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Van Doren #1
Loren
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
I will kill to keep him.
Oakley
It’s a new start - brand new school in a completely different state. For the first time, I now have the freedom to be unapologetically me. But as my luck would have it, I have shit taste in men. The first man to pay me a compliment has so many red flags, I think I’m in a storm. Life can’t get any worse… until he turns into a stalker.
Then my stalker ends up brutally murdered, I walk blindly into a serial killer’s nest, and I catch the attention of a sociopath.
Loren
The moment I see Oakley walk into the cafe, I know he’s mine. I may be here to finish a job, but it’s impossible to concentrate on anything but him. My fascination quickly turns into an obsession, which might be fortunate for him because I think he’s trying to get himself killed.
Which is fine; I’ll protect him. It doesn’t matter how many lives I have to end to make Oakley mine.
***
This is a LGBT+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.
I will kill to keep him.
Oakley
It’s a new start - brand new school in a completely different state. For the first time, I now have the freedom to be unapologetically me. But as my luck would have it, I have shit taste in men. The first man to pay me a compliment has so many red flags, I think I’m in a storm. Life can’t get any worse… until he turns into a stalker.
Then my stalker ends up brutally murdered, I walk blindly into a serial killer’s nest, and I catch the attention of a sociopath.
Loren
The moment I see Oakley walk into the cafe, I know he’s mine. I may be here to finish a job, but it’s impossible to concentrate on anything but him. My fascination quickly turns into an obsession, which might be fortunate for him because I think he’s trying to get himself killed.
Which is fine; I’ll protect him. It doesn’t matter how many lives I have to end to make Oakley mine.
***
This is a LGBT+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.
407 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2024
621 people are currently reading
1037 people want to read
About the author
Crea Reitan
113 books1,125 followersCrea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. When she can't fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center - and utterly swoon-worthy! Don't ask her how many book boyfriends she has...
When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don't even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!
When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don't even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!
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August 15, 2024MM Romance
Family of Vigilantes
DNF @ 20%
No rating because I’m under 50% but this one is a doozy. This is my first book by this author and I’m not interested in trying again. This is the first book of a new series but it was obvious I was supposed to know her other characters from previous books and because I didn’t, it made this book even more intolerable. There were so many character and info dumps in the first 8 chapters that I couldn’t keep up. Loren’s family reminds me of Onley James’ Necessary Evils series except there were triplets instead of twins. Everyone had bizarre names that I can’t even hope to remember and then Oakley’s chapters were all about him and his group of 5 friends. I learned more about his friends than I did about Oakley or Loren and the fact it’s now 20% and these two haven’t met yet? What?
The stalker storyline had potential but fell flat. Loren says at the start that he’s sociopathic, has a diagnosis of something I can’t remember but that he’s never held true attraction to anyone besides having one night stands with chicks but when he spots Oakley at 9%, he’s immediately smitten. This worked in OJ’s series for some reason but not in this book especially when Loren is now stalking Oakley’s stalker and Oakley but they’ve never met. I feel like this book is such a missed opportunity because it has an interesting blurb but there’s just too much boring, useless info coming at me from all sides. Chapter 7 was so boring! Loren was doing recon in Oakley’s house and I had to read about the entire layout of it, where rooms are located, where shoes are etc. No one cares!
The only thing I’m even remotely interested in is the fact two of the triplets seem to be in a relationship and I’d totally read a short version of their story on smashwords just saying but as for this series in general, I’m good.
Thanks Caia for trying to read this with me. 💗 I hate DNFing buddy reads but when you’re only 20% into a 375 page book and absolutely hate it, it’s time to pick something else.
Family of Vigilantes
DNF @ 20%
No rating because I’m under 50% but this one is a doozy. This is my first book by this author and I’m not interested in trying again. This is the first book of a new series but it was obvious I was supposed to know her other characters from previous books and because I didn’t, it made this book even more intolerable. There were so many character and info dumps in the first 8 chapters that I couldn’t keep up. Loren’s family reminds me of Onley James’ Necessary Evils series except there were triplets instead of twins. Everyone had bizarre names that I can’t even hope to remember and then Oakley’s chapters were all about him and his group of 5 friends. I learned more about his friends than I did about Oakley or Loren and the fact it’s now 20% and these two haven’t met yet? What?
The stalker storyline had potential but fell flat. Loren says at the start that he’s sociopathic, has a diagnosis of something I can’t remember but that he’s never held true attraction to anyone besides having one night stands with chicks but when he spots Oakley at 9%, he’s immediately smitten. This worked in OJ’s series for some reason but not in this book especially when Loren is now stalking Oakley’s stalker and Oakley but they’ve never met. I feel like this book is such a missed opportunity because it has an interesting blurb but there’s just too much boring, useless info coming at me from all sides. Chapter 7 was so boring! Loren was doing recon in Oakley’s house and I had to read about the entire layout of it, where rooms are located, where shoes are etc. No one cares!
The only thing I’m even remotely interested in is the fact two of the triplets seem to be in a relationship and I’d totally read a short version of their story on smashwords just saying but as for this series in general, I’m good.
Thanks Caia for trying to read this with me. 💗 I hate DNFing buddy reads but when you’re only 20% into a 375 page book and absolutely hate it, it’s time to pick something else.
July 24, 2024
I liked this, but I didn't love it. It was so long.. for what?...I feel like the stalker OR killer situation could have been drawn out a bit to keep it juicy. It all wrapped up pretty quickly (50ish%) and left me extremely bored the rest of the time. Nothing.was.happening...OMG and the random drama with Brek? That was heartbreaking..
The lil gifts Loren left for Oakley were sweet.
I loved how blunt and possessive Loren was. (Even if they didn't meet until 40%)
He was pretty funny. His family was fun. (They kind of remind me of the Mulvanleys) I'd read his cesty twin brothers' book in a heartbeat 🤭
I just wasn't feeling them. Maybe, bc I was bored... Maybe, bc their sexy time made me cringe more than tingle. 🤷♀️
No cheating. No om.
Oakley is kissed by a friend, but it's unwanted.
"I had one of your hair ties in my hand, and I kept it. I wore it every day, with your hair still wrapped around it. So I had your DNA on me. Like I was wearing you.”
The lil gifts Loren left for Oakley were sweet.
I loved how blunt and possessive Loren was. (Even if they didn't meet until 40%)
He was pretty funny. His family was fun. (They kind of remind me of the Mulvanleys) I'd read his cesty twin brothers' book in a heartbeat 🤭
I just wasn't feeling them. Maybe, bc I was bored... Maybe, bc their sexy time made me cringe more than tingle. 🤷♀️
No cheating. No om.
Oakley is kissed by a friend, but it's unwanted.
"I had one of your hair ties in my hand, and I kept it. I wore it every day, with your hair still wrapped around it. So I had your DNA on me. Like I was wearing you.”
September 7, 2025
I love Loren Van Doren! His possessiveness is off the charts and he is literal when he says that he will kill anyone who touches Oakley - cue me swooning over the walking red flag parade as per.... 😂😂
I really liked this book though, I think in general I love all of Crea's books except when hockey gets in the mix! The Van Doren's have been mentioned a bunch of times in other books so it was cool to start getting to know them better (I'm following the chronological reading order).
Oakley's friends were all interesting too and I like how they all have their own things going on and that they aren't just cardboard cut out background characters.
I'm mostly excited to get to Imry and Haze's book though!
I really liked this book though, I think in general I love all of Crea's books except when hockey gets in the mix! The Van Doren's have been mentioned a bunch of times in other books so it was cool to start getting to know them better (I'm following the chronological reading order).
Oakley's friends were all interesting too and I like how they all have their own things going on and that they aren't just cardboard cut out background characters.
I'm mostly excited to get to Imry and Haze's book though!
January 25, 2025
This just had so much information overload with descriptions of houses and light fixtures that I was like what am I even reading about…..
I hated the first 70% of this book and it didn’t quite all make sense to me in the end like I get why the one guy Todd was a serial killer and harassing Oakley but after Loren killed him and Oakley was attacked again but another serial and Loren saved him that kinda was never brought up again of who or what or why they were even targeting him???
Also I hated that the MCs didn’t meet till over half the book and this had to many side characters I’m guessing from a different series about hockey because Loren kept calling some Noah guy and I was like Jesus Christ I could give a fuck less about this 😑 😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑
I did like the possessive mine mine mine shit and Loren being the absolute submissive sociopath 😂
I hated the first 70% of this book and it didn’t quite all make sense to me in the end like I get why the one guy Todd was a serial killer and harassing Oakley but after Loren killed him and Oakley was attacked again but another serial and Loren saved him that kinda was never brought up again of who or what or why they were even targeting him???
Also I hated that the MCs didn’t meet till over half the book and this had to many side characters I’m guessing from a different series about hockey because Loren kept calling some Noah guy and I was like Jesus Christ I could give a fuck less about this 😑 😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑
I did like the possessive mine mine mine shit and Loren being the absolute submissive sociopath 😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2024
Format: 📱 eBook 📱
Check TWs before reading.
Loren is book one in Reitan's new Van Doren series, and I must say, I'm already hooked.
Loren and Oakley couldn't be more different if they tried. Oakley, shy college boy living with his best friends; dealing from shared past trauma with said friends. Loren, a sociopathic contract unaliver working for his family's larger company. Loren is the epitome of a walking red flag.
It was obsession at first sight for Loren when it came to Oakley, and I was here for it. It's one of those things where you shouldn't find it endearing, but for Loren, it just worked. The sheer devotion he shows from the moment he sets his sights on Oakley was... dare I say cute?
The growth of Loren over the course of the book as he comes to understand his obsession with Oakley was beautiful to read. Due to his diagnosis, he may not understand love, or social cues, but it honestly makes him more endearing as a character. And Oakley, the poor innocent boy. I loved watching him fall hard for the serial unaliver, not really thinking twice about Loren's job. I loved seeing him, the less experienced character, taking control in certain parts of the relationship - and as always with Reitan's books, the spice was perfectly written for the characters, and did not detract from the plot.
As I've come to love with Reitan's books, the side characters absolutely made this book. We get throwbacks to her hockey series, with Noah and Oren, and we get a wonderful cast of supporting characters that we'll be following through the rest of the series with. I love how unique they all are, and absolutely cannot wait to read more about them as the series progresses.
This book is the perfect mix of action, banter, comedy and emotional depth. There is a strong sense of found family (as with all Reitan's books), and the best case of "touch him and 💀".
Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. These are my honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.
Check TWs before reading.
Loren is book one in Reitan's new Van Doren series, and I must say, I'm already hooked.
Loren and Oakley couldn't be more different if they tried. Oakley, shy college boy living with his best friends; dealing from shared past trauma with said friends. Loren, a sociopathic contract unaliver working for his family's larger company. Loren is the epitome of a walking red flag.
It was obsession at first sight for Loren when it came to Oakley, and I was here for it. It's one of those things where you shouldn't find it endearing, but for Loren, it just worked. The sheer devotion he shows from the moment he sets his sights on Oakley was... dare I say cute?
The growth of Loren over the course of the book as he comes to understand his obsession with Oakley was beautiful to read. Due to his diagnosis, he may not understand love, or social cues, but it honestly makes him more endearing as a character. And Oakley, the poor innocent boy. I loved watching him fall hard for the serial unaliver, not really thinking twice about Loren's job. I loved seeing him, the less experienced character, taking control in certain parts of the relationship - and as always with Reitan's books, the spice was perfectly written for the characters, and did not detract from the plot.
As I've come to love with Reitan's books, the side characters absolutely made this book. We get throwbacks to her hockey series, with Noah and Oren, and we get a wonderful cast of supporting characters that we'll be following through the rest of the series with. I love how unique they all are, and absolutely cannot wait to read more about them as the series progresses.
This book is the perfect mix of action, banter, comedy and emotional depth. There is a strong sense of found family (as with all Reitan's books), and the best case of "touch him and 💀".
Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. These are my honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.
July 24, 2024
This is my first time reading this author. I have seen her around a lot, but was never interested enough in the kind of romances she was writing to give her a try. Dark stalker, family etc is just my bag.
I could not make it past the first chapter. First issue was she dropped me in the middle of all these...brothers??...I think?? And acted like I should know them already. It was so offputting. The author is established, but this series is new. It's not crazy to expect some sort of orientation in chapter 1 when you introduce apparently everyone in the series. This has been done better numerous times (Onley James). But that would have been ok if the writing was as "bestselling" as advertised. No. It was simplistic, boring, and a nothingburger. Extra words added for no reason. The dialogue was contrived.
I am disappointed.
I could not make it past the first chapter. First issue was she dropped me in the middle of all these...brothers??...I think?? And acted like I should know them already. It was so offputting. The author is established, but this series is new. It's not crazy to expect some sort of orientation in chapter 1 when you introduce apparently everyone in the series. This has been done better numerous times (Onley James). But that would have been ok if the writing was as "bestselling" as advertised. No. It was simplistic, boring, and a nothingburger. Extra words added for no reason. The dialogue was contrived.
I am disappointed.
did-not-finish
January 21, 2025DNF @ 76%. After months of not caring, I still don’t care.
July 29, 2024
4.5. fucking loved it. It was sweet and not as unhinged as it could have been, oh well. It worked for this story... I forgive the beginning lack of actual plot and pace because ultimately I loved Loren and Oakley. I love their friend circle and their united family. I absolutely love that Reitan says all the friends end up with the Van Dorens and you can believe I'm going to eat that series up. It was just a good, light (if you can believe that) read. With interesting insights and new kinks. So while it followed s similar claiming psychopathic mm template, there were enough differences to make the story fun and their love was definitely swoony. Loren was more like a lost puppy than an unhinged sociopath but it made him sweet and his inability to read social ques or emotions read a bit more like an autist than a sociopath but I do not feel at all offended enough by these things to break it down or pick it apart...and that's how you know it's a good story. It's just a great story. And I'll probably revisit this crooked feel good book one day.
July 15, 2024
okay i loved this! the beginning is definitely a lot of story building, so it’s a semi slow burn?
it was so sweet tho! i love love love the possessiveness, i do wish there was a little bit more jealousy but that’s just personal preference.
the dynamic was so HAWT in this especially when it came to the bedroom 🤩
so excited for the rest of this series!
it was so sweet tho! i love love love the possessiveness, i do wish there was a little bit more jealousy but that’s just personal preference.
the dynamic was so HAWT in this especially when it came to the bedroom 🤩
so excited for the rest of this series!
July 4, 2024
“Holy hell, his voice! I've never heard something so... like the night. Dark, quiet, hypnotic, maybe a little dangerous.”
Oakley is a little awkward and shy, doesn’t get much attention from guys and seems a bit without direction. When he catches the eye of the wrong man, his life gets a little more exciting than he bargained for.
Loren is a sociopath and gets involved with certain situations when people request his help. Last year his friend needed help with such a situation, and he scared off the stalker. Keeping an eye on the man has taught him and his brothers that he didn’t learn his lesson and started his stalking tendencies over some place new.
To right his wrong by letting the man walk, Loren is now back on his trail, ready to end this at last. By stalking this stalker, he gets clued in on his next victim: Oakley, but all he can think when he sees Oakley for the first time is: he’s mine!
“The heat in his eyes, the way he looks at me like he's going to eat me alive, it makes my head spin. To think that you could go your whole life without ever finding someone to look at you this way.
Like you're the only thing that exists. The only person who's important.”
This story has so many good things going for it! Oakley has an amazing found family who will do anything for each other, here the story interconnects with Coach Stare Down. One of Oakley’s friends is Oren’s brother Haze, whose book I am very excited for. This group is so tight-knit and loveable, their speculations about the haunted house across the street had me laughing so much.
Loren might not love and feel in the same way as the rest of his family but how he cares shines through so brightly. I love how Crea wrote him and showing that love doesn’t look the same way every time. Loren might not be ‘normal’, but he is loyal, and he has his own sort of love to give. With his family standing by him, protecting him and loving him fiercely just the way he is, was heartwarming to read. His entire family is the definition of what a family should be, accepting everyone just as they are.
And to top it off, you don’t just get one crazy storyline with the forementioned stalker, Oakley manages to stumble upon a serial killer as well, because he is just that lucky. But nobody can save the day like Loren can! And the obsession, the heat and play between these two is mind blowing.
This series hooked me, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the stories that are unfolding within this family. It is interconnected with Crea’s other MM series but a whole other world as well, giving familiar faces with new avenues and very exciting characters.
“This is the exact place I want to stay forever. In the arms of Loren's obsessive love, knowing that he has and will kill for me.”
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 5, 2024
really hard to follow
Kinda read like talk to text, very rambling and way too much information about things that don’t affect the story.
Kinda read like talk to text, very rambling and way too much information about things that don’t affect the story.
dnf
December 23, 2024i don’t hate myself to the point that i’ll keep on reading this
October 9, 2024
DNF @38% skimmed till the end.
Even though the book is insta-love (Loren), nothing happens between them at allll for like 120 pages. And when they finally talk, the spark is just not there. And
Loren’s attraction to Oakley doesn’t make sense from the start.
The plot reads very much like a Wattpad story. The way the characters behave and how they’re described it’s like I’m reading a Wattpad story. And maybe because of the whole 6 brothers and 6 best friends thing??? Idk felt weird and forced for some reason.
The trope of serial killers family is not new to me (Onley James’ books), but this didn’t work for me. I didn’t fall in love with anything in this book. The next ones will probably be the same as this one plus a new villain.
Even though the book is insta-love (Loren), nothing happens between them at allll for like 120 pages. And when they finally talk, the spark is just not there. And
Loren’s attraction to Oakley doesn’t make sense from the start.
The plot reads very much like a Wattpad story. The way the characters behave and how they’re described it’s like I’m reading a Wattpad story. And maybe because of the whole 6 brothers and 6 best friends thing??? Idk felt weird and forced for some reason.
The trope of serial killers family is not new to me (Onley James’ books), but this didn’t work for me. I didn’t fall in love with anything in this book. The next ones will probably be the same as this one plus a new villain.
November 30, 2024
I liked the intensity in this book. Dark as it was in theory, everything else about it was a dark shade of pink. It couldn't help but be a sweet, obsessive love story. A very intimate and sexy story in true Crea Reitan style. This book set the stage and introduced all the main characters in the series and promises much more enjoyment.
Thoughts as reading:
*This felt like I was reading Onley James' Necessary Evils Series and I'm here for it.🖤🖤🖤
*I like that this is a spin off from the For Puck's Sake series. I was hoping we'd get this story.🔪🩸
JEEZ!!! 😢5% in and I've already shed a tear. Best brotherly love move I've read in a while. What a moment.
Thoughts as reading:
*This felt like I was reading Onley James' Necessary Evils Series and I'm here for it.🖤🖤🖤
*I like that this is a spin off from the For Puck's Sake series. I was hoping we'd get this story.🔪🩸
JEEZ!!! 😢5% in and I've already shed a tear. Best brotherly love move I've read in a while. What a moment.
August 12, 2024
fed up!!!
I’m at 50% and NOTHING RELEVANT HAS HAPPENED. So many unnecessary words about Absolutely nothing! I struggled to get this far but I feel like life is passing me by
I’m at 50% and NOTHING RELEVANT HAS HAPPENED. So many unnecessary words about Absolutely nothing! I struggled to get this far but I feel like life is passing me by
January 20, 2025
Re-read January 20, 2025. I enjoyed it even more the second time around. Loren and Oakley are so good together.
August 23, 2024
1.25⭐
“I need you to tell me what you need,” he counters. “Even on my best days, I don’t understand people. Most of the time, it’s because I’ve never cared to try, which is really coming back to bite me right now when I need to know what you need.”
“I want to know what happened?”
Loren nods. “I will tell you, but you tell me first. What do you need, Oakley?”
“I need a hug,” I whisper. “I, umm, want to be held.”
This had everything to be a good book but the execution was really bad.
“I need you to tell me what you need,” he counters. “Even on my best days, I don’t understand people. Most of the time, it’s because I’ve never cared to try, which is really coming back to bite me right now when I need to know what you need.”
“I want to know what happened?”
Loren nods. “I will tell you, but you tell me first. What do you need, Oakley?”
“I need a hug,” I whisper. “I, umm, want to be held.”
This had everything to be a good book but the execution was really bad.
July 16, 2024
I’ve known I was different since I was a kid. When those around me played house, there was always a mom, a dad, and a baby. I didn’t want to play the dad and live with a mom. I wanted another dad to live with.
This was my first book by Crea Reitan and oh my god, it won't be the last. I didn't expect anything from this and now I'm obsessed.
How do I make him understand when the only thing I know is that man belongs to me? I’m not a fucking dog. I don’t just bond like that. But the way my chest feels tight and my possessive anger feels like a living thing right now truly feels like I have an animal living inside me.
I've absolutely adored Loren!!! The book and the character. How can he be a sociopath and a killer and so fucking sweet at the same time. I was melting for him!!!
“He didn’t tell me he has a boyfriend. You should be mad at him and not me for dating him. I didn’t know.”
“He doesn’t have a boyfriend,” Myro says as I grip Daniel’s hair and haul him backward. He screams, but the sound is cut off by the angle in which I have his neck.
“He has a guardian angel,” Imry says, amused, as I drive my knife to the handle into his stomach.
So, the Van Doren are a rich business family, owners of a big company I think. But the brothers are the secret and illegal and solving-problems-no-matter-the-way squad. Including murder, stalking, cyberstalking, and lots of illegal things. Myro and Loren are the contract killers, Voss is the computer genius, the triplets Imry, Avory and Ellory work for the law offices (find anything that's not online about anyone).
More than anything, I long for someone to want me. To love me. I want a love story. A real one. Not a romance book with morally gray love interests and all that, but a real- life epic romance where he’s just… obsessed with me. I want to be someone’s priority. To be the person they can’t stop thinking about and receive random texts to tell me so.
And this book is about Loren, the little one of the family, and his obsession, Oakley, a student. They met while Loren is in a mission; he has to kill a man who abuses his boyfriends, and his next victim is baby Oakley, but Loren can't let that happen because from the moment he saw Oakley, he knew he was his. And so the book is totally Loren courting Oakley in the most sweet and innocent way because Loren doesn't know how to be with someone he likes this much.
I got rid of one stalker and replaced him with myself.
I fucking love with my whole heart the way the members of this family treat each other. The father is one of the best fathers I've ever met/read. The way he encourages his sons to be themselves, but at the same time he can put limits when it's the best for them. Like how he lets Loren kill because he knows he need it, but with a max of 20 kills a year and with the obligation of retiring if he reaches a certain amount. Or how he supports Loren when he found out he likes a boy, and he talks to him about how stalking him is probably not the best way to his heart, but with zero judgement.
My fingers continue to twist around the hair tie I still have in my hand, making me smile. There’s a single strand of hair on it, but I don’t pull it off. Nope. I slide the elastic onto my wrist and wear it like a bracelet, including his DNA in the hair strand. I’m aware I’ve crossed a line. I just don’t care. There aren’t any excuses that I could offer. I want to know Oakley and I’m not quite confident enough to speak to him yet. I’ll get there. Soon.
And the support and love between the brothers is pure gold. They're always protecting each other, teasing and talking and watching for the others.
And his smile. Goddamn, that smile. I’ve never seen someone so transformed when they smile. He’s gorgeous without it; but man, when he smiles, it’s just so damn radiant. Breathtaking. I seriously forget how to breathe.
AND NOW I'M GOING TO SCREAM ABOUT THE FACT THAT FROM THE FIRST TIME AVORY AND ELLORY ARE MENTIONED TOGETHER I WAS THINKING: MMM THAT SOUNDS LIKE THEY LOVE LOVE EACH OTHER, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. SO I WAS REALLY ATTENTIVE EACH TIME THEY WERE MENTIONED AND I WAS LIVING. EACH SCENE MADE ME SCREAM BECAUSE THEY TOTALLY FUCK (AND DATE AND EVERYTHING, I'M PRETTY SURE THEY'RE SOULMATES). GO MY INCESTUOUS BABIES. I can't fucking wait for a book about them. PLEASE. Also, one of Oakley's friends said that he wouldn't mind be with two people at the same time, so I'm seeing a very very good MMM with incest. PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
As soon as I saw this man, a part of me was rewritten to include Oakley in my makeup. He’s a part of me and quite frankly, I will not live without him.
The insta-possession was everything. I fell totally in love with he protective motherfucker that Loren is. HE IS SO CUTE. THAT'S THE WORD. Fucking hell Loren, you can't be a sociopath and a killer and this cute and innocent and sweet in the romantic aspect of love. The way he's so frustrated because he don't know how to talk to Oakley or about what was so fucking cute. And how he says everything he thinks. I love how he talks. And how he calls his friend Noah or his brothers when he has doubts (always), like when he calls Noah because he doesn't know how to kiss someone he really likes 😭😭😭😭😭😭 I'm adopting him forever and ever.
There’s a knock at the door and I turn my head.
“Yeah?” Loren calls and the door opens. My eyes widen. Myro steps inside and then backs out quickly.
“Fucking Christ, Loren. It’s okay not to share everything with me.”
“You opened the door,” Loren retorts, clearly amused.
“Downstairs, bro. When you’re finished.”
“I wouldn’t have answered you if we weren’t finished,” he says. “I probably wouldn’t have heard you. Oakley has some mad dirty talking skills, and I was enthralled. Trust me when I tell you, you didn’t exist three minutes ago.”
“Jesus,” I mutter, face burning.
And Oakley is basically a perfect match for Loren because he enjoys his possessive and obsessed and murdery side a lot. He matches his vibe. And he's a cutie like this: “Oakley likes flowers and origami. He’d love to get into crafts, but they’re very overwhelming to him—he doesn’t know where to begin. He has a small collection of rocks that he adds to when something feels significant and a rock catches his eye. Oakley is very loyal to his friends. He’s shy and… soft. He loves romance, loves love. More than anything, he wants to be wanted.”
How did he make it through more than twenty years without someone watching over him? He’s here for less than a handful of months and he attracts two crazy fuckers. Three, if I’m included in that.
I love the sex scenes because Loren is so devoted to making Oakley feel good that is like another romantic gesture. Also, that time when they both enjoyed talking about the way Loren stalked Oakley was so sexy. And the way Oakley studies while Loren keeps his fingers inside his ass 😭 Hot. Hot. Hot.
“How does it feel?” I ask, needing to hear his voice.
“Better than breathing,” he grunts. “I want to live inside you, Oakley.”
“Do you like to fuck hard or slow?”
“I don’t care. I just want to be a part of your body.”
The first chapter from Oakley's POV is basically a summary of I think two books from another series by this author. And I totally have to read For Puck's Sake now.
I want to lose myself in his obsession.
I would have liked an interaction between Oakley and his brother. He said they were close but they don't have scenes together.
“You’re dating a sociopath?” Brek asks. “Isn’t that dangerous?”
“So is riding a bus. I’ll take my chances.”
I can't fucking wait for the next books about this family. They'll be seven books. My bets on the couples are this ones:
Imry x Briar
Avory x Ellory x Brek
Voss x Levis (even though I think there's something between Voss and his friend Enoch, so maybe Voss x Enoch and Levis x the father)
And I'm gonna say the father x Haze because I don't remember more characters.
And maybe the father's brothers?
Dad chuckles. “Yes. Arath is my next younger brother. Noaz is my youngest. Oxley and Kairo are the middle brothers.”
And I think the only straight one is Myro, who ends up with Honey Bee.
“At the risk of sounding psychotic, I’m never letting you out of my life, Oakley. I will never let you go. You’re mine. I will kill anyone who tries to get in the way or tries to take your love from me.”
This was my first book by Crea Reitan and oh my god, it won't be the last. I didn't expect anything from this and now I'm obsessed.
How do I make him understand when the only thing I know is that man belongs to me? I’m not a fucking dog. I don’t just bond like that. But the way my chest feels tight and my possessive anger feels like a living thing right now truly feels like I have an animal living inside me.
I've absolutely adored Loren!!! The book and the character. How can he be a sociopath and a killer and so fucking sweet at the same time. I was melting for him!!!
“He didn’t tell me he has a boyfriend. You should be mad at him and not me for dating him. I didn’t know.”
“He doesn’t have a boyfriend,” Myro says as I grip Daniel’s hair and haul him backward. He screams, but the sound is cut off by the angle in which I have his neck.
“He has a guardian angel,” Imry says, amused, as I drive my knife to the handle into his stomach.
So, the Van Doren are a rich business family, owners of a big company I think. But the brothers are the secret and illegal and solving-problems-no-matter-the-way squad. Including murder, stalking, cyberstalking, and lots of illegal things. Myro and Loren are the contract killers, Voss is the computer genius, the triplets Imry, Avory and Ellory work for the law offices (find anything that's not online about anyone).
More than anything, I long for someone to want me. To love me. I want a love story. A real one. Not a romance book with morally gray love interests and all that, but a real- life epic romance where he’s just… obsessed with me. I want to be someone’s priority. To be the person they can’t stop thinking about and receive random texts to tell me so.
And this book is about Loren, the little one of the family, and his obsession, Oakley, a student. They met while Loren is in a mission; he has to kill a man who abuses his boyfriends, and his next victim is baby Oakley, but Loren can't let that happen because from the moment he saw Oakley, he knew he was his. And so the book is totally Loren courting Oakley in the most sweet and innocent way because Loren doesn't know how to be with someone he likes this much.
I got rid of one stalker and replaced him with myself.
I fucking love with my whole heart the way the members of this family treat each other. The father is one of the best fathers I've ever met/read. The way he encourages his sons to be themselves, but at the same time he can put limits when it's the best for them. Like how he lets Loren kill because he knows he need it, but with a max of 20 kills a year and with the obligation of retiring if he reaches a certain amount. Or how he supports Loren when he found out he likes a boy, and he talks to him about how stalking him is probably not the best way to his heart, but with zero judgement.
My fingers continue to twist around the hair tie I still have in my hand, making me smile. There’s a single strand of hair on it, but I don’t pull it off. Nope. I slide the elastic onto my wrist and wear it like a bracelet, including his DNA in the hair strand. I’m aware I’ve crossed a line. I just don’t care. There aren’t any excuses that I could offer. I want to know Oakley and I’m not quite confident enough to speak to him yet. I’ll get there. Soon.
And the support and love between the brothers is pure gold. They're always protecting each other, teasing and talking and watching for the others.
And his smile. Goddamn, that smile. I’ve never seen someone so transformed when they smile. He’s gorgeous without it; but man, when he smiles, it’s just so damn radiant. Breathtaking. I seriously forget how to breathe.
AND NOW I'M GOING TO SCREAM ABOUT THE FACT THAT FROM THE FIRST TIME AVORY AND ELLORY ARE MENTIONED TOGETHER I WAS THINKING: MMM THAT SOUNDS LIKE THEY LOVE LOVE EACH OTHER, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. SO I WAS REALLY ATTENTIVE EACH TIME THEY WERE MENTIONED AND I WAS LIVING. EACH SCENE MADE ME SCREAM BECAUSE THEY TOTALLY FUCK (AND DATE AND EVERYTHING, I'M PRETTY SURE THEY'RE SOULMATES). GO MY INCESTUOUS BABIES. I can't fucking wait for a book about them. PLEASE. Also, one of Oakley's friends said that he wouldn't mind be with two people at the same time, so I'm seeing a very very good MMM with incest. PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
As soon as I saw this man, a part of me was rewritten to include Oakley in my makeup. He’s a part of me and quite frankly, I will not live without him.
The insta-possession was everything. I fell totally in love with he protective motherfucker that Loren is. HE IS SO CUTE. THAT'S THE WORD. Fucking hell Loren, you can't be a sociopath and a killer and this cute and innocent and sweet in the romantic aspect of love. The way he's so frustrated because he don't know how to talk to Oakley or about what was so fucking cute. And how he says everything he thinks. I love how he talks. And how he calls his friend Noah or his brothers when he has doubts (always), like when he calls Noah because he doesn't know how to kiss someone he really likes 😭😭😭😭😭😭 I'm adopting him forever and ever.
There’s a knock at the door and I turn my head.
“Yeah?” Loren calls and the door opens. My eyes widen. Myro steps inside and then backs out quickly.
“Fucking Christ, Loren. It’s okay not to share everything with me.”
“You opened the door,” Loren retorts, clearly amused.
“Downstairs, bro. When you’re finished.”
“I wouldn’t have answered you if we weren’t finished,” he says. “I probably wouldn’t have heard you. Oakley has some mad dirty talking skills, and I was enthralled. Trust me when I tell you, you didn’t exist three minutes ago.”
“Jesus,” I mutter, face burning.
And Oakley is basically a perfect match for Loren because he enjoys his possessive and obsessed and murdery side a lot. He matches his vibe. And he's a cutie like this: “Oakley likes flowers and origami. He’d love to get into crafts, but they’re very overwhelming to him—he doesn’t know where to begin. He has a small collection of rocks that he adds to when something feels significant and a rock catches his eye. Oakley is very loyal to his friends. He’s shy and… soft. He loves romance, loves love. More than anything, he wants to be wanted.”
How did he make it through more than twenty years without someone watching over him? He’s here for less than a handful of months and he attracts two crazy fuckers. Three, if I’m included in that.
I love the sex scenes because Loren is so devoted to making Oakley feel good that is like another romantic gesture. Also, that time when they both enjoyed talking about the way Loren stalked Oakley was so sexy. And the way Oakley studies while Loren keeps his fingers inside his ass 😭 Hot. Hot. Hot.
“How does it feel?” I ask, needing to hear his voice.
“Better than breathing,” he grunts. “I want to live inside you, Oakley.”
“Do you like to fuck hard or slow?”
“I don’t care. I just want to be a part of your body.”
The first chapter from Oakley's POV is basically a summary of I think two books from another series by this author. And I totally have to read For Puck's Sake now.
I want to lose myself in his obsession.
I would have liked an interaction between Oakley and his brother. He said they were close but they don't have scenes together.
“You’re dating a sociopath?” Brek asks. “Isn’t that dangerous?”
“So is riding a bus. I’ll take my chances.”
I can't fucking wait for the next books about this family. They'll be seven books. My bets on the couples are this ones:
Imry x Briar
Avory x Ellory x Brek
Voss x Levis (even though I think there's something between Voss and his friend Enoch, so maybe Voss x Enoch and Levis x the father)
And I'm gonna say the father x Haze because I don't remember more characters.
And maybe the father's brothers?
Dad chuckles. “Yes. Arath is my next younger brother. Noaz is my youngest. Oxley and Kairo are the middle brothers.”
And I think the only straight one is Myro, who ends up with Honey Bee.
“At the risk of sounding psychotic, I’m never letting you out of my life, Oakley. I will never let you go. You’re mine. I will kill anyone who tries to get in the way or tries to take your love from me.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2026
4,5 ⭐
Another year and a new fictional family to be obsessed with. No seriously, I'm obsessed with this family! Loved this book through and through. The only reasons it didn't get 5 stars is that the writing got a little bit too repetitive for me and the last half of the book missed the action I wanted. Loved Loren and Oakley together!
This was a new author for me and I'm excited to continue this series and I'll also look into her other works too.
Side note, a new kink I have uncovered is apparently a sociopath getting lessons on how to have sex with a man. Swoon material I tell you 🤭
Another year and a new fictional family to be obsessed with. No seriously, I'm obsessed with this family! Loved this book through and through. The only reasons it didn't get 5 stars is that the writing got a little bit too repetitive for me and the last half of the book missed the action I wanted. Loved Loren and Oakley together!
This was a new author for me and I'm excited to continue this series and I'll also look into her other works too.
Side note, a new kink I have uncovered is apparently a sociopath getting lessons on how to have sex with a man. Swoon material I tell you 🤭
July 14, 2024
Loved it.
Loved Oakley and Loren.
Loved the relationships they had with their friends and families.
Loved how Loren spent time learning how to be romantic for Oakley.
Loved the Noah and Loren conversations.
Another hit from Crea and a really exciting start to a new part of the authors world. Quite possibly one of my top reads of the year. Loren's OTT love and need for Oakley was so well written, and the characters were well defined.
Bring on more of the Van Dorens and their neighbours.
Loved Oakley and Loren.
Loved the relationships they had with their friends and families.
Loved how Loren spent time learning how to be romantic for Oakley.
Loved the Noah and Loren conversations.
Another hit from Crea and a really exciting start to a new part of the authors world. Quite possibly one of my top reads of the year. Loren's OTT love and need for Oakley was so well written, and the characters were well defined.
Bring on more of the Van Dorens and their neighbours.
May 24, 2025
I… yeah. This was really disappointing. The blurb and tags sounded right up my alley. Psycho stalker contract killer and lonely introvert artsy kid that needs rescuing- count me in! However, the execution was in all honesty piss poor.
I had to reread the opening chapters because from word one, it felt like I’d walked in mid book. Characters were named and referenced with virtually no introduction. In the first chapter alone, almost ten new people were brought up from Loren’s pov- most of them being family members that I continued to mix up for the rest of my read. Chapter two spent literal pages waxing poetic about side characters and their family history that still have little to no plot relevance 24 chapters in. From what I’ve gathered, those side characters were apparently the mains from one of the author’s other books. The two protagonists didn’t even speak to each other until a good 30-40% in to the book.
The sex scene that I did get to was one of the least sexy things I’d read in a long time and that’s saying something, since I started my smut journey by reading lemons on Wattpad that got written by thirteen year olds. I suspect that my lack of appreciation had something to do with Oakley’s terribly vanilla dirty talk and all the constant checking in for consent, which, yeah- that’s important. Consent is sexy. But when a character is asking every two minutes if the other person is still okay, it really detracts from the mood. I get it, no one wants to overstep boundaries or make other people feel uncomfortable. But if the man says he is fine and will let you know when that changes, please respect him as an adult to hold true to that and carry on with the fwop fwop. Which brings me to my next point: the amount of therapy speak going on in this story.
Again, don’t get me wrong. I think it’s good that people are becoming more aware of social issues and ways to be a better person to our fellow people. Inclusivity and acceptance is vital to a functional society and it’s good to have stories that focus on that. However, in this book, it felt so ham fisted into the story, that I almost wanted to whip out a checklist and start marking off what deep and provoking conversation was going to happen next.
I don’t know, maybe it was just that almost every conversation had to have someone just bluntly monologuing like they would to a therapist, but it seriously threw me out. It didn’t help that literally none of the men talked like any gay or straight guy I know and the one woman in the story was just sassy TM. I’m not kidding, her entire personality seemed to just be boss bitch who’s pretty and has all the guys wimping after her. Almost every conversation was mushy, and full of reassurance that everyone is accepted in the group and it’s okay to be yourself and you are loved etc. etc. etc. Again, great messages in theory, but I would’ve loved it a lot more if those messages had rather just been shown for the majority instead of shoved down our throats in a politically correct dialogue format. Outside of tumblr, most people really don’t talk like that. Seriously. The people reading the story should have the cognitive abilities to read between the lines, and they’ve got bigger problems than not liking gay people if they need to learn their morals from a romance novel.
On to the positives. I did like Loren- he was fun to follow and his thought process was cool. At times he read a bit juvenile but it wasn’t the worst thing I’ve seen. Oakley wasn’t terrible to follow either, but I really doubt I would’ve liked him much in real life. He did come off as a bit of a naïve idiot at times and faaar too trusting considering that by chapter 24 he’d not only been stalked by someone who was implied to be a serial rapist/ abuser and attacked by a random serial killer. (Because you know, there’s just random serial killers lurking in alleyways on the prowl for victims) Neither incident of which seemed to bother him in the slightest. I mean, shit, the guy didn’t even go to hospital or anything after he’d been knocked out cold by the serial killer and had strangulation marks on his neck.
The premise really was cool and I wish that it had just been executed better. I will however be returning if we get a side story on the twins though, as they seemed like something I’d happily read someday.
Overall, this might be for you if you’re looking for a very surface level romance that has edgy characters masquerading as dark and deep to switch your brain off to. If you’re looking for something with a lot of representation, this also isn’t a bad read, even if I don’t really agree with the delivery of said rep. Again, it’s not offensive in the slightest, but it did come across as very sterile and politically correct to me. I guess I might’ve just been in the mood for something darker and grittier, which this book most certainly isn’t.
I had to reread the opening chapters because from word one, it felt like I’d walked in mid book. Characters were named and referenced with virtually no introduction. In the first chapter alone, almost ten new people were brought up from Loren’s pov- most of them being family members that I continued to mix up for the rest of my read. Chapter two spent literal pages waxing poetic about side characters and their family history that still have little to no plot relevance 24 chapters in. From what I’ve gathered, those side characters were apparently the mains from one of the author’s other books. The two protagonists didn’t even speak to each other until a good 30-40% in to the book.
The sex scene that I did get to was one of the least sexy things I’d read in a long time and that’s saying something, since I started my smut journey by reading lemons on Wattpad that got written by thirteen year olds. I suspect that my lack of appreciation had something to do with Oakley’s terribly vanilla dirty talk and all the constant checking in for consent, which, yeah- that’s important. Consent is sexy. But when a character is asking every two minutes if the other person is still okay, it really detracts from the mood. I get it, no one wants to overstep boundaries or make other people feel uncomfortable. But if the man says he is fine and will let you know when that changes, please respect him as an adult to hold true to that and carry on with the fwop fwop. Which brings me to my next point: the amount of therapy speak going on in this story.
Again, don’t get me wrong. I think it’s good that people are becoming more aware of social issues and ways to be a better person to our fellow people. Inclusivity and acceptance is vital to a functional society and it’s good to have stories that focus on that. However, in this book, it felt so ham fisted into the story, that I almost wanted to whip out a checklist and start marking off what deep and provoking conversation was going to happen next.
I don’t know, maybe it was just that almost every conversation had to have someone just bluntly monologuing like they would to a therapist, but it seriously threw me out. It didn’t help that literally none of the men talked like any gay or straight guy I know and the one woman in the story was just sassy TM. I’m not kidding, her entire personality seemed to just be boss bitch who’s pretty and has all the guys wimping after her. Almost every conversation was mushy, and full of reassurance that everyone is accepted in the group and it’s okay to be yourself and you are loved etc. etc. etc. Again, great messages in theory, but I would’ve loved it a lot more if those messages had rather just been shown for the majority instead of shoved down our throats in a politically correct dialogue format. Outside of tumblr, most people really don’t talk like that. Seriously. The people reading the story should have the cognitive abilities to read between the lines, and they’ve got bigger problems than not liking gay people if they need to learn their morals from a romance novel.
On to the positives. I did like Loren- he was fun to follow and his thought process was cool. At times he read a bit juvenile but it wasn’t the worst thing I’ve seen. Oakley wasn’t terrible to follow either, but I really doubt I would’ve liked him much in real life. He did come off as a bit of a naïve idiot at times and faaar too trusting considering that by chapter 24 he’d not only been stalked by someone who was implied to be a serial rapist/ abuser and attacked by a random serial killer. (Because you know, there’s just random serial killers lurking in alleyways on the prowl for victims) Neither incident of which seemed to bother him in the slightest. I mean, shit, the guy didn’t even go to hospital or anything after he’d been knocked out cold by the serial killer and had strangulation marks on his neck.
The premise really was cool and I wish that it had just been executed better. I will however be returning if we get a side story on the twins though, as they seemed like something I’d happily read someday.
Overall, this might be for you if you’re looking for a very surface level romance that has edgy characters masquerading as dark and deep to switch your brain off to. If you’re looking for something with a lot of representation, this also isn’t a bad read, even if I don’t really agree with the delivery of said rep. Again, it’s not offensive in the slightest, but it did come across as very sterile and politically correct to me. I guess I might’ve just been in the mood for something darker and grittier, which this book most certainly isn’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2024
5 stars solely based on vibes. i love loren and oakley, this is my favvvvv dynamic in an mm couple 🥹🥹 but Crea i’m gonna need a book about the two thirds of the triplets… please… i beg you. i need an Ellory & Avery book STAT give the people (me) what they want!!!!!
July 13, 2024
We got Oakley and his five friends freshly moved into a new house. They have a rule, never take someone home with you.
Oakley is approached by a guy, who swooned him with words, but oh boy after one date Oakley has bad feelings about him. The guy doesn’t accept no.
Opposite Oakley’s house lives a Dad with five adult sons. One of them, Loren, has his eyes on Oakley.
Loren doesn’t know what to do, he wants to claim Oakley as his, he never felt that way.
He knows he should walk away, but he can’t. He’s an assassin and sociopath and needs help to approach Oakley. Meanwhile being a stalker himself, he understands the situation about Oakley’s first stalker.
Can you guess how Loren will handle this? Yesss!!
The story is about Loren and Oakley and a LOT more.
Everything is told clearly and explained, I love that. There are hundreds of little things to enjoy.
While the story is extremely widely featured, every second was worth reading, not once repetitive, it was all super entertaining. The point here is (IMHO) that it’s the first of a series, so all the characters are introduced and not just a bit, it’s a nice and solid foundation for a larger picture.
There are super hot moments. Both the main characters and all their friends and family are great to watch.
The banters and interactions are more than wonderful to follow.
Oakley is approached by a guy, who swooned him with words, but oh boy after one date Oakley has bad feelings about him. The guy doesn’t accept no.
Opposite Oakley’s house lives a Dad with five adult sons. One of them, Loren, has his eyes on Oakley.
Loren doesn’t know what to do, he wants to claim Oakley as his, he never felt that way.
He knows he should walk away, but he can’t. He’s an assassin and sociopath and needs help to approach Oakley. Meanwhile being a stalker himself, he understands the situation about Oakley’s first stalker.
Can you guess how Loren will handle this? Yesss!!
The story is about Loren and Oakley and a LOT more.
Everything is told clearly and explained, I love that. There are hundreds of little things to enjoy.
While the story is extremely widely featured, every second was worth reading, not once repetitive, it was all super entertaining. The point here is (IMHO) that it’s the first of a series, so all the characters are introduced and not just a bit, it’s a nice and solid foundation for a larger picture.
There are super hot moments. Both the main characters and all their friends and family are great to watch.
The banters and interactions are more than wonderful to follow.
September 1, 2024
I loathe when there are ”!!!!!!!!!!” After every fucking sentance
August 29, 2024
A sociopath with a few brothers and a father with a family business which caters to self justice and get rid of the bad people in the world. Where did I read this before…
The author talks in her foreword about how these characters were in her head for a long time. Let me guess, since she read necessary evils?
Not only is that a bad copy of necessary evils it’s also boring af. The sex scenes were so boring I skimmed through half of them. There is no action at all in this book. Let him at least kill a few more people ffs. There is also Loren’s best friend Noah. He is mentioned so often I felt it was necessary to read his book for a bit of backstory. The fact that Oakley doesn’t know that Loren is a professional killer even at the end when they get married is shit. Also that apparently Loren gives up his profession but not is something I don’t like. Onley James did a good job at her first necessary evils book including Noah in the family business aso…
Not recommended.
The author talks in her foreword about how these characters were in her head for a long time. Let me guess, since she read necessary evils?
Not only is that a bad copy of necessary evils it’s also boring af. The sex scenes were so boring I skimmed through half of them. There is no action at all in this book. Let him at least kill a few more people ffs. There is also Loren’s best friend Noah. He is mentioned so often I felt it was necessary to read his book for a bit of backstory. The fact that Oakley doesn’t know that Loren is a professional killer even at the end when they get married is shit. Also that apparently Loren gives up his profession but not is something I don’t like. Onley James did a good job at her first necessary evils book including Noah in the family business aso…
Not recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2024
First chapter is confusing as hell (by the fourth chapter I’m still not sure who the third triplet is besides the ones having sex with each other, and is Imry twins with the other guy? Loren seems to have trouble telling them apart?) and the second chapter is exposition about secondary characters, one of which I’m pretty sure isn’t an active character in this book (Oren). You could skip the second chapter entirely and miss nothing.
Way way too many details about characters I don’t have any reason to care about (truly could not care less about why Jessica is called Honey Bee; it is in no way meaningful to the plot as far as I can tell) and not enough about the main characters, who are presumably the subject of this book.
Way way too many details about characters I don’t have any reason to care about (truly could not care less about why Jessica is called Honey Bee; it is in no way meaningful to the plot as far as I can tell) and not enough about the main characters, who are presumably the subject of this book.
August 15, 2024
ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི
3 stars for Avory & Ellory👀
I need their own book immediately🥲
I just read their scenes together lol
3 stars for Avory & Ellory👀
I need their own book immediately🥲
I just read their scenes together lol
Read
July 26, 2024Dnf 5%. There’s so much character info dumping. In 2 chapters the author spits out almost 20 names. Am I supposed to remember all those characters? And then randomly sharing way too many details about a character named haze and his brother Oren.
I want to love it because in the first chapter alone the author says a few things that I agree with. I personally believe murdering the rich and powerful. The ones who get away with sick crimes. Is perfectly ok. I have no issues with that at all. And the author mentions that. Plus also mentioning that all white males need to be out of offices so this world can start tf over.
I really wanted to push through but there’s so much info dumping about random shit. And not enough info dumping on important shit.
The author spent a whole couple paragraphs explaining the family dynamic of Loren’s family. But fails to mention who is who. And what they even do. Who’s older. Who’s younger. Who tf the dad is. Even tho every last one of these characters is talking on page. But idk even know who they are so im confused. And then she mentions the triplets but fails to tell us which of the 6 siblings are the triplets. At first I thought it was Voss, Avory, and Ellroy. But then the author says something a paragraph later to lead me to believe that it’s Imry, Avory, and Ellroy. I’m not sure if that’s true but who knows we were never told even tho the author had the perfect opportunity to tell.
and then randomly Loren thinks back on something nostalgic and goes “Noah” always said. Who tf is Noah? The author never tells us we are just left in suspense. Normally authors will do something like this. Noah -my uncle on my dad’s side. Always said. Because then the reader at least knows who tf Noah is to our main character.
Then we have Brek, Levi’s, Haze, Briar, and honeybee (Jessica). Who are oakleys best friends. Great what gender are this characters exactly? We learn eventually that haze is gay so a guy. But then we get a whole chapter of his life story. Why? Even if it has something to do with the plot that’s a whole lot of unnatural unnecessary info dumping. That needs to be fleshed out in the story rather than shoved into one chapter.
And then we have Danny there new target. They are killing him for what exactly? It was never really explained. All that was stated was that he manipulated men. Not to mention Danny has a full name so they also call him alabaster. As if we don’t already have 20 million other characters to remember.
Then we have Dylan. Oakleys brother.
I simply have no interest in reading a book that is all over the place. This author needs an editor desperately. Things need to flow more naturally and characters need to be explained right after they are mentioned especially if you are throwing 5 characters at us at a time.
Is myro the older brother? Also it’s stated that the mom hated 3 out of the 6 siblings because they are sociopaths. We know Loren is one. But who’s the others? There’s 5 other siblings am I supposed to take an estimated guess. Based off context clues I could assume Avory and Ellroy. But the odds of 2/3rds of a triplet being a sociopath while the other isn’t is highly unlikely. So it would make more sense if Loren would be a triplet.
Also they randomly mention how their mom doesn’t like them so the dad just leaves her. Ok. What’s the moms name. What’s the dad’s name? These are characters. Please develop your characters.
I’m not saying the author needs to give a whole life story of each character. Chapter 2 is proof on why that’s not necessary. I’m just saying when you mention a new character we need a brief introduction on who they are.
Myro: my older brother and partner in crime.
Elliory, Avory, and imry: the triplets and the youngest of us.
Voss: the smart one. He’s the second born.
Up ⬆️ above is just an example of a brief introduction for the characters so your readers don’t get overwhelmed with all the information that’s being thrown at them.
Anyways my head hurts from this shit. So ima stop here.
That’s all bye ✌🏽
I want to love it because in the first chapter alone the author says a few things that I agree with. I personally believe murdering the rich and powerful. The ones who get away with sick crimes. Is perfectly ok. I have no issues with that at all. And the author mentions that. Plus also mentioning that all white males need to be out of offices so this world can start tf over.
I really wanted to push through but there’s so much info dumping about random shit. And not enough info dumping on important shit.
The author spent a whole couple paragraphs explaining the family dynamic of Loren’s family. But fails to mention who is who. And what they even do. Who’s older. Who’s younger. Who tf the dad is. Even tho every last one of these characters is talking on page. But idk even know who they are so im confused. And then she mentions the triplets but fails to tell us which of the 6 siblings are the triplets. At first I thought it was Voss, Avory, and Ellroy. But then the author says something a paragraph later to lead me to believe that it’s Imry, Avory, and Ellroy. I’m not sure if that’s true but who knows we were never told even tho the author had the perfect opportunity to tell.
and then randomly Loren thinks back on something nostalgic and goes “Noah” always said. Who tf is Noah? The author never tells us we are just left in suspense. Normally authors will do something like this. Noah -my uncle on my dad’s side. Always said. Because then the reader at least knows who tf Noah is to our main character.
Then we have Brek, Levi’s, Haze, Briar, and honeybee (Jessica). Who are oakleys best friends. Great what gender are this characters exactly? We learn eventually that haze is gay so a guy. But then we get a whole chapter of his life story. Why? Even if it has something to do with the plot that’s a whole lot of unnatural unnecessary info dumping. That needs to be fleshed out in the story rather than shoved into one chapter.
And then we have Danny there new target. They are killing him for what exactly? It was never really explained. All that was stated was that he manipulated men. Not to mention Danny has a full name so they also call him alabaster. As if we don’t already have 20 million other characters to remember.
Then we have Dylan. Oakleys brother.
I simply have no interest in reading a book that is all over the place. This author needs an editor desperately. Things need to flow more naturally and characters need to be explained right after they are mentioned especially if you are throwing 5 characters at us at a time.
Is myro the older brother? Also it’s stated that the mom hated 3 out of the 6 siblings because they are sociopaths. We know Loren is one. But who’s the others? There’s 5 other siblings am I supposed to take an estimated guess. Based off context clues I could assume Avory and Ellroy. But the odds of 2/3rds of a triplet being a sociopath while the other isn’t is highly unlikely. So it would make more sense if Loren would be a triplet.
Also they randomly mention how their mom doesn’t like them so the dad just leaves her. Ok. What’s the moms name. What’s the dad’s name? These are characters. Please develop your characters.
I’m not saying the author needs to give a whole life story of each character. Chapter 2 is proof on why that’s not necessary. I’m just saying when you mention a new character we need a brief introduction on who they are.
Myro: my older brother and partner in crime.
Elliory, Avory, and imry: the triplets and the youngest of us.
Voss: the smart one. He’s the second born.
Up ⬆️ above is just an example of a brief introduction for the characters so your readers don’t get overwhelmed with all the information that’s being thrown at them.
Anyways my head hurts from this shit. So ima stop here.
That’s all bye ✌🏽
January 19, 2025
This is absolutely brilliant. I went into the story eyes wide open, knowing that it's a darker romance with a main character being involved in the deadly side of things, and it was so much better than I imagined. Who knew it was so easy to love a character such as Loren! He may have his darker attributes and struggle with some things but Oakley is his perfect match and I can easily see them having a long and happy life together, maybe with the odd contract for Loren, just to keep his urges at bay. I absolutely love the support he has from his family! They try and protect him from the outside world, tell him he is perfect as he is, but also try and help him interact with the world around him.
The immediacy in which he determined Oakley was his was surprising. It was literally at first glance, when Oakley first walks into a cafe. Unfortunately for Oakely, that's the start of a bad experience with another man, who just so happens to be the current one that Loren is hunting.
There is blood, gore and violence throughout the book, though in certain regards it could be called justified, which is the way that Loren looks at it, especially when Oakley is involved. Be sure to read the trigger/content warnings in case this is not for you!
The Van Doren family dynamic is so interesting! All of the brothers and the father live together, not necessarily to protect Loren but it is a part of it, along with the comfort they all get and the ease it brings in their working life, all working for Can Doren Technologies. Oakley has a great group of friends as well, meaning well in their protection and support of him but that doesn't always come across in the best way. Levis is one of the first to understand Loren and I really liked him trying to help Loren along in his getting to know Oakley before anything even happens between them.
I cannot recommend this enough and I am so excited for book two. Crea has seven books planned and I am looking forward to seeing who gets paired up with who!
The immediacy in which he determined Oakley was his was surprising. It was literally at first glance, when Oakley first walks into a cafe. Unfortunately for Oakely, that's the start of a bad experience with another man, who just so happens to be the current one that Loren is hunting.
There is blood, gore and violence throughout the book, though in certain regards it could be called justified, which is the way that Loren looks at it, especially when Oakley is involved. Be sure to read the trigger/content warnings in case this is not for you!
The Van Doren family dynamic is so interesting! All of the brothers and the father live together, not necessarily to protect Loren but it is a part of it, along with the comfort they all get and the ease it brings in their working life, all working for Can Doren Technologies. Oakley has a great group of friends as well, meaning well in their protection and support of him but that doesn't always come across in the best way. Levis is one of the first to understand Loren and I really liked him trying to help Loren along in his getting to know Oakley before anything even happens between them.
I cannot recommend this enough and I am so excited for book two. Crea has seven books planned and I am looking forward to seeing who gets paired up with who!
July 31, 2024
I am rating this 5⭐️ because I enjoyed every single moment of this book and miss the characters so much already, this book was exactly what I was in the mood for but I also enjoyed every book I’ve read by Crea!
But omg Loren, you absolute sweetheart 🥹 I loved him soooo much!
This book was so good, the best part for me was how easily accepted Loren was by Oakley, the way Oakley reacted to Loren sharing everything about himself, it warmed my heart.
I honestly was not expecting this book to be so fucking beautiful as it was, the reason for that is because it’s supposed to be a stälker/obsession situation (which yes it is 😉) but it was so much more.
There were so many feelings involved in everything, I absolutely adored the found family aspect, the way they still looked out for Loren but accepted Oakley just as quickly.
I absolutely adored Loren, he has officially became one of my fave book boyfriends. The plot was also an interesting point but I honestly just wanted to read more about their relationship, I honestly miss these two already 🥲. I believe that the best book i have read about from Crea is Shiver but this definitely takes 2nd place!
Spoilers!⛔️❗️ - The way Loren wanted to be next to Oakley every waking moment was honestly so adorable! ⤵️
‘I like to be present every moment that he’s awake. I want his every minute. I want to make him smile and laugh and watch him blush.’
And also not “waking” minutes too😉⤵️
‘I just need to know he’s sleeping okay, and nothing is bothering him while he sleeps.’
I also loved the way Oakley handled the situations he was in especially when it came to Loren telling him his secrets⤵️
‘Now I’m just smiling like a fucking idiot. This man has just admitted to killing two people and to stalking me, but I feel ridiculously giddy.’
But omg Loren, you absolute sweetheart 🥹 I loved him soooo much!
This book was so good, the best part for me was how easily accepted Loren was by Oakley, the way Oakley reacted to Loren sharing everything about himself, it warmed my heart.
I honestly was not expecting this book to be so fucking beautiful as it was, the reason for that is because it’s supposed to be a stälker/obsession situation (which yes it is 😉) but it was so much more.
There were so many feelings involved in everything, I absolutely adored the found family aspect, the way they still looked out for Loren but accepted Oakley just as quickly.
I absolutely adored Loren, he has officially became one of my fave book boyfriends. The plot was also an interesting point but I honestly just wanted to read more about their relationship, I honestly miss these two already 🥲. I believe that the best book i have read about from Crea is Shiver but this definitely takes 2nd place!
Spoilers!⛔️❗️ - The way Loren wanted to be next to Oakley every waking moment was honestly so adorable! ⤵️
‘I like to be present every moment that he’s awake. I want his every minute. I want to make him smile and laugh and watch him blush.’
And also not “waking” minutes too😉⤵️
‘I just need to know he’s sleeping okay, and nothing is bothering him while he sleeps.’
I also loved the way Oakley handled the situations he was in especially when it came to Loren telling him his secrets⤵️
‘Now I’m just smiling like a fucking idiot. This man has just admitted to killing two people and to stalking me, but I feel ridiculously giddy.’
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