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Raven
“I know your secret. I know who you are.”
I’ve stolen someone’s identity. The whole world has been looking for me. My powerful, ruthless father. His allies. His enemies. The almighty of Zion, the island I’ve been hiding on for two years.
But the man who blackmails me is the worst of them all. At least, that’s the rumor.
Raven, the dark “handler” of Zion.
Smart. Heartless. Dangerous.
“I will keep your secret. For a price,” he tells me.
The price? Me. For two months.
They say I should fear him.
He says I am his sweet prize.
We set the rules: no violence, no force, no kissing… But weeks into the deal, the fire between us is something neither of us can resist.
I thought he’d use me. He said he’d break me.
Turns out, he is the broken one, hiding a bruised heart behind a ruthless disguise. The more time we spend together, the more I want his dark heart to be mine.
We wanted to play a game. Two people. One deal.
Turns out, we started a war.
They say to win a war, you have to sacrifice.
But we realize too late that in this war, we can’t win unless we sacrifice each other…
* It is strongly recommended to read the previous four books in the Ruthless Paradise series to better understand Zion's history and the chemistry between the characters.
The book is part of a duet and ends on a cliffhanger. It contains situations for mature readers only.
I’ve stolen someone’s identity. The whole world has been looking for me. My powerful, ruthless father. His allies. His enemies. The almighty of Zion, the island I’ve been hiding on for two years.
But the man who blackmails me is the worst of them all. At least, that’s the rumor.
Raven, the dark “handler” of Zion.
Smart. Heartless. Dangerous.
“I will keep your secret. For a price,” he tells me.
The price? Me. For two months.
They say I should fear him.
He says I am his sweet prize.
We set the rules: no violence, no force, no kissing… But weeks into the deal, the fire between us is something neither of us can resist.
I thought he’d use me. He said he’d break me.
Turns out, he is the broken one, hiding a bruised heart behind a ruthless disguise. The more time we spend together, the more I want his dark heart to be mine.
We wanted to play a game. Two people. One deal.
Turns out, we started a war.
They say to win a war, you have to sacrifice.
But we realize too late that in this war, we can’t win unless we sacrifice each other…
* It is strongly recommended to read the previous four books in the Ruthless Paradise series to better understand Zion's history and the chemistry between the characters.
The book is part of a duet and ends on a cliffhanger. It contains situations for mature readers only.
- GenresDark Romance
476 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2024
78 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 18, 2024
M. Maddy. Milena. Manipulation. Mine. Mayflower. Misery. Mahalo. Mercy...
This is how Raven's story developed in the 5th book of this series, which started with the events that book 4 (Wild thing) ended with. To recall, Raven found Milena Tsaruyk who the whole world (mainly its evil and corrupted part) was looking for. And on Zion, of all places. The book starts with Raven confronting Milena who has been moonlighting as Maddy for the last 2 years. To keep her secret, Raven proposes a deal, which is per his words to her "the most common trading coin between women and men". Before reading this book, I was expecting a relationship between them as hard, unapologetic, power-hungry man and timid, compliant, "nice" woman, and... I am happy to get a completely different "R+M" engraved in Maddy's flower. There is a man who feels deeply despite on stoic and expressionless face: sadness over lost childhood, trepidation in the unstable present, hope for the better future, and all his emotions dipped in immense amount of guilt for the loved ones he already lost and expects to loose. And there is a woman, who pushes to be equal to this man despite on being "forced" into physical relationship, who is a powerful player in this man-ruled environment, who is true daughter of one of the most influential and cruelest man in the world, who simply wants to be loved by the man she chose... A wisdom is shared in the book that helps you to understand these two by words of Shakespeare, Jack London, Henry Miller, Marcel Proust, Sonny "Little" and by quotes in Raven's book of quotes. Can Raven's love to Maddy that almost broke him or "wishful kindness" exerted to those around him will help these two to overcome intrusion from "Tsar", Butcher, Port Mrei? Hopefully, we will know in the next book...
This is how Raven's story developed in the 5th book of this series, which started with the events that book 4 (Wild thing) ended with. To recall, Raven found Milena Tsaruyk who the whole world (mainly its evil and corrupted part) was looking for. And on Zion, of all places. The book starts with Raven confronting Milena who has been moonlighting as Maddy for the last 2 years. To keep her secret, Raven proposes a deal, which is per his words to her "the most common trading coin between women and men". Before reading this book, I was expecting a relationship between them as hard, unapologetic, power-hungry man and timid, compliant, "nice" woman, and... I am happy to get a completely different "R+M" engraved in Maddy's flower. There is a man who feels deeply despite on stoic and expressionless face: sadness over lost childhood, trepidation in the unstable present, hope for the better future, and all his emotions dipped in immense amount of guilt for the loved ones he already lost and expects to loose. And there is a woman, who pushes to be equal to this man despite on being "forced" into physical relationship, who is a powerful player in this man-ruled environment, who is true daughter of one of the most influential and cruelest man in the world, who simply wants to be loved by the man she chose... A wisdom is shared in the book that helps you to understand these two by words of Shakespeare, Jack London, Henry Miller, Marcel Proust, Sonny "Little" and by quotes in Raven's book of quotes. Can Raven's love to Maddy that almost broke him or "wishful kindness" exerted to those around him will help these two to overcome intrusion from "Tsar", Butcher, Port Mrei? Hopefully, we will know in the next book...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2024
☺️😯😮💨🥵🥰🔥🤯😤😭💋❤️🫢😲🫨🫨🫨
This was me. Reading.
And reading this was settling.
But the good kind.
It was like sitting down to dinner with your best friend and taking comfort in knowing there’s no rush to talk about everything you’ve missed, you have plenty of time. Time to hear about what they love and miss and getting to know each other all over again.
Getting to know Raven was just that 🥹 oh boy. The time spent in the details of his mind is time 100% well spent. The way this man DEVELOPS through this novel is 🫢🫢
I just wonna hear him TALK and talk and talk and talk. I want to read the books he keeps on his shelves.
AND THE WAY WHEN SHE TELLS HIM TO ASK HE WILL FALL TO HIS KNEES FOR HER AND ASK 🫢🔥
The slow burn is slow but knowing what both of them are thinking about the other is enough to keep you going.
BUT THE TWIST WILL HAVE YOU KICKING YOUR FEET UNTIL THE NEXT BOOK 🖤
This was me. Reading.
And reading this was settling.
But the good kind.
It was like sitting down to dinner with your best friend and taking comfort in knowing there’s no rush to talk about everything you’ve missed, you have plenty of time. Time to hear about what they love and miss and getting to know each other all over again.
Getting to know Raven was just that 🥹 oh boy. The time spent in the details of his mind is time 100% well spent. The way this man DEVELOPS through this novel is 🫢🫢
I just wonna hear him TALK and talk and talk and talk. I want to read the books he keeps on his shelves.
AND THE WAY WHEN SHE TELLS HIM TO ASK HE WILL FALL TO HIS KNEES FOR HER AND ASK 🫢🔥
The slow burn is slow but knowing what both of them are thinking about the other is enough to keep you going.
BUT THE TWIST WILL HAVE YOU KICKING YOUR FEET UNTIL THE NEXT BOOK 🖤
August 26, 2024
Oh My God!!!!!
The Plot, The Plot Twist, The Sheer Energy and Hope of Them, Milena and Raven, is just..... The eye contact, The intimacy, The spice, The Character Sketch, The built Up ughhhh I couldn't keep it down even for a second,😫 So very well written, I cannot even begin, it is as if yesterday I was reading outcasts falling in love with Kai and Callie, then Archer and Kat and today its Raven and Maddy.... Maddy of all was the most unexpected character turning out to he Milena Atleast for me, Maddy was not even on my Radar, but the Energy she channelises throughout making the baddest boy of Zion fall in love with 'The Most Wanted Mafia Princess' OH MY GOD!! the most overwhelmed I've ever been is when Raven The most Ruthless man there is, And a man who is emotionally present so deeply.. Despite of the closeted skeletons he hides so well maintaining a Stoic, Expressionless Poker face sweeping the lost childhood, the painful and dark life that he has led, and in the present where nothing seems to be visible that he'd hope for the better and Foreseeable future, and all his emotions taking a back seat in the extravagant sum of guilt for the people clost to his heart that he already lost and anticipates to lose. Then there is this woman, who Plays out as an equal to this man despite being "forced" into physical relationship, who is a goddess of a player in a Mans world, who is The Daughter of One of Highly Ruthless, Cruel, Influential And Feared man in the world, who simply wants to be with by the man she chose, Who simply wants to Love and be loved by the man she Chose, By Raven. This book is Complete and Pure Entertainment, Emotions and Heartache, and I cannot wait to see what Mayflower holds, the ending made my heart jumped in my mouth....... waiting for the next one. How will Raven and Maddy end up waiting to find out in the next book, ohhhh also emphasis on how the two of them are With Sonny Little, it's so cute🥹🥹🥹🥹
The Plot, The Plot Twist, The Sheer Energy and Hope of Them, Milena and Raven, is just..... The eye contact, The intimacy, The spice, The Character Sketch, The built Up ughhhh I couldn't keep it down even for a second,😫 So very well written, I cannot even begin, it is as if yesterday I was reading outcasts falling in love with Kai and Callie, then Archer and Kat and today its Raven and Maddy.... Maddy of all was the most unexpected character turning out to he Milena Atleast for me, Maddy was not even on my Radar, but the Energy she channelises throughout making the baddest boy of Zion fall in love with 'The Most Wanted Mafia Princess' OH MY GOD!! the most overwhelmed I've ever been is when Raven The most Ruthless man there is, And a man who is emotionally present so deeply.. Despite of the closeted skeletons he hides so well maintaining a Stoic, Expressionless Poker face sweeping the lost childhood, the painful and dark life that he has led, and in the present where nothing seems to be visible that he'd hope for the better and Foreseeable future, and all his emotions taking a back seat in the extravagant sum of guilt for the people clost to his heart that he already lost and anticipates to lose. Then there is this woman, who Plays out as an equal to this man despite being "forced" into physical relationship, who is a goddess of a player in a Mans world, who is The Daughter of One of Highly Ruthless, Cruel, Influential And Feared man in the world, who simply wants to be with by the man she chose, Who simply wants to Love and be loved by the man she Chose, By Raven. This book is Complete and Pure Entertainment, Emotions and Heartache, and I cannot wait to see what Mayflower holds, the ending made my heart jumped in my mouth....... waiting for the next one. How will Raven and Maddy end up waiting to find out in the next book, ohhhh also emphasis on how the two of them are With Sonny Little, it's so cute🥹🥹🥹🥹
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2024
Raven is the first book in the Raven and Mayflower duet but part of the overall Ruthless Paradise series by Lexi Ray. Please read in order to avoid spoilers. If you have read the first four books of this series then you are probably already curious and wanting Raven’s story. You probably have a soft spot for Maddy and are equally intrigued by her. At least that is how it was for me.
This dystopian world set on the island of Zion currently has me in a chokehold as it ends on a cliffhanger… luckily for everyone the next book is available relatively soon.
Without giving too much away, here are some tropes
* Hidden identity
* Blackmail / indecent proposal
* Bad boy / Good girl
* Tortured hero
* He falls first & fast
* Obsession
* Touch her & 🪦 vibes
* Who hurt you?
* Spicy slow burn
* Dystopian vibes
* Island setting
* Mafia connections
Lexi Ray does not disappoint with this series. It’s one of my favs! If you like any of these tropes then definitely add this to your tbr asap.
Check the trigger warning babes, it does have some mentions of dark topics. X
This dystopian world set on the island of Zion currently has me in a chokehold as it ends on a cliffhanger… luckily for everyone the next book is available relatively soon.
Without giving too much away, here are some tropes
* Hidden identity
* Blackmail / indecent proposal
* Bad boy / Good girl
* Tortured hero
* He falls first & fast
* Obsession
* Touch her & 🪦 vibes
* Who hurt you?
* Spicy slow burn
* Dystopian vibes
* Island setting
* Mafia connections
Lexi Ray does not disappoint with this series. It’s one of my favs! If you like any of these tropes then definitely add this to your tbr asap.
Check the trigger warning babes, it does have some mentions of dark topics. X
August 21, 2024
After waiting for what felt like an eternity: Raven is FINALLY here!
I can’t tell you how glad I am that I found this series some time ago. I loved it from the start.
Raven is book #5 of the series and the first book of a book duet. I strongly suggest reading this series in order, otherwise it might be difficult to understand the connections.
This book ended on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to get my grabby hands on the next instalment, Mayflower.
I love the way Lexi Ray creates, describes, portrays her characters. There is so much depth to them and you feel them come alive a little more with every page you read. I loved that most chapters were written from the heroes POV and I was really able to empathize with his emotions. Sometimes I just wanted to crawl into the book and hug him real tight.
Besides the obvious love story there is a lot of other stuff going on and I‘m very curious how everything will play out.
I can’t tell you how glad I am that I found this series some time ago. I loved it from the start.
Raven is book #5 of the series and the first book of a book duet. I strongly suggest reading this series in order, otherwise it might be difficult to understand the connections.
This book ended on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to get my grabby hands on the next instalment, Mayflower.
I love the way Lexi Ray creates, describes, portrays her characters. There is so much depth to them and you feel them come alive a little more with every page you read. I loved that most chapters were written from the heroes POV and I was really able to empathize with his emotions. Sometimes I just wanted to crawl into the book and hug him real tight.
Besides the obvious love story there is a lot of other stuff going on and I‘m very curious how everything will play out.
August 23, 2024
This is book 4 in the Ruthless Paradise series, which starts with Outcast where whilst a hundred elite students partied on Zion Island during spring break, the rest of the world was ravaged by war.
Some say Zion is paradise, run by those same students. But the few who came back don’t talk about it at all. The series then continues with Angel, mine which is a novella then Petal, Chancellor and Wild thing.
As with the other books in this series this one is a five star read, it will have you feeling all the feels.
This book is Maddy and Ravens story and sets it up ready for the final book Mayflower.
I LOVED this book, it had everything.
This book is Maddy and Ravens story and finding out who they were individually before Zion and the challenges they face due to their past. I loved Raven he was a complicated bad boy with a troubled childhood who doesn't know what's happened when Maddy and of course Sonny bulldoze into his life. Would highly recommend 😍😍
Some say Zion is paradise, run by those same students. But the few who came back don’t talk about it at all. The series then continues with Angel, mine which is a novella then Petal, Chancellor and Wild thing.
As with the other books in this series this one is a five star read, it will have you feeling all the feels.
This book is Maddy and Ravens story and sets it up ready for the final book Mayflower.
I LOVED this book, it had everything.
This book is Maddy and Ravens story and finding out who they were individually before Zion and the challenges they face due to their past. I loved Raven he was a complicated bad boy with a troubled childhood who doesn't know what's happened when Maddy and of course Sonny bulldoze into his life. Would highly recommend 😍😍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2024
This book . . . this one right here I have been waiting on since day freaking ONE!
Don't get me wrong I absofuckinlutely adore Kai, he has this very special place in my heart and life. Don't even me get started on the walking talking red flag that is Archer. but Raven . . . RAVEN!
I knew he would be special all on him own.
Lexi Ray did it again. She brought in real issues that some people really do face, and those of us that are lucky enough will never have had to deal with it. We will never truly understand and I think that I why I am obsessed with Raven and Maddy.
The secrets . . . their secrets . .. the wants and needs . . . the dreams . . . the obsession
I could see it all as if I was a friend listening and watching their story play out right in front of my eyes. All I could do is cheer them on
But let me tell you . . . that cliffhanger . . . Oh miss Lexi Ray ma'am I swear you make me want to punch you in the arm every single time!
Don't get me wrong I absofuckinlutely adore Kai, he has this very special place in my heart and life. Don't even me get started on the walking talking red flag that is Archer. but Raven . . . RAVEN!
I knew he would be special all on him own.
Lexi Ray did it again. She brought in real issues that some people really do face, and those of us that are lucky enough will never have had to deal with it. We will never truly understand and I think that I why I am obsessed with Raven and Maddy.
The secrets . . . their secrets . .. the wants and needs . . . the dreams . . . the obsession
I could see it all as if I was a friend listening and watching their story play out right in front of my eyes. All I could do is cheer them on
But let me tell you . . . that cliffhanger . . . Oh miss Lexi Ray ma'am I swear you make me want to punch you in the arm every single time!
February 22, 2026
I think the best way to describe my feelings toward this book is satisfied.
It was a little inconsistent throughout, but I am over the freaking moon that Little was finally given his storyline and my heart is so content that he’s finding his place with Raven who has a very similar childhood to the kid.
Maddy & Raven had a somewhat surface level relationship that seemed almost childish at times (withholding feelings, scared to make the first move, etc.), BUT, that was their “deal” after all. I’m super glad there was some reconciliation between the two before the end of this book. I think they developed really well!
I’m excited for Mayflower!
It was a little inconsistent throughout, but I am over the freaking moon that Little was finally given his storyline and my heart is so content that he’s finding his place with Raven who has a very similar childhood to the kid.
Maddy & Raven had a somewhat surface level relationship that seemed almost childish at times (withholding feelings, scared to make the first move, etc.), BUT, that was their “deal” after all. I’m super glad there was some reconciliation between the two before the end of this book. I think they developed really well!
I’m excited for Mayflower!
December 31, 2024
Getting to know Raven after glimpses of him throughout the other stories was great.
His past is heartbreaking, and you are just hoping that he has a happy ending. He is so closed off and truly can't see how much Zion loves and respects him. It's really sweet the way his relationships grow and how his character develops because of it! The Men of Zion are just built differently!
The cliffhanger, I saw coming and how it would go down but still had me hooked. Now on to Mayflower to finish their story.
His past is heartbreaking, and you are just hoping that he has a happy ending. He is so closed off and truly can't see how much Zion loves and respects him. It's really sweet the way his relationships grow and how his character develops because of it! The Men of Zion are just built differently!
The cliffhanger, I saw coming and how it would go down but still had me hooked. Now on to Mayflower to finish their story.
August 19, 2024
This book has me hooked from the get go! Lexi Ray is so good at weaving the stories of the main characters together throughout all of the books in this series. I love the plot twists and turns as well! Just when you think you have it figured out... Hang on! "Raven" is a crazy ride! People are not always as they seem and you'll definitely learn to never judge a book by its cover!
August 19, 2024
This might be my favorite book of the series. The relationship the main character builds with the love interest is great, but I love the bond with Little! Seriously couldn’t put it down because all the plots are so intriguing! Can’t wait for the final book!
August 26, 2024
Okay so I did not think I would like the story more than the last but AMAZING I can’t wait for mayflower this story was amazing raven and maddy and little the cutest trio ever!!! I love it! The way that raven got Maddy the flower and are the cutest family!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2024
There was alot of heartbreak in this book I think it was truly incredible how it was told and the relationship between the MC may frustrate people at times but oh it's so damn worth it in the end, I absolutely loved it!
September 15, 2024
Just fuckin wow!!!! I knew I was going to love Raven. That ending though ughhhhhhhh! I didn't care to much for Maddy until the very end. And can I say I absolutely love little!!!!! Smut was good. There were alot of misspelled words though and a few Grammer errors. Overall super good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2024
Damn
Ill love this whol series and this book is amaziiiiiiiing 🥰🥰😍😍
Ill love this whol series and this book is amaziiiiiiiing 🥰🥰😍😍
August 28, 2024
The first half of Raven and Maddy's story had so many up and down moments that it kept me hooked. The cliffhanger is everything the author said it would be and I can't wait for the next release.
August 21, 2024
I definitely recommend reading the previous Ruthless Paradise books before starting this one. The other books are great and set you up for Raven and Maddy's story. I couldn't wait to find out more about Raven and this book definitely delivered.
September 7, 2024
Spice Rating:
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 / 5
Star Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Sweet Rating:
🤍🤍🤍🤍 / 5
Favourite Annotation:
'And I want to shatter into pieces at her feet if only her gentle hands would take those pieces and glue them back together.'
Tropes:
🖤 dystopian
🖤 secret identity
🖤 good girl × bad boy
🖤 he falls first & harder
🖤 slow burn
🖤 touch him / her and die
Review:
As always, Ray knows how to write an unparalleled, suspenseful, dystopian, romantic story. It was a torturously beautiful slow burn, all the while still having those snippets of an underlying love between R & M. But when that slowness fizzled out... Their love is simply poetic.
I don't know how you do it but I was feeling everything. The angst in learning of Raven's childhood, the romantic conflict, then the progression to a sweet relationship, the realization that someone was a traitor, the pain and hopelessness that Maddy felt.
The ability to write this way is a gift. Thank you for sharing it with us again and again ×5 (about to be 6!!!). I will be losing my ever-loving mind waiting for 'Mayflower', but that's okay, worth it.
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 / 5
Star Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Sweet Rating:
🤍🤍🤍🤍 / 5
Favourite Annotation:
'And I want to shatter into pieces at her feet if only her gentle hands would take those pieces and glue them back together.'
Tropes:
🖤 dystopian
🖤 secret identity
🖤 good girl × bad boy
🖤 he falls first & harder
🖤 slow burn
🖤 touch him / her and die
Review:
As always, Ray knows how to write an unparalleled, suspenseful, dystopian, romantic story. It was a torturously beautiful slow burn, all the while still having those snippets of an underlying love between R & M. But when that slowness fizzled out... Their love is simply poetic.
I don't know how you do it but I was feeling everything. The angst in learning of Raven's childhood, the romantic conflict, then the progression to a sweet relationship, the realization that someone was a traitor, the pain and hopelessness that Maddy felt.
The ability to write this way is a gift. Thank you for sharing it with us again and again ×5 (about to be 6!!!). I will be losing my ever-loving mind waiting for 'Mayflower', but that's okay, worth it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2024
Be prepared, Raven will take your heart.
After reading the series and getting to know Maddy and Raven, I knew this story was going to be good. And boy oh boy did Lexi deliver! My favorite book in the series so far! I expected Raven to have layers that only Mady would be able to uncover, but I did not expect them to go so deep and uncover the Raven that we get to meet in this book. I can't wait for part 2 of their story!
After reading the series and getting to know Maddy and Raven, I knew this story was going to be good. And boy oh boy did Lexi deliver! My favorite book in the series so far! I expected Raven to have layers that only Mady would be able to uncover, but I did not expect them to go so deep and uncover the Raven that we get to meet in this book. I can't wait for part 2 of their story!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews