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The Bloodroot #1
Roots that Bleed
Danger.
There are dangerous things happening in Silverbrook. I can feel them in my bones. I can see them on the faces of my brother’s crew when they march out onto the streets with tension etched into their shoulders. I can hear them in their voices when they tell me not to worry.
As the sister of the leader of the local street gang, I'm supposed to be acquainted with danger by now. I've felt it my whole life, like a lurker standing behind my window in the night. Watching me but never coming in. Getting to know me without me ever looking it in the eye.
Still, I never thought I'd actually feel it on my own skin.
But when my brother makes a mistake so grave that there's no going back, my whole world turns upside down. I must learn to dive into the deep right away when monsters grip at my ankles and pull me down.
I’ve been given away to them by my brother like a bargaining chip.
Three men—Irvin, Aaron, and Snake—take me as their own. Into their arms, into their mansion, into their wicked lives.
They shatter everything I've ever known. And I realize that everything might not have been what it even seemed.
Because together with them, other dangers come. Ones, which I'm not sure I'm ready for.
Street gang meets royalty in a dark romance setting full of twists and turns. There wasn't even a fight, but there sure is a war. On which side will Lorelei Reily stand? Unless there are more than two to choose from... What will she do, then?
Please This book contains explicit content, including mature language, violence, sexual situations, and trigger warnings (please see them listed on the first page of the book). This story is a Reverse Harem one, meaning that the heroine will end up with more than one love interest. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age. This is book 1 from 'The Bloodroot' series, and, as a part of a longer story, it ends on a cliffhanger.
There are dangerous things happening in Silverbrook. I can feel them in my bones. I can see them on the faces of my brother’s crew when they march out onto the streets with tension etched into their shoulders. I can hear them in their voices when they tell me not to worry.
As the sister of the leader of the local street gang, I'm supposed to be acquainted with danger by now. I've felt it my whole life, like a lurker standing behind my window in the night. Watching me but never coming in. Getting to know me without me ever looking it in the eye.
Still, I never thought I'd actually feel it on my own skin.
But when my brother makes a mistake so grave that there's no going back, my whole world turns upside down. I must learn to dive into the deep right away when monsters grip at my ankles and pull me down.
I’ve been given away to them by my brother like a bargaining chip.
Three men—Irvin, Aaron, and Snake—take me as their own. Into their arms, into their mansion, into their wicked lives.
They shatter everything I've ever known. And I realize that everything might not have been what it even seemed.
Because together with them, other dangers come. Ones, which I'm not sure I'm ready for.
Street gang meets royalty in a dark romance setting full of twists and turns. There wasn't even a fight, but there sure is a war. On which side will Lorelei Reily stand? Unless there are more than two to choose from... What will she do, then?
Please This book contains explicit content, including mature language, violence, sexual situations, and trigger warnings (please see them listed on the first page of the book). This story is a Reverse Harem one, meaning that the heroine will end up with more than one love interest. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age. This is book 1 from 'The Bloodroot' series, and, as a part of a longer story, it ends on a cliffhanger.
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About the author
Pen Mucching
9 books61 followersIf I were a quote, I’d probably fall somewhere between “Ars longa, vita brevis” and “I couldn’t help but wonder... was I addicted to the drama? Or was I just hopelessly romantic?”
Ideally, something right in the middle—ambitious, a little chaotic, and deeply in my feelings.
I’m someone constantly caught between daydreaming, trying to improve at everything I do, and being mildly awkward (online and off). If you tell me you love my stories, I probably won’t know what to say—even though I’ll be absolutely thrilled inside.
Genre-wise, I go wherever inspiration takes me: Reverse Harem, dark romance, horror, standalones, series—I love exploring it all. If it makes me feel something, I want to write it.
So maybe, just maybe, there’s a story on my backlist with your name on it. And if it’s not there yet, chances are it’s brewing in my head.
Come hang out in my Facebook group, The Hideout, or check out my website for updates, new releases, and whatever weird little world I’m building next.
**I use this account occasionally and tend to update the books I've read in bulk**
Ideally, something right in the middle—ambitious, a little chaotic, and deeply in my feelings.
I’m someone constantly caught between daydreaming, trying to improve at everything I do, and being mildly awkward (online and off). If you tell me you love my stories, I probably won’t know what to say—even though I’ll be absolutely thrilled inside.
Genre-wise, I go wherever inspiration takes me: Reverse Harem, dark romance, horror, standalones, series—I love exploring it all. If it makes me feel something, I want to write it.
So maybe, just maybe, there’s a story on my backlist with your name on it. And if it’s not there yet, chances are it’s brewing in my head.
Come hang out in my Facebook group, The Hideout, or check out my website for updates, new releases, and whatever weird little world I’m building next.
**I use this account occasionally and tend to update the books I've read in bulk**
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
October 27, 2024
I was provided an e-copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
✅ Multiple POVs
✅ Characters
✅ Mafia/gang vibes
✅ Captor/captive dynamic
✅ Reverse harem
✅ Some smut but no insta-lust
✅ Betrayals
✅ Hate-to-I-think-I-like-you
✅(🆗) Plot (I still have many questions)
✅(🆗) Pace
❗️❗️Mild cliffhanger
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: Explicit/vulgar speech, mentions of torture, explosion, dub-con, manipulation, voyeurism, and some exhibitionism
Strong 3.5 stars
For once, the hate didn't turn into insta-lust just because the MC couldn't resist the men's good looks, and I am thankful for that.
Lorelei Riley is the adoptive sister of the local gang’s leader, Ryder. When Ryder’s latest scheme goes to hell, he sells his sister to the Lionharts in exchange for them leaving him and his operation alive. So Lorelei finds herself at the mercy of three strangers, but the more time she spends in their mansion, the more she realizes that there is something else out there lurking and that the three men holding her captive might not be the biggest threat to Lorelei’s freedom and happiness.
Lorelei comes from the street, but despite being the adoptive sister of a gang leader, she lived a relatively sheltered life. She is a badass, but she is also vulnerable and we can see that she was kept away from the criminal life her brother is living. She was never allowed to take part in the gang’s schemes or meetings and was kept in the dark for most of the gang’s operations, even though she desperately wanted to feel included and useful. It appeared at first as a way for her brother to protect her and keep her away from a life of crime, but as the story unfolds, we come to realize that maybe it was only a way to control her and keep her under his thumb. Still, I have no idea if Ryder had a bigger plan for Lorelei, or why exactly he played the protective brother, only to give her away without much remorse…
So, after this heartbreaking betrayal, Lorelei finds herself sharing a mansion with Snake, Irvin, and Aaron. Three enigmatic, mysterious, and deliciously dark men who seem to be obsessed with Lorelei.
Aaron Lionhart is hot and cold, and I think even he doesn’t know how he feels most of the time. He is the sole heir of his grandfather, but to get access to the money and assets, he needs to marry. He knows that he needs Lorelei for his plan to work, but he doesn’t care about Lorelei or want to spend time with her. When he does force himself to come out of his shell though, he shows a softer side when compared to his two adoptive brothers. He is not nice or kind, but he seems to be the nicest and kindest out of the three.
Snake is the definition of a control freak. It is hinted that he has a dark past and that he was not treated well by Aaron’s grandfather, but there is still much mystery around him, giving him this dark but appealing aura. I do hope that we will learn more about his past and traumas in the next book and that he will allow himself to be more vulnerable with Lorelei, because while I enjoy the dark aura, the nastiness that comes with it most of the time is not sexy.
Irvin is unhinged, and slightly psychotic most of the time. He thrives on adrenaline and pain, and it shows from his very first interaction with Lorelei. He is dangerous and scary, but she comes to realize quickly that he would never hurt her. Irvin is the type that would burn down the world to save Lorelei… or simply because he’s bored and is looking for something to do to occupy his Sunday afternoon.
I was super happy to see that the author was maybe planning on having Dig be a part of Lorelei’s romantic life with the Lionhart, but then I was disappointed to see that this particular plotline didn’t lead anywhere, yet. Dig’s presence only served as a way for the Lionharts to threaten Lorelei and make sure she obeys them, and to show us readers that he is also into Lorelei, but nothing has come out of it for now, and Dig was mostly absent from the book, sadly.
The hate-to-love relationship between Lorelei and the three men was well-paced and developed for the most part. She truly despised them, and while she found them gorgeous, she was able to resist the urge to rub herself all over them and was not driven only by her lust and hormones, which I really appreciate. It’s what I struggle most with this type of mafia vibe/kidnapping romances, too often it starts with hate, only to shift into lust as soon as the MC takes the time to look at the men. In this book, Lorelei tries her best to ignore her physical attraction to the men, and even when she is attracted to them, she can rationalize that she still hates them and needs to destroy them even though her body responds to them and “betrays her”.
There is a “turning point” at which she decides to give one of them a show of sorts, knowing very well that there are cameras in her room and that he will see her, and this is the part I struggled with. Everything was fine until that moment. I couldn’t figure out why she decided to do it, she makes it seem as though it’s a taunt, and it will make them regret messing with her, but I do think that there are other ways to make them regret that would be much more efficient than touching yourself in front of the cameras they’re watching.
That being said, I still enjoyed the relationship development, and contrary to too many books of this genre I read in the past few years, it didn’t turn into insta-lust. I think another reason this romance worked well is the fact that the guys were never truly mean to Lorelei. Sure, they took her from her family and threatened to hurt her friend if she didn’t go with their plan, but they never hurt her or made her feel like she should fear for her safety.
On a side note, I am still wondering who Cassidy (or Katherine as she was called a few times, I assume Katherine is her real name and Cassidy her alias) is portraying as. She spends time at Lorelei’s school and is looking into Lorelei’s attendance and the time she spent there, as a what exactly? I get that she is working undercover, but what is her cover? A social worker? An investigator? It’s unclear to me who she pretends to be, and because of that, I struggle to understand how she can have any power in the school unless the principal knows she is undercover, or how Irvin and the guys are not suspicious when she asks so many questions about Lorelei.
Overall, I had a good time reading this book, and it lived up to my expectations. I enjoyed the main character, and she didn’t make too many questionable choices or let herself be driven by her lust for sexy alpha men, which is great because I am very picky when it comes to hate to love and captor/captive dynamics. The men are ruthless and not the nicest, but they are not mean or violent when it comes to Lorelei, and there is just enough mystery and sexual tension for me to be intrigued and to want to read the next book asap.
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✅ Multiple POVs
✅ Characters
✅ Mafia/gang vibes
✅ Captor/captive dynamic
✅ Reverse harem
✅ Some smut but no insta-lust
✅ Betrayals
✅ Hate-to-I-think-I-like-you
✅(🆗) Plot (I still have many questions)
✅(🆗) Pace
❗️❗️Mild cliffhanger
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: Explicit/vulgar speech, mentions of torture, explosion, dub-con, manipulation, voyeurism, and some exhibitionism
Strong 3.5 stars
For once, the hate didn't turn into insta-lust just because the MC couldn't resist the men's good looks, and I am thankful for that.
money is golden but family is sacred
Lorelei Riley is the adoptive sister of the local gang’s leader, Ryder. When Ryder’s latest scheme goes to hell, he sells his sister to the Lionharts in exchange for them leaving him and his operation alive. So Lorelei finds herself at the mercy of three strangers, but the more time she spends in their mansion, the more she realizes that there is something else out there lurking and that the three men holding her captive might not be the biggest threat to Lorelei’s freedom and happiness.
Snake doesn’t know that what hurts most is not thinking about my brother. It’s the fact that when you trust somebody with your life and they trample all over it, you feel like you will never trust anybody like that again.
Lorelei comes from the street, but despite being the adoptive sister of a gang leader, she lived a relatively sheltered life. She is a badass, but she is also vulnerable and we can see that she was kept away from the criminal life her brother is living. She was never allowed to take part in the gang’s schemes or meetings and was kept in the dark for most of the gang’s operations, even though she desperately wanted to feel included and useful. It appeared at first as a way for her brother to protect her and keep her away from a life of crime, but as the story unfolds, we come to realize that maybe it was only a way to control her and keep her under his thumb. Still, I have no idea if Ryder had a bigger plan for Lorelei, or why exactly he played the protective brother, only to give her away without much remorse…
So, after this heartbreaking betrayal, Lorelei finds herself sharing a mansion with Snake, Irvin, and Aaron. Three enigmatic, mysterious, and deliciously dark men who seem to be obsessed with Lorelei.
I swear, he's got to be the meanest guy with the prettiest face I've ever seen.
Aaron Lionhart is hot and cold, and I think even he doesn’t know how he feels most of the time. He is the sole heir of his grandfather, but to get access to the money and assets, he needs to marry. He knows that he needs Lorelei for his plan to work, but he doesn’t care about Lorelei or want to spend time with her. When he does force himself to come out of his shell though, he shows a softer side when compared to his two adoptive brothers. He is not nice or kind, but he seems to be the nicest and kindest out of the three.
Snake is the definition of a control freak. It is hinted that he has a dark past and that he was not treated well by Aaron’s grandfather, but there is still much mystery around him, giving him this dark but appealing aura. I do hope that we will learn more about his past and traumas in the next book and that he will allow himself to be more vulnerable with Lorelei, because while I enjoy the dark aura, the nastiness that comes with it most of the time is not sexy.
Because the real art of killing is making your target scared shitless. It’s convincing them that death will come slowly and painfully, and you’ll justify every single moment of bringing it about. Because you're a damn psycho. A nutjob. An unpredictable artist acting on the whim of the muse.
Irvin is unhinged, and slightly psychotic most of the time. He thrives on adrenaline and pain, and it shows from his very first interaction with Lorelei. He is dangerous and scary, but she comes to realize quickly that he would never hurt her. Irvin is the type that would burn down the world to save Lorelei… or simply because he’s bored and is looking for something to do to occupy his Sunday afternoon.
I was super happy to see that the author was maybe planning on having Dig be a part of Lorelei’s romantic life with the Lionhart, but then I was disappointed to see that this particular plotline didn’t lead anywhere, yet. Dig’s presence only served as a way for the Lionharts to threaten Lorelei and make sure she obeys them, and to show us readers that he is also into Lorelei, but nothing has come out of it for now, and Dig was mostly absent from the book, sadly.
As long as Snake wants it, then it’s happening. As long as it will save Dig, then it’s happening. As long as I don’t have a choice, then it’s happening.
Ugh, is this how Stockholm syndrome begins? First, I get isolated, and then I start feeling some sort of connection to my captors...
The hate-to-love relationship between Lorelei and the three men was well-paced and developed for the most part. She truly despised them, and while she found them gorgeous, she was able to resist the urge to rub herself all over them and was not driven only by her lust and hormones, which I really appreciate. It’s what I struggle most with this type of mafia vibe/kidnapping romances, too often it starts with hate, only to shift into lust as soon as the MC takes the time to look at the men. In this book, Lorelei tries her best to ignore her physical attraction to the men, and even when she is attracted to them, she can rationalize that she still hates them and needs to destroy them even though her body responds to them and “betrays her”.
There is a “turning point” at which she decides to give one of them a show of sorts, knowing very well that there are cameras in her room and that he will see her, and this is the part I struggled with. Everything was fine until that moment. I couldn’t figure out why she decided to do it, she makes it seem as though it’s a taunt, and it will make them regret messing with her, but I do think that there are other ways to make them regret that would be much more efficient than touching yourself in front of the cameras they’re watching.
That being said, I still enjoyed the relationship development, and contrary to too many books of this genre I read in the past few years, it didn’t turn into insta-lust. I think another reason this romance worked well is the fact that the guys were never truly mean to Lorelei. Sure, they took her from her family and threatened to hurt her friend if she didn’t go with their plan, but they never hurt her or made her feel like she should fear for her safety.
On a side note, I am still wondering who Cassidy (or Katherine as she was called a few times, I assume Katherine is her real name and Cassidy her alias) is portraying as. She spends time at Lorelei’s school and is looking into Lorelei’s attendance and the time she spent there, as a what exactly? I get that she is working undercover, but what is her cover? A social worker? An investigator? It’s unclear to me who she pretends to be, and because of that, I struggle to understand how she can have any power in the school unless the principal knows she is undercover, or how Irvin and the guys are not suspicious when she asks so many questions about Lorelei.
Overall, I had a good time reading this book, and it lived up to my expectations. I enjoyed the main character, and she didn’t make too many questionable choices or let herself be driven by her lust for sexy alpha men, which is great because I am very picky when it comes to hate to love and captor/captive dynamics. The men are ruthless and not the nicest, but they are not mean or violent when it comes to Lorelei, and there is just enough mystery and sexual tension for me to be intrigued and to want to read the next book asap.
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July 4, 2024
DNF. The writing. Too much not important and the FMC is unlikable. Is she a badass no. Is she capable of anything including a clear thought no. I was forcing myself to keep reading and I just can't anymore.
April 13, 2024
This book was absolutely amazing. Once I started this story, I read it all within 24 hours. I couldn’t stop reading. The guys and their dirty talk 😩🥵🫠 I loved Lorelei, and felt bad for all she went through. On to the 2nd book now , because I can’t get enough of these characters… and I can’t wait for that slow burn to finally give in !! 10/10 please read it, you won’t regret it !
April 29, 2024
Whew, Lore is in for a ride of her life... the betrayal, the confinement, to figuring out what she wants.. who she wants, is an absolute journey. BUT, I am here for it all and I cannot wait to see how she takes it in strides!!
April 5, 2024
Wow when I tell you that this book had me gasping, dropping my jaw and literally teetering on the edge multiple times!!
What starts out as an introduction to Lorelei the cute, innocent sister who desperately wants to be a member of Ryders gang, quickly becomes a tale of rivalry, betrayal, family feuds and some very questionable decisions. Torn between her feelings for Aaron, Snake, Irvin and Dig, Lorelei finds herself questioning who she is and more importantly who she can trust.
I can't wait for book 2!
What starts out as an introduction to Lorelei the cute, innocent sister who desperately wants to be a member of Ryders gang, quickly becomes a tale of rivalry, betrayal, family feuds and some very questionable decisions. Torn between her feelings for Aaron, Snake, Irvin and Dig, Lorelei finds herself questioning who she is and more importantly who she can trust.
I can't wait for book 2!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2024
DNF. Sadly not very well written. Too many missing details and mistakes.
What a dreary book. It feels like it’s been thrown together with different stories going on but it’s so unbelievable. So the plot tells us that Lorelei was saved by Ryder and he looks after her like she’s his sister. It doesn’t read like that at all. Ryder treats her like she’s an annoyance that he has to put up with. There’s no conversations with them, no hugs, no chats. He often disappears for days or weeks as Lorelei is in a boarding school for kids like her. It’s like he’s biding his time to use her. All his gang of petty criminals all look down on her and it’s DREARY!
After being with her brother one night it becomes obvious that something bad is going to happen. After Lorelei is dropped back at her boarding school a group of men enter her room looking for her. While she’s hidden in a secret panel at the bottom of the wardrobe they trash her room and destroy everything. After they have gone and she’s surveying the destruction, Irwin one of her future lovers comes into the room. They fight, and she gets turned on. He tells her he went to kill her for revenge on her brother trying to rob his brother. While he’s telling her this he’s rubbing himself on her and SHE’S TURN*D ON!!! 😱 He’s telling her he was going to kill her and splatter her blood across the room and she’s turned on?? WTAF???
Ryder who loves Lorelei so much, gets caught as he’s trying to rob one of the brothers, and he sells Lorelei to save himself. Yeah he really didn’t love her!!! A plot is hatched by the brothers Irwin, (Who is psychotic.) Snake (Who is also psychotic .) and Aaron to force Lorelei to marry Aaron to save them from Harold. No clue who Harold is or why they’re all so scared of him.
NONE OF IT MAKES ANY SENSE! Lorelei lives in a boarding school in a dormitory. Yet she’s really thin as she’s saving for a car with the money that Ryder gives her for food. Why aren’t the school feeding her? She shares a room with another girl and that girl didn’t sleep in her bed the night that it’s trashed. WHERE DID SHE GO? WHY DID NO ONE HEAR HER ROOM BEING TRASHED AND CALL THE POLICE? Then there’s Lorelei. How old is she? One minute she acts like a shy timid virgin, the next she’s rubbing herself on the psychotic Irwin! Who trashed Lorelei’s room? It never says, and Irwin denies it was his men. So who did? It implies that Irwin is going to kill all the men but never says how or if he did!!! AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!
I didn’t finish it for so many reasons. It’s so badly written that it’s annoying. One final thing. I’m assuming/guessing Lorelei is 17 as she’s in a state boarding school. So isn’t that illegal that she’s going to be the brothers lover? It never says her age so I’m guessing. I’m really not interested in reading about a 17 year old girl having sex with four men. It’s gross. 🤮
What a dreary book. It feels like it’s been thrown together with different stories going on but it’s so unbelievable. So the plot tells us that Lorelei was saved by Ryder and he looks after her like she’s his sister. It doesn’t read like that at all. Ryder treats her like she’s an annoyance that he has to put up with. There’s no conversations with them, no hugs, no chats. He often disappears for days or weeks as Lorelei is in a boarding school for kids like her. It’s like he’s biding his time to use her. All his gang of petty criminals all look down on her and it’s DREARY!
After being with her brother one night it becomes obvious that something bad is going to happen. After Lorelei is dropped back at her boarding school a group of men enter her room looking for her. While she’s hidden in a secret panel at the bottom of the wardrobe they trash her room and destroy everything. After they have gone and she’s surveying the destruction, Irwin one of her future lovers comes into the room. They fight, and she gets turned on. He tells her he went to kill her for revenge on her brother trying to rob his brother. While he’s telling her this he’s rubbing himself on her and SHE’S TURN*D ON!!! 😱 He’s telling her he was going to kill her and splatter her blood across the room and she’s turned on?? WTAF???
Ryder who loves Lorelei so much, gets caught as he’s trying to rob one of the brothers, and he sells Lorelei to save himself. Yeah he really didn’t love her!!! A plot is hatched by the brothers Irwin, (Who is psychotic.) Snake (Who is also psychotic .) and Aaron to force Lorelei to marry Aaron to save them from Harold. No clue who Harold is or why they’re all so scared of him.
NONE OF IT MAKES ANY SENSE! Lorelei lives in a boarding school in a dormitory. Yet she’s really thin as she’s saving for a car with the money that Ryder gives her for food. Why aren’t the school feeding her? She shares a room with another girl and that girl didn’t sleep in her bed the night that it’s trashed. WHERE DID SHE GO? WHY DID NO ONE HEAR HER ROOM BEING TRASHED AND CALL THE POLICE? Then there’s Lorelei. How old is she? One minute she acts like a shy timid virgin, the next she’s rubbing herself on the psychotic Irwin! Who trashed Lorelei’s room? It never says, and Irwin denies it was his men. So who did? It implies that Irwin is going to kill all the men but never says how or if he did!!! AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!
I didn’t finish it for so many reasons. It’s so badly written that it’s annoying. One final thing. I’m assuming/guessing Lorelei is 17 as she’s in a state boarding school. So isn’t that illegal that she’s going to be the brothers lover? It never says her age so I’m guessing. I’m really not interested in reading about a 17 year old girl having sex with four men. It’s gross. 🤮
April 5, 2024
Holy cliffhanger Batman!
I need book 2 to come out like right now!
This first book is mostly world building and making you fall in love with the characters. It’s definitely NOT PG but it gives ‘PG version of den of vipers’ vibes with a slow… snail speed burn.
Lorelei is a BA fmc! She’s raised on the streets and the little sister to a huge riding group? Gang? Whatever you want to call it. She’s sheltered like crazy by big bro until he…sells her… to the biggest, scariest group he can find to save his own ass… good job big bro.
Now for the men:
Aaron is the golden retriever, or I guess golden lion and had me kicking my feet, giggling with the things he’d say or do.
Then comes Irvin. Irvin is MAD. And has no filter. He’s the salt in your wounds, the gravel in your scraped knee, the lemon juice in your cut… The brute. Love his crazy.
Lastly the control freak… Snake. He’s also big and tough but he has a history… and skeletons in his closet and demons hanging over his head.
Side characters wise I loved Dorothea. She’s hilarious.
Great first book to a series!
🌶️🌶️
I need book 2 to come out like right now!
This first book is mostly world building and making you fall in love with the characters. It’s definitely NOT PG but it gives ‘PG version of den of vipers’ vibes with a slow… snail speed burn.
Lorelei is a BA fmc! She’s raised on the streets and the little sister to a huge riding group? Gang? Whatever you want to call it. She’s sheltered like crazy by big bro until he…sells her… to the biggest, scariest group he can find to save his own ass… good job big bro.
Now for the men:
Aaron is the golden retriever, or I guess golden lion and had me kicking my feet, giggling with the things he’d say or do.
Then comes Irvin. Irvin is MAD. And has no filter. He’s the salt in your wounds, the gravel in your scraped knee, the lemon juice in your cut… The brute. Love his crazy.
Lastly the control freak… Snake. He’s also big and tough but he has a history… and skeletons in his closet and demons hanging over his head.
Side characters wise I loved Dorothea. She’s hilarious.
Great first book to a series!
🌶️🌶️
December 11, 2024
Breathtakibg
Saying your on a rollercoaster with this book doesn't do it justice it's more like free falling without a parachute .
Such likeable characters who also let reveal the background stories behind themselves , you start off thinking them a monster but then the sympathy kicks in & you think maybe they aren't so bad
Another author who leaves you screaming at at a Cliff hanger or is that just me .ionwards to the next in series
Saying your on a rollercoaster with this book doesn't do it justice it's more like free falling without a parachute .
Such likeable characters who also let reveal the background stories behind themselves , you start off thinking them a monster but then the sympathy kicks in & you think maybe they aren't so bad
Another author who leaves you screaming at at a Cliff hanger or is that just me .ionwards to the next in series
September 3, 2024
2 stars = DNFd at 26%
So I decided to read this after seeing an ad for it. The FMC definitely comes across as TSTL(too stupid to live). I'm also not 100% sure about the storyline it's somewhat confusing and there's a lot going on and it's also very repetitive. They all live in the bad side of town and there's lots of orphaned kids. I'm not sure if her brother is actually her brother or she's just someone that took her under his wing when she was very very young and she now calls her brother. The story basically starts with her annoying the shit out of everyone and how she wants to be involved in the gang more I guess but everyone else wants to kind of protect her. She apparently goes to a boarding school that is for like or from children in the area. Just kind of odd when later if they talk in the story about her and not even going to classes and failing out and things like that. It's kind of like what's the point of her even going to the school at all when she could just go live at the hangout for the gang. I dont know the storyline just didnt flow well. The story was just all over the place and very repetitive and the FMC didn't do a lot to actually keep yourself alive. Ended up DNFing at about 26% which is like 100 pages in. Especially after her dorm room got broken into and she had to hide from people that were trying to kill her essentially and then she still decided to go to the clubhouse when she hadn't heard from anyone. It was all over the place.
So I decided to read this after seeing an ad for it. The FMC definitely comes across as TSTL(too stupid to live). I'm also not 100% sure about the storyline it's somewhat confusing and there's a lot going on and it's also very repetitive. They all live in the bad side of town and there's lots of orphaned kids. I'm not sure if her brother is actually her brother or she's just someone that took her under his wing when she was very very young and she now calls her brother. The story basically starts with her annoying the shit out of everyone and how she wants to be involved in the gang more I guess but everyone else wants to kind of protect her. She apparently goes to a boarding school that is for like or from children in the area. Just kind of odd when later if they talk in the story about her and not even going to classes and failing out and things like that. It's kind of like what's the point of her even going to the school at all when she could just go live at the hangout for the gang. I dont know the storyline just didnt flow well. The story was just all over the place and very repetitive and the FMC didn't do a lot to actually keep yourself alive. Ended up DNFing at about 26% which is like 100 pages in. Especially after her dorm room got broken into and she had to hide from people that were trying to kill her essentially and then she still decided to go to the clubhouse when she hadn't heard from anyone. It was all over the place.
April 1, 2024
This was a great start to a new series! I felt like there's enough character introduction and world building that the plot felt seamless. I never felt it was too slow or too fast to grasp. There is angst, tension, betrayal, deceit, mystery, angst and a cliff hanger. You will fall in love with Lorelei she is sassy but knows enough of the world to not be all innocent. Snake, Irvin and Aaron all bring a different personality to the mix when it comes to the world they live in and Lorelei. It seems like everyone has an agenda. There's a cliffhanger so I'm impatiently waiting book 2! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 3, 2024
I want to see where these roots lead is more like it!!! Haha!! Pen Mucching captivates you from the start with this book. I needed to see where those roots go!! Take a walk on the wild and dark side with this one!! Can't wait to read more from her!! Also, great pen name, touche, haha!!
March 24, 2024
what do you do when the person you trust the most betrays you….
This was a slow build/burn why choose. Lorelei our FMC has really lived a caged life and the one thing she always believed in coming from the streets is family no matter what. So what do you do when family betrays you. Ryder her brother makes some poor choices leading to her being handed over to the Lionharts so she believes she moves from one cage to another just richer and prettier. All really isn’t want it seemed.
I am so glad I picked up Pens book. Roots that Bleed was well written with characters that you want to learn more about. Hidden agendas and threats you don’t see coming.
You have Snake with his control issues, Irvin the unhinged psycho and Aaron the Lionhart heir and Lorelei is is a mix of snark, sass and fear. This ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to dive into the next book to get more answers and see how things are going to work out.
This was a slow build/burn why choose. Lorelei our FMC has really lived a caged life and the one thing she always believed in coming from the streets is family no matter what. So what do you do when family betrays you. Ryder her brother makes some poor choices leading to her being handed over to the Lionharts so she believes she moves from one cage to another just richer and prettier. All really isn’t want it seemed.
I am so glad I picked up Pens book. Roots that Bleed was well written with characters that you want to learn more about. Hidden agendas and threats you don’t see coming.
You have Snake with his control issues, Irvin the unhinged psycho and Aaron the Lionhart heir and Lorelei is is a mix of snark, sass and fear. This ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to dive into the next book to get more answers and see how things are going to work out.
March 21, 2024
Great
This was a great debut, really well written and with just enough intrigue and mystery to keep it interesting but not so drawn out as to become boring. I enjoyed Lorelei and her mixed emotions, she felt real and honest, her body betrayed her but she was able to fight it most of the time unlike most fmcs. Can't wait for book 2.
This was a great debut, really well written and with just enough intrigue and mystery to keep it interesting but not so drawn out as to become boring. I enjoyed Lorelei and her mixed emotions, she felt real and honest, her body betrayed her but she was able to fight it most of the time unlike most fmcs. Can't wait for book 2.
March 20, 2024
This book was amazing, the emotions it instills hit really close to home. It showed the dark side of family and how blood is not always thicker than water. My favorite quote was "money is golden but family is sacred". You learn quickly that betrayal hurts the worst. This book leaves you wanting more all the way up to the end. I adore Lorelei and her feisty spirit. She was a fighter through and through even when she was broken beyond belief. The variation in her encounters and relationships with the boys will have you enraptured. Ivan's it pure carnal desire, Snakes is mysterious and leaves you with so many questions, and Aaron's is the assumed villain to live of your life that every dark romance girly dreams of. And to top it off the villain in the story is who you'd least expect. I highly recommend this if you love Mafia, enemies to lovers, and surprise twists.
March 18, 2024
Check the trigger warnings!
This book so so entertaining. You never knew what the expect. This was a sweet, and spicy mafia romance that kept you turning the pages.
The men found their woman that they intended to seduce, and she ended up seducing them into love.
This was such a spicy and well written novel highly recommend
This book so so entertaining. You never knew what the expect. This was a sweet, and spicy mafia romance that kept you turning the pages.
The men found their woman that they intended to seduce, and she ended up seducing them into love.
This was such a spicy and well written novel highly recommend
February 24, 2024
For the last day I've been left hanging over this incredible tale of lust, betrayal and deliciously dark and haunting guys and their innocent little captive "street girl", that was sold off by her own street pack brother to save his crew. Honestly the sexual tensions and frustration level is just so emotionally delicious for the reader which is one of the key elements that kept me hungering for more in every way. So to finish in a cliffhanger, asking so many questions is just as captivating as the whole idea of this incredibly entertaining Reverse harem story. I thought it was an addictive story filled with such interesting and complex characters, and that is both primary and secondary characters, that enabled me to make the emotional connection to them to want to completely surrender myself to this dark, haunting world of romance. As with most dark romance stories they are possible triggers for readers, so please for your own sense check them out.
Definitely a well devised plot with great characters, action, drama, betrayals, enemies to friends, mystery, suspense and psychological games. But most definitely there is something truly mysterious and calculating that is occurring in the background that is gearing up for some major dramas to come!
Definitely a well devised plot with great characters, action, drama, betrayals, enemies to friends, mystery, suspense and psychological games. But most definitely there is something truly mysterious and calculating that is occurring in the background that is gearing up for some major dramas to come!
March 3, 2024
absolutely amazing
I need the next one!!! That ending left me in a chokehold. Storyline, characters, chemistry, lust, spice, deceit, this book has it all! One of my favs!!
I need the next one!!! That ending left me in a chokehold. Storyline, characters, chemistry, lust, spice, deceit, this book has it all! One of my favs!!
February 22, 2024
When I say this book edged me, holy cow it left me teetering time and time again. Every time Lorelei seemed to get anywhere near getting “closer” to the guys, you get built up, and then…nope! It’s like the whole “want it, can’t have it!” scenario. Don’t get me wrong this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but personally it left me a little disappointed. It does, however, build the suspense nicely for the next book; enough of a carrot being dangled to suck you in and keep you interested, which in itself is very clever. This aside, the book is brilliant and I really enjoyed the read. It is beautifully written - the plot and character development are amazing. I just loved the badass nature of Lorelei yet she still had an innocent vulnerability that can be appreciated. I can already feel myself falling in love with the MMCs even if they do come across as douches! Irvin’s cockiness, tenacity and sarcasm are actually hilarious; Snake’s controlling nature speaks of needing to be a firm hand yet he also displays vulnerability; and Aaron’s nonchalant yet caring personality is endearing.
Would definitely recommend this book! I cannot wait for book 2 in the series.
Would definitely recommend this book! I cannot wait for book 2 in the series.
February 21, 2024
ARC Review:
5/5⭐️, 2/5🌶️
-Multi POV
-Enemies to lovers
-Contemporary Reverse Harem
-Mafia
-Filthy Rich Men
-Dark Romantic Suspense
Oh. My. Goodness. I have so many other words that are definitely not able to be used to describe how I feel. Right from the start I knew I was gonna love Lorelei. The guys took some time to get used to but the spunk and everything that women has just made this so irresistible. Every twist and turn had me going through a maze of emotions. This book is so well written and it’s not hard to tell how much thought was put into it.
This is something I would highly highly recommend!!
5/5⭐️, 2/5🌶️
-Multi POV
-Enemies to lovers
-Contemporary Reverse Harem
-Mafia
-Filthy Rich Men
-Dark Romantic Suspense
Oh. My. Goodness. I have so many other words that are definitely not able to be used to describe how I feel. Right from the start I knew I was gonna love Lorelei. The guys took some time to get used to but the spunk and everything that women has just made this so irresistible. Every twist and turn had me going through a maze of emotions. This book is so well written and it’s not hard to tell how much thought was put into it.
This is something I would highly highly recommend!!
April 1, 2024
10/10 I was immediately sucked into this world! This is a gritty mafia world. The romance is slow burn but 🔥 whoooooweeee is that burn good. There is an air of mystery at the end of this book that leaves you excited for the next.
Great world building and unique characters
TW- dub-con, voyeurism, exhibition, dominance and discipline play, edge play, violent situations, torture type situations, emotional and psychological manipulation.
Great world building and unique characters
TW- dub-con, voyeurism, exhibition, dominance and discipline play, edge play, violent situations, torture type situations, emotional and psychological manipulation.
February 22, 2024
Good start to series
Great start to a series. New to me author. I am looking forward to book 2. Slow burn. Strong female main character.
Great start to a series. New to me author. I am looking forward to book 2. Slow burn. Strong female main character.
February 6, 2025
Plot: 4/5 • Smut: 1/5 ————-> Sold off to a rival crew by her brother. She grows closer and closer to the Lionheart trio as the book progresses. Ends on a cliffy with said brother.
dnf
June 16, 2024DNF at 30%. The writing isn’t great and was taking me out of the story. Plus I didn’t really like any of the characters.
April 22, 2024
"Roots that Bleed" by Pen Mucching is a gripping and intense start to 'The Bloodroot' series, weaving a dark tale of crime, romance, and danger in the streets of Silverbrook. From the opening pages, you can sense the simmering tension, as if something sinister is lurking just out of sight, waiting to strike. The story revolves around Lorelei Reily, a young woman who finds herself at the epicenter of her brother's dangerous street gang life. Though she's grown accustomed to living on the edge, nothing prepares her for the moment when she's given away to three powerful men as part of a deadly bargain.
The plot quickly escalates as Lorelei is thrust into a world where street gangs meet royalty, each character bringing their own flavor of darkness and intrigue. The three men—Irvin, Aaron, and Snake—are enigmatic and captivating, drawing Lorelei into their lives and shattering her previous understanding of her world. Their mansion is as opulent as it is filled with shadows, and the sense of foreboding never quite leaves you as a reader.
Mucching expertly balances the suspense and romance, creating a reverse harem setup that is as complex as it is alluring. The initial pacing may be a bit slow, but once the story gains momentum, it doesn't let go. The dynamic between the main male characters and Lorelei is intricate, with each man bringing something unique to the table, making it easy to understand why the FMC finds herself drawn to them. The chemistry builds gradually, adding depth to the relationships without rushing the development.
The book is not for the faint of heart, containing mature themes, violence, explicit sexual content, and trigger warnings that readers should heed. However, if you're into dark romance with a gritty edge, this story will captivate you. It's a mix of street gang drama and steamy romance, with a plot full of twists and turns that keeps you guessing.
"Roots that Bleed" concludes on a cliffhanger (and it's a doozy), indicating there's much more to come in the series. This might be frustrating for some, but it also leaves you eagerly anticipating the next installment. Overall, it's a compelling read with intriguing characters and a story that pulls you in deeper with each chapter. If you're ready for a dark romance that doesn't shy away from the shadows, give this book a try—you might find yourself as hooked as I was.
The plot quickly escalates as Lorelei is thrust into a world where street gangs meet royalty, each character bringing their own flavor of darkness and intrigue. The three men—Irvin, Aaron, and Snake—are enigmatic and captivating, drawing Lorelei into their lives and shattering her previous understanding of her world. Their mansion is as opulent as it is filled with shadows, and the sense of foreboding never quite leaves you as a reader.
Mucching expertly balances the suspense and romance, creating a reverse harem setup that is as complex as it is alluring. The initial pacing may be a bit slow, but once the story gains momentum, it doesn't let go. The dynamic between the main male characters and Lorelei is intricate, with each man bringing something unique to the table, making it easy to understand why the FMC finds herself drawn to them. The chemistry builds gradually, adding depth to the relationships without rushing the development.
The book is not for the faint of heart, containing mature themes, violence, explicit sexual content, and trigger warnings that readers should heed. However, if you're into dark romance with a gritty edge, this story will captivate you. It's a mix of street gang drama and steamy romance, with a plot full of twists and turns that keeps you guessing.
"Roots that Bleed" concludes on a cliffhanger (and it's a doozy), indicating there's much more to come in the series. This might be frustrating for some, but it also leaves you eagerly anticipating the next installment. Overall, it's a compelling read with intriguing characters and a story that pulls you in deeper with each chapter. If you're ready for a dark romance that doesn't shy away from the shadows, give this book a try—you might find yourself as hooked as I was.
April 6, 2024
This a dark romance that has to do with street gangs and violence. It is also a reverse harem and slow burn. Lorelei Reily wishes she could be a part of her brother's gang. Ryder, her brother, is the leader of the riders and doesn't want Lorelei involved. I'm not sure if it's because Lorelei is a girl, her age, or her brother thinks she's too delicate? Ryder makes a big mistake though. That puts Lorelei on the radar of Snake, Irvin, and Aaron. They use Lorelei's best friend to manipulate her and get what they want and need. Each of these men are different and play their role. Lorelei just wants to belong somewhere, I think. Lorelei thought that was with her brother but she begins to wonder. "Money's golden and family's sacred...but betrayal? Betrayal's fu**ing red." It seems like the harem of men are being more honest than Ryder but are they really? I guess only time will tell. This book leaves on a pretty big cliffhanger going into book 2. It makes me guess what both sides are really up to? Can Lorelei survive being stuck in the middle? Looking forward to see how the next book plays out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 19, 2024
A slow burn why choose romance which surrounds street gangs and the conflicts within them.
The story is centred on Lorelei a very sheltered girl, an orphan who was saved by her ‘big brother’ Ryder and gang leader. She has been kept out of the loop of all gang related matters her whole life as if to protect her, but when Ryder makes a big mistake, she is pulled right into the whole mess.
We meet the Lionhart brother Snake, Irvin and Aaron – mean in this world you don’t want to mess with. They have taken her into their lair and plan to use her as a pawn in their games for their own gain, but soon it is clear that maybe she is more to them than that.
You start to see Lorelei coming into her own out of the shadow of her brother and adjust to life with the Lionhart and being about to make her own choices. She also starts to develop feelings for the guys and wants to be able to explore them as she has never been allowed to before. But before we get to that the book ends with a cliffhanger!
Can Lorelei survive being stuck in this middle of this dangerous game – hopefully Crimson Red Thorns (book 2) will have the answers.
The story is centred on Lorelei a very sheltered girl, an orphan who was saved by her ‘big brother’ Ryder and gang leader. She has been kept out of the loop of all gang related matters her whole life as if to protect her, but when Ryder makes a big mistake, she is pulled right into the whole mess.
We meet the Lionhart brother Snake, Irvin and Aaron – mean in this world you don’t want to mess with. They have taken her into their lair and plan to use her as a pawn in their games for their own gain, but soon it is clear that maybe she is more to them than that.
You start to see Lorelei coming into her own out of the shadow of her brother and adjust to life with the Lionhart and being about to make her own choices. She also starts to develop feelings for the guys and wants to be able to explore them as she has never been allowed to before. But before we get to that the book ends with a cliffhanger!
Can Lorelei survive being stuck in this middle of this dangerous game – hopefully Crimson Red Thorns (book 2) will have the answers.
April 1, 2024
Lorelei wants adventure with a side of danger. She desperately wants to be a part of her brother's crew and experience life on the edge. What she didn't anticipate was her brother doing something totally reckless and selling her off to his enemies to settle the score.
This story was full of so many twists and turns. Lorelei has to navigate her new reality. After being betrayed by not only her brother but her so called best friend; she is now the "Pet" to 3 dangerous men and her life as she knows it will never be the same. Lorelei's quest for adventure has placed her in the middle of a chess board and she has no idea what her next move should be.
Growing closer to her 3 captors Lorelei is finding it easier to put her trust in her enemies instead of her brother who gave her away as if she was nothing; but who can she trust? Everybody wants something and leaves Lorelei at the precipice of indecision.
This book has spice, enemies to lovers, betrayal, manipulation, Dubcon and a surprise Plot twist cliffhanger at the end. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long for book 2.
This story was full of so many twists and turns. Lorelei has to navigate her new reality. After being betrayed by not only her brother but her so called best friend; she is now the "Pet" to 3 dangerous men and her life as she knows it will never be the same. Lorelei's quest for adventure has placed her in the middle of a chess board and she has no idea what her next move should be.
Growing closer to her 3 captors Lorelei is finding it easier to put her trust in her enemies instead of her brother who gave her away as if she was nothing; but who can she trust? Everybody wants something and leaves Lorelei at the precipice of indecision.
This book has spice, enemies to lovers, betrayal, manipulation, Dubcon and a surprise Plot twist cliffhanger at the end. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long for book 2.
April 8, 2024
Wow!! Reading this I would not have guessed this was the authors debut book. This was so well written and the plot and character development were amazing!! I was HOOKED. After being betrayed by 2 of the 3 people she was close to, Lorelei will do whatever it takes to keep the one person she has left safe. As much as she mentally fights it her body won’t let her fight her attraction to the 3 men she’s forced to be around. Irvin is just straight up hot 🥵🥵, Snake is the sexy control freak and Aaron 😮💨🫠. I’m not sure which is my favorite 😅😅 Then there’s Dig…. sweet ,sweet Dig. Lorelei is a firecracker with a heart of gold, I absolutely love her. I devoured this book just to be left with a cliffhanger that has me craving the next book. Highly recommend, immediately add to your TBR!
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Mafia
🖤Enemies to lovers
🖤Reverse Harem
April 12, 2024
My first book by this author and I’m a fan! I didn’t know what to expect but the writing was exceptional and story amazing! Lorelei living with danger all around her. And when her brother gives her up to three dangerous men choosing the club over her, she knows her life is forever changed from what she knew. The three men - Irvin, Aaron and Snake take her as their own into their dark world more dangerous than the street gang she once thought was her family. The only other person captive in this new world is Dig and to keep him alive she does whatever she has to see he stays alive. She begins finding herself becoming more attracted to each of the men. We are left with a cliffhanger in book one and I can’t wait to dive right into book two. If you like reverse harem, dark romance books, this is a must read.
April 16, 2024
First of all I had a difficult time finishing this book for the simple fact that I knew that the next book wasn't going to be immediately available. So I wanted to drag it out. Second I really hope that Irvin is based off of somebody that the author knows because I think I'm in love. Lorelei starts out so naive and then get your rude awakening. She looks up to her brother Ryder and his second command Dig. But she's always kept on the outside. Then to be betrayed by her friend and her brother. It was fascinating to watch her slowly develop feelings for Snake, Aaron and Irvin. It would have been nice to see her be able to connect with Dig's while she was staying in the mansion with the brothers. I'm anxiously awaiting the second book. Because that Cliffhanger is going to give me nightmares..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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