Under His Command

Devils & Pretty Sins #1

by Rhea Harp

The devil comes out to play in the dark…

Rowan King is the cold and ruthless commander of the armed forces.
I'm at my weakest when he first sees me.
He tastes my tears and calls me a good girl when I obey his commands.
And when I don't, he makes me earn my forgiveness. Hard.
I hate what he does to me and hate that I like it even more.
But running away isn't an option.
His hunger for me overwhelms my defenses.
And he’s my only hope in a dangerous world governed by a secret society.
He tells me he protects what's his…
But is Rowan's protection worth the price?
And can my fragile heart withstand the powerful grip of this devil?

**Under His Command is a dark military romance with an unhinged, over-the-top hero. Please check TW/CW and tropes on the author's website.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Military Fiction, Dark, BDSM, Ebooks, Spicy

205 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2024

About the author

Rhea Harp is a Transylvanian writer who loves creating angsty, jaw-dropping dark romances involving morally-grey and possessive men. When she's not writing, she's usually lost in a book somewhere or playing board games with her friends.

Reviews

[Bin · Rating 1 out of 5]

What do you mean you want to kiss a stranger after hearing that your brother is dead?

[Monique Rodriguez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately this book just didn't hit the mark for me. I'm an avid reader. Typically I do about a book every other day or 2-3 days. I held off on this review as I wanted to word it as polite as possible. Spoilers ahead.

No character build up at ALL. It starts with a military dude showing up to a girls house (she's 17 or 18 at the time as she says her brother should be home for her high school graduation) and her parents aren't home and he's like ok well coming to tell you your brother died in combat peace out pretty much. And the girl is like can I kiss you? And all of a sudden she's like hot and heavy wants to jump his bones and he leaves. Random time jump to day shes out with friemds and this military dude she met ONCE is on tv and everyone knows she has a crush on him. Then another random time jump with still no character description. 5 years later the guy calls her like omg never stopped thinking about you so you're coming to be with me. And still no character build up. They know nothing about each other (have still only met that one time) and no description. Then they have sex and he has so much power he calls a judge to postpone a case she was supposed to work so she can stay with him longer. It's just weird not interesting to me at all. Seems like this book wants to be all smut no plot but even the smut didn't really hit the mark for me. I wish I could see what the other 4 and 5 🌟 reviews see but unfortunately that's just not the case for me.

[sam | sammylou.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love dark military romances you need to add this to your tbr right NEOWWW. Under His Command is a quick and absolutely filthy read 🔥 I feel like if you're a fan of Shantel Tessier you would also love this!!

“𝙎𝙖𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙡.” 🥵🪭

I will say the first chapter(s) threw me off a little bc it was hard to believe that while he was breaking the news of her brother's death she was so horny for him lol (it's fiction, i knowww) So if you read the first chapter and are like ewww, JUST KEEP READING!! It also read like a standalone novella to me, so the cliffhanger really threw me, but I'm so excited we get more book(s) 😈 and I will absolutely be reading whatever Rhea writes in the future!!

“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙗 𝙪𝙥 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩. 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙡. 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩.”

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
🎖️ SMUT 🔥🔥🔥
🎖️ Unhinged Military MMC
🎖️ Sharing
🎖️ Secret Society
🎖️ Dom/Sub Dynamic

Be sure to check the TW!!

[Sabrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5⭐️

Well, if you’re in the mood, that book is definitely a good time LOL and I’m talking 1% plot and 99% smut kind of good time. It also really sound like the author was very eager for the MCs to get down to business because I barely had time to bling and they were already fucking 😭

Btw, the reason why my rating is so low is because he started being obsessed with her when she was 17-18 (don’t know her age exactly but she had NOT graduated high school yet) and he was TWENTY-SEVEN. Also, the fact that she said the p-word so many times or even AT ALL in her pov when she was still in high school made me super uncomfortable

[destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow. i was not expecting that huge cliffhanger ending !! it completely blew my mind. i was holding my damn breath 😭 im a slut for military romance and this HIT !! it’s definitely more smut heavy than character driven but i think it was just perfect to start off the series. and who doesn’t love when the mmc stalks you with cameras placed all around your apartment 🤭

besties !!! GET THIS ON YOUR TBR !! if you’re a fan of dark military romance, heavy on the smut, he’s a commander of the army, she’s a lawyer, bdsm, instant attraction, possessive, light stalking, “don’t make a sound this is an important call” vibes, and first book of the series … then this is perfect for you 🖤

rowan mfing king 🧎🏻‍♀️ this man had me in a chokehold the second he showed up at dove’s house to tell her some unfortunate news. the second he met her … instantly obsessed. even after so many years, this man just had to have her. he’s so obsessed. he’s so dominant i fucking love it 😍 this man literally was spanking this girl and shoving a butt plug up her ass while on the phone with the president … THE PRESIDENT !! oh my good god i melted 🫠

dove babes 🥹 she’s so cute, smart, and submissive. she felt that spark when she met rowan but she couldn’t figure it out. she knew she always wanted him and every night fell asleep screaming his name all by herself. until one day, rowan calls her and she said “fuck it” and spent the night, which turned to days, with him. i love how she gets bratty with him but also completely submits to him. there were some parts where she annoyed me but it wasn’t too bad. i just love her and her instinct … like that ending 👀

i’m so excited for book two !! i literally need to reread this just so i can forever be with rowan and dove. their relationship is so HOT 🔥 i love it omg

🌶️🌶️🌶️

[annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
I was fortunate enough to receive an arc for this book. I was so happy to read it & read it as soon as I could. I read it in one sitting and now i’ll be waiting for book two to come out after that cliffhanger.
The spice in this book was good.
Some parts in this book was a bit questionable, like, what do you mean you want to kiss a stranger who just told you your brother died???
Also, why is the obsessive mmc wanting to share his gf with one of his friends
Nevertheless, I will be reading the next book

[ohemaa]

this book reminded me of why i stay away from dark romance because wdym your brother just died yet you want to kiss a stranger you met five seconds ago?? and then she continues to have a crush on him for FIVE whole years (not judging this part tho this bc girl same) but the thing is, she literally immediately accepts going to meet him at his house when they haven’t even talked during that time. they have one conversation five years ago and all of a sudden their both obsessed with each other, and yet they act like this is completely normal. both of them act like they’re soulmates or something just based on that one interaction. i don’t even consider this romance of any type because they both just sexualize each other from the start and it just feels like pure lust. this book is just insta love and hella smut, and i was expecting better, like i thought this would ACTUALLY be a military romance… it’s not. i hate both the fmc and mmc equally, but girl was having me take breaks in between because of her stupidity. plus, i feel like it’s just a little weird that they first met when she was about to graduate high school and he was well into his twenties yet was thinking about her like that…. JAIL. I DNF’d at about 55% because this reads like a wattpad book.

[Ambrosia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm going to give it one star.
The author didn't have the honesty to warn me anywhere not even on her site where there is a whole trigger warning list for this book, that the so called super possessive alpha was going to share his woman with his friend. I'm real tired of being ambushed in reading that kind of stuff

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t have many 5 star read but my god.
I ATE THIS UP. I LOVED IT. SHORT, SPICY, ENDS ON A CLIFFY.
The spice was ✨chefs kiss✨ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🖤TOUCH HER AND DIE
🖤UNHINGED MILITARY MMC
🖤LETS HIS FRIEND ENJOY SOME
🖤SECRET SOCIETY

[Alina Kravets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Дуже брудно якщо ви розумієте про що я.😏
Думаю любителям Шанталь Тессьє сподобається, скажу одразу не мала великих сподівань на цю книгу, бо ж було багато сцен +18 і одрузу.💎 Але....

Пара: Роуен & Дав


Тропи:
⋆ Dark Romance
⋆ Кліфхенгер
⋆ Таємне товариство
⋆ Dom/Sub Dynamic
⋆ Головний герой військовий
⋆ Сестра його друга


Це досить коротка книга — всього 200 сторінок, тому події розгортаються дуже швидко, особливо у стосунках між персонажами. Але, на мою думку, це підходить історії. Зазвичай я не велика фанатка стрімкого розвитку романтичних стосунків. Проте мушу визнати, що між цими героями відчувалася сильна хімія, тож у цьому випадку мене це не надто бентежило.

Книга майже повністю зосереджена на на сценах +18, і мушу сказати, що вони мені сподобалася. Гарячі сцени описані дуже добре й детально. 🔞

Щодо головної героїні, Дав, то вона виявилася дуже покірною. Їй подобалося абсолютно все, що Роуен робив із нею, навіть речі, які могли здатися принизливими. Звісно, це виправдано, адже назва книги «Під його командуванням», тому вона виконує всі його накази.

Зрештою, мені здається, що якщо це буде серія то тут буде багато цікавого, особливо з божевільними чоловіками.
Роуен уже здається божевільним, тож уявіть собі інших, наприклад, Меддокс, якого тільки представили.

І скажу я б його книгу прочитала. Бо стосунки Камелії та Меддокса. Це щось, бо ж він бляха надів на неї шоковий нашийник. Це просто виглядає прям дуже шаленим.💥
Мені також сподобалася ідея, що він президент, а вона перша леді. Це щось нове й цікаве.

Звісно тут було купа крутих цитат.

"- Чому у мене таке відчуття, що ти це все спланував, перш ніж запитати, чого я хочу?
- Бо, я це зробив. Тому що вирішив, що ти моя."

" - Я думала… Я думала, що ти хороша людина.
"- Хто тобі це сказав?"

Рекомендую!❤️‍🔥

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Interesting ending!
FMC had little personality and felt like she was completely at the mercy of the MMC. Hopefully the sequel has more character development!
Spice was great!

3⭐️

[cake · Rating 1 out of 5]

HOW DID WE GO FROM ONLY SPICE TO A MILITARY MYSTERY WITH A CRAZY PLOT TWIST

[beca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

It’s a very short book, with 200 pages, so things happen pretty fast, especially the relationship between the protagonists. But I think it works here, and look, I’m not a big fan of relationships that happen so quickly because I find them unrealistic and forced. But I admit these protagonists had a lot of chemistry, and I didn’t complain about it too much.

This book is practically a hot book, whose sole purpose is the sexual content, and I liked it, seriously. I thought the hot scenes were really good and well-detailed lol. But I think there’s a lot more to tell in the second book.

My biggest complaint is the first scenes, where the protagonist meets the male protagonist and immediately likes him. Then he just revealed that her brother died, and she asks for a kiss from him?????? Please, for the love of God, you just met the guy, find out your brother is dead, and you want a KISS?

Second point, the protagonist, Dove, was very submissive. She liked EVERYTHING Rowan did to her, even degrading things, but she still didn’t complain and stuff. And I kinda understand this, since the title is literally "Under His Command," so she does what he says, but that was annoying. During these scenes, I was always like, “Girl, react, for God's sake!” But anyway, I won’t judge her too much because, in fact, Rowan is super hot.

Finally, I feel like this series has a lot to deliver, especially crazy male protagonists lol. Rowan is already insane, imagine the others like Maddox, who was introduced 😋.

That’s why I already want the book about Camelia and Maddox. They seem to live an enemies-to-lovers dynamic. And I also liked the fact that he is the president and she the first lady. I’ve never read anything like this before, and I found it interesting. But it’s kinda crazy to think he makes her wear a shock collar????? Why????? That’s insane, but I think I understood the reasons.

Favorite quote:

I look into his eyes, my blood boiling with a feeling I can’t yet recognize.
Rage.
Fear.
Lust.
Pure, undiluted obsession.
And a dash of madness, because only a crazy person would find what he did romantic.
“I thought… I thought you were a good man.”
His eyes darken, hands dipping back under my nightgown.
“Who told you that?”

[Rose W. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely heinous writing, and a perhaps even AI generated. I comically DNF’d this piece of crap at 20%. The author had the audacity to preface it with, “does not adhere to traditional military ranks or structures”… Yeah, no shit. It’s painfully obvious they opted for laziness over spending even five minutes Googling the basics of military hierarchy, rank names, or how things actually work. I recently finished Leave Me Behind by KM Moronova (fantastic book, by the way) and, as an actual Army veteran, was in the mood for another military-themed dark romance. Unfortunately, this anemic, steaming heap of a book was recommended to me by none other than TikTok. My mistake for trusting the algorithm, lesson learned.

This book is laughably atrocious. It opens with the FMC learning from the MMC that her brother was KIA. Tragic news, right? How does she react? She begs the informant, the literal bearer of her brother’s death notice…to kiss her?! I’m not kidding. Also, anyone with an iota of brain matter knows a chaplain delivers that kind of news, usually with another officer present. But no, here we have the “Commander of the Army” (yes, that’s his title—don’t ask) personally dropping by to tell her the bad news, solo. Fast-forward years later, and this same Commander calls her out of the blue to say he’s been “yearning” for her and summons her to some air base in Colorado. Naturally, a driver picks her up, then hands her off to a security convoy because reasons. Honestly, what in the fever dream is this?

By 15%, the MMC is already trying to fingerblast the FMC in the back of an SUV, swiftly extinguishing any prayer for a slow burn. There’s zero chemistry between these two idiots, just cringe-worthy dialogue and inexplicable nonsense. The prose itself is Wattpad-tier indulgence, the kind of dreck you’d expect from a teenager’s half-baked fanfic. Honestly, I could’ve churned out something more compelling and profound while combating explosive diarrhea from a 2 a.m. Taco Bell binge.

I loathed every second of this. I wouldn’t read another book from this author if my life depended on it. Hard Pass.

[Stefan Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok but listen!!!!

Military!!! Dark stalker romance!!! Plot twist?!?! Smut!!!! I’m totally here for this!!! Totally need the next book, like as soon as possible!!

[Niki Trips · Rating 1 out of 5]

Idk why I bothered, I know I’m not a dark romance girlie

[zara · Rating 1 out of 5]

STOPP LMFAO... WHAT THE FUCK ARE WE DOING 😭😭❗️❗️

[Shyanne Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an arc for this book. I was so excited to read it & man it did not disappoint. You will be catching me going absolutely feral waiting for book two to come out😩🥵

If you love morally grey men who are possessive and obsessive & a fmc who doesn’t mind all that much then this is the one for you.

I absolutely adore dove and rowan. They’re perfect together. And who doesn’t love a man in uniform?😮‍💨

The smut in this one was absolutely top tier. But beyond that, the storytelling and just overall writing of the book is amazing.

There’s so much to love in this book for people who all like different things. Spice? Check. Romance? Check. Action? Check. A whole grocery list of kinks? Check.

The cliffhanger will have you begging for the next book already. And it’s a fucking great cliffhanger too y’all🫠

[Devynn Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance is the plot here, but somehow I'm still sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for book 2 after that cliffhanger.

I have to agree with some other reviewers on the whole "I just found out my brother died but I still want you to kiss me thing," but I don't read books like this because every aspect makes logical sense.

Still a fast-paced read with lots of spice!

[Rylee Worthington · Rating 4 out of 5]

i ate this up!!!! definitely skipped spice & was just straight up filthy but i enjoyed it and the story was good. such a quick read and it was so worth it !! rowan 🤯🤯🤯

on to the next 🙂‍↕️🙆🏼‍♀️

[lacy white · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Under His Command
Author: Rhea Harp
Genre: Dark Romance
Format: ebook
Series: Devils and Pretty Sins (#1)
Star Rating: 4.5 stars

tw: infidelity, death, war, civilian casualties, blood, murder, stalking, invasion of privacy, car accident, kidnapping

So I followed this author on threads and saw that they were talking about this book. As you all know, I am a huge dark romance fan, so I knew this book would be right up my alley just based on their description. And I was right. I loved this book! I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this book since I finished it and I finished it months ago.

What I loved most about this book was the pretty serious plot mixed in with the romance. While I adore dark romance, oftentimes the plot (at least the ones I pick out) is about how the two or more characters learn to slowly love each other. This one was different and had like a military-style plot that had me completely invested. I was quite intrigued by it and hopefully, we get more information about everything in the second book because I am so invested.

Another one of my favorite things was how spicy the spicy scenes were. Dove and Rowan have the most amazing chemistry! I lived for every single moment that they had together. I couldn't get enough of them. I am a huge sucker for BDSM play and this book delivered that to me in spades.

Overall, this was a fantastic book and I loved it so much. I enjoyed every single moment of my time reading it. I can't wait to read the next book since this one left off on a cliffhanger, which was very mean by the way, Rhea! Joking, I still love you and this book!

[Gracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm having mixed feelings about this book!!!!😭😭😭😭
Rhea has done a fabulous job with her duet novel,
Pro's:
Starting from the plot, character, smut to everything in between was done so we'll...
• The cliffhanger????!!!HELLOO???? EXCUSE MEE??!!!
Con's:
• He shares her with his friend WHICH IS A BIGG NOO FOR ME!!!!I DRAW THE LINE OVER HERE....
• He uses her as a fuck toy and manipulates her that he loves her...okay don't come at me for saying thiss...I felt what I felt and this is my opinion....AND THE FEMINIST IN ME COULDN'T TAKE IT!!!!
• THE FMC doesn't stand up for herself even that pissed me off....
SO WILL I CONTINUE THE SERIES YES... BECAUSE OF THE CLIFFHANGER...AND TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT....
DO I LIKE ROWAN???NOPEE
DO I LIKE DOVE???NOPE....
DO I HATE THEMM....NOPE...
LET'S SEE WHAT'S AWAITS US IN THE NEXT BOOK....
AGAIN....NOW I'M FEELING THAT I'M THE BAD GUY OVER HERE...CUZ HER WRITING IS GOOD AND EVERYTHING IT'S JUST MY THING....MY PROBLEM OF NOT LIKING THE BOOK....BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN OTHERS DON'T LIKE OT...THEY SURE WILL...SOO IT'S BETWEEN 3.4STARS FOR MEE....

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark and steamy military romance. Rowan is a ruthless commander in the military and when he meets Dove it is an instant attraction. Not only does he plan on keep her safe, but he also plans on making her his. Fast paced read with loads of drama, suspense and twists and turns. Great characters with great world building and sizzling chemistry. I loved it.

[Darlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

LOL

[Becca · Rating 1 out of 5]

this made me feel icky

[Michelle Delp (Fazio) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and delicious!!

This book was unhinged in the best way, ever. It is dark, delicious, a bit disturbing… but in the best, most intense way. It also ends on an EPIC cliffhanger that left me wanting so much more! I cannot wait for the second book in this series. I literally was shocked at the ending, it was so good!

This story is the epitome of dark romance. And it is dark but, also intense with a really intriguing story line that includes military men and an entire secret society that the world doesn’t know about. And those that do, spend all of their time fighting it.

Rowan, our main MMC is a military commander who is every bit controlling and possessive and he has his sights set on our FMC, Dove. And he is obsessed with her and will do anything to have her. Did I mention he stalked her for 5 years and put cameras in her apartment before he revealed himself? No? Well he did. (We Stan). Despite that, Dove is drawn to him in a way that really defies all logic but, has no idea how she fits in his world.

But, this secret society quickly learns of Rowan’s obsession with her and she’s no longer safe. To the point where she has to move in with him.. and learn his secrets… who knows if they’ll stay together..?

You guys. If I could tell you what he does to her when she moves in… you would be reading this book in a hot second. But, I can’t. I won’t spoil it but, the spice? It’s unreal and so so good. Not only is the spice level top notch but, so is the storyline. Go read this book!

[Komal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don’t know how to rate this.

I guess I had some expectations, which this book didn’t meet, after seeing all the snippets on Rhea’s Threads.

This book is pretty short, with just 200 pages, and I think that’s where my problem was. It was too fast paced. And wdym, there’s a guy here, delivering the news of my brother’s death, and it’s all fine, cause he’s hot?
No thank you 💅
And I don’t really like dom/sub relationships, unless it’s only in bed, so that was also one of the reasons this book wasn’t for me. I also would’ve enjoyed a dual POV more, with Rowan’s emotions and feelings too.

The main character, Dove, annoyed me, SO. FCKING. MUCH. She felt like this innocent little lamb, which some people may like, but it’s not my jam.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, but I don’t have enough interest in the story to care about it 🤷🏽‍♀️

Also, the president & his wife seemed to have an interesting history, so if Rhea ever decides to write a book about them, maybe I’ll check it out.

[Angela ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHEN I TELL YOU I ATE THIS UP! I LICKED THIS PLATE CLEAN! 4.5 ⭐️ 5🌶️ OMG!
I absolutely fell in love with Rowan and Dove. The attraction and the desire they had for each other even after so many years😭🥺 till finally he’s like I HAVE TO HAVE HER! we love a man who knows what he wants.

“I can’t believe you’re finally mine. It’s been so lonely, Dove. So fucking hard thinking of you but knowing I couldn’t have you.”

The plot was so interesting to follow kinda gives me like robin hood and flock vibes! Military man and a secret world group! Such a short fun read to get you ready for the next book. The cliffhanger at the end! chefs kiss.

AND THAT SPICE! that man is filthyyy
“I can’t hear you, Dove. My c0ck is still buried in your warm mouth.” AHHHHHHH

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

read my full review: https://mayasbookshelves.com/under-hi...

After being on a bit of a dark romance kick lately, I, of course, had to pick up Rhea’s book, Under His Command. I’ve interacted with Rhea quite a few times on threads over the course of the last few months and her teasers had me so intrigued and exciting to read this!

Starting this book, the prologue was giving me so much tension and chemistry. I was hooked from page one! As Under His Command progressed, I couldn’t help but love the way the story was going. I mean it was clear to see that not only was Rowan completely obsessed with Dove, but there’s a political underlying element that continued to pop up surrounding Dove’s deceased older brother, Cole. With every mention of Cole I became more and more curious about the real reasons behind his death.

With political intrigue, lots and lots of spice, and a cliffhanger that will have you begging for more, this book was such an exciting and fun read!

[Malin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I read this book in one sitting?

ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY!!

I can’t believe how obsessed I am with Rowan King. He’s pure fire. And flowers. At the same time (iykyk)!!! I finished this in a few hours and could absolutely not put it down, it was entertaining, fun and now I just want Rhea sharp to publish one book a month 😌

Obsessed.

“There is nothing in this fucking world more important to me than you.”