Dean's Delinquent

Loftry University Playthings #6

by Vivian Murdoch

Some things are better left hidden. Now, I’m going to expose every inch of her.

When Ashleigh Hartwell barged into my office with a no-nonsense expression and do-me heels, I wanted nothing more than to force her over my desk and show her who’s really in charge here at Loftry University.

To her, I’m a simple dean, a president of a prestigious college, an obstacle to overcome to get what she wants.

She doesn’t know what sort of monster she’s playing with, but I plan to show her. I’m not just the dean of Loftry University.

I’m the most dangerous man in The Society, and she will either kneel willingly or be broken.

Either way, I always get what I want. And what I want is her.

Dean's Delinquent is the sixth book in The Loftry University Playthings series. This story includes adult themes that may not be appropriate for some readers.

Genres: Dark Romance, BDSM

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2025

About the author

Vivian is a sassy romance writer that likes to brat just as much as she writes. As a fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants author, she's usually working furiously into the night when her creative juices hit her the hardest. Her books like to take you to the dark side and force you to dip your toes in, but don't drown you. She loves writing alphaholes, anti-heroes, and heroes you just love to hate. She likes to try out everything she's putting her heroines through, so the phrase “for science” is used in her house a lot! When she's not writing, you can probably find her playing Animal Crossing or tormenting her cats and Husdom.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashleigh and Dean have chemistry that is undeniable. The tension is delicious and the spice is hot. It does have some darker tone and I really enjoyed them. This is a wonderful standalone additon to the Loftry University Plaything series.

[Morgana Lefaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Vivian Murdoch’s books, especially the Loftry University Playthings series, even though as a retired academic I know that the basic premise behind the book is totally absurd and impossible. But I just regard it as a fantasy, just like the books about werewolves and vampires and shifters. And it is so much fun, in a dark and depraved way. Be warned, violations of consent, and other triggers are rampant, but if you don’t mind that sort of thing you are in for a wonderful ride.

The beginning of the book is a little confusing, as it starts in the middle of a situation which may have been clarified in the previous volume (I don’t know because somehow I missed reading volume five of the series, an oversight I will have to correct). But it’s not important for appreciating the main storyline of this book, which describes how Dean Anderson takes Ashleigh Hartwell in hand. Ashleigh is a budding reporter and a poor little rich girl, dripping with privilege, feisty and determined, but a latent true masochistic submissive. Dean Anderson is a typical Loftry University Master, who educates Ashleigh in the ways of pleasure and pain, obedience and submission. There’s more plot to it, but that’s the fundamental point of the story. And what fun it was getting there! Vivian Murdoch is a master (mistress?) of writing 🔥🔥🔥🔥 spicy twisted romances between morally gray (charcoal) men, and the submissives who love to fall at their feet and discover the joys of becoming property. If you enjoy that sort of thing, and can manage a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief about the basic premise of the university which houses a secret society of dominant Masters and a secret sorority of submissives, you will love this book. I know I did.

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

[Athena, the goddess of books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ashleigh Hartwell is a strong-willed college student who doesn’t back down — even from the dean of her university. But Dean Anderson isn’t just an administrator — he’s a dominant, a manipulator, and a key figure in a shadowy organization called The Society. When Ashleigh pushes his limits, she finds herself entangled in a game of obedience and punishment.

This isn’t just about attraction — it’s about control, ownership, and testing the boundaries of consent, trust, and submission. Expect intense D/s dynamics, dubious consent, and scenes that blur the line between discipline and desire.

🖤 What Works:
Ashleigh is one of Murdoch’s more compelling heroines — smart, stubborn, and spirited.

Dean Anderson is the ultimate predator: cold, calculating, and relentlessly dominant. If you like your MMCs morally grey (or flat-out dark), this is your guy.

The writing is sharp and immersive — you feel every look, command, and consequence.

The taboo university setting and secret society subplot add delicious danger to the smutty core.

This book is not for everyone. It includes: Dubious consent, BDSM, degradation, and humiliation, public scenes, punishment, exhibitionism and a very possessive, manipulative male lead.

But if you know what you're signing up for — and you want it dark — this is top-tier filth wrapped in elite academia vibes.

[Mary Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a strong entry in Murdoch’s Loftry University Playthings series because the hero, Dean Anderson, is the de facto leader of the secret Society of faculty/staff dominants and their student submissives at the university. He’s the one who must manage everything when anything goes wrong, and Murdoch lets you see the knife’s edge that the Society balances on when it comes to secrecy and security.

All of that is at risk when student Ashleigh starts publishing a new university newspaper. She puts spins on certain stories that agitate the student body and that infuriate Dean Anderson. And since she’s been in his thoughts for a while, he finally gets to act on those feelings. Ashleigh is a definitive brat, but Murdoch does a good job showing the insecurity and neediness behind that behavior. I understood why Ashleigh did what she did, even if I could see she was going about things all wrong.

A lot of earlier couples appear in Dean’s Delinquent, and they’re true to their characters while enriching Anderson and Ashleigh’s story. Of course, the dubcon elements in this story will not be for everyone, so please read the author’s warnings for this book. But Murdoch has built up this series in such a way that she can really dig into the characters at this stage, and that shines in Dean’s Delinquent.

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dean's Delinquent by Vivan Murdoch is book six in the Lofty Playthings series by the author. I haven't read the previous books in the series but this was a great read as a standalone book! The two MC's in this book are Dean Anderson and also Ashleigh Hartwell. Ashleigh is trying to make it as a reporter and she is a rich girl. She also is a perfect submissive and Dean Anderson can sense this. So he takes it upon himself to teach Ashleigh in the ways of pain and pleasure and very intense steamy scenes in this book! Dean Anderson is a perfectly delicious dominant male in this one and he plays the part so well. He is also in charge of the secret society of dominants and submissives in the school. Ashleigh has started working for the newspaper at the school and she is making Dean Anderson made which is why she is shown how to act and behave by him;) I love a good steamy book involving a kind of professor type and this was an excellent read! I highly recommend this book to fans of dominant/submissive relationships and super steamy books! I will be reading more of the author in the future

[Gemma Kitchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have read the Loftry University Playthings series then you will know exactly what you are in for. These books are not for everyone, and therefore everyone needs to read those trigger warnings before jumping into this book. If you know then you know how Vivian writes and then you know you are in for something that will take you on a depraved dark journey, but never in a bad way, because it will have you wanting more. Pain and pleasure is the name of the game, and when is anything so straight forward, a man who knows what he wants and the girl that will have her eyes opened wide .

Delve back into Loftry University as the Dean is waiting for you.

[Amanda Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashleigh and the Dean

I loved this book so much. Initially there is a lot of build up and tension. Ashleigh and Dean Anderson fight their attraction but also just can’t stay away from each other. Just when it feels like they are never going to get on with it the story takes off and had me in a chokehold until the end. The spice is sooo good but not at the expense of the plot. However if you don’t like some pain with your pleasure this may not be for you so mind the triggers. The epilogue sets up the next book and I am just as excited for that!!

[Elsa Reyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this books...a bit dark butbtheyvare really good... have read every single book in this series...Ughhhh this series is better than the last one... I mean they are all good but they just keep getting better and better..loved it.

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

[Nath~~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

🧐🧐🤨🤔🤭🫣😲🙄😕