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Vile Heart: A Dark MM Sci-Fi College Romance

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Cor Night is upon us.

It's the one night a year when even the school encourages the Black Harts to act out on their vices, and more than ever, Camren Ryka is ready to break open the memories that have been kept stored in the back of his heart with lock and key for way too long.

There are rumours. But rumours can be tricked. There are lies. But lies can be bent. Not Camren—he won’t yield to anyone. He has come out tonight to reclaim who’s his.

Davian Mink. His best friend, his everything, his secret crush. From a young age they shared their life, until two years ago, when Davien threw Camren out. Out of his home and out of his life.

Davian is stubborn, and proud. He’s also afraid. Because the mess he calls his life has been created by his own hands. What’s worse? He secretly hopes that the Black Hart will come for him tonight and honour the promise he made when they were friends. But such honour always comes with a price. After all, there’s only one rule for Cor Night.

Be vicious with your vices.

This book is set in Chani Lynn Feener's universe with permission from the author.

Trigger This is a stand-alone dark romance novella which means there are many themes that some might find disturbing. Some of these include, but are not limited to, dub-con, violence, a seriously obsessed male lead, a male lead with a secret, and explicit sexual content not suitable for all readers. Please be sure to read the Author's Note for a complete list of warnings! HEA guarantee.

88 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2025

65 people are currently reading
168 people want to read

About the author

Lola Malone

21 books306 followers
My name is Lola Malone and I'm a European-based author who has endeavored into the world of writing dark, morally gray characters who occupy fictive colleges.

When I'm not reading, writing, or fantasizing about other worlds and stories, I'm probably at the gym or away, visiting historic sites with my husband and three sons.

Follow me on my socials!

IG: @lolamalonebooks
TT: @lolamalonebooks

Patreon: @lolamalonebooks



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5 stars
85 (25%)
4 stars
95 (28%)
3 stars
94 (28%)
2 stars
44 (13%)
1 star
17 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Dani.
1,691 reviews325 followers
February 15, 2025
This was incredibly frustrating to read because nothing happens! They talk in circles and Camren keeps letting the guy walk away from him... Why on earth did it take the entire story to ask one question and get one answer 🤯

Also the description of Rexton was different in this book to in Chani's! Continuity issues are why I've pretty much stopped reading multi-author series and this series is just reinforcing that decision for me.

I'm yet to read a Lola Malone book that doesn't feel like the author knows exactly what's going on but doesn't want to let the reader in on it!!! I only read this one because it's set in Chani Lynn Feener's story world but I think I need to stop trying to like Lola Malone books.
Profile Image for M's ☆~HEA~☆.
1,350 reviews59 followers
February 19, 2025
First, cutest meetcute in meetcute world. They met at ages 3 & 4! precious.
His meeting Davian when they were toddlers had been a stroke of luck, a birthday party of someone both their parents happened to know.
This book makes no sense. I'm positive the author has no clue what is going on either. Davian & Cam have been bffs since literal toddler-hood, Cam's parents pay for Davian's expensive school, the boys were inseparable until an incident in freshman year college. Then Davian goes radio silent for a couple years and turns hateful towards Cam. His reasoning makes ZERO sense. Read it. You will come back here and say "you're right, this makes no sense."
“Here. Feel your own ass. Feel how soft your skin is.” Directing Davian’s fingers, he guided them to where they were connected. “Do you feel my dick? It fucking loves being inside you, claiming you.”
I was thinking that the sex better be off the goddamn charts to deal with this mind-boggling story and while there was a couple hot things it was nothing crazy or unique.
Profile Image for Natalie  H.
3,801 reviews30 followers
February 17, 2025
Feb 2025
Kindle edition

Didn't like this one. Not sure if it was the characters or if I just couldn't get into it. Not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Gina Roma.
108 reviews10 followers
February 13, 2025
Lola never disappoints, that's a fact. Whether it's a full-length novel or a short story, she always pulls you right into the world she creates in the most masterful way.

In Vile Heart, we dive into Cor’s Night, where Camren, one of the Black Harts, will do whatever it takes to reclaim (or rather, hunt down) his ex-best friend, Davian. Something happened two years ago, and tonight, he's determined to uncover the truth… and maybe a few other things along the way. 😏

Their chemistry is undeniable, the tension crackles on every page. The spicy is spiciest! all delivered in Lola’s signature, addictive writing style that makes it impossible to put the book down.

A perfect short read for Valentine's Day, set in the shared universe with Chani Lynn Feener, and one that leaves you craving more. I can't wait to read Blinding Lights and learn more about Helion.

Something very good is coming! 🚀💕💜
Profile Image for Mu.
268 reviews
February 14, 2025
Lola Malone has been honestly hit or miss for me. I've enjoyed her books but I haven't craved them or anything like that. I thought this one was a bit more of what I liked but also still something felt a bit off.

I love the premise and it's set in Chani Lyn Feneer's MM world. Both pluses for me. The part where I got confused a bit is the storyline between the two of them. The way the story is told is in bits and segments. However, the crux of the issue wasn't particularly complex so the reveal felt a bit lack luster.
Davian was fairly evasive the entire time to Camren's questions. So at the end when he finally gives in, it felt a bit out of nowhere. You could also see it as he's finally being honest with himself. Here's how I perceived it. Someone who constantly bottles stuff up and pushes down their feelings all the time isn't going to be able to stop suddenly.

Regardless, I think the payoff was pretty cute. There's elements that are attractive about the relationship between the two of them. Personally I really enjoy dark romance because I like the concept of someone who would do anything for you. There's something inherently romantic about it even with all the red flags.
So if that sounds appealing to you, it's a fairly short read! There's no real reason not to give it a try.
Profile Image for dix (1001 year old high strung anamoly).
412 reviews11 followers
April 9, 2025
Guilty of picking up this book just because of the cover and that was a huge mistake.
As beautiful as the cover is for me, the inside was the opposite.
At first, I was fucking confused with what was going on. If an entire new world is to be introduced in a book, it should be made easy so the readers can get into it. But that proved difficult here.
Next, 60 % of the book is MC1 chasing MC2 in a ritual and basically being horny all the time.
Duuude, at this point I was laughing pretty hard, unsure what I'm doing reading this book.
Then the idea struck that I can actually DNF, so here I am. Lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for vrstal.
621 reviews8 followers
March 5, 2025
3/5. Highlights may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Content Warnings for book: Noncon, dubcon, violence

Kink: Public sex

The rambling below will make it seem like I disliked this book. It’s not that, honestly. I just have to get this out though.

I’ll be real. Every time I take a crack at Feener’s sci-fi world I’m lost as hell. I don’t think it’s because I’m stupid - it’s convoluted, throws a wild amount of elements together that doesn’t work well together, and the exposition dumping is a nightmare. Multiple planets and monarchies, worlds that have modern day mafia for whatever reason, but also special powers but don’t worry aliens look exactly human, cyberpunk-esque tech ???

I don’t know if all those things should work together, but even if they should, surely you can think deeply about these world building decisions and make it make some sense besides just throwing a world bible at someone and hoping they’ll figure it out. Will I eventually find the answers in her books? Is that the secret to keep people reading? Maybe. Clearly it’s working because I’ve got plans to try and go back into the ringer to figure out WTF is happening.

Also… “questions and commands”. Come on now. We can call it truth or dare, I promise we will get it as an audience.

Anyway…

Malone’s novella is set in said world, hence the relevance. I could tell Malone wanted to dump the information ASAP to get to the actual plot because it came in big paragraphs in the beginning. Some which weren’t properly formatted, which is a shame. There’s some inconsistencies as well, like how a taser turned into a gun and then back into a taser in the span of a few paragraphs.

I want to like the writing, however the POV was an issue for me. It went from a dual POV then head hopping very quickly, with poor indicators of when this change was happening — as is the nature of head hopping. It was honestly a little discombobulating. Because it was just blips of Davian’s POV on occasion before going back to Camren?

As for the characters…

They were pretty enjoyable, though I think the decisions the MCs made on both sides are pretty immature, lmao. They’re college kids though, so it’s really not a surprise. Davian and Camren both are awful people in the end — Camren violently and truly, while Davian was pathetically doing bad things for his own selfish needs. Alls well that ends well, I suppose.
Profile Image for karli ;3.
70 reviews
February 28, 2025
To put it bluntly, this book sucked ass. LIKE GOOD LIGHT DUDE. I read Chani’s book Distant Heart first. Firstly, they spelled Illya’s name wrong in this book. Your editor needs to be fired. Secondly, in Chani’s book they describe Rex (Ellery’s cousin) as having blond hair. So tell me why, in Lola’s book, all of a sudden he’s a brunette. Like what??? Then there was the part where Davian was I guess “running” from Cam and he was like “oh where ever shall I go, almost everywhere is locked up.” Ummmm when did that happen? In Chani’s book, you know the person whose universe this is taking place in, it talks about how the students can go virtually anywhere except for the Black Harts Castle and leaving the campus premises. So when did everywhere become locked??? Also, it was like reading a fever dream dude. I was so confused on SO MANY PARTS. Like how did we go from A to Z? Where was the straight line to B? Why are we going from 0 to 100? Like what’s going on? What am I missing? I’m so confused. I rest my case.
Profile Image for J.J..
327 reviews6 followers
February 15, 2025
I have mixed feelings regarding this novella.

I did enjoy it, but like in other books from this author, it was a bit confusing. The characters' actions aren't always logical.

There were things that were implied but not really stated, and I felt like I was missing something. Maybe their regularly interrupted conversations lost me. They beat around the bush a lot, too.

This book also had quite a few typos, and Rexton was described as a “brunette” here, but I think he was a blonde in Chani's book?

Aside from all that, I still liked the style of the writing.
Profile Image for Hunter Hawk.
250 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2025
i thought this was a pretty good novella!

the plot was a bit confusing because we were thrown right into the middle of it and not given much explanation on the history between camren and davian, we just had to get that as we went. i also think this book could have used some polishing, there were a few formatting issues in the beginning and a few typos, but other than that this was really enjoyable.

i thought the story between camren and davian was pretty interesting once we finally get it all. i get why davian was so cautious to be with camren, but i’m also glad that camren never gave up on getting him back. the spices scenes were hot too. i really enjoyed these two novellas on cor night. they were both very fun.
Profile Image for Shyandmoodreader.
288 reviews
February 14, 2025
Vicious Valentines

This was a great Valentine's Day novella and an amazing prelude to the spectacular work that I'm sure Chani and Lola will do within this universe! I especially can't wait for Lola's next book now 😈.

If you've loved Lola's or Chani's work before, particularly the Devil's of Vitality then you'll love this as well 🥵 There's plenty of spice, an MC who's not so nice, but can be nice for his one person, and some internal struggle before the ultimate defeat 💥🔥. It's a great way to spend Valentine's Day! 💜
Profile Image for True Loveislovereview.
2,864 reviews1 follower
February 17, 2025
Camren is half Usurian, half Helion, he’s from the upper-class society.
At the biggest party of the year at Sacrum Cor University, at Cor Night, he wants to reunite with the love of his life, Davian.
Davian threw Camren out of his life two years ago, leaving Camren confused.
Camren decided it was time to reclaim Davian.

Camren wants to know the truth about why.

There’s a lot of push and pull. Camren is dripping with confidence, still, he only wants Davian’s love.
The vibe of this is dark, and the ‘hunt’ was delicious.
Overall a short and entertaining piece of work, I enjoyed reading it!
Profile Image for Leslie La Fuente.
125 reviews1 follower
February 15, 2025
Se me hace una pena que haya sido un libro corto 🥺 Siento que si fuese mas largo habría sido bestial. Todo un 10/10, me habría dado más oportunidades de conocer a los personajes.

Carem me ha encantado, ha Sido una maravilla todo Dark y oscuro Pero a la vez con emociones dentro de él. Quizás de ver un poco más está habría Sido de las mejores lecturas del mes Pero se me hizo muy rápido.

Eso sí, me ha dado muchas ganas de conocer a otros personajes de la antología
55 reviews
February 19, 2025
Good story, but...

Okay, so this was a good story with good characters, a little rushed, but it's a novella so that's expected. However, I only gave it 4 stars because there were a lot of mistakes that should have been caught in editing: incorrect grammar, wrong words used, and formatting errors. Overall a good story that I wish was longer, but I really did get pulled out of the story by editing mistakes too many times.
Profile Image for Natalie Brown.
652 reviews37 followers
February 15, 2025
I enjoyed this. I love Lolas writing, and this one didn't disappoint.

I love a second chance story and this one was a quick read that had all the spice we could ever want.

If you are looking for a quick introduction into this world, pick up this book.
Profile Image for SHANE ⋆.ೃ࿔* ⛓️.
65 reviews2 followers
June 13, 2025
This had such a promising premise and idea but between the execution of it, the grammar mistakes, the spelling mistakes with words AND character names, and how many time Camren says “baby,” really was not great.
Profile Image for camms.bookshelf.
587 reviews31 followers
February 14, 2025
Vile Hearts

This was everything I needed in a naughty Valentine night! Best friends to estranged to lovers done in the best possessive way!
Profile Image for Readbookswithcats .
419 reviews11 followers
February 19, 2025
Cute novella, this book is written by Lola Malone but it’s part of Chani Lynn Feener’s universe! I love this universe and I will eat it all up!! 🩵🩵🩵
30 reviews
March 24, 2025
Really good book. Good storyline and characters.
Shorter than I would have liked, but it hit the spots.
243 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2025
Disappointing…

To say that this entry in Chani Lynn Feener’s sci-fi dark romance universe is a disappointment would be an understatement. Poorly plotted and unsatisfying.
Profile Image for ErikaWasReading.
516 reviews16 followers
April 29, 2025
This novella felt rushed (the pacing + errors). It was too many scenes for 88 pgs.

It was interesting enough that I’ll give the author’s book set in Chani’s Devils world a go.
Profile Image for tobifun.pp.
382 reviews10 followers
February 19, 2025
rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
darkness: 🖤🖤
feelings: 🥰🥵😍🫠


Ever since I read my first Lola Malone story, I've been hooked. In Vile Heart she ventures into the science fiction genre.
Once again she has managed to pack a lot of information and deep emotion into a short story (88 pages). Vile Heart is dark and gripping. I love Camren and Davian's story!
Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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