Lover

Vrees niet #2

by Cecilia Campos

I thought I had found myself in the arms of a stranger. The man who made me discover my wildest side and helped me embrace it.
With him I felt safe, despite knowing almost nothing about him.
He taught me that as long as I controlled my fear, I would be safe. But as a result, my enemy changed tactics.
Suddenly I found myself in a world I didn't know, where everything was different and unknown. My life was completely turned upside down, and nothing would ever be the same again.
Just when I thought things couldn't get any stranger, I faced a choice that changed everything. That’s when I discovered that being safe is not the same as being free. And that being free is not the same as being happy. And that in the end, there’s only one way to truly be free.

407 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 23, 2024

About the author

I write books in which love conquers everything and the men melt your panties right off!

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Lover is the second book in the Fear Not series by Cecilia Campos. Having read the first book and being totally bamboozled, I was hoping for a lot out of this book.

Angelina finds her life turned upside down when she blindly follows the stranger, but is there really only one stranger? She is caught in a nightmare with clan rivalries and a madman of a leader, with no escape, and she doesn’t have the help from others when she needs them the most.

I was hoping to like the characters more than I did in the first book; I did see them in a different light, but I just couldn’t connect to them. There is growth in the female lead, which was good to see.
It is an interesting read with a mixture of sci-fi and fantasy.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in the ‘Fear Not’ series, and the story continues the dark romance between Angelina and Aris, from book one, ‘Stranger’. Having been left a bit confused from the cliffhanger ending of the previous book, I was hoping this one would give me the answers I needed. However, it left me with even more questions and I’m still confused about the paranormal/sci-fi elements of the story. Having learnt who her stranger is, Angelina finds herself in a world she doesn’t know and she realises her life will never be the same again. She then faces a choice between Aris and Adem whilst she finds her enemies are changing tactics. This is definitely a dark romance with a twist and one which kept me hooked throughout. The descriptive narrative brings the setting vividly to life, making me feel fully immersed in the story. The multiple POV’s helped make me feel engaged with all the main characters. The chemistry between Angelina and Aris and Angelina and Adem sizzled off the page. I recommend reading this series of books in order, and I’m now keen to pick up book three, ‘ Higher’ and hopefully get some answers!

[Heidi Sturgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I was hanging on for dear life from the ending of the previous book I was stoked to be able to read the next one so quickly after being left out to chew my arm off 😂📚❣️

While there’s a pretty good recap of book 1 I’d highly recommend reading book 1 first just trust me on this 😉

To start of off with the cover is double delectable and even more so because of my suspicions I’m sure you get my drift 😋

I’ve always said fear is the biggest weapon and in this case it seems spot on because as long as Angelina is fearless she’s safe but is safe the same as free ?! To me self love and acceptance ( being free of others ideas and opinions ) is freedom .

I thought I’d had it all figured out but nope the rollercoaster kept going and my head was spinning as were my hormones 😂🔥all is not as it seems that’s for sure !

I’ll be honest I’m grateful I’m not Angie because having to choose between Adem and Aris is difficult and there’s so many consequences that come with it

Now I find myself chewing at the bit for next book 😂❣️📚🔥

[Rochelle Roth · Rating 4 out of 5]

over by Cecilia Campos

After the way book 1 ended I knew I had to go straight to book 2 for sure! Without spoiling too much of the story, Cecilia starts from the very beginning but in the man’s point of view and then switches to multiple points of view including back to Angelina. At first I had a tough time with this because reading basically the same story but in another character’s point of view is not my favorite but then it goes past where book 1 ended and I got really into it again and again stayed up way too late on work nights to read “just one more chapter.” I do have to say some parts were hard to read at times. There was definitely some triggers that I should’ve checked out before I started but I probably would’ve read it anyway. I kept going back and forth on wha I should rate this one and I am going to give it 4 stars just because some of the content just was hard to read and left me feeling icky. I do recommend reading this just make sure you check the trigger warnings first

[Mercedes Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dark romance book with everything you need. But buckle in for a wild ride because nothing goes as planned. This book takes you through multiple point of views. Angelina, Adem, Aristotle, Art, Orpheus and Memphis all get to share their minds through this interesting “love” story. While the main female character is Angelina, it really is neat to get the perspective of others along the way.
The main love interests are Angelina, Adem, and Aristotle, but I’ll let you read the book and find out who she chooses or if it’s both! What happens when she chooses one of the brothers? Angelina finds her world upside down and has a lot to sort through and figure out.
This book was well written and very interesting. I do want to go back and read the first book in the series so that I can know more of the story.
Would definitely recommend reading this one if dark romance is your choice in books!

[Kimberly Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, book two was definitely so much better because it had the explanation of who everyone was and where they came from. The culmination of the story. So hate Orpheus…hated him in book one and book two was definitely worse. Great ending. Loved this part…“Now it’s time for someone else to be my All. My heart chooses Aris without a doubt. With him, I can always be myself—no masks, no filters. He accepts me exactly as I am, no conditions, no compromises. Everything with him feels natural, as if we've been in sync for centuries. Relaxed. Free. With him, I never have to second-guess myself. I always feel comfortable. There are no mistakes, no things I could say that could be misunderstood. He doesn’t judge, ever. He takes me as I am, even in my most vulnerable moments, and gives me exactly what I need: love, security, and safety. The best part is that, because I can be completely myself, I’ve finally learned to love that “me”—the Angelina he loves so unconditionally.“ who doesn’t want this!

[Charlisa Wahtomy-Alba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two of the series and it gets a bit darker and more twisted. If you haven't read book one I highly recommend doing so. This books starts off where the first one ends. You do get a recap of the first book, but why not go and experience it? With thst being said poor Angie goes through a rough few weeks. She is kidnapped by a man that does vile things and she fights like hell. She refuses to break and does everything in her power to escape while she waits for the twins to rescue her. Once they finally either find a way to rescue her, or get around to it, she had already found an exit. What happens from here? They both profess to love her but who will she choose? Does she have to? There are several trigger warnings so dare to read at your own risk. I don't normally shy away when I see those, however there were a few parts that I had to stop and take a few breaths before continuing with the book.

[Katie Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into the series a bit unaware of how I’d feel about it. This is book two and you definitely need to read them in order as this continues where the last book ends. You may want to check the trigger warnings before hand. I sunk into this book a bit easier than book one. The storyline is different and gripping. The characters are easy to be drawn in by and I found myself having a hard time putting it down. It’s well paced and keeps you turning the pages as fast as possible. I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to more from this author. Four big stars and recommend to anyone looking for an interesting dark romance.

[Kristi McChurin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lover: Fear Not pulled me in even deeper than the first book. The emotions felt heavier, the stakes higher, and the love more real. I wasn’t just reading—I was feeling every moment.
The romance is intense but never uncomfortable, grounded in trust and vulnerability rather than just heat. The characters are flawed and human, and I found myself cheering for them, worrying about them, and needing pauses just to breathe.
This book lingered with me after I finished it. It’s a beautiful reminder that love isn’t fearless—it’s choosing each other even when fear is present.

[Anna Hirsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lover by Cecelia Campos
4 Stars

I enjoyed Lover more than book one and felt more invested in the story this time around. The series itself has a really original concept, which is refreshing and kept me curious about where things were heading.

That said, this book definitely comes with triggers, so it’s not going to be for everyone. Some scenes and themes may be uncomfortable for certain readers, so it’s worth keeping that in mind before diving in.

Overall, if you’re open to darker material and like unique story ideas, this instalment was a step up for me and made me more interested in continuing the series.

[Amber Peake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lover by Cecilia Campos is the Second book in this series. I would read in order, or you will be lost. In this second book the good news is you get answers to the questions you have in book one. This book is a bit darker but at the same time I love the question it makes you ask yourself of how you choose love and happiness for yourself. The tension in the second book also ramps up for sure and escalates. There are triggers in this book so please look at that prior to getting it. The book takes you from all prospectives, so you get to see what each one is thinking. You also find out what Angelica is running from. I feel Angelica grows the most in this book.

[Jennifer Reimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will say right away that you should read book 1 first because then you will have a better understanding of what is going on and not feel so lost with things that are going on. With that being said I loved this book, it was filled with so many twists and turns that hooked me that I couldn’t put it down. This was also a very unique story line and plot that flowed with so much and that unexpected conflict and climax, really had me going. I really enjoyed this book and series that I can’t wait to grab the next one or if there’s going to be more.

[Helen Sucher · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Lover” by Cecelia Campos is the second book in her Fear Not series. Angelina’s mysterious stranger is a stranger no more – Aristotle left, then returned for her and has taken Angelina into his world. A world far different from her own, where money is no object and everything is possible.

But something has changed – her stranger with the dark eyes seems different here in his world. Then comes a moment that explains everything in excruciating detail, and Angelina’s life will never be the same again. Her safety and freedom are put to the test, and will there ever actually be true happiness she envisioned?

Read on to find out!

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the series. It’s starts off from Aris POV from recapping book 1. Though I do still recommend to read book one.
Angelina is thrust into a new world and trying to escape her kidnapper. Both Aris and Adem are determined to find her. The brothers find they both are in love with Angie and now she must choose
I felt it started out slow but picked up. Steamy and left me ready to read book 3!

[Finn Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lover is book 2 of the "Fear Not" series by Cecilia Campos. Make sure you check the warning at the beginning, this one hits HARD!! Grab your tissues cause oh boy does this book deliver! Im so excited I got to read through this as soon as I finished the first book! Yeah this book hits hard, but like the book says, its like a car crash you just cant look away from! Im in love with this author and absolutely want more!

[Zoe Piengkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man did this book deliver! This is the second book in this series and it continued to deliver an amazing story. Dark, heavy and alot of the hot romance that this story brings. I enjoyed both books and loved how unpredictable they are. Well written and a book series worth picking up! Highly recommend and excited for the next book!

[Cindy Behrens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het tweede deel krijgt een hele aparte wending. Eerst vond ik het niks maar ben door blijven lezen en het werd weer helemaal goed gemaakt. Persoonlijk vond ik het stuk dat ze een slaaf werd, te lang duren maar het boek compleet met uitleg van Cecilia maakt het dat het goed is. Het heeft me tot nadenken gezet. Dank je wel Cecilia, ik blijf je fan

[marleen persoons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Angelina is woest, ontzet en verward, maar door deze emoties ziet ze niet wat er zich in de broers hun clan aan het afdpelen is.
De vader van de broers ziet haar als zijn muse, een doel, het perfecte speeltje.
De broers hebben het eerst niet door, daar ze zelf in complexe situaties& zaken zitten verwikkeld. Alsook elkaar niet kunnen vergeven rond Angelina is een groot werkpuntje.
Dit tweede deel was best apart. Ik kan er niet goed de vinger opleggen. Eerst waren er best veel herhaling vanuit het vorige deel en dan kreeg het een totaal andere wending die plots en onverwacht was . Dat zorgde voor de nodige spanning en triggers in het verhaal. Dit maakte het verhaal weer boeiend en beklijvend. Het einde was dan toch weer zo anders, het klopte voor mijn gevoel niet, er staat nog te veel open !?
In dit deel komt er iets meer fantasy ingekropen, alsook het darkromance gehalte dat de nodige issues en triggers creëert.
Cecilia Campos schreef een niet standaard vervolg, wat verrassend en een gedurfde keuze was. Ze laat zien dat ze van alle markten thuis is betreffende genres en weet de juiste klemtonen en haar schrijfstem toe te passen.
Ik lees persoonlijk liever haar steamy & dark romance verhalen.
Maar Angelina was voor mij wel een erg mooie en dappere personage, die een kracht bezat om stil van te worden.

3 sterren

@missp_her_books_read

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecilia Campos delivers a gripping second installment in her Fear Not duet that takes everything set up in the first book and deepens both the emotional stakes and the psychological tension. This isn’t a light romantic escape it’s a story that leans into complexity: fear, trust, self-discovery, and the tools we use to protect our hearts.From the start, this book continues directly from its predecessor, following a protagonist who’s still learning how to navigate a world that feels unfamiliar and unsettling. Her journey isn’t just about external conflicts ,it’s about unlearning fear and finding genuine strength in vulnerability. The stranger-turned-ally figure she encounters helps her question what safety really means and whether feeling safe is the same as being free.
What makes Lover stand out is how it balances emotional depth with suspenseful pacing. The characters are nuanced and imperfect, often guarded, and reacting instinctively rather than ideally. That realism makes their decisions feel raw and believable. Campos doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable emotions, and that gives the romance a heavier, more grounded feel than typical contemporary love stories. Lover is a thoughtful, emotionally charged conclusion to the Fear Not duet perfect for readers who enjoy romance with depth, internal conflict, and a compelling journey toward self-acceptance.

[Amanda Kimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5 stars

Lover (Fear Not #2) by Cecilia Campos

This isn’t the first book I’ve read by the author and I can say it will not be my last. Lover is the second book in the Fear Not series. You will have to read book 1 in order for anything to make sense in this book. Adem, Aris, and Angie are all back and this takes you down one crazy road. I couldn’t pick any quotes from the book because I didn’t want to give anything away.

Angie is still with Aris, but then she finds that the one she thought came isn’t who he claims. The brother that was getting married is the one who crashed on her mountain. She runs, but maybe running wasn’t the best thing to do. She should’ve stayed, but because she couldn’t stand seeing them both there, she ran. I couldn’t choose a quote because there wasn’t really anything for her to say that wouldn’t give something away.

Aris is hoping that Angie will come to her senses and choose him over Adem. He did betray his brother, but he thought he was doing something for his brother. He didn’t think he would fall in love with her as well. His brother’s loss is his gain, right? He will have to find a way to make it sense to both him and his brother. I again couldn’t choose a quote because I didn’t want to give anything away.

[Krystal Compton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lover opens with multiple POVs that revisit events from the first book. While this recap may be helpful for readers who didn’t jump straight from book one, it can feel slow if you’re reading the duet back-to-back. I did find myself wishing some of those perspectives had been woven into the first book.

Once the story returns to the present timeline, the tension escalates quickly. The second half is noticeably darker than the first, with heavier themes and higher emotional stakes, so definitely check trigger warnings.

Angelina’s strength and resilience truly shine here. What she learned from her Stranger shows in the way she keeps control of her emotions, even when fear would have every reason to take over.

What started as obligation slowly turns into something much more dangerous — real love — and the fallout hits hard. The story answers key questions about the superiors, though the deeper exploration of Angelina’s bloodline didn’t land quite as strongly for me.

At its core, this duet is about freedom — the kind that only comes when you love yourself and allow yourself to be happy, regardless of where life takes you or who stands beside you. If you’re starting this story, make sure to read the first book before diving into Lover — the experience truly depends on it.

[Heather Harmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lover by Cecilia Campos is an enjoyable and emotional follow-up to the first book. Since I liked the first one, I went into this story excited to see where the characters would end up, and it did not disappoint.

The author does a great job showing how love can be messy, intense, and sometimes confusing. The relationships feel real, not perfect, and the characters grow in ways that make sense based on what they’ve already been through. Nothing feels rushed, and the emotions come across as honest instead of overdone.

The writing style is smooth and easy to read, which makes it hard to put the book down once you get started. The story moves at a good pace, with enough drama and emotion to keep things interesting without feeling overwhelming. If you’ve read the first book, you’ll appreciate how this one builds on it instead of repeating the same ideas.

What I liked most is that the book lets the characters make mistakes and learn from them. Their choices feel human, and that makes the story more relatable. You can really feel the ups and downs of love throughout the book.

Overall, Lover is a solid read and a strong continuation of the series. If you enjoyed the first book or like emotional romance stories with depth, this book is worth picking up.

[Angela Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lover is the second book in the Fear Not series and picks up the story from the cliff-hanger of book one.

Angelica is still trying to get her head around the stranger who has crashed into her life and the twists and turns that has found her in a cross roads of life. When and unexpected addition is added to the mix can she choose between the two men or possible doe she not need to choose at all.

As the story intensifies you see into the minds of all the key players, with the twists and dark turns in this story can they return from the dark rabbit hole they have created.

This is obviously the second book within this series and you really need to read the first one as this picks up from the cliff hanger that was left in the first book.

Angelica's character seems to have grown a little from the first story but I still felt that I could not identify with her as a character in the story. Although the story has a dark theme, there is an element of sci-fi within the story which drives the past along and grips you along within the book.

As this would not really be a genre I normally read I did enjoy the books in this series.

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After picking up the first book in this series, I knew I was hooked for good. It’s the first series I had read by this author, but I have picked up several more just from that first impression. This book starts out feeling like an intense, emotional romance and slowly morphs into something much bigger and stranger. Highly recommend reading the first book before diving into this one because it is a continuation, and as always, check the trigger warnings. One of my favorite things in any book is getting multiple POVs, so that checked a big box for me. I like the undertone of comforting and unsettling at the same time. The idea of learning to control fear instead of eliminating it was a really interesting angle and added depth to the story. Once the world shifts and everything familiar disappears, the plot truly takes off. The sense of disorientation mirrors the main character’s experience in a way that feels intentional and effective. The choices that have to be made feel heavy and genuinely consequential. If you enjoy emotional journeys with a surreal twist and big themes, this one definitely leaves an impression.

[Dawn Daughenbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars
Lover (Fear not, #2) By Cecilia Campos

Lover is the second book in the Fear Not series. This is a Fiction/Sci-Fi Romance that once you start reading there’s no stopping until you’ve finished. I was pulled in from the beginning and I pretty much devoured this book in one sitting. There’s plenty of drama, action, suspense, secrets and so much more to keep you turning the pages. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was going to happen next. The storyline flowed for the most part there was a couple bumpy areas but I pushed through. The characters are fully developed, complex and bring the story to life. This is a fairly new author to. I highly suggest reading the previous book if you haven’t already started it. What would you do if faced with a choice of being happy ,safe or being free what would you do? This is definitely worth the read I highly recommend reading to find out what happens next. Im ready for what this author brings us next.

[Ashley Lape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lover is the second book in the Fear Not series. It picks up where Stranger left off, with Angelica being kidnapped. In this book, Angie must come to some realizations that her life might never be the same after being taken by Orpheus. He is known for trafficking, torturing, and enslaving humans. That is exactly what he does with Angie—he makes her his slave. What seems like an eternity for Angie to be rescued turns out to be about three weeks before Aris and Adem finally save her. When the raid on the compound happens, Angie ends up getting severely injured, and the twins fear she may not wake up from the medically induced coma. This series and this book are amazing! I read the first book as well and finished each one in a day. They have a storyline that hooks you, and you feel compelled to finish it in one sitting. Each book can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading them as a series; otherwise, you miss many of the finer details of the storyline. I'm eager to read the next book in the series!

[Jessica Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book picks up exactly where the last book left off, plunging readers back into the volatile and high-stakes relationship between Angelina and her enigmatic protector. The dynamic shifts as Angelina evolves from mere "prey" into a "lover" navigating a world built on shadows and violence. While the first book established the thrill of the hunt, this installment explores the heavy consequences of the catch, diving deeper into the secrets of the mysterious man who has claimed her life. Angelina displays significantly more backbone this time around, challenging the stranger and demanding the transparency his dangerous lifestyle lacks. As external threats loom and his true identity is finally unmasked, she is forced to confront whether a relationship born from a "game" can survive the weight of reality—and if her newfound passion is worth the peril that comes with his name. Overall, it is an intense, emotionally charged read that effectively deepens the series' lore while maintaining the steam that fans expect.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this story which is just as great as the first if not better. I highly suggest reading the first book before this one to help your enjoyment of this series and to see where the characters have been before this. I enjoy this author's creative writing skills that make this story realistic. I also enjoy their ability to pull me into the story from the start and keep me turning pages to the end. This story picks up where the second one left off. In a game of cat and mouse the mouse has been caught but is now realizing that things may not be as all expected. The characters have strong, connectable characteristics that make this story easy to read. The growth of the plot not only makes this story easy to read but entertaining as well. This is a fast paced, hard to put down story and I can not wait to see what happens next. This is a great series and book to read. I highly recommend this book.

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lover: Fear Not book two by Cecilia Campos. This is the 2nd book in the Fear Not duet and I highly recommend reading the 1st book before this one. This book picks up right where the first book leaves off. In this book we find Angelina still reeling from the stranger called ALL aka Aris who has bound into her life and made such a huge impression on her. They have amazing chemistry and he has taken into his "world" where she is risking her life after leaving everything behind including her dog, Patrick. When another stranger enters into their situation will Angelina have to pick between the two men or will they all 3 come up with a plan for them all to be together ( if you know what I mean). This world find Aris fits in perfectly but if she has to make a choice between the men will it be the end of everything. This dark romance has a bit of a sci fi feel so its different than your normal romances but it was still really good!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lover: Dark Romance with a twist (Fear Not Book 2)
By Cecilia Campos
As with any series I do recommend that you start at the beginning. The start of this book just about at a go slow as for me there was too many POV’s from book one. I did find the book picked up as the story progressed. The main characters in this book I feel have grown since book one. On saying that book one may have been enhanced storyline wise if bits and pieces of this book had been at the end of book one. There is also another addition to the main characters which is interesting to see which way Angelina will go. As the book comes back to now, I found it to be darker than the first book which is quite noticeable. I am not sure if I am 100% with this book, definitely preferred book one. But on saying that this book was as beautifully written as book one. For how well the book is written I am giving it a higher star rating than I was going to, I was going to go with 3.5 but have given it four stars.