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Unethical
Unethical is a MEDIUM GRAY dark romance novella standalone.
It's only unethical if we get caught
Maxim
I see her jotting down notes in her little notebook. Psychopath. Deranged. No empathy to be found. She doesn't yet understand just how right she is, but she will.
I'm obsessed with her. She consumes my every waking thought. The problem is, she's my therapist.
Can she break through to me, or will I end up breaking her?
Age gap
Therapist x Convict
Forced Proximity
Stalker
Unhinged MMC
This dark romance novella has extreme content. Full list of content warnings on LaurenBiel.com. Please listen responsibly.
It's only unethical if we get caught
Maxim
I see her jotting down notes in her little notebook. Psychopath. Deranged. No empathy to be found. She doesn't yet understand just how right she is, but she will.
I'm obsessed with her. She consumes my every waking thought. The problem is, she's my therapist.
Can she break through to me, or will I end up breaking her?
Age gap
Therapist x Convict
Forced Proximity
Stalker
Unhinged MMC
This dark romance novella has extreme content. Full list of content warnings on LaurenBiel.com. Please listen responsibly.
Audible Audio
Published February 24, 2025
222 people are currently reading
2789 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Biel
37 books4,832 followersLauren’s stories are often emotionally raw, with lots of twists and turns. She describes her writing as “where light meets dark”, which represents how her witty humor compliments the darkness in every story. Instead of trying to mold her writing to fit in a box, she chooses to be unapologetically herself. While her focus is on Romance with dark elements, subgenre is no constraint for her. The common theme in every book is finding love when you least expect it. She enjoys putting her characters through tribulations, allowing their triumphs to be that much more poignant. Make sure you have your seatbelts secured. It’s always a bumpy ride.
When she’s not working, she’s writing. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her husband, her friends, or her pets. You might also find her on a horseback trail ride or sitting beside a waterfall in Upstate New York. She has a pretty normal life, yet her stories are anything but.
When she’s not working, she’s writing. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her husband, her friends, or her pets. You might also find her on a horseback trail ride or sitting beside a waterfall in Upstate New York. She has a pretty normal life, yet her stories are anything but.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 426 reviews
January 5, 2025
Gal aš ir esu gvaltavonių romanus skaitanti kiauragalvė, bet šitos knygos bukumas man buvo nepakeliamas. Kaliūzėj pasėdėjęs psichopatas lankosi pas psichologę. Tada pradeda ją sekiot, net į lidlą... ji pačiupinėjo lidle melioną, jis nusipirko tą jos čiupintą vaisių ir namuose jį išskobęs kaip kokį moliūgą 3C klasės Dėdės Rudenėlio šventei, pagvaltavojo. Šlykštūnas visiškas, vaisių bendruomenė už tai turėtų jį į teismą paduoti. Vėliau jis savo teisto alfa patino energija suvilioja psichologę nes jai negaila karjeros dėl zeko su bickėm prarast.
Pabaiga mane pramušė galutinai: "I am unethical. But I am his". Kas tu jo esi? Nusikaltėlio bedarbio boba? Drauge, tau reikia terapijos ir greičiausiai naujo darbo nes iš dabartinio tikrai išmes 💖.
Pabaiga mane pramušė galutinai: "I am unethical. But I am his". Kas tu jo esi? Nusikaltėlio bedarbio boba? Drauge, tau reikia terapijos ir greičiausiai naujo darbo nes iš dabartinio tikrai išmes 💖.
November 14, 2024
This was THE perfect novella, only downfall I can find about it is how short it was, I wanted more of their dynamic, more character development, more deranged and sweet moments between MCs. It just left me wanting for more :( I'm in such a bad reading slump these days that I feel so desperate whenever I find stories I like
June 27, 2025
not supposed to be funny but the dialogue was so cringe at times i couldn’t help but giggle and 🍈🍈🍈
interesting plot though, i never read therapist x convict and now i want to find more
edit: upping to a low 4 star because thinking back i actually loved this idc
interesting plot though, i never read therapist x convict and now i want to find more
edit: upping to a low 4 star because thinking back i actually loved this idc
November 11, 2024
Sarah is Maxim’s court appointed therapist and she’s NOT thrilled about it. He displays so many red flags but despite that, she feels a taboo and lustful attraction to him.
Maxim may not have a heart and be toxic to his core but he’s obsessed with Sarah and he finally makes a move.
These two have a lustful fascination with each other and this story was definitely unethical but hey this is romance world, not reality. It was kind of addicting and totally smutty. This ends on a HFN? Maybe a cliffhanger, I can’t really tell. But I would love more from these two because it was too short!
Maxim may not have a heart and be toxic to his core but he’s obsessed with Sarah and he finally makes a move.
“You’re mine, doc. Your cunt is branded with my come. If you want more of what’s in my head, give me more of you.”
These two have a lustful fascination with each other and this story was definitely unethical but hey this is romance world, not reality. It was kind of addicting and totally smutty. This ends on a HFN? Maybe a cliffhanger, I can’t really tell. But I would love more from these two because it was too short!
March 2, 2025
Unethical is exactly what the title promises — so, so unethical… and I ate it up!
This is not the book you pick up for a deep plot or emotional journey — you read it purely for the smut 😏. Steamy, forbidden, and with a side of fruit violation 🍈💦.
Spice with zero shame and all the heat..
🔥😈💋
Don’t even know how to rate this… well, I was entertained, so around 4.5 ⭐️’s, perhaps 😅
This is not the book you pick up for a deep plot or emotional journey — you read it purely for the smut 😏. Steamy, forbidden, and with a side of fruit violation 🍈💦.
Spice with zero shame and all the heat..
🔥😈💋
Don’t even know how to rate this… well, I was entertained, so around 4.5 ⭐️’s, perhaps 😅
December 8, 2024
An ex con obsessed with his court mandated therapist??!! Unapologetically the bad guy?? Written by the queen herself??!!
Sign me the fuck up!! I loved every bit of this book. I read it way too fast and am sad lol
Sign me the fuck up!! I loved every bit of this book. I read it way too fast and am sad lol
November 11, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book is unethical as ffuuuuuu
And amazing
And great
And I love it.
Maybe I need therapy 🙈
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book is unethical as ffuuuuuu
And amazing
And great
And I love it.
Maybe I need therapy 🙈
December 8, 2024
Paused this and came back to it when I was in the right mood for it. Novella. Lightest Lauren Biel I’ve read so far but still gave a hint of uncertainty with the hero. Hero gave off Jessa Kane’s obsessed and OTT hero vibes. I liked that there was an escalation rather than getting right into it.
I shelved this as prisoner but the hero is more on parole and needs to complete his therapy in order to be out in society, but it still gives major prisoner-therapist vibes.
I shelved this as prisoner but the hero is more on parole and needs to complete his therapy in order to be out in society, but it still gives major prisoner-therapist vibes.
April 6, 2025
3.75 stars (but let’s round up because what the hell, Lauren)
Sometimes you open a book and think, “Ah yes, I know exactly where this is going,” and then Lauren Biel roundhouse-kicks your expectations out the window, smashes a boundary or two, possibly ruins another innocent fruit (but not entirely), and leaves you sitting there—grinning like a maniac with a side of ick. And that, my friends, is Unethical.
Let me be clear: I’m not a novella girl. I like my chaos slow-cooked and layered. But Unethical? This little beast had claws. It sinks in fast, digs deep, and doesn’t let go—not even when you start questioning your taste in fictional men or begin eyeing your hygiene products (wink wink) with deep suspicion.
This is body betrayal done right.
It’s grimy. It’s gritty. It’s horny in a way that feels borderline criminal.
And it’s absolutely what the title promises: unethical, unhinged, and wildly inappropriate in the best way.
Sarah is Maxim’s court-appointed therapist. She’s not thrilled. He’s overly interested in her, but not in speaking. What starts as reluctant professionalism spirals quickly into obsession, manipulation, emotional damage, and a whole lot of magnetic “we shouldn’t, but we will” energy. Sarah’s inner monologue is sharp, self-aware, and completely relatable—even as she spirals. Maxim? Oh, he’s the kind of man you should never be alone with and will absolutely fantasize about anyway. His POV is pure chaos. I loved it.
But here’s the thing: there’s so much under the surface. Trauma. Power dynamics. Emotional wreckage. Baggage begging to be unpacked by something longer than 100-ish pages. And that’s my only real gripe: this needed to be a full-length novel. If this had been expanded, with more time to explore the twisted psychology between Sarah and Maxim, this could’ve easily been a five-star read. Because the bones? The bones are so good.
Still, despite being a novella, it hits hard. I had fun. I was hooked. I blushed, I cringed, I cackled. It’s giving dark romance gremlin food in the most delightful way.
And a small PSA: If you think you’re ready for the level of Biel-brand madness, you’re not. But that’s exactly why you’ll love it.
Sometimes you open a book and think, “Ah yes, I know exactly where this is going,” and then Lauren Biel roundhouse-kicks your expectations out the window, smashes a boundary or two, possibly ruins another innocent fruit (but not entirely), and leaves you sitting there—grinning like a maniac with a side of ick. And that, my friends, is Unethical.
Let me be clear: I’m not a novella girl. I like my chaos slow-cooked and layered. But Unethical? This little beast had claws. It sinks in fast, digs deep, and doesn’t let go—not even when you start questioning your taste in fictional men or begin eyeing your hygiene products (wink wink) with deep suspicion.
This is body betrayal done right.
It’s grimy. It’s gritty. It’s horny in a way that feels borderline criminal.
And it’s absolutely what the title promises: unethical, unhinged, and wildly inappropriate in the best way.
Sarah is Maxim’s court-appointed therapist. She’s not thrilled. He’s overly interested in her, but not in speaking. What starts as reluctant professionalism spirals quickly into obsession, manipulation, emotional damage, and a whole lot of magnetic “we shouldn’t, but we will” energy. Sarah’s inner monologue is sharp, self-aware, and completely relatable—even as she spirals. Maxim? Oh, he’s the kind of man you should never be alone with and will absolutely fantasize about anyway. His POV is pure chaos. I loved it.
But here’s the thing: there’s so much under the surface. Trauma. Power dynamics. Emotional wreckage. Baggage begging to be unpacked by something longer than 100-ish pages. And that’s my only real gripe: this needed to be a full-length novel. If this had been expanded, with more time to explore the twisted psychology between Sarah and Maxim, this could’ve easily been a five-star read. Because the bones? The bones are so good.
Still, despite being a novella, it hits hard. I had fun. I was hooked. I blushed, I cringed, I cackled. It’s giving dark romance gremlin food in the most delightful way.
And a small PSA: If you think you’re ready for the level of Biel-brand madness, you’re not. But that’s exactly why you’ll love it.
Read
November 16, 2024DNF @ 50%.
i really wanted to like this one!! sadly, i didn't.
it's the first time ive read this author, and i think i have to face that her writing and characters aren't for me.
the hero grew obsessed with the heroine after looking at a picture of her. i love obsessed heroes. BUT i want to feel like it's not just physical attraction that makes him obsessed.
i need to know it's something specific about HER as a person that draws him in. like, sure, initially it can be about looks, but then her personality needs to be part of what obsesses him.
but frustratingly enough, most, if not all, of the hero's thoughts about her were about her body. it made his actions seem more like the actions of an everyday creepy man - and Not in the sexy way but in a Weird Guy Who Stares At You On The Street And Makes Gross Hand Gestures way.
for instance, the H got off in a parking lot and wiped his [redacted] off on a doorknob, so the heroine would touch it... and it just seemed gross to me, not sexy.
i think if the writing had been different, and the hero's characterization different, i COULD'VE found this read hot. because like, ive read some messed up romances that i DID find to be romantic and hot, so it's not like im afraid of psycho heroes and their strange kinks lol.
but this just didn't work for me.
and the heroine... she was TERRIBLE at her job. she's at work a lot of the time in this, so it really grated.
i don't think the author has ever been to a therapist or psychiatrist lol. or at least not a decent one.
as a child of a psychologist, i cringed so hard over how the heroine does her job and how she thinks about her patients. i honestly couldn't stand her.
i really wanted to like this one!! sadly, i didn't.
it's the first time ive read this author, and i think i have to face that her writing and characters aren't for me.
the hero grew obsessed with the heroine after looking at a picture of her. i love obsessed heroes. BUT i want to feel like it's not just physical attraction that makes him obsessed.
i need to know it's something specific about HER as a person that draws him in. like, sure, initially it can be about looks, but then her personality needs to be part of what obsesses him.
but frustratingly enough, most, if not all, of the hero's thoughts about her were about her body. it made his actions seem more like the actions of an everyday creepy man - and Not in the sexy way but in a Weird Guy Who Stares At You On The Street And Makes Gross Hand Gestures way.
for instance, the H got off in a parking lot and wiped his [redacted] off on a doorknob, so the heroine would touch it... and it just seemed gross to me, not sexy.
i think if the writing had been different, and the hero's characterization different, i COULD'VE found this read hot. because like, ive read some messed up romances that i DID find to be romantic and hot, so it's not like im afraid of psycho heroes and their strange kinks lol.
but this just didn't work for me.
and the heroine... she was TERRIBLE at her job. she's at work a lot of the time in this, so it really grated.
i don't think the author has ever been to a therapist or psychiatrist lol. or at least not a decent one.
as a child of a psychologist, i cringed so hard over how the heroine does her job and how she thinks about her patients. i honestly couldn't stand her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2025
It wouldn’t be a Lauren Biel book if a fruit wasn’t mentioned in a funky way 🤣🤣 I listened to the audiobook for this and actually really enjoyed it! It was a quick and easy read which with an easy but enjoyable plot, I love some forbidden romances 😏
February 25, 2025
4⭐️
The MMC is an ex con that becomes obsessed with his court mandated therapist . He's a psychopath and possibly a murderer yet I'm obsessed with him .. so maybe i need therapy 😅
The MMC is an ex con that becomes obsessed with his court mandated therapist . He's a psychopath and possibly a murderer yet I'm obsessed with him .. so maybe i need therapy 😅
January 17, 2025
3.5✨ (rounded to 4 for GR)
3.25🌶️
I gotta give it to Lauren Biel as I usually do - she unapologetically goes places. And sometimes I can't follow her through to the end, but this one was addicting.
After the MMC is released from prison he becomes obsessed with his court-ordered psychiatrist/therapist. FMC eventually accepts the obsession, with a lot of push and pull and freaky spice in between. Had some pacing issues, particularly timing between chapters, sometimes it was really choppy and I lost the rhythm of the read.
Keep a place for cantaloupe in your heart after this.
3.25🌶️
I gotta give it to Lauren Biel as I usually do - she unapologetically goes places. And sometimes I can't follow her through to the end, but this one was addicting.
After the MMC is released from prison he becomes obsessed with his court-ordered psychiatrist/therapist. FMC eventually accepts the obsession, with a lot of push and pull and freaky spice in between. Had some pacing issues, particularly timing between chapters, sometimes it was really choppy and I lost the rhythm of the read.
Keep a place for cantaloupe in your heart after this.
July 17, 2025
Lauren Biel is becoming one of my favorite authors! This was a great dark romance with questionable (but amazing) smut. Highly recommend the audiobook on this one. 10/10 five stars
January 10, 2026
4.75 - it was really cute actually
February 28, 2025
ᴊᴏᴋᴇ’ꜱ ᴏɴ ʜᴇʀ. ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɴᴏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ. ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ᴅᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ʙʀᴀɪɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴏʀɢᴀɴ ɪꜱ ᴍɪʟᴅʟʏ ᴏʙꜱᴇꜱꜱᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴇʀ.
Listened to this whilst at work and one evening, performed by Mariana Olmeda & Christian Alexis.
Maxim has been released from prison and has to follow the rules, go to a half way house, curfew before 10, visit therapy…there is no rule to say ‘do not stalk’ said therapist, ‘do not scare’ said therapist, ‘do not wear a mask’ the list goes on 🤭
The Doc tries to do her job professionally and to the best of her ability, faced with a felon who is not only alluring but dangerous. Does she follow her own ethics?
The storyline was great, loved the back and forth of their therapy sessions, Lauren’s instilling of his emotions in this worked so well. Christian’s voice did have a lovely sleepy, drawl to it 🤭
𝐼 𝓇𝑒𝒸𝑒𝒾𝓋𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓃 𝒶𝒹𝓋𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒𝒹 𝒸𝑜𝓅𝓎 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒽𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒽𝑜𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃 🖤
Listened to this whilst at work and one evening, performed by Mariana Olmeda & Christian Alexis.
Maxim has been released from prison and has to follow the rules, go to a half way house, curfew before 10, visit therapy…there is no rule to say ‘do not stalk’ said therapist, ‘do not scare’ said therapist, ‘do not wear a mask’ the list goes on 🤭
The Doc tries to do her job professionally and to the best of her ability, faced with a felon who is not only alluring but dangerous. Does she follow her own ethics?
The storyline was great, loved the back and forth of their therapy sessions, Lauren’s instilling of his emotions in this worked so well. Christian’s voice did have a lovely sleepy, drawl to it 🤭
𝐼 𝓇𝑒𝒸𝑒𝒾𝓋𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓃 𝒶𝒹𝓋𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒𝒹 𝒸𝑜𝓅𝓎 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒽𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒽𝑜𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃 🖤
November 14, 2024
I’m a huge Lauren Biel fan and although the book was good this one was not my favorite.
I actually had a difficult time with Sarah. She was very down almost depressed like behaviors throughout the book. I will say the storyline itself was good it’s a short novella so there wasn’t a whole lot to it. It was a bit repetitive but the spice was good.
I actually had a difficult time with Sarah. She was very down almost depressed like behaviors throughout the book. I will say the storyline itself was good it’s a short novella so there wasn’t a whole lot to it. It was a bit repetitive but the spice was good.
November 26, 2024
Disgustingly sinful
Have you read something lately and thought....man I can really go for a self-lovin smex scene with a cantelope...well look no further
Lauren Biels novella had some good-good:
#Mine by 27% She better take this d!ck energy MMC. Whether she agrees or not isn't important. That's how we know is love!!😍
#OTT obsessed and stalkery he falls first pysch0...ain't no lovin like a pyschopath lovin 😌
#dirtysmut hand necklaces, ripped panties, jerking it off to stolen panties, he does you know what to her toothbrush...he is so thoughtful 😁
#maskedmen courtship is stalking your lady love, wearing a mask, forcing her to c♡m on your fingers in the woods...I mean that's what she gets for going on a jog 😉
#leavenopantiesunharmed is how the saying goes 👏🏾😊
#nontothecon #somno I mean do she really need to be awake to get a lick down? 🤔 I think not! She'll just ruin the vibes if she's awake and how else would he get to suck his fingers after she c♡ms
Story Thoughts:
I have an uncanny and weird relationship with LB's work. I either dig it or not it. And when I don't, I mean it, but when I dig it, I admit it. Having read her work over the past couple of years, including some of her earlier stuff, I have to say this one right here has left me a giddy. I see a lot of maturity with the characterization and writing. The difference between this novella and Wanted is startling, and I really enjoyed Wanted. Lauren Biel can throw down a novella. Those things are tricky, and she typically nails it.
Pacing in novellas can be wonky, but not in LB's work. Usually, the characterization is surface and dull, but not with LB's work. What we have here is a smoothness and quietness to the writing this go around that I really appreciated. LB is popular, and people love her sledgehammer work-- usually, the tropes are just lined up and smashed to the ground with verocity and force, but what I appreciate here is how she let the words breathe. The trauma feels so authenticand real. It almost felt like a song. It was so refreshing to experience. So all of the tropes and explicit smex were here, but boy did it hit harder because of how the writing was allowed to just be.
There are just so many good moments, best quotes:
💭#humor
"Instead of allowing her to force me to confront my demons with her words, I made her confront hers with my dick."
💭#gooddescriptions
"I can almost feel the hum of the devil coming to life when he enters a room." Ummm, yes, indeed.
"There’s a darkness in him that I don’t want to shed light on. It’s safer for me to leave him in the shadows." girrrllll, you know you can't do that because he's going to make sure she "need her to crave the man she despises. "
💭#OTT #JP #PyschoMMC #obssessed #stalker #nontothecon #mine #wearingcumonskin
Our MMC here really clicks in the best ways. A recently released from prison pyscho, he has mandated therapy for probation. And Maxim delivers
"have no heart. But I do have a brain, and that organ is mildly obsessed with her. " He will have us saying yes, please!
"I drink up her unease. My mere existence terrifies her." Yes, he does. His presence feels so heavy and full. It feels like change.
💭#smartFMC #strongFMC
"How strange that I don’t take the time to find my happiness, yet I’m expected to help others find theirs."
Whaaaa a dark romance that embraces an "older" FMC. A thereaphist with at least 10 years under her belt. She was described as a real woman, and that added to the refeshing. I was doing a happy dance, an FMC who's old enough to know why Chris Brown was choping up the dueces to his ex, saying "Bye bye" to her at the club! I was shocked we were graced with this in a dark romance. She was also smart. She had a cool career, and her problems were interesting problems within the context of the conflict in the story.
💭#5alarmSpice #smuttysmutgoodness #dirty #somno #noncon #coercivesmex #rippedclothes #handnecklaces #primoBJ #forcedBJ #shebopexpress #tugandcomeonyourtoothbrush
“You’re coming for me? Dirty fucking girl,” he says, his low, gravelly voice hidden behind the rubber."
I mean this man f♡cks a canteleope because she touched it! Yesss cantelope smex because LB must have a food fetish.
💭#wearcum #cum
"slap her cheek, smearing my come into her skin, and then I turn to leave."
All in all...whew. The story leaves you 🥵.
Have you read something lately and thought....man I can really go for a self-lovin smex scene with a cantelope...well look no further
Lauren Biels novella had some good-good:
#Mine by 27% She better take this d!ck energy MMC. Whether she agrees or not isn't important. That's how we know is love!!😍
#OTT obsessed and stalkery he falls first pysch0...ain't no lovin like a pyschopath lovin 😌
#dirtysmut hand necklaces, ripped panties, jerking it off to stolen panties, he does you know what to her toothbrush...he is so thoughtful 😁
#maskedmen courtship is stalking your lady love, wearing a mask, forcing her to c♡m on your fingers in the woods...I mean that's what she gets for going on a jog 😉
#leavenopantiesunharmed is how the saying goes 👏🏾😊
#nontothecon #somno I mean do she really need to be awake to get a lick down? 🤔 I think not! She'll just ruin the vibes if she's awake and how else would he get to suck his fingers after she c♡ms
Story Thoughts:
I have an uncanny and weird relationship with LB's work. I either dig it or not it. And when I don't, I mean it, but when I dig it, I admit it. Having read her work over the past couple of years, including some of her earlier stuff, I have to say this one right here has left me a giddy. I see a lot of maturity with the characterization and writing. The difference between this novella and Wanted is startling, and I really enjoyed Wanted. Lauren Biel can throw down a novella. Those things are tricky, and she typically nails it.
Pacing in novellas can be wonky, but not in LB's work. Usually, the characterization is surface and dull, but not with LB's work. What we have here is a smoothness and quietness to the writing this go around that I really appreciated. LB is popular, and people love her sledgehammer work-- usually, the tropes are just lined up and smashed to the ground with verocity and force, but what I appreciate here is how she let the words breathe. The trauma feels so authenticand real. It almost felt like a song. It was so refreshing to experience. So all of the tropes and explicit smex were here, but boy did it hit harder because of how the writing was allowed to just be.
There are just so many good moments, best quotes:
💭#humor
"Instead of allowing her to force me to confront my demons with her words, I made her confront hers with my dick."
💭#gooddescriptions
"I can almost feel the hum of the devil coming to life when he enters a room." Ummm, yes, indeed.
"There’s a darkness in him that I don’t want to shed light on. It’s safer for me to leave him in the shadows." girrrllll, you know you can't do that because he's going to make sure she "need her to crave the man she despises. "
💭#OTT #JP #PyschoMMC #obssessed #stalker #nontothecon #mine #wearingcumonskin
Our MMC here really clicks in the best ways. A recently released from prison pyscho, he has mandated therapy for probation. And Maxim delivers
"have no heart. But I do have a brain, and that organ is mildly obsessed with her. " He will have us saying yes, please!
"I drink up her unease. My mere existence terrifies her." Yes, he does. His presence feels so heavy and full. It feels like change.
💭#smartFMC #strongFMC
"How strange that I don’t take the time to find my happiness, yet I’m expected to help others find theirs."
Whaaaa a dark romance that embraces an "older" FMC. A thereaphist with at least 10 years under her belt. She was described as a real woman, and that added to the refeshing. I was doing a happy dance, an FMC who's old enough to know why Chris Brown was choping up the dueces to his ex, saying "Bye bye" to her at the club! I was shocked we were graced with this in a dark romance. She was also smart. She had a cool career, and her problems were interesting problems within the context of the conflict in the story.
💭#5alarmSpice #smuttysmutgoodness #dirty #somno #noncon #coercivesmex #rippedclothes #handnecklaces #primoBJ #forcedBJ #shebopexpress #tugandcomeonyourtoothbrush
“You’re coming for me? Dirty fucking girl,” he says, his low, gravelly voice hidden behind the rubber."
I mean this man f♡cks a canteleope because she touched it! Yesss cantelope smex because LB must have a food fetish.
💭#wearcum #cum
"slap her cheek, smearing my come into her skin, and then I turn to leave."
All in all...whew. The story leaves you 🥵.
February 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was a short novella, I listened to the audiobook and the narrators were fantastic! I think they are what made this 4 stars.
It was very smutty & Maxim has zero cares for boundaries. Sarah is a little dull in comparison but also not I like them.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was a short novella, I listened to the audiobook and the narrators were fantastic! I think they are what made this 4 stars.
It was very smutty & Maxim has zero cares for boundaries. Sarah is a little dull in comparison but also not I like them.
April 15, 2025
i'll be completly honest, even tho half the book i was wondering where the hell did Sarah get her degree since she's about as smart as a dead parrot.... i'd probably too turn stupid and welcome the stockholm syndrome next to Maxim.
also, not cool that you ruined cantaloupe for me
also, not cool that you ruined cantaloupe for me
March 9, 2025
4.5 from me. Bloody loved it! Read this as an buddy read with the amazing sam and violet. It's again, right up there. I enjoyed the journey and the smut. He was a naughty little bugger! Yet again though another food ruined haha...lauren must have a food kink 🤣 Fab novella!
July 26, 2025
Trigger Warnings:
- dubious consent
- nonconsent ingestion of semen
- stalking
- sexual assault
- mentions of child murder (by another child), murder, abuse
Not the most unhinged thing I've ever read, but it makes the list.
- dubious consent
- nonconsent ingestion of semen
- stalking
- sexual assault
- mentions of child murder (by another child), murder, abuse
Not the most unhinged thing I've ever read, but it makes the list.
August 25, 2025
⭐️ 3.5 STARS ⭐️
November 12, 2024
Well this was fun 🤭 and totally unhinged! Another great book by the lovely Lauren Biel!
dnf-nope
November 27, 2024despite loving him being ott and psycho AF i didn't like the plot and mostly i didn't like this h.
November 13, 2024
A spicy lil novella. He's a criminal, she's his court appointed therapist.
I read this quickly in 1 sitting. It's an unethical, forbidden romance and I'm here for it. I don't know what it is about forbidden romance and enemies to lovers but they are my favorite. Add in a stalker in a mask 🔥
Check you triggers before jumping in.
I read this quickly in 1 sitting. It's an unethical, forbidden romance and I'm here for it. I don't know what it is about forbidden romance and enemies to lovers but they are my favorite. Add in a stalker in a mask 🔥
Check you triggers before jumping in.
November 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
🔥🔥🔥🔥
I feel at this point Lauren Biel can do no wrong for me. I loved the dynamic between Maxim and Sarah. The heat was on 🔥🔥🔥🔥 and Maxim's unhinged nature just warms my heart.
My main complaint though? It was not long enough. I would have read a whole novel about these two!
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀 vibes
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Obsessive/JP MMC
✅ He falls first
✅ Therapist/Client
✅ Stalker
✅ Masked MMC
✅ Serial Unaliver
✅ MINE
✅ HEA
Remember to read TW for Lauren Biel's books since she writes the light/meduim/dark/black romances. This one falls under a medium.
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
🔥🔥🔥🔥
I feel at this point Lauren Biel can do no wrong for me. I loved the dynamic between Maxim and Sarah. The heat was on 🔥🔥🔥🔥 and Maxim's unhinged nature just warms my heart.
My main complaint though? It was not long enough. I would have read a whole novel about these two!
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀 vibes
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Obsessive/JP MMC
✅ He falls first
✅ Therapist/Client
✅ Stalker
✅ Masked MMC
✅ Serial Unaliver
✅ MINE
✅ HEA
Remember to read TW for Lauren Biel's books since she writes the light/meduim/dark/black romances. This one falls under a medium.
February 15, 2025
I love me some taboo/ forbidden ,Therapist / patient relationship IN BOOKS. These two have a lustful fascination with each other and this story was definitely unethical. however I don't think a real psychopath would experience those emotional and mental changes.
needless to say that i don’t condone this in real life .
needless to say that i don’t condone this in real life .
July 4, 2025
Wtffff 😵💫😵💫😵💫?
LIKE FR I’M SO SORRY FOR THE WATERMELON 😭 THAT WAS DUMB ASF AND STRAIGHT UP GROSS
DNF 29%
LIKE FR I’M SO SORRY FOR THE WATERMELON 😭 THAT WAS DUMB ASF AND STRAIGHT UP GROSS
DNF 29%
November 9, 2024
✨Most mental- health providers have darkness of their own. Their own problems inspire their career choice. No one understands fucked-up like those who are also a bit fucked✨
And the Queen of Traumance does it again, another amazing novella! Right from the beginning we are emerged in all the depravity! I devoured this book 💜 As someone who has worked in the mental health field, I will say the quote above rings true & I’ve found the most successful, most impressionable people within the field have experienced trauma/ which makes them so effective in connecting with the people the support!
Maxim I can visualize perfectly! He is your convict/ masked man fantasy for sure 🥵
Lauren… the damn cantaloupe 🤣 you make me so proud hahaha
A must read my friends 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🍈🍈🍈🍈/5
And the Queen of Traumance does it again, another amazing novella! Right from the beginning we are emerged in all the depravity! I devoured this book 💜 As someone who has worked in the mental health field, I will say the quote above rings true & I’ve found the most successful, most impressionable people within the field have experienced trauma/ which makes them so effective in connecting with the people the support!
Maxim I can visualize perfectly! He is your convict/ masked man fantasy for sure 🥵
Lauren… the damn cantaloupe 🤣 you make me so proud hahaha
A must read my friends 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🍈🍈🍈🍈/5
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