It’s been a decade since a girl in red ripped out my heart and gave it back in mangled pieces. For ten years, I’ve sworn off attachments of any kind. There have been plenty of women, but I’ve never allowed it to go any further than pleasure. And I’ve certainly never made the mistake of letting relationships infiltrate my kitchen again.
But there’s something about my fiery pastry chef that turns all of my usual rules to ash. When she says, “Yes, chef,” I have to smother the urge to throw her over the prep counter and make her scream it. But I can’t lose focus. I have bigger things to worry about than getting dirty in my restaurant.
There’s a shadow from my past that’s come back to haunt me. And red has taken on a far more ominous hue. My attention is split between the flames that keep building in my kitchen and the chaos erupting in my personal life.
I don’t know how to escape the carnage that threatens to destroy everything. All I know is that my angél is going to ruin me all over again.
Angélica Flores
I have no interest in emotional distractions. And I definitely don’t want anything to do with the gorgeous, terrifying executive chef who has always hated me.
He pushes me harder and harder, but nothing is ever perfect enough for him. Some days, I want to take my chef’s knife to his favored appendage and see how quickly those sharp critiques comes when he’s on the wrong end of a blade.
Nothing has been easy since I left Columbia as teenager to study culinary in America. I’ve had to fight for every opportunity and beat down every person who said I could never make it in this industry. At this point, I don’t know how to stop fighting. And nothing gets my blood raging more than the chef who only ever tells me, “Again.” But I’ll show him I’m made for this—by any means necessary.
I didn’t leave my home to lead a life a mediocrity. I left to become the best. And the heat is going to have to get a whole lot hotter in this kitchen before I allow my dreams to burn.
Willow Prescott lives in Amsterdam with her husband and small coven of mini monsters. She spends her nights in a caffeine haze dreaming up twisted sexcapades and deliciously dark villains who make you get on your knees and beg for more.
Shades of Ruin (Sharp Edges Duet, #2) by Willow Prescott
“I got a taste for mixing kink with cooking early on in my culinary career, and I never quite kicked the addiction.” ~Greyson
“Chef Greyson might be a little more dangerous than I expected, but he’ll find that things with sharp edges have never scared me.”~ Angélica
5⭐️ 4🌶️
Omg!! I was patently waiting to reenter the dark & disturbed world of the captivating Chef Gavin (Grey) Greyson !! Yes Chef!!🧎🏻♀️🙌🏻😮💨 And “Shades of Ruin “ did not disappoint!! I ate this book up like it was one of Chef Grey’s delicious main courses!
I’m just so obsessed with MMC Grey 😍 character. He’s is defiantly a top tier dark romance book boyfriend! Not only is he sexy and erotic AF , he’s a Michelin star Chef, he speaks French, he’s rough around the edges and has a filthy mouth, but he also has a soft side and he loves giving gifts( especially diamond piercings 🤭) and I’m not talking about your ears 👂 lol 😂🤭💎💎
Chef Grey meets his match in the pastry chef he hires for his Chicago restaurant the strong & feisty Latina FMC Angélica Flores . Loved her character too ! She definitely went through some traumatic events in her past! And I learn something from her about grinding up Cherry 🍒 Pits ☠️that I never knew! I even goggled it lol 😂
This book definitely had more of a plot then the last book “Shades of Red” But it definitely had it’s very spicy and erotic moments … phew 😮💨 I will NEVER look at a Glazed donut 🍩 the same again lol 😂😳💦
There was also a mystery and thriller aspect in this book about a unaliver going around ripping people’s hearts out! I had a feeling I knew who it was and when this character ( who was in the previous book) reentered Grey’s world and causes havoc! This book does end happily and I’m so happy Grey found his match in Angélica !
Overall I can’t recommend this book enough!! It’s was everything I look for in an Erotic and Dark Romance!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Thank you Willow Prescott for the amazing arc in exchange for my honest review!!
I had the privilege of being an arc reader for "Shades of Ruin by Willow Prescott", sadly didnt realise it was the second book in the series. So, i just hope im able to understand this world without book one.
Ooh..10% in and I feel like the author knows their kinks and how to explore it properly in a book. Ive read a lot of spicy books over the years and most of the time authors are forcing the kink elements, but this one flows naturally without over explanation.
Though with the first chapter leading into the second chapter, I forget how its connected cause the first chapter is the death of a woman while the next one is a "kink club for devils and angels."
Ooh..the FMC is Colombian. That's cool!
The first 15% reminds me of the movie No Reservations but a little more in your face horny rather than the illusion of "cooking in the kitchen".
As much as I know a little bit of spanish; thanks to the stuff I watch, I would've liked a language guide to look back on to know what majority of the words translate to.
By the 25% mark I started giggling, some of the dialogue reminds me of the language I use towards my safe person when I stir them up.
I got 42% in while on a 2hr plane trip and goddamn..I wanted the flight to go longer so I could finish this book in one sitting. By this mark, I had already started to recommend this to two particular people and pray they'll like it too.
What i like about this book, besides the spice is that its not a meet cute or an instant love. They have their own 💩 going on, they just use sex as a relief rather than a "we just meet and now your naked...I love you..."
Around the 50% mark it got a bit weird and muddled with the storyline, the dead mother figure seemed forced in than quickly forgotten about than at the 60% have grey's sister and niece pop in than abruptly leave was odd. I get the author wanted to break up the spice but those two particular moments should've just been scrapped.
When I hit the 74% mark it started to veer into unnecessary territory especially so close to the ending.
Between the murder at the beginning of the story, the maternal figure death, the hostess death and the surpise child, the story seemed almost dragged down especially since majority of the book was about two chefs with their trauma unleashing through the therapy of rough play.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I have been WANTING and YEARNING for this fucking book since I was first introduced to Gavin in Breakaway, but more so after I read Shades of Red. And I finally have had it in my hands and have read it and OH MY GOD. I FUCKING. LOVED. IT.
As we all know, Gavin Greyson is DADDY. Tattoos, brooding and mysterious and let’s not forget, his fascination and love for knives, oh and cooking… but mostly nice sharp things and the colour red *wink*. But the most I have wanted for him, out of everything was to find his to call home and everything in between. To help this hot specimen of a man to heal and to be loved like he has FUCKING DESERVED AND WE HAVE FOUND HER LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I CANNOT BREATHE. Angélica Flores is Master Greyson’s person, and I COULD NOT LOVE HER MORE. She is fiery, she is gorgeous, SHE IS LATINA, and MY GOD she is a good little painslut *smirk*. Loving her was EASY but I definitely loved her more when I heard her backstory and as to why she is who she is today. She is one strong ass woman, and she has been through so much and she is dedicated to her job and loves what she does, and WE ARE SO PROUD.
Circling back to Grey for a hot minute, but seeing this man HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE AND OBSESSED just MELTED ME. I am SO FUCKING HAPPY for him because he has earned EVERY SINGLE BIT of this love that he has been given and he one hundred percent, honest-to-God DESERVES this HAPPY ENDING! This man BE MAKING ME CRY with his confessions and his want and need. I CANNOT. Oh, and the fact that it was LITERALLY SUPPOSED TO BE ANGÉLICA ALL ALONG. *IYKYK* And I WAS FUCKING GAGGED. I cannot with this book that I loved it so much and I missed Gavin SOOO MUCH and I loved seeing more of Caden and Kara! I can’t wait to see what’s instore for the future and I’mma say it again. I LOVED THIS SO MUCH AND IT WAS EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO SEE FOR GAVIN. AAAHHHH. SO. FUCKING. HAPPY. P.S. I swear to God the fact that a certain someone made an appearance I wanted to king hit the bitch. And what she did. OH MY FUCKING GOD. WHAT. THE. FUCK.
I really tried to make this one last longer but I just couldn't put it down. She is SPICY AF. Dark, depraved, unhinged and I loved every second of it.
I fell in love with Grey in Shades of Red. Never saw Aurele turing into what she became in Shades of Ruin. Angélica is the most perfect puzzle piece for him and they fit together like a shattered mirror glued back together with kinky fuckery, amazing food, fate.
There were so many moments in this story that had my jaw drop. I kept thinking they were finally good and then something else would go down. I forgot about the murders for a bit and then BAM back again. One particular victim made me SO SAD. But justice was served in the end. I fell more and more in love with these characters and the depth to them all. Willow Prescott did it again and I wouldn't change a thing in this book. Plus, my husband quite enjoyed it too even if he wasn't the one reading it 🤭😅
Thank you sooo much for the ARC! I savored every delicious crumb and burning drop of cinnamon oil (iykyk). I'm excited to see where Finn's story takes us next!❤️🔪👨🍳👩🍳
ARC review 🖤. Thank you for allowing me to read this & review! I absolutely loved this filthy FILTHY book! CHEFS KISS lol 😘 😈! I loved all of the characters and the spicy scenes were so SO good & depraved..just how I like it! I don’t want to give anything away as I like to go into most books blind but this book had me from the beginning to the end! & I really enjoyed how the ended was wrapped up. I can’t wait to read more from this author! Definitely check the TWs!
✨✨✨ Shades of Ruin by Willow Prescott (@willowprescottbooks), is the second book in her Sharp Edges Duet and releases July 1st. ✨✨✨
Dedication: For every person who read about cum sundaes and husband sausages and still stuck around for book two, I’d like to welcome you to the re-opening of Grey’s kitchen. Grab your spoons—things are about to go a little off-menu.
Tropes: 🍒 Inappropriate use of kitchen utensils 🍒 Stabby chefs 🍒 He pierces her 🍒 Dark romance 🍒 Work place romance 🍒 “Yes, Chef.” 🍒 Kinky fvckery in the kitchen 🍒 Touch him and ☠️ 🍒 Banter 🍒 Found family
From the very first page, Willow had me hooked—again. The second installment in this Duet is a masterclass in tension, heat, and emotional depth. I absolutely loved the story—it was captivating in every sense of the word.
The dynamic between Gavin and Angélica is electric. Their chemistry simmers beneath every interaction, and the way Prescott explores their vulnerabilities makes the connection feel raw and real. The backdrop of the high-stakes kitchen only adds to the intensity, blending passion and pressure in a way that’s uniquely thrilling.
What truly elevated this book for me was the **mystery woven through the narrative**. The unsettling string of events and the shadowy figure from Greyson’s past added a layer of suspense that kept me flipping pages late into the night. And just when I thought I had it all figured out, the plot twist at the end hit like a lightning bolt—I was genuinely on the edge of my seat.
Spice and story are balance with finesse, and Shades of Ruin delivers both in abundance. If you’re looking for a dark romance that doesn’t shy away from emotional grit and unexpected turns, this one’s a must-read.
Quotes: “Because only one of us could snap their fingers and have every single girl in here on their knees begging for a taste of their perfect, pierced cock, and it certainly isn’t you, Xander.”
“You want me to take off my belt and give you a whipping? Or do you want to pull down your pants like a good girl so I can warm your pretty cheeks with my hand?”
“Can’t,” she replies, a coy smile tugging on her lips. “Still just dinner, then?” I huff, wondering why she’s choosing to torture both of us rather than just giving in. “No, I mean I can’t because I’m not wearing any panties.”
I’ve spent nearly ten years carrying around the shame of what happened. The grief and the loss and the guilt. But in one night, Grey has healed me more than I ever thought was possible.
“But she could never break him. Because this time, the boy wasn’t alone. He had his fallen angel by his side. And with her, he would never break again.”
⁉️QOTD: What’s more dangerous: a heart kept locked away, or one willingly handed to someone who could break it? ⁉️
“We’ll see, little ruin,” I threaten as she struggles against the iron strength of my hand. “You’ve never played with a monster quite like me.”
Okay wow! What a wild ride this was. After reading and enjoying book one, Shades of Red, I had to get my hands on book two! And let me tell you, I wasn't disappointed.
This sequel picks up ten years after the events of book one, and every single page is drenched in tension, obsession, and deeply earned emotion. I will say though, by the middle of the book, I had a theory about the FMC from book one, Aurélie, the twist wasn't what I expected, but I just knew she was going to make a comeback.
This book was extremely kinky and emotionally loaded. It’s not just steam—it’s combustion laced with trauma, love, and raw need. That said… It’s also hot as hell. THE SMUTT WAS SMUTTING!🤭 And definitely my favourite of Willow's books so far.
I definitely need a moment to unpack this one sooo rtc!
────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────
⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹
❥Dark Romance ❥Enemies to Lovers ❥Stabby Chefs ❥He’s Her Boss ❥Pierced D!ck ❥'Yes Chef' ❥Knife Play ❥Inappropriate Use of Cooking Utensils and Food.. ❥Glass Play ❥He Pierces Her ❥Blood, food & cum play ❥Forced proximity ❥Touch him & die ❥Sp@nking ❥MF romance ❥Kinky fuckery in the Kitchen ❥Banter ❥Public play ❥Dom/sub
“Chef Greyson might be a little more dangerous than I expected, but he’ll find that things with sharp edges have never scared me.”
Like it’s said in the book, Willow Prescott keeps “twisting and pulling, taking me farther than I’ve ever thought about going. I don’t even hate it. I’m sick enough to love every fucking minute of it”. Shades of Ruin had me questioning everything about myself. It’s dark and twisted, bloody & bruised, but at its core, it’s a beautiful story of two people finding the person in this life that matches their sharp edges.
“That makes them even prettier. That means you hurt. That means you bled. That means you’re damaged just enough to be human. I don’t trust perfect things.”
I’ve been dying for the moment when Chef Grey was back on my page since reading Shades of Red, and man, he was back in all his dark glory. He’s tall, tattooed, morally grey, and an expert with his hands (and many other parts of his body). My bad boy has finally met his match made in Hell, his little ruin, his Angel. From the moment she appeared like a fallen angel, I was intrigued by her character. Angel is strong & has a mouth that give Grey a run for his money (in all of the ways), yet she has secrets and fears softness. These two broken people have finally found the pieces to put themselves back together.
“All I know is that we’re bound from now until forever. This moment is sacred - a matrimony of hearts and bodies unified as one, a vow that can never be broken. And I fucking dare anyone or anything to try.”
If you’re a dark romance reader who views trigger warnings as a menu, pull up a chair and prepare for Chef Grey to serve you up a meal that you will never forget.
5/5 I would recommend this to everyone I know but I also wouldn’t because I don’t want anyone to know the absolute FILTH I download to my kindle - HOWEVER - if you’re already here I guess you’re looking for some dirty dark romance - if not, well look away now
Wow! This is the hottest kitchen in literature (or should I say cliterature) this was at its core a story about two broken souls find each other, and their jagged pieces fitting together beautifully and perfectly
But it was ALSO a sexy sex fest AND a murder mystery. Now I haven’t read book 1 (yet) ‘Shades Of Red’ so this was my introduction to Grey, and I throughly enjoyed it, would I have figured out the twist earlier if I had read book 1? Maybe, but the fact I was going in blind did not take away from this book AT ALL
It is a story all on its own and gives enough explanation of the past that you don’t need to read book 1 in order for this to be enjoyable, and I think that is the BEST kind of book, I love when I can delve into something a bit clueless and still throughly enjoyed myself - and then go back and read the previous book like a prequel or a flashback.
This book was also my first introduction to Willow Prescott and I can’t wait to read more books by her, this was compelling, well written and enjoyable while also being absolutely FILTHY
Check your triggers - this is a dark romance after all Check your cycle - best read when ovulating iykyk 😉
Dark and delicious dark romance with stabby chefs, boss x employee, fun times with kitchen utensils, found family and enemies to lovers. Second book in the Sharp Edges Duet.
This book was fun, filthy and depraved and I really enjoyed it! I loved Greyson as the MMC. I really liked him in the first book of this duet and loved learning more about him in this second book. He really knew how to use knives and other sharp objects in the most pleasurable ways.
Angélica was an amazing FMC, strong and fiery, and he matched Grey’s craziness perfectly. The chemistry between these two was amazing and the spice kept spicing. The ending was perfect and I loved how the characters got the ending they deserved.
Reading this made me hungry but I’m also glad that I don’t eat meat, because I wouldn’t be able to look a steak in the same way lol
“That’s it, little ruin. Show me how pretty you can scream.” “You want me to take off my belt and give you a whipping? Or do you want to pull down your pants like a good girl so I can warm your pretty cheeks with my hand?” “We’re a match made in hell, angel. Destined to torment each other in the most delicious ways.” “We are all broken. But on the very rare occasion, some of us are lucky enough to find people whose sharp edges match up with our own.” “Brace yourself, little ruin. This is going to hurt like hell.”
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.
“You and me to the end, angel. No take backs.” Book 2 in the Sharp Edges duet, following more of Michelin star Chef Gavin (Grey) Greyson and his love for dark, kinky lifestyle. Of which he is very well known there 😈
When pastry chef, Angélica Flores comes in to interview Chef Gavin is stunned. He has met her once before, but she doesn’t seem to recognize him. He is determined to see what she is made up of and the tension, the classic kitchen bullying, kinky and tender moments will make them a pair I will forever remember. The sprinkle of murder mystery in the pages had me on the edge of my seat.
Loved it when Kara and Cade made their presence known from Willow’s Breakaway and Hideaway (go check those out too!)
Overall I can’t recommend this book enough!! It’s was everything I look for in an Erotic and Dark Romance!! As always check your Trigger Warnings! “How are you still hard? We’ve already fvcked three times this morning.”
She lets out a gasp when she sees what I picked out for her—a pair of one-carat, diamond-studded barbells set in pure gold. “They’re for your nipples.”
No one ever said the kitchen was made for the sane and sensible. We play with knives and fire for a reason.”
Chef Greyson has your table ready and he can’t wait to see you devour his food. He may be known as one of the greatest chefs of all time, but he has a dark side. Like all men with a dark and twisted side he only has eyes for one woman and she’s his angel, his little ruin.
When they first meet on Halloween he instantly feels something different. She’s not what she expected as a sub but that just makes her more exciting. That is until she sneaks away when he leaves the room.
Till one day she is in his office for an interview at his restaurant. His little ruin is here finally In front of him and he will not be letting her go this time. He must keep his reputation as the hard ass chef but he also wants her to see him for who he truly is.
🔪Be warned of “inappropriate” use of some kitchen utensils🔪
Damn!! Chef Grey DELIVERED with this second instalment of the Sharp Edgws duet, and I ate this up. Pun intended.
Grey is dark romance boyfriend goodness, and he knows all the right buttons to press. And who doesn't love a man who knows how to cook?!
This book follows Grey and Angélica, and she is a force to be reckoned with. Grey has definitely met his match. She is syring and fiesty and doesn't back down from a fight.
Willow has once again given us some deserts with additional ingredients - not sure I'll look at a glazed doughnut in the same way again.
I also loved the mystery around who the unaliver was. I had no idea who this was until a certain someone makes an appearance towards the end of the book.
Overall, I loved this book. The spice hit just right and I love how Grey finally found the one especially after what he went through in Paris!
Oh my god. I actually have zero words. This one’s really up there for me. This book is SPICY, like seriously 5/5 on the chilli pepper scale. And the plot was there too, at first I wasn’t really sure why the first book was relevant to the story and then at 80% BANG hit like a big ass truck and let me tell you the plot did not disappoint if you read the first book. It was so intense both plot and spice levels, but mostly the spice levels.
I can’t BELIEVE Angelica was supposed to be chef #10. They were fated to be together 10 years ago and the way they made it back to each other is insane
I also love their made family story, Toby has my whole heart, and I love how the three of them bond over cooking. And can we talk about how Grey took over the boulangerie!!UGH SO CUTE
If you don’t enjoy a book where spice happens to top off each chapter, this isn’t the book for you
Check ya trigger warnings before reading this one lads, cuz your in for a crazy ride
Shades of Ruin is set 10 years after Shades of Red. Chef Grey is not a successful three Michelin star chef in Chicago. He still has his dark side and plays at the clubs. When pastry chef Angélica applies to work for him, he knows he's seen her before at the club. She doesn't recognize him because he was wearing a mask. He hires her but puts her through trials to prove herself. When their attraction can no longer be contained, they both enjoy a night of pain and lust. They reveal their deep secrets to each other and become closer. When people from Grey's past end up unalived, they need to fight to clear their name. someone from Grey's pass also shows up and tries to tear them apart.
Definitely a fun read! It truly had a way of grabbing my attention from the start. After the first couple chapters, I was already wanting to tell my friends about it. I think the chef trope is really becoming a love for me. Who knew!! This book was WILD though with some twists that I didn’t fully expect.
I rated Shades of Ruin a 3 star because although I had a good time reading it, I wasn’t obsessed. As I always preface though, my 3 star books are really good books I enjoy. I reserve 4 stars for books that give me that same feeling but I’m constantly wanting to go binge it. I had a good time reading it but I wasn’t thinking about it at all when my book was closed.
"We'll see, little ruin," I threaten as she struggles against the iron strength of my hand. "You've never played with a monster quite like me."
Yes, chef! Greyson is back—and somehow even hotter—in this dark, spicy, and wildly addictive sequel. He finally meets his match in Angélica, a fiery chef who gives as good as she gets. Their chemistry? Off the charts. Their kink? Utterly unhinged (you’ll never see a glazed donut the same way again). For fans of spicy chef romance with a stabby twist, this is your next obsession. Greyson and Angélica are a match made in hell—and you’ll love every depraved second of it.
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️ 4/5 🌶
A big thanks to Willow and her amazing team for yet again writing this spicy masterpiece! 🖤
ARC REVIEW: honestly, loved this one so much more than the first. I found the first in this series hard to get through and the characters felt flat to me. But this one was off the charts! The characters, the action, all of it was crazy. This book definitely isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I really enjoyed it!
I absolutely loved this book, like oh my goddess! We’ll start off simple, the prologue drags you in and makes you wonder what is going on. And then in the first chapter you get to meet a delicious man. But the way Angélica comes in looking and her whole attitude and personality is chef's kiss, pun intended.
The characters' chemistry and how they interact with each other is perfect. The way that they tune into eachothers wants and needs. And the bullying, roughness, and sexual tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. But what I love most is the proper representation of BDSM in the book. Willow did such a good job at showing you both sides of a BDSM relationship. And Grey’s aftercare, making sure to know exactly what Angélica needs at all times.
Now onto the spice, oh my gosh. This book had my mind running crazy. The knife play, and the punishments. I would not mind working in that kitchen at all if I could get that kind of treatment. The punishments were my favorite part, had me memorizing so many of them. If you are as big of a masochist as Angélica you will absolutely love this.
Trigger Warnings: Knife Play Misuse of kitchen tools-Whisk and Meat tenderizer Murder Blood/Gore Cannibalism Etc. MAKE SURE TO READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS
Quotes: She’s an angel who’s fallen into the fiery pits of Hell and just barely escaped unscathed. When my thoughts are quiet, the darkness slumbers. But when my mind is loud and chaotic, the darkness creeps in through the cracks and latches onto every single thought, tainting them just like he tainted me. I’d give you every single tear I have if you asked for them. We are all broken. But on the very rare occasion, some of us are lucky enough to find people whose sharp edges match up with our own. Don’t waste it. Insult my whiskey again, and I’ll spank your ungrateful little ass with that spoon over there. You’ll have to earn your pleasure with tears. Plan on telling anyone that your boss bent you over and spanked your naughty ass? Now, be a good girl and show them how pretty you cum on my cock.
Others: He calls her pretty little ruin! HE WHIMPERS! FFM/FM/MFFM He’s pierced and so is she He makes her c*m in a hospital
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
WOW. The second instalment of the Sharp Edges duet takes the utter filth of part one and adds the plot it was lacking. Gavin Greyson is now running his own Michelin starred restaurant in Chicago, where he frequents Pandemonium, a sex club. On Halloween night, when masks are mandatory, he meets a girl who rocks his world, but disappears. A week later, Angélica appears in his kitchen to audition for the position of pastry chef... but she doesn't recognise him. Their appetites (no, not the food kind...) are voracious and pain filled, and we see Grey do the one thing he swore not to after what happened with Aurèlie - fall for a girl. But both have their secrets, and an absolute DOOZY of a twist comes from out of nowhere. I actually dropped my Kindle in shock.
As with Shades of Red, this book is NOT for the faint hearted, and you absolutely should read the trigger warnings beforehand (I did not, because I didn't for book one and didn't want book two to feel hard done by 😂), because the content of this one is even darker than it's predecessor. Spicy is not the word. Grey and Angélica are pure filth. As I alluded to earlier, this book is far more plot driven than book one, and it is much better for it. Don't get me wrong, I appreciated the smut of book one, but this had an actual story to follow which greatly improved the experience. We get to see more of Grey's character in this one, he's more fleshed out and it makes him more likeable. Angélica is the yin to his yang, rounding his sharp edges just a little. The plot twist was an absolute masterstroke, and I feel like Prescott's writing has absolutely matured between Shades of Red to Shades of Ruin. Excellent stuff!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
Willow! The way I was waiting for Grey’s journey to end in this book cannot be understated. Since Hideaway this depraved man has had my eyes on him. After Shades of Red… I needed more of Grey & dirty mouth immediately. And babe did you deliver with this one!
Grey returns more unhinged and devastatingly handsome as ever. He can draw you in like a moth to a flame with his allure & dominance. He 𝒸𝓇𝒶𝓋ℯ𝓈 and 𝓈𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓈𝒻𝒾ℯ𝓈. He is the darkness you want to seek out to see what it hides, enter Angélica Flores.
Angélica is fiesty, defiant, fire and strength. Her history and resilience make her this beautiful match for Grey. A captivating & formidable woman he simply cannot resist. Their pairing opens him up in a way that gives us so much character growth for Grey.
We get devotion, history, confessions and a glimpse back at Caden & Kara. Willow weaves these worlds together seamlessly with a beautiful ability to leave us both shocked & teary-eyed. The journey is emotional, thrilling and down right delicious.
☞𝔗𝔯𝔬𝔭𝔢𝔰 🍒Enemies to Lovers 🔪ѕтαвву ɕнєƒѕ 🍒Boss x Employee 🔪ριєяɕєԃ 🍆 🍒”уєѕ, ɕнєƒ!” 🔪кηιƒє ρℓαу 🍒Inappropriate Use of Cooking Utensils 🔪ցℓαѕѕ Play 🍒нє ριєяɕєѕ нєя 🔪Sp@nking 🍒кιηку in the кιтɕнєη 🔪Banter 🍒тσυɕн нιм and ԃ!є 🔪Found Family
⚠️check your TWs as this book contains dark themes.
✧ ꪮꪜꫀ𝕣ꪖꪶꪶ: ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭.5 ✧ ડ℘ⅈᥴꫀ: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
➢ ᠻⅈꪀꪖꪶ 𝕥ꫝꪮꪊᧁꫝ𝕥𝘴: Willow gives us spice, kιnks, vulnerability and a nice wrap up to Grey’s journey. This is a book you need on your TBR or shelf, out 7/1/25!
After devouring Shades of Red last summer, my anticipation for Shades of Ruin was through the roof, and Willow Prescott absolutely delivered!
Gavin Greyson returns, more alluringly unhinged and deliciously depraved than ever. This culinary maestro, with his unsettling love for sharp implements and a penchant for shadows, will stop at nothing to claim what he craves. He’s the anti-hero you can't help but fall for. But the true fire to his darkness is Angélica Flores. She is Master Greyson's perfect, defiant match—a woman whose fiery spirit and captivating strength meet his intensity head-on. Her past, revealed with devastating precision, explains the formidable woman she's become, and her resilience is nothing short of inspiring.
To witness Grey's profound devotion was a revelation. His raw confessions, born from a lifetime of shadows, highlight his complex character. It was also a treat to revisit Caden and Kara, and there were certainly moments that left me absolutely reeling—a jaw-dropping experience I'm still processing!
This book was everything I needed for Gavin's journey. While some of the emotional intensity bordered on overwhelming (in the best possible way!), it's a testament to Prescott's powerful storytelling. Shades of Ruin is a wild, emotional, and utterly satisfying ride. I loved it!
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
🔪 Dark Romance 🍒 Enemies to Lovers 🔪 Stabby Chefs 🍒 He’s Her Boss 🔪 Pierced D!ck 🍒 Yes Chef 🔪 Kn!fe Play 🍒 Inappropriate Use of Cooking Utensils 🔪 Glass Play 🍒 He Pierces Her 🔪 Sp@nking 🔪 K!nky fvckery in the Kitchen 🍒 Banter 🔪 Touch Him and Die 🍒 Found Family
Shades of Ruin is what happens when you take Fifty Shades of Grey, crank the kink to eleven, add Michelin-starred sadism, and toss in a murder (or three) for seasoning.
I didn’t read book one first, and while I was a little nervous going in, it ended up working just fine as a standalone (though now I definitely need to go back). This book is pure chaos—in the best way. It’s violent, erotic, unhinged, and somehow still full of emotion and healing beneath all the blood and blade play.
The MMC? A sadist chef with a knife kink and a past soaked in red. The FMC? Just as chaotic, unbothered by death, and ready to meet him kink-for-kink. Their dynamic is intense, dangerously hot, and deliciously deranged.
💀 Tropes & Content:
Knife play, blood play
Boss/employee tension
Sadist MMC x fearless FMC
BDSM club setting
Morally grey + healing
Mystery/suspense subplot
Extremely spicy and dark (⚠️ see content warnings)
📖 Spicy Level: 5/5 The spice is graphic, kinky, and not for the faint of heart. We’re talking knife handles, blood licking, and more… you’ve been warned.
Final Thoughts: Fifty Shades was the entrée—Shades of Ruin is the full, blood-soaked tasting menu. It’s brutal, kinky, and completely addictive. If Haunting Adeline and Hannibal had a literary baby with a Michelin star and a leather apron, it would be this book.
Highly recommend for dark romance readers who like their spice sharp and their chefs morally bankrupt.
Willow Prescott did it again with book 2 of the Sharp Edges Duet, Shades Of Ruin. Greyson is back from Paris and is now running his own successful restraunt. I advise reading book 1, Shades Of Red.
He is still swearing off love and relationships due to his heartache from the French blonde that left him bitter and hurt. He is part of the Pandemonium Sex Club, where he meets the one woman on Halloween night who will break his 10 years of keeping his heart guarded. His Angel that can ruin him.
Angelica Flores, she is his new fiery pastery chef and the one who should have been his a decade ago. She is running from her own past and has her own emotional demons that only Greyson can calm. They can't get enough of each other. In the kitchen, he is ruthless with her, but when he gets her alone, he brings her satisfying pain that she craves.
Greyson's past is catching up and is putting those close to him in danger. Angelica is his end game, and when danger comes knocking, trying to take her away, not only does secrets come to light, he proves to Angelica his love and keeps his promise of to the end.
This read is full of suspense, secrets, and spicy moments. Greyson is a kinky dom that falls hard for his perfect match. Angelica not only can go toe to toe with him, she is a fiery, pain craving, spicy Angel that perfectly and willing, takes what Greyson gives, and loves it.
I gave a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Willow knows what spice is and how to write it. Greyson and Angelica bring on the heat in and out of the kitchen. They know what each other needs and craves. He hurts in the best ways that have her non-stop screaming 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶.