Born For Lace

The Cradled Common #2

by Nicci Harris

Mini Blurb"I'm on the run from The Trade with a baby that is technically their property.

And the man helping me escape is a seven-foot-one rogue devoid of compassion who turns out to be the beast of my nightmares."

Full blurb coming soon...

For readers who would enjoy a spicy Red Riding Hood meets Divergent, with the barren, wild backdrop of Dune by Frank Herbert. Born For Lace is a romance-driven adult sci-fi novel set in a dark dystopian society.

Genres: Dark Romance, Fantasy, Dystopia, Dark, Romance, Forced Proximity, Science Fiction

444 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2025

About the author

I write about women who make unattainable men fall hard and forever.

♥ Stalk me please:

https://linktr.ee/author.nicciharris

♥

"She (Nicci) shines in crafting novels that toe the line between dark and dangerous, and sweet and sexy, which culminates into a deliciously sinful story of passion, truth, and acceptance." - Jessica @jessicareadsit

Reviews

[Rain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give this story 4 stars (I really enjoy this universe), but there were too many places it felt inconsistent, and I really struggled with the first half.

Like with Born for Silk, this story is a mix of Mad Max, Handmaid’s Tale, and Dune. I do not recommend this book you have delicate sensibilities, or issues with male/female power imbalances.

I’m completely and utterly falling in love with this emotionally unavailable, inhuman male.

That’s pretty much what this entire book is about.

What I enjoyed:
Dystopian world
This hero puts the A in alpha
Major size difference
Age gap (H 40+, h 22)
No ow once in relationship
HFN (this is precarious)

Everyone in this futuristic, yet archaic world, has a function. They are born and bred to serve out their purpose in life.

What I didn’t enjoy:
❌ On-page sex with multiple OW before relationship begins.
❌ Highly doubtful someone can have sex with a broken rib and not be in extreme pain.
❌ The characters need more depth. I really couldn’t connect much with either one of them.
❌ There is a bit of a love triangle. This is painful to watch.
❌ An important part of the end is left off-page, why???
❌ So dark and depressing. Even up to the end, I questioned his strength and sanity to battle against what was done to him and how he was created.

"Can you tell me one thing you like then?” I wipe at the insolent tear. “Just one?"

His dark eyes track my tear. "You."

TWs:
Dubious consent
Torture
Murder
Mind manipulation/conditioning
Violence, gore
Domestic violence

[Jamie]

Ugh pissed I have to put this in the will not read shelf after anticipating it for a while 🙄🙄🙄🙄 “mild ow” drama in my opinion, is NOT having multiple scenes of the H with multiple ow’s

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: dystopian, size difference
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Absolutely loved it and ate it in one sitting! I had high hopes for Born for Lace, since I enjoyed Born for Silk so much, and Nicci Harris absolutely nailed it! Great worldbuilding, without overwhelming us with info dumps, fast-paced, and all the micro tropes we just can't get enough of:
✅ big size difference
✅ lactation schmink
✅ other man drama
✅ he's human only for her
✅ sunny, sweet heroine with barely-verbal, grumpy hero

Not a super intensive read, but definitely going in my Faves of 2025 pile!

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world Nicci Harris has created is absolutely fascinating. It is so hard to condense everything I love about it into a review. You truly have to read it to experience it yourself. This Dystopian world is brutal, cruel, and mysterious. Characters are living on the knife edge and the stakes couldn't be higher. Yet there were still moments of quiet peace and room for love to grow.

Dahlia and Lagos are up against the odds. They are from completely different worlds and meant for opposite fates. Dahlia has been cosseted and protected, though her place in society is bleak as hell, if you ask me. Lagos is made for death and has known no softness. How can they make a future together?

I couldn't look away from their journey. It was painful and uncertain but it made their HEA that much more impactful. Though, this world still has a way to go if they are to be safe. I look forward to Born for Marble and I hope it leads to some answers about how to heal this world a bit.

Narrated by Troy Duran & Mackenzie Cartwright.

4.5 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale

CW: maternal death in childbirth, violence, death, attempted SA

*Thank you to the author for an ARC and ALC of this title.*

[*ೃnaziba ˘͈ᵕ˘͈ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was….interesting. I liked it more than I thought I would 🫣

4/5

[Anna Nenna]

Well I started this on audio and chapter 10 almost made me DNF - there are detailed multiple OW scenes (MMC orally pleasuring 2 “house girls” and all other girls being lined up to participate because he can go for an entire day 🤢 - the FMC watches and is curious and just when I thought it will be over bam chapter 11 we see him satisfying another 2 girls - FMC is finally jealous!
The 180 he has only a few chapters later, when we see his inner thoughts and obsession for her, him being all “Mine” - don’t feel right or believable. Not to mention after they connect more and have intimate scenes he is still contemplating being with other women (chapter 25 I believe?) FMC is constantly insecure and wondering if he will be seeking other women (even after they sleep together)
Everything else was just a blurry story because this spoiled it for me… Why was this necessary!? There was a “mild OW” drama warning on authors’ page but to me this was more than mild! I don’t want him having all the detailed fun while she is “innocent” and taking care of a child (not hers!)
I very much loved first book in the series!
I liked several other stories by Nicci - incl. curvy13 on audio - she writes very compelling and complex stories with sometimes quite dark and heavy subjects and the world she created in Born for Silk is amazing however unnecessary OP detailed scenes and drama is something that will kill the mood for me! (If I expect a monogamous romance than I don’t want to read detailed OP scenes!)
Not sure I will be purchasing the final audiobook!

[*CJ* · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Born for Lace” is the story of Dahlia and Lagos.

In this dark, dystopian romance, a shadow assassin falls for a lace girl.
The heroine is on the run with her late friend’s baby. She is rescued by the hero and his acquaintance. The book is a tale of them fighting to survive, saving the child’s life, an obsession and want for love, the hope for a better future, some heartbreak, and a hopeful ending.
The chemistry between the MCs is off charts- he is a big bad brute and she is a soft belle. There is insane amounts of sex, breeding, some milk fetish, and an ending that will leave you.. sad but happy for the couple. I always find romances where it’s “us vs the world” pretty depressing because i struggle to envision how their stories will ultimately end.

Anyways, a good read.

Safe
3.5/5

[Cristina]

DNF @ 69%: When I tell you I was excited for this book… Sadly the h witnesses not one but two women having relations with the H. It completely turned me off 🫤.

[Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars

Tropes : sci-fi, dystopian, J/P H, alpha H, broody H, huge H x small h, touch her and 💀, romantic suspense, manhoe x virgin, age gap (18 years)
Ending : HEA (2 kids)
Triggers : mention of SA, attempted SA, violence, gore, abuse, 💀 of loved one, murder
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst : 🔥🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : OW/OM (OW were prostitutes that slept with the H, OM was H’s friend)
Celibate while separated: yes
Intimacy details: virgin h, rough sex, no condom, slight breeding kink, choking, oral
Standalone/Series : part of an interconnected series

Hero : Lagos / six (40)
Heroine: Dahlia ‘little flower’ (22)

I’ll lost the thing I liked and disliked from this book

Like:

1. How possessive Lagos was
2. How broody Lagos was
3. The pace of the story
4. The development of the relationship between the MCs
5. The love confession from Lagos

Dislike:

1. Lagos slept with multiple women after he met Dahlia and she saw him in the middle of the act and he was being and asshole and practicing double standard act by telling everyone Dahlia was off limits
2. Lagos kept pushing Dahlia by being around OW
3. Lagos SAd women years ago and killed possibly multiple of them although he sort of blacked out while doing the act and he didn’t mean to do it but the coil that was inserted in his head made him mad and did bad things but it was still a bitter pill to swallow
4. How sex was seen as something ‘normal’ and a holy purpose for silk girls and they did all that while they were drugged
5. Lagos mentioned how he had sex with random women in the past


I’ve read the previous book so I knew what was going on in this universe but it still annoyed me to read some of the things that I listed above.

Other than that I truly enjoyed this one.

[Bookfairy21 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absurdly stunning, dramatic, breathtaking and I’m actually a little lost for words so will add to my review when I can find the time to articulate it to do it the best justice.

So this beautifully crafted love story is dark, heart wrenching, full of angst and determination. Lagos knows what he can’t have is the one thing he wants the most. Dahlia is drawn to this huge thuggish brute who is everything she doesn’t like, but is irrevocably drawn to him.

[Serial Romance Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world building was fantastic. The research the author put into this was fantastic.

3.5 stars rounded up. This book depressed me and the power exchange and clueless heroine got on my nerves. There were OW as well.

The love triangle really bothered me though because I felt like that character deserved so much better and I didn’t feel that him revealing his feelings vibed with his selfless nature.

I would consider this a HFN.

[Amber (Amber Reads Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

Reread 9/15/2025 - Listened to the audiobook and my rating is still the same. I enjoyed the narration by Troy Duran & Mackenzie Cartwright.

Original Review - 5/11/2025

Born for Lace was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025. I was so excited to dive into the complex and dark Dystopian world Nikki Harris created. The first book blew me away, and I was so impressed with Born for Silk. This book managed to expand the worldbuilding even more. Nicci showcased the gritty and hard world of The Common and all the people trying to live outside of The Cradle.

Dahlia is a Lace Girl, which is a girl whose meaningful purpose is to provide emotional support and relief to a trade man during a deep sleep. The Lace Girl's are put in the deep sleep to keep them pure and wholesome. Dahlia's closest friend in her collective has died giving birth to a Xin De baby. She asks her to go on the run with her baby and sends her to meet Tomar. She leaves everything she knows to protect the baby from The Trade with the help of Tomar and his Xin De friend Lagos. This starts a crazy and dangerous journey to try and get them to safety.

Lagos is the epitome of a silent, broody, and severely damaged hero. He tries to keep his distance and push Dahlia away, but he can't fight his attraction for her. Dahlia goes on an intense journey of self-discovery and learns everything the world has to offer. I loved the connection that builds between Dahlia and Lagos. This man was so possessive and protective of his "little flower," and I loved every moment of it.

I am so excited to get to Born for Marble, and I can't wait to see what Nikki Harris does next with this world.

Thank you to Nicci Harris for providing the ARC.

TW: Mother's death during childbirth, attempted SA, violence, brain washing/conditioning, torture, death.
Kinky times: Lactation kink, he's too big, rough sex

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled to connect to either character in this one. There were some interesting scenes but both of the characters were fairly bland unless they were having sex with each other or thinking about sex. The world is interesting but the characters were not. They were not balanced enough for me. The author made their whole characters too dependent on what their roles are in this dystopian world. I did like the grumpy sunshine trope though. The h was sweet and I wanted to like her a lot more than I did. I think there was just too much inner monologue here and I found myself zoning out while listening.

Overall: 2.5

[Lila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was this perfect? No
Did I love it anyway? YES 🙌🏻

It’s been a minute since I read “Born for Silk” and I had forgotten how much I enjoy Nicci Harris’ writing style.

This book is full of angst, heartache, self-discovery, love, and so much more. I loved their story.

Some highlights:

✅ Dystopian/Fantasy world
✅ OTT Jealous/Possessive MMC (takes him a while to get there though)
✅ Innocent FMC
✅ Size difference
✅ Plot!
✅ Breeding


“Do you want me to be yours, little flower?”
Pop goes my heart—a bloody mess everywhere.
“Yes,” I whisper.
“Then I am yours.”

*swoon*

[ritika · Rating 2 out of 5]

”As much as I want to chew her knickers off, I don’t.” ok calm the fuck down goat boy

[Sharrons_Chapter · Rating 5 out of 5]

LAGOS. IS. EVERYTHING.

"You were my great experience, little flower." I DIED!!!

I am completely undone over Lagos. He’s a massive, seven-foot-one beast—gruff, brooding, inked, and sharp as a blade. Words aren’t his thing—he communicates in grunts, glares, and the kind of stillness that makes your pulse stutter. He moves like danger, breathes like violence… yet somehow, when it comes to Dahlia, he becomes something else. Protective. Possessive. Gentle, in a way that feels accidental. He treats her like she’s fragile in a world that’s never been kind.

And Dahlia? She’s the softest kind of storm—delicate, proper, a sweet lace girl with wide eyes and a heart too gentle for the brutal world she’s stumbled into. She’s everything Lagos shouldn’t want... and the only thing he can’t seem to stay away from.

The chemistry between them crackles like lightning—raw and utterly addictive. Every glance, every tension-filled silence, every moment they try not to fall... only pulls them deeper. And when the heat ignites? It’s explosive!!

But just when Dahlia starts to surrender to the intoxicating pull of this brutally beautiful brute, she discovers the darkest truth—Lagos might be the very threat she’s been running from all along.

And Spero— that sweet shadow baby ruined me. I was not prepared to be wrecked by a dark little creature who wraps himself around Dahlia like she belongs to him. From the moment she meets him, it’s over—she’s head over heels. And honestly? Same. SAME.

[Shelby | Spicy.booknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dystopian MF
Damaged Hero
Broody Asshole
Sweet Naive FMC
On The Run
Size Difference
Slow Burn
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥

Wow, what a crazy ass world this author has created. So so dark. Love it. These books are interconnected standalones, but I would suggest reading book one first because you get a lot more understanding of the kind of world this is.

Daliah is thrust into a horrible situation where she made to go on the run, even though she is very content with her sheltered and easy life. She is a Lace Girl, which basically sounds like being an emotional support human. But sexual. And while they are drugged. So not that great of a deal. She’s so sweet though and so naive, but she is loyal and tries to fulfill a dying friend’s wish. Which leads her to Lagos and Tomas. Lagos. Ooooh man this dude is fire. He’s a mean, broken and broody Mofo that’s 7ft tall and has a forearm sized peen. He also has a tragic backstory that’ll break your heart and have so much hope for these two. They have that instant hate-attraction that’s so yummy to read.

So. World building is fantastic. Romance is steamy and hot as hell. Adventure and drama was an adrenaline rush. I only have one complaint but it’s a big one for me. This author did Tomas dirty. The whole way through. I won’t go into spoilers but it was uncomfortable. I want him to get his story, because he deserves it. I just loved his character. That being said, I still 100% recommend this book and series. Everything else is just amazing 🤩

[Valerie Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In anticipation of Born for Lace, I reread Born for Silk last week to refresh my memory. Unfortunately, my second read confirmed my initial impression: while the world is rich with symbolism, sensuality, and political intrigue, something about the execution still feels lacking—particularly in terms of plot cohesion. That may be intentional, considering the protagonist’s damaged psyche and introspective nature, but it still left me wanting more clarity and depth.
That said, I actually enjoyed the second book more than the first. I liked Dahlia’s drive, but also her innocence—she’s a more emotionally complex character, and I found myself more invested in her journey this time around. The Bite and the House Girls added texture to the narrative, and I didn’t mind the “other woman” drama; it brought a layer of grit and tension to the wasteland journey that worked for me.
Tomar, in particular, stood out. His inner struggle between duty and desire, between faith and rebellion, made him compelling. His kindness and sense of conflict gave him emotional weight, and I found myself wanting much more of his backstory—especially if he really is Xin De, just smaller than Lagos. Honestly, I felt he deserved better. By the end, I was also glad to see Lagos finally speak with some real presence—his dialogue in the final chapters felt long overdue.
Plot-wise, I found this installment much more engaging than the first. It had better pacing and more stakes, even if I still had lingering questions. What truly sets Lace Girls apart from House Girls or Silk Girls? If Lace Girls are meant to soothe but not reproduce, why not subject them to the same brutal measures we saw used on Queen Trinity in Born for Silk? And how did Maple, Dahlia’s best friend, end up entangled with a Shadow and pregnant if she was assigned to a different Ward? For that matter—what do Shadows actually do beyond vague mercenary work?
One thing I missed was the emotional intimacy between women that helped define the first book. Born for Silk gave us rich female friendships, and I had high hopes when Dahlia met Sweets at the Bite, but that connection fizzled out before it could mean anything.
As for the love triangle—I actually loved it. Tomar’s big secret was such a shocking and emotional reveal. It really showed that no one is perfect, even someone who appears as flawless and noble as Tomar. That darkness made him feel all the more real. He wasn’t just the "safe" choice—he was hiding something deep and disturbing, and yet still trying to do good. I wouldn’t mind reading a redemption arc for him, maybe even with the girl from the Commons. That would be a story worth telling.
Still, I liked the plot of Book 2 so much more, and I appreciated how Dahlia’s arc began to form, even if it didn’t reach its full potential. I just wish there had been more ties to Born for Silk—aside from a brief mention of Rome in the desert, there wasn’t much overlap. That said, I feel like the author’s writing has improved by leaps and bounds, and I think that’s a big reason why I’m so highly anticipating Born for Marble. This world still intrigues me, and I’m eager to see where the story goes next.

[aedor ୨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

《3 ☆》

Again, I'm so very in love with the background of the story, how the world is built in. One thing I hate: being forced to hate one character that has a bigger potential and my favorite becomes... fucked up.
SPOILER AHEAD



























Yes, it's Tomar. He being in love with Dahlia is so forced, and I hate it. He should be a character who, okay, waves his old-religion-from-the-old-world flag to serve his own purposes, and he used to be a fucking priest. Yet... he suddenly becomes horny? And super fucking annoying? And not even a Tomar anymore. Hate it so much and i drop 2 stars. He should be the peacemaker, he put everyone first except himself. If the author wanted him to be like, "I'll take care of you because he's a mess," just ask her and don't try to be a fucking creep and steal her undies, etc. What a frigging mess. Just ask, like, "I know you're sad, etc., but I can keep you" safe"—something like this, not being forced romantically about it. Then the girl will be like, "He's kind, he's prepared for me—but he's not him," you know, creating a dilemma (a healthy dilemma). Then it's ok if the Lagos act like horny beasts and red-flag him the way he is. Disappointed with the characters written.

[Alexandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think this series has fallen into the easy trappings of "instant love" syndrome. Which really really sucks as the dystopian world these stories are set in is genuinely intriguing and has all the bones to make for a grand, fantastical universe we don't see all that much amidst the craze for faeries and witches right now.

The first book of The Cradled Common (Born For Silk) met some of the same pitfalls this second book has but whereas the first book had the advantage of introducing me to this desert world and all of it felt new, Born For Lace could not conveniently rely on that interest. But it's a romance ultimately, right?..... Well, as if the instant love syndrome and easy caving-in from both the FMC and MMC wasn't enough of an obstacle to read, the lack of chemistry between them was enough for me to lose interest completely in their story.

I just couldn't get over the feeling that I was being fed lazy trope sunshine-grumpy dynamics with a good ol' side heaping of a) "she's so soft, she's so feminine, look how she gigles instead of laughs, how she soothes instead of irritates, soft soft soft did I mention she's soft and innocent" and b) "he's so hard, so tough and rough and cold and gruff, it's so male, the way he talks, groans, smells, walks, blinks is soooo male, he doesn't even really speak he grunts... like a male" slop..............

It's not even that I don't like soft female characters or disgruntled male characters actually! But if you keep INSISTING that's what they are every other sentence in every other paragraph then it's going to be a chore to get through and instead of reading about multi-dimensional characters with nuance, they're going to read as cartoon characters. And I'd argue you'd even find more substance and complexity from WB cartoons.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5⭐️
Spice: 2🌶️
Would Recommend!

My Review:
Heart? Shattered. Soul? Obsessed. 🥹🔥

I’m convinced Nicci just wants to play with our hearts—and honestly? She does it so beautifully. This book was so so amazing, I don’t even have the words. While reading, it genuinely felt like I was part of the Cradle, and I didn’t want to leave. Ever. ✨

Dahlia? I loved her. She went from this sweet, naive girl to a fiery force just for Spero, and I was in awe of her entire arc. Like, girl—YES. 👏
And Lagos… my poor baby. The emotional war he had with himself absolutely wrecked me. His pain? His growth? His everything?? I was in tears more than once. 🖤

The writing? As incredible as always. The plot? A non-stop adventure—twist after twist, moment after moment. And the spice? 🔥🔥

My only complaint? I wish this book was longer. I legit tried to stretch my reading time because I didn’t want to leave this world. I’m not ready to let go.

Nicci, you did it again—and I’m already desperate for more. 🙌🏼

Tropes:
Dystopian romance
Lactation kink
Breeding kink
v-h

[Melissa Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Close your eyes, little flower.”

This is, hands down, the best book Ive read this year. I GENUINELY don’t know how any other book could possibly contend for the top spot. I am so emotionally wrapped up in this story that even two days later I can’t stop thinking about it.

Except for Tuscany and Kong’s book (Born for Marble)… if that one comes out this year then they’re gonna have to duke it out. But Lagos vs Kong? I mean… I might have 2 books tied for #1 LOL.

Ok so heres the deal.

I KNEW I was going to enjoy this book. Born for Silk was HANDS DOWN my fave read of 2024. I always have enjoyed Nicci’s books, but Book One— Born for Silk— was in a totally different category. I was crying by like the 10th page of the book (Of course it was because of Tuscany. So…… seriously excited for her book lol). You KNOW When an author makes you sob because of something that was said/happened with a (then) secondary character who had only been introduced on page like 5 pages before that shit is gonna be good. But I DID NOT realize how much I was going to love Born for Lace. It was absolutely one of my most anticipated releases of the year— but there’s no better feeling than when you get to read a book you’ve been excited about and it absolutely surpasses your expectations. Born for Lace did that 1000%

Dahlia, the heroine, was FANTASTIC. And honestly… while I still think I like Rome a BIT better… Lagos is def going on the “top book boyfriends of all time” list. Honestly this MAN. He is JUST as obsessed and JUST as possessive as Rome was with Aster. And it’s even better because while we got to watch Aster grow outside of her training being a Silk Girl.. we REALLY got to watch Dahlia grow in the real world outside her training for being a Lace girl- something we didn’t really get to see with Aster as she was confined and still fulfilling her Meaningful Purpose. I love how the author went in a completely different direction with this book and this heroine. I really really enjoyed getting to see and learn more about the world in general as well.

Dahlia is forced on the run— her best friend in her collective has died in childbirth and Dahlia has promised to take care of her child, Spero (meaning “hope). She gives Dahlia very basic instructions. Where to go and to “find Tomar.”

Well Tomar isn’t alone. He has a best friend/brother named Lagos with him… and they have been paid to take who they think is Maple (Dahlia’s friend who passed away) and her child to safety and away from the Trade.

Dahlia doesn’t correct them— to be fair she’s TERRIFIED and hasn’t really been around the genetically modified Xin De males (Genetically modified humans who are larger, faster, stronger and have certain animal traits like a third eyelid to help them combat the dystopian world they live in). But it soon becomes obvious that Spero isn’t her child, and she has to explain to Tomar and Lagos what happened.

They take her somewhere called The Bite. It’s an underground refuge city in caves that they reach by water. The goal is to eventually get her and the child to another refuge across the desert that will take in her and the child as common run-aways. There in The Bite is where the adventure really begins— both for us and for Dahlia. Dahlia sees everything with a sense of wonder that is so incredibly endearing. She is kind, she’s gracious, she is aware of her own faults, and she desperately wants a friend. She is taking care of a child who is NOT hers (and who she finds out some insane information about that will wind up putting her in harms way the rest of her life if she decides to keep taking care of him— which she does), and she is still open and wonderful to everyone around her. She’s a bit too trusting.. a bit naive (which she admits to), but watching her experience things outside of her Collective and the Tower where she lived and was groomed for her Meaningful Purpose her entire life was so phenomenal and such a GREAT way for the author to explain the Trade, the Cradle and everything else about the world, or give a refresher for those who have read book 1.

Lagos is… gah. He’s perfection. He’s quiet, huge, grunts a lot and is desperate to keep himself away from Dahlia who he sees as innocence personified. He has a rough history.. a really really rough history.. but slowly she breaks him down just be being herself. She doesn’t needle him or guilt him into doing what she wants him to do (which drives me NUTS when heroines do that. Literally looking at you Ygritte from ASOIAF and Faile from The Wheel of Time ). She understands, accepts his demeanor and how he feels and still just tries to know him and be kind to him. Honestly he scares her a bit, and to see her deal with her fears and keep trying with him—trying to be kind to him— it’s amazing.

”Help me; I’m completely and utterly falling in love with this emotionally unavailable, inhuman man.”

This book is SO emotional. As the relationship between Dahlia and Lagos grows more intense, they get closer to the refuge where they are taking her and Spero to be safe. Lagos and Tomar are rogues— they dont stay in one place, and they couldnt’ stay with her even if they wanted to because the place they’re taking her and the child is for Common people only. No Xin De males. The plot gets heavier, the danger more real as the people after the child get closer and closer, and the romance hotter as the story progresses. Quite honestly, I couldn’t put this book down.

”Can you tell me one thing you like then?”
I wipe at the insolent tear. “Just one?”
His dark eyes track my tear.
“You.”

Don’t even get me started on how emotional this book made me. I sobbed my eyes out the final 25% of the book. (It does have a HEA, don’t worry!) But the things that the characters went through, the things they go through, the way they FOUGHT tooth and nail (quite literally) was enough to evoke such an unreal emotional response from me as a reader… at one point I was blowing my nose and crying so hard that my cat walked up to me and slapped my phone out of my hands. (I still don’t know if he like, intuitively knew that whatever I was reading was making me cry or if he’s just an asshole and wanted me to shut up so he could sleep, and decided to bat at the only thing I was holding. Probably the later😂)

”Mine. Mine. Fucking Mine. That’s all I know, and I can’t think of anything more dangerous than a little flower plucked and kept by an iron-blooded beast.”

I am so so so in love with this book. The story is gripping, real, and emotional. The spice is AMAZING. Nicci does NOT shy away from the smut in this book at all, and for a man who doesn’t talk much, he sure does run his dirty mouth once he gets Dahlia where he wants her (i mean.. on his c*ck. In case anyone was confused about exactly where it was he wanted her😂)

When she is around I don’t know who I am anymore. Soft. Pathetic.

I can’t wait for book 3. I dont think I could accurately express how perfect this book was, and I honestly don’t ever want Nicci to stop writing these books. This series could go on forever and I’d be a happy girl.. lol

*ARC generously provided by the author and her PA*

“I’m gong to fill this little body,” he warns. “You’re going to be swollen and sore tomorrow, with my scent all over you, so there is no mistaking you’re-“ He growls, “Mine.”

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection!

I really don’t want to compare this series, this world, or this couple to anything else because it really is in a league of its own.

Do not sleep on Nicci Harris! Her writing is immaculate IMO, I’ve loved everything of her’s that I have read, but I have to say this series is quickly becoming my absolute favorite.

If you love dark romance or dystopian and/or sci-fi romance, you’ll eat this up. The world building is so rich and unique—I highly recommend starting with book one for the best reading experience; and don’t overlook the glossary at the beginning of the book!

Dahlia and Lagos are my fave type of couple..so much tension between them. You will feel just as frustrated as Dahlia does, but when the actual romance hits, it will all have been worth it!

Massive size difference, grumpy/sunshine(ish)—as much sunshine as one in this world could have, that is—non human MMC, naive FMC who ends up having to learn things the hard way, and so much more. Highly recommend!!!

[Claudia Gomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt similar to the first one but now we have a traumatised ex shadow soldier and a lace girl who has to run away with her best friends baby who also happens to be a shadow. I loved how caring she was and how she put everything aside to give that baby a chance at a better life. And Lagos… grumpy, huge, and dare I say super sexy, I loved him! It had a different vibe, same dystopian world, and it still kept me hooked. I can’t give it any lower than a solid 4⭐️.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Born for Lace was another really enjoyable book in this series. Dahlia and Lagos were great together and I loved when they finally got together. While the World this author has created is dark and depressing, I look forward to rereading this book and I can't wait for more in this series.

[✨Dina Hathaway✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy this one as much as Born for Silk. The female character was played too naive at times and the whole asking inappropriate questions at two strange man was a buzz kill.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5.

I'll start by saying Born for Silk (the first in this series) was a highlight of my dystopian romance reading last year. In anticipation of Born for Lace, I reread Born for Silk last week and was once again mesmerized by its world of Meaningful Purpose, sex, and political intrigue.

Unfortunately, this second installment doesn't hold a candle to the first. Dahlia's trade as a Lace Girl was underdeveloped and lacked the narrative impact that Aster's did. What exactly distinguishes Lace Girls from House Girls? If Lace Girls are meant to soothe rather than reproduce, like Silk Girls, why not (brutally, pragmatically) remove their wombs as they did to Queen Trinity in the first book? And how did Maple, Dahlia's best friend, manage to get involved with a Shadow and become pregnant if she served a different Ward? What do Shadows *do*, beyond vague mercenary work for the Trade Master?

What I Liked:
- The Bite and the House Girls were highlights. I didn't mind the OW drama. It added grit and tension to the journey across the wastelands.
- I liked Tomar quite a bit. His struggle between duty and desire, between believing in God and helping others escape the Cradle, was compelling. But if he's also Xin De, just smaller than Lagos, what's his backstory? Why does he believe what he believes? I wanted more. I also thought he deserved better.
- I appreciated the ending. Lagos--at long last--displays had some actual dialogue!

What I Didn’t Like:
- Dahlia's inner monologue wasn't engaging. I still don't understand the social function of a Lace Girl, especially compared to House Girls (who soothe/pleasure) or Silk Girls (who mate/nurture). Are they essentially housekeepers who occasionally serve a sexual purpose? I would've preferred if Dahlia were a House Girl slowly realizing her worth, rather than a Lace Girl who doubled down in pining for a beast aptly nicknamed “brute.”
- The love triangle didn't land for me. Tomar's repression, kindness, and temptation were intriguing and gave him emotional weight. Lagos, on the other hand, mostly grunted and acted like a caveman. Why are we supposed to root for *him*? When Tomar callously suggested Dahlia had fallen for Lagos because Lagos had "gotten there first," I nodded and agreed...
- I sorely missed the female companionship that elevated Born for Silk. When Dahlia befriended Sweets at the Bite, I thought we'd get a glimpse of women helping each other survive in subversive, private ways under patriarchal rule. Instead, that thread fizzled out. Worse, we spent nearly 40% of the book isolated from society, which didn't contribute to the world-building at all.
- And speaking of world-building, we learned next to nothing about the Shadows. How do they receive assignments? Who really pulls the strings? What do their roles look like in the field? Lagos' capture and return felt like a beat-for-beat copy of Peeta's POW arc in Hunger Games... Traumatized, paranoid, and emotionally inaccessible. Here, it came off as a bit unimaginative.

All that said, I'll *absolutely* be reading the next book. I can't wait to watch Kong pine for Trinity from afar (sign me up for yearning!). I'm really hoping it'll be a more political, more *ambitious* book with better pacing. Until then, back to the Crust I go!

[The Book Scientist · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be my favorite in the series so far! I really enjoyed the first book, but this one felt even more emotionally intense and addictive.

Lagos was a bit difficult to warm up to at first—he had that brooding, emotionally unavailable thing going on—but once he stopped fighting his feelings for Dahlia, I was completely hooked! Their dynamic was raw, complicated, and hard to look away from.
If I had to pick one part that didn’t quite work for me—and yes, I’m being a little precious here—it would be the scene with Lagos and the house girls. I get that they weren’t together yet, and I don’t need the main characters to be virgins, but I would’ve preferred it fade to black… or, you know, fade to never. It didn’t ruin the story, but it did pull me out of it for a beat. Still, that’s a small complaint in a book that kept me interested.

A huge bonus: the audiobook narration was great! Troy Duran and Mackenzie Cartwright absolutely nailed the emotional moments. Their performances added real depth to the characters—Duran brought just the right amount of intensity to Lagos, and Cartwright captured Dahlia’s strength and vulnerability beautifully. If you’re an audiobook listener, don’t even think twice—this is the way to experience it.
Overall, this book delivered all the messy, emotional, beautifully-written drama I came for. Bring on the next one!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
HEA? yes
3rd act break-up? yes
Audiobook 🎧 4/5
🌶🌶🌶🌶/5

[Sara Lavina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Harris does it again!
When I read the dedication, I thought to myself that she couldn't top the Butcher Men, especially not after Born For Silk, that set a narrative that was quite different from her other series.
Then I understood why she said so. And why the original plan was to have it as book one in the series. Honestly, I'm still torn on whether or not it would've worked better that way. It's complicated, because it'd set the bar really high, then again, I loved Born For Silk too, though maybe a smidge less than Born For Lace. So maybe it's better this way, even if you have no continuity to the “original” story you read in Born For Silk (hence why I'm dying over here for Born For Marble!!!). In any case, all I know is that I need a crossover, for the two main couples to meet. I can already see Dahlia and Aster create pure chaos just to tease their men.
So, first off: Dahlia. I found her similar to Aster in a more immediate way, but that was mostly due to her circumstances. She's fierce and I love how she handled her naiveté, which was mostly due to her hiding her head in the sand, so to speak. She also feels real, especially after one specific point in the story: that's one of the best achievements an author could reach.
As for Lagos, it will feel redundant, but I needed more of him, especially toward the end, because what little glimpses we got weren't enough (they never are, I know, but still!). I completely understood why he's Max 2.0, and it's not like a copy/paste of the same character, it really is more like a tribute, of another version of him that's also his own character.
The story itself is wonderful, more action goes into it than what you read in Born For Silk, though certainly you'll find the same amount of passion and tension. I adored it. Also, the concept of Lace Girls is interesting and terrifying at the same time, but, then again, the whole concept of the Cradle is horrifying (my poor baby Tuscany, yes, my mind still goes to her!). Gah, I really can't wait for the next book, which I know for a fact will wreck me!
(As for Tomar, the jury is still out on whether or not I want to see more of him or not. He's such a complex character, too!)

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Im so grateful to have been able to ARC read for this book, I read Born for Silk, and absolutely fell in love! Such a cool dystopian world and the spice be spicy. Lagos and Dahlia had me in a chokehold. They are on the run but they're trying to decide whether they are running towards or away from each other. If you like the sound of a 7ft tall, genetically modified (and tatted) beast of a man and a 5ft tall delicate woman who's on the run from a society who wants what she vowed to protect, you've found your next adventure! Add this to your TBR immediately and preorder, you aren't gonna wanna miss this wild ride.