Avory & Ellory

Van Doren #4

by Crea Reitan

MM Taboo installment of the Van Doren family

Genres: M M Romance, LGBT, Dark, Romance, Crime, Dark Romance, Forbidden Romance

ebook

Published March 1, 2025

About the author

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. When she can't fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center - and utterly swoon-worthy! Don't ask her how many book boyfriends she has...

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don't even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Reviews

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tandem Read with Imry

I'm going to start by saying that I don't think Avory and Ellory needed a full length book. A novella would have worked much better and kept the pace of the overall story moving. This is my second tandem read by Crea Reitan and honestly I think that the Project FU/DWL duo worked much better. If Avory and Ellory had just been a novella and had chapters that fitted into Imry it would have been a much stronger book, but splitting them apart like this made them both have less of an impact.

I'm not saying that to be mean, I don't have an issue with taboo or with Crea's writing. There was just so much filler content and repetition in this particular book that by the time I got to the halfway point of both books I was bored with Avory and Ellory, and frustrated that nothing had really happened in 300 odd pages.

Going into this book we already know:
- Avory and Ellory are two thirds triplets and are in a romantic relationship that is long established
- They experienced abuse by their mother, and Daddy Jalon moved them all away
- They are contract killers / contract lawyers for the Van Doren family
- They've moved back to the extravagent family estate

But all of this information keeps being rehashed and if you've read the other books then you don't need even a recap!

The only new information that we learn is that Ellory enjoys crafting in various ways, and that Avory is trying out new hairstyles and facial hair because he's anxious about them having a child and looking too obviously like they're related. Oh, and that Ellory could potentially be a psychopath but with Loren in the family it kind of went by unnoticed. Nothing else is new information, other than the mega church contract execution.

That's all the negative stuff / complaints out of the way!

What I really enjoyed about the book was the romantic moments between these two. Avory working to always give Ellory what he wants was adorable, and their proposal was honestly one of the cutest I've ever read - I usually hate proposals so for me to like it, it was good 😂 Ellory trying to spoil Avory was cute, and Avory trying to find his inner artistic flair was funny.

I enjoyed the way they worked as a team on taking down the mega church. We hadn't had much of a first hand experience in the information gathering for contracts they carry out up until this book because it's usually off page, so it was interesting to see what they did and how they did it.

I loved all of the wider family moments. Now that I'm roughly halfway through the Creaverse I know who the characters are and how they're all connected, so it's not confusing that there's such a large cast of characters. I especially loved the relationship between Avory and Ellory and two of their uncles - Auden and Arath - and with their cousin Rhodes.

So, overall I did like getting to see Avory and Ellory move to the next step in their relationship. I liked the mega church contract. I liked the wider family connections. BUT this could have easily been condensed into a novella without losing anything except repetition and fitted into the chapter order of Imry, like DWL fitted into Project FU.

[Sjoukje · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure what I expected from this book before I read it, but it’s definitely not what I expected. In a good way I think 😁 But also not.
The taboo part is a fun read. And it’s amazing where cream’s mind takes us. You start reading this thinking it’s too much, but then it isn’t. I loved them and their love for each other.
And then there’s all the killing and Ellory’s obsession for blood. Didn’t love that. I know they only kill bad people but I just am not that interested in hitmen I guess. It’s not that I can’t relate to them at all (because don’t we all somewhere in the back of our minds want to take out the bad guys 😬), I could actually see myself do this before becoming a professional hockey player (because I’m literally the least athletic person I know), but… Professional hockey is so much more the world I love to read about.

So that leaves me four stars. 😁 Great writing, great love story, great personal insights. But serial killers. Gory 🤣

[The Naughty Booknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avory and Ellory may be triplet siblings, but their personalities are worlds apart. Ellory's got a bloodlust, but he's also got a squishy center, and Avory's all about indulging his every whim. I'd been looking forward to this book since book one, and I'm happy to say it exceeded my expectations.

[Aga Slonina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been intrigued about Avory and Ellory’s relationship since the first book in this series, and with each book it became clear that there just can’t be another person between/with them, I guess that was the whole point in how they were portrayed in each one. And I’m very glad that the book began with them already together, it really shows how it’s always been them and no one else, there’s never been a time where they weren’t with one another 💕 Again the more I read the more I realised that a third would never make sense, especially not with their lifestyle, obsession with each other, and possessiveness, ESPECIALLY possessiveness on Avory’s side, having Ellory recite who he belongs to any chance he got😌

Ellory was exactly as Avory calls him in one chapter a ‘sweet psychopath’ he was literally that, no other way to describe the man🤣 Ellory can go from all sweet and planning a whole day to spoil Avory and got upset and pout-y when things kept going wrong, to singing nursery rhymes while going around and slicing people up😭 So yeah sweet psychopath fits him perfectly!

Ellory was definitely the softer of the pair, not to say he wasn’t tough when he needed to be, but he definitely preferred being the one to be taken care of and pampered and Avory was more than happy to oblige😌 That’s not to say that Ellory didn’t take care of Avory, just not in the same way, he took care of him more emotionally, especially when the whole wedding and kids conversation came about, he immediately realised how stressful it was for Avory and wouldn’t let him deal with it alone. I loved the chapter where Ellory tries his best to dedicate a full day to pampering Avory, anything that could go wrong went wrong, and even then Avory couldn’t be happier and made sure that Ellory understood that the day was perfect, and that just sums them up, always loving and reassuring each other💕

Avory was the perfect man, as Ellory says, that man would give him the sun if Ellory so much as mentioned it looked nice that day😩 What really made me realise how true that statement really was, it was when Ellory in passing mentioned how he wants a kid some day and Avory goes ahead and plans everything, but what really proved it was when Avory changed his whole appearance just to give them a better chance at the possibility of Ellory’s idea coming true🥺

As controlled as Avory was between the two, he definitely had his psycho moments too, the chapter where he literally kills someone for making an awful comment to Ellory? Oh yeah that man could be just as crazy as Ellory. He was absolutely obssessed and so overly protective and possessive of Ellory, he could not fathom anything ever happening to his other half, he took Ellory’s thoughts and feelings very seriously, always making sure is man is comfortable and cared for😌 The panic that he felt in the megachurch chapters over Ellory were described so well I was honestly anxious right alongside Avory, that man was not about to let Ellory out of his sight, and when he didn’t have his sights set on him that man was almost loosing his mind!

I hated the way that their mother treated them, it definitely pushed them together more in order to protect each other, very glad they had their other brothers who stood in front of them, literally the way Loren did, and I’m glad Daddy Jalon realised what was happening and put a stop to it straight away.

What I really loved about the book as well was the plot, the whole megachurch plot line was so interesting, listening to the team debate how they’re going to move forward and what they thing of it was very interesting. Because on the one hand we knew that the megachurch was definitely a cult where people were NOT treated the same or recruited fairly, but then again Loren had a really good point when he said those adults had a choice and maybe didn’t want to be saved. I’m glad it came to an end like it did, but I am left very curious of what will happen with William after everything as his reaction was not one that I expected or hoped for🤷‍♀️

Very happy that I read both at the same time and I cannot wait for what else did series has to bring, I would very much like to see Rhodes and Brek possibly get a book👀👀👀👀 Rhodes would definitely be a character to read about with his massive wolves and an oblivious Brek🤣

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! My only "complaints" arw occasional repetitive thoughts and phrases in the same section that felt like she was writing, stopped, then started again but didn't read what she had just written and the jump ahead epilogue....but otherwise? totally obsessed! i read this concurrently with Imry, and I can't imagine not having read it that way❤️❤️❤️
dual pov
1stp
vers
blood play
"twincest"
no sharing (as if)
murder and mayhem🤩

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parallel to the story Imry runs Avory & Ellory which can be read separately. Avory and Ellory is a taboo story!

Avory, Ellory, and Imry are triplets. Avory and Ellory are close, very close, tab00 close. Nothing tab00 for the van Doren family, they accept their relationship.

We get a look into their lives, the dynamic of their relationship, their interactions with family and friends, and their jobs. Just as with Imry’s story, there are side stories where we can follow the whole family and friends living on the van Doren property. Their daily lives, and of course the van Doren core business. The future of the van Doren family looks bright!

It was a wonderfully written, intriguing story!

[Noa Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I don’t actually think about our relationship as falling in love. We’ve always been in love. We’ve always been together." - Avory

"Sometimes, I think I take him for granted. He takes such good care of me." - Ellory

I really love that they do everything to make each other happy; they really have something special. They are always around each other; that never changed with time. Their connection only grew with time, and now they are building a future together in a way that they've always known what that would've looked like.

Avory & Ellory is a TABOO book; they were already in a stable relationship before this book even started, but I didn't feel like I missed information; they've talked enough about how their relationship started and about all the years/events before this book took place. I haven't read this type of TABOO before or read a romance book where there was already a stable relationship. But this is the Van Doren family, so of course I need to know everything about them! I really love this serie.

This book is parallel with Imry’s book. I read "Imry" before this book, Imry, Avory & Ellory are triplets. In this book they are working on a case. Avory & Ellory are working on this case on location with a team, while Imry is at home worrying about his family being on the location. In both this book and Imry it follows a different perspective on this case. It was interesting to read more about their work, from start to finish.

This family is very close: they can talk openly without judgment about everything. There is even a conversation between Jalon (their dad) and his sons about how he (their dad) sees love and what it means for him, and that helped him understand himself more. He really is a great dad, he made mistakes in the past, but he's doing everything to make sure that his sons know that he is proud of them and that he will always support his family. If his sons have questions, they feel safe enough to go to their dad, and if he doesn't have an answer, he will find one. I'm very excited for Jalon's book and the rest of this Series.

"I love my kids. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them." - Jalon

I received an ARC copy of this book.

[Dodibook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a unique and intense read. I love that Crea Reitan released this together with Imry, and even created a reading guide so you can follow both stories at the same time. Switching back and forth between chapters in both books gives you a full picture of what’s happening from all sides. I didn’t do it that way myself, but I love that the option’s there. The way these two timelines connect so closely is brilliant.

Now, let’s talk taboo. Avory and Ellory are part of a triplet – yes, they’re brothers. Blood-related. And in love. They’ve always been co-dependent and deeply connected, long before their bond turned romantic. This story zooms in on one specific moment in their relationship and where they go from there. I would’ve liked to see more of their background and how their bond developed over the years, but even with the short flashbacks, you get a clear sense of their trauma and how tightly they’ve clung to each other because of it.

The dynamic between them is honestly kind of beautiful. I know it's not for everyone, but the way they love each other is all-consuming and loyal. What makes this story so different is that their family isn’t against their relationship – quite the opposite. That removes the usual conflict you’d expect in a taboo romance, and still Crea keeps it engaging and emotional. That takes real skill.

But don’t expect this to just be a love story. There’s a full-on mission going on too. The Van Doren family gets hired to investigate a cult, and it’s Avory, Ellory, and Loren who get sent out to deal with it. It’s messy, bloody, and full of dark humor. Ellory, in particular, brings an unhinged energy that somehow still fits with the softer side of their story. He sings twisted nursery rhymes while working as an assassin – and somehow, it works.

Crea really nailed the balance here: emotion, spice, family loyalty, danger, and a whole lot of chaos. It’s gritty, it’s bold, and it fits perfectly into the wider Van Doren world. Even though this type of story crosses several lines, it was done in a way that kept me turning the pages without hesitation.

🅡🅐🅣🅘🅝🅖
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

🅢🅟🅘🅒🅔
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

🅣🅡🅞🅟🅔🅢
🩸MM
🩸Unalivers
🩸Taboo (blood related)
🩸Part of Triplets
🩸Codependent
🩸Trauma

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sadly isn’t on Amazon, you can only get it from the author’s website.

Avory and Ellory are in love, they have been in love since they were little. Awww 🥰 you say, that is until you realise they are brothers! And part of a set of triplets! So BIG TABOO!! But you know what? They don’t care! And nor do the family that they come from? The Van Dorens are of the mind,”if it makes you happy, then do it”
We get to discover when their brotherly relationship went further, and why (and that did raise an eyebrow and a chuckle.)

I had to chuckle when describing Ellory, he hums/sings nursery rhymes (his version) whilst on jobs as an assassin! (Not very scary) he loves blood, especially his targets.
Avory on the other hand only wants his other half to be happy.
Oh and the third part of the triplet is Imry, but he doesn’t love his brothers the way they do! (His heart belongs to Haze 😉)
There is intimacy between Avory and his brother. But there is also a love so deep and strong that sometimes you forget they are siblings!

This book could have been added to Imry’s book (but it probably wouldn’t have gotten published!) It runs alongside that one, and the author even gives you a way to read both books at the same time (she gives you a summary of which chapters to read in which order) I didn’t read them that way, but I may go back and try it at some point.

Ok, back to the story….

We have a cult that is definitely dodgy! Contracts are coming in to the Van Dorens, people want the cult investigated and their loved ones “rescued” from the brainwashing that’s going on! Extensive research is done, meetings with the family are held and background checks are triple checked. Then they decide as a family on whether they do the “job” or not.

Avory along with Ellory and Loren are sent to the island to establish a plan and execute it and the cult leader!

It’s bloody 🩸 literally, if you don’t like those scenes then maybe give this book a miss. But it’s also funny (dark humour?) there is lots going on that the boys need to figure out before they serve justice. Q

And the ending…. Well I did like where the idea is heading (gives more options for books 😜)

🦋

[Sarah Coggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avory and Ellory runs concurrently with Imry’s story and can be read as a tandem read but I chose to read it separately. I had no issues with reading it this way and thought it was a bloody great read.

Avory and Ellory is a taboo story, they are two thirds of the Van Doren triplets who are very much together both romantically and physically. But this didn’t bother me at all, especially as you get to experience the obvious love they have for each other throughout this story. They are so freaking adorable together, their blatant obsession with each other and the possessive side they show, as well as the way they love, care and support each other in every way, definitely showed they are meant to be together in more than just a brotherly way.

I loved that there were conversations between the pair about marriage and kids, and how their relationship could have an affect on this, being able to hear their thoughts and feelings around these topics brought a realness to their relationship and was a great addition to the story.

These two definitely both had a psycho side to them that was shown several times throughout, hearing that Ellory sung/hummed nursery rhymes during the contracted jobs they had totally proved that but i couldn’t help but laugh at this. I’m not quite sure it’s possible to be a Van Doren without being just a little bit psycho and it definitely didn’t make me love them any less.

The way their mother treated them only pushed them closer together and it made me hate her even more than I already did after reading Imry’s story. I absolutely adored the way their brothers and the other members of the Van Doren family stood together to support them in every way they could without judgement. I especially loved the way their dad showed his love and support towards the end of this story.

The main plot of this story was first mentioned in Imry’s book and I’m so glad this one covered it in much more detail, it was definitely great seeing it from another perspective and was just another part of this story that had me hooked from beginning to end.

[tobifun.pp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imry / Avory and Ellory
by Crea Reitan

✍️Review✍️

rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
darkness: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
feelings: 😭🥰😱🥵☠️😍🫠😡🤣🥹😄

Both books can be read as stand-alone novels, especially for readers who don't want to read tab00 books. However, I really enjoyed reading the two books intertwined in the correct order.
The two books have more than 800 pages between them, and yet I devoured them in three days! This Van Doren story is marked by two highly dangerous missions. I love this family with its unique characters. While reading, I felt as if I were part of it. The description of the setting and the character development are great. You get a deep impression of the Van Dorens' history and get to know new, exciting, and quirky members.

Imry, Avory, and Ellory are triplets.

In Imry's book, we see how Voss takes on a dangerous assignment in New York. We are only given vague information about his progress. But when things escalate, we find ourselves right in the middle of the action! I was very surprised by how the characters react in this explosive finale. Imry and Haze are an extremely hot couple. But first, they have to learn to leave their past behind in order to build a fulfilling relationship. I love that Haze's friends are getting more opportunities to share their voices in this book.

I was particularly curious about Avory and Ellory's story. Their relationship is unique and beautiful. Rarely have I read about such a deeply connected couple. In their book, we see how more and more assignments involving a cult-like megachurch come in. This develops into the most dangerous assignment the family has ever taken on.

Overall, I am absolutely thrilled by the complexity of these stories and the entanglements and connections within the Van Doren empire! Every single family member makes me want to read their story too.

[Emmi (bookish_redpanda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format: 📱 eBook 📱 (ARC)
Check TWs before reading

Now, it probably won't come as a shock, but I love me a taboo read. This definitely crosses a line or two for those who might be curious, so definitely check the warnings associated with this before reading. This runs parallel with the events of Imry, and Reitan has provided us a handy reading order if you do wish to take the unofficial duet on as a tandem read - I read them separately, and did not interfere with my enjoyment of the two books.

I absolutely devoured this book. Reitan has honestly done it again with creating such strong characters that you find yourself feeling for during the course of the narrative. I don't know what I was expecting when we were told we were getting the two/thirds' love story, but it absolutely blew my expectations out of the water.

This is certainly a book filled with so many feelings, emotions and events as you read through; it's a bit of a rollercoaster, but in the end, the happily ever after these two get is so well deserved, and I love that we get to dive a bit more into the history of the Van Doren family as we read.

Avory and Ellory prove that love is love, and that it knows no boundaries, and I won't lie, I teared up when the two/thirds were having conversations with the other men in the family.

Reitan has perfectly balanced the narrative of this book - we get humour, spice and romance alongside the angst of the forbidden, taboo relationship and the overarching plot of the mega-church. Throw in the unhinged-ness that is Ellory when he's out unaliving people, and said unaliving, and this book ticks so many boxes; the suspenseful aspect had me turning pages so quickly later in the book.

Once more another fantastic read from Reitan that not only ties into the Van Doren world, but into the wider Crea-verse, which has me absolutely hanging out for what she's going to release next.

Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. These are my honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.

[eebabek reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think there will be an MM book by Crea that I won't read. As I read these as a companion read and did so in the suggested chapter order, I really only have 1 review with notes for each relationship. I found this such a fun way to read these books and really appreciate the connectedness of the stories of the triplets. I will note that I needed to dedicate time to sit down and read as I had to keep checking my screenshots of the chapter order on my phone.

We dive back into the insane world of the Van Doren clan, focusing on the triplets. Avory and Ellory's relationship was hinted to in past books, but we get a deeper dive into this already established couple. They have many different obstacles than Imry and Haze, who are just starting to explore their relationship.

A&E are looking at marriage (how they can) and children (how to raise them and how to explain their relationship). The c*ckwarming between these two just made sense; to connect them even closer.

Imry and Haze are each getting over past trauma and trying to see if a relationship would even work. The primal play between them was so fun.

While I absolutely loved learning about the family and seeing the universe expand, these two books are probably the slowest of Crea's that I've read. I got to 75% with some subplot happening but mainly focusing on the Van Doren's as a family.

Crea's expanded universe is amazing and intense, and I can't wait to read more about this family!

[VicReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤🩸 𝙰𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚢 & 𝙴𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚢 🩸🖤
𝚋𝚢 @creareitan

🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆

4.5/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️

↓↓
First before anything, this is TABOO, like straight up brother TABOO!!! please do not start to read the book and yuk someone's yum, know before. If that's not your jam then skip the book.

Now that that's out of the way. I devoured this book, I loved the two/third triplets. They were such a fun read.

While they are extremely relent on each other, like to toxic levels lol they still offered so much about themselves and their relationship. These two show that love is love and you really can not help who you fall in love with.

I really really loved the conversations that were held with each other as well as others in this book. It really shed light on their though process with their whole relationship.

We get so much with this book. We get hilarious moments and thoughts, we get emotions, you get spice and you got plot, I mean the megachurch/cult plot line , it really touched on some real life topics that happen and its such a sad thing.

I love the family dynamic of the Van Doren's they are so loving and accepting and everyone really needs that kind of love and acceptance in their life.

I love the Van Doren's so much and so happy we get more of them.

𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
🖤Taboo
🩸Blood Play
🖤Somnophilia
🩸Possessive
🖤Unhinged
🩸Unaliving
🖤C*ck Warming

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS TABOO IN THE EXTREME

The Van Doren’s refer to themselves variously as sociopaths, psychopaths, and born killers. “They believe in the concept that ‘all lives matter.’ Not in the way people try to use it. Victimized people’s lives matter. Their abuser’s lives? Not so much. The world will be a better place without them”. Avery and Ellory are two thirds of the Van Doren triplets. The triplets weapons of choice are axes, which they wield with bloody power.

I wouldn’t really call this book dark….however there are gallons of blood, a “forbidden” relationship between brothers, and talk of destroying mafia families that will certainty cause innocent deaths. There’s also strong family ties, killers bonding with a baby, and a sexual, very deep abiding love between two men who just happen to be brothers.

There is some action (read lots of bloody times). Most of the book deals with the depth of feeling between Avery and Ellory, how it started and the progression of their feelings through the years.

I really want to know what happened to Mom. I can imagine her in a deep dungeon somewhere forced to view scrolling pictures of her beautiful sons that she messed up so bad.

Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.

[Naurarwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting one to review as it totally steps over the lines of taboo, but the actual relationship between Avory and Ellory is super sweet, even with the blood involved. This part of the series can be read by itself, or if you want, you can read Imry at the same time because the author, Crea Reitan, has put a super helpful list in the glossary, which chapters from which book to read where and when.

When you say Ellory and Avory are close, I mean they are little two thirds of a set of triplets and while sometimes it made me question it, when I really thought about the relationship, I decided to pass over that detail early on and concentrate instead on the love they have for each other, and the troubles they find because of their relationship.

There's one thing to be said about the Van Dorens, and that is that the family has no issues with how any of the characters want to live, and I love that about Daddy Jalon. I kinda hope that Jalon gets his own book at some point, maybe without Jeannette.

This time, the Van Dorens are after a megachurch cult, and it's up to Avory, Ellory and Loren to deal with them. It takes a lot of time to get to the point where they are going to stop the cult so there is a lot of build up, but it's so worth.

[Velvet Wrapped Smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review.

Okay, so I will admit I probably read these in the wrong order. I would recommend starting with Imry, or following the recommended chapter format that Crea outlines in the foreword.

Reading this one first just felt like a lot of 'filler' and then suddenly we were at the climax with no real set up. However, as I read through Imry, I was like 'OHHHHH here's all the context'. This was completely my mistake as I assumed that each book had their own story, but they intertwined and happened simultaneously. Just something to be aware of if you're going to read both.

Now, onto the couple of the moment. Yes, this is taboo but hot damn these two are just so sweet. The explanation of their love, why it's different to their love for Imry and how they have to hide their true selves a lot of the time was beautiful and heartbreaking. I also really appreciated that it started as a fuck you to their mum and then morphed into them understanding that intimacy doesn't have to be sexual. They are a pair of kinky boys, but it's all just an extension of their love and devotion to each other.

I can't wait to see their wedding and the future generation of these two in the coming books.

[Stacey Foss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the two thirds Triplets and their love for each other. While this book is a Taboo read the emotional aspects are truly heartwarming. These two have been in love with each other in a way that was considered forbidden for years. The acceptance the Van Doren family has for them was everything and so much more. Avery and Ellory's story was told in conjunction with Imery and Haz's story and reading the two at the same was amazing and written perfection. While Crea Reitan always has a way with words and her writing style is amazing this book was on a whole new level. The Van Dorens have me in a choke hold and I can't get enough of them. Avery and Ellory have a connection that was out of the world, Avery Calms Emery's inner chaos and wants to give him everything. They truly show everyone that love is what you want it to be with whomever you want it with. We also get more insight into the Van Dorens and the inner workings of the family. This book will grab your attention and keep you captivated I could not put it down. I was given this book as an ARC for my honest review.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, be sure to read the trigger warnings and know that this is a taboo book! Taboo is definitely not something I’ve read or drifted towards before. However, I love this world by Crea Reitan and have come to love all these characters, so there was no way I was going to skip out on this book. Taking place alongside Imry’s story, this book explores Avory and Ellory has they are hitting a point in their relationship where they want to start talking about taking the next step in creating the future they want for themselves. I loved getting to know their relationship outside of what we have seen through the eyes of others. The connection these two have is just one so unique to them and so different than what you may expect. I also loved how hilarious these two were and that we got an equal amount of sweet moments to crazy moments. Then throw in the fact that these two accept a mission that is probably on a whole other scale of insane and crazy. I will say this, any story with a Van Doren is going to be an interesting one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[bookingcrazzyy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This relationship has been teased since the beginning, but also kept private in some ways. Avory and Ellory have legit been with each other since they were born. They always knew their relationship wasn't just brother love but they didn't truly figure it out until they were teenagers. Avory and Ellory love each other completely. They are an extension of each other.

These characters were a surprise to me kind of. You don’t really see deeply into the two thirds triplets in the other books. So it was interesting to see the inner workings of what they do for the family. It was also fun to see how unhinged they both could be.

This book was different than what I was expecting. Some of the spicy scenes weren't your traditional spicy scenes. The characters describe it more as a way to feel connected and close to each other. It's a way they feel complete together.

I love how accepting Daddy Jalon is of all of his kids. I think his book is the one I'm most excited for in this series. He loves and supports his kids 100%.

I received an advance review copy, and this is my honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

MM🌈
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dark
Two/thirds of triplets

I had been anticipating this book since I read Loren. Avory and Ellory are two/thirds of triplets with Imry as the other third. They have been close since they were children. Too close per their mother. Obviously they weren’t at the time she was accusing them, since they were only 10. But they decided if she was going to accuse them of such, why not experiment with each other.

They realized right away that they felt complete when one was inside the other, so they kept it up. They were meant to be each others only forever.

There was a lot of cockwarming in the book. It wasn’t about orgasms a lot of the time, just the connection they felt when literally connected via cock and ass. I was expecting a lot more, so I am kinda disappointed.

Since Oxley is next, who is he going to pair with? Not Brek cause he is going to be Rhodes’. Levis? Malin? IDK but Daddy Jalon needs to find someone worthy of him!

[Autumn L · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off this family is very supportive of them. Also, their family is always there for each other. I like that both characters will do anything for each other. Also, how they have so much trust in each other. I like that Ellory how has characters portrayed as soft. He is, but he’s also a little bit of a psycho. That Avory and that he is the one that’s known for calming him down. Also a caring partner. And I love the fact that he is protective and possessive of Ellory. And for the story I did like it. It was a little all over the place, but I like that. I could understand what was going on. And one of my favorite things was I like how the whole family is there for each other. How they live like a normal family. And you can just see how much they care for each other. I am so excited to read about the last triplet Imry.

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is so creative and just such a wonderful writer - like not just the places this author's mind take us, but the words on the page. I always enjoy each of the books and this one - along with all the assassin/dark romance vibes - also had a yummy tab00 romance between Avory & Ellory, two of the Van Doren triplets (along with their brother Imry who also found love in a parallel book). I have been intrigued by these boys since Loren and am so glad they finally got their story. I love the more action part of the story line and of course, their love and their smut is FIRE. As with Imry, this book immerses us in the Van Doren family life - lots of extra mini arcs and lots of details about the family (ugh, the mom). I look forward to revisiting this world.


I received a complimentary copy and am leaving this review voluntarily

[Deanna Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

WARNING! Before you read this, please read the content warnings! The author does not deserve your negative review because you were too stupid to do so. Okay, onto my review. 😊

I need to say that I absolutely love the Van Doren family! I knew from the first glimpse of them in Loren that I’d LOVE the triplets, and I was not disappointed. Avory & Ellory is my first taboo book, and I knew Crea Reitan wouldn’t steer me wrong.

The two-thirds triplets have my whole heart. I love the way they love each other, willing to do anything to see the other smile. We should all be so lucky to find a love like that. I enjoyed learning more about them as a unit and individually!

Cannot wait for more books about the vast Van Doren clan.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avory and Ellory is book four of the Van Doren Series.

This one runs parallel to Imry's book, but we delve more into the contract and events near the end of book three. We really get to focus on the relationship between these two. It is more about being close to the other rather than a more highly sexual one. We really focus on the bond and the closeness these two have for each other. You really get to focus on how caring they are of the other and their needs.

This really showed the acceptance of their family with regards for their love for each other. There was nothing they could've done which made it so their family did not shower them with love. I enjoyed the moments where the family was able to bond together and have more deep and meaningful conversations together.

[A reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn't expecting a 'boo story in the Van Doren series but I'm not mad about it! Timeline is concurrent with Imry, there's a chapter guide for both books if you want to read both books chronologically. Not a pitch black dark romance but def read through the TWs.

Unlike most in this particular genre, not just smutty, the ❤️‍🔥 scenes are more centered on their connection with each other and their love. If you're curious about this type of dynamic but a little wary, this is a great first start and intro. Think it was handled with care and written in a way that truly conveys a real romance.

Looking forward to reading more in the series, and especially keen on seeing how the others are doing from previous books!

[lmreadsromance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tandem read Imry and Avory & Ellory by @creareitan, books 3 & 4 respectively in the Van Doren Series. These can be read separately but I highly recommend the tandem read, Crea has the chapter outline in the beginning of each book and the book really complimented each other and you read the whole story in real time.

Avory and Ellory are the two/thirds of the triplets and this is a taboo romance. There relationship is private, though accepted within the Van Doren family. In there book we witness their connection and learn their back story, childhood trauma and family dynamics. They are both possessive and of course serial killers, Avory is the protector and Ellory has strong bloodlust which plays out in this story!
The latest Van Doren contracts had me on the edge, I absolutely loved seeing Loren in action again.

I loved seeing all the Van Dorens again, and meeting more of their extended family! I cannot wait for the next instalment!

[Jessica White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Avory & Ellory's story. This was released along with Imry's story(who is their triplet). AE(shortened Avory & Ellory) are identical brothers, part of identical triplets with Imry, but they have a MUCH different relationship with each other, versus what they have with Imry. This is a taboo story, but the way Crea writes it, makes it seem not so taboo. AE have loved each other before they even realized what that meant, & have had a tough time so far having to hide how they feel & being abused by their Mother. The rest of the VD family supports them though, which is sweet. There was a lot of sexy and intimate moments, lots of funny moments, some sweet & tearjerker moments, & some kick butt moments when they're taking out the trash. Would definitely recommend this book.

[Louise Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taboo trope books are not normally my cup of tea but I absolutely love these characters that Crea Reitan has created for this world so I thought I’d give it a go and tandem read it with Imry and I am so glad that I did. I loved the story, both of the MMCs were hilarious and I loved getting a glimpse into their world. There were so many sweet moments in this story but there were also just as many crazy moments. I really liked that this book and Imrys book were released at the same time because I think if I had read them separately it just wouldn’t have been the same. I would highly recommend giving this book a read.

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the van Doren family and all the others who come with that. Avory and Ellory are high on the list of favorites. I love me some taboo, and this isn’t anything like I ever read before. You start in the middle of their relationship. They were always together so there was no clear starting point. So that takes away the angst behind a taboo relationship that you normally see in such a book. Their family has more than accepted them so that is off the table too. And for Crea to still make their story this amazing to read, that is skill. I never thought she could take away all my favorite things about a taboo story and still have me this invested in their love.

The beauty of their story combined with the thrill of the family business just does it for me every time. I am so glad this family is this big, just keep the van Doren romances coming please!