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Spin off of Sterling Falls.

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2025

137 people are currently reading
511 people want to read

About the author

S. Massery

42 books5,594 followers
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

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5 stars
301 (49%)
4 stars
218 (35%)
3 stars
71 (11%)
2 stars
17 (2%)
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4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
Profile Image for Kursed Reads.
803 reviews9,373 followers
November 12, 2025
Hostility in Sterling Falls continues to escalate with the Cyclopes stronghold growing. Likewise, tension builds with Artemis, Kade, Reese, and Saint. Gabriel remains a wildcard.

With so many conflicting agendas and subterfuge, there is a lot of action in this installment. And that’s before the banger that we end on. 🤯

It should be said that book two does bring more clarity. That said, I stand by the statement in my review of Nemesis that this series has so many connections to Sterling Falls that it will be helpful for many readers to have read it first.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🖤🩶
Heat: 🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😩
Ending: 🧗🏻‍♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Multiple | Present + Flashbacks}

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

✨ Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Heroine in Danger, Hidden Identity, Organized Crime, Retelling/Reimagining, Small Town, Why Choose (Slow Build)

💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, Pet Name, Pierced 🐓, Secrets & Lies, Tattooed MMC, Touch-Her-and-💀, Tragic Past

💋 Kinks: n/a

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

🚩 Safety Squad: Drugged, Kidnapping/Captive, Sex Trafficking (Past), 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: Warrior is part of the Sterling Falls Rogues series and ends on a cliffhanger. This series must be read in order. Additionally, reading the Sterling Falls series as well as the Rogues prequel, Terror, may enhance the experience and understanding.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Profile Image for Wendy Marie (myrisingphoenixera.reads).
161 reviews82 followers
August 1, 2025
5⭐️
2.5🌶️
💜Dark Romance
🪻Gothic
💜Why Choose
🪻Hate To Love
💜Romantic Suspense
🪻Forced Proximity
💜Multi First POVs
🪻Cliffhnager

STOP! If you haven’t read Nemesis don’t read this review yet because it may contain spoilers. Fair warning this ends on another heartbreaking cliffhanger. Tem really goes through it in this book and I have a feeling she’s has a tough road ahead based on the cliffhanger. They’re all mad here. Gabriel is crazy, Saint is mad and taking it out on Tem, and she’s mad at Kade for turning her over to Gabriel. This story is well thought out with what Tem goes through and Gabriel and Kade’s plan is methodical and left me guessing what is going to happening next. The different character POV’s allows the reader to understand what the antagonist and each protagonist is feeling and thinking. I love how these characters are developing. I felt for Tem, her addiction was thrust upon her by a mad man who is blaming her for what he went through at Terror. The Greek mythology references continue throughout the story. The ending left me with more questions and I’m feeling feral for the next book.

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

Thank you to 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:

“I was kind enough to avoid splashing the gasoline in that room entirely, for which I feel thanks should be in order.”

“To be normal is to be an oddity.”

“The darkness only makes you shine brighter,” I recite.”
Profile Image for Mary.
91 reviews
August 15, 2025
WOW! Just wow! Absolutely incredible story. I am so hooked. Can’t wait for the next.
Profile Image for Koisty.
454 reviews1,129 followers
October 3, 2025
2 Scales of Justice Stars⭐️
Spicy Rating: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Oh my living god.
What a trip to the metaphorical dentist this was!
And this fucking attraction to you is overwhelming and endless. Do you think I want to want you? Do you think craving you is easy?
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
I am not going to go too much into the Plot, as this is book 2... but essentially, Reese is hiding out with Tem and Saint... and sexual tension is high... Kade is working with Gabriel and the Cyclopses' who are trying to take over Sterling Falls and regular tension is high.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Now, I might be in the minority for this book, but this just was not it for me. There were a few (okay, many) problems. The first big one? I kept asking myself whether S. Massery was intentionally keeping things vague for mystery's sake… or if I was lost because I hadn’t read the Sterling Falls books. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t that. The plot was just a mess.

From a writing perspective, I actually like the style. It was this short, choppy, staccato sentence composition, because of how brief it was, that sometimes felt hostile in its delivery. I actually liked that for this story because it reflects the heavy subject matter. But that really worked for this story, given the heavy subject matter. We’re dealing with characters who have extreme historical trauma, are survivors of child sex slavery, and carry brutal pasts. In a story like this, you don’t want soft, lyrical prose that lulls you into comfort. The sharpness works for the tone… BUT... the issue is that combined with the constant POV shifts (with multiple characters and past vs present timelines), it often felt like trying to assemble three different puzzles at once without having the box image for any of them. Instead of building intrigue, it left me feeling like I was constantly missing crucial context and just had to hope something would eventually click.

The plot also felt like jumbled spaghetti. The mystery thread, combined with her drug addiction, constantly setting her back, dragging the story into the mud. Instead of building suspense, it created confusion. I couldn’t figure out how the characters were all connected, why Gabriel was so fixated on Artemis, what Saint’s real role was, or why Kade was so desperate to find Reese. And don’t even get me started on the girl Reese asked to find...

The back and forth between the characters, layered with plot elements like Gabriel being Gabriel, the drug addiction, the constant power plays, and the hot-and-cold dynamics, made it exhausting. Important motivations were left vague for so long that it killed the tension instead of building it. It’s not that I disliked the characters, but I couldn’t get invested in them because the story didn’t give me enough to hold onto.

Essentially, by halfway, I was basically reading out of stubbornness and because I’d committed to the ARC for book three. If it weren’t for that (and my friend telling me to persevere), I’d have DNF’d.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Reverse Harem - MMFM
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Organised Crime
▶ Found Family
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Secrets and Lies
▶ Dark Romance

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ Public Sex and Voyeurism
▷ He takes care of her
▷ Pierced FMC and MMC
▷ View is Amazing (Looking at Her)
▷ Tattoos and Tattoos Her
▷ Elevator Steam
▷ Licks Her Tears

ALL IN ALL, this felt overly convoluted, like a slow drip-feed of information that never actually satisfied. Instead of feeling intrigued, I just felt constantly lost. And by the time things finally started to make sense, my patience had already run out… only for us to get hit with the LOVELY FUCKING CLIFFHANGER.

Essentially, this book had potential... but it just didn’t land for me.
Profile Image for Laura (lady_h_reads).
831 reviews343 followers
July 28, 2025
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️½
There’s no way to possibly be closer unless I cut him open and slide under his skin. But he’s already inside me, so what’s the point?

Well damn, I wasn’t expecting ANY of that! I knew it was going to be a wild ride after that cliffhanger ending in book 1, but I wasn't prepared for just how crazy things got. Prepare yourself for another killer of a cliffhanger here. It's a doozy.

At this point, I have more questions than answers, although we do get a good chunk of background here. A bunch of 'aha' moments that help flesh out the characters and their motivations. I sympathize even more with Artemis, feel conflicted about Reese, and understand Saint's shit attitude. Still not sure how I feel about Kade. Kinda high on the asshole spectrum right now. He does have two more books to win me over.

I really like the villain, and in my own sick way, want Gabriel to be one of the eventual love interests... Yeah, I know it is VERY unlikely, but there's just something about a villain who falls for his enemy that gets my heart all aflutter. He really is the baddie here, poking and prodding at all of Artemis' insecurities, plotting the destruction of her entire life.

Going back to that cliffhanger, these next few months are going to feel like an eternity until book three is released!

⚠️ This remains a dark romance. Please review the TW and CW before diving in. ⚠️

Thank you, Chaotic Creative AS and S Massery, for the complimentary ebook.
Profile Image for The_Book_Brat.
947 reviews163 followers
July 11, 2025
*Why Choose
*Contemporary
*Multi-1st-PoV
*Dark Themes
*Gangs
*Revenge Plotline
*Trafiked FMC
*Morally Grey MMCs
*Building Harem (3?)
*Book 2 / 4
What more can Tem face?? 😯
Yikes, there’s so much to unpack from this book! Gosh the turmoil that Tem faces is just heartbreaking 🥺 it’s a fast paced book moving you from one emotional moment to the next!
After surviving Gabriel’s initial physical attack, his emotional and mental attacks throughout are what really drive Tem to the edge 😞 not only that but Sterling Galls itself is under attack not only from the Cyclopses but a blast from the past that is clearly out for revenge 😳
Kade is a lying backstabbing betrayer! I mean it’s clear he has something for Artemis but his actions are saying something completely different 😡
Reese may be the only one to truly see our golden girl but with their past being so twisted it’s a murky future 😣
She finally gets into a good place with Saint and then it’s so cruelly ripped away with that ending 💔 not sure I’m ever going to be prepared for Book 3 after that!
Profile Image for Kali Dempsey.
2,226 reviews60 followers
July 14, 2025
5 ⭐ 3 🌶️ 5 🎧

This series is just getting better and better. I absolutely adore Tem; she is so strong, fierce and resilient. She has already gone through so much and continues to go through even more as this story unfolds... Her past continues to hit and hit, leaving her gasping for breath at times, but she persists and I know she's going to rise above to get her happy ever after.

Saint is breaking my heart. That ending had me crumpled into a heap on the floor, I swear. He continues to be a favorite of mine and I just can't wait for him to finally be ready to accept happiness for himself... Kade and Reese have me in a daze, especially Kade's continued attempts at seducing Saint. BRING. IT. ON. I CAN'T WAIT. Gabriel getting a POV has me side eyeing Sara... He can't be an MMC, can he?! 😭

The audio was incredible. This Duet style MULTI CAST is just so well done and has some immense talent. Aaron Shedlock, Michelle Sparks, Teddy Hamilton, & Connor Crais is basically a dream team and I adored this listen. Thank you so much to S Massery for the advanced copies!
Profile Image for Heather.
292 reviews9 followers
September 2, 2025
I HAVE NO WORDS FOR THE ENDING OF THIS BOOK!!!

My heart has stopped.

The chaos and drama that is happening in this series is next level. I still don’t fully know who to trust and how I feel about everyone but I am definitely starting to get a better picture and prices of the puzzle are definitely forming.

If you want a wild ride, why choose vibes, CHAOS, fun, excitement, and spice! THIS IS FOR YOU!!

Arggggg, I need book 3 now!!
Profile Image for Paige (wingsandsmut).
920 reviews87 followers
September 25, 2025
These cliffhangers are killing me, even though I know they are coming! But I NEED the next book and will be starting it asap! That ending had my heart hurting a bit though. There’s so many questions I have that I hope will be answered. The audio is duet with multicast and is fantastic!

Read if you enjoy: dark romance, why choose, touch her and d!e, morally grey
Profile Image for ashlee ❤.
1,923 reviews104 followers
July 10, 2025
Artemis, Saint, Kade, + Reese

-dark romance
-mmfm(?👀) why choose
-greek mythology parallels
-enemies to lovers
-forced proximity

i. am seriously. so. distraught. that was one of the cruelest cliffhangers i’ve ever read. cause like…WE know WHY this had happened…but THEY dont! & let’s just say…i am so so so disappointed in someone i could cry until i vomit 😭😭😭
Profile Image for Abby Brotherton.
66 reviews3 followers
October 13, 2025
Amazing. And that cliff hanger ending is exactly why I waited until all the books were out, before I started this series!
At this point, I’m convinced that I would read anything if S Massery wrote it.
Profile Image for Stital.
1,013 reviews28 followers
July 17, 2025
Action packed, heart breaking and full of twists, Warrior is the next installment in the Sterling Falls series.

Picking up from the mind blowing cliffhanger, the plot thickens are our cast goes through the wringer. With new truths coming to light, past trauma exposed and hidden motives all around, this story had me on the edge of my seat. And of course, we're left with another heartbreaking cliffy to keep us tormented until the next book comes out!

5 stars and a tattoo
Profile Image for Ali Alley EscapeThroughABook.
752 reviews24 followers
September 14, 2025
So I’ve caught on with what is happening (finally). Have I gone back and read the other series? Not yet. Will I? Eventually. I liked this book more than book 1. Probably because I was able to follow along better. So again do not do what I did. Do not start with this series. You really need to start with the Sterling Falls series first. I think you will enjoy the books so much more if you do. My heart was really hurting for Artemis, and all the struggles she faces in this book. Not even just the romance really either. Don’t get me wrong, there is angst and whatnot. But it’s the other struggles that broke my heart. Then the ending?! I mean seriously?! Could we rip our hearts out anymore! There is a lot of context in this one that helps fill in the blanks. I really appreciated that. Of course the books suspenseful, and darker. So if you’re prone to triggers check the trigger list! I did listen to the audiobook while reading along. It is a duet style with multiple narrators which was nice. Loved it. I loved the spicy scenes. There is not as ton of spice, but it is spicy. Make sure to read these books in order!!

This contemporary romance is book 2 in The Sterling Falls Rogues series. This 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 open door spicy scenes. Kade has made a choice that has made his loyalties clear and let everyone know they run deeper than they ever knew. Artemis is in danger of not only those around her but herself. Saint and Reese are trying to keep their pasts from ruining their futures. This was a heart racing read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🚫Check Trigger Warnings
🎧Audiobook with 📱Ebook
Profile Image for Natasha.
421 reviews23 followers
July 20, 2025
sara. Ms. girl. what the hell. I dont even have a review cause I just know this next book is going to piss me off cause Gabriel is pissing me off. Kade too cause what are you doing? what's going on? like let me save 2 but leave saint? how about no. how about that? also his loyalty is so confusing because do you have any? but girl the twist? I full blown sat up going no fing way. like what?! I did not even remotely see that coming even with the hints. I forgot about that 100%. the twists are really whats killing me because now ive gotta wait months, which isnt long but also like SAINT but also Saint 😏... let's here more about what you did as punishment.. and are he and kade gonna hook up cause girl im ready but also with this ending im pissed and that better be resolved quick in book 3 cause everything was just getting good and we were moving in the right direction but also if I lived in sterling falls I would have to leave cause what do you mean theres a blockade? anywho ill just be here with my theories waiting for book 3 knowing its going to end in a way thats probably gonna piss me off and book 4 is gonna come in swinging. its like wicked dreams all over again. sara truly makes some of the best thrillers but at the cost of my sanity cause I have one of those unalive boards in my head, strings and all and shes just adding twists and people that are ruining my board
anywho thank you for having me on the team but also please stop with the twists (don't) justice for saints memories 2k25
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jamie Wright.
135 reviews5 followers
July 11, 2025
I def had a lot of my question about Kade answered in book 2 but now I have even more questions lol.

I sat down to read this and literally got mad when I had to get up for anything while reading this.

This picks up so perfectly for book 1 and when you thought you had your fav MMC in the first you totally get mind f’d and maybe now have more than one MMC fav.

I want to hug Reese and Saint in so many of the scenes throughout this so far. I wanted to hate on Reese but I just can’t. Saint may be an a-hole but he makes more sense to me now!!!!

Gabriel may have been traumatized also and have reason behind his madness but it’s so directed the wrong way. Kade I still can’t wrap my head around. No matter the backstory so far he has not redeemed himself and the cliffhanger with this one did not help me change my mind!!!! There is hopefully another twist and turn coming!!!

Artemis is just a b*ss with so much ch trauma I don’t know how she does it. She keeps on fighting against all the darkness and keeps shining. This girl needs a HEA and all these men to get their stuff together and show her she is loved and chosen first above all the rest. When you think maybe she will have that BAM another twist!!! I literally chewed off all my nails reading.

I am hooked on this story and can’t express how amazing and enthralled you will become reading it!!!

Highly recommend this to my dark romance readers!!!!

🖤 Greek Mythology
❤️ Why Choose
🖤 Suspense
❤️ Forced Proximity
🖤 Hate to Love
❤️ Trauma
🖤 Twist and Turns

Thank you Sara and Chaotic for letting me read this amazing ARC that I hope everyone reads and loves as well!!!!
Profile Image for Sarina Vega.
234 reviews15 followers
July 18, 2025
“You’re a warrior, and this is just another battle you will overcome.”

S. Massery, the Queen of edging, has left me wanting more once again!

This book picked right back up where Nemesis left off. It’s a fast-paced story that has a big impact emotionally. There’s so much going on. So many answers revealed and so many questions being asked. Our Warrior, Artemis (Tem), has a lot thrown at her. New problems that are
heartbreaking.

Tem survives the attack on her, but Gabriel wreaked havoc on her mentally. Her emotional state is causing her to withdraw, while her town of Sterling Falls is under attack. Another gang is moving in on them. Someone is out for revenge on Artemis and anyone close to her. She doesn’t know if she can trust Kade. Reese always has her back, but their dark past is still lingering in the shadows. Then we have our poor Saint. Tem and Saint finally come to terms with their feelings, and a terrible accident ripped it away from them. Can they come back from this? Suspense is what Sara does best. She definitely didn’t disappoint. I need the next book in my hands like now. This series has me hooked. It’s fucking fantastic!

Tropes: dark romance, suspense, forced proximity, revenge, building harem , why choose-ish , hate to love, gangs, morally grey, cliffhanger.

Thank you so much, Sara, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
1,571 reviews27 followers
July 15, 2025
We're back for the next installment in Sara's latest series, Sterling Falls Rogues and my advice? Buckle up because there is a lot going on with several twists thrown in which will have you caught between speed-reading because you have to know comes next but also trying to slow down because you don't want it to end!!!
Artemis & Saint are still in danger, it seems Reese is one of the good guys which means he to is in danger and as for Kade? I don't know lol. I do know there's some serious chemistry between him and ... 😏
I love that there's no telling what comes next!

I'm excited for more!!
Profile Image for Annie Tasaka.
1,026 reviews12 followers
September 14, 2025
I still need more.

“This is not me abandoning you. I will be right here when you’re ready to come back. You’re a warrior, and this is just another battle you will overcome.” He makes it sound almost easy. He kisses my cheek. “I choose you, Artemis Madden.”

Things are becoming clearer. I still have lots of questions and of course it ended with another big cliff hanger.

Side note, I didn’t read this in any of the reviews I read before so I am going to go ahead and mention it, there is on page heroin use and addiction in this book that may be triggering to reader.
Profile Image for Kacie Mummawh0reads.x.
744 reviews29 followers
September 25, 2025
that ending though!

While we get a lot of answers in this one from book 1, we also get a lot of questions! One repeated question… WTH?! And then you get hit with that ending?! Omg!!
Profile Image for Chrissy Busick.
815 reviews48 followers
July 22, 2025
Once again we join Artemis, Saint, Reese, and Kane in Sterling Falls. The drama continues to unfold, picking up right where the cliff hanger left us at the end of book 1. With some excellent POVs, this book will have you reading as fast as you can right up to the next, heart breaking cliff hanger ending.

I can't wait to see what S Massery has instore for us in the next book.
Profile Image for Kelly.
221 reviews8 followers
July 19, 2025
Holy crap….that’s what I’ve got. I am emotionally destroyed, so thanks Sara, such a blessing 😅

Warrior follows up right where Nemesis leaves off and we are right in the fray again. Artemis is a mess, Gabriel is a psycho, Kade makes me both want to hate him and love him at the same time, Reese pulls at my heart strings, and Saint?! I am all the way obsessed with his story.

There’s not a whole lot that I can say that won’t spoil this evolving series. Just know that you need to read it immediately, but be prepared to be wrecked and left desperately waiting for Martyr 😭😭😭😭
227 reviews6 followers
July 17, 2025
Well damn, Sara - RIP MY HEART OUT WHY DON’T YOU?!

Just like Nemesis, this book was full of twists and revelations that left me reeling as well as spice and tension that had me hot and bothered. A lot of pieces clicked into place and answered some questions we had from Nemesis, but of course even more mysteries were uncovered as we got more into the story. We got a lot more from the men in this book, but still got to see a lot of development for Tem and my love and respect for her has grown even more exponentially!

But Saint, oh baby Saint. I had a soft spot for him in Nemesis and now I just really need everything good for this man. I was so giddy with how things were unfolding between him and Tem, and then THAT ENDING?! I 1) need answers and 2) need a 180 to take place pls.

Don’t mind me, I will be chomping at the bars of my enclosure waiting for book 3….

Thank you to S. Massery and Chaotic Creatives for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review after reading.
Profile Image for Bene_reads_books.
392 reviews73 followers
July 18, 2025
It is book two in the Sterling Falls Rogues series and it is not a standalone. Nemesis must have been read first.
The character development is fantastic, I lived for the twists, turns and betrayals.
There was a little something extra with having Gabriel's POV, like it is now not possible to just hate him as the Villain. Of course it ends with another cliffhanger from hell and I can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Crystal.
52 reviews2 followers
September 9, 2025
💭 Quote 💭
“This is not me abandoning you. I will be right here when you’re ready to come back. You’re a warrior, and this is just another battle you will overcome.”


📸 Main Characters 📸
✨Artemis Madden
✨Saint Hart
✨Reese Avery
✨Kade Laurent


🫶🏻 Tropes 🫶🏻

✨Enemies-to-Lovers
✨Forbidden
✨Forced Proximity
✨Found Family,
✨Why Choose (Reverse Harem)
✨Dark Romance


🦋 Summary 🦋
We pick up right where we left off in the last book's cliffhanger. We are back with Artemis, Kade, Reese and Saint and if you thought the last book was rough, buckle up you're in for another rough ride. We get more into everyone, their backstories and if you think you won’t get even more questions in this one well surprise you do. Also we get a little more into the villains of this story too. Be aware this book does end in a cliffhanger. Also be aware you have to read Nemesis first or else you will be lost.


🤩 Did I love it? Thoughts? 🤩

OH MY GOD! WHAT DID I JUST READ? I just finished Warrior and omg Sara what have you done to me? This ending. I am so grateful that I have the next book. I have never been happier to be lucky enough to have an ARC of something.

Did I love this book YES a thousand times yes. This series is killing me and my emotions, just when you think it’s getting better all hell breaks loose. I have no idea what to expect anymore. This book was rough. Poor Artemis was going through so much and she wasn’t alone that is for sure. Reese, Saint, Kane, all going through so much and even freaking Gabriel, I don’t want to feel anything for him except hate and I can’t even feel that way. This whole book was so good. I am so eager to find out the answer to so many questions I have from reading this. I swear I went through so many ups and downs with these people. The topics that are covered are not for the faint of heart. You find yourself feeling so much for these characters. The pain and suffering and then those brief moments of joy. So well done. I need these people to get a Happily Ever After more than anything, please. This is one of my favorite series I have read this year for sure. It is so well done and the fact that you can kind of even understand the villains' reasons too just shows how well she has formed these characters and developed them into true morally grey people. I can’t wait to start the 3rd and final book in this series. Off to start it now, I don’t care that it is 2:13 AM … I need to see what happens.



🩵 Would I recommend this Book? 🩵

YES! I recommended this book, this whole series. It is amazing and heartbreaking and beautiful. I am enjoying myself even in the pain I feel as I read some of this. If you like a why chose and believe me when you meet these men you won’t be able to pick who you want her with, I came into this series not knowing it was a why chose and was like I want her with them all who is her MMC and so I looked on here and was so happy to see it was a why chose. It also deals with a lot of very hard topics and you should be sure to check the trigger warnings before beginning this series as they are intense and might make it hard to read. If you don’t have any issues with the triggers then please please please read this series. It is so good.





Go. Buy. Now.
Enjoy reading! 🤩
Profile Image for Franjessca.
1,697 reviews98 followers
July 17, 2025
Warrior is the second book in S. Massery’s Sterling Rogues series. After the cliffhanger from Nemesis, I needed to know what was going to happen to Artemis. She was put in an awful position, and I couldn’t stand not knowing what was going to happen next. Warrior picks up where Nemesis left off, and let’s just say this book is going to make your heart stop a few times with what the characters end up going through.

I want to state that I haven’t read the OG series, Sterling Falls, yet, but I plan on doing so soon. However, I don’t feel lost when reading this series without having read that one. This book is told in multiple POVs, where we get most of Artemis’s POV, but in this book, we get more of Reese and Saint, plus Kade, as well as one other. S. Massery finally reveals who Reese is to Artemis, and it definitely makes sense why she reacted the way she did in book one. I can officially say that I like Reese in this book, even though of what he did to Artemis. It wasn’t truly his fault. When it comes to Saint, I enjoyed getting more of his POV and finding out how he feels for Artemis. He truly cares about her. Now, I will say this: I don’t care for Kade right now because of what he did to Artemis in book one and what he’s doing in this book. I can’t trust him anymore. Then there’s another POV, which I won’t spoil, who is definitely the villain in the story, in my opinion, especially with what he did to Artemis in this book.

This book has a lot of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, plus it has a lot more spice. There’s even a moment between other characters in this book that will have you craving more.

If there is one thing S. Massery can do, it’s make my heart stop due to the way she ends a book. I cursed out loud this time after finishing the last chapter. Dang it, S. Massery! I swear I thought the cliffhanger from book one was shocking; no, let’s just say this book ended up on another cliffhanger, and it broke my heart for Artemis. She deserves love and happiness, dang it!

Overall, another great installment in the series, and I give it four stars. I really hope we get more answers to even more questions in the next book. I need the third book like yesterday after finishing this one.

Single/Dual/Multi POV: Multi-POV

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s the second book in the Sterling Falls Rogues series and needs to be read in order. Start with the first book, Nemesis, first.

Cliffhanger: Yes

Would I recommend this book? Yes, if you enjoy reading Dark Romance that puts you through the wringer, then check out this series by S. Massery.

Audiobook Recommendation: If you enjoy listening to your books, then check out the audiobooks in this series. The audiobooks are Duet Multicast Narration with the following fabulous narrators that bring the story and characters to life in your ears: Michelle Sparks, Aaron Shedlock, Teddy Hamilton, and Connor Crais. I loved listening to the first book and the second book, and can’t wait to listen to the rest of the series.

What to Expect:
✔️Why Choose
✔️Enemies to Lovers
✔️Revenge
✔️Forced Proximity

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Check out all my book reviews at A Book Lovin' Mama's Blog
Profile Image for Jessie The Great.
226 reviews15 followers
July 17, 2025
Ugh S. Massery WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME. I am yelling. This was a good follow up to Nemesis. We start off with the cliffhanger from Nemesis and make it through a few chapters to get back to a new status quo. We get comfortable with the new status quo (some of us do... others of us, well, make choices that really mess things up).

Stanley

I'm not saying names, but someone really had tough go of it throughout the ENTIRE BOOK. UNCOOL Sara. Not to mention when that person finally starts seeing improvement, Sara kicks someone else right in the balls and makes them start off at Go. Again, I'M NOT SAYING NAMES. But it's one of four people, read it, you'll figure it out. We start to see this RH grow and get to see a bit of a Bi-Awakening. Also, freaking Kade. That guy is the worst. BUT ALSO, he's a lot of fun. BUT HE'S THE WORST (if that makes sense).

Stanley

Look, he made shit choices that really screwed up everyone's day - including his own, and the guy doesn't seem to want to stop. He just keeps digging that grave. I know he's got undiscussed trauma - or at least I hope he does, if he's gonna subject the rest of our besties to the stuff he's subjected them to. And to make it worse, he's not even the bad guy, he just sucks sometimes. I really do like his character though. I remember hating Jace through the original Sterling Falls series, so I'm sure we'll circle back to this.

I sat down on Friday to do an immersive read with this book, and I didn't get up until I completed it at 4am on Saturday. I highly recommend this book. It's gonna leave you spitting fire because of that ending and we will have to wait at least 2 more months or so for book 3 -Martyr. I'll be sitting on pins and needles. There is a lot of struggle in this book. You will see the abuse of drugs and people. You will learn a lot about what happened in Terror. There are triggers that may be triggering. Please do not skip that page if you have things you cannot read due to that. I think there were about 4 truly spicy scenes in this one. So not super heavy in the spice, but there was a healthy dose of trauma.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️.25
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾.
2,318 reviews13.7k followers
July 14, 2025
5 STARS
You’re the sweetest torture,”

Holy hell, the way I devoured this book. The plot twists, the revelations, the jaw dropping details! My head was spinning at the end, only tone hit in the head with that two by four to the head of a cliffy. MY. GOD.

The mystery of who Reese is, is finally revealed and wow wow wow was I not prepared for THAT. Of all the things I had thought, it definitely wasn't THAT. And now Artemis's reaction towards him in book one makes so much more sense.

While we spent most of Nemesis In Artemis's head, we get a whole lot more of the men in this one. Particularly Saint and Reese. And the story development for Saint is truly EPIC. I won't spoil it for you, but just trust me.

For those who love their why choose with some MM, prepare yourself for the most tension filled MM relationship development. I was salivating for more scenes with these two. SALIVATING.
Good boy.”
Fucking hell.
He smirks. “Like that?”
“No.”
“Liar,” he whispers.

GAH! I get giddy just thinking about them.

There is so many revelations in this book with just as many questions left by them. For a reader who can usually see the plot twists coming, the ones here managed to catch me completely by surprise. I was left reeling and grasping for more clues.

And that ending? PHYSICALLY PAINFUL. I'm not sure I'll be able to survive the wait for the next book but man, I have ZERO regrets. This was deliciously dark, twisty, action packed, and exactly what I needed!

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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Profile Image for Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance).
2,166 reviews75 followers
July 12, 2025
What a twisty-turny, dark AMAZING book!! Warrior jumped right into the deep end, without a life-vest mind you, and the sharks never stopped circling!! My anxiety was through the roof and my panic reached an all time high as I turned the last page, but this book was soooooo darn good!

I can't tell you how many times my jaw fell to the floor as I was turning pages in this book. My gob was smacked over and over because I didn't see the twists coming. That's right!! I never knew who to trust or where my loyalties were falling next because my loyalty was constantly changing. Sara is the ultimate master at twisting my emotions and I loved every second of it! ❤️

What about broke me the most through this entire book was Artemis. She's in a world of hurt and her world is crumbling around her. Her town, her friends, her family, everything is unraveling and she is unraveling with it. This strong woman is cracking, but due to how strong she normally is it's easy to hide her pain right out in the open. Those around her fail to see her slipping, except for the monster running around town causing chaos and he has no trouble slipping in between the cracks, poking at her underbelly.

What doesn't help is Saint, Lord help him. This man is haunted by the love of his past and the warrior woman who haunts his present. He's torn by guilt over his struggling emotions as he's finally awakening after a year of grieving. Saint is all up in his feels, which means he's getting in deeper with Artemis, yessssss...but he's also messed up over Kade Laurent, the man who has trouble following him around Sterling Falls like a bad rash. Saint is a messed up kind of delicious that I was salivating over again and again!!🔥

Reese is still very much a wildcard that I couldn't get a good read on. He is constantly there for Artemis, but he's also a touch point for Kade who has the hots for Saint. This is the center, or perhaps it was both Reese and Kade, where things constantly seemed to shift my loyalties. Yes, they both in certain moments were there for this small group, but also kept me guessing. Honestly, I can't wait to find out even more about both Reese and Kade and their ties to, well basically everyone. I'm still trying to piece the big picture together and I can't wait until everything falls into place. Waiting for the next book will be the best kind of torture.
Profile Image for Geri Stoikova.
601 reviews7 followers
July 13, 2025
I'm in awe of the way S. Massery's mind works and what she puts her characters through. That mythology retelling of the war of the titans and Olympians is chef's kiss. The Alice in Wonderland and the Sleeping Beauty vibes just make it even more interesting. Because if the cliffhanger at the end of Nemesis left me in the unknown then this one is heart wrenching and just left me in the in - between. Gahhh ,how can I wait for the next step in Artemis's tortured journey after that heartbreaking end of Warrior. Warrior is fast paced and with more plot twists than Nemesis. And the more you think you know about the characters motivation there's always something hidden that comes to light and messes with your understanding of them . Artemis survived Gabriel's torture but he's playing mind games with her and is twisting her reality to further torture her and mess with her recovery. Reese is on his redemption quest and is doing everything to redeem himself for his past. And he succeeded in some and totally failed at other. And it was so good that he managed on a re- do with the terrible beginning he had with Artemis.Saint finally saw the light and realized his mistakes when it comes to Artemis and showed his feelings for her . That tattoo was such a great gift. Kade is keeping to himself and sticking to a plan that isn't his and is hurting people that don't deserve it. He still plays a very dangerous double play no matter who falls victim to it . He's yet to come to terms to where his loyalty goes and who's important to him . And when that moment comes he has to prove his loyalty and redeem himself. Gabriel is so The Mad Hatter in this one and is so unhinged. Kade and Gabriel both have issues to deal with and that's their weakness. And they are used to play someone else's game . And what exactly happened to Saint ? I have the suspicion that Kade is involved in it . Now I can't wait to see how Kade will come back from this one . Because that cliffhanger? Again? I'm not well after it . Need the next book. Like yesterday.

Thanks to the author and The Chaotic Creative Services for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.
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