Pretty Threats

Knights of Wrath #1

by Marlee Wray

KNIGHTS OF WRATH - A NEW GU SERIES BEGINS!

My stepbrother is a sociopath. And I'm his obsession.

From the moment we meet, there's something between us. Killian is gorgeous, athletic and smart, which makes him hard to resist. For some reason, I'm the only girl who seems to interest him. It's exciting... At first.

One black night, he shows me who he really is. I become the keeper of his darkest secrets and the one who knows what the rest of the world doesn't. He's jealous and possessive. He's deadly.

When Killian enrolls at Granthorpe University, my school, he forces his way into my new life.

I witness something, and he makes me his captive.
Now, I'm afraid I'll never be free again.

Publisher's This book has dark themes and a morally grey, alpha male who will stop at nothing to get the girl he can't resist. If you don't believe kidnapping is a love language, this book is probably not for you.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Enemies To Lovers, College, Romance, College Romance, Suspense

252 pages, Paperback

Published July 26, 2024

About the author

USA Today and Amazon Bestselling author Marlee Wray writes dirty romances that feature dominant, alpha males and bright, engaging heroines.

Reviews

[Noa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He's prone to violence. Devastation. Innocent or guilty, no one is safe if they get in his way."

Killian Callahan has always been the devil with the pretty face.
Raine knows this better than anyone.
There was always something between them.
From the moment he laid eyes on her. There was no stopping him.
But then he shows Raine who he really is.
She thought she escaped him forever.
But Raine underestimated Killian.
There is only her.
And he will do everything to make sure she knows that.

"And I'm afraid the only way I'll ever truly escape Killian is if one or both of us are dead."

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review 🖤

"Beautiful Killian. A nightmare and a dream rolled into one."

Killian Callahan has been the devil in Raine's life since she met him. He was always there. Always in the shadows. And ever since she learned his secret… He is not letting her out of his sight. Raine might think she has seen Killian's dark side but he's prepared to show her so much more.

"I never had a toy doll as a kid. It's too bad because you sure are fun to play with."

This was such a fun ride!! I love the premise, the characters, and the spice ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥
Marlee Gray creates characters that we want to root for - even when we are rooting for the opposite thing at times but hey isn't that the whole point? 😜😜
I am always a sucker for forbidden romance so I was into it from the first chapter. The way the story unfolded, the side-quests, the evolvement of their relationship - it was such a blast!! 🖤🖤

"That's the thing about Raine. The laws of physics bend around her."

This playlist fits the "Dark Romance" rubric and I absolutely love that for us 💅💅

(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ca... )

🎶 "Twisted" - MISSIO
🎶 "Gravedigger" - Livingston
🎶 "A Little Death" - The Neighbourhood
🎶 "Collide (Sped Up Remix)" - Justine Skye, Tyge
🎶 "RUNRUNRUN - Sped Up Version" - Dutch Melrose
🎶 "Devil Devil" - MILCK
🎶 "Paint It, Black" - Ciara
🎶 "Animal in Me" - Solence
🎶 "Devil" - Barren Gates
🎶 "Street Fight" - Adam Jensen
🎶 "HEARTBEAT" - Isabel LaRosa
🎶 "Scream" - Besomorph, RIELL
🎶 "Monsters" - Ruelle
🎶 "Breathe" - Kansh
🎶 "Love the Way You Hate Me" - Like A Storm
🎶 "Electricity" - Ashley Jana
🎶 "Bad Decisions" - BOBI ANDONOV
🎶 "Cravin'" - Stileto, Kendyle Paige
🎶 "IF THERE IS A GOD, IT'S ME" - PLVTINUM
🎶 "stalker" - Stevie Howie
🎶 "obsessed" - zandros, Limi
🎶 "Cologne" - SM6
🎶 "MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT" - Loveless
🎶 "Kill Everyone" - Hollywood Undead
🎶 "Sociopath" - StayLoose, Bryce Fox
🎶 "Killer" - Valerie Broussard
🎶 "Going Under" - Evanescence
🎶 "I'm Not A Saint" - Billy Raffoul
🎶 "Killer In The Mirror" - Set It Off
🎶 "Drive By" - Train
🎶 "Square Hammer" - Ghost
🎶 "Toxic" - Omido, Rick Jansen
🎶 "Please Please Please" - Our Last Night
🎶 "Paralyzer" - Finger Eleven
🎶 "Mount Everest" - Labrinth
🎶 "Positions" - Rain Paris
🎶 "Never Let Me Go" - Florence + The Machine
🎶 "Skin and Bones" - David Kushner
🎶 "suger honey ice & tea" - Bring Me The Horizon
🎶 "Expectations" - Lauren Jauregui
🎶 "Stockholm Syndrome" - ARCANA
🎶 "Kamikazee" - MISSIO
🎶 "Lightning" - Little Mix
🎶 "Body (Slowed & Reverb)" - Rosenfeld
🎶 "Come as You Are" - Blackwall
🎶 "Smoke - Remix" - BOBI ANDONOV, Son Lux
🎶 "use me" - Makk Mikkael
🎶 "Shivers" - No Resolve
🎶 "…Fuck" - Johnny Rain
🎶 "Whore" - In This Moment
🎶 "traitor" - Olivia Rodrigo
🎶 "feelings" - EMELINE
🎶 "Black Vultures - Stripped" - Halestorm
🎶 "Don't Ever Stop Running" - Maggie Jean Martin
🎶 "Haroin(e)" - Eva Under Fire
🎶 "Astronaut In The Ocean" - Our Last Night
🎶 "Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene" - Hozier
🎶 "favorite crime" - Olivia Rodrigo
🎶 "Let Me Go" - Two Feet
🎶 "In Circles" - Holding Absence
🎶 "Enter Sandman" - Alessia Cara, The Warning
🎶 "Morally Grey" - April Jai, Nation Haven
🎶 "Not Afraid Anymore" - Halsey
🎶 "Beautiful Things" - Rain Paris

And don't worry - I got you with the spice 🌶️🌶️

"You're already wet. You want me inside you, don't you?"

"You like swallowing my cum, huh? Go ahead."

"I'm gonna fuck it, then eat it, then fuck it again."

📷 Tropes 📷

🎮 Dark College Romance
🎮 Forbidden Romance (Step-siblings)
🎮 Forced Proximity
🎮 Hate to Love

Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/C95I8seI7...

[Melluvsbooks]

Too much BDSM 🥴

[Marlee Wray]

`*•.(`*•.(`*(`*•.♥.•*´).•*´).•*´).•
★ A NOTE FROM MARLEE ★
.•*´(¸.•*´(¸.•*´♥`*•.¸)`*•.)`*•.)`*•

While I was writing Ruthless Heart, I met Liam's younger brothers and Killian intrigued me immediately. The youngest and the bast@rd son, Killian's early life was troubled and murky. When I realized he was a gifted athlete and a genius, but also a sociopath, a lot of things fell into place. In high school, his life is slowly spinning off course. He engages in high risk behavior and cares for nothing and no one. Enter Raine, an innocent, idealistic teenage girl who has not let childhood dysfunction destroy her optimism. She's the light to his darkness. Killian does not want to want her. It's something he can't control. But when she is threatened the dangerous stepbrother is exactly who she needs.

Unfortunately, Killian's dark rage is sometimes more than Raine can handle. At the start of Pretty Threats, they're estranged. Then he arrives at Granthorpe where she's just started her freshman year. And things... happen.

Fans of my Mafia Romances: You can expect cameos from the founders of Liam and a couple of the founders of C Crue.

I hope you love it!

xoxo, Marlee

[Virginie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve tried, I swear I’ve tried, but I just couldn’t do it. When I signed up for an ARC of Pretty Threats, I hadn’t read any of Marlee Wray’s books before. So I started with Indecent Demands , which I didn’t really like, but since my mother didn’t raise no quitter, I tried to read Wicked Demands too, until I had to put it on hold while I read the ARCs I had—for fear of missing the deadline, as I didn’t feel invested in the book and was reading it relatively slowly for me.

Pretty Threats only confirmed my opinion of Marlee Wray’s books: they’re not for me.

I feel like I’ve read the same book two and a half times. It’s always the same: a very handsome young man in his early twenties, with a dark soul, who, in addition to his student status, is involved in criminal activities. Then, he ‘corrupts’ a young woman who is barely of age, and a virgin—emphasis on virgin—before using her as a sex toy…

I’ve read dark romance, I’ve read college bully romance, I’ve read dark college bully romance, etc., but this book just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t find any chemistry between the characters, and I couldn’t connect with the story at all.

Still, I’d like to thank Marlee Wray and Grey’s Promotion for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Little monster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book from Marlee Wray and I have to say I completely devoured this in two days!!! This is part of a series but they are standalones but I am gonna go and read the first three that's for sure.

This is a dark step brother and sister college romance! The dark side of it being MMC is a sociopath and he stalks his step sister too. Killian is OBSESSED and when I say that I mean he is touch her and die vibes and boy oh boy why does that always do things to me lol. He's always had a thing for Raine since he first saw her, but one night when blood is drawn they go their separate ways and Raine thinks he's left her alone for a year but on one fateful night she witnesses something she shouldn't and this is his time to get what he wants and he wants Raine.

Killian is part of a secret society which has made him rich and when Raine gets captured by Killian and she's then held captive and he intends to keep her and no more sneaking around like they did when they were younger he sees the opportunity and he takes it full throttle!!!! Will Raine be able to resist her step brother? What happens when she finds out why she's really there?
There are TW and these include:
Kidnapping
Spanking
Murder and violence
A*** play
Stalking

I honestly couldn't put this down it was so good!!! This did end on a cliffhanger and it seems we are getting another book not of this couple but who is at the door at the end? Well I hope we aren't waiting long to find out!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step siblings
Sociopath MMC
Virgin FMc
Forced proximity
One bed
Groveling

I loooved this! When I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it! Raine & Killian became step sibs when they were teens, he’d spy on her and they’d hide under the covers and touch each other. During senior year they went through a traumatic experience together & Raine decided its best to keep killian as far away as possible. Which is impossible because he’s a hacker and a stalker and has known her every move for a year.

Raine catches Killian in the middle of his “job” and the bosses think she’ll tattle so to prevent her from running to the cops they instruct him to get her to fall in love with him while keeping her on house arrest.

This was spicy in the best way 🫠🫠 and so swoony! And he struggled so much with feelings but in the end actually felt quite a bit. It’s dual POV with a HEA.

[Yami’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty Threats, the fourth installment in the Dark Knights Series, delivers a thrilling blend of dark college romance, mafia intrigue, and intense emotions. With a storyline steeped in forced proximity and an exhilarating mix of kidnapping, it keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The plot kicks off with Raine finding herself in a perilous situation due to a miscommunication—one that could cost her life. Enter Killian, her stepbrother with sociopathic tendencies, who may have motives that are as disturbing as they are compelling. Will he rescue her, or does he believe she'd be better off dead?

The narrative is both engaging and addictive, making it impossible to put down. Marlee Wray expertly weaves together a riveting story that features exceptional pacing, character arcs, and world-building that immerses the reader completely.

The characters are brilliantly crafted. Killian's sociopathic traits are portrayed with depth and nuance, adding layers to his character that draw you in. His development throughout the book is phenomenal. Raine, a fiercely determined protagonist, navigates the complexities of her relationship with Killian, showcasing her resilience and ambition despite the chaos around her.

This book is a standout five-star read for me. Having only read this one so far, I am now eager to delve into the earlier and forthcoming books in the series. I am completely hooked!

Killian and Raine's story in Pretty Threats captivates with stepsibling tensions and mafia undertones, all set within the gripping environment of Granthorpe University. Marlee Wray has masterfully crafted a world that is both thrilling and addictive. Her talent for dark romance is unparalleled, and I can't wait to explore more of this series. If you enjoy dark romance, this is an absolute must-read!

[Jens_Book_Cubby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty Threats is the fourth book in the Dark Knights Series. It is a dark, college, forced proximity, mafia, stepbrother romance with a bit of kidnapping, and a morally grey, obsessive and possessive MMC.

Due to a miscommunication, Raine stumbles into a wrong time/wrong place situation that may just get her killed. Will her sociopath, stalker, stepbrother, Killian, save her or will he decide he’s better off with her dead?

The storyline and plot are entertaining and addictive. I definitely did not want it to end and couldn’t put it down. The writing, flow, and pace are fantastic, as are the storytelling, characters, character development, relationship development, and world building.

I love the characters. I especially love Killian’s sociopathic ways. The author does an amazing job portraying his character. I loved Killian’s immense character development throughout the story as well. Raine is also an amazing FMC. I love how driven she is to fulfill her dreams, no matter what is going on. She has dealt with Killian and his ways since she was young and really knows how to manage him.

This is a definite five star read for me. This is the first book that I’ve read in the series, but after reading this one I definitely need to read the prior, and future books. I’m now addicted to this world.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

seriously terrific Mafia Romance

Oh this is Mafia Romance by one of my favourite writers in a series that I have been reading from the beginning, it is Connected to a previous Series by the same writer and the Characters are the C Crew guys, this story is a different series and it is not necessary to read the other series, but I advise you all to do it. Anyway this story continues the story line about this college near Boston and the main male character is rather Dark in Character, I still liked him though and I think you will too.
In this book There are a number of really good smutty scenes and some butt stuff too. A bit of action and danger and the ending is something of a mystery. Not exactly a cliffhanger, but there is a mystery involved.

I have the next book on preorder and I am looking forward to reading it.

[Katelynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marlee is a new to me author that'd I would definitely read again! She created such an over the top obsessed hero in Killian. This man is a legit psychopath who loves his innocent stepsister. The passion was definitely there for Raine and Killian. I loved the plot in this seemed well thought out with a mixture of mystery and danger. it also introduced several side characters I'd be more than happy to read about.

[Haley Stoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m fairly new to the spice world (and to reviewing). I’ve been trying to push my boundaries and explore more genres and this was the perfect book to do just that. I didn’t realize this was part of a series but honestly I didn’t see where there were any holes in the story because it works as standalone. The characters were believable. I was close to wishing I could pull Killians psycho arse out of the pages and keep him for myself but the whole stalking thing is a little much for me. It was interesting to see bits of the family dynamic, and maybe this is where the other books come in to give more detail about the other brothers. So I’ll definitely be going back to read those. I read this in about 2 days so it was a quick, easy read, with just the right amount of spice. Can’t wait to read book five when it releases!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[eisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 🌟

[ThatNerdViolet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was anticipating a dark romance, but this turned into a Mafia thriller with sadistic undertones. It was okay. I was definitely not the target audience for this book.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

okay i know i had my issues with the other books by this author but this one is rough.

almost everything about this book feels unfinished. the reason they’re in this forced proximity thing feels unfinished, the expectations with the mafia and killian’s job feels unfinished, the fight that raine and killian have feels unfinished, their conflict resolution feels unfinished. everything in this book feels like half a plot line.

a bunch of reviews talk about how this book has so much groveling, and it does not. it has almost no groveling. and it does a very cliche thing that always irritates me, which is that the couple has a fight, the fmc runs away, and then something bad happens to her and the mmc finds and rescues her and somehow that solves the problem.

the reason there’s no groveling in this book is because there’s barely any time for it. she runs away and immediately gets kidnapped, he saves her and is like “see? i saved you, obviously i love you.” and she’s like “i guess you’re right. but you should stop lying to me.” and that’s it. that’s the “groveling.” after she finds out that he was manipulating her and lying to her the entire time.

also the main danger/conflict from this book is so confusing because it has nothing to do with anything that’s currently happening in the book, and is tied to an incident we see like twice in flashback. and even then, the “bad guy” in this book is someone none of the characters have even ever met. so there’s no tension, there’s no satisfaction from the reveal at the end, or the killing of the bad guy. we haven’t built this up as a narrative that the audience knows or cares about, so when the bad guy gets his comeuppance, it’s very tepid and unsatisfying because we don’t know who this guy is or why he’s here.

i think this had potential, but basically every aspect is poorly plotted. i would’ve liked to see a book where killian actually manipulated raine long term, and when she finds out she fights back a little and then disappears. i wanted there to be time in between for her to be gone and for him to find her and then do some actual groveling to bring her back to him, but his reaction is just more of the same “you belong to me blah blah” which says almost nothing about her personally, which doesn’t make it feel sexy or fun or interesting. the way these stories usually do this in a way that works is to take a mmc who has a sense of ownership over the fmc and actually make him work for that sense of ownership. it usually starts with him thinking she’s his just as an object to own, and then through the story it becomes clear that she’s more than that and he actually loves her as a person and wants to own her for that reason. and this book just doesn’t show any of that development. it just has a weird love confession that comes directly on the heels of him rescuing her from nearly being killed.

[Mafia Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not really sure what to expect from this one when the description describes the MMC as a sociopath and a stalker. I have read other stalker romances where he is really more like obsessed bordering on morally gray, but this was a whole knew game. He is her step brother by marriage, they were not raised together, but he imprinted on her the minute he met her. She was the shy, nerdy daughter of his stepmother's new husband and didn't know what to think about him but was drawn by his intensity. When they were teens she felt the spark and intensity of his attraction but she wasn't frightened by it until the night of her school dance. He warned her to stay away from other men even platonically. After that she fled to college and away from him but he was never far away. He has been watching her and when something threatens her he is back in full force. He is sociopathic. Not in the over the top alpha way, but truly does not connect with anything but her. Only experiences feelings with her. She is deep feeling and loves and is terrified by his intensity. He is morally gray, he does not have the attachment or feelings that normal people do. At times you think this is terrifying and should not be thought of in any redeeming way, but at other times you see what he will do for her and how she tames him and you are conflicted. It is not like other romances I have read and I wasn't sure that I would like it, but I did. The character development was really good which is critical in a story like this that could fall apart if not treated well. You really had a deep understanding of him. That he was not inherently evil, but rather devoid of feelings. It might be upsetting for some, but I think it was a really good story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[mia ˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚ · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Is there anything better than feelings chosen by the person everyone else wants?"

1.75 stars ✮⋆˙🎱🕷️

tbh, this wasn't my favorite. killian, on paper, seems like a great mmc. he's promised to be OTT, jealous, posessive, and he was at times but most of his dialogue and interior monologue is that of a bot. he lacks complete social skills and any sort of charisma. while he does speak often about how much he loves raine and wants her, the whole plot about having to keep her in the house/crime situation felt like it was important at the beginning, then became totally lost. then she just stayed there.

another plot hole is the whole owen film director situation. she helps him a little, but she gets no evidence, and the climax is about something from their past that we know NOTHING about. its literally like they bring up events that there are no flashbacks or info about, so im sat here totally lost.

lastly, for someone who is completely obsessed with his stepsister, killian is a manwhore. when he's supposed to be groveling when she's gone, he's like yeah i hired prostitutes, i slept around etc. raine was way too good for him. his special tastes are brought up but literally nothing that i would consider deviant happens between them, so why is it even a plot point?

killian in general is just a h**** freak. one of the lines he says is:

"I guess if I ranked women's bodies based on corn standards of what's hot, Raine might not come out on top."

like WTF? after y'all were intimate??? damn, writing this makes me realize how much i hated this book haha. it was just weird. his sexual past was brought up a lot by him and others, and nothing between the two characters seemed sacred in terms of intimacy. i might have to stay away from this author.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first read from this author and what an intriguing introduction this has been. Killian Callahan was a sociopath. He’d always known it and embraced it. His one weakness, his stepsister Raine. One look was all it took. I won’t say it was love he felt; he probably wasn’t capable of that emotion at that point but for the first time he felt something even if was obsession if there was ever one person he could be said to care about, it would be Raine. Forget touch her and die vibes, the ones he gave off were ‘look at her and her die vibes’ something he’d proven on more than one occasion. Raine was his complete opposite, the light to his darkness. She saw beauty in everything even him, until the night she defied him and saw how dark and dangerous he really was resulting in an estrangement between them but even as he kept a physical distance between them, he stalked her every move until he was ready to lay claim but lurking in the background was another threat to Raine and in almost losing her would he realise the truth of how he felt.

I have to admit I’m a bit confused over what exactly C Crue was. Are they a criminal mafia type gang or some kind of a secret society? Their training seems almost military. Whatever they are though, they seem more morally grey than truly evil as Killian’s bosses didn’t want to kill Raine when they thought she saw something she shouldn’t have. Pretty Threats was the fourth book in the Dark Knights series so perhaps if I’d read the previous books, I’d have a clearer idea but with a cliff hanger ending to this one, I’m definitely going to be looking out for the release of the next book and in the meantime I’ve got the first three books to read.

[Maz · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Maree is new for me and wow she blew me away. You may know I like to figure things out before it's revealed but I could not do it in this book!! That stumped me and that is why this book blew me away. Fantastic writing and the suspense was top notch. This is a dark Mafia Romance.
Killian has dark headspace. He did have best childhood and has been angry since. Then he met Raine at a teenager and that sealed her destiny. Killian is utterly obsessed (absolutely next level) and his favourite hobby is to stalk her. He doesn't know how to be soft or gentle and when it comes to Raine he does show empathy, but it's so straight forward and blunt it made me laugh.
Raine just wants to live her life away from Killian after knowing how dark he is. She was doing fine for a year until she stumbles across an incident and now she is his hostage.
There was always a chemistry between them two but it was too toxic and she couldn't see it working out. Now they're in close proximity, Killian will finally get what he has been craving for so long. Their love is unconventional but so real. The spice was super steamy.
But someone is out to destroy Raine and they will regret ever touching her. No one touches Raine, not even her family (see obsessed and over protective *swoon).
I loved the suspense, the secrets, the tension, found family, step siblings, emotions and hot spice. I now need to go back and read all his brothers story.

"Beautiful Killian. A nightmare and a dream rolled into one."

“I want you like my life f*cking depends on it. I thought that would stop if I finally got to f*ck you for real.”

"You’re part of me. Like the blood in my veins. Betraying you would be like cutting my own throat.”

[Nickie Sale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and I found this book somewhat different and not at all what I expected. Raine and Killian are step siblings who as teenagers were close, even intimate without going all the way. They have an incredibly hot chemistry, but Killain is obsessive and Raine knows that he has killed for her.

Now Raine is at Granthorpe University, she's not seen Killian in a year, so when he enrols at Granthorpe University she's surprised but thinks she will be able to avoid him. Killain has not let go of his obession and when Raine see's something she shouldn't, Killain and his friends kidnap her.

From this point on, I found myself getting a bit confused with the complexities surrounding the plot. Killian's friends want to kill Raine (leave no witnesses) but clearly Killian isn't going to allow that to happen. Then we get Killian's bosses, who are not in favour of killing an innocent teenager, so Killian has to make Raine his?

This is definitely spicy with a good dollop of danger alongside. Killian is possessive, obsessed and definitely the man you don't want to love but do and Raine, well she is clearly a strong women, who knows what she wants and where she wants to go. She is mature enough to know and understand exactly who and what Killian is but then she is reacts somewhat immaturely at times rather than go with what her heart and head tell her. Overall definitely an enjoyable book, but some threads have been left dangling which I hope will be cleared up as this series moves on.

[A. Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark college romance that is also mafia related. It takes place between stepsiblings, Raine and Killian. There is also kidnapping involved.

I love the fact that Killian is a psychopath, knows it, and makes no apology for it. The only person Killian cares about is his stepsister, Raine. Cares is a understatement. Obsession isn't quite appropriate either. Whatever it is that Killian feels for Raine goes beyond that. Except, Killian's behavior has pushed Raine away. Ever the brilliant schemer that Killian is, he wants and expects to have Raine back. Killian is the type of crazy though that won't even allow other people to touch Raine. "For a long time, Raine has been the place where I lock my darkest secrets. She’s also been the inspiration for the dark deeds that led to them. It’s how I turned her into my own personal Pandora’s box, and then locked her tight and swallowed the key. Raine has made me two promises. One, she’ll never betray me. And two, she’ll never be mine."

There is a dual storyline of Killian's job and what is also going on in Raine's school happening. This is book 4 in the Dark Knights series. I have not read those. It did not take away from this story. It did make me want to go back and read the first three books though. I'm especially excited to read book 3 and Killian's roommates stories, which I plan on doing.

I received a advanced reader's copy and voluntarily left this review.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rainie is starting her freshman year at GU and is an aspiring vlogger. She is an optimist but also understanding of the world around her.

Killian is dark and brooding, seen as a a bit unhinged, and can hack into anything.

These two are step siblings with Killian’s curiosity beginning the moment they meet. Killian is drawn to Raine’s brightness and his behavior doesn’t phase her. He often confides in her and she never tells another soul. She also innately knows that Killian would not intentionally hurt her and despite his stalkerish ways, he will ala ways be there to watch over her. The two of them have a shared understanding between them, and feelings grow between them. Killian might seem to be a walking red flag and tends to push Raine a bit, yet we tend to see this soft side for Raine, and she feels secure and safe with him. He also is supportive of her and will do what it takes to make her happy.

Moreover, we get some suspense here as there appears to be a threat against Raine. The author does a good job with dropping twists and unseeming hints when you look back. She also creates characters that you do care enough to read about and want to know what happens to them. The pacing was also not rushed and the writing flowed.

Overall, this was a good story and I look forward to what’s next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In the buried depths of my corrupted soul, there’s a little piece of me that loves his obsession. And yeah, that’s the worst part of all.”

I continue to reign in my Marlee Wray era as I devour this author’s books like my air to breathe. Pretty Threats kicks off the Kings of Wrath series and holy heart-pounding high! I was addicted to this deliciously dark roller coaster of a romance full of twists, thrills, chills, and scorching heat.

Pretty Threats Is a steamy stepbrother meets dark romance starring Killian and Raine who are the best blend of toxic and touching. The insane and unhinged, all alpha hero, Killian, with a dirty mouth and protective persona was my undoing. He is a lethal mix of dark devil and white knight. Raine is as strong as she is stunning. This hero and heroine are so attuned to each other with an awareness felt everywhere, and I felt their deep connection grab me through the pages.

This dark and forbidden saga full of fire and desire burns every step of the way. I’m not sure what this says about me, but I crushed hard on the sociopath stepbrother, Killian. Give me the redeemable, hot mess hero any day. I was a prisoner of Killian and this romance. Pretty Threats had its wicked way with me and left me aching for more.

💋💋💋💋💋 pretty but psycho kisses

➡️ https://amzn.to/4kmDsGj

Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog

[Suze Prescot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blended family has Raine's father marrying Marianne who has four sons, the youngest of whom, around Raine's age, is actually the b@stard son of her late husband who she treats the same as the others.
But Killian is not the same. A sociopath? A psychopath? No one has returned more than an educated guess, but the truth is, he's never known - or understood - fear or love. Until Raine. His step/step-sister is his one obsession.
This is a cleverly written tale. Sexy -as you would expect from Marlee - and uncomfortable, as the reader is compelled, like Raine, to feel for a man without emotions. Through his eyes, we see his struggles to connect with her, at the same time as his indifference to connecting with anyone else.
Raine is delightful. Hard-working, caring, moral, yet drawn to Killian by an invisible thread. She suspects what he is, yet her love and desire for him has her challenge her morality in the hope that he can, he will, change.
Terrific characters and a thrilling story, and wonderful links to other series of Marlee's.

Quotes:
"It's super cozy, very sexy, and more welcome than I want it to be."
"There's an emotional numbness that coats his soul the way zinc sunscreen covers skin."

[EM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killian may be a sociopath, but he is her sociopath and that makes all the difference .

All the good stuff packed into this book, dark College romance, mafia, forbidden (step-siblings), forced proximity, morally grey, obsessed MMC, stalking, touch her and die, all the spice

Killian and Raine are made for each other, even if their relationship is a rough ride.

No spoilers, but around 15% through the book and there is a tense situation and Killian's thought processes while working through his options was such an intense read and had me on tender hooks.

While it is book 3 in this series, the first three books featured different characters and the continuation of a storyline (that was resolved in book 3), this book, while briefly mentioning some of those happenings is like the start of a new storyline, with new characters (though set at the same college and has links and characters to others in the overall world). Could be read as a standalone, but all Marlee Wray's books are well worth reading and I loved the first three books. Can't wait for the next books in the series, assuming (they had better!) War and Jaime will get stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Terri Trawets · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! I am already hooked, and this amazing book, and it has just begun! With a start like this, where can it go? I cannot wait to find out!

Raine is Killian’s stepsister. She has been a kind, caring, somewhat normal, artsy young woman. Killian was raised by an inattentive mother and an absent father. He speaks rarely, and only to certain people, namely—Raine. Together, somehow, they have formed a bond during their high school years. In the bedroom, they developed an exploring and somewhat innocent relationship

Now, both Raine and Killian are students at Granthorpe University. In addition, Killian and his two roommates also work for a crime syndicate called C Crue. Killian is pure alpha. He is handsome, strong, powerful, brilliant, dangerous, and, when necessary, violent, but being near him will immediately melt Raine’s insides. Can love humanize a psychopath?

I highly recommend this book. It is a twisted adventure that involves gritty, dramatic, angsty, and gut-wrenching scenes, along with seriously caring and hot, sexy, over-powering emotions. How frightening is obsession; how alluring is its pleasure/? Only time will tell!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

I love a great stepbrother romance and this one is so good. From the moment that Killian Callahan laid eyes on Raine Risher the psycho in him is brought to a whole new level. Killian has always been a sociopath but Raine is now his obsession. The man even marks her, keeps track of her and stalks her. Raine is a freshmen, and a year has passed since the last time she has seen her stepbrother. Granthorpe University is the perfect escape. She hasn't seen him but he does goes to this University too. However, the campus is huge and they shouldn't run into each other. He is off campus and in a secret society so their lives shouldn't intersect. The day Raine witnesses something she never should have seen she is taken captive and all bets are off. Killian is never letting her go. This book is so good. There are plenty of twists and turns and you will be reading as fast as you can. There are edge of the seat moments and not a thing I didn't love about this book.

[AnnaMeansFun · Rating 2 out of 5]

Umm… how exactly is this book a part of the Dark Knights series?

Besides the fact that it takes place in the same universe (as do many other books by the author, from what I’ve gathered), it has absolutely nothing to do with anything happening before in the series.

It doesn’t have anything to do with the previous characters (I believe ONE of them is mentioned and the characters in this book don’t actually know any previous ones), it doesn’t have anything to do with the Dark Knights society and it has nothing to do with the story so far, which was completed within the first three books.

This should be a whole new series, since it essentially is. Also, it should have an actual plot. Besides some ridiculous notion of bad mafia guys deciding that love is the answer, the only thing happening here are some college kids bragging about liking BDSM.

I don’t understand the purpose of this book, I don’t understand it being a part of a completed series, I don’t understand the reasoning behind pretty much anything here. Huh?

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes of dark college romance, mafia, forbidden/taboo romance, and forced proximity.
Trigger warnings include: violence, kidnapping, murder, stalking and spanking.

The fourth book in the Dark Knights series, Killian and Raine are stepsiblings. From the moment they meet, they develop a connection, and Killian's obsession with Raine starts. Raine enrolls in Granthrope University to get away from him and his orbit, but he ends up following her there.

When Raine accidentally witnesses something she shouldn't have, Killian decides to have her move in with him and his roommates to make sure she doesn't say anything. As danger follows her, Killian's true nature is revealed. And he will do anything to protect and keep her. Can Raine's sweet innocent nature, change the ways of her psychopath stepbrother Killian?

Killian and Raine's characters are well-written, as well as the flow of their story and character development. Looking forward to the next book.

[E. C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wray does such a a good job of writing obsessed heros. I love the inner monologues of her men. That’s what keeps me reading. But it’s the opposite for the women. They’re dumb and annoying and… kinda lame. This “film maker” included. Is being naive here supposed to be cute? Quitting school for a mysterious job with a director who will only meet with her one-on-one and who assigns her the task of… spying on frat boys…? I don’t get it.

Which brings me to my next point. This book is the fourth in a series and i could tell. It was like walking into an on-going conversation with no context. I was a little confused about the setting the whole time. I don’t recommend starting with this book. But since i gave the first book as try too (dnf), it’s a fool me once situation.

And yet, i don’t think any of the previous books were about these characters. And some of my confusion related to thier backstory. Sooooo…. whatever. Two stars.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phsyco in Love

Killian how to describe him controlling, cold,dangerous a killer a full blown stalker and he's Raine's stepbrother and the only person allowed to have her she's been his obsession for years and noe someone is also watching her putting her in danger but Killian doesn't mind the danger or the killing he's good at it and loving Raine is the only thing that keeps his leash fully on. Raine my stepbrother has done some bad things he won't leave me alone and now I'm in the middle of his business a place I never should have been along with his other two homicidal roommates but nobody gets to touch me but Killian and then when everything is going good good the betrayal hurts so much I put myself in even more danger and this creep makes my skin shiver and my blood run cold I just hope that the only pshyco I've ever loved finds me in time. I am reviewing this book threw t Kindle Unlimited and this is my honest review.