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They Break Beauty
I’ve caught the attention of the most dangerous men on campus.
And they’ve vowed to make my life a living hell.
Coming to Stonewell University was the beginning of a fresh start.
But in my second year, all of that changes.
Because of him.
The moment we collide, everything is put in jeopardy.
He wants to burn down what I’ve built.
He wants me corrupted and dragged into blackness just like him.
And he’s not alone.
His two dark soldiers are right by his side.
Together, they’re known as Hex.
Once you’re marked by them, your life is cursed beyond saving.
Levi Knight – Hellraiser. Volatile and tormented, vengeance courses like poison through his veins. Wearing his pain like armor, he’s feral and malicious to those who cross his path.
Mason Hall – Scourge. Controlled and scarily patient, he masks his cold-hearted brutality behind a boy-next-door façade. Calculative and vicious, he’s a devil in disguise.
Colton Sharp – Maverick. The life of the party, the wild player on campus. But beneath the shiny surface, he’s dangerous and unhinged. His reckless and erratic nature makes it impossible to see him coming before he strikes.
Cruel. Toxic. Soulless.
There’s no limit to their maddening fixation.
They’re pulling me back into savagery and shadow.
I spent years running from that old life.
But returning to that nightmare might be the only way to survive them.
This is a Dark Reverse Harem College Bully Romance with scenes of M/M.
The story concludes in WHEN KINGS FALL.
And they’ve vowed to make my life a living hell.
Coming to Stonewell University was the beginning of a fresh start.
But in my second year, all of that changes.
Because of him.
The moment we collide, everything is put in jeopardy.
He wants to burn down what I’ve built.
He wants me corrupted and dragged into blackness just like him.
And he’s not alone.
His two dark soldiers are right by his side.
Together, they’re known as Hex.
Once you’re marked by them, your life is cursed beyond saving.
Levi Knight – Hellraiser. Volatile and tormented, vengeance courses like poison through his veins. Wearing his pain like armor, he’s feral and malicious to those who cross his path.
Mason Hall – Scourge. Controlled and scarily patient, he masks his cold-hearted brutality behind a boy-next-door façade. Calculative and vicious, he’s a devil in disguise.
Colton Sharp – Maverick. The life of the party, the wild player on campus. But beneath the shiny surface, he’s dangerous and unhinged. His reckless and erratic nature makes it impossible to see him coming before he strikes.
Cruel. Toxic. Soulless.
There’s no limit to their maddening fixation.
They’re pulling me back into savagery and shadow.
I spent years running from that old life.
But returning to that nightmare might be the only way to survive them.
This is a Dark Reverse Harem College Bully Romance with scenes of M/M.
The story concludes in WHEN KINGS FALL.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2024
1079 people are currently reading
753 people want to read
About the author
Leia King
31 books179 followersWhere Damaged Heroes and Badass Heroines Collide.
Leia writes edgy and emotional stories in Dark Reverse Harem Romance. She enjoys crafting flawed heroes with a dark side and strong women who hold their own.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leiakingbooks
Website: https://leiaking.com/
Leia writes edgy and emotional stories in Dark Reverse Harem Romance. She enjoys crafting flawed heroes with a dark side and strong women who hold their own.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leiakingbooks
Website: https://leiaking.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 17, 2025
Okay so this book kept me intrigued while simultaneously pissing me off. The way the author describes every single piece of clothing is insane. It was literally draining listening to listen to them narrate each outfit down to the colors and buckles. I also don’t like how the 3rd Mason came into play, it was just like here, take her, then BAM relationship 🙄 besides that, I did like the story even though that cliffy threw me for a loop and the next one isn’t available on audible till the 11th 😤 I’ll add an extra point for a group scene though 👏🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2024
Good,but….
Spoilers*******
It had potential, but fell flat. Still good enough to read through and will probably read the conclusion. It just wasn’t as good as it could have been, the writing style was lacking.
Brianna was starting her sophomore year at Stonewell. She’s got a stalker that calls her wildflower. She’s got a best friend named Chloe. She goes to a party where we are introduced to rocker Colton and bruiser big guy Mason. It becomes clear that the fraternities are doing something to get girls alone, but Mason is working against them to stop them in their tracks. Levi is introduced as he is street fighting. The stalker texts Brianna telling her not to go to the party, but she goes anyway. Levi shows up and it becomes clear he was the one who texted Brianna. He stops someone from attacking her, but gets distracted when Mason sees him there. Mason, Levi, and Colton are friends from before and it is alluded to that they formed Hex, a secret society, that deals with things on campus. The guys all move into a house Levi purchased for them and reconnect their friendship since Levi has been away for a year. Mason and Colt are together but only behind closed doors as Mason is afraid of his father finding out. When it becomes clear that Levi is obsessing over Brianna, Mason starts to worry as Levi’s obsessions usually end in disaster. Mason takes it in himself to try and scare Brianna away from Stonewell by using Hex to bully her. Unfortunately for Mason, she’s tougher than she seems and fights back against Hex. Brianna and Levi become closer, and she admits that she knew him from before. At this point we don’t know what happened before only that they had both been kidnapped and held together. When Lev has finally had enough of Mason trying to sabotage his relationship with Brianna, he goes and takes out all the members of Hex in one fell swoop. Mason backed into a corner finally agrees to listen to Levi and Colt who has now become attached to Brianna as well. He’s still not convinced that Levi’s obsession won’t go too far, until Bree shows up and explains how they know each other. When she explains that they knew each other from being kidnapped and Mason sees that her trauma calls to Lev’s and that the two of them help each other instead of making things worse he steps down. He too falls into an instalust/instalove with her. She confides in Mason and explains that she and Levi had both been taken by this Lynch character because of who their fathers were. Levi had been 15 and she was 18. Levi was forced to watch as she had been sa. She was sa while being forced to watch her mother being shot in the head. Mason discovers that despite Bree thinking Lynch to be dead, that Levi knows he’s still alive and is trying to find him to kill him once and for all. Levi thinks he should tell her where Mason thinks it would only hurt her to know he’s alive and them not having a plan. It ends on a cliffhanger with one of Lynch’s guys texting Lev saying he’s going to hurt that which he loves.
Spoilers*******
It had potential, but fell flat. Still good enough to read through and will probably read the conclusion. It just wasn’t as good as it could have been, the writing style was lacking.
Brianna was starting her sophomore year at Stonewell. She’s got a stalker that calls her wildflower. She’s got a best friend named Chloe. She goes to a party where we are introduced to rocker Colton and bruiser big guy Mason. It becomes clear that the fraternities are doing something to get girls alone, but Mason is working against them to stop them in their tracks. Levi is introduced as he is street fighting. The stalker texts Brianna telling her not to go to the party, but she goes anyway. Levi shows up and it becomes clear he was the one who texted Brianna. He stops someone from attacking her, but gets distracted when Mason sees him there. Mason, Levi, and Colton are friends from before and it is alluded to that they formed Hex, a secret society, that deals with things on campus. The guys all move into a house Levi purchased for them and reconnect their friendship since Levi has been away for a year. Mason and Colt are together but only behind closed doors as Mason is afraid of his father finding out. When it becomes clear that Levi is obsessing over Brianna, Mason starts to worry as Levi’s obsessions usually end in disaster. Mason takes it in himself to try and scare Brianna away from Stonewell by using Hex to bully her. Unfortunately for Mason, she’s tougher than she seems and fights back against Hex. Brianna and Levi become closer, and she admits that she knew him from before. At this point we don’t know what happened before only that they had both been kidnapped and held together. When Lev has finally had enough of Mason trying to sabotage his relationship with Brianna, he goes and takes out all the members of Hex in one fell swoop. Mason backed into a corner finally agrees to listen to Levi and Colt who has now become attached to Brianna as well. He’s still not convinced that Levi’s obsession won’t go too far, until Bree shows up and explains how they know each other. When she explains that they knew each other from being kidnapped and Mason sees that her trauma calls to Lev’s and that the two of them help each other instead of making things worse he steps down. He too falls into an instalust/instalove with her. She confides in Mason and explains that she and Levi had both been taken by this Lynch character because of who their fathers were. Levi had been 15 and she was 18. Levi was forced to watch as she had been sa. She was sa while being forced to watch her mother being shot in the head. Mason discovers that despite Bree thinking Lynch to be dead, that Levi knows he’s still alive and is trying to find him to kill him once and for all. Levi thinks he should tell her where Mason thinks it would only hurt her to know he’s alive and them not having a plan. It ends on a cliffhanger with one of Lynch’s guys texting Lev saying he’s going to hurt that which he loves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2024
I’m so happy I stumbled upon this delicious treat. I’ve been disappointed a lot lately by the books I’ve read and I really needed to get out of my book funk and this delightful gem was exactly what I needed.
They Break Beauty is a dark, why choose, college romance. There is some bullying to the FMC, Brianna, who is a kick ass coder who’s not about to take anyone’s crap, let alone a man’s. She fights back with a wild, yet cunning beauty that can only come from someone who’s experienced extreme trauma. She’s reinvented herself at university after a horrifying kidnapping that happened six years ago. At her second year at Stonewell, she runs into Levi, who was also kidnapped with her. She tries to pretend that she doesn’t know him in attempts to keep the past in the past but he quickly breaks down her walls. Levi helps her out of the dark and she does the same for him.
Levi is part of a group called Hex, who is run by Mason, a repressed law student with daddy issues who always has to be in control, and the lovable, charismatic, bisexual, musician, Colt. Colt is instantly smitten with Brianna, while Mason sees her as a threat and has Hex mark Brianna without Levi and Colts support. It takes a bit for Mason to get out of his power trip and see Brianna for the dark angel she is. But after shocking truths are revealed the harem comes together in a scorching hot way!
If you’re looking for a book with obsessive alpha males and a sweet golden retriever, who like to cross swords and worship their girl, then this is the book for you! The book does end on a cliffhanger so get ready to anxiously await the next book!
They Break Beauty is a dark, why choose, college romance. There is some bullying to the FMC, Brianna, who is a kick ass coder who’s not about to take anyone’s crap, let alone a man’s. She fights back with a wild, yet cunning beauty that can only come from someone who’s experienced extreme trauma. She’s reinvented herself at university after a horrifying kidnapping that happened six years ago. At her second year at Stonewell, she runs into Levi, who was also kidnapped with her. She tries to pretend that she doesn’t know him in attempts to keep the past in the past but he quickly breaks down her walls. Levi helps her out of the dark and she does the same for him.
Levi is part of a group called Hex, who is run by Mason, a repressed law student with daddy issues who always has to be in control, and the lovable, charismatic, bisexual, musician, Colt. Colt is instantly smitten with Brianna, while Mason sees her as a threat and has Hex mark Brianna without Levi and Colts support. It takes a bit for Mason to get out of his power trip and see Brianna for the dark angel she is. But after shocking truths are revealed the harem comes together in a scorching hot way!
If you’re looking for a book with obsessive alpha males and a sweet golden retriever, who like to cross swords and worship their girl, then this is the book for you! The book does end on a cliffhanger so get ready to anxiously await the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2025
Not enough spice
Facebook could have been really good if she would have added a little bit more spice to it. I mean, they're college kids, not ninth graders. There's not any spice to this, but the story is still good. I'm going to change it to 2 stars. I don't even think it's worthy for the 3 stars when it's supposed to be a dark college romance. It's just not enough spice for her. It to be college. I mean, these are all 20 somethings, and they're not doing anything, except for a lot of vanilla, and it's like the author never watched pron or anything. I mean, if you're going to do this type of writing you should at least do your research. So authors are pretty good at it, some aren't This author was not
Facebook could have been really good if she would have added a little bit more spice to it. I mean, they're college kids, not ninth graders. There's not any spice to this, but the story is still good. I'm going to change it to 2 stars. I don't even think it's worthy for the 3 stars when it's supposed to be a dark college romance. It's just not enough spice for her. It to be college. I mean, these are all 20 somethings, and they're not doing anything, except for a lot of vanilla, and it's like the author never watched pron or anything. I mean, if you're going to do this type of writing you should at least do your research. So authors are pretty good at it, some aren't This author was not
January 18, 2025
Not so easy to break!
This is book one in the Vicious Things series and ends on a cliffhanger. Levi is back at Stonewell U to make the woman he is obsessed with his in every way. Brianna knows Levi from six years ago when they were both kidnapped and tormented. Brianna first tries to pretend she doesn't know who Levi is but he's persistent and not afraid to be underhanded when it comes to getting what he wants. While he's pursuing Brianna, his boys Colton and Mason are trying to figure out what brought him back to Stonewell U out of the blue. This is a great read and I can't wait to see what unfolds in book two, When Kings Fall.
This is book one in the Vicious Things series and ends on a cliffhanger. Levi is back at Stonewell U to make the woman he is obsessed with his in every way. Brianna knows Levi from six years ago when they were both kidnapped and tormented. Brianna first tries to pretend she doesn't know who Levi is but he's persistent and not afraid to be underhanded when it comes to getting what he wants. While he's pursuing Brianna, his boys Colton and Mason are trying to figure out what brought him back to Stonewell U out of the blue. This is a great read and I can't wait to see what unfolds in book two, When Kings Fall.
September 14, 2024
I absolutely devoured this book! I love Levi the most with his tenacity, obsession, and devotion to his Wildflower, Brianna. Colt is just a sweetheart, and Mason had me fuming. Brianna and Levi share past secrets that no one knows about. Levi wants to help Brianna by bringing her true self to light. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and can't wait to read the next one to see what happens after Brianna stormed off! I definitely recommend this book, but please check the trigger warnings before diving in!
July 27, 2025
Understanding pain & sacrifice
Well now Leia knows how to get the backstory of her characters into your head. While each has gone through something traumatic and still trying to find their own way, coming together helps them all. Levi & Brianna need the help of Colt & Mason to relieve the panic from their kidnapping. Mason needs to reign in his control issues in order to get back on good terms with all 3 of them. Colt, well he's the cupcake that they all need to ease the pain. Now to see how they handle the rest of the secrets from everyone.
Well now Leia knows how to get the backstory of her characters into your head. While each has gone through something traumatic and still trying to find their own way, coming together helps them all. Levi & Brianna need the help of Colt & Mason to relieve the panic from their kidnapping. Mason needs to reign in his control issues in order to get back on good terms with all 3 of them. Colt, well he's the cupcake that they all need to ease the pain. Now to see how they handle the rest of the secrets from everyone.
September 15, 2024
Complicated and dark
This book is a hard one emotionally, an event that forever changed 2 of the MC's still haunts them years later. When she comes back into his life, can he convince her that she is perfect for her and his brothers? Not actual like blood brothers FYI, not that kind of book LOL. It's dark, and violent and sexy and the 4 MC's have chemistry that is off the charts.
This book is a hard one emotionally, an event that forever changed 2 of the MC's still haunts them years later. When she comes back into his life, can he convince her that she is perfect for her and his brothers? Not actual like blood brothers FYI, not that kind of book LOL. It's dark, and violent and sexy and the 4 MC's have chemistry that is off the charts.
March 31, 2025
Okay, so... I read this book and was not impressed. I read a lot and I read a lot of dark romance, and this one just didn't sell it for me. I'm not sure if the chapters are too short or if it changes characters too often but I don't have enough time to like anyone. She's angry with a character, then instantly likes him, and they all fall into bed as one big happy family, and then she gets angry and leaves all over again. I will not read the second book.
November 20, 2025
Out of over 700 books I've read in the past 2 years, this is the 4th I didn't finish. I hate to not finish, as some books can just be slow starts. 20% read, and I just couldn't suffer anymore. The author tries to reel you in by referring to incidents in the past, but she gave so little, the plot seems pointless. Just jumped into things without explaining HEX, the characters, and what the heck is going on. Suspense and intrigue are so lacking, I'd rather put the book down than keep reading.
September 11, 2024
😻
I loved the storyline. But I’m gonna be honest. It started out strong, really strong, then it kinda looked like someone hit Forward really fast. Then it got a tad cheesy. I think the author def needed more time with the book. I will read the next one cause like I said I enjoyed the storyline itself.
I loved the storyline. But I’m gonna be honest. It started out strong, really strong, then it kinda looked like someone hit Forward really fast. Then it got a tad cheesy. I think the author def needed more time with the book. I will read the next one cause like I said I enjoyed the storyline itself.
July 31, 2025
Smoking hot, poorly developed characters
Umm...title says it all. The spice is i s Indian curry HOT, but it doesn't really make any sense. Even the main friendships seem like they're part of some long drawn out secret. Tension in all the wrong places. But the s*x is the well developed!
Umm...title says it all. The spice is i s Indian curry HOT, but it doesn't really make any sense. Even the main friendships seem like they're part of some long drawn out secret. Tension in all the wrong places. But the s*x is the well developed!
August 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, I liked the story and the characters and how they developed and how all of their relationships developed I was intrigued to see where it was going to go and uh the cliff hanger why do you have to do that too me
October 9, 2024
A*****
Fantastic read, and a brilliant start to a duet or series. I would recommend this author and all her books. I've enjoyed all that I have read, and this book definitely draws you in.
Fantastic read, and a brilliant start to a duet or series. I would recommend this author and all her books. I've enjoyed all that I have read, and this book definitely draws you in.
October 16, 2024
I liked it..
This was a fun, If not predictable start to a new Duet..
I like this author, but her last 3 series are so similar, that I'm getting them confused.
I'm definitely going to read book 2 however.
Would just love a bit more variation.
This was a fun, If not predictable start to a new Duet..
I like this author, but her last 3 series are so similar, that I'm getting them confused.
I'm definitely going to read book 2 however.
Would just love a bit more variation.
March 20, 2025
Did not make it very far before giving up
It was just…nope. Definitely no.
The writing quality.
The dialogue.
The story line.
I think this is geared toward a very immature/young reader. Quantity over quality.
It was just…nope. Definitely no.
The writing quality.
The dialogue.
The story line.
I think this is geared toward a very immature/young reader. Quantity over quality.
October 20, 2025
underwhelming
This was a tough read. I typically like this author so I was very surprised. It just felt very poorly written. The story line just doesn’t make sense and it didn’t feel like a complete thought. It needed more time and more editing. Overall disappointing
This was a tough read. I typically like this author so I was very surprised. It just felt very poorly written. The story line just doesn’t make sense and it didn’t feel like a complete thought. It needed more time and more editing. Overall disappointing
August 31, 2024
Pretty bland
I wanted to get into it but it's pretty bland. There's no build up of heat between the characters. The tension resolves quickly and out of no where.
I wanted to get into it but it's pretty bland. There's no build up of heat between the characters. The tension resolves quickly and out of no where.
September 9, 2024
Let’s play a drinking game… take a shot every time you read the word inundated
Read
September 27, 2024Nope. Non mi piaceva già dall'inizio. Conversazioni strane e ridicole da Episode
dnf-2024
November 17, 2024dnf 10%
Read
December 28, 2024Dnf at 14%
March 4, 2025
Very well written and the spice was amazing
I loved reading this book and learning the history between the MMC and FMC. Cannot wait to start the second book!
I loved reading this book and learning the history between the MMC and FMC. Cannot wait to start the second book!
May 6, 2025
Excellent Series!
This is an intense thrill ride of a story…. Leia King does it again…. Heading right into Book 2 in this series…
This is an intense thrill ride of a story…. Leia King does it again…. Heading right into Book 2 in this series…
May 16, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ (rounding up for ranking)
May 26, 2025
fun mais pas la dinguerie du siècle
July 10, 2025
Cute story
I liked this book. It is definitely college characters with immaturity levels. I am enjoying Leia King's reverse harem books.
I liked this book. It is definitely college characters with immaturity levels. I am enjoying Leia King's reverse harem books.
September 22, 2025
Another great dark romance. Violent, bloody, traumatic, fierce. If you’re a trigger-warning kind of person, you’ll need to check those out. Not for the faint of heart. Onto the next!
May 8, 2025
This was entertaining as heck, the characters need a little bit more development but I’m hooked enough to see where this goes
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews