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Dyschord University: Chaos
River of Deceit
Revenge is a dish best served piping hot
What's a mafia heiress to do when her best friend gets cut up and tossed in the trash?
Go on a revenge quest, the bloodier the better.
All leads point to Dyschord University and the KAOS frat. I'm going to take them down.
Problem? Blaze, heir to the Bouchard Syndicate, doesn't like me snooping around his frat. He and his guard dog Asch do everything they can to scare me off.
When my first love River shows up, I don't know if he's here to to help or get revenge on me for breaking his heart.
The three of them think they can control me, think they can break me. They want to dominate me and tear me apart. But the more they try to stop me, the more determined I am--and the more I'm drawn to them.
As our lives and bodies become entangled in each other, it gets harder to remember why I'm here.
But I do know one thing.
Torture and foreplay are practically the same thing, right?
This is a dark contemporary why choose romance in a college setting, featuring an unhinged mafia princess and the men who want to break her. Please look inside for TWs!
Although there is a prequel novella, it is not necessary to read any other books to enjoy River of Deceit!
What's a mafia heiress to do when her best friend gets cut up and tossed in the trash?
Go on a revenge quest, the bloodier the better.
All leads point to Dyschord University and the KAOS frat. I'm going to take them down.
Problem? Blaze, heir to the Bouchard Syndicate, doesn't like me snooping around his frat. He and his guard dog Asch do everything they can to scare me off.
When my first love River shows up, I don't know if he's here to to help or get revenge on me for breaking his heart.
The three of them think they can control me, think they can break me. They want to dominate me and tear me apart. But the more they try to stop me, the more determined I am--and the more I'm drawn to them.
As our lives and bodies become entangled in each other, it gets harder to remember why I'm here.
But I do know one thing.
Torture and foreplay are practically the same thing, right?
This is a dark contemporary why choose romance in a college setting, featuring an unhinged mafia princess and the men who want to break her. Please look inside for TWs!
Although there is a prequel novella, it is not necessary to read any other books to enjoy River of Deceit!
406 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2025
About the author
Raissa Donovan
18 books140 followersThere is a certain beauty in writing from the depths of darkness and despair, and Raissa has found catharsis in the abyss. Author of over 100 books of varying sizes and darkness levels, she revels in those moments when she gets to truly let loose and frolic in the toxic, twisted playground of her brain. (It's okay. She's fine. Really.) When she's not writing, editing, or endlessly playing the same video game over and over, she can be found... well... That's about it. She's a creature of habit like that.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
August 20, 2025
Tropes: dark romance, mafia princess, unhinged FMC, why choose, possessive MMCs, 🩸 play, MFM scenes, murder mystery, revenge
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Stars: 4.5 ⭐️
PANDORA YOU CRAZY MOTHERFLIPPER. She is unhinged, stabby, fathered by a psychopath - raised in a polyamorist family, loves snakes and acts first, thinks later. She’s got a touch of narcissistic personality traits that trip her up along the way, but is truely morally grey in every way.
I had so much fun reading about Pandora and her three guys River, Blaze and Asch. It was so entertaining flipping from her POV to their POV where they just can’t understand why they want to be around her.
I am foaming at the mouth for the next instalment of this series!
I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC. This is my personal opinion and review of this book.
——
Book overview:
Pandoras best friend is brutally murdered - and she intends to find out who did it and exact revenge on them (because of course the cops do nothing).
Clues leading up to the murder means that Pandora needs to attend Dyschord University - and ultimately to one frat house - to find answers. It’s here she meets Blaze and Asch and when I say she plays them like a fiddle, she absolutely does to perfection. River is an old friend of hers out on his own revenge path - against Pandora. But once he finds out why she’s attending DU he puts aside their differences to help find the murder/s.
Of course, Pandoras charm has her claiming those three men.. and them claiming her. This story is filled with things such as SA, date r@pe, dubcon, kinks and lots of talk of murder and stabbing things. Please check the triggers!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Stars: 4.5 ⭐️
PANDORA YOU CRAZY MOTHERFLIPPER. She is unhinged, stabby, fathered by a psychopath - raised in a polyamorist family, loves snakes and acts first, thinks later. She’s got a touch of narcissistic personality traits that trip her up along the way, but is truely morally grey in every way.
I had so much fun reading about Pandora and her three guys River, Blaze and Asch. It was so entertaining flipping from her POV to their POV where they just can’t understand why they want to be around her.
I am foaming at the mouth for the next instalment of this series!
I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC. This is my personal opinion and review of this book.
——
Book overview:
Pandoras best friend is brutally murdered - and she intends to find out who did it and exact revenge on them (because of course the cops do nothing).
Clues leading up to the murder means that Pandora needs to attend Dyschord University - and ultimately to one frat house - to find answers. It’s here she meets Blaze and Asch and when I say she plays them like a fiddle, she absolutely does to perfection. River is an old friend of hers out on his own revenge path - against Pandora. But once he finds out why she’s attending DU he puts aside their differences to help find the murder/s.
Of course, Pandoras charm has her claiming those three men.. and them claiming her. This story is filled with things such as SA, date r@pe, dubcon, kinks and lots of talk of murder and stabbing things. Please check the triggers!
May 19, 2026
The good reviews on this is absolutely wild.
The book is primarily this girl getting raped. The guys are fine with the fact that they’re raping someone that’s beyond redemption.
The book is primarily this girl getting raped. The guys are fine with the fact that they’re raping someone that’s beyond redemption.
August 12, 2025
This was a roller coaster ride! If you haven’t read Shades of Pandora, I would definitely recommend starting there so you don’t miss a thing!
Pandora Pavone is the oldest daughter of the Pavone mafia family and embodies the chaos and destruction of her name. She is impulsive and some may even call her crazy (although I wouldn’t recommend it). After her best friend disappears and ends up being murdered, Pandora is on a path to vengeance. A lead in Rachel’s notebook leads Pandora to Dyschord University and more specifically to Kappa Alpha Omega Sigma fraternity. At their first party, Pandora meets Blaze Bouchard and Asch Alvarado, but their night takes a turn and doesn’t end where any of them hoped. When Raphael “River” Rivera reappears from Pandora’s past, things heat up between the four of them. Pandora is attracted to all three men, but she won’t abandon her mission for any of them and they underestimate her at their own peril.
I absolutely loved Pandora. She is a little wild and more than a little unhinged, but there is nothing that she won’t do for the people she loves. I would definitely say that she is impulsive to an extreme and it can sometimes be too much for the people around her. I also loved how all three men were so distinct. Blaze was so intimidating to almost everyone, but Pandora refused to be afraid of him. Asch was the quiet one with a secret dark side. River was fighting so hard against his feelings for Pandora because of their history and he wanted so badly to hate her. I loved all of the twists and turns that this book takes and the cliffhanger was absolutely perfect. I cannot wait to find out what Pandora has in store in the next book.
Pandora Pavone is the oldest daughter of the Pavone mafia family and embodies the chaos and destruction of her name. She is impulsive and some may even call her crazy (although I wouldn’t recommend it). After her best friend disappears and ends up being murdered, Pandora is on a path to vengeance. A lead in Rachel’s notebook leads Pandora to Dyschord University and more specifically to Kappa Alpha Omega Sigma fraternity. At their first party, Pandora meets Blaze Bouchard and Asch Alvarado, but their night takes a turn and doesn’t end where any of them hoped. When Raphael “River” Rivera reappears from Pandora’s past, things heat up between the four of them. Pandora is attracted to all three men, but she won’t abandon her mission for any of them and they underestimate her at their own peril.
I absolutely loved Pandora. She is a little wild and more than a little unhinged, but there is nothing that she won’t do for the people she loves. I would definitely say that she is impulsive to an extreme and it can sometimes be too much for the people around her. I also loved how all three men were so distinct. Blaze was so intimidating to almost everyone, but Pandora refused to be afraid of him. Asch was the quiet one with a secret dark side. River was fighting so hard against his feelings for Pandora because of their history and he wanted so badly to hate her. I loved all of the twists and turns that this book takes and the cliffhanger was absolutely perfect. I cannot wait to find out what Pandora has in store in the next book.
August 11, 2025
Can I just start out by saying… Holy Crap!! If you haven't read Shades of Pandora, definitely start with that one! You aren't going to want to miss even a moment of plot and action that are in these books! I couldn't put River of Deceit down, it was such a captivating story. The story follows Pandora who starts at a college looking for answers about her best friend. She encounters Asch and Blaze at a party except the night doesn't end how any of them were hoping. When someone from her past shows up unplanned things really start to pick up. As the story progresses we see just how much the main men underestimate Pandora at every twist and turn. If you are thinking of jumping into this series but are worried about waiting for the next book, don't stress too much on that. The cliffhanger that the authors leave us on isn't even one I can get upset about. It makes me so excited for the next book and seeing what Pandora has planned for all the other players on the board.
August 14, 2025
~ arc review
4.5/5
so, i was pleasantly surprised with this book! this is my first time reading a book by both of these authors since breeding vanessa wasn’t for me at the time.
pandora, the fmc, is unhinged and yet i feel like she tries to understand her softer side, even if she feels it’s weird or unnatural… i like her and i like how so many little things can’t shake her! although i feel at times it gets tiring of someone that only has a one track mind and kinda bulldoze over everyone 😃 this is the first book though, and i know she can grow and mature on some things, so fingers crossed this happens eventually.
the mmcs, blaze, asch and river are interesting and you can tell them apart pretty easily and from the start…
this clearly will have mm down the line and you can actually feel the angst and the WANT asch has for blaze, which makes him annoying and protective at the same time… he kinda grows on you as the book progresses and by the end he was #1 for me.
blaze is the one that is an heir to a criminal organization and yet i feel like we didnt get to see much of his unhinged side? next to pandora he feels tame… which i liked too, i like how she is the baddie in the room but i also wanted to see more of his mafia upbringing!
river is an asshole but a loveable one and it’s a rollercoaster with him from start to finish in this book lol he brings up a lot of intense emotions and i guess he’s right about a lot of them…
the overall plot is not as present as i figured it would be? which is not bad, but i assumed it would’ve been something that developed in a more mysterious way lol 😀 but i can appreciate that the book is more about them exploring their relationship and trying to fight pandora’s pull
i’m excited for the next one since what happened to pandora really was fucked up and i cannot wait for her reckoning 😌 the end scene was chef’s kiss.
4.5/5
so, i was pleasantly surprised with this book! this is my first time reading a book by both of these authors since breeding vanessa wasn’t for me at the time.
pandora, the fmc, is unhinged and yet i feel like she tries to understand her softer side, even if she feels it’s weird or unnatural… i like her and i like how so many little things can’t shake her! although i feel at times it gets tiring of someone that only has a one track mind and kinda bulldoze over everyone 😃 this is the first book though, and i know she can grow and mature on some things, so fingers crossed this happens eventually.
the mmcs, blaze, asch and river are interesting and you can tell them apart pretty easily and from the start…
this clearly will have mm down the line and you can actually feel the angst and the WANT asch has for blaze, which makes him annoying and protective at the same time… he kinda grows on you as the book progresses and by the end he was #1 for me.
blaze is the one that is an heir to a criminal organization and yet i feel like we didnt get to see much of his unhinged side? next to pandora he feels tame… which i liked too, i like how she is the baddie in the room but i also wanted to see more of his mafia upbringing!
river is an asshole but a loveable one and it’s a rollercoaster with him from start to finish in this book lol he brings up a lot of intense emotions and i guess he’s right about a lot of them…
the overall plot is not as present as i figured it would be? which is not bad, but i assumed it would’ve been something that developed in a more mysterious way lol 😀 but i can appreciate that the book is more about them exploring their relationship and trying to fight pandora’s pull
i’m excited for the next one since what happened to pandora really was fucked up and i cannot wait for her reckoning 😌 the end scene was chef’s kiss.
October 14, 2025
Plot: 3/5 • Smut: 3/5 ——-> Three stars to a book I wanted to DNF multiple times. The beginning, so good. The middle part dragggggged on. If you want read about frat boys pledging and things that college kids get into then this is for you. I was interested in Pandora trying to figure out who murdered her friend, but it was just messy all around. This of course ends on a cliffy.
Blaze is an egotistical ass. Asch is a bit too whiny and soft spoken for my taste. River seems like a follower. Even if he wanted to kill Pandora.
Smut scenes were good. I love a girl with confidence. And that’s pretty much all the good I have to say. 🤷🏻♀️ Won’t be continuing when the next book comes out. This just wasn’t for me.
Blaze is an egotistical ass. Asch is a bit too whiny and soft spoken for my taste. River seems like a follower. Even if he wanted to kill Pandora.
Smut scenes were good. I love a girl with confidence. And that’s pretty much all the good I have to say. 🤷🏻♀️ Won’t be continuing when the next book comes out. This just wasn’t for me.
August 14, 2025
I wouldn’t call this dark romance, I would call this an unhinged, crazy piece of somewhat romantic yet horrifying literature. But yes, I suppose it can fit into a category of dark romance. This isn’t your normal “bully” or “dark college why choose romance” because it’s much more complicated than that. And it has to do with the characters, and they are the driving force of the plot. Yes I love character driven plots but most of the time I understand what the character is thinking or know their personality after the first half. But these characters confused the heck out of me, which is probably why this book confused the hell out of me. I’m not used to feeling like this but it was definitely one heck of a ride. It starts with two guys trying to force this brave sassy girl into submission, while her ex shows up to get revenge. But she’s a lot more unhinged than all three of them combined. I’m fully convinced she has some sort of Antisocial disorder or is just a full on sociopath. Blake almost matches her freak, while Asch looks cute but hides a much darker past and darker self. And honestly I’m still quite confused about River (yes his name fits right into the title there… a hint maybe?). I just can’t wrap myself around his thoughts. I know it was supposed to end on a cliffhanger, but I didn’t even process it because the last 50 pages of this book were the craziest, most terrifying pages that I’ve read through. The plot twisted literally insanely with every page I turned. For now I’m literally going to say that this book broke my scale. I don’t even know what rating to give it because my mind is super messed up, I’m somewhere in between loving and hating all the main characters, and I’m still wrapping my head around what I just read.
August 14, 2025
Giulio's daughter is just as unhinged as he is and I'm loving every second of it!
I’ve read all of these authors’ books, but I honestly think this one is my all-time favorite
Pandora is unhinged and on a rampage, and the guys are hot as fuck 🔥
The dialogue between the characters is also so funny to read as well. All characters definitely have humour.
But it’s the writing that really gets me.
The way this book portrays mental illness is just so good! I can actually relate to Pandora (although to a degree, because I don’t carry a knife around, nor am I a mob princess 😂), and the authors really managed to capture what actually goes on inside our heads. I’ve never seen that done so well in a book before.
Lots of spice and other good stuff 😌😌
And oh! The FMC is truly a girl’s girl all the way through. Something I absolutely LOVE in the books I’m reading 🫶🏻
But make sure to read the TWs if you have any, because there are some heavy scenes in this one.
Can’t wait for the next book!!!!!
5/5⭐️
5/5📝
3,75/5🌶
I’ve read all of these authors’ books, but I honestly think this one is my all-time favorite
Pandora is unhinged and on a rampage, and the guys are hot as fuck 🔥
The dialogue between the characters is also so funny to read as well. All characters definitely have humour.
But it’s the writing that really gets me.
The way this book portrays mental illness is just so good! I can actually relate to Pandora (although to a degree, because I don’t carry a knife around, nor am I a mob princess 😂), and the authors really managed to capture what actually goes on inside our heads. I’ve never seen that done so well in a book before.
Lots of spice and other good stuff 😌😌
And oh! The FMC is truly a girl’s girl all the way through. Something I absolutely LOVE in the books I’m reading 🫶🏻
But make sure to read the TWs if you have any, because there are some heavy scenes in this one.
Can’t wait for the next book!!!!!
5/5⭐️
5/5📝
3,75/5🌶
August 15, 2025
A great new vibe from two of my favourite authors! Pandora is deliciously unhinged and I think I actually enjoyed her as a character even more than the three MMCs, which is rare for me. The naughty scenes were fire and I look forward to the group becoming... closer 😉 as the series progresses.
I loved the little cameos of characters from Claiming Vanessa (although you could easily read this without the earlier trilogies if you wanted to) and Pandora is truly Giulio's daughter (completely bonkers).
Most of all I loved the ending. The fact that the men are genuinely shaking in their boots for what's next to come really made me laugh. I can't wait to see what punishment she dishes out for them 😬
I loved the little cameos of characters from Claiming Vanessa (although you could easily read this without the earlier trilogies if you wanted to) and Pandora is truly Giulio's daughter (completely bonkers).
Most of all I loved the ending. The fact that the men are genuinely shaking in their boots for what's next to come really made me laugh. I can't wait to see what punishment she dishes out for them 😬
June 10, 2026
Chaos, crime, trauma, and enough red flags to decorate an entire football stadium.
River of Deceit said, “What if therapy was unavailable, communication was illegal, and every single person made the most unhinged decision possible?” And honestly? I ate it up.
Pandora isn’t your typical dark romance heroine. She’s a mafia princess fueled by rage, revenge, and a complete disregard for self-preservation. She arrives at university with one goal: burn everything down for her best friend. What she didn’t plan for was getting tangled up with three walking disasters disguised as attractive men.
Blaze? Toxic.
Asch? Toxic.
River? EXTRA toxic.
Together they’re basically a hazardous waste spill with abs.
The chemistry in this book is absolutely feral. Every interaction feels like it could end in either a murder, a make-out session, or both. The tension is so thick you could cut it with one of the many metaphorical knives these characters keep aiming at each other’s throats.
And let’s talk about Pandora for a second. This girl doesn’t run from red flags she collects them like Pokémon cards. Her moral compass is broken, missing, and probably buried somewhere behind a crime syndicate headquarters. Yet somehow she’s impossible not to root for.
The revenge plot kept me hooked, but the real entertainment came from watching this entire cast compete in the Olympics of Bad Decisions. Every chapter had me screaming, “DON’T DO IT!” while simultaneously flipping pages as fast as humanly possible.
Is it healthy? Absolutely not.
Is it realistic? Also no.
Did I have a fantastic time watching these beautiful disasters self-destruct? Without question.
If you enjoy dark romance where everyone needs intensive counseling, the romance is dripping with obsession, and the danger level stays permanently set to “call the authorities,” then River of Deceit will be your newest addiction.
River of Deceit said, “What if therapy was unavailable, communication was illegal, and every single person made the most unhinged decision possible?” And honestly? I ate it up.
Pandora isn’t your typical dark romance heroine. She’s a mafia princess fueled by rage, revenge, and a complete disregard for self-preservation. She arrives at university with one goal: burn everything down for her best friend. What she didn’t plan for was getting tangled up with three walking disasters disguised as attractive men.
Blaze? Toxic.
Asch? Toxic.
River? EXTRA toxic.
Together they’re basically a hazardous waste spill with abs.
The chemistry in this book is absolutely feral. Every interaction feels like it could end in either a murder, a make-out session, or both. The tension is so thick you could cut it with one of the many metaphorical knives these characters keep aiming at each other’s throats.
And let’s talk about Pandora for a second. This girl doesn’t run from red flags she collects them like Pokémon cards. Her moral compass is broken, missing, and probably buried somewhere behind a crime syndicate headquarters. Yet somehow she’s impossible not to root for.
The revenge plot kept me hooked, but the real entertainment came from watching this entire cast compete in the Olympics of Bad Decisions. Every chapter had me screaming, “DON’T DO IT!” while simultaneously flipping pages as fast as humanly possible.
Is it healthy? Absolutely not.
Is it realistic? Also no.
Did I have a fantastic time watching these beautiful disasters self-destruct? Without question.
If you enjoy dark romance where everyone needs intensive counseling, the romance is dripping with obsession, and the danger level stays permanently set to “call the authorities,” then River of Deceit will be your newest addiction.
February 23, 2026
I really enjoyed this one. The tension throughout the story was strong, and I liked how determined and morally gray the FMC was, she felt layered without losing her edge. The relationships are complicated and messy in a way that keeps you turning the pages, and the darker themes add depth without completely overwhelming the story. It wasn’t perfect, but it definitely kept me invested and eager to see what happens next.
February 27, 2026
Don’t cross Pandora
Pandora goes to Dyschord U to find out what happened to her friend. She’s a little off her rocker, but she’s also fun in many ways. I know I had a good laugh at some of her antics and quirky sayings.
She wants her men, but they might not want her. She’s a lot to handle, I’m not sure they are up to the job.
When Pandora gets the answer to the question she’s had all this time, the gloves are off. The real Pandora is coming out to play. Who will survive?
Pandora goes to Dyschord U to find out what happened to her friend. She’s a little off her rocker, but she’s also fun in many ways. I know I had a good laugh at some of her antics and quirky sayings.
She wants her men, but they might not want her. She’s a lot to handle, I’m not sure they are up to the job.
When Pandora gets the answer to the question she’s had all this time, the gloves are off. The real Pandora is coming out to play. Who will survive?
April 24, 2026
2 ⭐️ the spice was good
June 1, 2026
2⭐️ - Yeah um dark romance is not for me bc wtf
June 30, 2026
Boring. I didn’t like any of the guys she was OK. Crazy predictable about what happened to her friend and by who
Not worth continuing series
Not worth continuing series
Read
August 9, 2025I can't believe River of Deceit is only two weeks away from publication! We're hard at work on edits and are so excited to share!
I had a blast writing Pandora for this book. I don't think I can emphasize enough how unhinged she is. There's a reason she's Giulio Pavone's daughter...
Of course, her guys are fun too!
- River, her childhood friend and crush. They had a bit of a falling out (which you can read in the "Shades of Pandora" prequel novella!). Pandora's over it now though! And River has to be too, right?
- Blaze, heir to a rival crime organization. He's got twisted desires, and Pandora's more than willing to meet them
- Asch, who is hyper protective of Blaze and does NOT trust Pandora. That just means she has to work harder to win him over and bring him out of his shell!
There's a lot of the usual content notes in this one, but don't expect a meek FMC who cries about what happens. She gives as good as she gets!
If the link isn't show, Shades of Pandora can be found here: https://geni.us/SoPgoodreads
I had a blast writing Pandora for this book. I don't think I can emphasize enough how unhinged she is. There's a reason she's Giulio Pavone's daughter...
Of course, her guys are fun too!
- River, her childhood friend and crush. They had a bit of a falling out (which you can read in the "Shades of Pandora" prequel novella!). Pandora's over it now though! And River has to be too, right?
- Blaze, heir to a rival crime organization. He's got twisted desires, and Pandora's more than willing to meet them
- Asch, who is hyper protective of Blaze and does NOT trust Pandora. That just means she has to work harder to win him over and bring him out of his shell!
There's a lot of the usual content notes in this one, but don't expect a meek FMC who cries about what happens. She gives as good as she gets!
If the link isn't show, Shades of Pandora can be found here: https://geni.us/SoPgoodreads
August 10, 2025
Four pages of trigger warnings…count me in! Pandora is definitely one of my favorite FMC I’ve read so far. She is the best kind of unhinged that will have heads rolling 😉. This was a book I couldn’t put down and am looking forward to part two.
June 4, 2026
‘Dark romance authors’ should stop romanticising rape and sa
September 10, 2025
This book is sooo good!!! I DEVOURED it!!! I cant wait for the next one!! I just loved Pandora and these guys!
💥PLEASE read the trigger warnings!💥
I would highly recommend reading Shades of Pandora before beginning River of Deceit so you get a better understanding of Pandora & River's relationship.
Pandora & River are childhood friends and crushes who are trying to find out what happened to their friend Rachel. Well things happened and they had a big falling out after they found out she was murdered and she hasn't seen him since.
Pandora Pavone is at college now on a mission to find out who killed her friend and she meets Asch. He agrees to show her around and invites her to his frat's party. There he introduces her to Blaze. He just so happes to be heir of the rival Bouchard family mafia. He and Asch are really close amd protective of each other.
Pandora is a bit suspicious, unhinged and becomes wild & stabby. But she is always down to have a good time.
River shows back up and he agrees to help her and take down whoever they need to for their friends death.....
You're in for a wild ride with one 🔥
💥PLEASE read the trigger warnings!💥
I would highly recommend reading Shades of Pandora before beginning River of Deceit so you get a better understanding of Pandora & River's relationship.
Pandora & River are childhood friends and crushes who are trying to find out what happened to their friend Rachel. Well things happened and they had a big falling out after they found out she was murdered and she hasn't seen him since.
Pandora Pavone is at college now on a mission to find out who killed her friend and she meets Asch. He agrees to show her around and invites her to his frat's party. There he introduces her to Blaze. He just so happes to be heir of the rival Bouchard family mafia. He and Asch are really close amd protective of each other.
Pandora is a bit suspicious, unhinged and becomes wild & stabby. But she is always down to have a good time.
River shows back up and he agrees to help her and take down whoever they need to for their friends death.....
You're in for a wild ride with one 🔥
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2026
Holy shitakes! I love Pandora! Please pay attention to the TWs on this, but it's worth it just for the very end. I cannot wait to see what happens with her guys in the future.
June 15, 2026
✨ Chaotic mafia princess + dark college secrets + three obsessed men? Say less. Pandora is one of the most gloriously unhinged FMCs I’ve ever read, and I could not put this book down.
Overall: ⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️
Panty Meter: 💦💦💦💦.5
Emotional Damage: 💔💔💔💔
Pandora might honestly be my new favorite chaotic FMC. With a name like Pandora, you know she’s going to bring the chaos, but I was not prepared for just how unhinged, fearless, and entertaining she would be. Every scene she was in completely stole my attention.
After the suspicious death of her friend Rachel, Pandora enrolls at Dyschord University determined to find out what really happened. As a mafia princess with a reckless streak and absolutely zero self-preservation instincts, she immediately throws herself into the center of the mystery—starting with the fraternity house connected to Rachel’s final days.
That’s where she meets Asch and Blaze. What starts as explosive attraction quickly turns into something much more complicated when Pandora refuses to back down from the corruption and secrets surrounding the fraternity. The more Asch and Blaze try to intimidate her, the more she seems to enjoy it, creating some absolutely fantastic tension between them.
Then there’s River—her former best friend, former boyfriend, and current enemy. He arrives intending to get revenge for something that happened between them years ago, but once he learns why Pandora is really at Dyschord, he finds himself pulled into the investigation as well. Watching the relationships develop between Pandora, Asch, Blaze, and River was one of my favorite parts of the book. The dynamic constantly shifts between tension, friendship, attraction, and chaos in the best possible way.
The romance is definitely why choose, and Addison Wolf does a fantastic job building chemistry between Pandora and each of the men individually while also developing the group dynamic. The spice absolutely delivered, but it never overshadowed the mystery unfolding in the background.
What really kept me turning pages, though, was the story itself. This is one of those books where you keep telling yourself you’ll stop after one more chapter… and then suddenly it’s hours later.
The ending isn’t a brutal cliffhanger, but it absolutely leaves you needing the next book immediately. Thankfully, I already knew I was continuing this series before I even finished.
If you love dark why choose romance, college settings, mystery, mafia connections, morally gray men, and completely chaotic heroines who refuse to behave, Rivers of Deceit is one I highly recommend.
Overall: ⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️
Panty Meter: 💦💦💦💦.5
Emotional Damage: 💔💔💔💔
Pandora might honestly be my new favorite chaotic FMC. With a name like Pandora, you know she’s going to bring the chaos, but I was not prepared for just how unhinged, fearless, and entertaining she would be. Every scene she was in completely stole my attention.
After the suspicious death of her friend Rachel, Pandora enrolls at Dyschord University determined to find out what really happened. As a mafia princess with a reckless streak and absolutely zero self-preservation instincts, she immediately throws herself into the center of the mystery—starting with the fraternity house connected to Rachel’s final days.
That’s where she meets Asch and Blaze. What starts as explosive attraction quickly turns into something much more complicated when Pandora refuses to back down from the corruption and secrets surrounding the fraternity. The more Asch and Blaze try to intimidate her, the more she seems to enjoy it, creating some absolutely fantastic tension between them.
Then there’s River—her former best friend, former boyfriend, and current enemy. He arrives intending to get revenge for something that happened between them years ago, but once he learns why Pandora is really at Dyschord, he finds himself pulled into the investigation as well. Watching the relationships develop between Pandora, Asch, Blaze, and River was one of my favorite parts of the book. The dynamic constantly shifts between tension, friendship, attraction, and chaos in the best possible way.
The romance is definitely why choose, and Addison Wolf does a fantastic job building chemistry between Pandora and each of the men individually while also developing the group dynamic. The spice absolutely delivered, but it never overshadowed the mystery unfolding in the background.
What really kept me turning pages, though, was the story itself. This is one of those books where you keep telling yourself you’ll stop after one more chapter… and then suddenly it’s hours later.
The ending isn’t a brutal cliffhanger, but it absolutely leaves you needing the next book immediately. Thankfully, I already knew I was continuing this series before I even finished.
If you love dark why choose romance, college settings, mystery, mafia connections, morally gray men, and completely chaotic heroines who refuse to behave, Rivers of Deceit is one I highly recommend.
August 17, 2025
Pandora Pavone is the storm at the heart of this wild, addictive story—the eldest daughter of the Pavone mafia family and a force of chaos who lives up to her name in every way. Impulsive, unpredictable, and maybe just a little unhinged (say it to her face—I dare you), Pandora is on a ruthless path to vengeance after the brutal murder of her best friend, Rachel. A single lead in Rachel’s notebook points Pandora toward Dyschord University, and more specifically, the mysterious and dangerous Kappa Alpha Omega Sigma fraternity.
At their very first party, she collides with Blaze Bouchard and Asch Alvarado—but things quickly spiral into something darker than any of them anticipated. Then, Raphael "River" Rivera steps out of Pandora's past and into the chaos, reigniting a complicated fire between them all.
Pandora finds herself pulled toward all three men—Blaze, Asch, and River—but make no mistake: her mission comes first. And anyone who underestimates her is making a deadly mistake.
I loved Pandora. She’s wild, intense, and completely unpredictable—but also fiercely loyal and devastatingly brave. Her impulsiveness can be overwhelming for the people around her, but it’s part of what makes her such a compelling character. She’s messy in the best possible way, and I couldn't get enough of her.
Each of the three men brought something different to the story:
Blaze is intimidating and dangerous, but Pandora refuses to be afraid of him.
Asch is the quiet, mysterious one hiding something darker beneath the surface.
River is wrestling with his feelings and his past with Pandora—he wants to hate her, but can’t resist her.
The chemistry? Off the charts. The twists? Constant and shocking. And that cliffhanger? Utter perfection. It left me breathless and desperate for more.
This book is a dark, emotional rollercoaster with morally grey characters, tangled loyalties, and a heroine who doesn’t know how to back down. I’m dying to see what Pandora unleashes next.
At their very first party, she collides with Blaze Bouchard and Asch Alvarado—but things quickly spiral into something darker than any of them anticipated. Then, Raphael "River" Rivera steps out of Pandora's past and into the chaos, reigniting a complicated fire between them all.
Pandora finds herself pulled toward all three men—Blaze, Asch, and River—but make no mistake: her mission comes first. And anyone who underestimates her is making a deadly mistake.
I loved Pandora. She’s wild, intense, and completely unpredictable—but also fiercely loyal and devastatingly brave. Her impulsiveness can be overwhelming for the people around her, but it’s part of what makes her such a compelling character. She’s messy in the best possible way, and I couldn't get enough of her.
Each of the three men brought something different to the story:
Blaze is intimidating and dangerous, but Pandora refuses to be afraid of him.
Asch is the quiet, mysterious one hiding something darker beneath the surface.
River is wrestling with his feelings and his past with Pandora—he wants to hate her, but can’t resist her.
The chemistry? Off the charts. The twists? Constant and shocking. And that cliffhanger? Utter perfection. It left me breathless and desperate for more.
This book is a dark, emotional rollercoaster with morally grey characters, tangled loyalties, and a heroine who doesn’t know how to back down. I’m dying to see what Pandora unleashes next.
June 24, 2026
I absolutely loved this book so really not sure what the other poor reviews have read!
I do not often read m/f genre unless by a fav author. I loved the fact that this story was absolute chaos in the best possible way. From the very first chapter, Pandora charged into the story like a wrecking ball, and I loved every second of it. She's reckless, stubborn, fiercely loyal, and completely incapable of backing down once she sets her sights on something.
What really worked for me was how different the three love interests felt. Blaze, Asch, and River each brought something unique to the story, and I never felt like they blended together. The tension between Pandora and River especially had me hooked because there was so much history, hurt, and unfinished business between them.
The mystery and revenge plot kept me turning the pages just as much as the romance. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another twist appeared and sent everything in a different direction. The darker elements gave the story real stakes, while the chemistry between the characters was impossible to ignore.
It literally had everything from morally grey characters, messy emotions, dangerous attraction, and a heroine who refuses to let anyone control her, this is a wildly entertaining read. I personally cannot wait for more!
I received a free arc and this is my honest review
I do not often read m/f genre unless by a fav author. I loved the fact that this story was absolute chaos in the best possible way. From the very first chapter, Pandora charged into the story like a wrecking ball, and I loved every second of it. She's reckless, stubborn, fiercely loyal, and completely incapable of backing down once she sets her sights on something.
What really worked for me was how different the three love interests felt. Blaze, Asch, and River each brought something unique to the story, and I never felt like they blended together. The tension between Pandora and River especially had me hooked because there was so much history, hurt, and unfinished business between them.
The mystery and revenge plot kept me turning the pages just as much as the romance. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another twist appeared and sent everything in a different direction. The darker elements gave the story real stakes, while the chemistry between the characters was impossible to ignore.
It literally had everything from morally grey characters, messy emotions, dangerous attraction, and a heroine who refuses to let anyone control her, this is a wildly entertaining read. I personally cannot wait for more!
I received a free arc and this is my honest review
July 18, 2026
This book was an absolute fever dream and I ate up every single page.
Pandora is genuinely one of the most chaotic FMCs I’ve read in a while (lowkey giving Lana Meyers). She’s morally gray, impulsive, obsessed with knives and snakes, and wakes up every day choosing violence. Half the time I was questioning her decisions…and the other half I was cheering her on!!
She’s the definition of, “I support women’s rights, but more importantly, I support women’s wrongs”, because women are always right, duh!
Then we have River, Blaze, and Asch. And B!TCH!!!!!
Watching these men slowly realize they’re completely obsessed with the SAME absolute menace of a woman was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. Their POVs had me laughing because they were all basically trying to figure out why they couldn’t stay away from her while Pandora was just out there causing problems.
The mystery kept me hooked, the chemistry was chemistry-ing, and the banter was exactly what I look for in a dark romance. I flew through this book because every chapter gave me another reason to say, “Okay…just one more.” (Me up at 3am)
If you’re a fan of a stabby, unhinged fmc on a revenge arc while walking 3 unhinged men on a leash, I think you’ll eat this one up!!
Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for the next book because I need to know what happens next…
Pandora is genuinely one of the most chaotic FMCs I’ve read in a while (lowkey giving Lana Meyers). She’s morally gray, impulsive, obsessed with knives and snakes, and wakes up every day choosing violence. Half the time I was questioning her decisions…and the other half I was cheering her on!!
She’s the definition of, “I support women’s rights, but more importantly, I support women’s wrongs”, because women are always right, duh!
Then we have River, Blaze, and Asch. And B!TCH!!!!!
Watching these men slowly realize they’re completely obsessed with the SAME absolute menace of a woman was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. Their POVs had me laughing because they were all basically trying to figure out why they couldn’t stay away from her while Pandora was just out there causing problems.
The mystery kept me hooked, the chemistry was chemistry-ing, and the banter was exactly what I look for in a dark romance. I flew through this book because every chapter gave me another reason to say, “Okay…just one more.” (Me up at 3am)
If you’re a fan of a stabby, unhinged fmc on a revenge arc while walking 3 unhinged men on a leash, I think you’ll eat this one up!!
Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for the next book because I need to know what happens next…
August 11, 2025
What a hell of a ride!
Fasten your seat belts because this is more then morally grey.
Pandora is all the trouble her name sake implies. Crazy, impulsive, dangerous and on a path of vengeance. After her best friend disappears and is murdered Pandora enrolls at Dyschord University and infiltrates the Kappa Alpha Omega Sigma fraternity to find the culprit. Along the way she makes enemies with Blaze, Ache, and River (an old boyfriend) who seeks her out. There is such a fine line between hate and obsession, with anger and lust, especially among the morally grey.
This why choose, college, enemies to lovers, mystery romance was my first for both of these authors. Honestly this is my first book by both of these authors and it was incredible, absolutely phenomenal. The way I absolutely devoured this book. Be warned it is not for the faint of heart. Read your trigger warnings and very carefully consider them. But if you think the more twisted the better then hit pre-order, set yourself a reminder whatever needs to be done to read this asap. This book is part of a series and it is not complete this is book 1.
I can't recommend it enough, to any like minded degenerate!
Fasten your seat belts because this is more then morally grey.
Pandora is all the trouble her name sake implies. Crazy, impulsive, dangerous and on a path of vengeance. After her best friend disappears and is murdered Pandora enrolls at Dyschord University and infiltrates the Kappa Alpha Omega Sigma fraternity to find the culprit. Along the way she makes enemies with Blaze, Ache, and River (an old boyfriend) who seeks her out. There is such a fine line between hate and obsession, with anger and lust, especially among the morally grey.
This why choose, college, enemies to lovers, mystery romance was my first for both of these authors. Honestly this is my first book by both of these authors and it was incredible, absolutely phenomenal. The way I absolutely devoured this book. Be warned it is not for the faint of heart. Read your trigger warnings and very carefully consider them. But if you think the more twisted the better then hit pre-order, set yourself a reminder whatever needs to be done to read this asap. This book is part of a series and it is not complete this is book 1.
I can't recommend it enough, to any like minded degenerate!
August 15, 2025
Read as an ARC reader and all opinions are my old.
A hell of a ride. pandora our FMC is a strong , unhinged and morally black mafia princess. Our MMCs are all dark and messed up for their own reasons and are all perfect for Pandora though they frequently underestimate what she's willing to do for a cause she believes in.
We start with Pandora arrival at Deschord University following the death of her friend and she's looking for revenge against the Kappa Alpha fraternity.
This is where she meets Blaze- the intimidating son of the head of the bouchard syndicate, and Asch- blaze's quiet best friend who has a hidden dark streak, the banter between these characters is hysterical and once we had River (a man from Pandora's past who is looking for his own form of revenge) things heat up.
This book is not for the faint hearted- check trigger warnings before delving into this one. The spice in this book is spot on for the characters.
There's violence, enemies to lovers, unaliving side characters, mention of SA, crime family/mafia themes. I loved reading this book and the ending- i was gagged and left wondering what the hell i just read. Psyched for the sequel.
A hell of a ride. pandora our FMC is a strong , unhinged and morally black mafia princess. Our MMCs are all dark and messed up for their own reasons and are all perfect for Pandora though they frequently underestimate what she's willing to do for a cause she believes in.
We start with Pandora arrival at Deschord University following the death of her friend and she's looking for revenge against the Kappa Alpha fraternity.
This is where she meets Blaze- the intimidating son of the head of the bouchard syndicate, and Asch- blaze's quiet best friend who has a hidden dark streak, the banter between these characters is hysterical and once we had River (a man from Pandora's past who is looking for his own form of revenge) things heat up.
This book is not for the faint hearted- check trigger warnings before delving into this one. The spice in this book is spot on for the characters.
There's violence, enemies to lovers, unaliving side characters, mention of SA, crime family/mafia themes. I loved reading this book and the ending- i was gagged and left wondering what the hell i just read. Psyched for the sequel.
August 17, 2025
What happens when a mafia princess is maybe a bit of an unhinged stabby psychopath? You fall in love with her crazy as$ ways that's what!!
They joke about Pandora's box but what happens when the lid is blown off it's f'n hinges? I can't wait to see what happens with Pandora and three equally as unhinged men. Blaze, River and Asch are about to turn Dyschord University into a war- zone playground.
Pandora may have come to this school to find her bestie kill3r but she now has even more ice in her veins and her Papa's permission to let her crazy come out to play. No one is safe from what she is about to unleash on them!!! I can't wait for the next book to come out. This book had me rolling laughing with the banter and the spice is top tier.
Make sure you have the day planned out so you can read this uninterrupted cause you may get stabby as well if you are bothered while reading.
Thank you Midwest Heathens and Raissa and Addison for allowing me to read this chaotic hilariously dark why choose. I truly loved every page and can’t wait for the next one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
☠️🖤☠️🖤
🥰🔪🥰🔪
🚩🚩🚩🚩
They joke about Pandora's box but what happens when the lid is blown off it's f'n hinges? I can't wait to see what happens with Pandora and three equally as unhinged men. Blaze, River and Asch are about to turn Dyschord University into a war- zone playground.
Pandora may have come to this school to find her bestie kill3r but she now has even more ice in her veins and her Papa's permission to let her crazy come out to play. No one is safe from what she is about to unleash on them!!! I can't wait for the next book to come out. This book had me rolling laughing with the banter and the spice is top tier.
Make sure you have the day planned out so you can read this uninterrupted cause you may get stabby as well if you are bothered while reading.
Thank you Midwest Heathens and Raissa and Addison for allowing me to read this chaotic hilariously dark why choose. I truly loved every page and can’t wait for the next one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
☠️🖤☠️🖤
🥰🔪🥰🔪
🚩🚩🚩🚩
January 27, 2026
This one had me hooked straight away. The premise alone A mafia heiress out for savage revenge after her best friend is brutally murdered say less. Pandora is absolutely unhinged in the best way. She’s reckless, angry, impulsive, and fully owns her chaos, which makes her such a fun anti-hero FMC to follow. The Dyschord University setting, with her infiltrating the sketchy KAOS frat tied to the Bouchard Syndicate, nails that dark academia mafia constant tension combo.
The why-choose dynamic really delivers. Blaze (dangerous heir energy), Asch (loyal guard dog with bite), and River (the past-love complication) all bring something different, and the chemistry with Pandora is chef’s kiss. The enemies-to-lovers tension is strong lots of push and pull, trust issues, betrayal vibes, and spice that’s hot without feeling overdone. The plot keeps moving too, with enough secrets and twists to keep me reading way later than planned.
That ending though… brutal. Absolute cliffhanger torture. I need book two immediately.
Overall, if you’re into dark why-choose college romances with mafia ties, feral FMCs, possessive MMCs, and zero chill, this is an easy 4 stars. Definitely check the trigger warnings because they’re serious but if you’re here for chaos and spice, it delivers. Cannot wait for Ashes of Treachery.
The why-choose dynamic really delivers. Blaze (dangerous heir energy), Asch (loyal guard dog with bite), and River (the past-love complication) all bring something different, and the chemistry with Pandora is chef’s kiss. The enemies-to-lovers tension is strong lots of push and pull, trust issues, betrayal vibes, and spice that’s hot without feeling overdone. The plot keeps moving too, with enough secrets and twists to keep me reading way later than planned.
That ending though… brutal. Absolute cliffhanger torture. I need book two immediately.
Overall, if you’re into dark why-choose college romances with mafia ties, feral FMCs, possessive MMCs, and zero chill, this is an easy 4 stars. Definitely check the trigger warnings because they’re serious but if you’re here for chaos and spice, it delivers. Cannot wait for Ashes of Treachery.
September 6, 2025
River of Deceit is not just a story—it’s a slow unraveling of secrets, betrayal, and forbidden desire that pulls you under like a current you can’t fight. Donavan and Wolf weave a darkly intoxicating tale where every chapter drips with tension, every character carries a hidden agenda, and every page begs to be turned faster than the last.
The writing balances grit with lyricism, creating an atmosphere that feels both raw and poetic. The river itself becomes almost a character, a reflection of the lies, danger, and tangled emotions swirling between the protagonists. This isn’t a light romance or a simple suspense—it’s layered, unpredictable, and sharp-edged in the best way.
Expect betrayal, emotional turmoil, and the kind of twisted passion that leaves you breathless. It’s a book that doesn’t just entertain, it lingers—like the echo of a secret you weren’t supposed to hear.
If you crave a dark, riveting blend of romance and deceit, River of Deceit delivers in spades.
The writing balances grit with lyricism, creating an atmosphere that feels both raw and poetic. The river itself becomes almost a character, a reflection of the lies, danger, and tangled emotions swirling between the protagonists. This isn’t a light romance or a simple suspense—it’s layered, unpredictable, and sharp-edged in the best way.
Expect betrayal, emotional turmoil, and the kind of twisted passion that leaves you breathless. It’s a book that doesn’t just entertain, it lingers—like the echo of a secret you weren’t supposed to hear.
If you crave a dark, riveting blend of romance and deceit, River of Deceit delivers in spades.
January 19, 2026
Why choose is one of my favorite genres but combine that with dark mafia and it’s a must read. While I admit, I didn’t particularly like the FMC at first, she slowly grew on me as I learned more about the secrets and betrayal that caused her to act the way she did. I was gripped by the emotional turmoil this book brought me. I never thought that I would appreciate an unhinged FMC, I’ve always been more drawn to the unhinged MMCs so I was very pleasantly surprised. But then again, I’ve read multiple books by Raissa and Addison and so I should have known that this would draw me in, in the most unexpected of ways. I also love a good grovel and I’m hoping that the next book will have a lot of that. I will say that you should probably read the prequel first. I read the prequel after and that helped me to understand the complicated history and relationship between Pandora and River. I’m looking forward to the next book because the ending definitely left me wanting more!
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