect for her. You can tell from the very first chapter that they were going to be perfect for each other. Not a lot of spice but when there was... giiirrrll. I can't wait to read more from this author! The ending threw me for a loop for a second but once they were telling their love story, oof. Loved it!!
June 12, 2024
This was such a long awaited book for me and it did not disappoint! Ruby and Cassius snatched my attention from the first sentence and kept me hooked all the way til the end. I love that it was first person dual POV, and the plot wasn’t predictable. If you’re in the mood for a book with morally gray main characters where he falls first, Bleeding Outside the Lines should be your next read.
June 27, 2024
Jess Allen crafts a story that is both angsty and sexy, providing a gripping narrative that explores the complexities of love and identity against a backdrop of danger and intrigue.
The chemistry between Ruby and Cassius is palpable, with a dynamic that oscillates between tension and passion. Their interactions are charged with emotion, making their relationship a central highlight of the book. Allen’s ability to balance the intense action sequences with the developing romance ensures that the plot remains fast-paced and thoroughly engaging.
If you’re looking for a book that is thrilling, sexy, and filled with complex characters, "Bleeding Outside the Lines" is a must-read. Ruby’s strength and Cassius’s multifaceted nature make for a captivating story that will keep you hooked until the very end.
The chemistry between Ruby and Cassius is palpable, with a dynamic that oscillates between tension and passion. Their interactions are charged with emotion, making their relationship a central highlight of the book. Allen’s ability to balance the intense action sequences with the developing romance ensures that the plot remains fast-paced and thoroughly engaging.
If you’re looking for a book that is thrilling, sexy, and filled with complex characters, "Bleeding Outside the Lines" is a must-read. Ruby’s strength and Cassius’s multifaceted nature make for a captivating story that will keep you hooked until the very end.
July 8, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed diving into this book! Right from the beginning, the story gripped me with its fast-paced and engaging narrative. Each chapter was packed with action and intrigue, making it a quick and exhilarating read. I'm delighted I decided to give it a chance.
However, one aspect that gave me pause was how quickly the main male and female characters transitioned from hostility to vulnerability, sharing their deepest secrets almost effortlessly. While I wished for a bit more development and buildup in their relationship, especially considering the brevity of the book, I understand the constraints and can't fault it too much for that.
Overall, this was a delightfully dark adventure that kept me hooked throughout, and I would recommend it for a fun and quick read.
However, one aspect that gave me pause was how quickly the main male and female characters transitioned from hostility to vulnerability, sharing their deepest secrets almost effortlessly. While I wished for a bit more development and buildup in their relationship, especially considering the brevity of the book, I understand the constraints and can't fault it too much for that.
Overall, this was a delightfully dark adventure that kept me hooked throughout, and I would recommend it for a fun and quick read.
April 1, 2025
Our fmc is an assassin who has taken a job to take out our mmc. She likes messing with her "prey" before she kills them. Our fmc and our mmc play a game of cat and mouse. Cass tries to draw Ruby to him multiple ways. He is obsessed, and he wants her. She has to kill him, so she pulls away.
In the end, it just takes over, and they have some good spice. 🌶🌶 spice rating
SPOILER ⚠️ ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Our mmc fucks another girl to get our fmcs attention. Good intentions, bad form. Did not like that at all.
(Assassin, secret society, betrayal, secret romance, forbidden romance, obsessed mmc, bad ass fmc, bad childhood, violence, murder, blood, other woman, blood play, Knifes.)
In the end, it just takes over, and they have some good spice. 🌶🌶 spice rating
SPOILER ⚠️ ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Our mmc fucks another girl to get our fmcs attention. Good intentions, bad form. Did not like that at all.
(Assassin, secret society, betrayal, secret romance, forbidden romance, obsessed mmc, bad ass fmc, bad childhood, violence, murder, blood, other woman, blood play, Knifes.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2024
Ruby is an expert-hired assassin, and her new target is Cassius. Jess takes you on a cat-and-mouse game between the two. Ruby has never met a target like Cassius and is stunned when he is more turned on than scared of her. You are left turning the pages with all the twists and turns that you don't see coming.
I received an arc for my voluntary honest review for NN Book Blog. Jess is a new author to me, and I loved this so much. I will definitely read more from this author. If you love an assassin novel with some steaminess between the target and their assassin, you will enjoy this book.
I received an arc for my voluntary honest review for NN Book Blog. Jess is a new author to me, and I loved this so much. I will definitely read more from this author. If you love an assassin novel with some steaminess between the target and their assassin, you will enjoy this book.
December 19, 2024
This is a great dark romance book with morally grey characters. Cassius is dreamy and a force to be reckon with. That is until his past actions come back to haunt him and has a target on his back. Then we have Ruby who is the FMC and is a hot jack of all trades. This book is spicy, action packed and plot twists that you do not see coming. I loved that the league of assassin’s is female. This is a must read, let’s just say that Ruby and Cassius inner darkness go well together and in a sense are made for each other.
January 8, 2025
Chefs kiss!! This debut is amazing! I couldn’t put it down.
Ruby & Cassius are hot, spicy and morally black. Together they are fury itself!! The very first page had me hooked.
Ruby is one hell of an assassin
Cassius is her Mark.
Queen of her Kingdom, King of his.
Ruby is paid to take him out no matter the costs to her heart.
Cassius is determined to kill her before she kills him, even if she is all he can think about.
If this is Jess Allen’s debut I want to read everything she writes!
Ruby & Cassius are hot, spicy and morally black. Together they are fury itself!! The very first page had me hooked.
Ruby is one hell of an assassin
Cassius is her Mark.
Queen of her Kingdom, King of his.
Ruby is paid to take him out no matter the costs to her heart.
Cassius is determined to kill her before she kills him, even if she is all he can think about.
If this is Jess Allen’s debut I want to read everything she writes!
February 8, 2025
I really liked this book! The banter and tension between Ruby and Cassius was spot on and the story had twists and turns that I did not see coming. This was a gem in the dark of the read and I’d be willing to read more books by the author. The sexual assaults and child abuse are only in conversation form and not part of the actual violence of the storyline. Check content warnings before reading this book as it deals with heavy subject matter and involves knife play, violence, and so much more.
October 24, 2024
Ruby and Cassius kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed reading the dual perspectives. They were both very captivating, and I enjoyed the level of spice this book provided. I did leave feeling like as much as The Reds thought they were doing good trying to protect these young girls, they were also setting them up for another level of trauma. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy this type of thriller/romance.
March 22, 2025
I read this book in ONE. DAY. Absolutely ate it up. I was a bit skeptical going in, but very quickly was captured by the writing and found myself fully immersed in the story. I love finding out more and more, little tidbits about both Ruby and Cassius, as the story went on, instead of knowing their entire backstories from the get-go. And I was NOT expecting that reveal! Definitely threw me for a loop.
June 22, 2024
Omg I just finished! This was such a great read. A perfect king needing his queen and vice versa! Cassius and Ruby have and always will have my heart! The lengths they go to protect their love and life together can’t compare. This read had me on the edge of my seat. Sweating, swearing and in love. All I can say is: “This is a claiming. She. Is. Mine.”
Jess I can’t wait to read more from you!
Jess I can’t wait to read more from you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2024
"We both know life is a game, and we're about to flip the f*cking board" 🖤🩸🔪♟️👑
This story had me hooked from page 1, such a unique story. I loved the twists & turns.
The odd part was a little rushed & disjointed hence why I didn't give it a full 5 stars but overall such an amazing read.
Dark, twisty, romantic & RED ❤️😏
This story had me hooked from page 1, such a unique story. I loved the twists & turns.
The odd part was a little rushed & disjointed hence why I didn't give it a full 5 stars but overall such an amazing read.
Dark, twisty, romantic & RED ❤️😏
December 28, 2024
This is giving major Robin Hood vibes, if Robin Hood were a strong female lead assassin. The story was unique and well written. A great balance of story and spice, with some sexual tension and character growth/development. Every page left me wanting, while providing twists and surprises that I had not seen coming.
June 19, 2024
I am was so excited to read a new author she did not disappoint! Ruby was the perfect FMC and Cassius was her prey. Their dynamic was intense. It’s a perfect mix of hot and dark! I believe the queen has finally met her match that will finally make her cold dead heart….simply beat.
June 26, 2024
This is a dark romance book that you’ll love from the the start Welcome to the cat and mouse game your about to go on a ride with many different twist and turns so hang on tight and enjoy the ride.
Ruby is a bad a$$ hired killer Cassius her next mark
But could it be love?
Ruby is a bad a$$ hired killer Cassius her next mark
But could it be love?
July 14, 2024
This isn’t my usual genre and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I picked it up. I loved this book- it was well written and the plot kept me guessing until the end. Sexy, dark and mysterious yet surprisingly empathetic. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews