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Shadows of Obsession #1
Breaking Hailey
HAILEY
One evening, two years’ worth of memories lost.
Under the pretense of recovery, my father sends me to an elite boarding college, but soon, my memories start rushing back, and it’s obvious I’m not at Lakeside to heal.
I’m here to hide.
Navigating the scattered past to decipher the threat lurking in the shadows is hard while I’m kept in the dark and even harder when he steals my focus. Crude, arrogant, and threatening, he draws me in, and the closer I get, the less I understand.
Waking up without memories is terrifying, but remembering the time I lost is infinitely worse.
CARTER
Guilty by association, Hailey Scarlett Vaughn deserves pain.
The moment I see her, I want to wrap my fingers around her neck and squeeze...
No matter how big the temptation, I need to extract a key hidden in the depths of her mind first.
A key to my father’s freedom.
Hailey’s a pawn in a complex game of revenge. A tool in my hands, but as she starts to remember, I realize we’re both tangled in an intricate web of lies that tightens every day.
The harder I push to break her, the faster she breaks me.
One evening, two years’ worth of memories lost.
Under the pretense of recovery, my father sends me to an elite boarding college, but soon, my memories start rushing back, and it’s obvious I’m not at Lakeside to heal.
I’m here to hide.
Navigating the scattered past to decipher the threat lurking in the shadows is hard while I’m kept in the dark and even harder when he steals my focus. Crude, arrogant, and threatening, he draws me in, and the closer I get, the less I understand.
Waking up without memories is terrifying, but remembering the time I lost is infinitely worse.
CARTER
Guilty by association, Hailey Scarlett Vaughn deserves pain.
The moment I see her, I want to wrap my fingers around her neck and squeeze...
No matter how big the temptation, I need to extract a key hidden in the depths of her mind first.
A key to my father’s freedom.
Hailey’s a pawn in a complex game of revenge. A tool in my hands, but as she starts to remember, I realize we’re both tangled in an intricate web of lies that tightens every day.
The harder I push to break her, the faster she breaks me.
431 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2024
3080 people are currently reading
20570 people want to read
About the author
I.A. Dice
17 books1,889 followersI. A. Dice writes emotionally intense romance—both dark and light—but always equally spicy. When she’s not dreaming up love stories, she’s probably drinking too much coffee and swooning over fictional men.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 823 reviews
November 11, 2024
If you saw me say I was obsessed with this book in the beginning… mind your business, everybody makes mistakes.
If I ever met this MMC in real life he would absolutely drive a loud as fuck Honda Civic with a spoiler attached to the back in a failed attempt to compensate for his extremely small dick energy.
Him getting a tattoo of her virgin bl00d on his chest just about made me question every single life decision I’ve ever made that lead me to this point.
If I ever met this MMC in real life he would absolutely drive a loud as fuck Honda Civic with a spoiler attached to the back in a failed attempt to compensate for his extremely small dick energy.
Him getting a tattoo of her virgin bl00d on his chest just about made me question every single life decision I’ve ever made that lead me to this point.
February 18, 2024
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS can also be found on my blog: ╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
📚 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐘 📚 This is the first full length mafia romance book in 'Shadows of Obsession' series by I.A. Dice. Spoken in 'dual perspectives' This is ❥ HAILEY & CARTER'S ❥ book. This does end in a cliffy.
Off I went to Amazon as soon as this went live!! Jumping in tonight!! I think I've only read one other by this author, so I'm intrigued with this one..
This surprised me by how effortlessly I was pulled into the storyline, enjoying the unexpected ride this book took me on. Twists and turns, the giddiness of loving this world the author has created.
This kick starts off with twenty year old Hailey after nine days waking up from a coma in the hospital, no idea what landed her there, and why her body feels like it's been run over by a mactruck. Something feels off, her father's evasiveness and her diminished memories which evade her she learns that she's lost two years of her life that she has no recollection of. Her father is a well known cop, famous in his own right for putting so many bad guys behind bars.
Instead of going back to the school she previously went to her father sends her somewhere else where she'll be safe and healing is her high priority.
Twenty-six year old Carter has just learned about his much loved eighteen year old sisters death, and that the person who will have knowledge of what happened is in Hailey's memory bank. So he's pulled out of the running of his club Delta and entrusted to uncover what Hailey knows by his father. He needs to earn her trust and enact revenge for the death of his sister. Carter leads the life of a made man, deep within the mafia life.
March 2, 2024
This book is so good. This story has everything I like: romance, suspense and great characters.
I read slowly because I didn’t want to finish.
It’s worth reading 👊🏻
I read slowly because I didn’t want to finish.
It’s worth reading 👊🏻
February 15, 2024
“You think you can deny me? If I want to see you come, you f-cking come, pretty girl.”
Hailey wakes up in a hospital with only her father’s familiar face comforting her. She quickly learns that something is off. She doesn’t understand where the last 2 years of her life went…because she can’t remember them. Her father sends her to a new highly secured college so she can heal after the accident, but as her memories begin to come back to her she realizes that she’s in a web of lies and even her own father is lying to her.
After his sister’s abrupt death, Carter’s father sends him on a mission to fit in as a college student at the same college Hailey is at and to help trigger her memories. There is belief that before Hailey’s accident, she was an accomplice in an undercover investigation in Carter’s father and his organization. Carter needs to gain Hailey’s trust and seek out what she remembers to uncover any evidence she may have about his father. But as her memories start to come back, Carter realizes that there are more secrets his father is hiding about this situation and he isn’t sure he can trust anyone anymore.
“Now that’s a good girl. Give me an orgasm. Show me how pretty you are when you come for me.”
Book Rating: 4.5/5
Steam/Spice: 3/5
Tropes:
- dark romance
- mafia
- enemies to lovers
- dark academia vibes
- slow burn
- revenge
- age gap
- virgin FMC
- OTT morally grey MMC
- amnesia
- angsty
- on the run
- tragic past
- she’s a cop’s daughter
- secrets & lies
- dual POV
“I need to see you come again. And I need your taste on my tongue when you do.”
Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book, I read the first half in one sitting and immediately was pulled into the story. Hailey has to relive a lot of trauma from her past as her memories slowly start to resurface. Carter falls so hard for Hailey and instantly becomes possessive of her. The cliffhanger had my jaw drop and I cannot wait for book 2 of this duet to come in April.
Hailey wakes up in a hospital with only her father’s familiar face comforting her. She quickly learns that something is off. She doesn’t understand where the last 2 years of her life went…because she can’t remember them. Her father sends her to a new highly secured college so she can heal after the accident, but as her memories begin to come back to her she realizes that she’s in a web of lies and even her own father is lying to her.
After his sister’s abrupt death, Carter’s father sends him on a mission to fit in as a college student at the same college Hailey is at and to help trigger her memories. There is belief that before Hailey’s accident, she was an accomplice in an undercover investigation in Carter’s father and his organization. Carter needs to gain Hailey’s trust and seek out what she remembers to uncover any evidence she may have about his father. But as her memories start to come back, Carter realizes that there are more secrets his father is hiding about this situation and he isn’t sure he can trust anyone anymore.
“Now that’s a good girl. Give me an orgasm. Show me how pretty you are when you come for me.”
Book Rating: 4.5/5
Steam/Spice: 3/5
Tropes:
- dark romance
- mafia
- enemies to lovers
- dark academia vibes
- slow burn
- revenge
- age gap
- virgin FMC
- OTT morally grey MMC
- amnesia
- angsty
- on the run
- tragic past
- she’s a cop’s daughter
- secrets & lies
- dual POV
“I need to see you come again. And I need your taste on my tongue when you do.”
Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book, I read the first half in one sitting and immediately was pulled into the story. Hailey has to relive a lot of trauma from her past as her memories slowly start to resurface. Carter falls so hard for Hailey and instantly becomes possessive of her. The cliffhanger had my jaw drop and I cannot wait for book 2 of this duet to come in April.
dnr-not-safe
November 20, 2024Self note:
The disgusting H constantly compares the h to his previous manhoe ways and he keeps thinking about how he had sex with other women and how different she is from them.🙄🤢🤮
Here is some of his thoughts about the OW:
“I miss good, hard fucking with nameless women.
That last one is an easy fix on campus, but if Hailey found out I was sleeping around, I’d be in a losing position”
“I’ve seen countless boobs in my life, dozens of pussies, women in the throes of ecstasy, their bodies shaking and asses bouncing as I powered inside them, but Hailey’s hip is somehow the most arousing, stimulating sight.”
“I never care about the women I fuck. My needs are the only goal, but right now I want nothing more than her orgasm.”
“Normally, I don’t give a flying fuck if anyone overhears the women I fuck screaming their brains out.
That’s not the case with Hailey.”
“Most women I’ve fucked were experienced, wild, catty... I haven’t come across a virgin since I was a snotty teenager, fucking any girl that spread her legs.”
The disgusting H constantly compares the h to his previous manhoe ways and he keeps thinking about how he had sex with other women and how different she is from them.🙄🤢🤮
Here is some of his thoughts about the OW:
“I miss good, hard fucking with nameless women.
That last one is an easy fix on campus, but if Hailey found out I was sleeping around, I’d be in a losing position”
“I’ve seen countless boobs in my life, dozens of pussies, women in the throes of ecstasy, their bodies shaking and asses bouncing as I powered inside them, but Hailey’s hip is somehow the most arousing, stimulating sight.”
“I never care about the women I fuck. My needs are the only goal, but right now I want nothing more than her orgasm.”
“Normally, I don’t give a flying fuck if anyone overhears the women I fuck screaming their brains out.
That’s not the case with Hailey.”
“Most women I’ve fucked were experienced, wild, catty... I haven’t come across a virgin since I was a snotty teenager, fucking any girl that spread her legs.”
February 19, 2024
Not me yelling “SHUT THE FUCK UP” once I got to the end, trying to swipe my kindle for more pages ☠️☠️☠️.
I. Am. Unwell.
Holy shitballs, what a wild ride! I have been left in SHAMBLES. The entire plot was so intense and so anxiety-inducing (in a good way lol), my brain and my heart are going haywire. You’re literally sucked into a mafia action/drama, it is sooo good!
I also fell head over heels for the characters. Hailey (our h) and Carter (our H) are perfect together. They just fit, you know? And I connected with them so quickly, especially Carter. He’s a prickly asshole in the beginning, and once he sees that there’s more to Hailey than what’s been said, he becomes her prickly asshole and I love him for it 😭. The spice was off the charts, but the sweet moments were too! For example: he gives her his hoodies when it’s cold and wants to fill his whole closet with them so he can give them all to her. HOW FOOKEN CUTE IS THAT!? AAAND he’s a “touch her and die” guy?!? Ok, maybe he’s more of a “breathe anywhere near her and die” guy. Love that for her, she deserves all the devotion. There’s something about a man who’s on a mission to destroy you, and him derailing that mission completely in order to protect you. Carter is definitely on my top book boyfriend list.
Thank you sooo much IA Dice for having me on as an arc reader!!! Your book is phenomenal and I CANNOT wait for Saving Hailey!!!
If you love mafia romances (my obsession), if you love enemies to lovers (my other obsession), if you love mystery and suspense and all the thrills, if you love a man obsessed with his woman and doing everyyyything to keep her happy and safe (including a teensy bit of murder), Breaking Hailey is for you 🖤.
** This book ends of a cliffy, but I SWEAR it is worth it. Also, he mentions sleeping with OW previously (offhandedly), but there is NO OWD 🥰**
I. Am. Unwell.
Holy shitballs, what a wild ride! I have been left in SHAMBLES. The entire plot was so intense and so anxiety-inducing (in a good way lol), my brain and my heart are going haywire. You’re literally sucked into a mafia action/drama, it is sooo good!
I also fell head over heels for the characters. Hailey (our h) and Carter (our H) are perfect together. They just fit, you know? And I connected with them so quickly, especially Carter. He’s a prickly asshole in the beginning, and once he sees that there’s more to Hailey than what’s been said, he becomes her prickly asshole and I love him for it 😭. The spice was off the charts, but the sweet moments were too! For example: he gives her his hoodies when it’s cold and wants to fill his whole closet with them so he can give them all to her. HOW FOOKEN CUTE IS THAT!? AAAND he’s a “touch her and die” guy?!? Ok, maybe he’s more of a “breathe anywhere near her and die” guy. Love that for her, she deserves all the devotion. There’s something about a man who’s on a mission to destroy you, and him derailing that mission completely in order to protect you. Carter is definitely on my top book boyfriend list.
Thank you sooo much IA Dice for having me on as an arc reader!!! Your book is phenomenal and I CANNOT wait for Saving Hailey!!!
If you love mafia romances (my obsession), if you love enemies to lovers (my other obsession), if you love mystery and suspense and all the thrills, if you love a man obsessed with his woman and doing everyyyything to keep her happy and safe (including a teensy bit of murder), Breaking Hailey is for you 🖤.
** This book ends of a cliffy, but I SWEAR it is worth it. Also, he mentions sleeping with OW previously (offhandedly), but there is NO OWD 🥰**
April 20, 2025
⭐️3 🌶️2.5/3
Idk this book was just okay to me like not bad but not great either . The fmc was okay and the mmc didn’t really give much to me .
Idk this book was just okay to me like not bad but not great either . The fmc was okay and the mmc didn’t really give much to me .
February 28, 2024
I read the entire book until 65% and couldn’t take it anymore so I just skipped until the end. I have no idea how this book has so many 5/5 ratings. The storyline had potential but it was so repetitive and had so much rambling that you could’ve skipped 10 chapters in the middle of the book and not missed a thing. All of Hailey’s “memories” were the same thing repeated over and over again. The spice was too unrealistic. Making her finish on cue?? A countdown?? In EVERY SCENE? Come on now. “I want it Hailey, so you’re going to give it to me in one second from now.” Literally nothing happened in the “plot” until 200 pages in. Not worth the time. This book feels more like a 16 year old dating a man that is way too old for her.
April 27, 2025
Breaking Hailey is so addictive. I gobbled this book up.
Hailey has lost two years of her life. Her dad sends her away to protect her from the changes she’s forgotten about (or so he says). Now she’s at a new college, with a fresh start, but her memories are slowly coming back.
Carter isn’t a good guy. He’s sent to the same college to find out what Hailey knows. The problem is once he’s started to really look at Hailey he can no longer control his obsession.
✅ Dark romance
✅ Amnesia
✅ Morality grey
✅ Spicy
✅ Enemies to lovers
RARE25 Morally Grey Readathon. Book ten out of eighteen.
Hailey has lost two years of her life. Her dad sends her away to protect her from the changes she’s forgotten about (or so he says). Now she’s at a new college, with a fresh start, but her memories are slowly coming back.
Carter isn’t a good guy. He’s sent to the same college to find out what Hailey knows. The problem is once he’s started to really look at Hailey he can no longer control his obsession.
✅ Dark romance
✅ Amnesia
✅ Morality grey
✅ Spicy
✅ Enemies to lovers
RARE25 Morally Grey Readathon. Book ten out of eighteen.
June 7, 2025
This story follows Hailey after a car accident leaves her in the hospital with no memory of the past two years. Dangerous men are after answers, and her cop father has sent her to Lakeside College for her safety. With no one willing to help her remember, Hailey decides to uncover the truth herself. But what secrets and haunting memories will she unlock?
The plot of this book is fantastic—it kept me gripped from start to finish. It’s gritty and raw, with twists that constantly keep you guessing. Hailey is in the dark about the bigger picture, missing crucial memories that hold the key to the real truth. I feel she is such an innocent character, and the trauma she’s endured since her mother’s death really made me feel for her.
Carter also known as Nash, I absolutely loved his protective and possessive side, especially as he struggles with giving in to temptation while Hailey is his target. As he starts to get to know her and pieces of her story come to light, it becomes clear there’s more going on than meets the eye.
I just need more answers! I’ve already downloaded the next book and can��t wait to dive into it soon.
If you love:
🔹Dark Romance
🔹Enemies To Lovers
🔹Mafia
🔹Forced Proximity
🔹Good Girl Bad Boy Vibes
🔹Perfect Amount Of Spice
Genre/Type: Dark Adult Romance 18+
APK: Physical and Audiobook
Pages: 422
Audiobook Length: 12hrs 55mins
Narrators: John William Maddux and Shiloh James - Dual
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book One In The Shadows Of Obsession Series
Tropes or Themes: Mafia, Enemies To Lovers, One Bed, Forced Proximity, Age Gap (6yrs), Hidden Identity, Bad Boy Good Girl Vibes, Dark Academia, Protective MMC, Mine, Violence, Gun Violence, Injury, Scars, Medical Content, Panic Attacks, Memory Loss, Vivid Flash Backs, Vomit, Nightmares, Intimate Tattoo, Alcohol, Cursing, Sexual Abuse, Verbal Abuse, Cliffhanger, Sexual Content, Praise, Dirty Talk, Humping Scene, Virgin, Shower Scene and Car Scene.
Mentions: Car Accident and Suicide
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
The plot of this book is fantastic—it kept me gripped from start to finish. It’s gritty and raw, with twists that constantly keep you guessing. Hailey is in the dark about the bigger picture, missing crucial memories that hold the key to the real truth. I feel she is such an innocent character, and the trauma she’s endured since her mother’s death really made me feel for her.
Carter also known as Nash, I absolutely loved his protective and possessive side, especially as he struggles with giving in to temptation while Hailey is his target. As he starts to get to know her and pieces of her story come to light, it becomes clear there’s more going on than meets the eye.
I just need more answers! I’ve already downloaded the next book and can��t wait to dive into it soon.
If you love:
🔹Dark Romance
🔹Enemies To Lovers
🔹Mafia
🔹Forced Proximity
🔹Good Girl Bad Boy Vibes
🔹Perfect Amount Of Spice
Genre/Type: Dark Adult Romance 18+
APK: Physical and Audiobook
Pages: 422
Audiobook Length: 12hrs 55mins
Narrators: John William Maddux and Shiloh James - Dual
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book One In The Shadows Of Obsession Series
Tropes or Themes: Mafia, Enemies To Lovers, One Bed, Forced Proximity, Age Gap (6yrs), Hidden Identity, Bad Boy Good Girl Vibes, Dark Academia, Protective MMC, Mine, Violence, Gun Violence, Injury, Scars, Medical Content, Panic Attacks, Memory Loss, Vivid Flash Backs, Vomit, Nightmares, Intimate Tattoo, Alcohol, Cursing, Sexual Abuse, Verbal Abuse, Cliffhanger, Sexual Content, Praise, Dirty Talk, Humping Scene, Virgin, Shower Scene and Car Scene.
Mentions: Car Accident and Suicide
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
February 13, 2024
*CHECK TW*
Holy shit this book was just amazing but the end had me screaming & running out of my house yelling "wtf"😭
✨I'm going to try my hardest to do a spoil free review since it's releasing tomorrow. ✨
Carter wants his revenge for what he thinks Hailey did... He didn't expect her to consume is heart, mind, & soul but the more he finds out the more he realizes they are both surrounded with lies.
Hailey was in a bad accident and was sent away to school hoping it'll help her regain her memories but she finds out her dad sent her there to hide... But from what? 🤷🏻♀️
The plot sucked you in and wouldn't let you go until you finished it. I neeeeeeed the next book now😭
5/5⭐️
3/5🌶️
🖤Age gap
🩷 Enemies to Lovers
🖤Mafia
🩷Cops Daughter
🖤Touch her & 💀
"Because there’s no way in heaven or hell that any man will touch you while I’m watching. And if I can help it, not even when I don’t watch."
Holy shit this book was just amazing but the end had me screaming & running out of my house yelling "wtf"😭
✨I'm going to try my hardest to do a spoil free review since it's releasing tomorrow. ✨
Carter wants his revenge for what he thinks Hailey did... He didn't expect her to consume is heart, mind, & soul but the more he finds out the more he realizes they are both surrounded with lies.
Hailey was in a bad accident and was sent away to school hoping it'll help her regain her memories but she finds out her dad sent her there to hide... But from what? 🤷🏻♀️
The plot sucked you in and wouldn't let you go until you finished it. I neeeeeeed the next book now😭
5/5⭐️
3/5🌶️
🖤Age gap
🩷 Enemies to Lovers
🖤Mafia
🩷Cops Daughter
🖤Touch her & 💀
"Because there’s no way in heaven or hell that any man will touch you while I’m watching. And if I can help it, not even when I don’t watch."
May 29, 2024
This book was so freakin good! It captivated me from page🥰 one. I couldn’t put it down, my ass stayed up til 3am to just read “one more chapter “ 😅😂🤣
Hailey wakes up from a car accident with no recollection of what happened the past 2 years of her life. Her dad being a cop is trying to protect her, so he sends her to a private art college so she’s safe but is she????
Carters in the mafia, his half sister is dead. His dad wants him to attend the same college and break Hailey so she can spill the secrets once she remembers what happened from the past 2 years. Carter blames Hailey for his sister’s death, but once he gets close to her there’s no going back. ❤️🩹🥰😩
The secrets, the questions, and wanting to put the puzzle together was just so thrilling. I wanted more!!! 🫣🤣
I’m literally jumping to the next book after this review. 💖
Hailey wakes up from a car accident with no recollection of what happened the past 2 years of her life. Her dad being a cop is trying to protect her, so he sends her to a private art college so she’s safe but is she????
Carters in the mafia, his half sister is dead. His dad wants him to attend the same college and break Hailey so she can spill the secrets once she remembers what happened from the past 2 years. Carter blames Hailey for his sister’s death, but once he gets close to her there’s no going back. ❤️🩹🥰😩
The secrets, the questions, and wanting to put the puzzle together was just so thrilling. I wanted more!!! 🫣🤣
I’m literally jumping to the next book after this review. 💖
February 13, 2024
This book is soo good!! Definitely a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read! I absolutely loved it and the ending keeps you on the edge of your seat! I am so excited for the next book and am impatiently waiting for its release. The attention to detail, characters and world building were chef’s kiss. This was my first time reading a book by this author and will definitely not be the last. Definitely recommend if you enjoy a good dark romance with twists.
May 11, 2025
I was interested in the beginning. Both the mmc Carter and the fmc Hailey were interesting on their own. However, once they met and their relationship QUICKLY progressed, I was bored.
I found the beginning of the book, and the end really interesting. Of course the book ends on a cliffhanger JUST as something entertaining might actually happen between Hailey and Carter, or Nash as Hailey knows him.
I found the beginning of the book, and the end really interesting. Of course the book ends on a cliffhanger JUST as something entertaining might actually happen between Hailey and Carter, or Nash as Hailey knows him.
February 7, 2024
Triggers - violence, sexual abuse - Not MMC*, suicide.
💫Review💫
Oh my god. I got this book yesterday morning, I finished it this morning, only because having to go to work got in my way last night. I AM NOT OK...that cliffhanger has ruined me, I need the second book, yesterday!.
This story was not what I was expecting it to be at all it was SO much better. Perfection. I loved it. The chemistry between Hailey and Carter is insane. Carter has officially become my new book husband. Forever, I will die on that hill, I love him. I could not get enough of this story, and had I had a physical copy, the pages would have been smoking with how fast I was page turning. Amnesia isn't usually a Trope I am into, but it's done differently in this book and SO WELL!! I loved the fact that the story interspersed psychological and crime thriller aspects, murder mystery, and dark sizzling romance. This book is literally everything you need and more.
I loved Hailey in this book. While she is a victim, she's not the simpering stereotypical damsel. She questions, she challenges, and she knows her mind, and I am all for this!! Carter, I could talk about this man all day the depth of his territorial nature over her once he knows he's absolutely fucked and hers for life, the things he says, my toes curled and my heart exploded. I need this man in reality. By god. This story and these characters are going to stay in my mind for life. I'm desperately praying I'm chosen to ARC read for the second book because I need MORE.
@ia.dice is a spectacular writer, drawing you in, captivating, and engaging you with every line of prose. The way she writes the characters gives you an instant connection, mentally, physically, and emotionally. You aren't reading this book. You are in this book, living it, breathing it, experiencing it. Perfection, utter perfection.
This book is an absolute must-read and is available on the 13th of February.
💫Review💫
Oh my god. I got this book yesterday morning, I finished it this morning, only because having to go to work got in my way last night. I AM NOT OK...that cliffhanger has ruined me, I need the second book, yesterday!.
This story was not what I was expecting it to be at all it was SO much better. Perfection. I loved it. The chemistry between Hailey and Carter is insane. Carter has officially become my new book husband. Forever, I will die on that hill, I love him. I could not get enough of this story, and had I had a physical copy, the pages would have been smoking with how fast I was page turning. Amnesia isn't usually a Trope I am into, but it's done differently in this book and SO WELL!! I loved the fact that the story interspersed psychological and crime thriller aspects, murder mystery, and dark sizzling romance. This book is literally everything you need and more.
I loved Hailey in this book. While she is a victim, she's not the simpering stereotypical damsel. She questions, she challenges, and she knows her mind, and I am all for this!! Carter, I could talk about this man all day the depth of his territorial nature over her once he knows he's absolutely fucked and hers for life, the things he says, my toes curled and my heart exploded. I need this man in reality. By god. This story and these characters are going to stay in my mind for life. I'm desperately praying I'm chosen to ARC read for the second book because I need MORE.
@ia.dice is a spectacular writer, drawing you in, captivating, and engaging you with every line of prose. The way she writes the characters gives you an instant connection, mentally, physically, and emotionally. You aren't reading this book. You are in this book, living it, breathing it, experiencing it. Perfection, utter perfection.
This book is an absolute must-read and is available on the 13th of February.
February 15, 2025
I had ZERO positive expectations for this book! I even feared it would be bland and mediocre, but I'm so PLEASANTLY SURPRISED 😯🙌🏼😱😍🥳👑
The start was a little slow, but after approximately 9 chapters the real plot and the fun parts began.
- mafia
- amnesia
- secret identity
- private secluded college
- ott possessive hero
- virgin heroine
- he's a mafia's man & she's a cop's daughter
- hot scenes 🥵
The start was a little slow, but after approximately 9 chapters the real plot and the fun parts began.
- mafia
- amnesia
- secret identity
- private secluded college
- ott possessive hero
- virgin heroine
- he's a mafia's man & she's a cop's daughter
- hot scenes 🥵
March 19, 2025
Cue me sighing because I’m once again the outlier…Almost every time I read a dark romance, without fail, I usually give it a 3-3.5 star. So I’ve kind of been asking myself, do I even like dark romance? And I think I do. I think the answer is yes. But I also think that I like a certain type of dark romance, and Breaking Hailey doesn’t really fit into my niche.
I’ve found that my criteria for liking dark romance has to have 3 certain things.
1. Good writing. I can’t stand cringe. I can’t do Wattpad level dialogue, characters, or plots anymore. It just doesn’t work for me. Now for the most part, this book was surprisingly well written. Sure, the MMC is OTT, and sometimes an idiot, but I didn’t really find this story as a whole poorly written. I actually think IA Dice has quite nice prose, which is (and I hate to say it) hard to find in this genre.
2. Something different. A lot of dark romances have the same tropes, the same themes, the same dynamics, over and over again. After you read a certain amount, it gets tiring. I guess you could say this for all romance subgenres, but it happens so much in dark romance. Breaking Hailey doesn’t fit this criteria. This book heavily uses the amnesia trope as a plot device, which isn’t new or inventive. It also doesn’t twist this trope in a new way. It’s very surface level in terms of uniqueness. I feel like I’ve read iterations of this before.
3. Romance I want to root for. No instalove. I need yearning. I need tension. GIVE ME A GOD DAMN SLOW BURN. I guess this applies to most romances, but I find it hard to accomplish in dark romance. Breaking Haley also doesn’t meet this criteria. I found the main romance very instalove, and honestly, boring. For a book that has stalking as a subplot, I really didn’t find these two very interesting. These characters felt pretty dry anyways, but I also just didn’t feel like their relationship made any sense. Carter is supposed to be “breaking” Hailey. It’s his entire mission. And he decides he doesn’t want to do that 30% into the story?? He’s also in love with Hailey so fast, and I just got so annoyed.
Honestly, I don’t think this book is bad. It had its fun moments, and some decent writing. I feel like this might be a good beginner romance book. If you’ve read dark romance before, you probably won’t feel one way or another about this one. I do feel like I’ve missed something, though? This book is rated so highly, and I really just found it pretty mediocre. It definitely could be my picky taste, but I found this one very average overall. I won’t be continuing on since I don’t care about these characters, but this was a decent palate cleanser.
I’ve found that my criteria for liking dark romance has to have 3 certain things.
1. Good writing. I can’t stand cringe. I can’t do Wattpad level dialogue, characters, or plots anymore. It just doesn’t work for me. Now for the most part, this book was surprisingly well written. Sure, the MMC is OTT, and sometimes an idiot, but I didn’t really find this story as a whole poorly written. I actually think IA Dice has quite nice prose, which is (and I hate to say it) hard to find in this genre.
2. Something different. A lot of dark romances have the same tropes, the same themes, the same dynamics, over and over again. After you read a certain amount, it gets tiring. I guess you could say this for all romance subgenres, but it happens so much in dark romance. Breaking Hailey doesn’t fit this criteria. This book heavily uses the amnesia trope as a plot device, which isn’t new or inventive. It also doesn’t twist this trope in a new way. It’s very surface level in terms of uniqueness. I feel like I’ve read iterations of this before.
3. Romance I want to root for. No instalove. I need yearning. I need tension. GIVE ME A GOD DAMN SLOW BURN. I guess this applies to most romances, but I find it hard to accomplish in dark romance. Breaking Haley also doesn’t meet this criteria. I found the main romance very instalove, and honestly, boring. For a book that has stalking as a subplot, I really didn’t find these two very interesting. These characters felt pretty dry anyways, but I also just didn’t feel like their relationship made any sense. Carter is supposed to be “breaking” Hailey. It’s his entire mission. And he decides he doesn’t want to do that 30% into the story?? He’s also in love with Hailey so fast, and I just got so annoyed.
Honestly, I don’t think this book is bad. It had its fun moments, and some decent writing. I feel like this might be a good beginner romance book. If you’ve read dark romance before, you probably won’t feel one way or another about this one. I do feel like I’ve missed something, though? This book is rated so highly, and I really just found it pretty mediocre. It definitely could be my picky taste, but I found this one very average overall. I won’t be continuing on since I don’t care about these characters, but this was a decent palate cleanser.
June 1, 2024
WHAT THE FUCK
November 22, 2024
I could not put this book down! Loved it!
Loved the characters, and the plot 🤌 leaves you wanting more.
Looking forward to the next book and how the story continues
Loved the characters, and the plot 🤌 leaves you wanting more.
Looking forward to the next book and how the story continues
February 12, 2024
I am truly at a loss of words. This book has made me speechless and that rarely happens. I am literally sitting here as I write this review trying to decompress and comprehend what I just read and I am wondering how I will be able to keep it together until the release of book 2 in April.
Breaking Hailey is a Dark Romantic Suspense that is told in a Dual POV. This book follows Hailey who is the daughter of a cop and wakes up in a hospital bed after being a coma for 9 days with no recollection or memory of the last 2 years. In an effort to keep Hailey safe, she is sent to a remote college where she meets Carter, or as Hailey knows him as Nash. Now Carter is in the mafia and his father informs him that his younger sister killed herself and blames her death on her boyfriend. But how is Hailey and Carter connected? Carter is told Hailey plays a role in his sisters death. So Carter is sent to the same college as Hailey under the alias of Nash to "break" Hailey. But instead of breaking Hailey, Carter falls in love with Hailey and his new mission is to keep her safe.
📚 Book Tropes:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Mafia x Cop's Daughter
- Heroine with Amnesia
- Morally Grey/Over The Top Possessie and Jealous Hero
- Tragic Past
- Dark Academia
- Slow Burn
- Small Age Gap
- Virgin FMC
- Lots of Secrets and Lies
- Forced Proximity
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
💭 My Thoughts: I've been rendered speechless and I need more people to read this book so I have someone to theorize on what the f**k is going to happen. I knew less than 20% into this book that this is going to be an all time favorite and a 5 star read. I was hooked from the first page. This book kept me on the edge of the seat and my mind reeling on what secret was going to come out next and what lie was going to be told next.
I loved Carter and Hailey. I love how they come from two different worlds. Hailey is a cop's daughter. Carter is part of the mafia. They are destined to hate each other. And Carter tried. He tried so damn hard but let's face it, he was doomed the second he say Hailey in person. And I'm a suck for a man who has a tough exterior but melts to straight mush for the woman he loves, and boy did Carter turn into a puddle for Hailey.
Don't even ask me if I recommend this book because the answer is 1000% YES! If you love a book with suspense that will keep you guessing what is next with dark academia vibes this book is for you. But I do suggest you read the trigger warnings first. This is a dark romance with very dark topics that may be triggering for some. But if those do not bother you than you are about to read one of the best books!
*I just want send a huge thank you to I.A. Dice and Grey Promotions for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
Breaking Hailey is a Dark Romantic Suspense that is told in a Dual POV. This book follows Hailey who is the daughter of a cop and wakes up in a hospital bed after being a coma for 9 days with no recollection or memory of the last 2 years. In an effort to keep Hailey safe, she is sent to a remote college where she meets Carter, or as Hailey knows him as Nash. Now Carter is in the mafia and his father informs him that his younger sister killed herself and blames her death on her boyfriend. But how is Hailey and Carter connected? Carter is told Hailey plays a role in his sisters death. So Carter is sent to the same college as Hailey under the alias of Nash to "break" Hailey. But instead of breaking Hailey, Carter falls in love with Hailey and his new mission is to keep her safe.
📚 Book Tropes:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Mafia x Cop's Daughter
- Heroine with Amnesia
- Morally Grey/Over The Top Possessie and Jealous Hero
- Tragic Past
- Dark Academia
- Slow Burn
- Small Age Gap
- Virgin FMC
- Lots of Secrets and Lies
- Forced Proximity
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
💭 My Thoughts: I've been rendered speechless and I need more people to read this book so I have someone to theorize on what the f**k is going to happen. I knew less than 20% into this book that this is going to be an all time favorite and a 5 star read. I was hooked from the first page. This book kept me on the edge of the seat and my mind reeling on what secret was going to come out next and what lie was going to be told next.
I loved Carter and Hailey. I love how they come from two different worlds. Hailey is a cop's daughter. Carter is part of the mafia. They are destined to hate each other. And Carter tried. He tried so damn hard but let's face it, he was doomed the second he say Hailey in person. And I'm a suck for a man who has a tough exterior but melts to straight mush for the woman he loves, and boy did Carter turn into a puddle for Hailey.
Don't even ask me if I recommend this book because the answer is 1000% YES! If you love a book with suspense that will keep you guessing what is next with dark academia vibes this book is for you. But I do suggest you read the trigger warnings first. This is a dark romance with very dark topics that may be triggering for some. But if those do not bother you than you are about to read one of the best books!
*I just want send a huge thank you to I.A. Dice and Grey Promotions for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
July 8, 2025
Meh. Started dragging halfway through and it was a struggle to finish it.
safety:
om drama- not really any but heroine has recovering memories of her doing stuff with om who I think was also assaulting her at times. not super descriptive.
ow drama- none but hero almost takes another woman home in the beginning of the book and he thinks sexually about her too. he also multiple times thinks about past women he's had sex with (no specific woman) he was a hoe. (book 2 has more ow drama)
no cheating or sharing. hero is loyal to heroine
heroine is a virgin, hero is a hoe
safety:
om drama- not really any but heroine has recovering memories of her doing stuff with om who I think was also assaulting her at times. not super descriptive.
ow drama- none but hero almost takes another woman home in the beginning of the book and he thinks sexually about her too. he also multiple times thinks about past women he's had sex with (no specific woman) he was a hoe. (book 2 has more ow drama)
no cheating or sharing. hero is loyal to heroine
heroine is a virgin, hero is a hoe
March 13, 2024
dnf. they’re moving wayy too fast for me…
April 3, 2024
Breaking Hailey? More like Breaking Braincells.
October 6, 2025
•○● Hailey ist das Ziel, aber es gibt ein ganzes Schachbrett, auf dem gespielt wird … und ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob alle Figuren bereits im Spiel sind. ●○• CARTER S.71
MEINUNG:
Endlich wieder ein DR ganz nach meinem Geschmack 🤭🥰
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und wir erleben beide Charaktere - Hailey und Carter - in ihren eigenen Kapiteln. Die Geschichte ist bereits ab den ersten Seiten spannend, da wir kurze Einblicke bekommen, wie es überhaupt dazu kommt, dass beide auf dieses Elite-College kommen.
Hailey ist eine spannende Protagonistin, da wir sie zusammen MIT ihr kennenlernen. Sie erinnert sich an die letzten 2 Jahre nicht mehr, nach ihrem Autounfall. Sie kann sich an die Zeit davor erinnern und wundert sich, wie sehr sie sich scheinbar in den letzten Jahren verändert hat. 🫣 Dies gefiel mir sehr gut, da ich mir bis zum Ende nicht sicher war, was mich in Haileys Gedankenwelt noch erwarten wird.😊
•○● »... Sein Pech, richtig?« »Du wirst merken, wie wahr das ist, wenn du daran glaubst.«
Du wirst merken, wie falsch du liegst, wenn du meine Narben siehst. ●○• S. 229
Carter hat definitiv Husband-Potenzial 🩵🤭. Der Typ ist definitiv heißer als die Hölle. Dazu macht auch er eine Kehrtwende in seinem Charakter durch. Von einem maximal egoistischen Arsch zu einem überbeschützendem Höhlenmensch 😅. Versteht mich nicht falsch, er bleibt dem Arsch treu, nur nicht auf Bezug auf Hailey. Das ist dann mein Punkt, warum keine 5 🌟.
Sie dürfen einen "Besitzanspruch" von mir aus haben, aber dieses Teritorialverhalten ging mir dann dezent auf die Nerven. Das eine Frau bereits von anderen Männern berührt wurde, kommt dann doch vor...dass ihn das so sauer macht, macht mich sauer 😅🤨
Aber im Großen und Ganzen war es eine spannende Slow-Burn Story mit gechillten und vorallem realistischen 🌶🌶-Szenen. Die dann nicht in jedem Kapitel vorkamen, sonder gut dosiert und sie haben dem Plot nicht den Mittelpunkt geklaut.
Klare Empfehlung und sogar für DR-Neulinge. 😉
KLAPPENTEXT:
HAILEY
Ein Abend und zwei Jahre voller Erinnerungen sind ausgelöscht.
Unter dem Vorwand, mich zu erholen, schickt mich mein Vater auf ein Elite-Internat, aber schon bald kommen meine Erinnerungen zurück und es ist klar, dass ich nicht in Lakeside bin, um zu heilen.
Ich bin hier, um mich zu verstecken.
Die zerstreute Vergangenheit zu durchforsten, um die Bedrohungen zu entschlüsseln, die in den Schatten lauern, ist schwierig, solange ich im Dunkeln tappe, und noch schwieriger, wenn er mir die Aufmerksamkeit raubt. Dominant, arrogant und bedrohlich zieht er mich in seinen Bann, und je näher ich ihm komme, desto weniger verstehe ich ihn.
Ohne Erinnerungen aufzuwachen, ist schrecklich, aber sich an die Zeit zu erinnern, die ich verloren habe, ist unendlich viel schlimmer.
CARTER
Hailey Scarlett Vaughn ist schuldig im Sinne der Anklage und verdient Schmerz.
In dem Moment, in dem ich sie erblicke, möchte ich meine Finger um ihren Hals legen und zudrücken ...
Wie groß die Versuchung auch sein mag, zuerst muss ich etwas aus den Tiefen ihres Geistes hervorlocken.
Einen Schlüssel zur Freiheit meines Vaters.
Hailey ist eine Spielfigur in einem komplexen Spiel der Rache. Ein Werkzeug in meinen Händen, aber als sie beginnt, sich zu erinnern, wird mir klar, dass wir beide in einem komplizierten Netz aus Lügen verstrickt sind, das sich jeden Tag enger zieht.
Je härter ich versuche, sie zu knacken, desto schneller knackt sie mich.
MEINUNG:
Endlich wieder ein DR ganz nach meinem Geschmack 🤭🥰
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und wir erleben beide Charaktere - Hailey und Carter - in ihren eigenen Kapiteln. Die Geschichte ist bereits ab den ersten Seiten spannend, da wir kurze Einblicke bekommen, wie es überhaupt dazu kommt, dass beide auf dieses Elite-College kommen.
Hailey ist eine spannende Protagonistin, da wir sie zusammen MIT ihr kennenlernen. Sie erinnert sich an die letzten 2 Jahre nicht mehr, nach ihrem Autounfall. Sie kann sich an die Zeit davor erinnern und wundert sich, wie sehr sie sich scheinbar in den letzten Jahren verändert hat. 🫣 Dies gefiel mir sehr gut, da ich mir bis zum Ende nicht sicher war, was mich in Haileys Gedankenwelt noch erwarten wird.😊
•○● »... Sein Pech, richtig?« »Du wirst merken, wie wahr das ist, wenn du daran glaubst.«
Du wirst merken, wie falsch du liegst, wenn du meine Narben siehst. ●○• S. 229
Carter hat definitiv Husband-Potenzial 🩵🤭. Der Typ ist definitiv heißer als die Hölle. Dazu macht auch er eine Kehrtwende in seinem Charakter durch. Von einem maximal egoistischen Arsch zu einem überbeschützendem Höhlenmensch 😅. Versteht mich nicht falsch, er bleibt dem Arsch treu, nur nicht auf Bezug auf Hailey. Das ist dann mein Punkt, warum keine 5 🌟.
Sie dürfen einen "Besitzanspruch" von mir aus haben, aber dieses Teritorialverhalten ging mir dann dezent auf die Nerven. Das eine Frau bereits von anderen Männern berührt wurde, kommt dann doch vor...dass ihn das so sauer macht, macht mich sauer 😅🤨
Aber im Großen und Ganzen war es eine spannende Slow-Burn Story mit gechillten und vorallem realistischen 🌶🌶-Szenen. Die dann nicht in jedem Kapitel vorkamen, sonder gut dosiert und sie haben dem Plot nicht den Mittelpunkt geklaut.
Klare Empfehlung und sogar für DR-Neulinge. 😉
KLAPPENTEXT:
HAILEY
Ein Abend und zwei Jahre voller Erinnerungen sind ausgelöscht.
Unter dem Vorwand, mich zu erholen, schickt mich mein Vater auf ein Elite-Internat, aber schon bald kommen meine Erinnerungen zurück und es ist klar, dass ich nicht in Lakeside bin, um zu heilen.
Ich bin hier, um mich zu verstecken.
Die zerstreute Vergangenheit zu durchforsten, um die Bedrohungen zu entschlüsseln, die in den Schatten lauern, ist schwierig, solange ich im Dunkeln tappe, und noch schwieriger, wenn er mir die Aufmerksamkeit raubt. Dominant, arrogant und bedrohlich zieht er mich in seinen Bann, und je näher ich ihm komme, desto weniger verstehe ich ihn.
Ohne Erinnerungen aufzuwachen, ist schrecklich, aber sich an die Zeit zu erinnern, die ich verloren habe, ist unendlich viel schlimmer.
CARTER
Hailey Scarlett Vaughn ist schuldig im Sinne der Anklage und verdient Schmerz.
In dem Moment, in dem ich sie erblicke, möchte ich meine Finger um ihren Hals legen und zudrücken ...
Wie groß die Versuchung auch sein mag, zuerst muss ich etwas aus den Tiefen ihres Geistes hervorlocken.
Einen Schlüssel zur Freiheit meines Vaters.
Hailey ist eine Spielfigur in einem komplexen Spiel der Rache. Ein Werkzeug in meinen Händen, aber als sie beginnt, sich zu erinnern, wird mir klar, dass wir beide in einem komplizierten Netz aus Lügen verstrickt sind, das sich jeden Tag enger zieht.
Je härter ich versuche, sie zu knacken, desto schneller knackt sie mich.
September 17, 2024
4.5 stars ⭐️ oh my god. What a wild ride (and we aren’t even done!)
This book pulled me in and made me feel so many emotions.
Breaking Hailey starts off with Hailey waking up from a bad accident missing the last 2 years and then gets sent away to school to help her recall her memories. Carter shows up with revenge on his mind but plans change and he ends up falling down bad for Hailey.
I’ll be jumping into book 2 right away cause that cliffy 👀.
This book pulled me in and made me feel so many emotions.
Breaking Hailey starts off with Hailey waking up from a bad accident missing the last 2 years and then gets sent away to school to help her recall her memories. Carter shows up with revenge on his mind but plans change and he ends up falling down bad for Hailey.
I’ll be jumping into book 2 right away cause that cliffy 👀.
March 19, 2025
2.5 - 3 stars. Unfortunately most characters in this book are mildly annoying and incredibly stupid. The romance was so bland; for 400 pages, it was barely built upon. Where did Carters sudden obsession come infatuation? I don’t get it.
The smut was so boring & cringe. Tattooing her virgin blood on his chest I mean…Get a fcking grip. The plot twist inspired nothing but annoyance in me because, well, ok? That’s it? I could’ve told you that 200 pages ago.
For an amnesia plot, so much more could’ve been done with it but the storyline and twists just seemed so half assed. So many, “Why would they do that?” “That doesn’t make sense” & whatnots.
Just…not a great read. I had high hopes.
The smut was so boring & cringe. Tattooing her virgin blood on his chest I mean…Get a fcking grip. The plot twist inspired nothing but annoyance in me because, well, ok? That’s it? I could’ve told you that 200 pages ago.
For an amnesia plot, so much more could’ve been done with it but the storyline and twists just seemed so half assed. So many, “Why would they do that?” “That doesn’t make sense” & whatnots.
Just…not a great read. I had high hopes.
February 13, 2024
This book took me by surprise. I was on a rollercoaster the whole time and never knew what would happen next. I loved the way the amnesia trope was thoughtfully and skillfully executed. There was so much angst and build up. Mafia, cops, college kids, a little kink exploration and some great spice. The ending did not disappoint and now I am stuck on this cliff and I need someone to come get me..only if it's Carter though
"Men are predators, not lapdogs. We chase."
"Men are predators, not lapdogs. We chase."
June 2, 2024
5⭐️ 3🌶
🖤 Mafia
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🖤 Amnesia
🖤 Cop's daughter
🖤 OTT morally gray MMC
She’s my focus point. My reason. My fucking downfall. From a girl I despised to a girl who holds not just my heart but me as a whole in the palm of her hand.
This book had everything I love: great characters, plot, suspense, plot twists, spice, and a cliffhanger that made me grab the 2nd part of this duet instantly! It was my first book from this author, and it definitely won't be my last!
🖤 Mafia
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🖤 Amnesia
🖤 Cop's daughter
🖤 OTT morally gray MMC
She’s my focus point. My reason. My fucking downfall. From a girl I despised to a girl who holds not just my heart but me as a whole in the palm of her hand.
This book had everything I love: great characters, plot, suspense, plot twists, spice, and a cliffhanger that made me grab the 2nd part of this duet instantly! It was my first book from this author, and it definitely won't be my last!
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