Mud

by D.N. Hoxa

An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.

This is not your usual love story. I am not the girl who falls helplessly in love with the hero before they’re forced apart.
In this story, the boy is not a hero at all. He wears all the colors of a villain instead.
And I’m the girl who betrays him, puts him in prison, and gets celebrated for it afterward.

Until he breaks out.

Nowhere to run.

Taland Tivoux is coming for me. If that wasn’t a big enough problem, I lose my magic while on a mission, barely escape with my life, and my grandmother puts me in a game that can only be won through that same magic I no longer have.

The Iris Roe is a death trap—she knows this well. But she also knows that the prize to be won at the end of it is magic—one of my only two options.

The other? Death.

So I have no choice but to play. No choice but to fight. But I thought I would be safe from Taland while in the game, at least.

I was very, very wrong…

**



Excerpt from Mud:

“Our story was painful. A guilty, chaotic mess, and we were doomed from the beginning. We were never going to have a happy ending, Taland and I. Those who weaved our story had already decided it.

Even knowing that since day one, I couldn’t help myself. I still felt him to my very core. I belonged to him, heart and body and soul, even when I betrayed him, and even when he was locked away in prison.

But when I went to him, bloody and wounded and all alone, and he gave me to his brothers to torture, then watched and smiled from the shadows, it still hurt. I had no right to feel betrayed, but goddess, it hurt.”

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dark Fantasy, M F Romance, Second Chance

643 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2024

Reviews

[Rosina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was soooo good!
It reminded me of that 2012 era with Hunger Games and Divergent, and I absolutely need this to be a movie!
It reminded me of when in Divergent, Tris is doing all the trials for the different factions and I loved it so much!!
One of my favourite books this year, if not my favourite!!
I need this to be a movie now!!
Also, the ending!! I really hope that there’s more, this was amazing! I definitely recommend to everyone who loved the 2012 dystopian genre of films e.g. Hunger Games, Divergent, Maze Runner, Percy Jackson etc.
Just wow!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[svea.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this might be my new favorite book by Dori. To put it bluntly, this is a smut book by a smut author. You pick a book like this with that in mind, and you can't really compare it to a regular Romantasy book. They are easy to read and have a rather simple plot. The worldbuilding is mostly on the light side. But in this case, Dori surprised me with the elaborate magic system. I'm a psychology student with a major interest in cognitive neuroscience, so the color system of magic is something that really intrigues me. In this paranormal world, mages are one of many magical creatures and are divided into five covens with different types of magic: White, Green, Blue, Red, and Black. Because the magic looks like colorful flames, it's called fire. Whitefire is the purest form of magic with strong healing powers; Greenfire is the power of the environment and animals (with familiars!); Bluefire is the ability to see inside people and their future; Redfire is the power of destruction and Blackfire is the darkest power of all with the forbidden necromancy. And then there are the Muds, beings whose colors have blended into an ugly brown. Muds can either be born or stained when their color magic is merged or drained.

Rora, our female lead, is the granddaughter of the former head of the IDD, and at the age of 17, she was sent as an undercover agent to another high school to gain insight into another student, a Blackfire named Taland. Raised under her grandmother's strong hand, Rora had never known freedom until she left for the boarding school and met Taland. After falling in love with him, her greatest goal was to prove his innocence and spend her life with him by her side. Two years in the future, Rora is working as the youngest IDD agent in history when she receives word that Taland has broken out of prison. Trying to escape him, she joins a mission - and gets caught up in an assassination attempt by her colleagues, who are trying to kill her on an order. The consequence when Whitefire and Greenfire are aimed at a Redfire who's trying to defend herself without an anchor? The colors merge. The result: Mud. To save her powers and her family's reputation, the only solution is to compete in the Iris Roe, a magical game of deadly trials in all five types of magic with the goal of collecting a Rainbow.

The story is told in two timelines, mostly by the FMC. The MMC has two POV chapters, one at the beginning and one as an epilogue at the end. The present timeline follows Rora two years after her betrayal, the past timeline tells the early stages of their relationship, how they met and fell in love until her betrayal. Through both timelines and both POVs, we fill in some gaps in the story, but the books end with a lot of mysteries and secrets and I can't wait to read book two!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! It’s so full, it’s a thick girl, and so worth the read. So much happens, I feel sorry for the main character, Rosabel, it’s feels like damn what else can you throw at her, and that’s only in the first 30%. It’s a tragic love story that made me tear up a whole bunch, and if I cry it gets five. I was thinking about this book when I wasn’t reading it. It is such a great read, you can’t tell it’s over 600 pages. And the last chapter in Taland’s pov! *chefs kiss* 💋
The story and plot are awesome, it has some spice, it’s dual time lines, and of course a cliffhanger to hang off of until the next one comes out! Can’t wait!

[Candice Kamencik · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars...and I don't know if I should round it to 1 or 2 tbh.
Usually I only give 1 start to books I DNF (which I rarely do, I try and push through as often as possible), or of the book was rife with errors and just a mess over all. The fact that I'm not sure if this book gets a 1 or 2 should tell you something.

This was a hot mess.
This sounded like a 35 year old women was writing relatively hard core smut staring teenagers. Eww.
Not only that, it was very... 50 Shades. Again, for teenagers. Also, again, eww.

Who tf writes about 17 years old forcefully sucking each others fingers? The whole "I can't say no to him" trope? To get on your knees and obey commands? Add in the "insta-love" trope and the "I'm a teenage virgin and also a wildcat and perfect in bed - we have simultaneous orgasms every time!" thing and I was gagging. FFS, someone check this author's hard drive.

Don't get me wrong. Hard smut, romantasy, whatever, I'm down. Sex positive and kinks ftw, but even if this wasn't about children (cause teenagers are kids, I feel like I need to reiterate this for so many reasons at the moment :() it was just written poorly. Who says "boobs" the whole book?

So as not to make you think it was just the sex that dragged the book down, the main character was wholly unlikable, weak, wishy washy, and whiny. The plot was also all over the place - this book didn't know if it wanted to be HP or the Hunger Games, and the lack of focus showed.

Lastly, while I understand this is the first book in a series, the cliffhanger at the end was massive. If you can't have there wherewithal to at least wrap up the sub plot of your book to come degree, I don't trust you as an author. Leading us on to the overarching plot? Great! Hinting at things to come? Super. Laying groundwork to explain the next story? Please do! None of that is what happened here though. Imagine writing a book where half of it is a "life or death" trial game, getting to the end, claiming the prize, it not working as expected, and just leaving everyone in peril. Why? There is no reader satisfaction in that at all. it just looks like you didn't know how to bridge your story to the next book competently. Please, PLEASE authors, I'm begging you, being opened ended is one thing, but learn to wrap up the individual book's main plot to some degree. It's a skill to complete a smaller story within the grand scheme of things - I'm desperately begging you to learn it.

And stop writing explicit porn about kids, it's f'ing gross.

[Hassena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mud is a fantasy novel about Rosabel La Rouge, an Iridian agent who is betrayed by her team and left for dead in a magical competition called the Iris Roe. As a Mud, a magicless Iridian, she is forced to rely on her wits and skills to survive the challenges and uncover the truth behind her betrayal. Rosabel’s journey is full of action, suspense, and romance. The novel has twists and turns that keep the reader engaged. The author has done some wonderful world building and has characters that are easy to connect with. Rosabel is a strong and resourceful heroine who is determined to survive. Taland is also a complex and intriguing love interest that I would love to meet in person.

The world-building is excellent. The author has created a rich and detailed world that is both believable and fascinating. The magic system is well-thought-out and intriguing.

The characters are compelling. Rosabel is a strong and relatable heroine. Taland is a complex and mysterious. The supporting characters are also well-developed and add to the richness of the story.

The plot is fast-paced and suspenseful. The novel is full of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. The Iris Roe is a dangerous and exciting competition that provides a great backdrop for the story and to keep it moving.

The romance is steamy and forbidden. Rosabel and Taland’s relationship is complicated and passionate. The author does a great job of building the tension between them.

Overall, Mud is a well-written and entertaining fantasy novel that I would recommend to fans of the genre. The author’s captivating storytelling and immersive world-building make this book a must-read.

ARC for unbiased review.

[Laure · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely not a feel-good or sweet romance, it is dark and twisted and has plenty of action and magic in an intriguing new world. There are many fascinating characters with some very unique personalities. Some of them are likable, while others...well let me just say that there were a few that I would have loved to strangle. There are so many twists and turns in the plot it left me reeling, but there is some romance, very dark romance, which includes very steamy interactions between the main characters of this book. I loved this book and highly recommend it to other readers.
Rosabel La Rough is a Redfire mage and is sent under cover to the Iridian School of Chromatic Magics just six months before she graduates. While he does not know it when they meet, Taland Tivoux is being investigated by the Iridian Department of Defense, and is the reason Rosabel, or Rora as she prefers, is even attending the school. Rora falls in love with bad boy Taland and swears to her boss at IDD that he is not at the school to steal a powerful artifact which is located in the school. Unfortunately, that is exactly what she catches him doing, and he is sentenced to life in the Tomb, an extremely dangerous place where mages are imprisoned. After not quite two years, Taland escapes, and Rora knows that her days are numbered. Except it won’t be Taland that kills her. Against her will she is entered into the Iris Roe, a deadly game with no rules that is for mages only, but Rora is no longer a mage, so she does not expect to survive the game.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I stayed home and daydreamed with my eyes open. I stayed home and wrote about him- endless pages.”

“Mud,” by D. N. Hoxa

What I loved:
- “Color Magic”, I have only read a couple books that have color magic and I find it so interesting, and it really keeps me glued to the story.
-The characters. Magic enforcer X criminal. I loved the story and interactions of the characters so much. The FMC has serious trauma and shuts her emotions off so well, I found that so interesting. And the main MMC is perfect, evil and charismatic, you really can’t tell how evil or good he is at any time, my version of a perfect MMC.
-Flashbacks. Normally flashbacks are not my favorite but the way D. N. Hoxa wrote the flashbacks in this book made me seriously wanting more. I adored every time there was a flashback and seeing how they were in the academy to better understand why they hate each other now.
-Death trials. I will literally never say no to a death trial book.
-The ending blew me away!!!!! I don’t know how I’m supposed to wait for the next book in the series.

I loved this book so much, one of the best books I’ve read this year. 5 out of 5 stars, so perfect.

-Color Magic
-Enforcer X Criminal
-Magical Creatures
-Death Trials

Thank you for the ARC, Booksprout.

“…wishes were stars, and stars were too far away for me to reach.”

[Dru · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶🌶.5
🔥🔥🔥🔥


This book is told in two timelines, where Rosabel is sent on a mission to spy on Taland, and then after she betrays him, 2 years later.

For the first 30% of this book, I felt so much for Rosabel. I was thinking this poor girl can't win! Well when she turns Mud, loses her magic, the only way for her to gain it back is to compete in the Iris Roe. Having no magic, she has to rely on her training as an Iridian agent and wit, since the trial requires magic to complete.

Each trial was completely different, and there was no repetitive nature to them. Rosabel was constantly thrown something new and there wasn't a dull moment going through the challenges. Having to figure out navigating each trial without magic allowed Rosabel to become more herself in ways she never could have accessed when she had her magic. She slowly started becoming stronger, more emotional, and didn't wear the mask she was used to in order to survive the IDD. I enjoyed reading about her growth throughout the book.

I was worried the past and present timeline would be annoying to read (because sometimes it really is for me), but it was done really well in this book imo.

Something D.N. Hoxa consistently delivers for me when it comes to urban fantasies. Her world building, character development, plot and şmüt is on point in this book! Make no mistake, this is not romantasy şmüt, but clearly written an author who knows a thing or two on how to write şmüt scenes. Taland's mouth 🥵🥵🥵 and that last POV from Taland 😭😭😭. I hated him a little less after that.

⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ Stabby/Badass Heroine
✅ Obsessive/JP MMC
✅ Betrayal
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Insta-Love (younger)
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers (older)
✅ No OW drama
✅ Minor OM drama (she kisses another)
✅ Virgin FMC (younger)
✅ Trials
✅ MINE
✅ Cliff

[April Mollenkopf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book; the story, the characters, the whole thing. It was a Hunger Games reimagined.

As with most of Hoxa’s book, it is long. But I can honestly say that once you start reading, the pages fly. By the time I hit the ending, I was ready to continue on. Unfortunately we have to wait for the author to write it lol.

The MFC, Rora. was brought into the Iridian Dep’t of Defense at the young age of 17 to stop the theft of an artifact. She didn’t plan on falling in love with the suspect. She did her duty but broke her own heart in the process. Taland was the bad boy that Rora sent to the IDD prison. He escapes and comes she thinks he is coming for her to get revenge.

There is so much going on in this book. Beocoming Mud, the Iris Roe tournament, Taland and his brothers, the IDD and Rora herself. We learn a lot about both Rora and Taland with the flashbacks. I definitely want to learn more.

This story kept me on the edge. I read the book in less than a day and a half. I didn’t want to put it down. I can’t wait for book 2.

I voluntarily reviewed the book.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never thought I’d say this but…

This was such a clever story. I loved the magic system, the plot, the world building. The writing is there. The “Games” trope has been done over and over but this was actually very refreshing. The only reason for the 3 stars was because - and I never thought I’d say this - the spicey scenes dragged it down. It was like someone changed the channel on the TV from the thrilling adventure movie at the height of its action to the “after dark” spice channel. Really jarring at times. I also hated how the FMC mewed and pined and whined about the MMC. There were times she nearly dissolved into a drooling puddle of dysfunction because the MMC was just too beautiful or too perfect. Girl, your life is on the line and you’re obsessing about his hair?! To be honest, you can skip a LOT of the backstory parts and be totally fine. I did and I never felt I missed anything.

[Misha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

It was ok. I think the fact that they couldn't stay away from each other even though she betrayed him helped. I liked the chemistry between them and the fact that he loved her through it all. In the end, I found him a little bit too much of a good guy. The challenges in the life or death game were not too easy but the whole thing felt a bit generic. One of my fave books by Quinn Blackbird - The Cursed Shadows had a similar premise but it was more gritty. The MMC was darker and I FELT his conflict. I liked how he punished her and I liked how she responded in kind. This was a bit of a milder version of that.

I felt compelled to finish the book but not so compelled to keep going on to book 2. I think if I were a different type of reader and hadn't read all the other nastier books first, I'd really enjoy this. Don't get me wrong - it's a pretty good story. It's more a "It's me, not you" situation. I just need more depravity - don't judge.

[katie♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a lot of D.N. Hoxa's books- especially the Elysean Trials, the Dark Shade trilogy, the New Orleans Shade trilogy- etc. Those are all 5s for me.
I was a little less into Mud than those. Maybe it's because the FMC's constant biting her tongue, holding everything in, got a bit repetitive- especially in a book as long as this. I also didn't get some of the MMC's actions. The amount of time-skipping gave me a bit of whiplash, and it made it hard for me to feel fully immersed in the world.
But, there were a lot of plusses: the magic system is really unique and interesting, the dynamic between FMC and her place of employment is complex and unexpected, and her relationship with her family added a lot of depth. Also, the steamy scenes are absolutely DREAMY. 🔥 I still did enjoy this book overall, and I look forward to reading the next in the series.

[Carmen Estrada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read ❤️

I knew it! Well not exactly as it ended but close! I mean how else did he end up there! That was a nagging question I had. I love the authors writing and imagination! Only thing is-which seems to be the same for every FL, they cry soooooo much. I’m not a big fan of crying. But that’s just me. Other than that great story flow. Loved the ML. He’s apparently very sexy. So she kept repeating geez, I get it, I’m jealous already 😆 I feel so bad for the poor dude from white magic, the one she kissed. I hope he’s ok but I have a sneaking suspicion he’s going to make an appearance. Good or bad? I’m excited to find out. Even if his time was up in the story line, I’m still excited. Goodness I hate her grandmother. She a bish. Great story loving it ❤️ recommend.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story. It introduces us to Rosa and get a feel for her character and know she is one of the good guys while Taland is the bad guy. But as I continued to read the story really made me stop and think what was really going on as everyone seems to have secrets. And the line between the good and bad is so so grey here. Loved the fact that it really is not the typical romance and there are so many secrets to be unveiled. I loved the characters and world introduced here and expect some crazy secrets and other drama to be unveiled to come. Fast paced, intrigue and drama galore, and so many hidden secrets to be found. Loved it and I was hooked form the beginning and read it in one sitting.

[Mappy BookGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.N. Hoxa is one of my favorite authors, I have yet to read a work of theirs that I did not love every minute of. Mud is no exception. The world building was phenomenal - I really enjoyed learning about this unique color based magic system in this world and how it is used to define a person. That your magic is what makes you, so the weaker you are the harder life is. It made for an interesting concept and plot along with interesting characters. I loved that despite everything that happens between them, the FMC and MMC still have feelings for each other and they keep fighting it. Plus the spice was spicy but not a main part of the book. This book is definitely one I enjoyed, and I need the next one ASAP!

[Shae Withington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dark and twisted fantasy is packed with action, magic, and a gripping romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Rosabel “Rora” La Rough, a Redfire mage, is sent undercover to investigate Taland Tivoux, a bad boy with secrets, but ends up falling for him. When Taland’s true intentions are revealed, he is imprisoned, only to escape two years later, threatening Rora's safety and peace. The story takes a thrilling turn when Rora is forced into the Iris Roe, a deadly competition where survival is uncertain. With captivating characters and intense twists, this book is a page-turner that left me eagerly awaiting the sequel.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your normal love story. It’s a darker, a more intense read, thrilling, gripping and has you hooked from the get go. Our heroine Rora betrays the “hero / villain”. Taland, and puts him away in prison, that is until he escapes and is hunting Rose for revenge! Left to fend for herself in a deadly magical competition, Rora must rely on her strength, her wits and her skills as an agent to survive this torment. The world building is incredible, the characters are relatable, complex and intriguing and the storyline, well we start with a bang and hit the ground running! Exciting, thrilling, enthralling, I loved this and am excited for more!

[Nickole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rcvd an advanced reader copy from the author in exchange for giving a review. DN never disappoints!! We meet Rose, an agent for the IDD and her grandmother's biggest disappointment. In the middle of thr night she gets a text from an unknown number...a text that she knew she's receive one day but not this soon. Raised by her grandmother along with her cousin when both sets of parents died in a plane crash, Rose has always stayed in the shadows so to speak as her grandmother trained her cousin in magic. All that changes when as a teenager, the new head of thr IDD picks Rose for an undercover mission. She didn't plan on falling in love with the target, Taland and he didn't plan in her betrayal. On one mission with her team, she is injured while her team captain had orders to kill her...WTH!! She was ultimately saved but has become a stain, a Mud...a brown coloured magic person who really can't do magic and an even biggest disappointment to her grandmother. Injured and locked in an interrogation room, Rose escapes and learns that someone at the IDD orders the hit on her life. With nowhere to go, there is only one place she can think of...and that's into the arms of the one man who wants her dead. Now as an illegal entry into the iris roe, a deadly game of magic, Rose must find 5 keys for a chance to get her magic back, but she doesn't take into consideration the fact that people die in this game and Taland is in fact in the game with her. Can

[Sissy Satterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rora & Taland
This is a dark and steamy story with twists and turns that I never saw coming. In my opinion Rora and Taland are both having one rough go at their lives. Rosa is done wrong by those she trusted. Well I have to say the twists just kept coming, and kept me reading, needing to know what happens next. I recommend as a keep you on the edge of your seat story!!! I Loved It!!! No Spoilers!
I received an ARC and I am Leaving this Totally Honest Review because I Choose to and Loved this Book!!!

[Amanda Geiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoxa did it again!! This new tale takes on some magic twist with a lot of delight and some spice.
The main female lead, Rosa, has a lot to face and overcome. None of its easy. And Taland is a dark mystery you just have to love to know. It's not an easy beginning and the way this book will have you on the edge of your seat at the end wishing you know what is going to happen next is frustratingly fantastic. Can not wait for the next book.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your normal love story as is is dark as she will turn her lover in who ends up in jail. Her life will change when she loses her magic but she needs magic to win a dangerous game. He will break out of jail and is now after her. A brilliant read which will get your hook ed as you want to see what will happen next. See just how it will all end
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and was so caught up in this great tale

[Bookish Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am totally obsessed!! This book is so so good! The way the magic system is built is also just so original and fun to discover. The world building is fantastic and I could not put it down. The plot is fast paced and definitely kept me on the edge of my seat! I love the characters, especially the FMC. There is lots of steam and fantastic storytelling at the same time. So hard to do. I can’t wait for more! Read this book! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

[Taryn Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to DN Hoxa and HiddenGems for this arc copy for review!

This book reminded me of Agenda 21, Hunger Games, Divergent with fairytale magic and my hottest dark romance novels all rolled into one. Before, I wouldn't have imagined that all working in a book! But it does in Mud! I didn't want to put it down. The mystery, the suspense, the angst of Rora trying to fight... SO GOOD! I am going to have to dive into D.N's other work now!

[Carmen Alicea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mud by D.N. Hoxa is not your average love story. It's darker, grittier, and oh-so-intense. The heroine? She's the one who betrayed the boy and put him in prison. The "hero"? Taland Tivoux, who's more villain than savior, is out for revenge.

Thrown into a deadly magical competition, Rose has no magic, no allies, and no way to avoid Taland's wrath. The stakes are life and death, and the chemistry between these two is fiery, complicated, and completely addictive.

Mud is a must-read if you love morally gray characters, high-stakes danger, and a romance that keeps you on edge. Brace yourself this one's a wild, wicked ride.

[Rebelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains my most favorite trope- lovers to enemies to lovers. It kills me to see the betrayal and the lies and secrets and hurt, but then when they through it and past it, it makes a really emotional story. The worldbuilding is solid too, and the game is entertaining and fast-paced. The secrets and the flashbacks place the perfect small pieces throughout the story at the perfect times to keep it going and flowing. The cliffhanger was crazy and I’m glad I can dive right into book 2!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this book was a rollercoaster then I just got off one hell of a ride. Hoxa just has a way with words and her books just slay. This is no exception. The main characters are freaking amazing and the storyline is unreal. So looking forward to to the next in this series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Samm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good smutty fantasy book. Be warned for that, it's also dark and twisted with magic and action. I highly enjoyed this very much and I stayed up reading this and finished it the next day. If you're a fan of Hunger Games with well smut, this book is for you.

I received an ARC of this and gave my honest opinion

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoxa outdid herself this time. I think this might be my favorite book from her so far. In this new fantasy world of different Iridians and their differed colored magic, we follow Rose and Taland in the present with snapshots of what happened 2 years ago. I loved their chemistry together and they just have such a "perfect match" quality to them. The book ends in a cliffhanger.

[Michalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Chromatic Mages series and it was intense. The story was dark and gritty. I felt so bad for both Rosabel Taland. They both got the bad end of the stick. The characters and the world building were amazing. I was compelled to keep reading this story and I want to read the next. This is definitely a must read.

[Abigail Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew, just when I thought I was gonna hate it - Could. Not. Put. It. Down. Oh my goodness, well written, great plot, there are no words, I couldn’t stop reading, I almost didn’t go get my ears pierced and go see my horse like I was supposed to because of this, I did go, but I read in the car on the way there that’s for sure, no social media doom scroll for me today. Wow.