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Killer Queens #2
To The Flame
I'm not sure how to come back from this.
Maybe I shouldn't have let the Laniidae sisters pull me into their orbit.
But who could resist them when they looked like that?
After joining the Hunt, I'm finally one of them, which means bubbly Teresa, charming Kennedy, and vicious Xander aren't afraid to stake their claim to me.
But a war is brewing between the us and the vultures of Cathartidae.
To make matters worse my naive brother is about to arrive on Atwood's campus, and I'm not sure I can protect the both of us.
When a play for power threatens to tear House Laniidae apart from the inside, I'm left with only one who can I really trust?
To The Flame is Book Two in the Killer Queens series. It is a dark, sapphic, New Adult, Why Choose (f/f/f/nb), university, bully romance containing sensitive content. Please see the Author's Note for CWs.
Maybe I shouldn't have let the Laniidae sisters pull me into their orbit.
But who could resist them when they looked like that?
After joining the Hunt, I'm finally one of them, which means bubbly Teresa, charming Kennedy, and vicious Xander aren't afraid to stake their claim to me.
But a war is brewing between the us and the vultures of Cathartidae.
To make matters worse my naive brother is about to arrive on Atwood's campus, and I'm not sure I can protect the both of us.
When a play for power threatens to tear House Laniidae apart from the inside, I'm left with only one who can I really trust?
To The Flame is Book Two in the Killer Queens series. It is a dark, sapphic, New Adult, Why Choose (f/f/f/nb), university, bully romance containing sensitive content. Please see the Author's Note for CWs.
490 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 16, 2025
that cliff hanger??? I KNEW IT😭 and the fact that i have to wait till the end of the month for the last book to come out…i’m sick to my stomach
March 17, 2026
Stress
My god, the anxiety will harm me because damn. Mara got what she deserved but this cliffhanger is very stressing. Intoxicating emotions though Elle is very undecided sometimes.
My god, the anxiety will harm me because damn. Mara got what she deserved but this cliffhanger is very stressing. Intoxicating emotions though Elle is very undecided sometimes.
Read
August 14, 2025I again don't know what to rate this, as always I'm bad at rating and reviewing and I don't know how to talk about anything I liked, mostly just things I didn't, which maybe says something bad about me, but I won't be examining that.
Review probably contains spoilers etc etc.
I found this less confusing than the first one thanks to the somewhat reduced amount of plot/dialogue/narration that revolved around the whole US university system, something I still do not understand any better. I read the trilogy pretty much one after the other without stopping, so it's all blurred together a bit, but I'll try to remember as much as possible.
Xander still pissed me off quite a bit because she's just a bit too extreme, and not because I don't like that level of extreme, but it just didn't really fit here, her actions and lack of literally any communication were really frustrating which made it hard for her character to seem hot. Besides that, the characters you're supposed to like or be attached to, I did like for the most part.
I found the ending a bit annoying, I understand the desire for a cliffhanger there, but it felt a bit more like "ugh, here we go again, now what?"
I found the family appearances/storyline a little bit tedious at times, I'm not sure it added anything that was needed, and I would have preferred a deeper explanation of Elle's family dynamics/relationships rather than the way it was, which felt a bit more like filling the need for subplot.
My main issue again is unfortunately what seems like a couple too few rounds of editing and proofreading. Not just the typos and other typing or grammatical issues, but also the sentences that didn't quite flow the way they should or the wrong word choice every now and then, that, for me at least, really take you out of the immersion.
This was a fun read, I don't think I was super invested, again I cared enough to read the full trilogy but not enough that I would have paid money to do so I don't think. For me it was more of a chill passing the time/bit of fun/hot read to take my mind off things kind of book, rather than an emotional investment and attachment kind of book. But this may just be an issue with me and romance and maybe for most people this is absolutely an emotional investment and attachment kind of book, I can see how it would be.
Review probably contains spoilers etc etc.
I found this less confusing than the first one thanks to the somewhat reduced amount of plot/dialogue/narration that revolved around the whole US university system, something I still do not understand any better. I read the trilogy pretty much one after the other without stopping, so it's all blurred together a bit, but I'll try to remember as much as possible.
Xander still pissed me off quite a bit because she's just a bit too extreme, and not because I don't like that level of extreme, but it just didn't really fit here, her actions and lack of literally any communication were really frustrating which made it hard for her character to seem hot. Besides that, the characters you're supposed to like or be attached to, I did like for the most part.
I found the ending a bit annoying, I understand the desire for a cliffhanger there, but it felt a bit more like "ugh, here we go again, now what?"
I found the family appearances/storyline a little bit tedious at times, I'm not sure it added anything that was needed, and I would have preferred a deeper explanation of Elle's family dynamics/relationships rather than the way it was, which felt a bit more like filling the need for subplot.
My main issue again is unfortunately what seems like a couple too few rounds of editing and proofreading. Not just the typos and other typing or grammatical issues, but also the sentences that didn't quite flow the way they should or the wrong word choice every now and then, that, for me at least, really take you out of the immersion.
This was a fun read, I don't think I was super invested, again I cared enough to read the full trilogy but not enough that I would have paid money to do so I don't think. For me it was more of a chill passing the time/bit of fun/hot read to take my mind off things kind of book, rather than an emotional investment and attachment kind of book. But this may just be an issue with me and romance and maybe for most people this is absolutely an emotional investment and attachment kind of book, I can see how it would be.
March 18, 2025
One word: Chokehold
I was hooked on this series after the first book, so when the 2nd one came out I had to devour it. And it had me in a chokehold the whole day, I couldn’t put it down. Damn miss Cross what a fantastic writer you are!
I love how the focus in this book has shifted more from Elle’s relationship with Teresa to Kennedy, which was something I was longing for after the 1st book.
I’m still on the fence about Xander… I understand Elle’s love/hate relationship with them and am hoping the next book gives us more inside into how their relationship develops.
Every chance I get, I’m recommending this series to people. If you’re looking for a dark why choose romance, with strong female mc’s and a lot of spice, this is the series for you!
I was hooked on this series after the first book, so when the 2nd one came out I had to devour it. And it had me in a chokehold the whole day, I couldn’t put it down. Damn miss Cross what a fantastic writer you are!
I love how the focus in this book has shifted more from Elle’s relationship with Teresa to Kennedy, which was something I was longing for after the 1st book.
I’m still on the fence about Xander… I understand Elle’s love/hate relationship with them and am hoping the next book gives us more inside into how their relationship develops.
Every chance I get, I’m recommending this series to people. If you’re looking for a dark why choose romance, with strong female mc’s and a lot of spice, this is the series for you!
August 11, 2025
only got 20% through this one. absolutely horrible. Elle is annoying af, Xander is not the vibe at all. I'd rate it 0 if I could.
Did Not Finish
June 18, 2026DNF at 51%
I can’t do this anymore. I tried but I cannot get through this unfortunately. It’s infuriating me to no end because Xander’s behavior is so evil, none of the love interest take any of Elle‘s requests seriously, and they don’t treat her like a full grown adult with autonomy.
Also Elle is such a two dimensional character, her only emotion was horny and being stressed about the murder. And the smut was so so beyond repetitive. There comes a point where I simply don’t care anymore about the smut scenes, usually when they start being the end of every scene. Every convo she has with any of her love interests? They fuck because everyone is just so horny all of the time. It was so ridiculous and maybe high spice books just are not for me because I’m realizing that having a lot of smut scenes can easily fall into the trap of making the book feel boring (imo). If you cut out half of the sex scenes the page count would go down at like 60 pages. Elle fell so flat as a character to me that I just don’t care unfortunately; if Elle was a real person I knew and she was written this way I would be so mad on her behalf. An FMC doesn’t deserve to be written this way. To Elle: I’m so sorry that your “shadows” have no interest in your wants or desires outside of sex (and even then it’s ify) and that they at the bare minimum disrespect you all of the time and at max full on abuse you for the sake of a “bully romance.” Justice for you queen you don’t deserve this.
TW for next paragraph: description of scene I view as physical abuse from a lover.
I think my biggest thing that I cannot and will not be able to get over with this book is an issue Ihave seen any other dark romances, which is using physiological response as a form of explicit consent, which is not the case. Slight spoiler, but there’s a scene where Elle is being babysat by Xander because it’s like the last step of her initiation is she has to be watched for 24 hours after a specific ritual that they do just to make sure that she’s OK. When it’s Xander’s turn to babysit her she is like bossing her around and Elle is teasing her and fighting back a bit because this is Xander’s whole bit: she bosses Elle around, Elle’s like “no I don’t want to do that, why are you treating me like this” and then Xander throws a fit and like growls at her. So Xander and Elle are doing this back-and-forth and Xander gets so frustrated to the point where she drags Elle out of her bedroom by her hair while she’s naked and she’s not being dragged standing up, she’s being dragged on the floor and then is tossed down the stairs. Then Xander drags her to the living room and they do “BDSM” that leaves bruises that are still fading a week later. And we’re supposed to be into it because we are in Elle’s point of view and she is described as being, pardon my vulgarity, wet and spends half the time thinking about how turned on she and the other half of the time thinking about how scared of Xander she is. And I said this before and I’ll say it again, but a physiological response does not mean consent was given. I’m tired of explicit consent being forsaken in the pursuit of dark romance and BDSM. BDSM done right involves explicit consent and clear boundaries from both parties, something that is tragically missing in a lot of dark romances and that is painfully clear in this series. And while Kennedy and Teresa, the other love interests, don’t commit near nearly so bad of sins because they both talk to Elle with a little bit more respect, I still can’t root for them because they know that this is going on and they just don’t care. They’re like “that’s Xander being Xander” (not said but that’s the energy).
This book was just so frustrating to read. I’m sad because the authors other series while commits some classic dark romance sins was not nearly as bad as this. The Valemont Violence series has a similar dynamic where there are two love interests that are obsessed with the FMC and are nice to her and respect her and then one leader who’s is mean, but in that series, the two nice love interests fight the mean love interest about how she treats the FMC. There was none of that in this series.
I apologize for the run-on sentences and if there’s bad grammar, it’s because I’m voice to texting most of this and then correcting it because I just wanna move on and be done with this book.
TLDR: I’m mad and I’m frustrated with the portrayal of Elle and the behavior of the love interests. The smut was very repetitive. The end.
I can’t do this anymore. I tried but I cannot get through this unfortunately. It’s infuriating me to no end because Xander’s behavior is so evil, none of the love interest take any of Elle‘s requests seriously, and they don’t treat her like a full grown adult with autonomy.
Also Elle is such a two dimensional character, her only emotion was horny and being stressed about the murder. And the smut was so so beyond repetitive. There comes a point where I simply don’t care anymore about the smut scenes, usually when they start being the end of every scene. Every convo she has with any of her love interests? They fuck because everyone is just so horny all of the time. It was so ridiculous and maybe high spice books just are not for me because I’m realizing that having a lot of smut scenes can easily fall into the trap of making the book feel boring (imo). If you cut out half of the sex scenes the page count would go down at like 60 pages. Elle fell so flat as a character to me that I just don’t care unfortunately; if Elle was a real person I knew and she was written this way I would be so mad on her behalf. An FMC doesn’t deserve to be written this way. To Elle: I’m so sorry that your “shadows” have no interest in your wants or desires outside of sex (and even then it’s ify) and that they at the bare minimum disrespect you all of the time and at max full on abuse you for the sake of a “bully romance.” Justice for you queen you don’t deserve this.
TW for next paragraph: description of scene I view as physical abuse from a lover.
I think my biggest thing that I cannot and will not be able to get over with this book is an issue Ihave seen any other dark romances, which is using physiological response as a form of explicit consent, which is not the case. Slight spoiler, but there’s a scene where Elle is being babysat by Xander because it’s like the last step of her initiation is she has to be watched for 24 hours after a specific ritual that they do just to make sure that she’s OK. When it’s Xander’s turn to babysit her she is like bossing her around and Elle is teasing her and fighting back a bit because this is Xander’s whole bit: she bosses Elle around, Elle’s like “no I don’t want to do that, why are you treating me like this” and then Xander throws a fit and like growls at her. So Xander and Elle are doing this back-and-forth and Xander gets so frustrated to the point where she drags Elle out of her bedroom by her hair while she’s naked and she’s not being dragged standing up, she’s being dragged on the floor and then is tossed down the stairs. Then Xander drags her to the living room and they do “BDSM” that leaves bruises that are still fading a week later. And we’re supposed to be into it because we are in Elle’s point of view and she is described as being, pardon my vulgarity, wet and spends half the time thinking about how turned on she and the other half of the time thinking about how scared of Xander she is. And I said this before and I’ll say it again, but a physiological response does not mean consent was given. I’m tired of explicit consent being forsaken in the pursuit of dark romance and BDSM. BDSM done right involves explicit consent and clear boundaries from both parties, something that is tragically missing in a lot of dark romances and that is painfully clear in this series. And while Kennedy and Teresa, the other love interests, don’t commit near nearly so bad of sins because they both talk to Elle with a little bit more respect, I still can’t root for them because they know that this is going on and they just don’t care. They’re like “that’s Xander being Xander” (not said but that’s the energy).
This book was just so frustrating to read. I’m sad because the authors other series while commits some classic dark romance sins was not nearly as bad as this. The Valemont Violence series has a similar dynamic where there are two love interests that are obsessed with the FMC and are nice to her and respect her and then one leader who’s is mean, but in that series, the two nice love interests fight the mean love interest about how she treats the FMC. There was none of that in this series.
I apologize for the run-on sentences and if there’s bad grammar, it’s because I’m voice to texting most of this and then correcting it because I just wanna move on and be done with this book.
TLDR: I’m mad and I’m frustrated with the portrayal of Elle and the behavior of the love interests. The smut was very repetitive. The end.
February 19, 2026
DNF'd... I had one major issue with this series and her name is Xander. You know for a character that's supposedly trying to protect abused women she sure gets off on abusing women. I think the author was trying to write Elle and Xander's relationship as Dom/Sub but she missed the mark entirely. Not once did I read anything about a safe word or boundaries and limits. Xander's actions toward Elle was just straight up abuse disguised as a BDSM relationship and I became immediately annoyed and angered anytime Xander was even mentioned. I really wanted to like this series. It had an interesting plot and I loved pretty much all the secondary characters as well as the other two love interests. Teresa was by far my favorite. I loved Kennedy too though I wish she had more moments with Elle alone like Teresa got. As for Elle she was an okay MC, I just wish the author hadn't written her to be so spineless and stuck in a perpetual state of arousal. I mean seriously I lost count of how many times I read the words "I was throbbing". Overall this series was just simply not for me.
October 22, 2025
As much as I loved this book, I felt there were a lot of plot holes in the third and final book of the series. Once I finished the book and thought over what I read, I had so many unanswered questions. Like what happened between Roxanne and Xander? What's the story behind The Station, and how does Xander have so much sway? What about Will's reluctant acceptance of Elle's sorority and his "new apartment"? What about Elle's moms'? Did they never learn more about what Elle was up to? Do they grow to accept their daughter's involvement with the sorority? What of Patty? I also would've liked more context for Xander's backstory of her life in Texas and her relationship with her father and siblings. The ending was also rushed; everything happened really quickly. So many aspects of this book that I loved, but would've liked a bit more detail!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2026
Single 1st Person POV. 5🌟 4🌶️. 490 pages
5 Spicy Scenes
The second book in the Killer Queens series is an absolute wild ride and definitely darker than the first, but so good it’s impossible to put down and will have you questioning your own morals if you end up loving it! It’s also less smutty than the first, but by no means does that make it any less delicious when it does happen!
Picking up directly after the events of To the Bone, To the Flame draws us into the aftermath of Elle’s initiation, the trouble she’s wrought with her actions in book one and the continuing tension between her and Xander. With cover ups and CT still on their trail and Elle’s younger brother transferring in, how will any of them survive?
Now I know a lot of people don’t like toxic relationships in books, but I live for the toxicity, in fact the more toxic the better and that’s what you get between Elle and Xander. In fact their relationship often comes across as borderline abusive, but it’s important to note that everything between them is 100% consensual, if dubious at times.
This book is filled with so much tension and drama that it’s almost impossible to put down. The dynamics between E + K + T continue to grow and flourish into amazing chemistry that jumps off the page. While the tension between E & X can sometimes be hard to understand, we don’t find out why X is such a brute towards E, all we know is that it’s seemingly appreciated to a degree and I love every second of it. And the cliffhanger, much like the one from the first book is brutal so be sure to read the trilogy simultaneously!
Things to LOVE:
📚Dark Why Choose Romance
🚺F/F/F/NB
😈Morally Grey
🤫Secret Society
🔪Murder
🗡️Marking
😶Secrets
🫣Cover Ups
🧗♂️Cliffhanger
5 Spicy Scenes
The second book in the Killer Queens series is an absolute wild ride and definitely darker than the first, but so good it’s impossible to put down and will have you questioning your own morals if you end up loving it! It’s also less smutty than the first, but by no means does that make it any less delicious when it does happen!
Picking up directly after the events of To the Bone, To the Flame draws us into the aftermath of Elle’s initiation, the trouble she’s wrought with her actions in book one and the continuing tension between her and Xander. With cover ups and CT still on their trail and Elle’s younger brother transferring in, how will any of them survive?
Now I know a lot of people don’t like toxic relationships in books, but I live for the toxicity, in fact the more toxic the better and that’s what you get between Elle and Xander. In fact their relationship often comes across as borderline abusive, but it’s important to note that everything between them is 100% consensual, if dubious at times.
This book is filled with so much tension and drama that it’s almost impossible to put down. The dynamics between E + K + T continue to grow and flourish into amazing chemistry that jumps off the page. While the tension between E & X can sometimes be hard to understand, we don’t find out why X is such a brute towards E, all we know is that it’s seemingly appreciated to a degree and I love every second of it. And the cliffhanger, much like the one from the first book is brutal so be sure to read the trilogy simultaneously!
Things to LOVE:
📚Dark Why Choose Romance
🚺F/F/F/NB
😈Morally Grey
🤫Secret Society
🔪Murder
🗡️Marking
😶Secrets
🫣Cover Ups
🧗♂️Cliffhanger
July 7, 2026
The first one was def better. This whole series might as well be one book… tho the ending of this one made a heck of a lot more sense than the last. I appreciated the turn it made but like guys Xander is just like a terrible person WHY is she not gonna pay… like let’s stop pretending that kind of abuse can be in any way forgiven or acceptable. But that’s defo not gonna happen and I’m just going to re write it in my head and pretend that some of those scenes never happened 🌝
Kk edit:
If Maria is going down for her crimes that she convicted them all were consensual then why won’t Xander…. Like I get it’s two different types of manipulation and in two different contexts but like we can all agree that Elle was CONVINVED to say those things durring her 24 surveillance punishment period thing. Like she even says that it was a survival instinct to admit to them. Maybe book 3 will close this chapter or like make Xander a better person (right???)
Kk edit:
If Maria is going down for her crimes that she convicted them all were consensual then why won’t Xander…. Like I get it’s two different types of manipulation and in two different contexts but like we can all agree that Elle was CONVINVED to say those things durring her 24 surveillance punishment period thing. Like she even says that it was a survival instinct to admit to them. Maybe book 3 will close this chapter or like make Xander a better person (right???)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Elle still got on my nerves in this book but the last twenty percent brought this book from a 3 to 3.5 star.
Yes there’s still a bit of story and a lot of moving parts but it still felt like the book was just continuous sex. I don’t mind that but I need to have some emotion behind it sometimes, not just cause that’s the character’s past time.
However, I’m glad for the tidbits of story we did get, because it set up the storyline for the last book beautifully. Just kind of wish the storyline for this book had a bit more substance.
Writing was super easy to get through, love the three love interests, the place setting and descriptions were done so well, and spice was still phenomenal.
Finally got to see Xander rail Elle so that was a plus, because jeez waiting for that was torture. It felt like I was the one being edged and not Elle.
Elle still got on my nerves in this book but the last twenty percent brought this book from a 3 to 3.5 star.
Yes there’s still a bit of story and a lot of moving parts but it still felt like the book was just continuous sex. I don’t mind that but I need to have some emotion behind it sometimes, not just cause that’s the character’s past time.
However, I’m glad for the tidbits of story we did get, because it set up the storyline for the last book beautifully. Just kind of wish the storyline for this book had a bit more substance.
Writing was super easy to get through, love the three love interests, the place setting and descriptions were done so well, and spice was still phenomenal.
Finally got to see Xander rail Elle so that was a plus, because jeez waiting for that was torture. It felt like I was the one being edged and not Elle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2025
This book is a disgrace to BDSM. It’s truly disgusting. I can’t stress enough how truly disturbing and hurtful this book is. I wanted to read this series because I loved the premise but Xanders actions, and then GLORIFYING them is DANGEROUS at best and incredibly irresponsible at best for people to read who don’t know what a Domme/Sub relationship supposed to be. Consent, limits and safe words are NECESSARY, in any BDSM relationship and there is NONE of that here. This is VERBAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE and it is GLORIFIED. There are tears in my eyes as I write this review because that’s how deeply it ripped into me to read some of these scenes. This novel should be removed from Kindle Unlimited.
October 8, 2025
um guys wtf? this was fantastic and had me on the edge of my seat all the time and the SMUT!? i loved getting deeper into their relationships together in this and learning more about the sisters. but that’s all i’ll say to avoid spoilers but wtf?😭😭
April 7, 2025
Amazing, incredible, I love it all
May 22, 2025
Eh like a 2.5, I’m still eating it up even if it isn’t the best series ever
March 19, 2025
Another Masterpiece.
This book picks up right where book one left off, and as soon as I started, I couldn't stop reading. These books play like a movie in your head, they are so smoothly written, and the pace of the chapters is so damn well done. Again, these books have such an incredible plot, like it's insane. The story keeps surprising you, and the books are getting more addictive. Same as the characters, I genuinely love all four of them, and I'm more obsessed with Xander. But also, the connection and dynamic between them are so real and just beautiful, and I can only hope they get their deserved happy ending in the final book because they are everything together. Also, I love, really love how we see the support and strength of the sisters together and them getting their revenge/justice for them and others. And I so hope Elle will get her revenge. Also the spice/intimate scenes in this book are so raw and hot, they keep getting better and better. So yeah, I highly recommend this and am super hyped for book three.
This book picks up right where book one left off, and as soon as I started, I couldn't stop reading. These books play like a movie in your head, they are so smoothly written, and the pace of the chapters is so damn well done. Again, these books have such an incredible plot, like it's insane. The story keeps surprising you, and the books are getting more addictive. Same as the characters, I genuinely love all four of them, and I'm more obsessed with Xander. But also, the connection and dynamic between them are so real and just beautiful, and I can only hope they get their deserved happy ending in the final book because they are everything together. Also, I love, really love how we see the support and strength of the sisters together and them getting their revenge/justice for them and others. And I so hope Elle will get her revenge. Also the spice/intimate scenes in this book are so raw and hot, they keep getting better and better. So yeah, I highly recommend this and am super hyped for book three.
January 13, 2026
The entirety of this book I just found myself wanting to strangle Elle and demand she see reason, and follow her gut! Newsflash! She did NOT listen 🙃 my husband got a ton of entertainment while I read this book because the whole time I had commentary going of "why would you do that?", "Don't trust her", "why won't you tell them?"
Elle really turns into an independent person in this book in all the ways I wished she wouldn't. It was SO frustrating reading about what she was doing, but it added so much depth to her character and led the story exactly where it needed to go.
The slow burn between Xander and her Scarlet reaches a fever pitch that had me feeling like I was in a blazing fever dream of my own. Things heat up between Kennedy, Teresa, and Elle too and it's perfection. 🔥
This book took snitches get stitches to a whole new gruesome level that I was pleasantly surprised by and unprepared for. Unfortunately, Elle not coming clean on some things is absolutely going to lead to new problems in book 3 😅 I am so excited to see where things go!
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Elle really turns into an independent person in this book in all the ways I wished she wouldn't. It was SO frustrating reading about what she was doing, but it added so much depth to her character and led the story exactly where it needed to go.
The slow burn between Xander and her Scarlet reaches a fever pitch that had me feeling like I was in a blazing fever dream of my own. Things heat up between Kennedy, Teresa, and Elle too and it's perfection. 🔥
This book took snitches get stitches to a whole new gruesome level that I was pleasantly surprised by and unprepared for. Unfortunately, Elle not coming clean on some things is absolutely going to lead to new problems in book 3 😅 I am so excited to see where things go!
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶🌶🌶
January 19, 2026
I feel like the story progressed pretty well and answered some questions from book one but also there are a few elements that again feel repetitive. Elle spends her time so wrapped up in her “shadows” that she’s failing her classes and although this is a known fact, it feels like no one is taking the situation seriously. It is brought up a few times but then quickly forgotten because some sorority issue pops up.
Additionally the relationship with Xander is a lot. I’m not sure if the author intends for this to be a bdsm-esque relationship but it feels more abusive than mutual/willing submission. The fact that Elle is engaging in certain situations without a conversation beforehand about what she’s comfortable with or even a safe word rubs me the wrong way. Maybe we’ll see some progression in that aspect in book 3 but all throughout this book, I was not a fan of how Xander’s antics were escalating.
Additionally the relationship with Xander is a lot. I’m not sure if the author intends for this to be a bdsm-esque relationship but it feels more abusive than mutual/willing submission. The fact that Elle is engaging in certain situations without a conversation beforehand about what she’s comfortable with or even a safe word rubs me the wrong way. Maybe we’ll see some progression in that aspect in book 3 but all throughout this book, I was not a fan of how Xander’s antics were escalating.
May 10, 2026
I liked it as much as, if not more than, the first one. I think that, like everyone else, I’m completely in love with Teresa and Kennedy. They’re the perfect combination: they balance each other out, complement one another, and make the trio with Eleanor absolutely perfect. I can’t say the same about Xander.
As desperate as I am to adore Xander, I just don’t like them. I know the author tried to portray a dom/sub relationship between them and Elle, but there’s nothing healthy about their interactions. There’s no aftercare, no safeword, nothing at all. To me, it feels like an abusive relationship being glorified just because Xander is hot. So far, that’s the only bad thing I can say.
The spice is perfect (aside from what we all say: Elle, it’s not necessary to remind us that your panties get wet every time you see Kennedy, Teresa, or Xander).
And I think the plot is super cool and really original. Besides, who doesn’t enjoy a little feminist revenge?
For me, it’s a solid 4 stars.
As desperate as I am to adore Xander, I just don’t like them. I know the author tried to portray a dom/sub relationship between them and Elle, but there’s nothing healthy about their interactions. There’s no aftercare, no safeword, nothing at all. To me, it feels like an abusive relationship being glorified just because Xander is hot. So far, that’s the only bad thing I can say.
The spice is perfect (aside from what we all say: Elle, it’s not necessary to remind us that your panties get wet every time you see Kennedy, Teresa, or Xander).
And I think the plot is super cool and really original. Besides, who doesn’t enjoy a little feminist revenge?
For me, it’s a solid 4 stars.
July 6, 2025
Another fantastic book from the series.
I literally devoured this one. The night has passed me by, but I just couldn't put it down until I got to the end.
I loved how much more Elle seemed to include Kennedy more than in the first book. We also got to learn more about Xander and see her from a slightly different perspective. This part lets us peer more into their relationship development.
At some point, it felt like they were running in circles - a bit of hot and cold, push and pull - which could've discouraged me a little, but the side plot made up for it and kept me hooked.
Certainly another hit, and I can't wait for the next one!
I literally devoured this one. The night has passed me by, but I just couldn't put it down until I got to the end.
I loved how much more Elle seemed to include Kennedy more than in the first book. We also got to learn more about Xander and see her from a slightly different perspective. This part lets us peer more into their relationship development.
At some point, it felt like they were running in circles - a bit of hot and cold, push and pull - which could've discouraged me a little, but the side plot made up for it and kept me hooked.
Certainly another hit, and I can't wait for the next one!
April 25, 2026
So damn spicy 🌶️🔥🤤
This trilogy leans hard into dark erotic romance and absolutely doesn’t hold back. Its more like dark erotica then dark romance tho.The explicit intensity makes everything feel raw, obsessive,
But don’t go in expecting a soft, romantic love story about college girls..this isn’t that. It’s full-on Erotica(multiple partners)mixed with murder, revenge, and mystery surrounding college sapphic girls. The tension stays high, and those cliffhangers in the first and second books? Chef’s kiss.
This trilogy leans hard into dark erotic romance and absolutely doesn’t hold back. Its more like dark erotica then dark romance tho.The explicit intensity makes everything feel raw, obsessive,
But don’t go in expecting a soft, romantic love story about college girls..this isn’t that. It’s full-on Erotica(multiple partners)mixed with murder, revenge, and mystery surrounding college sapphic girls. The tension stays high, and those cliffhangers in the first and second books? Chef’s kiss.
June 22, 2026
Kylie Cross had me completely stressed the entire time with To The Flame, but I loved every single second of it! I lost myself in the pages since it was just too good to put down.
The story as a whole is just so incredibly well written, and the pacing is excellent. The chemistry between characters flows perfectly, and the back and forth banter with Xander brings so much fun, intense energy to the page.😮💨
There are so many more twists and turns packed into this book. I am seriously enjoying this series and cannot wait to dive into book 3!
The story as a whole is just so incredibly well written, and the pacing is excellent. The chemistry between characters flows perfectly, and the back and forth banter with Xander brings so much fun, intense energy to the page.😮💨
There are so many more twists and turns packed into this book. I am seriously enjoying this series and cannot wait to dive into book 3!
September 20, 2026
Making one of the love interests, Xander, a physically abusive rapist seems like an odd and tone deaf choice in a series about dealing with the trauma of abuse. While the scenes with Teresa and Kennedy were enjoyable, the fact they both seemed to treated Xander's behaviour as acceptable really left a sour note. I'm all for dark BDSM stories but this seemed more about romanticising abuse.
March 18, 2025
Team Ken
I’m so happy Kennedy got to shine in this sequel. I LOVE them! Kennedy & Elle are just perfect together. The spicy scenes were amazing, and I didn’t want to put the book down. I barely slept lol. Can’t wait for the next book!
I’m so happy Kennedy got to shine in this sequel. I LOVE them! Kennedy & Elle are just perfect together. The spicy scenes were amazing, and I didn’t want to put the book down. I barely slept lol. Can’t wait for the next book!
April 16, 2025
Took me longer than usual to read, kept forgetting parts etc but yeah, really enjoyed it.
Gamer at heart, new game came out. This was put on the back burner🤣
I shouldn’t but X is my fav character. The main girl is starting to get abit jarring. And I love Kenny.
Gamer at heart, new game came out. This was put on the back burner🤣
I shouldn’t but X is my fav character. The main girl is starting to get abit jarring. And I love Kenny.
August 11, 2025
Daaaaaamn, the spice I liked a little better in this 2nd book but personally preference. But damn this story tho, the cliffhanger. I was yelling at the page and at out MC. Gurrrrrrrrl
Can’t wait to binge thru this 3rd book
Can’t wait to binge thru this 3rd book
April 14, 2026
It was good, but I got bored at most of the book! Xander’s behavior got very toxic and not appealing! At the emd obe scene was sooo dark (chapter 99) but sooo well done!! And of course there is a huge cliffhanger!
3⭐️5🌶️
3⭐️5🌶️
April 16, 2026
Best book series I’ve ever read!
After I couldn’t put the first book down I was the exact same with this one! Genuinely a must read it has everything! I cannot wait to read the third one I’m sure I won’t be disappointed. Thank you for this great series!
After I couldn’t put the first book down I was the exact same with this one! Genuinely a must read it has everything! I cannot wait to read the third one I’m sure I won’t be disappointed. Thank you for this great series!
April 2, 2025
Loved
A page turner that keeps you wanting more. Filled with intense and seductive scenes. A satisfying read that makes you rally for the protagonist.
A page turner that keeps you wanting more. Filled with intense and seductive scenes. A satisfying read that makes you rally for the protagonist.
August 1, 2025
I love all of them, put please I need more and more Xander, I can’t get enough of her!
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