Between Dusk and Dawn

by Vee Taylor

*Blurb Coming*

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2025

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️ WOW! Vee ALWAYS amazes me. I had no clue how Maddy was going to be redeemed as a main character BUT SHE WAS 😭❤️‍🔥 man, my heart goes out to that poor girl!! This story had a perfect redemption arc and some stellar story telling. I was hoping for a bit more spice (I am still thinking about that scene in Into The Darkness iykyk 😉) but regardless, I LOOOOVED THIS!!

[Lizz_reads._ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vee Taylor did it again ahhh😍😍 omg I’m literally obsessed with every single of her man😩 They’re just it for me. I waited for Walsh’s book a long time and now that’s I’ve read it I’m even more obsessed him. In the first two books which were embers (his sisters) he really intrigued me as a character and I wanted to know how he was like a person and all that and after knowing about him in this book I just love him even more. Maddy definitely had a redemption arc and I love her because her back story made me feel sad for her and now I get it why she was the way she was, so Vee Taylor your officially successful in redeeming Maddy and now I love her so much. I can’t believe the university of isles ends with this book. I will miss them so freaking much. 😭😭😭 crying 😭😭😭

Tropes :

Mafia romance
Saddle play
Opposites attract
Masking
Forced marriage
“My wife” moments

[Isabelle Houseknecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ 3🌶
🖤Mafia
🥀Stalking
🖤Forced (nonconsensual) marriage
🥀Fire-play
🖤Bully romance
🥀Degradation
🖤Praise & breeding k!nks
🥀Kidnapping
🖤Murder
🥀Touch-her-and ☠️
🖤Childhood trauma

“I want you to know that I loved you then, I love you now, and I will continue to love you with every beat of my heart.”

This is part of the University of Isles series. While you do not need to read the other two books I would definitely recommend it if you want to know the WHOLE story. BD&D follows Madison and Walsh on their crazy journey from when they meet until present day. Madison has history with Walsh’s sister and it ends up causing problems in Walsh’s and Madison’s relationship. In the end love prevails over all and we even get some information on how Ember is doing after everything that happened in the other two books. The girls are not on stable ground at all and Walsh knows this but still carries on his relationship with Maddison. The twists and turns of the plot with the Italian mob coming into play and their previous ties to Walsh. The relationship built between all the characters and not just the main ones was phenomenal. There was definitely some foreshadowing for a possible fourth book and I am all for it!!! Vee Taylor is such a wonderful writer and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Danni Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between Dusk and Dawn
University of Isles spin-off
By Vee Taylor

🖤 Bully romance
🥀 Mafia
🖤 Possessive/Obsessive MMC
🥀 St@lking
🖤 F0rced marriage
🥀 Touch her and 🪦
🖤 Morally Gray MMC & FMC
🥀 Two types of saddles 😉

"My muse"

I am so so thrilled to have finally have been able to of read Walsh's story, and boy it did not disappoint!!!

So whilst this is a spin off from the duet of The University Of Isles ot is still very much a part interlaced with that story as it has missing information 😉 (but that is very much for you to discover all on your own)

This is all about Walsh and Maddy and their explosive love story 😍

Pain calls to pain, but for them to both figure that out why not call a war on each other first right?!

Will they absolutely de$Troy eachother? Or with they realise they were made for each other before it's too late?

This beautifully written book made me feel all my feels in the best way!

Both Walsh and Maddy are each beautifully delicate characters as are all the characters Vee Taylor writes 🥰🖤

Between Dusk and Dawn releases February 3rd 😘🖤

[Jillian Fairfax · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t even put into words how much I loved this book!

I am so incredibly glad that Maddy and Walsh got their redemption arcs after being the villains in Ember’s story! But, like they say, hurt people hurt people!

I devoured this book in a matter of hours, and I already wish I could reread it like it was the first time again. This may have topped my love for Into The Darkness/Light!

This book pulled at my heart strings, was so relatable, had the perfect amount of spice and banter, had me giggling and sweating at the same time, and healed a part of my inner childhood that I didn’t realize needed healing.

Please read the University of Isles duet first before picking this one up due to the interconnected world and timeline of events. But make sure you add this to your TBR; you won’t regret it!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad we got Walsh and Madisons story! There was so much connection to this book on different levels ! The tension and spice between the two characters, the whole book, had me having a hard time putting it down!
Love Walsh and Madison.
I will forever have a special place for ITD, ITL, and BDAD!
Vee, you are amazing ! Keep being you always! 🫶

I highly recommend adding this to your TBR. But if you haven't read Into the darkness and Into the light I recommend reading those first ! 🫶

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

ARC review

This is a story about two characters and their quest to discover their true selves, their aspirations, their reasons for doing what they do, and how they can attain their ultimate goals.
The narrative evoked a deep sense of empathy at times, while at other times it stirred a profound sense of distress.
The emotional journey continues throughout the narrative, and you find yourself immersed in every emotional experience.
I was delighted by the unexpected turn at the end of the book.
This work has left a profound impact on my soul.
It was so relatable, with such vividness and sharpness, that I laughed and worried at the same time. This book helped me heal a part of myself that I didn't realize needed healing until then.
With a sense of compulsion and pursuit, the characters, Madison and Walsh, undergo a profound metamorphosis.
Their path is characterized by deception, self-destructive behaviors, and a refusal to confront the truth.
It is a story of disorder, self-destruction, and denial, but also of recovery, inner tranquility, and the emergence of a new mafia boss.

[Moony Luve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between dusk and dawn
Vee Taylor
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️🌶️
This is another emotional rollercoaster from dear ol Vee.
I swear every book she writes I need therapy after.
I love it so much.
This book is amazing.
10/10 would recommend.
It’s heartbreaking, inspiring, suspenseful, entertaining, hoootttt, sweet.
Ugh it’s everything.
I loved it so so much.

[B Boff · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted this book to do something for me. Walsh and Madison could have had an epic journey. However, for me, it was a boring story that went no where. There were a few fun spicy parts but overall it took me so long to finish it because I was bored 🤷‍♀️

I wish this series was better. It’s unfortunate that every book was just okay. The ending of the first book kept me reading the series.

[Sheridan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5
Apparently i should have read the first two books because it felt like I was missing some important information.

[Tarah Codington · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Tatum Harkavy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 !

I really enjoyed this book.The main characters are deeply flawed, and the author doesn't shy away from it. It shows their growth and digs into mental health in an awesome way. Also there are a lot of things Walsh did that I know I should not have liked... but OH WELL! Thank you so much for this Arc!!

[Katherine M · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have to read the University of Isles duet before you read this so it makes sense. I really had wanted Walsh’s story after meeting him in the duet. I have to say that, even though I felt bad for Maddy, she is just really hard to like. Not until about 60-70% in did I start liking her. She makes bad choices, is whiny and the first half I just felt no chemistry between them. I felt a disconnect, but then finally when they got together it made sense. But then we know she had a rough life growing up and serious mental health issues. These two were actually perfect for each other. It was just a long, hard road. I love that the author goes to places that others wouldn’t dare. It’s real and raw. This was different, as all her books are, but no less amazing. It’s about two people with trauma but seeing each other past the walls and lifting each other up.

[Bookish Lady Night · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Between Dusk and Dawn by: Vee Taylor

Ok you all knew this book would be on my Meltdown Mondays because we all know and if you don’t know you know now that Vee Taylor is a mastermind at creating stories that break your soul open and rip out your heart only to put it back together stronger. So here is to another exceptional book she’s written for us to devour!

Madison and Walsh have been on my mind since the end of the duet I wanted his story and I wanted to see what happened to her. And wow are we on a roller coaster of emotional trauma with this book. I loved every second of it! These characters go on such a journey of healing their deep emotional state, working through their baggage and finding out who they truly are and what the want out of life.

Vee crafts such an amazing plot and narrative that pulls a deep and authentic connection to the characters and your heart breaks for them. Being someone who suffers from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and PTSD I felt so much and also felt so seen throughout this book as the characters navigate their feelings and emotions in sometimes such a brutal way.

This book was exquisite and I think she writes in such a poetic way with rich world building even though it’s a contemporary story it’s rich with imagery and deep emotional imagery. Both of these characters went on a deep self destruction path and vengeance and when they broke down the wall and were vulnerable it was beautiful and made me cry. I also loved that she kept the dark action and somewhat suspense in the story like the first two so you had more to keep your mind wondering with the mystery of the story. I’m so sad that this series is done I’m not ready to say goodbye. I’m definitely changed after reading these books they live in my soul and are definitely going to be in my must reads list! I’m excited to see what she has in store for us next!

Favorite Quotes:

The dedication- “To the lady who once told me that having a mental illness made me unhinged… Fuck it. Let’s see how unhinged I can really be.”

“I want you to know that I loved you then, I love you now, and I will continue to love you with every beat of my heart.”

“I was hated by everyone in my life, and at a certain point, I learned to despise myself. Waking up every day felt like a task. Trying to stay alive was exhausting, so I did what I did best and wore my mask.”

"Because it had to be you. Because it was always you. It was always going to be you. Because for once in my life, I needed to be selfish and make you mine.”

"I wanted to worship at your feet. I’d never met a goddess who walked this earth until the day I laid eyes on you."

"That wasn’t what this is, Madison. This was a kiss that transcends words. This was a kiss that brought me to my knees willingly."

"You know, when our lips touched, it felt like the first rays of sunlight breaking through the darkness. It was as if the warmth I'd been craving, the warmth I didn't even know I needed, finally enveloped me. I lived so long between the hours of dusk and dawn that I didn't realize what the warmth felt like."

💋 Mafia romance
🔥 Saddle play
💋 Opposites attract
🔥 Masking
💋 Forced marriage
🔥”My wife” moments
💋 Dark Romance
🔥 Touch her and Die
💋 Enemies to Lovers
🔥 Forbidden Romance

[Lyndsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We were two very lost people desperately trying to live for others, and in that moment, it was the two of us, exposed and vulnerable in front of each other.”

📖 Between Dusk and Dawn @veetaylorauthor
📍 Washington

🖤 Dark/ Mafia Romance
🖤 Touch her and ☠️
🖤 Stalker
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🖤 Forced Marriage
🖤 Feud
🖤 Forbidden
🖤 Obsessed MMC
(C H E C K your TW!)

Back to the University of Isles we go and oh boy hold onto your saddles! 🖤 #iykyk

This is the definition of a redemption arc! Y’all Walsh and Madison’s story is one you hoped for and oh boy did it deliver!! I completely devoured this book, less than 24 hours y’all!

I absolutely LOVED the beginning chapters with the glimpse of what went down before the start of book 1, Into the Darkness. The situation is mentioned in book 1 and really sets the stage but no details given. Seeing it from this perspective was everything! The internal battles, their pasts 💔, the reason Walsh and Madison responded the way they did throughout books 1 & 2 becomes crystal clear and it paints the most perfect picture.

They are hellbent to out do the other, yet so irrevocably drawn to each other. I mean Walsh should be the definition of how to play the long game!

I went to bed last night literally dreaming of this book… all that was discussed and the growth they went through. 🖤 When they start to get vulnerable together be still my heart.

You want to hate them so much in books 1 & 2 but I have to say… oh this is hard… 🫣 they may be my favorite from the series.

Oh who am I kidding, they are all fantastic! But seriously, these two are made for each other in the best possible way.

The conversation Madison and Ember have *chefs kiss*
I do wish we could’ve seen Ember share with Rain but Rain’s reaction when seeing her again was great.

This family is the head of some very dark underground things but at their heart they are all about family, each other, and it’s absolutely beautiful! 🖤

“Because even villains, in their quest for redemption, could rewrite their stories and find their own versions of happily ever after.”

My heart is absolutely in Dansport and Isles for the foreseeable future and I’m not even the least bit mad about it. This series is right up there as one of my absolute favorites. Tough topics, suspense, love, redemption… it literally has it all. Be prepared for A L L of the emotions. I’m sad to see this series come to an end but it couldn’t have been wrapped up any better!

“You are beautiful. Your scars are beautiful, and they just tell a story of you and what you’ve had to go through to get here.”

r a t i n g:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
*ummmm, can we talk about the fireplace scene? Whoa buddy! 🤭

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mafia Romance
Forced Marriage
"My Wife"
Opposites Attract
Saddle Play

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Between Dusk and Dawn is a University of Isles world book involving two supporting characters from the University of Isles Duet. In order to understand the events of this book, you need to have read those two books first. The dynamic between Madison and Walsh will be confusing if you don't. They have a complicated history, and understanding their dynamic is important to understanding this story.

Walsh is Ember's older brother and Madison (Maddie) ends up being her roommate when she starts classes at the university, but Walsh and Maddie meet well before that while he is dating Maddie's roommate, Cagen. They have an electric connection, and they both feel it immediately. Walsh is stuck in his relationship with Cagen because of family obligations but he promises that one day Maddie will be his. When that time comes, he's determined to make Maddie his wife whether she's willing or not. They are two fundamentally broken people trying to make sense of their worlds when they collide and sparks ensue. This is not a sweet love affair. They are bitter and angry, but they want each other desperately enough to push through it all.

Honestly, I did not like either of these characters when I first read the duet. I was surprised that the next book in the Isles series focused on their relationship, but I trusted that Vee would win me over and she did. I felt like both of them betrayed Ember on very deep levels in the Isle duet, and selfishly, I didn't want them to have a HEA. Everything that Maddie did to Ember felt so cruel, and the fact that Walsh, who claims to love Ember so much would over look that and seek her out anyway... I dunno it rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't feel like they deserved to be happy after causing Ember so much pain. I think you're on one of two sides here: Either you were Maddie/Walsh and you want/need your own redemption arc and are vicariously living through them or you were Ember and you were profoundly hurt by a Maddie or Walsh and don't feel they deserve one. That being said, I did ultimately like and enjoy the book. Both Walsh and Madison are deeply scarred and troubled people who are just trying to figure things out. As humans, in general, I think we all can relate to that. Some of us figure it out sooner than others, and some of us have easier paths than others. Forgiveness (whether of yourself or someone else) is never an easy task, and I think ultimately they needed that.

I genuinely like reading books that make me challenge the way I view the world – even when it’s not comfortable. This was one of those books for me, but even with feeling challenged, I did enjoy it and I think that’s the mark of a truly talented author.

Thank you Vee Taylor and The Author Agency for an advanced reader's copy of this book.

[Bookishlyhaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between Dusk and Dawn is related to the University of Isles series. It follows Walsh Solis and Madison Ryan.

Holy hell, this book!!!!! I read it in a single day because I didn’t want to put it down! I didn’t think I would like Maddy/Madison at all after her actions in the University of Isles duet, BUT this was her redemption arc. I can say with my whole chest that Madison is the perfect queen for Walsh.

Madison is a much more complex character than we would have realized in the University of Isles duet. This woman has literally gone to hell and back. Her back story literally breaks my heart, and it makes you see why she acted the way she did in the past. She harbors a lot of trauma, but she is so freaking strong. Honestly, at the end, she just wants safety and someone to love her.

Walsh is a man who craves control and is calculating. He became obsessed with Madison the first time he laid eyes on her. He is so protective and stubborn. He is a hard man but honestly melts and is so sweet to Madison. I love that he wants to take care of her! We also had a hair brushing moment, which made me SWOON. He did some things that made me want to shake him, but in the end, he made it right.

They both grew so much over the course of the book, and I love the vulnerability between them. Their chemistry was undeniable from the very beginning, and them coming together was something that couldn’t be stopped. They were always going to end up with each other somehow.

I can never read a Vee Taylor book and not sob. Their story is an emotional rollercoaster and at points very relatable, but I loved every second of the ride. The ending of this book was absolutely perfect for their story.

You will enjoy this book if you like the following:
- Dark / Mafia romance
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced marriage
- Touch her and 💀
- Forbidden romance
- Two types of saddles

Thank you so much, Vee Taylor and The Author Agency, for the gifted copy!

[~lil maso~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Robyn for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner

This is the first book by this author that I have read but I have already purchased another because I enjoyed this so much. I realise reading this before some other books isn’t ideal but I found it easy to navigate.

Maddy is quite a complex character, her traumatic childhood shaped who she is now, and really who can blame her for donning her mask? I liked her, even when she annoyed me a little bit. 😄 Now, Walsh is a completely different matter. His character I found so self-centered and arrogant it had me wanting to slap him silly. I admired his protectiveness over his sister but his constant yo-yoing with Maddy was so annoying. I understand
he had certain expectations put upon him and had also suffered a traumatic childhood experience, which meant he was slightly stuffed up 😄.

This is a story about these two lead characters and their journey to discovering who they are, what they want, what drives them, and how they can obtain their ultimate goals. At times, the story brought forth tremendous compassion, and at others a sense of anguish that I felt deeply. The emotional roller coaster continues throughout the story and you just can’t help but fall into every emotional situation. I enjoyed the little twist at the end of the book, I wasn’t expecting it at all.

Maddison continually uses one word throughout the story—pain. This sums up so much but I will let you read about it!

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

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[Miranda • Darkenchantedchapters · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I want to protect you. I will be the only person there to offer that to you, so it’s in your best interest to take my word."

•REVIEW•
Once again another fine piece of work by Vee Taylor. I loved being back into the world of the University of Isles. If you have not yet read Into the Darkness followed by Into the Light then I suggest that you do before you read this spin off Between Dusk and Dawn.

With in the first few pages I could already tell we were in for a wild ride. I liked Walsh in the first two books because of how he was toward Ember, but I never cared for Maddy/Maddison. Now being able to see why Maddy was the way she was towards Ember puts everything into perspective. Maddy has literally been to hell and back and we get to find out her background in this book.

As for Walsh even in the duet I could tell he craves to have that control because he tried to have it with Ember. We find out that the first time he had met Maddy he became absolutely obsessed with her and was bound and determined to find a way to make her his queen.

Throughout the book we watched both Walsh and Maddy have so much character growth and by the end I actually ended up liking Maddy. The chemistry between the two are undeniable from the very first time they seen each other. If you’re up for an emotional roller coaster then this book is for you because Vee Taylor never disappoints with her writing skills.

Within the first couple pages you have the following:
🥵"I don’t need your permission to taste something that will be mine one day,"
🥵"If you want to wear a collar, baby, you know I'd give you one."
🥵"You're practically soaked, reveling in the fact that you outplayed your roommate and schemed to have her man kneel before you,"
🥵"Tell me, Muse. Are you wet thinking about how you won this war? You are better than them. You always will be."

[kaylaschapterchats · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how Vee did it, but Maddy has 10000% redeemed herself in my eyes.

So we obviously met both Maddy and Walsh in Ember's duet. I highly suggest reading the duet first before reading this as it makes a whole lot more sense. Walsh is Ember's big brother, and Maddy was Ember's roommate.

Maddy, my girl. I understand you so much more now. I like her a lot more than I did previously, and I actually respect her so much. What she went through was horrific, but it's shaped Madison into who she is. No offence to her grandma, but I don't think she gave Madison great advice about certain things (you'll understand why very soon).

Walsh. Now, I don't know how I feel about him entirely. I do like him, he did redeem himself eventually, but for a lot of this story, he wasn't very nice to Madison and I kind of wished he grovelled a lot harder than what he did. He's beautiful, dark, and damaged and finds his soul mate in Madison.

The plot was the perfect ending to Madison and Walsh's story. We got to learn what truly happened between the two of them previously and how it all unravels. I think we see 2 very broken and dark souls struggling to find their way to each other, but when we do, it's explosive. There is a lot of back and forth between Madison and Walsh, and at times, it made me think, "Will these 2 actually make it?". It's such a good story.

It was amazing, and I definitely think you should read it.

Thank you so much to Vee and the amazing team at The Author Agency for the opportunity to read this story. I am forever grateful 🙏

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

🖤 dual pov
🖤 Bully romance
🖤 revenge
🖤 forced marriage
🖤 possessive/ obsessive mmc
🖤 stalking
🖤 saddles (you'll see)
🖤 mafia

[Robyn Corcoran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
This is the first book by this author that I have read but I have already purchased another because I enjoyed this so much. I realise reading this before some other books isn’t ideal but I found it easy to navigate.

Maddy is quite a complex character, her traumatic childhood shaped who she is now, and really who can blame her for donning her mask? I liked her, even when she annoyed me a little bit. 😄 Now, Walsh is a completely different matter. His character I found so self-centered and arrogant it had me wanting to slap him silly. I admired his protectiveness over his sister but his constant yo-yoing with Maddy was so annoying. I understand
he had certain expectations put upon him and had also suffered a traumatic childhood experience, which meant he was slightly stuffed up 😄.

This is a story about these two lead characters and their journey to discovering who they are, what they want, what drives them, and how they can obtain their ultimate goals. At times, the story brought forth tremendous compassion, and at others a sense of anguish that I felt deeply. The emotional roller coaster continues throughout the story and you just can’t help but fall into every emotional situation. I enjoyed the little twist at the end of the book, I wasn’t expecting it at all.

Maddison continually uses one word throughout the story—pain. This sums up so much but I will let you read about it!

[Jasmin (jas.nicole_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give me anything that @veetaylorauthor writes and I will devour it. She has a way of writing stories that kind of rip your heart out but then also puts it back together. And that’s what Vee does with Between Dusk and Dawn. We first met Walsh (MMC) and Madison (FMC) in Into the Darkness and she did a pretty good job of vilifying them in the first two books. Between Dusk and Dawn follows Walsh and Madison’s stories as they each go through their own dark periods in their lives. The theme throughout this book is that hurt people, hurt people. It highlights the human experience and reminds us that when people hurt us, it’s not a reflection on us but on them. I loved seeing the redemption arc of Madison and the growth and healing that she showed throughout the book. She really came into her own in this story and was able to finally accept love and believe that she is deserving of it. It was also really beautiful to see her repair her friendship with Ember who was the FMC from the first two books. In addition to some of the heavier themes throughout this book, I think @veetaylorauthor also does an amazing job of getting us to fall in love with Walsh and his stalkerish/obsessive ways he loves Madison 🥵. I throughly enjoyed this book and if you haven’t picked up a Vee Taylor book yet, this is your sign to add it to your TBR! Thank you @veetaylorauthor for choosing me to read an ARC of your new book! I had an amazing time. 🖤

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book from Vee and I truly enjoyed it from start to finish!

Madison comes from a horrible, traumatic past and wants nothing more than to fit in. Trust into a life of popularity as a cheerleader the University of Isles, she finds herself struggles to keep up the charade. Her roommate, and fellow cheerleader, Cagen stand her. What lengths will Madison go to in order to keep up with her appearance?

Insert Walsh Solis. Cagen’s boyfriend is with her for one reason: status. At UofI it’s tradition that the king and queen of the school stick together, working to help one another’s respiration. Walsh isn’t in love with Cagen. In fact he only loves a few things: the prospect of being the head of the mafia, control, and maybe (just maybeeeee) the red head doing yoga in his girlfriend’s living room.

The next FIVE YEARS are spent in a war with one another. Madison constantly trying to one-up Walsh who is always one step ahead of her. Will these two put their walls down and find a happily ever after?

Walsh doesn’t seem to care about a HEA. His goals are simple… make Madison his and keep her safe. No matter what the cost. No matter the wedge it will drive in his family.

Between Dusk and Dawn was a story of hate, love, revenge, war, and growth. Walsh and Madison were bound together from the first time they met and watching their story unfold was full of highs and lows.

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible read, that’s a heavy on the emotional turmoil, angsty as can be, sooo toxic for each other but they can’t stay away, mafia gem! With obsessive, stalker boy vibes, broken and battered souls, and phenomenal growth for both Madison and Walsh, wrapped in a long game of manipulation, self-destructive behavior, and denial, it’s a things have to get messy, you’ve gotta break yourself down and bare every vulnerability you have to keep a love you’d die for, utterly fascinating story that swallows you whole as broken pieces are healed, soul deep peace is found, and a new mafia King and Queen rise.
I swear Vee Taylor is a queen at writing darkish romance that rips you apart emotionally. This book is the equivalent of an emotional freight train that slams into you with Madison’s desire to fit in, how far she’s gone to try and how much she hates the person staring at her in the mirror every morning. And Walsh, he’s buried his heart so deep it’s a wonder it’s still beating unless it has to do with his sister. They have a crazy good magnetic pull to each other, getting under the others skin without even trying, seeing things they aren’t meant to see and it adds so much to the story when Walsh comes to claim what he sees as his, they both finally break, and the healing begins. Just a stellar read that kind of has a before and after the storm feel to it and a really touching romance with characters you love.

[Lorena Garcia -- Brittany's Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

So we finally get Walsh Solis' story and it did NOT disappoint!

We got a glimpse of him in his sister's story and of course, everyone was curious to find out what the story was behind Walsh's life.

He was destined to take over his father's legacy and become el capo of the Italian cartel. He started dating the most popular girl in school to look good but then things go sideways for Walsh and everything takes a turn. He wasn't in love with this girl, but it made him look good. Who he was really interested in was her roommate. The moment he laid eyes on her he was a goner, but he had to be calculating and plan his life out accordingly.

This enemies to lovers story really had me sitting at the edge of my seat. We learn a lot from this family and how both main characters were broken and how hard it was for them to find their middle in order to make things work for them. At first there was nothing but revenge in their veins, but they had to learn how to forgive and forget. Reading how Walsh would be vulnerable and break down his walls was interesting. But Madison also had a hard time doing the same, but when she realizes that Walsh really does care about her and is not out to hurt her, she starts to open up little by little. It's not easy for her as to how her childhood was, but it only takes one person to make you realize you value more than you think you do.

Great story, loved the characters!

[ljamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a standalone but it connected to two previous books (University of Isles). The author recommends that you read the other two books first and I wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately I hadn’t read the first two books and there was one chapter where I was completely lost and had to reread it, to realize this book was discussing incidents that had occurred in the other books. After that wrap up chapter the book was so good. It was an interesting book about a young man named Walsh who wants to be the head of his mafia organization, his father is the current boss but he wants to take over. Now, Madison was the college roommate of his girlfriend and Walsh was obsessed with her. See both of them are wearing masks. Walsh knows and accepts that Madison will be his queen, she has darkness inside of her, although her mask shows this happy girl who just wants to fit it she is in fact not happy. Madison’s hands and arms are scarred and she had an awful childhood and she desperately wants to be loved and cared for but, she goes about it the wrong way. Walsh was possessive, controlling and dominant he wants Madison but only on his terms. This book was angsty because I felt that Madison really wanted Walsh to love her while they were in college but he refused telling her he would find her when she was ready. Enjoyed the plot (definitely should have read the first 2 books first), enjoyed the author’s writing, and loved her complex characters.

[Elsa Reyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between Dusk and Dawn
University of Isles spin-off
By Vee Taylor

Dark Romance
Mafia Romance
Touch her and Die
Enemies to Lover
Forced Marriage (!
Forbidden Romance
Two types of saddles *wink wink

Meeting Maddy and Walsh in Ember's duet was a pivotal experience. I encourage you to dive into the duet first; it provides invaluable context. Walsh, Ember's protective big brother, and Maddy, her close friend, each have their own journey.
The resolution of Madison and Walsh's story is profoundly satisfying. Discovering the depths of their past and witnessing their struggles is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Their journey showcases two broken souls yearning for connection, culminating in an explosive reunion. The push and pull between them kept me asking whether they would truly find their way to each other.
This story is a remarkable testament to resilience and love.
My heartfelt thanks go to Vee and the incredible team at The Author Agency for allowing me to experience this journey. I am so glad that I was part of this amazing team. Vee you have a very supportive team that really loves what they do and it shows on their emails to us your ARC team. Thank you!

[Alimay · Rating 5 out of 5]

THEIR STORY HAPPENS BETWEEN DUSK AND DAWN

'She got my full attention. I was so proud.' - Walsh

Returning to University of Isles was always going to be difficult after the tumultuous time during Ember's Story. If you haven't read Into The Darkness and Into The Light, please do, they are both amazing books written with emotion and feeling. Between Dusk and Dawn follows two side characters from Books 1 and 2, Ember's brother Walsh and her roommate, Madison. Both characters needed their own story told after their deplores and questionable behaviour during Ember's story. And Vee Taylor threw everything at this, the backstory and the why's are what draws you in and the way they grow as individuals and together is what keeps you entranced with this book. Two completely misguided characters, believing they need to behave in a certain way to maintain control yet the journey of discovery to be better was amazingly written.

Vee Taylor writes with integrity, a depth of emotion you can feel in the words and is phenomenal in her ability create and build worlds of fiction, characters with heart and narratives that speak to the soul. I highly recommend this book and this entire series.

[dee.readssss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This one was a wild ride! This was my first book from Vee and I will say that I think you should read Books 1 & 2 in the University of Isles before reading this one. I was a little lots in the first bit of the book, but once we got through the past portion I enjoyed the journey that Walsh & Madison went on. They both had a lot of past trauma they were dealing with (checking TW might be a good idea!) and they didn't really know how to handle their feelings for one another.

They both had reffed up ways of showing the other they cared, but in the end they were exactly what the other needed. In the end, I loved seeing their personal growth and healing through the story and the way they were finally able to welcome love into their lives and allowed some sunshine to shine through their darkness.

I rated a 4, but think it could have been higher if I had read the others first! I definitely enjoyed the storytelling of Vee's writing and she painted very detailed pictures throughout the story, it just took me a minute to get into since I didn't have the background of books 1&2.

Thank you so much to Vee and The Author Agency for the opportunity to read early & review!

[The_reading_redhead_sc tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! Vee did another wonderful job of telling Maddison and Walshes story! I honestly wasn’t sure how to feel about this book. But in true Vee Taylor fashion she makes you love the characters!!

Tropes:
Forced Marriage
Saddle Play
My wife moments
Opposite attract
Mafia Romance
Masking

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

Between Dawn and dusk gives us more of a back story between Walsh and Madison. We also get more answers on Madison roommate that disappeared. You do need to read into the dark and into the light before this book.

Walsh low key becomes obsessed with Maddison the moment he meets her. He is memorized by her. The only problem is that Madison is Walsh’s girlfriend roommate.

Maddison hard a very hard life growing up. Maddison loses her parents early in life and goes to live her grandmother. Her grandmother is very proper and tells Maddison she has to act a certain way. Maddison grandmother sends her to prestigious college in hopes she finds a man to marry and take care of her.


We get so many pieces of Maddison and Walsh and I loved it. I truly love there story and feel like it was the perfect ending to this series. I know a lot of hated maddi in book #1 and 2. But I promise you this book is amazing and worth the read.

*** I want to thank Vee Taylor and The Author Agency for giving me the chance to read Between Dawn and Dusk as an ARC. In exchange for my honest review and thoughts.****