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The Blood Duet #1
Painting with Blood
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 2024 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝗼𝐧.
After escaping a dark and poisonous past, Jane Meyer, a sweet and talented professional painter, crosses paths with James Ambrose, a charming and smart Homicide sergeant for the Hunterville Police Department. It quickly becomes clear that theirs is a beautiful love story, written in the stars.
Fate keeps bringing them together, but fate is a fucking bitch.
In comes Alex Walker, a ruthless and deadly ex-Marine who spends his days as a composite sketch artist for the police. But there’s more to him than meets the eye.
He’s a vicious serial killer.
When a beautiful friendship blossoms between Alex and Jane, the notion that he understands her in a way that James never could is as destructive as a blade. And after a traumatic night makes Jane’s whole world crumble to pieces, she only desires one thing.
Revenge.
With murder on her brain, Alex is the only one who fathoms her need for blood. As they embark on a violent killing spree, a bloody mix of lust and dangerous devotion forms between them, one so powerful that neither of them has the power to fight against it.
After escaping a dark and poisonous past, Jane Meyer, a sweet and talented professional painter, crosses paths with James Ambrose, a charming and smart Homicide sergeant for the Hunterville Police Department. It quickly becomes clear that theirs is a beautiful love story, written in the stars.
Fate keeps bringing them together, but fate is a fucking bitch.
In comes Alex Walker, a ruthless and deadly ex-Marine who spends his days as a composite sketch artist for the police. But there’s more to him than meets the eye.
He’s a vicious serial killer.
When a beautiful friendship blossoms between Alex and Jane, the notion that he understands her in a way that James never could is as destructive as a blade. And after a traumatic night makes Jane’s whole world crumble to pieces, she only desires one thing.
Revenge.
With murder on her brain, Alex is the only one who fathoms her need for blood. As they embark on a violent killing spree, a bloody mix of lust and dangerous devotion forms between them, one so powerful that neither of them has the power to fight against it.
528 pages, Paperback
Published September 4, 2024
98 people are currently reading
1483 people want to read
About the author
Dolores Lane
4 books128 followersDolores Lane is a dark romance author who writes stories of revenge, murder, and filthy sex. Her books usually contain foulmouthed heroines that don’t take shit from anyone and men who will burn down the world for the woman they love. Most of her characters are giant red flags, but red happens to be her favorite color.
She lives in the Netherlands and she likes reading, listening to music, watching TV shows and movies (particularly ones about hot psychopaths) and taking long nature walks with her dog.
She lives in the Netherlands and she likes reading, listening to music, watching TV shows and movies (particularly ones about hot psychopaths) and taking long nature walks with her dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
September 26, 2024
2 I'm finally free stars 😭
This will be my first ever rant review🥺 It will be spoilery so look away if you ever decide to read this lol. I genuinely don't know how this has such high ratings, maybe its a me problem?😇
Let me start by acknowledging the fact that this is a debut and I could see the vision the writer had but alas, FOR ME, it flopped so so hard😭
This is marketed as mindfuck series X butcher and blackbird and yes there are very similar elements and themes in the book ( serial killers, revenge plot..) However, the book was a mess. It was all over the place in terms of pacing, spice and plot. Also, omg the grammar mistakes were too much!
This is basically about Jane who escaped a traumatic past in London to Florida. There she meets James, a hot older detective and Alex, the serial killer. A weird love triangle ensues after something very very very horrible happens to Jane and the revenge plot goes from there. This had such promise y'all but was executed so poorly it made me so mad!
The first 50% of the book was actual trash😭 Who has MULTIPLE spicy scenes in the first 20% of the book? The spice was so cringy to me, I could not take it seriously. I skipped so much spice, like I was skipping WHOLE CHAPTERS😭 Somehow, a detective being kinky nd into rough sex just did not sit right with me, I didn't find it believable😅 Literally nothing interesting happens in the first half of the book no joke, it was just cringy spice, a few murders not even related to the plot and some weird interactions between Jane and Alex. I'm sorry but how do you tell your deepest darkest secret to a man you have known for a month?? How do you go playing around in the beach and get handsy with your friend while you have a devoted boyfriend? I swear Jane made so many stupid decisions, it was actually infuriating!!! This book was somehow trying too hard and not enough🤡
I swear I felt absolutely nothing for all of them in the first 50% of the book, it was so incredibly slow with cringe after cringe. Then all of a sudden, this horrible thing happens to Jane, and the plot finally gets going but then it just goes way too fast😭
SPOILER INCOMING❗❗❗❗❗: she gets brutally gang raped in the streets, it was very graphic and traumatizing 😭 then her and Alex end up finding and killing her attackers in the span of basically 40% of the book. That was way too fast imo. There was even a scene where Alex and Jane were torn apart and it was supposed to be angsty, but it was SO MORONIC!! He literally had to escape with cops coming ANY SECOND, and they were like no I need to fuck you one last time against the car in the rain. BE FOR REALLLLLLLLL😭
Alex, the serial killer, was so blah. This might be a me problem, but that man did absolutely nothing for me. Like yeah he loved her, was obsessed with her but it was just boring and so repetitive. pages upon pages of saying the exact same thing using synonyms.
I didn't like Jane. Don't ask me why because I don't even know the reason💀
James is the only character I actually liked... a little. I felt he was wronged in the book and I believed his love for Jane was real.
This ends in a very predictable cliffhanger. you could see it coming a mile away. Will I read book 2? of course not because self care 😇 However, I will skip to the epilogue just to see who she ends up with lmao🤣
This will be my first ever rant review🥺 It will be spoilery so look away if you ever decide to read this lol. I genuinely don't know how this has such high ratings, maybe its a me problem?😇
Let me start by acknowledging the fact that this is a debut and I could see the vision the writer had but alas, FOR ME, it flopped so so hard😭
This is marketed as mindfuck series X butcher and blackbird and yes there are very similar elements and themes in the book ( serial killers, revenge plot..) However, the book was a mess. It was all over the place in terms of pacing, spice and plot. Also, omg the grammar mistakes were too much!
This is basically about Jane who escaped a traumatic past in London to Florida. There she meets James, a hot older detective and Alex, the serial killer. A weird love triangle ensues after something very very very horrible happens to Jane and the revenge plot goes from there. This had such promise y'all but was executed so poorly it made me so mad!
The first 50% of the book was actual trash😭 Who has MULTIPLE spicy scenes in the first 20% of the book? The spice was so cringy to me, I could not take it seriously. I skipped so much spice, like I was skipping WHOLE CHAPTERS😭 Somehow, a detective being kinky nd into rough sex just did not sit right with me, I didn't find it believable😅 Literally nothing interesting happens in the first half of the book no joke, it was just cringy spice, a few murders not even related to the plot and some weird interactions between Jane and Alex. I'm sorry but how do you tell your deepest darkest secret to a man you have known for a month?? How do you go playing around in the beach and get handsy with your friend while you have a devoted boyfriend? I swear Jane made so many stupid decisions, it was actually infuriating!!! This book was somehow trying too hard and not enough🤡
I swear I felt absolutely nothing for all of them in the first 50% of the book, it was so incredibly slow with cringe after cringe. Then all of a sudden, this horrible thing happens to Jane, and the plot finally gets going but then it just goes way too fast😭
SPOILER INCOMING❗❗❗❗❗: she gets brutally gang raped in the streets, it was very graphic and traumatizing 😭 then her and Alex end up finding and killing her attackers in the span of basically 40% of the book. That was way too fast imo. There was even a scene where Alex and Jane were torn apart and it was supposed to be angsty, but it was SO MORONIC!! He literally had to escape with cops coming ANY SECOND, and they were like no I need to fuck you one last time against the car in the rain. BE FOR REALLLLLLLLL😭
Alex, the serial killer, was so blah. This might be a me problem, but that man did absolutely nothing for me. Like yeah he loved her, was obsessed with her but it was just boring and so repetitive. pages upon pages of saying the exact same thing using synonyms.
I didn't like Jane. Don't ask me why because I don't even know the reason💀
James is the only character I actually liked... a little. I felt he was wronged in the book and I believed his love for Jane was real.
This ends in a very predictable cliffhanger. you could see it coming a mile away. Will I read book 2? of course not because self care 😇 However, I will skip to the epilogue just to see who she ends up with lmao🤣
March 26, 2023
If you are in desperate need of a serial killer to ruin your life, this is the book for you. Not only will Alex Walker utterly shatter into pieces your morals and decency, but also have you gasping for air. Girls, I had to stop reading just to get some fresh air several times. The man is brutal and intense and has broken into the (sacred) top of my list of fictional boyfriends in the rudest of ways. Who even gave him the right.
The author has found a perfect equilibrium between gore and love, between absolutely depraved content and heart-melting scenes. The words written in these pages are chaotically physical. Prepare yourselves to fall, together with Jane, into the unhinged world of Alex Walker—a world you’ll never want to leave.
I also highly appreciated the nuanced, unique personality of the female lead, Jane Meyer. Far from being a damsel in distress, a naïve, artless, saint-like girl, she is a fearless badass—fit for the most degenerate serial killer out there.
And because I have fatally fallen in love with the villain, I tend to overlook the hero, James Ambrose—a grave mistake on my end. He also had me hyperventilating and taking breaks just to breathe. Just. Remember the words ‘thank me’. Remember them and do try to survive when you find them in the book. You’ve been warned.
The author has found a perfect equilibrium between gore and love, between absolutely depraved content and heart-melting scenes. The words written in these pages are chaotically physical. Prepare yourselves to fall, together with Jane, into the unhinged world of Alex Walker—a world you’ll never want to leave.
I also highly appreciated the nuanced, unique personality of the female lead, Jane Meyer. Far from being a damsel in distress, a naïve, artless, saint-like girl, she is a fearless badass—fit for the most degenerate serial killer out there.
And because I have fatally fallen in love with the villain, I tend to overlook the hero, James Ambrose—a grave mistake on my end. He also had me hyperventilating and taking breaks just to breathe. Just. Remember the words ‘thank me’. Remember them and do try to survive when you find them in the book. You’ve been warned.
no-read-pile
September 26, 2024Not reading, see Youssra's review.
January 9, 2025
4.5/5 stars
Okay. I'm just going to have to accept that every book I read from this author is going to blow my mind and give me all the feels! Personally, I feel like if you enjoyed Butcher and Blackbird but wanted it to be darker, this will be perfect for you. It also gave off some cool Dexter serial killer vibes. I love the FMC, Jane. I feel like I had such a clear picture of her in my head when I was reading. She's been on a tough journey, and it was great to see her come into her own and reclaim her life after some terrible events. This book does have some intense content. It is a dark romance, so please please read the trigger warnings prior to starting this one. I'm glad those difficult scenes were pretty clear in the content warning at the beginning so that readers know what they are walking in to. I do think to a certain degree the violence was important to understanding certain character responses and story outcomes. The spicy scenes were incredibly hot (Wish I could put the sweating emoji here). I truly cannot wait to read the next book in this duology because the author set it up so well! Thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team for the rerelease of this series :) look
Okay. I'm just going to have to accept that every book I read from this author is going to blow my mind and give me all the feels! Personally, I feel like if you enjoyed Butcher and Blackbird but wanted it to be darker, this will be perfect for you. It also gave off some cool Dexter serial killer vibes. I love the FMC, Jane. I feel like I had such a clear picture of her in my head when I was reading. She's been on a tough journey, and it was great to see her come into her own and reclaim her life after some terrible events. This book does have some intense content. It is a dark romance, so please please read the trigger warnings prior to starting this one. I'm glad those difficult scenes were pretty clear in the content warning at the beginning so that readers know what they are walking in to. I do think to a certain degree the violence was important to understanding certain character responses and story outcomes. The spicy scenes were incredibly hot (Wish I could put the sweating emoji here). I truly cannot wait to read the next book in this duology because the author set it up so well! Thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team for the rerelease of this series :) look
March 22, 2024
This review is about to be raw pure emotions right now because I JUST finished reading.
I. AM. DEVASTATED!!!! Absolutely DESTROYED! It is not often that books can make me cry, but I had to read so many chapters through blurred tear filled vision. LIKE WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!? I get it’s a duet, but holy hell!!! Like I truly don’t think I can handle anymore emotional turmoil, I see no light! I’m just a crying blubbering angry mess of emotions!
The way I am utterly obsessed and in love with Alex and James but also despise them at the same time is insanity. This book was a whirlwind of constant emotional whiplash!!!!
I’m speechless. I went through so much. How. Do. I. Recover?
Check your triggers, but if you’re like me and have no triggers; please go into this blind. Because I did, and it allowed me to feel everything Jane felt; to struggle with all the choices Jane struggles with. It allowed me to be unaware of any possible choices that would be made.
This was an incredible book and pulled all of the feels out of me. Definitely a must read, but be prepared to want to read part 2 right away. *STRESSED*
I. AM. DEVASTATED!!!! Absolutely DESTROYED! It is not often that books can make me cry, but I had to read so many chapters through blurred tear filled vision. LIKE WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!? I get it’s a duet, but holy hell!!! Like I truly don’t think I can handle anymore emotional turmoil, I see no light! I’m just a crying blubbering angry mess of emotions!
The way I am utterly obsessed and in love with Alex and James but also despise them at the same time is insanity. This book was a whirlwind of constant emotional whiplash!!!!
I’m speechless. I went through so much. How. Do. I. Recover?
Check your triggers, but if you’re like me and have no triggers; please go into this blind. Because I did, and it allowed me to feel everything Jane felt; to struggle with all the choices Jane struggles with. It allowed me to be unaware of any possible choices that would be made.
This was an incredible book and pulled all of the feels out of me. Definitely a must read, but be prepared to want to read part 2 right away. *STRESSED*
August 23, 2024
OMFG. 😩
Screaming. Crying. THROWING UP.
This book was amazing, I cannot believe it.
I felt like I was watching a movie with this book and it had me gagged!!!
There was spice, plot, revenge, murder, passionate love… like I can’t, it literally had everything.
We got the Jane the artist trying to get her life back on track. James the detective and “the knight in shining armor”. And Alex. Ohhhh the sweet baby, traumatized, sketch artist/SERIAL KILLER ALEX.
I’m yelping. This was a plot to die for. Smut that was absolutely FILTHY. And characters?! I never want to let them go. How could I?!
This story will be etched into my brain forever and I need it in a movie ASAP. I cannot wait to get the ARC for part two. I’m guaranteed to EAT THAT UP IN ONE SITTING.
This had triggers galore (which we love) so please check triggers.
THE REVENGE IN THIS BOOK IS WAS…. Yeeeeeee I have no words. IM OBSESSED.
Screaming. Crying. THROWING UP.
This book was amazing, I cannot believe it.
I felt like I was watching a movie with this book and it had me gagged!!!
There was spice, plot, revenge, murder, passionate love… like I can’t, it literally had everything.
We got the Jane the artist trying to get her life back on track. James the detective and “the knight in shining armor”. And Alex. Ohhhh the sweet baby, traumatized, sketch artist/SERIAL KILLER ALEX.
I’m yelping. This was a plot to die for. Smut that was absolutely FILTHY. And characters?! I never want to let them go. How could I?!
This story will be etched into my brain forever and I need it in a movie ASAP. I cannot wait to get the ARC for part two. I’m guaranteed to EAT THAT UP IN ONE SITTING.
This had triggers galore (which we love) so please check triggers.
THE REVENGE IN THIS BOOK IS WAS…. Yeeeeeee I have no words. IM OBSESSED.
May 15, 2025
Diving back into this world after a year was like coming back home. It’s like Dolores took the original books and just enhanced them. I don’t know what she did but it felt like I was reading the same book but also a new book. Maybe it’s the fact it’s been a year and I’m forgetful af.
Now for my review, whenever I hear someone talk about how much they enjoyed the cat and mouse duet (Haunting Adeline) I tell them to read this duet. Why? Because it’s somewhat similar vibes, dark romance and better imo. 🤷🏻♀️ That being said, I enjoy Dolores book more because it includes everything we love of a psycho MMC but gives a strong FMC who doesn’t actually need a man. Idk there’s just something about this duet that draws you in and doesn’t let you go until you’re done.
I’ve missed Jane, Alex and James; I was so happy to dive back into their relationships and this world. Nothing compares to this and I was so happy to see everything I loved in the original edition’s still here. So if you’re a first time reader or a rereader, it’s just as good no matter what. 😉 now to give my brain time to process what I read because I was left on the edge of my seat despite already knowing the ending. 😂
Like all dark romance please check your triggers and then dive into this incredible story. 🤭
Now for my review, whenever I hear someone talk about how much they enjoyed the cat and mouse duet (Haunting Adeline) I tell them to read this duet. Why? Because it’s somewhat similar vibes, dark romance and better imo. 🤷🏻♀️ That being said, I enjoy Dolores book more because it includes everything we love of a psycho MMC but gives a strong FMC who doesn’t actually need a man. Idk there’s just something about this duet that draws you in and doesn’t let you go until you’re done.
I’ve missed Jane, Alex and James; I was so happy to dive back into their relationships and this world. Nothing compares to this and I was so happy to see everything I loved in the original edition’s still here. So if you’re a first time reader or a rereader, it’s just as good no matter what. 😉 now to give my brain time to process what I read because I was left on the edge of my seat despite already knowing the ending. 😂
Like all dark romance please check your triggers and then dive into this incredible story. 🤭
August 6, 2023
love triangle ☑️
ex marine + serial killer ☑️
homicide detective ☑️
spiceeeee 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️☑️
this book had me hooked from the prologue, I was so mad I actually had to do my job instead of reading this in one sitting and don’t even get me started on trying to keep a straight face while reading the smut in this book 😮💨
it is so dark and twisted with a whole lot of romance and spice - honestly a perfect book and I 100% recommend, you’ll thank me after 🤫
i am beyond excited for the second book writing with blood
ex marine + serial killer ☑️
homicide detective ☑️
spiceeeee 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️☑️
this book had me hooked from the prologue, I was so mad I actually had to do my job instead of reading this in one sitting and don’t even get me started on trying to keep a straight face while reading the smut in this book 😮💨
it is so dark and twisted with a whole lot of romance and spice - honestly a perfect book and I 100% recommend, you’ll thank me after 🤫
i am beyond excited for the second book writing with blood
May 1, 2024
freaking fantastic!!!
I literally loved this book soo much. Absolutely 4.75/5 no doubt. I cannot wait to start book 2!!
Would have been a full 5⭐️ but because of the amount of typos and grammatical errors I had to drop slightly. Normally a few don’t bother me but it actually drove me crazy reading this one.
I literally loved this book soo much. Absolutely 4.75/5 no doubt. I cannot wait to start book 2!!
Would have been a full 5⭐️ but because of the amount of typos and grammatical errors I had to drop slightly. Normally a few don’t bother me but it actually drove me crazy reading this one.
September 10, 2024
I need a minute to collect my thoughts lol, just read this book.
Okay, I’m back. This story was so so good. Did you read butcher and blackbird and think this is definitely not dark enough? Read this book! Did you watch Dexter and think, okay but what if he was sexy as hell and had his girl with him?? read this book!! this is veryyyyyy much a dark romance, so please read the triggers list before getting into this book.
The three different POV chapters is honestly my favorite part about this book. The two completely different men in her life, both thinking they are making the world a better place, one by being the sergeant of the homicidal unit and the other being a literal serial killer (a vigilante if you will). It’s so interesting to get both sides of the same coin. And Jane…oh, my girl. She’s written so so so WELL. I love her. To get her trauma and her experiences so intimately you completely understand her and her actions. She’s the perfect dichotomy of soft and needing a shoulder to cry on, AND the strong badass that takes her healing into her own hands. Alex is so disgustingly ENGRAVED into my mind now. This man has no right to be all this encompassing. You’ll be on your knees thanking him…trust me. He will have you questioning everything you thought about yourself. I can’t say enough about him. James, unfortunately I do fall victim to ‘the nice guys always finishes last’😂 even so, this man will have you sweating, blushing, and questioning, why not both???
This is without a doubt one of my new favorite dark romances. Thank you SO much, Dolores, for letting me apart of this ARC team because I absolutely cannot wait to get into book 2🖤❤️🔪
Okay, I’m back. This story was so so good. Did you read butcher and blackbird and think this is definitely not dark enough? Read this book! Did you watch Dexter and think, okay but what if he was sexy as hell and had his girl with him?? read this book!! this is veryyyyyy much a dark romance, so please read the triggers list before getting into this book.
The three different POV chapters is honestly my favorite part about this book. The two completely different men in her life, both thinking they are making the world a better place, one by being the sergeant of the homicidal unit and the other being a literal serial killer (a vigilante if you will). It’s so interesting to get both sides of the same coin. And Jane…oh, my girl. She’s written so so so WELL. I love her. To get her trauma and her experiences so intimately you completely understand her and her actions. She’s the perfect dichotomy of soft and needing a shoulder to cry on, AND the strong badass that takes her healing into her own hands. Alex is so disgustingly ENGRAVED into my mind now. This man has no right to be all this encompassing. You’ll be on your knees thanking him…trust me. He will have you questioning everything you thought about yourself. I can’t say enough about him. James, unfortunately I do fall victim to ‘the nice guys always finishes last’😂 even so, this man will have you sweating, blushing, and questioning, why not both???
This is without a doubt one of my new favorite dark romances. Thank you SO much, Dolores, for letting me apart of this ARC team because I absolutely cannot wait to get into book 2🖤❤️🔪
September 5, 2024
Please check the trigger warnings before reading if needed! But also this book is so easy to become obsessed with! The spice and banter are perfect and I love that there's a love triangle! I'm also down for the serial killer and gore we get. Another book I loved from Dolores Lane! Can't wait to read the 2nd one!
August 5, 2024
can writers take a writing class sometimes like
August 14, 2024
*Disclaimer:This book is far from safe and some scenes are very graphic*
This book is one of those odd, intriguing reads that you just can't put down, even when it leaves you feeling a bit unsettled. The plot had me hooked from the start, though I found myself feeling disconnected at times, probably due to the fact unconventional nature of the story.
The relationships are what really kept me turning the pages. The dynamic between Alex and Jane was especially fascinating. Alex has this dark, Dexter-like vibe—he’s a guy who takes out bad people as a hobby, which is both disturbing and weirdly compelling. Then there’s James, who starts off hot and mysterious but quickly turns into someone who made my skin crawl. The way he talks about his past, casually mentioning his countless one-night stands and using women to fulfill his desires, is seriously off-putting he even mentioned he “went through life shamelessly fucking every beautiful woman in the city, but it was always meaningless” yikes 🤮🤮🤮. The author tries to sell this idea of James falling head over heels for Jane within a few weeks, but honestly, it didn’t quite land for me.
This is also how James describes Jane:
“She looks like a high-end escort―luxurious and classy, but incredibly whorish, nonetheless. She was made for me. “Such a dirty girl,”
Jane, on the other hand, is no saint either. Her friendship with Alex is clearly bothering James, and even though it’s supposed to be platonic, it feels like she’s leading Alex on. Plus, her constant gaslighting of both James and Alex, coupled with her “nobody can control me” attitude, made her a frustrating character. At times, it felt like she was the root of the problem in their messy love triangle. As much as I don’t like James at first I despised Jane more.She become insufferable character, selfish and manipulative. Yes she going through some trauma but it doesn’t change the fact that she kinda ruin everyone’s life
The second half of the book threw me for a loop. After Jane breaks up with James, I found myself actually rooting for him, despite all his flaws. It’s strange how the story managed to make me switch sides, but I guess that’s part of what makes it so intriguing. The book ends on a cliffhanger, with Jane losing both Alex and James. To top it off, her ex from the past is looming, seemingly ready to take revenge on her. This added layer of suspense leaves you wondering what’s next for her—and not in a good way.
Overall, this book isn’t perfect, and the characters are far from likable, but it definitely kept me engaged.
This book is one of those odd, intriguing reads that you just can't put down, even when it leaves you feeling a bit unsettled. The plot had me hooked from the start, though I found myself feeling disconnected at times, probably due to the fact unconventional nature of the story.
The relationships are what really kept me turning the pages. The dynamic between Alex and Jane was especially fascinating. Alex has this dark, Dexter-like vibe—he’s a guy who takes out bad people as a hobby, which is both disturbing and weirdly compelling. Then there’s James, who starts off hot and mysterious but quickly turns into someone who made my skin crawl. The way he talks about his past, casually mentioning his countless one-night stands and using women to fulfill his desires, is seriously off-putting he even mentioned he “went through life shamelessly fucking every beautiful woman in the city, but it was always meaningless” yikes 🤮🤮🤮. The author tries to sell this idea of James falling head over heels for Jane within a few weeks, but honestly, it didn’t quite land for me.
This is also how James describes Jane:
“She looks like a high-end escort―luxurious and classy, but incredibly whorish, nonetheless. She was made for me. “Such a dirty girl,”
Jane, on the other hand, is no saint either. Her friendship with Alex is clearly bothering James, and even though it’s supposed to be platonic, it feels like she’s leading Alex on. Plus, her constant gaslighting of both James and Alex, coupled with her “nobody can control me” attitude, made her a frustrating character. At times, it felt like she was the root of the problem in their messy love triangle. As much as I don’t like James at first I despised Jane more.She become insufferable character, selfish and manipulative. Yes she going through some trauma but it doesn’t change the fact that she kinda ruin everyone’s life
The second half of the book threw me for a loop. After Jane breaks up with James, I found myself actually rooting for him, despite all his flaws. It’s strange how the story managed to make me switch sides, but I guess that’s part of what makes it so intriguing. The book ends on a cliffhanger, with Jane losing both Alex and James. To top it off, her ex from the past is looming, seemingly ready to take revenge on her. This added layer of suspense leaves you wondering what’s next for her—and not in a good way.
Overall, this book isn’t perfect, and the characters are far from likable, but it definitely kept me engaged.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2024
•serial killer
•love triangle
🔥And ALL THE SPICE!
Be prepared to become obsessed with Jane, Alex, and James! This book is so chaotic but has you hooked! The spice, the gore, the banter is everything you want in a book and this delivered 10/10!!
Please check the trigger warnings before starting!!
•love triangle
🔥And ALL THE SPICE!
Be prepared to become obsessed with Jane, Alex, and James! This book is so chaotic but has you hooked! The spice, the gore, the banter is everything you want in a book and this delivered 10/10!!
Please check the trigger warnings before starting!!
August 9, 2023
I did not expect to finish this so quickly. Definitely an easy read with a sprinkle of cringe moments but overall great debut novel. Truly disturbing scenes with insane characters. I can’t wait for the next one.
March 14, 2024
So far I can say this is one of the best I’ve read in 2024!
**Spoilers below
Jane meets James Ambrose: older man, police Sergeant, salt n pepper beard, with a heart of gold, and instantly falls head over heels. Enter Alex Walker, police sketch artist by day and vicious serial killer by night… but he’s not a bad guy! Think Dexter, he only kills people who deserve it.
Jane is torn between her new boyfriend and his mysterious handsome coworker that she can’t seem to get out of her head. Alex becomes Jane’s best friend and she tells him things she could never admit to James. James hates Alex, obviously.
After a terrifying assault, Jane can’t put the pieces of her life back together and things with James become more complicated. Alex sees what she needs and vows to help her get her life back. They go on a murder spree to kill all her assailants and ultimately make her feel whole again. What a guy?!
James won’t let go and ultimately he discovers that his sweet Jane has a darkness inside her that goes against all he vowed to the police force. It ends on a cliffhanger and there is a part 2!!
Tropes: Love triangle, touch her and die, good vs evil, older man, serial killer, dark romance
Spice level 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (there are some graphic scenes so check the trigger warnings)
**Spoilers below
Jane meets James Ambrose: older man, police Sergeant, salt n pepper beard, with a heart of gold, and instantly falls head over heels. Enter Alex Walker, police sketch artist by day and vicious serial killer by night… but he’s not a bad guy! Think Dexter, he only kills people who deserve it.
Jane is torn between her new boyfriend and his mysterious handsome coworker that she can’t seem to get out of her head. Alex becomes Jane’s best friend and she tells him things she could never admit to James. James hates Alex, obviously.
After a terrifying assault, Jane can’t put the pieces of her life back together and things with James become more complicated. Alex sees what she needs and vows to help her get her life back. They go on a murder spree to kill all her assailants and ultimately make her feel whole again. What a guy?!
James won’t let go and ultimately he discovers that his sweet Jane has a darkness inside her that goes against all he vowed to the police force. It ends on a cliffhanger and there is a part 2!!
Tropes: Love triangle, touch her and die, good vs evil, older man, serial killer, dark romance
Spice level 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (there are some graphic scenes so check the trigger warnings)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2024
Calling myself a dark romance fan from now on -or at least a Dolores Lane fan. The way she writes her books always has me STRESSING so much -and I mean it in a good way. This is a great debut!
Although the beginning of the book felt a bit weak for me, as it progressed it got better and better and I was more and more invested. I like how she builds her characters, how nuanced they are, and how the story develops. Be warned, it ends a on a (great) cliffhanger that makes you want to read the second book immediately. Something I like a lot about Lane's female characters is that they are more than just a pretty exterior. They are not at all a damsel in distress, and they can be just as cuckoo as the male protagonists.
Painting with Blood is at times funny but more often quite unhinged, bloody and gorey. And explicit. I mean there are a bunch of trigger warnings for a reason -be sure to read them before starting the book. But it's also a book I recommend if you're in the mood for some super spicy, dark, twisted, serial killer romance. Never in my life I thought I'd say those words together lol, but definitely give Dolores Lane's books a try!!
Although the beginning of the book felt a bit weak for me, as it progressed it got better and better and I was more and more invested. I like how she builds her characters, how nuanced they are, and how the story develops. Be warned, it ends a on a (great) cliffhanger that makes you want to read the second book immediately. Something I like a lot about Lane's female characters is that they are more than just a pretty exterior. They are not at all a damsel in distress, and they can be just as cuckoo as the male protagonists.
Painting with Blood is at times funny but more often quite unhinged, bloody and gorey. And explicit. I mean there are a bunch of trigger warnings for a reason -be sure to read them before starting the book. But it's also a book I recommend if you're in the mood for some super spicy, dark, twisted, serial killer romance. Never in my life I thought I'd say those words together lol, but definitely give Dolores Lane's books a try!!
November 7, 2024
First things first, I got this ARC copy to review and I took way too long to do so. I am a POS and I am so sorry! But, I loved it! So good! Honestly, this is the first time in a long while that I enjoyed the plot more than the spice, the spice was def good though! For this book to be as long as it was, I didn't get bored at all. I enjoyed every second of it. Once Alex came into the picture I was done, he had the perfect mix of sweet and deadly. The way this book ended, I saw it coming and I was waiting for it in the best way. I am going to devour book 2!
September 12, 2024
Wow!!! I loved it. I completely ignored by life and responsibilities to read this. SO GOOD!!!
Jane has gone through so much in her short lifespan this far. She is a bright young beautiful artist who catches the eye of James, a local homicide detective. But she also catches the eye of the sketch artist Alex at the police station as well. Lucky girl has the attention of two incredibly handsome and sexy older men.
James is the strong, confident, intelligent, driven, p0ssessive, d0minant, loves deeply older man of our dreams.
Alex is that dark, mysterious, artistic, quiet, closed off, dangerous, 0bsessive, p0ssessive older man that we fantasize doing absolutely depraved things with.
I started out loving Jane and James together, but she was holding SO much back from him. I get why she felt she had to, but to be in a completely committed long term relationship your secrets are going to come out at some point. The spicy time between them was so hot! The filthy deg mouth on James. My heart broke for him when Jane pushed him away after the incident. He wanted to be there for her so badly but didn’t know how because she wouldn’t tell him.
But with Jane and Alex she just seemed like she had an easier, more relaxed connection where they built a friendship and a mutual love of art first. They did fun friend things and drew together. Once they did finally cross that line though…. WOW… Alex is rough and hard and not afraid to push Jane’s boundaries.
Alex, Alex, Alex, you just can’t help yourself, and I love you for it. I was heartbroken again with that ending! Uuuggghhh!!! Jane just had trouble following her around no matter what!!! FO Bill!!!
I cannot wait to dive into Writing With Blood to see how this all plays out.
Jane has gone through so much in her short lifespan this far. She is a bright young beautiful artist who catches the eye of James, a local homicide detective. But she also catches the eye of the sketch artist Alex at the police station as well. Lucky girl has the attention of two incredibly handsome and sexy older men.
James is the strong, confident, intelligent, driven, p0ssessive, d0minant, loves deeply older man of our dreams.
Alex is that dark, mysterious, artistic, quiet, closed off, dangerous, 0bsessive, p0ssessive older man that we fantasize doing absolutely depraved things with.
I started out loving Jane and James together, but she was holding SO much back from him. I get why she felt she had to, but to be in a completely committed long term relationship your secrets are going to come out at some point. The spicy time between them was so hot! The filthy deg mouth on James. My heart broke for him when Jane pushed him away after the incident. He wanted to be there for her so badly but didn’t know how because she wouldn’t tell him.
But with Jane and Alex she just seemed like she had an easier, more relaxed connection where they built a friendship and a mutual love of art first. They did fun friend things and drew together. Once they did finally cross that line though…. WOW… Alex is rough and hard and not afraid to push Jane’s boundaries.
Alex, Alex, Alex, you just can’t help yourself, and I love you for it. I was heartbroken again with that ending! Uuuggghhh!!! Jane just had trouble following her around no matter what!!! FO Bill!!!
I cannot wait to dive into Writing With Blood to see how this all plays out.
September 4, 2024
WOW! What an exhilarating experience!
I found myself hyperventilating and questioning my morals, seriously lol. One minute I’m kicking my feet up and the next I’m like wait?! this isn’t normal right.. or is it?! 😂 Can we please turn this into a movie? I’m not even kidding, the way I vividly imagined every scene in this book was incredible! The details are on point, from the spice to the heart wrenching romance and the blood soaking gore! Even the occasional funny light hearted quotes were my favorite. The author has a way with words👏🏻
Jane is more than just a pretty face; she’s a fierce, strong FMC with a dark backstory she’s trying to forget. Her character grabbed my attention right from the start, and then she crosses paths with James.
James! The hot and kinky romantic detective🥵 He’s just perfect for Jane, and I was happily swooning over him until we met Alex. The best friend who’s a psycho serial killer but wait, he’s also fkn hot and wild😈 He brings out a different side of Jane, and his only soft spot is for her!
I was genuinely torn between both men and I typically always go for the morally grey characters🤭 but I’m Team James all the way! and I’ll d!e on that hill😩
I loved experiencing all 3 POVs it really immersed me in the story. And they were spaced out well, it was a perfect balance IMO. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book in this duet, ‘Writing With Blood.’ That cliffhanger was crazy🤯
I found myself hyperventilating and questioning my morals, seriously lol. One minute I’m kicking my feet up and the next I’m like wait?! this isn’t normal right.. or is it?! 😂 Can we please turn this into a movie? I’m not even kidding, the way I vividly imagined every scene in this book was incredible! The details are on point, from the spice to the heart wrenching romance and the blood soaking gore! Even the occasional funny light hearted quotes were my favorite. The author has a way with words👏🏻
Jane is more than just a pretty face; she’s a fierce, strong FMC with a dark backstory she’s trying to forget. Her character grabbed my attention right from the start, and then she crosses paths with James.
James! The hot and kinky romantic detective🥵 He’s just perfect for Jane, and I was happily swooning over him until we met Alex. The best friend who’s a psycho serial killer but wait, he’s also fkn hot and wild😈 He brings out a different side of Jane, and his only soft spot is for her!
I was genuinely torn between both men and I typically always go for the morally grey characters🤭 but I’m Team James all the way! and I’ll d!e on that hill😩
I loved experiencing all 3 POVs it really immersed me in the story. And they were spaced out well, it was a perfect balance IMO. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book in this duet, ‘Writing With Blood.’ That cliffhanger was crazy🤯
September 19, 2024
Let me premise this by saying I HATE DNFing, I try not to and I’ve only done it once before! But, I really felt like I was pulling my hair, forcing myself to read this.
The FMC was unbearable. She gave me this biggest ICK. I understand she has trauma, but I felt like she was using her trauma as an excuse to then rationalize her hurtful behavior. I’m all for women empowerment but I don’t condone cheating or leading someone on… she was in a committed relationship, in which they both have already said “I love you,” yet she entertains and flirts with another man. She uses her past relationship with an abusive asshole to reason that she should be able to hangout with a man, she clearly finds sexually attractive, flirt with him, have one on one talks with in her home late at night… and then freaks out on her bf when he becomes upset that he finds her at home with another man cozy in the couch…. 🙄🙄🙄🙄 yeah I’m sorry ICK. And then SURPRISE SURPRISE she masturbates to an image of him.
Yup it’s a no for me.
2⭐️ just for the men because they are both hot. Also, for the dark turns this is clearly taking. If only it didn’t have an insufferable, rage inducing, FMC
The FMC was unbearable. She gave me this biggest ICK. I understand she has trauma, but I felt like she was using her trauma as an excuse to then rationalize her hurtful behavior. I’m all for women empowerment but I don’t condone cheating or leading someone on… she was in a committed relationship, in which they both have already said “I love you,” yet she entertains and flirts with another man. She uses her past relationship with an abusive asshole to reason that she should be able to hangout with a man, she clearly finds sexually attractive, flirt with him, have one on one talks with in her home late at night… and then freaks out on her bf when he becomes upset that he finds her at home with another man cozy in the couch…. 🙄🙄🙄🙄 yeah I’m sorry ICK. And then SURPRISE SURPRISE she masturbates to an image of him.
Yup it’s a no for me.
2⭐️ just for the men because they are both hot. Also, for the dark turns this is clearly taking. If only it didn’t have an insufferable, rage inducing, FMC
September 6, 2024
Just finished reading this book and after experiencing SO many emotions, I feel empty 🫠
I dont even know where to start with this book honestly, there’s so much going on (I think it also takes place for a year and a half) yet it feels very short. Like it was very fast paced, or maybe I just read it very quickly 🤭
I’ll start with my girl Jane, who went through so much and yet was still able to see the beauty of life, was able to find love both in Alex and James, though I think Alex is more like Jane’s soulmate, I understand why she still had feelings for James in the end. I think both of them represent different aspects of her life, which only complement and complete each other.
James, my fav detective, I think there’s a bit 🤏🏻of red flags in him, some of which are understandable, it’s just the way he said some stuff that got me like “hmm maybe you shouldnt have said that” but he’s my guy for sure. Also he’s older so thats a plus 🤌🏻
Alex…well he’s a total liege of his own. Unhinged, stalkerish and obsessive but I didn’t once get the ick from him 🙂↔️ which means that dark romance can be done without the mmc taking advantage of the fmc.
All in all it was a good book and I can’t wait to read Writing with Blood! (Which I’ll get in like 3 days yippee)
I dont even know where to start with this book honestly, there’s so much going on (I think it also takes place for a year and a half) yet it feels very short. Like it was very fast paced, or maybe I just read it very quickly 🤭
I’ll start with my girl Jane, who went through so much and yet was still able to see the beauty of life, was able to find love both in Alex and James, though I think Alex is more like Jane’s soulmate, I understand why she still had feelings for James in the end. I think both of them represent different aspects of her life, which only complement and complete each other.
James, my fav detective, I think there’s a bit 🤏🏻of red flags in him, some of which are understandable, it’s just the way he said some stuff that got me like “hmm maybe you shouldnt have said that” but he’s my guy for sure. Also he’s older so thats a plus 🤌🏻
Alex…well he’s a total liege of his own. Unhinged, stalkerish and obsessive but I didn’t once get the ick from him 🙂↔️ which means that dark romance can be done without the mmc taking advantage of the fmc.
All in all it was a good book and I can’t wait to read Writing with Blood! (Which I’ll get in like 3 days yippee)
August 7, 2023
Who doesn't root for a morally grey main character?
I devoured this book and was left with a major book hangover. I simply could not decide how I wanted it to end or how I felt about the characters. I think this speaks to how well Dolores Lane wrote the characters. She not only had me fully invested in them, but torn about what was right and wrong.
I enjoyed that there was no slow burn, but found the initial relationship unbelievable and hard to relate with. However, this lent itself well to what happens later in the book. I also enjoyed all the true crime references, it was a sort of behind-the-scenes that my crime junkie heart loves.
Please note, Dolores Lane's bio gives a great idea of what you expect from her writing and she also had trigger warnings at the start of this book. This book is not for everyone, please read both of these to determine if this is a good fit for you.
Dark romance, cliffhanger, no slow burn, 3 POVs
I devoured this book and was left with a major book hangover. I simply could not decide how I wanted it to end or how I felt about the characters. I think this speaks to how well Dolores Lane wrote the characters. She not only had me fully invested in them, but torn about what was right and wrong.
I enjoyed that there was no slow burn, but found the initial relationship unbelievable and hard to relate with. However, this lent itself well to what happens later in the book. I also enjoyed all the true crime references, it was a sort of behind-the-scenes that my crime junkie heart loves.
Please note, Dolores Lane's bio gives a great idea of what you expect from her writing and she also had trigger warnings at the start of this book. This book is not for everyone, please read both of these to determine if this is a good fit for you.
Dark romance, cliffhanger, no slow burn, 3 POVs
September 6, 2024
☠️ 𝔓𝔞𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥 𝔟𝔩𝔬𝔬𝔡 ☠️
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
💫Review💫
🩸 Painting with Blood is such an intense, dark romance thrill ride-serial killer vibes, a love triangle, and all the spice! Jane's torn between two irresistible men: James, the alpha cop with a heart of gold 😍, and Alex, the dangerously obsessive anti-hero.
Honestly... how is she supposed to choose?!🩸
😘It's packed with blood, gore, and pure chaos, and I was hooked from the start. I loved every jaw-dropping twist. The cliffhanger?
AHHHH 😶. Book 2 is going to wreck me, and I can't wait!😘
✨make sure to check the content warnings before diving in this amazing book! ✨
❤️🔥 dark romance ~ erotic thriller
🔪 serial killer X sketch artist X homicide detective 🎨 professional painter
🧡revenge story
💗touch her & die
😌three POVs
😜age gaps
🥰friends to lovers
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
💫Review💫
🩸 Painting with Blood is such an intense, dark romance thrill ride-serial killer vibes, a love triangle, and all the spice! Jane's torn between two irresistible men: James, the alpha cop with a heart of gold 😍, and Alex, the dangerously obsessive anti-hero.
Honestly... how is she supposed to choose?!🩸
😘It's packed with blood, gore, and pure chaos, and I was hooked from the start. I loved every jaw-dropping twist. The cliffhanger?
AHHHH 😶. Book 2 is going to wreck me, and I can't wait!😘
✨make sure to check the content warnings before diving in this amazing book! ✨
❤️🔥 dark romance ~ erotic thriller
🔪 serial killer X sketch artist X homicide detective 🎨 professional painter
🧡revenge story
💗touch her & die
😌three POVs
😜age gaps
🥰friends to lovers
August 17, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“It’s only murder if they find the body. Otherwise, it’s just a missing person.”
“Maybe you should handcuff me just in case. Teach me a lesson?”
“Your hands are tainted with murder. And yet I trust them completely.”
“My beautiful killing mate. My partner in crime. My little killer.”
This book was absolutely amazing! I’m speechless.
I loved Jane as a FMC. She was strong, fierce, and talented, and I loved her character development. Her life wasn’t perfect or easy but she was able to overcome the obstacles and the traumatic experiences. I was interested in her as a character and instantly wanted to learn more about her and her past.
Also, both the MMCs, James and Alex, were interesting characters with different backgrounds. I have to admit that I’m usually not the biggest fan of love triangles, but in this book the love triangle aspect worked really well and was well written.
James and Jane had an instant attraction which resulted in some nice, spicy scenes early in the book. Reading about their interactions at the beginning of the book made me feel like they’re made for each other and that they’re soulmates.
The relationship development between Jane and Alex was slower paced, but not any less intense. I loved how Jane and Alex had this instant deep connection, and how easily they were able to understand each other. They were similar in some ways, both being artistic and also having a darker side.
The spice in this book really was spicing, and there were a lot of great spicy scenes! 🥵❤️🔥
The storyline kept me hooked from the first pages to the end and I finished reading this book in one sitting. The writing was captivating, making me feel like I was in the middle of the story, and I couldn’t put the book down.
There were some really fun parts that had me chuckling (“Aww. What’s wrong? Can’t handle being hit by a girl?”), but also some really dark and sad moments that made me cry. I love it when a book makes me feel for the characters, and this one truly did.
There were so much happening, and at times the pacing was quite fast, but it never felt rushed. The book ends with a huge cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to read the next one!
Please check the trigger warnings before reading, your mental health matters!
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.
“It’s only murder if they find the body. Otherwise, it’s just a missing person.”
“Maybe you should handcuff me just in case. Teach me a lesson?”
“Your hands are tainted with murder. And yet I trust them completely.”
“My beautiful killing mate. My partner in crime. My little killer.”
This book was absolutely amazing! I’m speechless.
I loved Jane as a FMC. She was strong, fierce, and talented, and I loved her character development. Her life wasn’t perfect or easy but she was able to overcome the obstacles and the traumatic experiences. I was interested in her as a character and instantly wanted to learn more about her and her past.
Also, both the MMCs, James and Alex, were interesting characters with different backgrounds. I have to admit that I’m usually not the biggest fan of love triangles, but in this book the love triangle aspect worked really well and was well written.
James and Jane had an instant attraction which resulted in some nice, spicy scenes early in the book. Reading about their interactions at the beginning of the book made me feel like they’re made for each other and that they’re soulmates.
The relationship development between Jane and Alex was slower paced, but not any less intense. I loved how Jane and Alex had this instant deep connection, and how easily they were able to understand each other. They were similar in some ways, both being artistic and also having a darker side.
The spice in this book really was spicing, and there were a lot of great spicy scenes! 🥵❤️🔥
The storyline kept me hooked from the first pages to the end and I finished reading this book in one sitting. The writing was captivating, making me feel like I was in the middle of the story, and I couldn’t put the book down.
There were some really fun parts that had me chuckling (“Aww. What’s wrong? Can’t handle being hit by a girl?”), but also some really dark and sad moments that made me cry. I love it when a book makes me feel for the characters, and this one truly did.
There were so much happening, and at times the pacing was quite fast, but it never felt rushed. The book ends with a huge cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to read the next one!
Please check the trigger warnings before reading, your mental health matters!
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.
September 2, 2024
Let me start with the fact that I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it! This was my first read from Delores Lane. She is an exceptionally talented author, I'm a fan forever!
One of my favorite quotes, "it's only murder if they find the body. Otherwise, it's just a missing person. "
This story has a strong plot that will leave you on the edge of your seat, I felt like I was watching this story unfold clearly in front of me on the big screen!! There is gore, hard-core smut, romance, it has it all and leaves you begging for more just when you think it can't get any darker!
I was drawn to each character and felt as if I knew each of them. The FMC: Jane has been through so much in her life. She deserves the love at first sight, love story with James, but I found myself cheering more for what Alex is offering!
One of my favorite quotes, "it's only murder if they find the body. Otherwise, it's just a missing person. "
This story has a strong plot that will leave you on the edge of your seat, I felt like I was watching this story unfold clearly in front of me on the big screen!! There is gore, hard-core smut, romance, it has it all and leaves you begging for more just when you think it can't get any darker!
I was drawn to each character and felt as if I knew each of them. The FMC: Jane has been through so much in her life. She deserves the love at first sight, love story with James, but I found myself cheering more for what Alex is offering!
September 3, 2024
“It’s only murder if they find the body. Otherwise, it’s just a missing person”
Let’s just say this book is dark, in a terrifyingly good way! Please check the TWs before you read. This book dives deep into the dark end of the pool so grab your floaty and hold on!
What do a painter, Homicide Sergeant and a composite sketch artist have in common? You’ll have to read to find out!!!
Jane, James and Alex will take you for one wild ride and once you get into the story, it’s hard to put down.
The book ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
Thank you to the author, Dolores Lane, for the opportunity to read this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Let’s just say this book is dark, in a terrifyingly good way! Please check the TWs before you read. This book dives deep into the dark end of the pool so grab your floaty and hold on!
What do a painter, Homicide Sergeant and a composite sketch artist have in common? You’ll have to read to find out!!!
Jane, James and Alex will take you for one wild ride and once you get into the story, it’s hard to put down.
The book ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
Thank you to the author, Dolores Lane, for the opportunity to read this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 23, 2024
These are multiple POV books where we see the POVs of Jane whose a professional painter, James whose a homocide Detective and Alex whose a composite sketch artist with an interesting hobby 🔪
~
The characters, although intricate were all written so so well keeping you constantly engaged with their development as you went through the books.
~
I enjoyed how one second I was team James and the next I was team Alex - The love triangle between the MCs was done beautifully!
~
I adored the FMC and thought her character development over the two books was phenomenal, her growth with the help of the MMCs was *chefs kiss*
~
Now let me tell you the spice was OFF the charts! The dirty talking, the vivid writing 🫠🥵- I LOVED IT!
~
The characters, although intricate were all written so so well keeping you constantly engaged with their development as you went through the books.
~
I enjoyed how one second I was team James and the next I was team Alex - The love triangle between the MCs was done beautifully!
~
I adored the FMC and thought her character development over the two books was phenomenal, her growth with the help of the MMCs was *chefs kiss*
~
Now let me tell you the spice was OFF the charts! The dirty talking, the vivid writing 🫠🥵- I LOVED IT!
February 16, 2024
What a dark, twisted and unique story that was!! Jane is quirky, fiery and such a strong FMC. She has gone through so much during the course of the book but manages to pick herself back up and keep fighting. Then there is James, the hot, older homicide detective who would do just about anything for Jane. Throw in Alex the serial unaliver who loves his little killer so much and you have a book you can’t out down. If you want a book with lots of spicy scenes, kickass FMC, two guys fighting over her and a dark and twisted love story this is for you.
ALSO WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?? Diving straight into book two and I’m stressed.
ALSO WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?? Diving straight into book two and I’m stressed.
September 5, 2024
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Spicy content 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
Oh my goodness, Dolores! I am obsessed.
This book is fantastic and I need the next book like now! :) Because that cliffhanger!
This book gripped me from the start, and while it was a little slow off the mark, it did pick up with its dark twists as well.
This book follows Jane, a woman with a deeply buried secret who falls for James, a dedicated homicide detective. But their romance, however, is shattered when Jane suffers a brutal assault, throwing her into a turbulent emotional storm.
James is so frikken sweet and I couldn't get enough of him, his genuine care for Jane just melts my heart and it's heartbreaking to see him struggle with the pain of not being able to fully protect her.
Then there is Alex! Jane’s best friend and a notorious serial killer, who provides a stark contrast to James, despite his dark past, Alex emerges as a compelling and enigmatic figure who supports Jane through her darkest moments. His character is unsettling yet magnetic, and the moral ambiguity surrounding him adds layers of intrigue to him that I couldn't get enough of!
Maybe I am messed up for falling for the villain, haha!
But it’s easy to understand why Alex captivated me and will for those who are drawn to complex villains that have a hidden soft spot and depth to them!
But can I also say the cliffhanger.. oh my goodness, I eagerly am awaiting the second book!
If you haven't read this yet, please do!
Check out tashie_leereads for my bookstagram :)
Spicy content 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
Oh my goodness, Dolores! I am obsessed.
This book is fantastic and I need the next book like now! :) Because that cliffhanger!
This book gripped me from the start, and while it was a little slow off the mark, it did pick up with its dark twists as well.
This book follows Jane, a woman with a deeply buried secret who falls for James, a dedicated homicide detective. But their romance, however, is shattered when Jane suffers a brutal assault, throwing her into a turbulent emotional storm.
James is so frikken sweet and I couldn't get enough of him, his genuine care for Jane just melts my heart and it's heartbreaking to see him struggle with the pain of not being able to fully protect her.
Then there is Alex! Jane’s best friend and a notorious serial killer, who provides a stark contrast to James, despite his dark past, Alex emerges as a compelling and enigmatic figure who supports Jane through her darkest moments. His character is unsettling yet magnetic, and the moral ambiguity surrounding him adds layers of intrigue to him that I couldn't get enough of!
Maybe I am messed up for falling for the villain, haha!
But it’s easy to understand why Alex captivated me and will for those who are drawn to complex villains that have a hidden soft spot and depth to them!
But can I also say the cliffhanger.. oh my goodness, I eagerly am awaiting the second book!
If you haven't read this yet, please do!
Check out tashie_leereads for my bookstagram :)
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