Nemesis

Sterling Falls Rogues #1

by S. Massery

A new darkness is seeping into Sterling Falls, and I’ve drawn its ire.

When a masked stranger declares he wants our ruin—mine, my brother’s, the whole town’s—I hope he’s bluffing.

A series of escalating events later, and it’s clear the threat is very present.
It’s not only present, but it drags up old nightmares from my past.

To keep my beloved city safe, I need to find this masked man and eliminate the threat.

I can’t do it on my own, but the three men poised to help are the ones I am almost certain I can’t trust.

Kade Laurent, the elusive and thrilling newcomer, leverages Olympus to get close to me.

Reese Avery, a ghost from my past, brings with him the trauma I’ve tried to bury. But he says he’s here to make amends…

Saint Hart, the partner of my dead best friend, and I will never get along. Especially since I’ve been tasked with keeping him alive. At least, I was convinced we were going to be mortal enemies forever—until we hate-screw in my kitchen…

Now things are all messed up, and I don’t know who I can rely on.

All I want is peace, but with danger climbing around me, it seems I’m destined for the opposite.

Genres: Why Choose, Dark Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dark, Forced Proximity, Audiobook, Romance

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2025

About the author

S. Massery is a dark romance author who infuses all her stories with a dash of suspense. Formerly from Massachusetts, she now resides in Southern California with her dog, Alice.

Before adventuring into the world of writing, she went to college in Boston and held a wide variety of jobs—including working on a dude ranch in Wyoming (a personal highlight). She has a love affair with coffee and chocolate. When S. Massery isn’t writing, she can be found devouring books, playing outside with her dog, or trying to make people smile.

• Facebook Group —> http://facebook.com/groups/smasserysquad 

• Facebook —> http://facebook.com/authorsmassery

• Instagram —> http://instagram.com/authorsmassery 

• Newsletter —> http://smassery.com/newsletter
• Tiktok —> http://tiktok.com/@smassery

Reviews

[Kursed Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nearly 10 years after being sold into servitude by her father, Artemis Madden has escaped Terror and finds herself in the midst of the fuckery that is Sterling Falls.

As the target for an unknown masked man, Artemis is determined to be self-reliant, but continues to find herself entangled with Kade Laurent, Reese Avery, and Saint Hart, each with their own emotional scars and tragic pasts.

While Sara can do no wrong in my eyes, this new series has so many connections to Sterling Falls that it was, at times, difficult to follow the characters and understand their factions and territories as I have not read SF (and don’t ask me why I haven’t because I literally have no idea!). That said, I’m still anxious to see where this story takes us with the threats toward Artemis and the budding romances, particularly with Saint.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😩😬🥵😤😳
Ending: 🧗🏻‍♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻👨🏼‍🤝‍👨🏻 {Multiple}

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark, New Adult, Suspense

✨ Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Why Choose (Slow Build)
 
💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, Jealous/Possessive, Pierced 🐓

💋 Kinks: Degradation, Dirty Talk, Domination, STFUATTDLAG

⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties damp and your cheeks flushed.

🚩 Safety Squad: CSA, Drugged, Trafficking, Unalìvíng, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements both on- and off-page, in the past and present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📣 Type: Nemesis is part of the Sterling Falls Rogues series and ends on a cliffhanger. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading the Sterling Falls series may enhance the experience.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Noa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"People realize they'll never uncover what's hiding in all the shadows at this place, but it doesn't stop them from trying."

Your past doesn't define you but it sure as hell likes to creep up on you.
Artemis Madden knows that quite too well.
Living, breathing, every day she never forgets.
And one masked stranger declares ruin - hers, her family's and her town's.
She can't face this alone. She has to ask for help.
Even if it is the last thing she wants.
Saint Hart - the trauma that lives with her, that hates her. At least that's what she thinks.
Reese Avery - the ghost from her past.
Kade Laurent - the new face in town who she can't seem to get rid of.
But who can she really trust?
Can Artemis even trust herself?

"Reverence can be manipulated far easier than fear."

I am so excited I finally picked this up because Artemis' book was one that I had been waiting for and it did not disappoint!!
I loved the whole vibe of this book - it's giving dark romance fast and furious in the absolute best way!
The slow build of Artemis' story and past coming back to haunt her while also showing us each one of her boys' backstory - absolute chef's kiss and I cannot wait to continue this series because I absolutely need more!! 💜💜

"We're woven together whether she wants to be or not."

This playlist very much gives fast and furious greek mythology vibes and I am here for it 🏹🌊

(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0RQ...)

🎶 "Pain" - Jake Daniels
🎶 "Achilles Come Down" - Gang of Youths
🎶 "Savages" - MARINA
🎶 "Medusa" - Kaia Jette
🎶 "idontwannabeyouanymore" - Billie Eilish
🎶 "Pretty In The Dark" - Ashley Sienna, Ellise
🎶 "Nightmare" - UNDREAM, Neoni
🎶 "Enter Sandman" - Alessia Cara, The Warning
🎶 "Red Lights" - Stray Kids
🎶 "As They Bloom" - Unlike Pluto
🎶 "Nothing Else Matters" - Miley Cyrus, WATT, Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Trujillo, Chad Smith
🎶 "Imaginary" - Evanescence
🎶 "Bleed" - Connor Kauffman
🎶 "See You Bleed" - Ramsey
🎶 "Skin Of A Saint" - Connor Kauffman
🎶 "RUSH" - Dutch Melrose, benny mayne
🎶 "do you really want to hurt me?" - Nessa Barrett
🎶 "Forbidden Fruit" - Tommee Profitt, Sam Tinnesz, brooke
🎶 "salvation" - Christabelle Marbun
🎶 "Your Blood" - Nothing But Thieves
🎶 "Take What You Want" - Post Malone, Ozzy Osbourne, Travis Scott
🎶 "I Feel You" - Depeche Mode
🎶 "Hayloft" - Mother Mother
🎶 "Tourniquet" - Evanescence
🎶 "Blood // Water" - grandson
🎶 "Miracle" - Story Of The Year
🎶 "Angry Too" - Lola Blanc
🎶 "River" - BRKN LOVE
🎶 "BITE" - Mad Tsai
🎶 "Knife Under My Pillow" - Maggie Lindemann
🎶 "Run Boy Run - Instrumental" - Woodkid
🎶 "Killing Butterflies" - Lou Bliss
🎶 "Paint It Black - Epic Trailer Version" - Hidden Citizens, Ranya
🎶 "Black Mirror" - Sophie Simmons
🎶 "Take It" - Dom Dolla
🎶 "So Far So Fake" - Pierce The Veil
🎶 "You Don't Know Me" - Elizabeth Gillies
🎶 "sloppy" - KiNG MALA, UPSAHL
🎶 "I Feel Like I'm Drowning" - Two Feet
🎶 "BREATHING UNDERWATER" - Hot Milk
🎶 "Make A Move" - Icon For Hire
🎶 "Teeth" - 5 Seconds of Summer
🎶 "Mother's Daughter" - Miley Cyrus
🎶 "Astronaut In The Ocean" - Rain Paris
🎶 "I'm Tired" - Labrinth, Zendaya
🎶 "madhouse" - Nessa Barrett
🎶 "World On Fire" - RIELL
🎶 "Black Sea" - Natasha Blume
🎶 "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - Malia J
🎶 "Nobody" - Besomorph, TIELL
🎶 "My Heart's Grabe" - Faouzia
🎶 "Artemis" - AURORA
🎶 "Clandestina - Remix" - FILV, Edmofo, Emma Peters, Jvstin
🎶 "Sharks" - Imagine Dragons
🎶 "IF I HAD YOU…" - Chris Grey
🎶 "You" - Ari Abdul
🎶 "Fire Up The Night" - New Medicine
🎶 "Don't Stop The Party" - Drunk Girl, Deanna
🎶 "Monsters in My Mind" - Cloudy June
🎶 "Sinners" - Ari Abdul, Thomas LaRosa
🎶 "FUCK" - Snow Wife
🎶 "LOSER" - Neoni
🎶 "SORRY I'M LATE" - RORY
🎶 "Something in Your Mouth" - Nickelback
🎶 "Haunted" - Laura Les
🎶 "Echoes" - Connor Kauffman
🎶 "Collide" - Justine Skye, Tyga
🎶 "Chokehold" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Shatter Me" - Lindsey Stirling, Lzzy Hale
🎶 "War Of Hearts" - Ruelle
🎶 "Bite Marks" - Au/Ra
🎶 "Demons" - MISSIO
🎶 "Madness" - Ruelle
🎶 "Take It out on Me" - Bohnes
🎶 "DARKSIDE" - Neoni
🎶 "Love the Way You Hate Me" - Like A Storm
🎶 "100 Little Deaths" - Lilith Czar
🎶 "Anarchy" - Lilith Czar
🎶 "BLURRY" - Neoni
🎶 "Parasite Eve" - Bring Me The Horizon
🎶 "The Maze" - Janani K. Jha

And hey just because it's a slow build doesn't mean S. Massery doesn't absolutely feed us with the smut 💋🔥😈

"Break for me. Prove to me you’re a little slut for this."

"Fuck me. You're so wet. Every fucking insult makes you clench around me."

"Nice little whore. Spreading yourself for me. Your cunt is drooling for more."

🌊 Tropes 🌊

🏹 Why Choose Romance
🏹 Tragic Past
🏹 Enemies to Lovers
🏹 Forced Proximity
🏹 Greek Mythology Inspired


Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/DN55I64DN...

[Koisty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Whiskey Stars ⭐️
Spicy Rating: 🌶️.5/5

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
So this is meant to be a standalone, but as someone who hadn’t read the previous books set in Silver Falls, except for the little novella short story that couples with this I spent the majority of the book not knowing what the fuck was going on.

It constantly references events and happenings from the previous series, and I just had to kind of guess what those situations were. I found myself Googling characters and relationships just to make sense of what was happening. And honestly, that really impacted my enjoyment of the book because most of the time, I had no idea what I was reading, what the point of the plot was, or what it was trying to achieve.

Realistically, the story moves really slowly… but weirdly, there are also elements that move really fast. It jumps around in time and hops from scene to scene, almost kind of like a TV episode with multiple mini-arcs. But we haven’t even reached the end of the series yet. We’re at the mid-season break by the time this book ends. Yes, there’s a climax, but there’s so much that still has to happen. This felt more like laying the groundwork. Which I think is why it took so long to develop.

Artemis is a girl shaped by trauma. Her trust was shattered when her own father sold her into a sex ring. She escaped and eventually brought it down, but she’s been closed off and distrustful ever since. She’s got a very hard shell, and she doesn’t let many people in. She doesn’t ask for help. And while at times it almost comes across as that classic “too stupid to live” thing, it’s not that. She just would rather carry everything herself than burden others. But because of that, a lot of stuff builds up and she ends up with so much on her shoulders.

She’s strong. She’s a badass. She’s willing to get her hands dirty and fight. And you can see that people really respect her, both for what she’s been through and what she’s built. But there’s still that underlying theme of “she’s just a woman”, and because of that, she does end up being used as a bit of a pawn by the men around her and can easily be physically overpowered.

Saint is fucked up in all the ways, but my heart kind of breaks for him. He lost the love of his life in a tragic, horrific shootout and he’s been drowning in that grief ever since. On top of that, he’s forced to live with Artemis, basically on suicide watch. His brother babies him, gives him no autonomy, and treats him like he’s broken. So, like any child in that situation, he lashes out. And of course, the one person he lashes out at is Artemis... because she’s the one who’s there.

Between Reese and Kade...I am not sure what to make up my mind on for them. I love the push and pull and alure of them... Reese more than Kade because your girl is distrustful of his ass... but I don't want to formulate an opinion on them just yet given we have 3 more books to go...

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Enemies Hate to Lovers
▶ Slow Burn
▶ Roommates to Lovers
▶ Small Town Dark Romance
▶ Tattoo's Her (IYKYK)
▶ Tending to Injuries
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Drives a Motorcycle
▶ Reverse Harem
▶ Black Cat FMC
▶ Degradation and Praise
▶ Dub/Con
▶ Biting
▶ Pierced MMC

Overall, this did not hit quite like I wanted, but I can feel that there’s something simmering beneath the surface. I’m curious enough to keep going, but I’m hoping the next book gives me a little more clarity, cohesion, and this time round I should know what is going on!

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m in love with a goddess. From the prologue, we know that something horrible happened to Artemis 10 years ago, and witnessing her strength in overcoming that trauma gives me incredible admiration for her.

The story picks up a year after the Sterling Falls series, in the aftermath of a gang war that nearly destroyed their city. A new gang is moving in, set out to destroy the hard earned peace, and long forgotten ties from Artemis’s past are dragging her into the heart of the conflict. It’s a good thing she’s a fighter, thought it doesn’t hurt that she has three mystery men/suitors who have her back.

Side note: I haven’t read Sterling Falls (and it’s definitely not required pre-reading), but I do think I would have enjoyed the story more had I done so because clearly a lot happened in that series. 😅

What you’ll get in this book:

✨ She’s a boss babe by day, fighter by night
⚔️ Mystery villain who is everywhere
🤷‍♀️ Why choose with lots of chemistry
🙅‍♂️ Protective older brother who runs a fight ring
❤️‍🩹 Healing from trauma (check content warnings)
😱 Cliffhanger that will make you immediately order book 2

Another 5 star read from S. Massery. It’s a quick one that I could not put down. Definitely recommend for dark romance readers.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️(3/5)
🎧 Duet narration
Trigger warnings: human trafficking

[Bene_reads_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're back at Sterling Falls, as there was some secondary characters in need of a HEA when the first series ended and brand new mysteries !
Nemesis is the first book of Artemis story. And it's not for the faint of heart. That woman is a survivor, a warrior and I spent all my reading wanting to wrap her in a soft blanket and give her all the hugs she clearly needs.
The guys around her, especially the 2 newcomers in Sterling Falls are very interesting fellows and I can't wait for book 2 after that cliffhanger from hell !

[Laura (lady_h_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Didn’t I say I was the only one he couldn’t hate-fuck his emotions out on? I’m a big, fat liar.

Holy shit, what did I just read? Seriously, I don’t know how I’ll recover from this book. The book hangover is going to be rough!

It took me a little bit to get into the story. So many references to the previous series that I was a bit lost, but once I found my footing (and got over bemoaning the fact I didn’t have time to go back and read that series) I was sucked in. HARD!

Damaged FMCs with past trauma speak to me. Just as my heart was breaking for Artemis, I was impressed with her strength. Yes, some days she was just going through the motions, but she also didn’t let what happened to her define her.

On that note, this is a dark romance. The TWs and CWs are no joke. Please review them before diving in.

A mixed burn why choose romance that ends in a killer of a cliffhanger. I’ll be counting down the days until book two is released. I really hope the listed dates are right!

Thank you, Chaotic Creative AS and S Massery for this early review copy.

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

At no point did I have any idea what was happening in this book???

[Wendy Marie (myrisingphoenixera.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
2🌶️
💜Why Choose
🌼Dark Romantic Suspense
💜Emotional Scars
🌼Forced Proximity
💜Hate To Love
🌼Tragic Past
💜Abused FMC
🌼Multi-person pov
💜Cliffhanger

Welcome to Sterling Falls, where danger and mystery is around every corner. This is the first in the Sterling Falls Rouges series so watch out for the cliff, it’s a killer. This story follows Artemis as she deals with an unwanted houseguest, someone from her past, and a newcomer to town. Artemis literally built her new life on top of her traumatic past. She runs a nightclub called Bow & Arrow, a reference to her namesake, The Greek goddess of the hunt. Saint is Artemis’ unwanted houseguest and he isn’t happy about it either, those feelings of hate turn hot. Reese, is from her past and it’s not a happy reunion. His reemergence has her facing traumatic memories. Kade is in town looking for Reese and wants Artemis’ help. I loved all the Greek mythology references and symbolism. This is a multi-person pov, but most of the story is told from Artemis’ pov. Although it’s a short read, it’s filled with action and layered and complex characters. There isn’t a dull moment to be had. There is more steam and angst between Artemis and the mmcs but the spice we get is hot. The ending left me reeling and with a few questions. I can’t wait to continue the story in the next book.

🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading

Thank you to S. S. Massery and Chaotic Creatives for the ARC.

📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦‍🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads 🐦‍🔥

A Few Favorite Quotes:

“Making drinks? Fine. Conversation? I’d rather not.

“A whole world resides under this club, and I spend a majority of my time pretending it doesn’t exist.

“I can almost forget that I’m sandwiched between two guys I don’t particularly like. Pizza makes everything better”

[Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
2 🌶️

I did immersive reading with this and let me tell you, I lovedddd the audiobook - HELLO TEDDY HAMILTON! But also the full cast just really does it for me ✨ Finished this baby in one day 🙂‍↕️

I do recommend reading her 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 series for better understanding. (They are now on my TBR) Our FMC Artemis is facing demons from her past while also living with an unwanted roommate hehehe.... I love me some close proximity 🙂‍↕️ I really enjoyed that she is slowly building her harem with some unsuspecting MMC’s. NOW LET ME TELL YOU - the hate fuxking??? HAWT ASF. I’m eager to see how that relationship develops. 😌

I NEED to know more about Reese and Kade. Reese, I just know is going to be a sweetheart (maybe)... I want to throat punch Kade 🙃 but also kneel at his feet afterwards and say “I’m sorry Sir.”

THAT CLIFFHANGER 😭

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 ✨
- 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦
- 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘺
- 𝘎𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘴
- 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘴
- 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺 & 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦
- 𝘉𝘢𝘥 𝘈𝘴𝘴 𝘍𝘔𝘊 𝘸 𝘛𝘙𝘈𝘜𝘔𝘈
- 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘍𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘙𝘪𝘯𝘨
- 𝘓𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘚𝘮𝘦𝘹

🖤 Please check your TW 🖤

Thank you so much to S. Massery and @m
Chaotic Creatives for an earc of Nemesis in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏼

[Doom Sunshine]

DNF 31%

In order to fully understand what is happening in the story, the previous books have to be read. Nemesis begins in media res which is confusing for someone who is new to this world.

I found the premise of the FMC and her family a bit too far fetched and I didn't believe the events that were happening.

[The_Book_Brat · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Reverse Harem
*Contemporary
*Multi-1st-PoV
*Dark Themes
*Gangs
*Revenge Plotline
*Trafiked FMC
*Morally Grey MMCs
*Building Harem (3?)
*Book 1 / 4
When the past comes a calling 😖
Really enjoyed this book! The characters are intriguing and feel there’s a lot to come with the plot as so much as happened already in just one book 😅 I haven’t read the Sterling Falls series so you can do what I did and read this as a standalone but I feel you would get more of an understanding of the character connections if you did read that first. But anyway back to this book….our FMC is Artemis’s and due to be trafiked at 15 she’s got trauma, and thus She’s snarky and defensive but it’s clear she’ll do anything for those she considers family 🥰Apparently she’s just surviving though and it starts to crack when l a new guy roles into town and with it links back to her past 😢 Kade is a brick wall of a stranger who’s got his eyes set on our girl, although he may have some ulterior motives at play 😣 Reese is bringing back the past and Tem doesn’t know whether to bolt or run into his arms; then we have Saint recovering from the loss of his beloved Eros he’s lashing out and self appointed Tem’s bodyguard of sorts 😳 there’s some tough decisions to make and it’s not wholly clear what’s connected and whose behind it all, until the very end and oh boy 😢 not sure if that’s going to be the thing that pushes Tem over the edge!!

[Kacie Mummawh0reads.x · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4🌶️2💧1

I was gifted book 3 not realising it was a series and cannot be read as a stand alone… so here I am devouring books 1 & 2!
And Omg what! The book did NOT end like that!!! What a ride! I did not see that ending coming! Oh my heart!!!

“ you drive me insane. You’re so different from her, a glowing beacon in the dark, and I just want to smother you.”

#nemesis #smassery #smutreader #darkromancereader #steamybooks #bookrecs #steamyreads #audiobook #bookaholic #readingtime #bookshelf #instabooks #bookblogger #bookreview #booktok #reading #booklover #bookworm #booknerd #goodreads #aussiebookstagrammers #aussies #australianreaders #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #instabook #booksofinstagram #booksarelife #spicybooklover
You

[Clary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of this story and it was definitely interesting. It took me a while to warm up to the characters. Now, I will say, I have not read Sterling Falls, which made me feel like I was lost for more than half of the book but once I was able to figure out what was happening I was able to enjoy the story. The characters are full of trauma but I loved how they were there for each other no matter what. That made me warm up to them and then you get betrayal and a cliffhanger that left me yelling at the audiobook. The narration by Teddy Hamilton, Michelle Sparks, Connor Crais, and Aaron Shedlock was really good. I definitely suggest reading the previous stories before you dive into this one so you can really understand what's happening.

[Tara Cavanaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh! This book I loved it! The characters were so great! Artemis is such a badass and Saint was just my type of guy 😍 The plot was so good and I literally didn’t want to stop reading! I couldn’t get enough of it! The closer I got to the end the closer my jaw was to the floor! I had my suspicions but I didn’t think that I was right. Also the ending!? Ughh I can’t wait for the next book because I NEED to know what happens!! What is Artemis going to do? Is everyone okay? Is the world going to burn when Saint finds out and oooo I can’t wait to find out! If you are looking for an action packed dark romance, this one is for you. Don’t sleep on it!!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5

I’m hooked, being book 1 I can tell you I’m still so confused and have no idea who to trust. Am I diving STRAIGHT into book 2 now, haha yup!

I love Tem, she is confident, and feisty. Such a fun FMC to follow through the chaos of this story. There are twists, turns, layers and the unknown mixed into it.

The men are mysterious, damaged and addictive.

I audiobooked this and the performances BRILLIANT! Some of my fav voice actors are here and so enjoyable to listen too,

S Massery, knows how to write a great emotive and exciting story!

[bookwh0rebryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book oh my gosh this book, what a way to reintroduce sterling falls. there is mystery, a new gang, people from tem’s past popping up left and right, and some very spicey spicey. there are a lot of heavy and dark themes, the MCs are all morally gray, and there is a lot of violence and death and i ate it up. you guys are not ready for the rollercoaster that is this book. and dont even get me started on the ending

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artemis, Saint, Kade, + Reese

-dark romance
-mfmm why choose
-greek mythology parallels
-enemies to lovers
-forced proximity

ohhhh my goddd i am so into this story!! there is so much mystery going on between reese & tem!! the tension with saint & tem has me SWEATINGGG!! then lets not even get into the fucking tension between all THE GUYS?? 🫣👀👁️🫦👁️ like omg what is up with them?? cause i also need malik to somehow still weasel his way in there.... & whaaatt do you mean GABRIEL??? i can't im so invested!!

[Ali Alley EscapeThroughABook · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Edit - Apparently there is another series prior to this series, so don’t do what I did. Find that series, and read it first lol. The series is just Sterling Falls. Book 1 is called Thief.

This was an interesting book. It was another impulse read. I went in knowing nothing about it, lol. I saw it was on KU, and I could find an audiobook to do immersive reading, so I was like, “Yep, why not?”. It has a Greek mythology name thing going on, with a dark backstory we haven’t really gotten the whole story of. I’m assuming we will get more in book 2? With a mafia feel mixed with small town type vibes almost. It’s definitely different. But not in a bad way. I liked it, but I do admit it did take me a min to figure out the story’s world. I was confused for a while with that. Maybe I was having an off day because that’s not usually an issue for me, but I do suffer from migraines, soooo. It’s suspenseful and has a very “who done it” feel. It is a darker romance, so if you are someone who is prone to triggers or newer to the genre, please check your trigger warnings. The audiobook is a duet, which is nice. I always enjoy duet narration better. I am interested to see where book 2 goes because at this point, I’m kind of like, “ WTF is happening?!”

This contemporary romance is book 1 in the Sterling Falls Rogues series. The book does have darker themes, so make sure to check the trigger warning list. The romance in this book is a why choose. The book is spicy, with lots of open door spicy scenes. A man in a mask shows up threatening to ruin the town around the same time a ghost from Artemis’s past shows up. The ghost isn’t alone; he also is being followed by a man. A man who claims to once be his friend. All while Saint continues to drive Artmesis crazy. All 3 have been sending her mixed signals. Leaving her in the middle of a mess in town, and with them. This was a unique read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🚫Check Trigger Warnings
🎧Audiobook with 📱Ebook

[Sarina Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Your demise will be the sweetest. Always the hunter. But now, you will be the hunted.”

OH MY GOD!!! ( insert jaw drop) S. Massery does it again!!! She is the goddess of suspense!

This story sucked me in immediately into the new world of Sterling Falls. The book started off with a bit of history and then transitioned into the aftermath of the gang wars. Artemis is the golden goddess in the center of a group of men that are drawn to her. Saint, Reese, and Kade. They are all vying for her heart in different ways. Saint is that damaged broken bad boy that I always seem to want to give a hug to. Reese has a past history with Artemis that I want the secrets to be unraveled. And Kade is a little suss. I don’t how I feel about him yet.

There’s a whole boat load of mystery, lies, secrets, and trauma that needs to be uncovered. Sara is a master at maneuvering the puzzle pieces to give you a jaw dropping story. THAT CLIFFHANGER!?! What the heck, Sara!! I am itching to get the next book. I’m stoked to find out what happens!

Audiobook review

Duet Narrated by : Michelle Sparks, Aaron, Shedlock, Teddy Hamilton , and Connor Crais.

Michelle (Artemis) Teddy (Saint), Connor (Reese), and Aaron (Kade). This team together were superb! They all pulled me into the story as if everything was going on around me. I loved every second of it.

Tropes: why choose, dark, revenge, suspense, enemies to lovers, morally grey, forced proximity, gangs, kidnapping, Greek mythology.

Check TW’s

Thank you so much Sara for the ARC!

[Melanie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: 4.5 ⭐️
Nemesis is book 1 in the Sterling Falls Rogues series featuring Saint Hart, Kade Laurent, Reese Avery & Artemis Madden.

Artemis has a traumatic past and has really made something of herself with the help of her brother and the man that helped save her. But when a threat comes to town, she must work with three men to try and keep her town safe.

Saint used to date her best friend who passed away and currently resides with her. They don’t get along in the slightest but one day they end up together, can they get along long enough to work together ?

Reese & Artemis know each other and him coming to town causes her past traumas to pop up. But will she be able to move past it in order to work together with him to save the town?

Lastly, a newcomer Kade comes to town looking for his former friend Reese, can Artemis trust him to help her or will he be the one to flip on them ?

Like most of Sara’s books, this ended on a cliffy but she kept me hooked from page one and I am already counting down the days until book 2! I loved the suspense and I was on the edge of my seat for a lot of it!

Thank you Sara & Chaotic Creatives for the ARC!

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series, and what an awesome start this story is!
Artemis / Ten is strong, fierce, flawed, and emotionally scarred, but when she becomes the target of a masked man, who declared he wants to end her, her brother’s, and the whole town, things start to escalate, she knows she needs to find the man and eliminate the threat. Three men who want to help are Saint, whom she does not have a good relationship with, and Kade, a newcomer, and Reese, a ghost from her past. Who can be trusted and who not?
This story ends in a mind-blowing cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to read more in this series!
This is a well written action packed, ray, gritty, and powerful story, with emotions, angst, danger, suspense, intrigue, trauma, guilt, why choose, forced proximity, betrayal, tension, redemption, witty banter, humor, hate / love, and sizzling chemistry, which leads to an entertaining, tragic, twisted, and unpredictable, dark romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's my own fault for reading Sterling Falls. I should have known this was going to be insane cause we were having a great time in Sterling Falls then someone passed away. its fine, I love crying while reading. oh a spinoff it will be fun right? WRONG. now im invested in this series and I know its going to hurt why do I know that? BECAUSE WHAT WAS THIS ENDING? KADE DID WHAT? WHAT?! I just, I go into these each time like no sara won't hurt me. lies. every time. we were having a great time now there is a knife in my favorite father figure?! LEAVE ANTONIO ALONE also GABRIEL? what? im so confused. I've got a lot of questions and I know they wont be answered for a while unfortunately. tem really is going through it unfortunately but ayy a why choose (hopefully right? with all 3 🤨 actually kade can leave after his little stunt) anywho this is just the beginning and I know this is going to have me side eyeing Sara next time I see her cause I think she gets some joy out of torturing us.
thank you for having me on the ARC team even though it hurts sometimes

[VicReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨🏹 𝙽𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚒𝚜 🏹✨
𝚋𝚢 @authorsmassery

🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆

4.5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

↓↓
Ok, but whhhhyyyy did this book have me in such a chokehold that I couldn't put it down.

Artemis has been through it, like through the wringer with some despicable things but despite everything that she went through she's strong and just trying to get through life now. She's feisty and is extremely defensive but I mean everything that she has been through, who wouldn't be.

I really think that not one man could handle Artemis and each one will be just perfect for her in their own way. Each of the guys have a past as well and while it's not really gone in to details, I really hope we get more on each one in the other books

That cliffy, that let me stunned, gasped, gagged, I need that next book soon!

𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
✨ MFMM Why Choose
🏹 Dark Romance
✨ Revenge Plot
🏹 Enemies to Lovers
✨ Morally Grey MMCs
🏹 Forced Proximity
✨ Greek Mythology

[Laura Reads Too Much · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first read in S Massery's new series, Sterling Falls Rogues and I want more already! If you have read the original series Sterling Falls, you will have an idea of what to expect. If you haven't, it's ok, you don't need to read it but I would highly recommend it - it's a top series and will give you background into these characters.

Artemis and Saint from the original series are the main folk alongside Reese & Kade and it's the kind of read that will have you glued...

The past is coming back to haunt them, they're in danger, it seems to be coming at them from all sides and they have no idea how to stop it or who to trust!!

This is a dark, mysterious and dangerous read, I'm definitely intrigued, I'm liking the attraction between them and I like that we don't know who to trust and I'm excited for more!!

[Blair Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love S Massery. If you have only read her hockey related releases I will recommend that you read Sterling Falls before diving into this one as this is a spinoff series, and that will give you more background on the world. I got to enjoy this through the audio and let me tell you the audio narration is a full cast duet narration that is spectacular. With Teddy Hamilton, Aaron Shedlock, Michelle Sparks, and Connor Crais narrating you will fly through this book so fast as you will be immersed in this world. But you will also not want it to end and that cliffhanger Sara!!! be ready for a good time as I haven’t enjoyed myself this much in a while. Please check your author notes for specifics on the content as there maybe be some that you could be sensitive to!

[jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great start to an intriguing series! The storyline is definitely dark and keeps you on your toes. Every element has you wanting to keep reading to find out what happens next. Artemis is such a strong character and I love her! Her pov is interesting to me and I root for her in every moment. I’m not the biggest fan in general of some of the tropes but this author’s writing never disappoints me. I actually enjoyed many moments and was intrigued by certain aspects of the story. This book introduces characters that are equally interesting and has you wanting to know more. I like the povs just because of the way you get to know these characters. It’s a good start and I can’t wait to read more!

[Lisa peacock · Rating 3 out of 5]

The jury is still out

This book is such a slow burn that it just seems to take an inordinate long time to get to any point. I'm sure I'm missing something by not reading Wolf. Chase and Apollo's books because there's a lot of missing content and maybe it would make sense if I read these in order, but I didn't know that this was that type of sequence. And now, it's just, it seems like it's log and tedious, I think the ending the cliffhanger was good, I mean, but you kind of saw it coming. Um yeah, the betrayal between her and Cade, I did not see coming, which was a surprise, you thought, you know that he was really getting into her and he betrayed her. I like to see what happens in book 2 to see how she gets past that. I always think in these books that the female. Yes, mc. It's always for giving them too easily, like she just kind of oh well. You tried to kill me? Oh, well, you almost cheated, you know, and gets over it. I just I don't know. I don't like that part. I don't think that's realistic. Most women would not be doing that s***, but that's just me. Read at your own peril.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artemis, Saint, Kade & Reese
Dark Romance
MFMM Why choose
Greek Mythology
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity

I am OBSESSED!!!!

Okay, I thought Sterling Falls was good, but honestly this one is next level!!!

I'm obsessed with these guys, the chemistry and TENSION!!!! Between everyone 👀

I also love the audio narrators! Michelle Sparks, Teddy Hamilton, Connor Crais & Aaron Shedlock! What a line up!!! They do an absolutely incredible job with bringing this one to life!

I cannot wait for the next book!!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Fling me over the cliff(hanger) stars.

It's just me again, not paying attention to whether or not I'm diving into a series or standalone.

Regardless, this was a great start to a new series. At times, I felt like I would have benefited from reading the Sterling Falls series first, but it wasn't absolutely necessary. Can't wait for the next book.

[Paige (wingsandsmut) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need more answers and that cliffy was rude! But thank gosh I can jump right into the next book in this series! I'm not sure how I feel about these guys yet, but I am ready for more of Artemis' story. The audio for this is fantastic, definitely recommend!

Read if you enjoy: hate to love, roommates, small town, touch her and d!e, black cat fmc, degradation, praise, dub/con, pierced mmc