God Complex

by Darcy Dahlia

What do you do when all your wildest dreams come true?

My name is Kit Salazar and all of my dreams just came true. I’m a romance writer and my debut novel is going to be the summer’s hottest movie for two very big reasons:

Rafe Burdock and Grant Stone.

They’re Hollywood’s hottest actors. Any project they take on turns to gold and somehow they’re starring in a movie based on my book. They’re also the men I’ve fantasized about for years. Rafe and Grant have been the inspiration for the heroes and villains I’ve written about in every single one of my romance books. I don’t know when I started seeing their faces when it comes to happily-ever-after, but now that I’ve started I can’t stop.

Not even when both men do what I never dreamed they were capable of…

They both want me.

It’s something that could only happen in my books, but suddenly my life becomes a fantasy darker than any romance I’ve ever written. Because Rafe and Grant are not who they seem. They’re dark and obsessive when it comes to me. The more that I try to make sense of the attraction I feel for both men, the more I lose sense of who I am and just how far I’m willing to go when it comes to getting what I want. When my world falls apart and there’s nothing but darkness, Rafe and Grant draw me further away from the woman I was.

I’m terrified of who they’re forcing me to become.

I used to dream of happily-ever-afters from Rafe and Grant, but will I survive it?

Please Note: This is book 1 of a Duet, but is not a cliffhanger and does have an HEA.

Genres: Dark Romance, Why Choose, Romance, Dark, Contemporary, M M F, Menage

418 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2024

About the author

I write dark hearted romance and love every second of it. Every dark romance I pen is a story I'm dying to tell my wonderful readers. You can expect monsters here, obsessive heroes, and heroines who give right into the dark side and love every second of it. When I’m not writing, I’m probably thinking about writing or on my merry little way to over caffeinated. I hope you enjoy and love the books I write, because writing my books is my dream come true!

Reviews

[Cee · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded down because I skimmed the last 5 or so chapters and just kept repeating “no.”
I wanted to love this so much and in the beginning I thought it was exactly what I wanted. Nothing makes sense, though. She “sees the real them” but absolutely does not as Grant completely surprises her when he shows his true self. Rafe makes stupid choices that don’t make sense with his character, or they do but the author decides things need to speed up eventually and sprints instead of continuing the long game. Although the long game was “ignore her and wonder why she’s falling for the other guy” which obviously is a horrible plan?? Don’t even get me started on the whole Jasmine thing…


Just… so bummed.

[Weekend Reader_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever wondered what it might be like to have the attention of 2 serial killers, this book might be a good place to start. We are in both Grant and Rafe's obsessive minds, and boy, was it intense. They were truly unhinged to put it lightly. But if you don't like to be in characters' thoughts maybe pause. I think it was a smart choice because we were along for every unhinged illogical thought...

Example: So long as she doesn’t try to take her sweetness from me, she will always be safe. I’ll kill Rafe to keep her safe, and I know he would do the same thing. She doesn’t realize it yet, but we’re failsafe switches for the other.

Kit run!!!!!! Spoiler, she doesn't. My girl falls face first into the madness.

It was an interesting choice to make these 2 men polar opposites of each other but falling for Kit because they felt seen in her books. Strange that they said they didn't care, but her acceptance of their darkness was what primarily drove their obsession. So now I'm questioning: Is there a subgenre for cinnamon rolls who are serial killers, or is that just a serial killer. Are they considered soft doms/tops? Probably not.

Anywho, ignore my existential crisis. The tension between these characters made this reading experience angsty on steroids, between Kit's anxiety and spiraling and Grant and Rafe's ragey killing urges, I was stressed with every page. The ending makes me think this murderous throuple has some more plot to come. Oh yes, Miss Kit has a little something brewing underneath. I wonder what will happen with the movie release or how they are going to make this poly relationship work.

The one thing I could not suspend enough belief with this messed up dynamic is Grant's little hero plan that went sideways. Dude, I know you're messed up in the head (his words), but that assanine plan was too far. Rafe should have kicked your butt.

CN: serial killers, violence, kidnapping, coercion, blood, sexual assault, stalking and murder, harassment, forced orgasm, dubcon/ noncon, breath play, impact play, praise and degradation, emotional manipulation, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, bullying and depressive (possibly suicidal ideation) thoughts, child abuse (neglect, verbal, emotional and physical), sexual abuse and a predatory plan for sexual assault/catfishing a minor (flashback), leaking photos to the paparazzi, sexist comments, ageist language, rough sex, unprotected sex

Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't really understand this book all that well.

The premise is awesome: a woman uses 2 movie stars as the inspiration for her romance novels that she writes. One book is becoming a movie and both men are set to star in it. When the men find out that they are the inspiration for 30 novels, they become obsessed with her before ever having met her. PLOT TWIST: both movie stars are also serial killers.

I love the idea of this books but the pacing throughout just doesn't make sense and there are so many loose ends that it ended with me thinking that this should have been 2 books instead of just one. Most of the book moved incredibly slow. I think 3 chapters were dedicated to her first meeting with one of the men. I didn't mind the slower pace because we got a good look into each of the characters, but about 85% of the book in, after the two male leads haven't spoken to each other essentially the entire time, they just have a two minute discussion about how they are going to share her. At this point she still doesn't know that they are serial killers.

She finds out that they kill people and then freaks out for all of literally 5 minutes and then is basically like "okay cool" and the book ends.

There is no going over the jealous co-star who is sneaking around and trying to break them up, no mention of the emotionally abusive mother past the beginning of the book except to say that she messed with her head, they brush over the fact that sometime in college she was assaulted. They make note of the fact that the FMC has these angry urges to hurt the jealous co-star and make it seem like she too could become a serial killer but she never does. There is also no character development into the two MMCs relationships with each other. One minute they hate each other and literally want to kill each other. The next, they randomly are having sex. There is no mention of either of them being into one another at any point. They never discuss how they are going to handle being in a poly relationship and be in the spotlight.

It just seems like it was a fairly well thought out book in the beginning and then abruptly ended. I wish this book was turned into two books so that the plot, especially towards the end, could have been expanded upon.

[Kristina Yovino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so so so good!

I Love why choose, dark, steamy, cereal killers, who love the girl, and would do anything for her! I got an ARC copy. My very first ARC read. It pulls you in with the back story on how Kit was treated by her mother. Broke my heart! Then, we have a bit of a slow burn 🔥 happen. But when that burn happens, holy hell, hot and steamy is a total understatement!!! Grant is the hero and the golden boy, and Rafe is the bad boy. Even though we get both, I'm team Rafe :) I can't wait for book 2. I'm so happy for kit and her HEA!

I found this author on Tiktok and have been following for a little bit now, my first read by her and I'm hooked!

[Fynn ✨📖🧚🏻‍♀️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at around 80%. we were doing so good at the beginning 🫡 but there is way too much monologue between speaking. FMC asks a question, then there is like 2 pages of internal monologue, and i had to go back because i forgot the fricken question. i had to push myself so much to keep reading, but i eventually DNF’d. the potential was there 🫷🏻😩 this had my level of delulu, but the writing style was iffy.

[Emily ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

AAAAAAA ugh the concept was so intriguing to me but they are a little to psycho for me. Like what do you mean they want to kill her if she runs from them. But also it’s suppose to be mmf but you don’t get the mm until the end and there wasn’t really a progression into that relationship. Also also, I needed an epilogue that shows what all three of them would look like now that they have a defined relationship outside of sex. I like the potential but I think there could’ve been more work on the execution.

**update**
Okay apparently it’s a part of a duology so there is hope for more relationship development in the next book. However I still rate it a 3

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love dark romance and I absolutely love why choose. So when I saw that she was doing an ARC sign up for these of course I had to sign up because well I was hooked by her synopsis.

The story is so perfectly done. It develops really well. It isn’t done slow or to fast like some books. It focuses on the characters really well although I’d love to get more of Rafe’s background to see what exactly made him a little different like we did with Grant. Because it’s been stuck on my mind and I’m so curious.

But IM SO EXCITED to see if Ms. Darcy continue with the two men’s romance cuz that was unexpected and honestly hot. I just am so ready for book two. I am so happy with how this turned out and excited for Ms. Darcy’s world of dark romance and can’t wait for her to write more books.

[micolreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐

[Sara Zabrensky · Rating 4 out of 5]

So happy to be part of the ARC team for this book!! I devoured this book in one day. I’ve actually had to take a few to write my review because I needed a minute. I LOVED it. The why-choose dark romance was executed perfectly, the spice, the plot, it’s all there. The brutal relationship Kit has with her mother really plays a part in the characters self worth later in life, which is heart breaking because she didn’t deserve that. I was hoping to see her mother taken care of at some point, also jasmine too. Maybe in the sequel ? My only issue was I felt we didn’t get enough character building for Rafe. A large portion of the book was about Grant and Kits interactions now and their past traumas that shaped them into who they are, but we didn’t get that from Rafe, at least not enough in my opinion. Over all, great read. Will definitely be looking for the sequel.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pacing of this book was super weird and there were a few confusing parts and grammatical errors that could have done with some editing.

I considered dnfing at 6% bit honestly I kept going because the book takes itself so seriously that I thought it was ridiculous 🤷‍♂️ not for me

[Lj · Rating 3 out of 5]

i read this based off of one tiktok and didn't read TW's ofc buuuut it was fine. i feel like it couldve been like 200 pages shorter. the SA storyline felt random and only happened like 3/4 of the way in. and then the boyfriends didnt become boyfriends until 90% in

[Brianna Culpepper · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was was 5 pages of dialogue and 400 pages of inner monologue.

[Jaesan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually start books in a series or duet unless I know the series is already finished. My anxiety gets the best of me and overrides my anticipation. But I love Darcy Dahlia and I love her characters.

I’m fairly new to the Darcy Dahlia/ Rebel Carter literature. But boy am I eager to stick around.

I know that Darcy has a way with words. But again, her wordsmith ways caught me unaware!

This book has romance, steam, dark tones, found family, why choose, and a HEA!

Kit is an interestingly complex character. Yet she seems so transparent. Her upbringing, then later, the reinvention of her life seems so relatable.

To lose yourself in the pages of a good book. Of finding happiness and peace where you can. To dream of and then be able to actually reinvent yourself. She didn’t let the circumstances of her upbringing deter her ability to dream big and want a better life for herself. To carve something extraordinary out of nothing.

To say that Kit grew up rough would be an understatement. The story begins with scenes of her troubled childhood to paint the realization that Kit forced to grow up too fast and depend only on herself. Though, that didn’t stop her from finding people she could trust eventually.

Her relationship with the only parental figure in her life had shaped her into the determined and hopeful person she is today. Her hard work and a little luck had finally paid off and now she’s living the dream she’s always sought out for herself. She’s a romance author. And now her book is going to be a big time production!

I’m sure the romance community understands just how monumental it is for an author in this particular genre to have movie adaptations. After 50 Shades, I don’t think there have been too many blockbuster hits featuring… our particular tastes. And as much as I love me some Charlie Tango, even that was kind of lacking.

But Ms. Darcy Dahlia has served us with more than just an entertaining read! The emotion. The relatability (for the most part). The world building and the character development. If you want a couple new book boyfriends, I highly suggest Rafe and Grant. They’re two sides of the same coin personified.

I enjoy dark romance novels. I enjoy the complexity and darkness of a well written main character. But I think because I don’t have that interaction in really life, sometimes it’s harder to relate in my head. So with dark characters, I quite enjoy seeing the humanity (or lack there of) of the… morally grey characters through their interactions with people besides their love interest. And of course Ms. Darcy didn’t disappoint.

When we first met Rafe, it was clear he was a sociopath. Or at the very least had Alexithymia. Hollywood bad boy that everyone loves to hate.

Grant on the other hand… Captain America-esque , the boy next door, and seemingly the complete opposite of Rafe. Or do they have more in common that we initially think? 🤷🏻‍♀️

She mixes relatability with dark fantasies. Those secret thoughts you would never act on. Thoughts that should probably stay in the dark.

With a cute little surprise towards the end 😌

I would suggest reading the TWs before your Seattle vacation though.

[Scarletgenesis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dont give out tons of 5 star ratings, but this book absolutely deserves it.

This book has a unique concept/plot that I've not read in any dark romance before, with some almost 4th wall breaking and I loved it.

Might be spoilers below, so beware...

In the past, the only romance books I've seen where there are characters who are actors have been more cutesy romances, which are not my thing. This is NOT that kind of romance.

Imagine yourself as someone who started writing essentially fanfiction in highschool as a way to escape a horrible home life, and that becomes your passion to the point where you turn it into a successful writing career. Now imagine the men who originally inspired the characters you write about are successful movie stars (think, Marvel -level of success) and they get tapped to star in the movie adaptation of the first book you ever started writing. AND YOU ARE FREAKING OUT.

In the course of learning about the book that inspired the movie they're starring in, both actors learn about and become obsessed with the author. She can hardly believe it and is drawn to them both. Did I mention that both actors have a secret, dark, life that is the REAL them, not the face they put on for Hollywood?

And that the two actors hate each other?

This is a dark romance, so be prepared for themes that include abuse (specifically from a narcissistic parent), serial k+llers, violence, jealousy, and STEAMY spicy scenes.

There is so much to this book that makes it so fun and engrossing. I seriously couldn't put it down. I read it from start to finish in one evening.

Seriously, go read this if you like dark romance. You will absolutely not regret it.

It's book 1 of 2 in a duet, but it does contain a happy ending/happy for now, though there are plenty of things that will hopefully be resolved in the second book.

[Hannah Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The beauty and her beasts. That’s all it could be. This is no fairytale with a prince charming, but with men who lost their humanity somewhere along the way. Men turned monsters with the faces of angels whose need consumes me to the point that I crave what they’re doing to me.”

Okay so bare with me because this was my first ever ARC! I loved this book. I’m a huge dark romance reader and this was just 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼

Kit, Rafe, and Grant. I want more. I loved these characters and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. Rafe is a walking red flag, but I mean, we’re all a little color blind when it comes to our book boyfriends 😂 who doesn’t love dark, broody, touch her and die vibes? Honestly my fave. Grant, he hides his darkness so well to the outside world, he puts on the boy next door act for everyone and everyone buys it. When he finally pulls the mask back, there’s no turning back for Kit. If Rafe and Grant can’t have her, no one can. The boys may hate each other, but they’ll do anything to keep Kit happy, including putting up with each other.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this because I happened across it on TikTok, overall I loved the book and I’m so excited to dive back into this world when the next one comes out!

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure I was ready for this book to end. It feels like it should not have left off where it did. Though now I'm waiting to see what happens next. Who wouldn't want their book to be made into a movie? On top of that, how the hell did the two guys she uses as inspiration make their way into it? To top it off both men are more than they seem. They have a past and follow a road that could lead to so many places but also one really bad place. Tall dark and handsome. I will say some of the fuckier in this book made me made. Like dude you didn't have to do all that just to be the hero. But most men have their heads up their ass so we shall see how things play out further in the next book. I also wanted to punch the catty actor that thinks she is owed something. Only those who work for what they want are owed that. She is a small stone in a big pond.

[Leah Svette · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY MOLY!

I had low expectations for this book, but man was I proved very very wrong! This book is literally everything I love! It had the suspense and the thrill, it had the TOP NOTCH spice with a why choose romance. You will both love and hate the two MMC’s, Darcy wrote these two men in such a way that you will swoon in one second and want to throttle them in the next. But one thing is clear, the FMC is the be all end all for them. I resonate so much with the FMC. The way she tries to tear herself down due to past experiences but the MMC’s don’t allow that to happen and I am the biggest sucker for that! Seriously give this book a read, the triggers are heavy but it’s so so good

[Mercury D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to begin ! This book is mind-boggling good in its own unique way .i love the hate love relationship between Rafe and grant and how kit is obsessed with the both of them at the exact same time.honest to god I thought I was gonna dnf the book but I’m so glad I didn’t .the mm smut scene was too good .The build up to the end of the book was stretched which I didn’t like but maybe I’m just impatient 😭 . Quite honestly it deserves a 4 out of 5 only because the scene before they arrive back to her house grant and Rafe .kit started to sound like a Wattpad character but hones her reaction felt real so who am I to judge ? .anyhow I loved this book and it will ever be my second favorite book (first is the architect by Nikki sloane ,so good btw )

[Krystal Skye H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's good...it's dark..it's manipulative, lol

**Spoilers Galore**


So I really enjoyed this book but it def gave me anxiety 😬 🙃 😅 It was going good until stupid Grant fuckin got her beaten up and almost r**ped...I don't think I'll forgive him for that. Even though it "wasn't supposed to go that far" . Psh 🙄

I enjoy the competition between Grant and Rafe for Kit's attention, but I do like Rafe more after the whole Grant being a "hero" thing. Spicy scenes were great, but the last one in the book changes the group dynamic, and it's my favorite! I also don't get why Rafe "wouldn't get the girl" maybe it's just in her book series but idk.

Can't wait for the next one - I'll for sure be keeping an eye out for it!

[Sara Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely recommend checking each TW before reading. This story was beautifully twisted and such a good read.

You see why Kit has such a weary outlook on love due to horrific upbringing by her mother. Their lack of mother-daughter relationship is clear from the jump and it’s a horrible thing to see how a mother’s bitterness can overall determine their child’s views in every way.

Skip to Kit now being a well know author who gets the call every author hopes for, her book is going to hit the big screens. The male actors, Rafe and Grant who are playing the love interests are spot on in comparison to her characters. Oh and they just so happen to be utterly obsessed with her. What more could I girl want, two men she’s always fantasized about coming to life and would do anything to get her to love them, they would even kill for her. ;)

The story was told with the movie being a mention and not the focus of the story which I personally liked. It allowed for the character development to be highlighted. There is definitely more to the story on Kit’s past and I hope it’s touched on in the next book. Can’t wait to see where book 2 takes us!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oof, where to even begin with this book!

Kit, a writer with a troubled past, has one of her books picked up for film. The men in her stories are based off of A-list celebrities Grant and Rafe. They end up being co-stars in the film, and instantly become obsessed with her when they find out she wrote books based on them.
Little does she know that these men have their own dirty little secrets, and that they will do anything to keep her safe.

The spice in this book was *chefs kiss* hot hot hot

Definitely a book where tw should be checked, mentions of sa, possible sa, m*rder, troubled mommy issues, dark desires, trauma.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the next one !

[Kayce B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really it’s a 3.5

I really did love so much about this book. The premise is great, the boys are secretly dark and oh so delicious, the *touch her and die* trope front and center, and so many great quotes.

But ugh. The constant repetitive inner monologues Kit has in every chapter, which I get is trauma based, but could we maybe not pontificate quite so much? Rafe sitting back and essentially ignoring her 3/4 of the book but then also being annoyed that she’s not with him? The ending being rather abrupt…I was warned but it still caught me off guard.

I don’t know, it just felt very incomplete.

[Tanesha Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the extreme pleasure of arc reading for this book. The way that she wrote this book was so amazing! The characters in this book have such different dynamics than what they are portrayed on the screen that it throws you for a loop. And then the writer who on the outside looks like she has her shit together on the inside is completely relatable to every other insecure woman.

This book is about a writer who does romance books and it is going to be turned into a feature film. The two main male characters in her books are based off of two smoking hot hunks of meat Grant Stone and Rafe Burdock.

Little does she know that they both had dark secrets and their dark secrets are darker than the things that go bump in the night.

Definitely check it out It is a great read It is a why choose and once you pick it up you definitely won't want to put it down.

[Anna Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this book. I like that Kit is down to earth. Due to trauma her mother gave her she doesn't believe that she is anything special. These 2 serial killer hunks think she's more than just special. She's their everything. They will go to all the lengths to prove it to her. This is the first in a duology so I'm hoping some storylines are finished and I warm up to Grant. I'm team Rafe all the way!

[madi · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re horny, this is right up your alley.
I’m a HUGE fan of “why choose” type romance books. There’s not always plot, but THIS has a good storyline.
I wish we got back to a scene about Kit’s past, but I think it was forgotten about or maybe rushed.
Not sure if I’m a big fan of the ending? It’s not normally my thing, so that’s why I gave it 3 stars instead of 4.

[Aya Blackwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book 3.5 stars. I liked it a lot but I felt like the ending was rushed. I also felt like while I was really into the whole premise the book could have been just more. More developed, more exciting, more smutty. Two serial killers obsessed with the same woman in a why choose... I expected more violence more gore and certainly more than 4 deaths.

[Lexie Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

DARCY. WHEN YOU PUBLISH A DUET JUST PUBLISH BOTH AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE I CANNOT GET ENOUGH.

The characters 😘🤌🏽
The storyline 😘🤌🏽

My only complaint is purely the fact that there is no book 2 available.

Rafe knew exactly what he was, what she expected and what he had to do.
Grant so glad he came into his own
Kit, I wish she was more confident but I assume writers are generally like this because they write to express.
Alana, supportive best friend ❤️

[Ysabella Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was so terribly bad it was good. no one should ever read this but it was incredibly entertaining.

[Angie Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK OK I was not expecting a lot of the stuff that happened in this book. I freaking loved every minute of it. It started off slow for me but I think that’s because I’ve been reading so many fast paced books so it took me a minute to get used to it. This is a why choose book with two male characters in a female character. I really was not expecting the level of sexiness that came in this book. There is a little male on male action that gave it a whole new level of dirty lol. Kind a left on a cliffhanger. Can’t wait for the second one this book truly was great to read.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is so good omg my first 5 star of the month. It's well written and very well put together.
i normally don't like multiple pov's but this one had me hooked. And super spice. And Grant 👏👏👏 (chef's kiss)👌