Scattered Glitter

Glimmer & Gleam Duet #1

by Blake Black

Vegas is the city of illusions, and I’ve perfected my own.
Under the neon lights, I’m Glitter.
The stripper who leaves them breathless.
The pickpocket who leaves them clueless.
But behind the glimmer and gleam, there’s just me, shuffling distractions and fleeting touches to numb my grief.

When I meet the Magic Twins, Vegas’ most renowned magicians, they see right through my façade and deal me a dangerous hand. They promise me a chance to feel alive again—the only caveat, I have to help them bring down the one person who destroyed their family.
Vegas’ most powerful hotel mogul, the queen of the strip, and the owner of half the city’s neon kingdom.
The game—become close to her handsome son and steal evidence that could shatter her reign.

But the men I have started to fall for are more than sleight of hand and deception.
They’re warmth.
They’re hope.
They’re the wild card I never saw coming.

And as I work with them, the walls I’ve built start to fold like a house of cards.

Trust is a risk. Love is a gamble.
But if I let them in, will I finally win the hand that saves me?
Or will I lose everything I have left to give?

Scattered Glitter is a medium burn, instant spark, spicy, hurt/comfort, MFMMM why choose romance. It’s the first book in the Glimmer & Gleam Duet and ends on a cliffhanger.

Genres: Why Choose, Romance, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Found Family, Dark, Contemporary Romance

562 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2025

Reviews

[Jacklyn B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am huge fan of Blake Black’s writing style and was really excited to dive into this new duet. I loved it!! From the plot to the characters, book one was so good! This story is emotional and raw and spicy and these characters just grabbed hold of me.

Our FMC Glitter (Novalee) has been through so much - she has dealt with tragedy and trauma and is currently working as a stripper and pickpocketing trying to numb her pain. My heart broke for Novalee and what she has been through.

She has this connection with Hottie that she hasn’t felt in so long. After a chance meeting with the Lane brothers, she finds herself in the middle of this group of men playing a game…but she doesn’t know all the rules yet. Trust is a risk. Love is a gamble….

No spoilers - So I can’t tell you anything else!

This does end on a cliffy but book 2 will be here before you know it!!

✨What To Expect:
❤️‍🔥Why Choose
💋Broken But Sassy Heroine
🔥Several Swoon Worthy Distractions 
💔Tragic Past
❤️‍🩹Hurt/Comfort
👠A Stripper Who Steals Hearts & Watches
♠️Reluctant Allies
🪄Heists & Heartbreak
⁉️Secret Identity
💖Found Family of Misfits
🥀Suspense
🕊️Pebble the Pigeon
🎩Vegas Magic Shows

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

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

ARC review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️1/2
She’s the most intriguing and difficult puzzle I’ve ever had, and I want nothing more than to solve her. Every little piece, crack, and edge.

Blake has once again surpassed her previous duets with this one! Scattered Glitter was SO good! It's been days since I finished; my heart is still aching. And I don't know how I am to get past that cliffhanger. I've been thrown into the biggest book hangover, and I am dying for the second half of the duet.

Blake Black excels at the hurt/comfort trope. She writes incredibly complex and damaged characters who immediately burrow into your soul. The cast in this book might be the most damaged of them all! There are in-depth depictions of mental health struggles, layers of heartbreak and loss, hope and despair.

This is a mixed-burn, and spicy why choose romance with explicit sexual content. (Can you say somno and breeding kink? Yes, please!)

Part One in a duet, Scattered Glitter ends in a cliffhanger. I cannot wait for what comes next.

Very highly recommended; I can already predict this duet will be a top read of the year!

Thank you to Blake Black and Chaotic Creatives for the advance review copy.

[Cee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did laugh a few times, but mostly this book is weighed down by grief. There is a lot of trauma and the characters are all dealing with death of some kind in their past. It was honestly too much for me and I had to read it in sections. Once she meets the twins things picked up a bit.

That being said, I love all the characters and I’m really looking forward to seeing where this goes. I want them all to make positive progress on their healing journeys and to fall in love. I’m honestly not sure how one of them will get over the betrayal and I’m still desperate for Nova to meet Alaric.

As an aside, I won’t admit to knowing anything about hypnosis, but it seems way easy for Koen to hypnotize people even when he says it is something easily broken and not easy to do. I’m just not seeing that reflected in what happens to Nova.

[Cat H · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6 stars.
First off. Hot. Hell yeah.
Second.
I just Know the ‘et’ in ‘duet’ is gonna be really fucking upsetting in a lot of parts before the HEA…
I was anticipating that ending since they met and mentally cringing with all the dissent. (Yes. I’m purposely being vague to avoid spoilers. lol)
It’s gonna be a bumpy ride. I just know it.
All I gotta say is, the HEA better be sweet as pie..😑

[The_Book_Brat · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Reverse Harem
*Contemporary
*Multi-1st-PoV
*Hurt/Comfort
*Revenge
*Trauma
*Instant Attraction
*Building Harem (4)
*Mid Burn
*Book 1/2
Emotions and evasion
These characters have a lot of emotional turmoil surrounding them, particularly our FMC for whom one tragic event has given her a lifetime worth of trauma 😖 she hasn’t used the best ways to cope but a chance encounter with Hottie and the infamous Lanes draws her into a whole new level of connection she never wanted but actually needs 🙈 there’s a strong connection between Novalee and her men! Hottie forces her to accept him as her person; Koen has an air of mystic about him; Ric has his own demons to contend with; and then there’s Nico - honestly my heart hurts for him 😢 Glitter has to decide where her loyalties lie and who she can really be her true self with- it’s certainly a journey of discovery and healing for these characters. Praying the betrayal doesn’t implode and ruin everything 😱 I found this a little slower in pace for me with the focus on the characters themselves but still a strong and enjoyable read and looking forward to the next one!

[britta ⋆˙⟡]

dnf 47% my second try with this author and her style is not for me. Interesting premise but long and dramatic inner monologues for all characters and too much pushing away from the FMC who has trauma running the show. It was hard to feel immersed in the story.

[Kaija · Rating 5 out of 5]

What was that?! That’s how we are ending the book? I mean it’s not the worst ending I’ve experienced but DAMN!!!
This is so so good! It’s emotional and amazing and GAH! I’m not even sure how to review it without spoiling it!

Novalee (Glitter) is our FMC who is dealing with a lot of hurt & pain. I think it’ll be interesting to see what happens in book 2 with how vulnerable she’s allowed herself to be with the guys.

Levi is our amazing magician & I just love him!
Koen is his twin that’s hung up on Glitter but also an important part of the Lane brothers
Sylus is so much more than meets the eye & I love him and his instant reaction to sharing her with his brothers!!
Alaric is trying to trying to heal & I’m excited to see more of him!
Nico it’s complicated 🤣 can’t say anything without spoilers
Ezra well right now he could fall off a cliff we shall see if that changes
All the guys though are healing & I think it’s amazing the different ways they connect and interact with Novalee

Koen, Sylus, Alaric, and Nico 🫣 are my favorites!

There’s so much that happens in this book and I didn’t want it to end, because now I have to wait for book 2! But trust me this is 100% worth the read and a must read!!!

I was beyond lucky to read an advanced copy and I cannot wait for everyone else to read it!!!

[Julianna K · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m torn on Scattered Glitter—there were elements I liked, but also aspects that left me frustrated. The beginning of the story felt weighed down by the protagonist’s grief over the loss of her twin sister and boyfriend, almost to the point of it becoming repetitive. I get that the FMC (female main character) is mourning and grappling with guilt over the accident, but it felt like it dragged on too long, overshadowing the potential for growth in the plot.

Then we meet her men, who enter her life at different points, helping her slowly break down the emotional barriers she’s built. Each man plays a role in her journey toward healing, but there’s a catch—they’re also working to uncover evidence of foul play. I was curious to see how the "why choose" dynamic would unfold as the relationships between her and the men develop. While they support her in facing her past, she also helps them deal with their own struggles, particularly wounds they’ve kept hidden.

Despite the interesting premise, the story felt slow, with little progression or growth in the characters. I found myself wanting more pivotal moments and deeper perspectives from the supporting characters, especially Ezra after what happened at the masquerade ball.

Overall, while Scattered Glitter has potential for some readers, it didn’t fully resonate with me, and I won’t be continuing with the series.

[ciin_leest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scattered Glitter is my first read by Blake Black, and my oh my if this is the bar set for all her works, I know I'm gonna have a new favorite author! I loved every second of this book. Though it's a big book (500+ pages) I've devoured it in a couple of evenings! It held me in a tight grip and didn't let me go untill I finished the book. The emotional rollercoaster I was put on made it even better for me. It was easy to feel what the characters felt and I just wanted to get into the book and give Nova a big fat hug! 

The way Blake brings the whole story together is like watching a masterpiece come together. The twists and turns just keep you reading. The way it all comes together slowly and unfolds itself like the layers of an onion. And then that ending!?! I can't wait how it all will continue in the second book! 

Chaotic Influencers thank you so much for this ARC to read and review. 

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake has did it again y’all!! She keeps outdoing herself every time. This one has everything I didn’t know I needed. The cliffhanger was worse than before because it crept up so quickly. Can’t wait for book 2 to see where this goes.


♥️Why Choose
✨Hurt/Comfort
🎩Broken Heroine
♠️Tragic Backstory
♥️Criminal with a Conscience
✨Reluctant Allies
🎩Secret Identity
♠️Vegas Magic Shows
and MORE in this one!


If you haven’t read any of Blake’s books, please check them out. You won’t be disappointed. She’s amazing and one of my all time favorites.

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ultimately I was unsure I would enjoy this as much as I wanted to because I started this when I was in a weird headspace, so I wasn't sure I would be able to get drawn into this, and admittedly the FMC isn't typically a person I would usually go for, and the timeline flicks between past and present. However, all my concerns were erased as soon as I started reading. I LOVED the vulnerability of all the characters, including the MMCs, every single one of them had relatable emotions and struggles that they were going through.
The author always manages to achieve a balanced read with enough angst that keeps you clinging on for more, characters that you can't help but fall in love with as they fall in love with each other, and a plot that keeps you engaged and learning something new...and not forgetting a cliffhanger that will hit you hard.
So I will be desperately waiting for the next book in the duet, and then feeling serious book blues once that is finished.

[Cadence · Rating 3 out of 5]

My written review on the duet as a whole, not the individual book:

I do believe I keep coming back to Blake Black when I should not be. It always ends up so meh. Don’t get me wrong, good drama, but it is insanely far fetched. Fun and all, but seriously? Some of it is too much; I laughed out loud numerous times.

I will say there is a… let’s just call it “a surprise” in book two that I must applaud her for; genius, genius. And I liked the FMC most of the time. I really liked how easy it was for me to set the men all apart. In RHs, it’s definitely easy for me to mix up names because they all have some generic personalities. I liked most of their personalities in this one, other than Nico’s. Which is INSANE because in the first book I was so excited and interested when I realized he was a love interest. It mixed it up a little. But his mommy issues, omg. Listen, cute and all. But you are 30 years old living with mommy. Not that there’s anything wrong with it, but the vibes were not your typical. He was being treated like a 20 year old/younger. He acted like one. Be so for real. I kept forgetting how old this dude was.

The plot was alright, and the characters were likable. It really could be too much with some stuff. I must remember it is all in the name of fun.

[Taylor Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay that’s not the ending I was expecting to be honest, I was expecting something way different but maybe that will come in the next book?

[Spax · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF'd for a bunch of personal preferences. Not a fan of FMCs working as strippers or weed culture (both illegal in my country), not a fan of the kinks mentioned, and finally I thought the men presented were gonna be part of the harem but it looks like Levi and Ezra are gonna be their own couple 🫠 And it gets tiring reading sentence after sentence of Sylus and Koen drooling over Novalee's body and 2 seconds later they're like but it's not her body, it's who she is as a person like sure. Suuuuuuuure. 🙄

[The Forgotten Bookmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever been pulled directly into a book and felt the world and characters like you were a part of it? Because that’s what Blake did with this book and I felt it like I was there. I am left completely on edge after this book and THAT ending. If book two was out already I would be immediately downloading it and reading it without coming up for air. I am going to stare at a wall until I can wrap my head around everything that happened and that’s going to happen in book 2.

This is all you’re gonna get out of this review because to be honest I’m not going to spoil anything. The guys, Nova and this world are so phenomenally written it would be a crime not to read it.

[alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ Scattered Glitter☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★

⁺₊★·.´🎧✩°｡ 0:56 ──♡───── 3:32 ⁺₊🎧★·.·´

🎶 Give a little time to me or burn this out. We'll play hide and seek to turn this around. All I want is the taste that your lips allow 🎶

In Vegas, Glitter is a showstopper - stripper by night, pickpocket by trade, and a master of illusion. But when two famous magicians pull her into a dangerous game of revenge, she’s forced to confront her past and play a role that could destroy a dynasty. Falling for them wasn’t part of the plan—but neither was feeling alive again.

— ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆• THOUGHTS⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ⋆—

Nova is my baby 🥺. She deserves the entire world. She’s spent so much of her life alone, pushing people away, guarding herself because she had to. And this - this was the perfect opportunity for her to finally find her found family. A group that sees her, protects her, and fully accepts her. She’s one of them now. The trust is still building, slowly but surely, but they’re already halfway in love with her (let’s be honest, Sy is all the way there already). And this is the group she was always meant to have. The kind of people who choose you and stay. This is her home now. And it’s exactly what she deserves.

[Sylus]

“She’s staying with me,” I announce, cutting off whatever lecture he had ready, then fold my arms across my chest defensively. “She’s been through enough shit tonight. No way in hell I’m letting her wake up alone, not after everything…”

He has been down bad from the moment he saw her working as a bartender and made it clear that he wanted her. Even though his flirtatious behavior didn’t fully register with Nova, she still felt the pull between them. She chose to ignore it—not because she didn’t feel it, but because she didn’t want to ruin anything between them. With everything that happened in her past, especially losing Ace, she didn’t have it in her to trust again or fully open up. That’s something she’s still struggling with, even though she allows herself something physical with Sylus. But Sylus has proven, over and over again, that he is all in. He lets her pretend like it means nothing, but he tells her the truth—that it does mean something to him. He is the clingy, affectionate type, and he makes it known that he’s not going anywhere. And that is exactly what she needs. He is her person. He loves her loudly and openly, even if she doesn’t quite know how to do the same yet. Because to him, she is worthy of the love she keeps convincing herself she doesn’t deserve. Despite her insecurities and trauma, he respects her. He honors her triggers, holds firm to his own boundaries, and stays patient. He is so hopelessly gone for her 💗💓💓💕💖. And honestly, it’s one of the most beautiful things about him.

[Koen]

“I didn’t use you.” Koen’s eyes darken, but he doesn’t look away. “But you’re right, I lied,” he admits, though his tone is ironically unapologetic. “Because I had to protect my people. Because I didn’t know you.”

He’s intrigued by her because she managed to steal from him—and no one has ever done that before. He’s always been guarded, always in control, and keeps his circle tight. His family is his top priority. But Nova? He can’t get a full read on her, and he hates that. And it’s exactly that mystery, that unpredictability, that keeps pulling him in. His curiosity is turning into something more, and slowly but surely, he’s starting to care—really care. He wants to protect her so badly 💌🪄❣️🤍. She’s infiltrating the inner circle without even meaning to, and all he wants to do is be a mother hen. His protective instincts go wild around her, and he cannot help it. All he wants is to keep her safe, to wrap her in comfort and loyalty. He is so stubborn and hard-shelled, but when he finally lets his guard down and opens up to her? It is going to be beautiful, and I cannot wait to see it.

[Alaric]

I love the banter between the texts and how they don’t even know each other, yet already share this lingering connection. He’s curious about her and doesn’t even fully realize why he’s so intrigued—she’s just there, under his skin in a way he can’t explain. He’s burdened by the past, carrying severe trauma that makes even leaving the house feel impossible without spiraling. He’s troubled, broken in places he doesn’t know how to fix, and they’re all slowly unraveling. But still, he—reluctantly, hesitantly—chooses to help Nova out. Glitter, as he knows her. And I need the meet-up now. The tension is building. The emotional stakes are high. It’s going to wreck me in the best way.

[Nico]

“He’s not who you think he is, he—”

“I know who he is,” he snaps. “He’s a dumb as fuck, self-centered himbo who thinks the world belongs to him, and his muscles make him better than everyone else.”

HE IS NOT THE ENEMY. He’s a little golden retriever who already seems to be so down bad, and I just know he’s going to get hurt—and that’s exactly what it looks like by the end of the book. I’m on his side. He seems so sweet, so guarded, and the second he let his guard down, he got betrayed. My BABY. He didn’t deserve that.

— ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ OVERALL⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆—

Love this book!!!!!!!! EVERYTHING IS SO GOOD. I already want to reread it. I love Nova—you don’t have to get her. I do. 💘

[Devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Why Choose
✨Vegas Magic
✨Sassy FMC
✨Hurt/Comfort & Grief
✨Intrigue and Cons
✨Lots of awesome plot & back story

I am a Blake Black stan and their books just hit.

This was so intriguing and I was waiting for what was going to happen next on every page. I loved the atmosphere of Vegas and magic shows, illusions and cons. Our babe Glitter definitely has somethings to work out and all the guys do too in their own ways. I loved that they started opening up to eachother and that the relationship speed matches the things they need to overcome.

I loved how flawed our FMC is - she’s such a vibe and I can’t wait for book 2 for more on her story. I loved the cliffy ending, the spice was fab and I want even more in book 2 as their relationships continue to progress. I thought all the guys had such distinct personalities and the author did a great job balancing how much they appear and how much we hear their voices.

GREAT READ- let’s go book 2!! Thank you so much to Blake and Chaotic Influencers for the ARC!

[Casey Velasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️
3 🔥
Why Choose Romance
MFMMM
Tragic Pasts
Secret Identity
Reluctant Allies
Magicians
Stripper FMC
Vegas
Heists
Hurt/Comfort
Found Family
Cliffhanger
⚠️This duet does contain dark content. Please check trigger/content warnings.⚠️
Blake does it again!! Her books are so unique to anything else I’ve read. I always look forward to a new release and revisit her other books often. I have loved every one of her books! Her characters are amazing!! I am always sucked in to the plot & the romance is always sweet & spicy! This one set in Vegas, centering around our girl Novalee, Glitter or Sparkle. She is working as a stripper, and drowning in hurt & guilt. Until she stumbles across a pair of famous magicians at a graveyard, accidentally stealing the watch off one. They strike a deal to help each other out, but as she’s pulled into the social circles of the elite & the family of broken MMCs, can she complete her tasks without loosing her heart?

Thank you Blake Black for the ARC!

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay wow I liked this more than I thought I would. This was my first why choose trope which I didn’t know going in and I see the appeal: lonely stripper into found family.

I’m a little confused by the whole magician mafia aspect with Koen and Levi. Like I understand the part Novalee plays but I don’t understand the twins motivation and I guess I won’t unless I read the second book.

I really enjoyed Blake Black’s writing style and how trauma is portrayed. She uses plot points and foreshadowing really well.

The 🌶️ was fun; a good 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5 I wouldn’t say this is a 🌶️ read despite Novalee being a literal stripper in Vegas, but was fun and I really enjoyed Sylus 😘 my lover boy and our matching titty piercings.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new duet, and what an amazing journey this story is!
Beneath the Vegas lights Glitter is a stripper and pick-pocketer, and when she crosses paths with the magic twins, Vegas’s most renowned magicians, they see through her façade.
This story ends in a cliffhanger!
This is a well written story which is easy to read, emotional roller coaster, with found family, friendships, loss, grief, secret identity, reluctant allies, why choose, humor, and witty banter, which leads to an entertaining, spicy, tragic, unpredictable, and magical addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Andreia | Lemon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second time reading a book from the author, and although I wasn’t a big fan of her writing at first, Scattered Glitter was surprisingly very entertaining.

I really enjoyed the Las Vegas magic setting (with some suspension of disbelief towards the hypnosis 😆) and the characters were fun.

The FMC is going through a lot of grief, so the story was heavy at points, and even though it’s very much insta-lust, I had a great time with it.

I can’t wait to see the whole harem come together and I’m excited to see their farewell magic show in the following book of the duet!

[Joseline Pineda · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have read all this author’s books and they are always so good when i read the blurb i assumed since the guys were twins that they would both be in the harem but i kinda like how Levi is only a friend since the fmc doesn’t really have any friends and i want Levi and Ezra to get together so badly like it’s so obvious to everyone they clearly like each other and i hope the whole thing with Nico was a misunderstanding because he genuinely seems like a good guy and the guys were like his only true friends and he lost them and i can’t wait to see if he joins their plans for revenge because he clearly hates his mom
UPDATED THEORY: I just saw the character art and i’m like pretty sure Alaric is Ace i has my suspicions but he has a tattoo of a match and in the Nova always had the metal container with the matches from her dad and the way they connect so easily only trough text and his background as being a thief and in the flashbacks Ace is the one who teaches her that. The A names ,the blonde hair, blue eyes, the connection, the coincidence that they have never actually met , the i killed my girlfriend on accident, the i killed my boyfriend on accident. The fact that she never got to say bye to Ace ,he was the one driving they crashed her sister died he went to jail and she left town ,Nova’s sister Rose was her identical twin, what if they wrongly identified her as Nova?
Also obviously Jynx and Good Lookin are the same cat.

[Jodi Elinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so into it that it left me on a cliffhanger I wasn't expecting!

[Lexi Teter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need book 2 NOW!! this was so so good, haven’t read something original and a v long time

[Erinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake and her dang cliffhangers AGAIN!!

I loved this book, there is so many feeling experienced while reading it, it had me giggling, it had me in my feels with sadness and happiness and it was spicer for one of Blake’s book 1’s so can’t to see what kind spice book 2 brings us.

There are so many secrets and so many questions so I can’t wait to get all those answers in the next book!!

Can I have it now ???

[Kenna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY SHIT BLAKE. I've loved everything she has released and this book was so fucking good. Everything about it was extremely raw and real. As much as I disliked the ending it's a typical Blake cliffhanger and I know we are in for a treat in book 2. TEAM SYLUS!!

Tropes:
Found family
Dislike to lovers
Why choose
Billionaire romance
Heart broken and traumatized fmc
Badass fmc

[Lily G · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF this book was not my cup of tea.

The characters are all really… “edgy…,” they all have trauma… okay but when you fling around the word trauma and associate every character with it… it’s just lazy and aimless writing at that point. The author seemingly abandons the plot at times and it does not flow well.

Sorry but it’s not written well. Also, Sylus behaves like an abuser & this should not be normalized within a romance book!!!

[C H · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gets worse

I really wanted to like this series since I’ve enjoyed Blake Blacks writing but I have noticed her writing has gotten worse each series. This one was just a constant back and forth and no explanation until I’m ready to DNF. Starting to feel like her books are a complete waste of my time

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many characters dealing with grief and now that can manifest and impact day to day actions and feelings. Great descriptions of how it feels in an abstract way. Real connection and desire for healing. Surprising plot lines, felt more unique with characters background. More on the illusion of control.

She was dressed as her sister “glitter” that night as a Halloween costume, and she’s never fully taken it off and been herself.

I did find myself wishing for a bit more depth or descriptions in some of the chapters, as it didn’t feel fully explored with all the characters.

Trying to work through grief with constant triggers around along with experiencing true connections that deduce more of who you are as person, without the shadows of grief and facade weighing you down.

Quotes:

Holy shit. I stole Koen fucking Lane’s watch.

Levi follows, his coin flipping through the air, making Pebble coo in response. “Two sides of one coin, destiny calls.” I glance at him, and the numbness that’s been clinging to me for months loosens its grip, making room for a dull ache in my chest.

“Told you, she’s fucking delightful,” Levi chimes in, his laughter rumbling from behind Koen.

There are real stakes here beyond the possibility of her exposing my vulnerability.

Fine, maybe she’s better than I thought.

“Heal out loud, man. We almost lost you in that silence.”

The faint rustle of olive leaves in a breeze so gentle it’s like a whisper against my cheek.

“Lately, you’re the only thing I want to be high on.” Fuck. My pulse stutters, a nervous laugh escaping before I can stop it.

“Wow…” he breathes out. “You’re even more beautiful without all the glitter and gleam. It’s…” his gaze traces over my stripped features, and he swallows before continuing, “… like seeing a star stripped of all the lights around it… pure, beautiful essence.”

I can almost hear Ace praise me, and it pierces my heart. “That’s my girl.”

Koen’s voice is tinged with something that almost sounds like admiration. “His body language changed. He’s curious now, leaning in. She’s… got him.

Koen changed me from a functioning alcoholic to a non-functioning dry one, and Captain Bossy made me feel alive after years of numbness, even though I have no idea what he even looks like.

His gaze is forward, but amusement dances in his expression.

Koen’s eyes glimmer with something I can’t quite place—an invitation, a promise, or maybe it’s the satisfaction of knowing he’s cracked my façade.

When I look at his face, I want to sit on something, too, and it’s not a chair.

“I think I like the way your brain works.” No one has ever complimented my brain.

And if protecting them means I have to cross a line?” His voice trails off as we reach an all-way stop, then he finally looks in my direction. “I’ll cross it. Every time.”

“Look, don’t touch!” I snap, standing in front of Levi, then pulling him forward.

For you, maybe she’s a means to an end. But she fucking owns me.” The words come out unfiltered, raw, and I feel a strange mix of relief and dread the moment I say them.

The possessiveness I feel for her isn’t the kind that pushes me to control her. It’s one that wants to see her as happy as possible, even if it means I’m not her entire world.

In a world of illusions, she’s something real.

His sharp eyes sweep over me, assessing, clearly trying to read my state of mind. “How’s your head?” he asks, stopping in front of me. I raise an eyebrow, fighting back a grin. “Never had any complaints.”

His words settle around me, comforting and suffocating at the same time. One of us. The idea makes my chest ache. Am I truly part of this? Or am I a pawn to play in a game that’s much bigger than me?

However, trust is a fragile thing, and I wonder how long it will take before one of us drops it, leaving the rest of us to watch it shatter.

Ezra doesn’t smile. Instead, he frowns and tilts his head. “Salt and sugar look the same.”

Oh, Ezra, you fucking idiot.

Every instinct I’ve honed over years of navigating shallow, transactional relationships screams at me to back off, to protect myself.

“We wanted to eat with you, but I guess Sylus misunderstood the assignment.”

I see him for who he is—a person trapped in a life he never chose, aching for something real. And I know the feeling all too well.

I might as well tattoo it on her wrist—Property of Sylus. Maybe I’ll let Koen and Alaric add their names underneath it, only much smaller.

As he opens up to me, it almost feels as though his fingers are weaving calm right into me with each piece of him he exposes, with every strand of hair intertwined.

“From the cradle…” Shouts, car doors slamming, and pounding footsteps. Too late. “… to the grave.” Darkness swallows me whole.

We’re on a rock floating in space, you know? Somehow, it makes things… feel lighter.”

“Would you rather always wonder what if or regret if only?”