There’s one rule in don't cross the tracks into Daringville unless you’ve been invited by the Brotherhood. Freya has never been one to follow the rules, and she’s not going to start now—especially when her brother Alec goes missing, and his last known whereabouts leads straight to the notorious elite gang.
Freya finds herself forced to confront the very danger she’s fought her whole life to escape from—but not all danger involves guns and knives. Sometimes the biggest risks you take are the ones involving your heart—and when Alec’s disappearance is linked to three sexy, powerful members of the brotherhood, Freya’s on the firing line in more ways than one.
All roads seem to intersect with the Brotherhood, and the only way to find her brother alive is to infiltrate their deadly games, even if it means risking everything. As Freya delves deeper into the lion's den, she discovers there are no lines she won't cross to bring her brother home safely—or avenge him if it's too late.
A suspenseful, murder mystery, why choose standalone from the Daring Brotherhood series.
A girl living in a trailer, literally on the wrong side of the tracks, is forced to spend time with her 3 sworn enemies, rich guys in a mafia like organisation, one of whom happens to be her best friend's brother? And everyone has some serious deep dark secrets they're guarding? Sign me up!
I was completely drawn in from the beginning and read this in one sitting. The characters, their backgrounds, their development and their interactions with one another was chefs kiss. I was so drawn into the story that I did not see the ending coming, but looking back at it now there were hints along the way. Very clever and very well planned by the author. It was such a fast paced book and left such an impact for a novella. I am still reeling over that ending hours later. I would say that it is a must read for anyone who enjoyed the Madison Kate series by Tate James, as this story gives very similar vibes, but feels like it has more at stake and emotionally drags you in more. It does end on a cliff-hanger, so be forewarned.
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, forbidden love, best friends sibling, childhood friends reunited, betrayal and redemption, why choose, class difference romance, mafia/organised crime vibes, missing sibling, before time runs out
This book was outstanding, captivating my attention and refusing to let go.
As someone who usually relies on audio books due to reading struggles, I was thrilled to receive Jenna Lee's advanced reader's copy.
The book ticked all the boxes, delivering a rich and emotional reading experience that brought me to tears multiple times. The character interactions were equally compelling, enriching the story.
I'm eagerly anticipating the sequel.
Thank you, Jenna Lee, for allowing me to be part of your ARC reader team. 😊❤️
Spicy, friends to strangers, strangers to lovers, murder, small town, wrong side of the tracks, slow burn, death of brother, drug use, alcohol use.
Wow what more could have been added to this novella. It worked so well that I didn’t want to put this one down till it was finished then went looking for the next book.
You can find this review and all my others over at Read Book. Repeat
Actual rating of 4.5
There are rules in Daringville, one of which is that you don't cross the tracks that separate it from Daringhood unless you have an invitation from The Brotherhood. Freya is never one to follow rules though, and when her brother Alec goes missing, she'll stop at nothing to bring him home. When Alec's disappearance leads her to the elite gang, she steps into the lion's den and will fall down every rabbit hole she comes across, even if it puts her heart on the line.
I'd fallen in love with Dark Romance a couple of years ago, I've been on a huge horror kick for about 18 months now, but I'll jump into a Dark Romance here and there. I wasn't sure how I'd go with this one as the FMC is quite young (compared to me) but I found that the ages of the characters didn't impact my read at all, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The story itself is quite intriguing, there's the mystery of Alec going missing, but there's also subtle hints at what life used be like for our FMC when they were younger, which added another dimension to the story for me. We first meet her after she's snuck across the tracks to attend a party, the spice kicks off virtually straight away, but it fits with the plot, so it worked. Sometimes having the spice come into it a bit too early can ruin a read for me, but not this time. I found myself struggling to put this book down as the actual story line is solid and Daring wrote a fantastic mystery here. I feel like it's really paved the way for her to really deep dive into the worlds of Daringville and Daringhood and create something complex and rich. One thing I also loved about this book, it's book 1 in a series, but it didn't spend the entire page count setting up, we got a brief rundown on how it all works and who's who in the mansion, and the rest of it was solid writing and story.
The characters were an enjoyable bunch, and I honestly loved all of them. The FMC is feisty and reckless, she's passionate and loyal and she loves her brother with everything that she is. The MMCs were dark, dangerous, delicious and I also wanted to smack them upside the heads at different points, but I still enjoyed every single one of them. I even adored the secondary characters; they were incredibly well written. One thing I think is hard to do, is to write an antagonist that brings an air of dangerous that's on another level. One where you actually fear their decisions and punishments, someone who seems infallible. I feel like Daring did a fantastic job at writing this type of character, while he didn't feel as brutal as some other's I've come across, he definitely did bring it, and I applaud her for that. Being able to make a human scary, is no easy feat, but Daring managed it.
The spice was done well, though I did find myself skimming through the last spicy scene we received as I just felt like it was one scene too far. I'd have been happy for it to be left at the one before it, but it didn't ruin the story for me, as I said, I just skimmed through it and got back to the plot.
I don't want to go into too much detail as I feel like it's better to go into this one with the little amount the blurb gives you. All in all, this was a solid read that deals with heavy subjects and the various vices that people will turn to in order to deal with their pain and trauma. I enjoyed all of the characters thoroughly, I feel like Daring wrote a fantastic mystery and I'm thoroughly looking forward to reading the next instalment. If you like a darker romance that has spice AND solid plot, give this one a go.
The spice right off out of the gate had me worried.
While I love some great spice, for me storyline is more important so I was a little concerned when there was spice in the 1st chapter. However it was like a little taste test as the story quickly became more of a slow burn which I love. There is more spice towards the last 3rd of the book as well. I think this is my first delve into the dark romance scene and I have to say I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, although that being said I feel like this one is probably more on the tame side compared to a lot of dark romance. (again first one so I have no real reference point). I liked the why choose romance and through that the development of the relationships between the FMC and the MMCs was done well and for the most part felt believable. There was one MMC that I wish the FMC had more on page meaningful interactions with as her change of heart towards him seemed the least logical and believable. There was a good amount of character development which I felt was done well through the multiple POVs, however I wish there was more for the FMC and also for Gage as there was so many questions that felt unanswered. That could possibly have been intentional and coming in further books in the series though so I will wait and see.
The pacing for the most part was good, however it did slow a bit in the middle and I also did find some of the dialogue a little repetitive, particularly some of the inner dialogue. The world was interesting, the city is controlled by a mafia like organisation and split by class, giving it an almost dystopian feel to it. The storyline had me intrigued in the beginning and the murder mystery aspects of it were well done. I didn't see the final twist coming and be warned there is a cliff-hanger. Also this is a dark romance and therefore you should check trigger warnings as there are quite a few. Prominent ones I think of note are substance abuse, child abuse, torture, gun violence including murder and sexual harassment/assault.
What to expect: - Why choose - Mafia vibes - Best friends sibling - Forbidden romance - Class difference romance - Murder mystery - Hate (enemies) to Lovers - Corrupt leaders - Rival gangs
I am apart of the Books and Bitches ARC Team and received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Once again, another new author to me and what a great story so far.
A strong, passionate FMC named Freya, who lives on the wrong side of the tracks with her brother, Alex, and their drug-addicted mother. They weren't always on that side though, which we learn more about as the story unfolds. Her best friend, Amirah, is on the other side and regularly sneaks her over the tracks in disguise to spend time with her. You don't cross the tracks without serious consequences.
When Alex goes missing, Freya turns to the three heirs to the Brotherhood - the rulers of the town - for help in locating him. Amirah's brother, Gabe, and his two best friends, Hazen and Lucas, want to find him too but not for the same reasons as her.
Nobody seems to know where he is except for an anonymous person sending text messages to Freya. They have their suspicions, but are the four of them on the right path? And can they stop themselves from blurring the lines between enemy to lover?
This does end on a cliffhanger and what a twist we are left with......
Looking forward to the next book.
4 stars
Tropes: Dark romance, enemies to lovers, strong FMC, why choose, multi POV, first person POV, best friends sibling, forbidden romance, mafia vibes, class difference romance, betrayal and redemption, missing sibling, murder mystery, small town, wrong side of the tracks, slow burn.
There was absolutely no relationship development. I didn't even fully understand why Freya and the boys hated each other, and then suddenly they were agreeing to be in a polyamorous relationship? There was zero chemistry, zero buildup. There were a few sex scenes, but even those didn't feel fully fleshed out. This was what sounded like a very emotional story, yet that was completely glossed over.
Even with the absolute mess of romance, this still could have had potential with the plot. It sounded intriguing and did have me hooked. But it was also fumbled. The timeline was choppy, messy, and it felt like we jumped all over the place with no real explanation of things. Some parts were incredibly predictable, while others seem to come completely out of nowhere with no real thought put into it.
It's not often I fail to find anything positive to speak on for a book, but unfortunately this is one of them. The only reason I pushed through is because it was short and I had assumed this was a standalone, but it is not. This also had a major impact on my rating, because the Goodreads description very clearly says it is a standalone. It does end on a cliffhanger, although it wasn't intriguing enough to give me any desire to continue on.
Overall, this was a book that could have had so much potential, but was absolutely butchered. Super disappointing.
Don't cross the tracks from the poor to the rich society, or there will be consequences. Freya and her brother Alex now live on the poor side of the tracks with their addict mother. They used to live in a highly rich society before they were kicked out because their mom got addicted to drugs. Freya sneaks to the other side to see her best friend, whose brother is one of the three sexy guys in the brotherhood. When her brother Alex goes missing, it is those three who help her to find him. She is also getting mysterious cryptic texts that seem to be someone who knows where her brother is or is involved. What happens when she gets close to the 3 guys from the brotherhood? Will she ever find her brother?
This one starts with a BAM that had me hooked from the beginning. Everything happens in the beginning, and as they look for her brother the clues, the action slows a bit. This is when there, guys, and Freya build a working relationship to possibly more. It is a rollercoaster ride, and I love a good Why Choose romance. I loved this one and want more. One-click today.
“There are no second chances with The Brotherhood.”
2⭐️ I really wanted to like this, but I found myself getting so easily distracted which I think means that I didn’t really like it. I was constantly checking my phone, playing and doing other things not really paying attention when I was reading. It just didn’t hold my attention. I can’t even tell you now the distinguishing features between the three MMC’s. They just felt very same same.
I didn’t really get their connections. The timelines felt very distorted. It bounced around a lot. I didn’t really get why they hated her but then they were into her. I didn’t understand a lot and I don’t know if that’s because I was just so dissociating when I was reading it or if the plot wasn’t well laid out I’m not sure.
I think I probably should’ve DNF’d this. The only reason I continued on was the timeline. I had a couple of days in between a buddy read that I’d organised so I just continued on because I didn’t want to start another book in that time frame. I wasn’t invested enough in the storyline. I didn’t love it. I’m gonna be real. Sorry!
This book was pure magnificence. I could not put it down and read in one late night sitting with tissues, laughter and a few cringes.
The story follows a girl living in a trailer, literally on the wrong side of the tracks, who has to spend time with her three sworn enemies—rich guys in a mafia-like organisation, one of whom is her best friend’s brother.
The characters in this book were fabulous— I enjoyed every one of them. Freya is feisty and reckless, fiercely loyal, and loves her brother with all her heart. The male leads are dark, dangerous, and irresistibly charming even when they are as devious and evil as it is possible to be.
The spice started from the beginning and only got hotter! Given the nature of the story it was necessary and it was seriously dark and HOT.
Overall it was a great fast-pasted novella and the clif hanger just left me wanting more. I highly recommend this for anyone into dark why-choose stories.
What to expect: - Why choose - Mafia vibes - Best friends sibling - Forbidden romance
Well, I’m officially out of my book slump! This book has it all - sexy MCs, a mystery, spice, lots of drama and a crushing cliffhanger!
Deadly Little Games centers around the FMC, Freya, who lives on the poor side of the tracks (Daringhood) and loves to not follow the rules. Freya once lived in Daringville (the rich side of town) until her mother got addicted to drugs and her and her brother were kicked out. Daring is run by the Brotherhood, a group of ruthless men who have sworn to always put the Brotherhood first. When Freya’s brother goes missing she turns to three members of the Brotherhood, Gage, Lucas and Hazen to help her find him.
The story moves fast. Freya is racing to save her brother while being pulled in my Gage, Lucas and Hazen. Something big is happening in Daring and no one but a mysterious texter seems to know what’s happening.
The ending will break your heart and leave you anxiously awaiting the next book which isn’t set to release until June. 😭
3/5 🌶 5/5 ⭐️ Dark Romance Bit of a slow burn Enemies to lovers Strong FMC Why choose Possessive MMC'S First person pov Cliffhanger endding you have been warned ⚠️
Jenna is a new author for me but i absolutely loved this book! Im a massive fan of dark romance and she has definitely nailed this book. It gave me maddison kate vides with alot of plot. The spice of very slow and it has alot of trauma so definitely read triggers warnings.
Freya has been through alot but man does she hold her own against these boys. Her family have been thrown to the wrong side of tracks untill her brother goes missing and her childhood enemies come knocking. But did i mention that they are smoking hot 🔥 and they all find it harder to keep the boundaries that are needed to stay up to keep the pace.
This is a great short read with more to come... and i cant wait.
Oh hell yeah, it is game on with this read in all the best ways! The girl from the wrong side of the tracks, a brotherhood with a war brewing, three hot as sin guys with the power of Gods, murder, wicked parties, nights that blaze with heat, and a sinister game that’s only just beginning. On fire right from the start with characters you just wanna devour, this is an absolutely delicious dark romance! A read you just lose yourself in, dark, deadly, so hot, and so intriguing. Freya and her guys just keep on surprising you throughout the whole read, with growth, with hearts that you weren’t sure existed, and it keeps you hanging on every interaction craving more. The plot twists and winds it’s way to an end you don’t see coming, the depth to how dark their pasts are and how much its affected them is haunting, and all you want is more.
Freya and Alec were part of the elite group for a long time until they got kicked out because their mom was stealing from Dominic who was the leader of the group. She was addicted to drugs and they were forced to live on the other side of the tracks because of it. She was still friends with her best friend growing up and she would meet her at the tracks and she would go to her house. One night there was a party but Freya was wearing a disguise. She went upstairs to use the bathroom but all the rooms were in use so she went to the one room that was empty. Turns out it was her best friends brother. He knew who she was and he confronted her with his 2 friends. They told her to leave. She did. Freya went through a lot in this book. She had a lot of ups and downs in general especially with Lucas, Hazen and Gage. This ended on a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to read the next one.
Goddamn, I was sucked in from the first chapter! This story is fast paced, action packed, spicy, thrilling and will have you questioning everything, oh and I better not forgot the emotional damage!
Freya is our FMC, I adore her, she is sassy and strong willed. She is now an outcast, a ‘hoodrat’ but has now somehow found her way to being mixed up with childhood friends, Gage, Lucas and Hazen, from the elite side of town, who also happen to be the leaders of the Daring Brotherhood. Oh, did I mention they are sexy and deadly as hell?!
All 4 of our MC’s have their own demons, the relationship they all build together is beautiful and you can feel the intense bond as the story progresses.
But damn I need book 2 right now!!!
This book will capture your attention from the start and you will not want to put it down!
Oh my gosh… this book had me not wanting to put it down!
This is the first book I have read of Jenna’s and now I need to go through her backlist… it had me on the edge of my seat and that cliff hanger… I NEED the next book now! If you love a wrong side of the tracks, elite vs slum, reverse harem then jump as this one!
Each of the men was a different type, brooding, dark and oh so perfect, but I love Lucas! I absolutely love that this is such a good plot filled novella and has you wanting more, you get some spice but definitely doesn’t take over from the overall story!
I cannot wait for the next book!!
Thank you so much Jenna Daring for the chance to enjoy this as an ARC.
This book got me out of my reading slump. After finishing and moving into our new place, I just could not get into any story. I started this one last night and already finished it. Love how strong Freya is, she has gone through so much trauma and she just keeps on going. There is so much mystery in the plot line and I love the developing story. I really hope to find out more about the past and how we got to this point. These three guys are your typical Alpha types but eventually show their softer side with Freya. I really do feel for all the characters at some point in this book. Everyone has a story and you can't help but hope for a better outcome. The cliffhanger has left me reeling, that is not how I saw this one going. I can't wait for Deadly Little Hearts to be released.
I just finished Deadly Little Games by Jenna Daring!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Look, I devoured this in less than a day!! It was fast moving, great spice, and great plot, with a HUGE twist at the end that I did not see coming at all.
It’s a dark romance, reverse harem, why choose book. It’s about a girl, Freya, who’s brother ends up working for the Brotherhood that own the town, and she has to cross over to their side to try and find out what happens to her brother. She ends up involved with the 3 Brotherhood heirs. I can’t tell you much else without accidentally spilling the beans. This ends of a HUGE cliffhanger!
Definitely check it out! I enjoyed it so much, and I am so excited for the second book in The Daring Brotherhood series.
I don't even know where to begin with this review but let me just say I loved this book. I've seen the book around for a while but it was always just on my TBR pile but boy am I glad I opened my kindle.
I read this book in one day.
The men...the boys...I love them each for different reasons, but my absolute favourite has to be Lucas. There's just something cheeky and fun about him, and yet endearingly protective that I have to have him.
Oh my god I loved this book, had me hooked from the very beginning. I loved the story line and the characters. Freya is one strong Girl but she needs to be. Loved the connection she has with her brother Alec, they have both been dealt with a crappy life.
Three hot guys 🥵 members of The Brotherhood - Cage, Lucas and Hazen. This book had me wanting to know more, how they all intertwined, I could not put it down.
This book has sex, heartbreak, love, mystery, murder drugs, addiction. The ending what the hell. I need the second book like now
Dark romance Why choose Touch her and die Spice
Love this book so much and definitely worth reading 🖤❤️🖤❤️
Freya's brother Alec disappears ... and her search to find him takes her to the Brotherhood, an elite criminal gang in the dark underbelly of Daringville. Not only does she find the gang, she finds three powerful alpha males who don't mind sharing...
With so much on the line, Freya is thrust back into the world she had left behind years ago, and the men she finds herself surrounded by prove too strong to resist.
Tropes: Why Choose, mafia, dark romance, enemies to lovers, Wrong side of the tracks,
Triggers: Death, Violence, Murder, Blackmail, torture, Abduction, gang related, bullying, substance abuse, dub-con, substance abuse, S. A, S.H, exploitation
"You ways did love that cliff. One thing I can't understand is why you, of all people, can do this to me."
And Jenna, why did you do this to me? I need more. My heart is split into two after that ending, and I need book two ASAP! What a change of events.
While Freya is on a hunt to find someone close to her missing, she doesn't expect to fall for the brotherhood heirs. While they are all on the hunt for revenge, answers are found with a twist that wasn't expected, and an ending that wants you to want more.
A gripping dark reverse harem romance that grips you into a world of danger, intrigue, and passion.
Freya, a determined and fearless protagonist, as she navigates the perilous landscape of Daringville to find her missing brother, Alec. Her journey leads her straight into the heart of the Brotherhood, a notorious elite gang, where she must confront not only physical dangers but also the complexities of her own heart.
An intense and captivating book that draws you into a suspenseful narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns. The characters are well-developed, each with their own unique traits and backstories that add depth to the story. Freya’s interactions with the three powerful members of the Brotherhood are particularly compelling, showcasing a blend of tension, chemistry, and emotional conflict.
One of the standout aspects of Deadly Little Games is its ability to balance action and romance. The plot is fast-paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, while the romantic elements are woven seamlessly into the narrative, enhancing the overall emotional impact. Daring’s portrayal of Freya’s resilience and determination is inspiring, making her a relatable and admirable heroine.
Overall, Deadly Little Games is a must-read for fans of dark romance and suspense. Jenna Daring has crafted a thrilling and emotionally charged story that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
WHY!!! JENNA DARING DID YOU LEAVE ME ON A CLIFF HANGER!!!
I was emotionally invested in this book from start to finish it had all the boxes checked you could of asked for.
The way that Jenna made sure that we knew that Freya was going to be a strong FMC was amazing she got you hooked in from the get go, the way she made the relationships with each person stand differently than others was simply chefs kiss
I cant wait to see what else she has in store for our leading lady and her 3 guys
This book had me hooked from page one! Freya dives headfirst into danger, breaking all the rules to find her missing brother, and ends up getting tangled with three ridiculously hot and dangerous members of the Brotherhood. It’s packed with tension, secrets, and forbidden attraction. The enemies-to-lovers vibes are off the charts, and the twists kept me on my toes right up until the jaw-dropping ending.
Fast-paced, gripping, and full of heart-pounding moments, this one’s a wild ride. And heads-up, it ends on a cliffhanger, so you’ll be dying for the next one!
I really enjoyed this. There were some moments when the writing felt rushed and others when it was absolutely fantastic. I need to warn you not to start this book in the evening cause the chapters end on a cliffhanger. I had to force myself to go to bed. The book ends on a cliffhanger. I do wish there was more of the relationship between Frey and Kai. Mystery, intrigue, dark romance, RH, wrong side of the tracks, flashbacks, secret (not so secret) society, best friend's brother (and his friends).