Into Ruin

Hockey Titans #1

by S. Massery

Hockey guys are off limits—and yet, one has set me in his sights, and I have no chance of escaping.

Camden Church is the guy I should’ve stayed away from. But when he mistakes my identity, I don’t correct him. I let him break all my rules.

It’s a night I’ll never forget—not that he’ll ever let me.

If my brother discovers our secret, he could jeopardize Camden’s pro hockey career and end it before it’s begun.

Camden thinks I’m going to rat him out, but he’s wrong.

I’d rather let him drag me into ruin than admit my most hidden desire: I like the dark, twisted things he does to me.

There’s nothing worse than falling for your tormentor… unless he also happens to be your brother’s best friend.

Genres: Dark Romance, Hockey, Sports Romance, Dark, Sports, College, Romance

176 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2025

About the author

S. Massery is a dark romance author who infuses all her stories with a dash of suspense. Formerly from Massachusetts, she now resides in Southern California with her dog, Alice.

Before adventuring into the world of writing, she went to college in Boston and held a wide variety of jobs—including working on a dude ranch in Wyoming (a personal highlight). She has a love affair with coffee and chocolate. When S. Massery isn’t writing, she can be found devouring books, playing outside with her dog, or trying to make people smile.

• Facebook Group —> http://facebook.com/groups/smasserysquad 

• Facebook —> http://facebook.com/authorsmassery

• Instagram —> http://instagram.com/authorsmassery 

• Newsletter —> http://smassery.com/newsletter
• Tiktok —> http://tiktok.com/@smassery

Reviews

[Noa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I can give you mercy, or I'll drag you into ruin. Your choice."

Harper Shay has nowhere else to go.
The only place left is with her brother at his college house. Or "Hockey House" as it is known.
But there is one person that she can't seem to shake.
And he doesn't want to shake her off. He wants her right where he can see her.
He wants to ruin her.
Camden Church.
The bane of her existence.
The one that will break all of her rules.
The one that is sure to ruin her.

"She's a beautiful little butterfly, wings wet from emerging from her cocoon, and I am the spider."

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review 🩷🩷

"You are the temptation that will kill me."

This is an absolute MASTERPIECE of an intro to Camden Church!!! OMG I have been waiting for this book for so long and it was so worth the wait!! The obsession is real for me and for Camden honestly. I cannot wait for "Ruined God" because after that introduction I am absolutely SALIVATING FOR MORE 😍😍😍
This book is exactly the kind of dark romance that S. Massery excels in and it's what makes me keep coming back for more because the obsession is absolutely real people and I will not be apologizing for it 🌹🌹

"Ruin. I’m definitely choosing to fucking ruin her."

And the playlist is pure 🩷~ruin~🩷 and I love that for us (of course it will be arguably more "ruin" for "Ruined God" but you know what I mean)

(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1yH... )

🎶 "Take Me To Church" - MILCK
🎶 "Revolving Door" - Tate McRae
🎶 "exes" - Tate McRae
🎶 "crushcrushcrush" - Paramore
🎶 "SPINE" - WesGhost
🎶 "After Dark" - Mr. Kitty
🎶 "Fetish" - Selena Gomez, Gucci Mane
🎶 "No Mercy" - Austin Giorgio
🎶 "Cravin'" - Stileto, Kendyle Paige
🎶 "Siren sounds (bonus)" - Tate McRae
🎶 "Burn" - Tom Walker
🎶 "Ruin Me" - Sebastian Schub
🎶 "stalker" - Stevie Howie
🎶 "lovely liar" - Stevie Howie
🎶 "Like You Mean It" - Steven Rodriguez
🎶 "The Devil Wears Lace" - Steven Rodriguez
🎶 "obsessed" - zandros, Limi
🎶 "Church" - Fall Out Boy
🎶 "Chokehold" - Sleep Token
🎶 "I Don't Care" - Fall Out Boy
🎶 "God" - Jake Daniels
🎶 "Like A God" - Lia Marie Johnson
🎶 "Sugar" - Sleep Token
🎶 "LET THE WORLD BURN - Sped Up" - Chris Grey
🎶 "WET DREAM" - Snow Wife
🎶 "P*RNSTAR" - Nessa Barrett
🎶 "Purple lace bra" - Tate McRae
🎶 "Play with Fire" - Sam Tinnesz, Yacht Money
🎶 "Do It For Me" - Rosenfeld
🎶 "Smells Like Sex" - Sizzy Rocket
🎶 "White Lie" - Lenii
🎶 "Unholy - Orchestral Version" - Sam Smith, Kim Petras
🎶 "Drag Me Down" - Loveless
🎶 "Sinner" - DEZI
🎶 "Talking Body" - Tove Lo
🎶 "salvation" - Christabelle Marbun
🎶 "OFF MY FACE" - Maneskin
🎶 "Taste" - Ari Abdul
🎶 "FU IN My Head" - Cloudy June
🎶 "Better People To Leave On Read" - Emei
🎶 "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" - YES YES, Jaxomy
🎶 "motive" - Ariana Grande, Doja Cat
🎶 "All I Need - Slowed & Reverb" - Ren0wned
🎶 "Positions" - Rain Paris
🎶 "Chills - Dark Version" - Mickey Valen, Joey Myron
🎶 "Dangerous"- David Guetta, Sam Martin
🎶 "Dangerous" - Limi
🎶 "Love the Way You Hate Me" - Like A Storm
🎶 "I hope ur miserable until ur dead" - Nessa Barrett
🎶 "Anarchy" - Lilith Czar
🎶 "Fake Fiction" - Picturesque
🎶 "Natural" - THE DRIVER ERA
🎶 "Devil I Know" - Allie X
🎶 "nameless (her version)" - Stevie Howie, Sydney Strock
🎶 "Candy - slowed + reverb" - Doja Cat
🎶 "vicious" - Tate McRae
🎶 "Come and Get It" - Austin Giorgio
🎶 "Savage" - Bahari
🎶 "Secrets" - Omido, Ordell, Rick Jansen
🎶 "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)" - Rezz, fknsyd
🎶 "BREATHING UNDERWATER" - Hot Milk
🎶 "In Too Deep" - Why Don't We
🎶 "Happy World" - Debbii Dawson

And Camden Church just keeps you wanting more I swear to you right here and now 🔥🔥

"Up on your knees. Head in the pillow."

"You gonna scream, Harper?"

"Hmm, feisty little thing, aren't you?"

🏒 Tropes 🏒

📸 Hockey Romance
📸 Bully Romance
📸 Dark Romance
📸 Brother's Best Friend
📸 Forced Proximity
📸 Stalker

Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/DG0Whtrow...

[currently being delulu · Rating 2 out of 5]

The part where he made her give him a blow job right after was inside another girl who knows if he even used a condom

Wow I was hooked after that …

[Erika Braga · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. It’s just a little prequel novela so it’s not much to read into. It gives a nice view of what is to come. I gotta say I was a little surprised with the ending, I wasn’t expecting. Now I am excited to read the actual book coming out.

[Enni (on hiatus) ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hockey Gods series was what made me fall in love with S. Massery’s books several years ago and I can happily say that Into Ruin had similar vibes. Especially since plot-wise it was like a Hockey Gods book shortened into a novella! I have been waiting for that since the last couple of books she has published have had much tamer vibes.

I smile, but my insides are writhing. It hits me that I like this, too. The girls who throw themselves at me are boring. They’re tired cliches. But Harper, off-limits, forbidden Harper.. she’s fascinating.

Harper Shay.
She begins her freshman year in the same college as her brother.
When her roommate having sex in their dorm makes her flee, the only logical place is to her brother’s place where a party is currently taking place.
When seeking solace, she end up being a voyeur to a couple having sex and, all of a sudden, the girl is forced to flee and she takes her place.
After her stalker makes himself known again, she moves in with her brother and his roommates.
In addition to her stalker, she suddenly has her own tormentor with whom she takes part in sexual acts her brother can never know of.

“What will you give me to keep this little secret between us?”
“What will I give you?”
“Yeah.”
“I can give you mercy or I’ll drag you into ruin. Your choice.”

Camden Church.
His night at the party turned from good to great when this beautiful girl with a girl-next-door vibe turns up to his room.
After he finds out she is his best friend’s little sister, he needs blackmail material to keep her from ruining their friendship.
He begins filming their sexual encounters and releasing them under a profile created in her name.
His obsession gets progressively worse and, in the end, there is only one choice: she has to disappear.

This girl.
I haven’t felt the emotions buzzing in my chest in a long time. A mix of lust and awe and horror.

Into Ruin was pretty much everything you would hope from a novella that is also a prequel. It told a story in which both main characters were able to show their personalities, the origin of their story was revealed and the power dynamic was clear. Also, since Camden drove Harper away, there is bound to be some resentment from Harper’s side and I believe from her brother towards her as well.

I cannot wait to get my hands on Ruined God!

“You truly can’t escape me now.”

I received an ARC of Into Ruin as a member of the author's ARC team

• • • • •

The timeline is perfect for the next six months with S. Massery books: first we get Caleb and Margot's story (trilogy) by the end of this year and in February, we get Camden's book ✨

• • • • •

The title is out: Ruined God 🤩

• • • • •

CAMDEN CHURCH I AM READY TO SEE YOU AGAIN

[AnnaMeansFun · Rating 1 out of 5]

This wasn’t romance. Absolutely every single one of their encounters was some type of SA that the author covered with the mfc’s arousal, so the mmc could remain the endgame the readers can root for.

Harper’s character arc is out of whack. Most of her reactions to the circumstances make no sense whatsoever.

There’s nothing romantic about anything going on in this book and the ending, while surprising, really forces you to suspend your disbelief, because there’s no reality where any of it would fly.

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story had potential and when I realized it was going to be a quick read that actually made it better since everything was moving so fast. But then it ended on a cliffhanger and just, no thanks? I can't do more of this couple and it honestly didn't leave me all that interested in knowing more about them. If the brother gets a story (and it's one book only) I'll come back to this series but for now I'm out.

[Kelsey H · Rating 3 out of 5]

FMC - Harper: 3 🌟
MMC - Camden: 3 🌟
SPICE: 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

LIKES: If you're looking for a quick dark romance read, this will do it! The bully romance and spice were on point, and throwing in a dash of a stalker situation? Piqued my interest!

DISLIKES: While I appreciated that it wasn't a typical "man comes to her rescue" type of situation, I still wasn't vibing how things ended, both with Harper and Max and Harper and Cam. I would've much preferred the cliffhanger ending to have to do with Harper's brother finding out about her and Cam instead

FAVORITE SCENE: Harper and Cam's first "interaction" 😉

[Kendra Renae · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️5 🌶️3


WTF WAS THAT ENDING LIKE THE PLOT TWIST OMG I TRULY DIDNT SEE THAT COMING OUT OF HIS MOUTH😭

I need the next book like now because I have two theories , but both are aaahhhhh🙃

[Alina]

note : on page sex scene with ow

[Jess ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

very short story, i really like Teddy Hamilton's voice too🤩💫

[Paige (wingsandsmut) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay now I absolutely need MORE, like asap! This was the perfect novella to get you ready for what S. Massery has coming our way with Ruined God! Despite the morally questionable behaviors, I couldn't help but love Camden and I just wanted him and Harper to find a glimpse of happiness together....so here's to me hoping Ruined God brings me that! Check your TW if you need to, but if you are a fan of S. Massey's previous books, you'll love this one and what's to come!

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

S. Massery, you dangerous, brilliant witch.
Once again, she’s come for my soul (and my ovaries) with this spicy little novella, and I am not okay. I devoured it like the little book gremlin I am and still wanted more.

If you’re already a Massery girlie, this will feel like coming home to emotional chaos and morally grey men who whisper threats like love confessions. If you���re new here: WELCOME, but please read the trigger warnings first because this woman does not play around.

And the ending? I was clutching my metaphorical pearls, I need Ruined God in my hands yesterday.


Fave quotes

“I can give you mercy,” he breathes. “Or I’ll drag you into ruin. Your choice.”

“Finally, I slow. I let her go on ahead of me, and the puzzle of my best friend’s sister only seems to grow more complex. I could spend the time putting it together. Figuring her out. Or… I could break it and create my own art.”

“Climb up here, hold on to the headboard, and ride my face. Unless you’re fucking scared.”

[Jasmine Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

1000/10 S. Massery has a way of hooking me and not letting me go. I eat this up and she left me wanting more. Camden Church was absolutely delish. He was the worst but it got me all hot and bothered. Like he's crazy but I want more. I can't wait for what S. Massery has up her sleeve. I AM OBSESSED!!!!!

[_book_topia_ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okaaaay. So I loved Massery’s first two Hockey Gods, but tapped out when it was rinse and repeat and the H’s began boring me. I had heard some hype for this one and thought ok give this bad boy a go. I shouldn’t have. Turns out Camden Church is definitely not my kind of guy. I found nothing remotely appealing about any of his & Harper’s interactions, there’s no romance here, just thinly veiled SA that the author tries to disguise with the fc being excited every time he tries something with her. The plot is hard to swallow because Harper has a stalker that is slightly tamer than Camden and yet she hates it.

I’m finding it harder and harder to read dark romance that involves non-con and dub-con and where the H is just a effed up bad guy and where there no actual romance. And that’s exactly what this book was.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25
I haven’t read anything by the author so far so i was interested. Picked this because it was short and narrated by Teddy Hamilton. Well i am intrigued now. Give me more right now.
Caden had a strong Killian Carson vibe and i loved it. Harper was awesome. And there was some reaaally interesting kinks in this book. Would definitely read the next one.

[daemyra, the realm's delight · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. She can write smut. Could have hit deeper, felt a little surface-level. Still worth a read. Craving dark sports romance. Idk why but dark sports romances have the non-con first chapter whammy nailed down. I will read the next book when it comes out.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooooo this was SO much fun!! I cannot wait to continue their story in ruined god🤭

[Radka · Rating 4 out of 5]

that was nice. waiting the next book

[Amber Goulbourne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that really does need to be read without knowing anything other than it's a dark book, but it is relevant, and you will meet the characters again in other books. After all, they are in college and working hard to get into the NHL

FMC Harper
~ freshman
~ Royals sister

MMC Camden
~ sophomore
~ hockey player
~ Royals' best friend

~ Harper mistakenly enters the wrong room while visiting her brother, Royal, at the hockey house. Camden kicks a girl out and tells Harper there's a toll to leave. If she had told him who she was, things could have been so different.
~ Camden finds out that Harper is Royal's sister. This could ruin him, and he could ruin her. I will say it again. She could have said who she was when he first met him, and things could have gone so differently.
~ At a hockey game with her friend Olivia, Harper runs into someone from her past. Royal takes her to the hockey house for safety, but Camden lives there, and the front door is never locked. Camden lacks self-control, and Harper must also deal with a stalker from her past.
~ Harper's roommate inadvertently sends her to her stalker. What happens next is shocking and left me respecting and hating Camden.


Trigger warnings: bullying, blackmail, stalking, non-con, dub-con, somnophilia
TRIGGER WARNING: violent murder

I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book, and this is my honest review!

[ً · Rating 1 out of 5]

i would’ve beaten his ass so bad his hockey career would have been over

[Bene_reads_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fast paced novella is the biggest tease I swear.
It has everything :
- 2 interesting characters : I knew I would love Camden but Harper is a lovely character.
- A sizzling chemistry between them
- Wonderful writing
- The set up for a new series.
I was not ready to leave this book, this story just grabbed me and wouldn't let me go.

[Natalya · Rating 1 out of 5]

what did I just read

This book had me questioning lots of things. The first one was what the heck did I just read? And how did the ending of it take such a turn of events that just made zero sense… and the fact that the “hot guy” practically assaulted her every night was ok but her stalker leaving flowers wasn’t?? This book was a hard no for me.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I ignore the red flags in the men Sara writes tells me I likely need a psych evaluation.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Stand-alone: No- Duet
Author: S. Massery
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating:4/5 🌶
POV: First Person Dual Perspective
Main Couple: Camden and Harper
Trope(s): Hockey Romance, Forbidden, Brother’s Best Friend, Dark Suspense, Bully Romance, Forced Proximity

Sara does include a Trigger Warning in the Introduction. If you are new to her, go in knowing her books run dark, this book does contain bullying, blackmail, stalking, non consent and dubious consent, and somnophilia. If you are looking for a cinnamon roll boyfriend Camden Church is not your guy. If you are looking for limits to be tested you are in the right place. I finished this prequel in one day. During my lunch hour I decided to begin and before I knew it I was 8 Chapters in. This book is on from the first chapter and does not let up. Camden has never come across someone quite like Harper. He doesn’t just want the thrill he gets from the butterfly and spider game he is playing with Harper, he needs it. His infatuation grows making no sense to him at all. He never knows just what her reaction will be from one of their encounters. This prequel is building the story that will continue in Ruined God. You will want to read this book before Ruined God.

“My anger builds upon itself. Each time I think about her, each time I check for her, it spikes. The shots of adrenaline have been messing with my sleep. My eyes feel like sandpaper. I was playing catch up from our late Saturday, and I only seem to be getting farther behind.
Why can’t she follow the f*****g rules?’

Harper Shay is a freshman at Framingham State University where her brother Royal is a Sophomore and on the hockey team.

Needing an escape from her roommate and her extra curricular activities she ends up at the hockey house to enjoy a couple of drinks with her brother. Only to have the unfortunate bad luck to once again accidentally walk in on a couple.

However, unlike with her roommate, she does not escape so easily.

Camden Church has already been drafted by the NHL, but continuing at FSU playing hockey for the next two years.

Realizing the girl he had a run in with earlier when she barged in his room is his teammate and best friend’s younger sister, who is off-limits, has him wondering what her end game is. And, has him fascinated.

He is more than ready to ruin her.

Then the past she was hoping wouldn’t follow her to FSU has her accepting Royal’s invitation to move into the hockey house. Putting her and Camden in even closer proximity.

Camden does not hesitate to use that to his advantage.
But, his actions have consequences.

With Harper paying the price and having to make a life changing decision.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

No out right spoilers but I wouldn't read this before reading the book. I tried to keep it vague and kinda IYKYK.
*
*
*
*
I'm rating this a 4.5 because I'm scared.
I can't tell if I hate Church or love him.
The last chapter was wild.
The account? Wild.
The not caring about leading the stalker to her? Wild.
Like sir, there's a whole stalk and you said "let's make an account with her full government name" but then change it after it gets super popular. What?!
On the flip side... that account was hot...
The things on the account? Also hot. Hell their "meet cute" was actually a meet fucking hot. Like i love a girl who just watches. No shame just observing.
He's not touching my man Jacob Rhodes or the men from the Pucking Coaches Daughter.. but Church is coming in at #3 for sure.
As for the writing, as I told Sara. "Somno? Yeah count me in" 10/10 no notes, well the notes are Should I be scared?? But other than that, absolutely no notes. Well... are we getting a Royal book cause idk why he seems sweet but I also could see him absolutely fucking someone up, either sexually or just in general and I'm into to it 🤷🏾‍♀️
Anywho thank you and love you to S Massery for having me on the ARC team and loving somno as much as I do 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[Ana_books_and_stuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!

What a fantastic prequel, I LOVED IT!

Camden freaking Church, bully much!?

This little story is a sea of ​​red flags, like giant waves on Nazaré beach!
And it really had to be told before we get to know Harper and Camden's story in Ruined God, the first book in the Titans Hockey series, which will hopefully be out soon.
Harper and Camden, what an explosive combination, him being a bully to her just because, and what he does to her is atrocious, he is so unhinged, and we love it. But Harper, despite her quiet and submissive character, doesn't let herself be faltered, she consistently gives back to him in the same kind, which makes his interest become more intense.
The book ends in something unexpected that forces the two characters to separate, and now I just want Ruined God to arrive quickly, because it will definitely not end here, and Camden's obsession with Harper will return with a vengeance, and I'm here for all of it!

What you will find:
Brothers Best Friend
Stalking
Hockey
College romance
Forced proximity
con/non con
smono

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper is trying to get her life back on track after having a stalker in high school, and now she is attending the same college as her stepbrother. Camden is a star hockey player, who already has an NHL contract in place, and he is best friends with Harper’s stepbrother. Harper ends up staying with her stepbrother and his friends, and Camden is one of them. Harper hides herself by wearing cloths two sizes bigger than she needs, but when she crosses paths with her stalker, she is back to living in fear.
This is a well written story which has family, friendships, emotions, action, mystery, secrets, mistaken identity, forced proximity, revenge, humor, witty banter, and love, which leads to an entertaining, spicy, twisted, and unpredictable page turner, which had me on tenterhooks throughout.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was pretty disappointing 😫

First of all..I see the majority of the negative reviews I’m seeing are bitching about the non con and how it’s disgusting and not romantic, and to that I say—you must be new here lol needless to say, none of that contributed to my rating.

What actually pissed me off was Harper’s thought process..the assumptions she would make were nonsensical, ESPECIALLY when you take into consideration the little problem she had in high school that suddenly catches up to her now that she’s in college. It was just super annoying. On top of that, i don’t even understand wtf the issue actually was at the end. It all was so abrupt and it read like a chunk of important details was missing. Like a liability where?

I’m still gonna read the actual book bc now i need to know how it pans out..but this left me more confused than curious tbh.

[Brittany | goodreadswithb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, Sara sufficiently edged the **** out of us.

Camden Church.. unlike his name he's about as unholy as they come 😏 let's just say some of his choices were QUITE questionable. Sara really showed us his dark side.. and I don't think I hate it 🫣👀

He gave Hunter the choice.. giving her mercy or dragging her into ruin. And if the title is any indication I'm sure you can guess where they end up 👀

The way I need more... YESTERDAY!!
Ruined God, where are you!?

If you love questioning your morals, morally grey to the max, the forbidden brother's best friend, with the somno k¡nk we've all come to know and love from Sara then this is the perfect prequel for you.. and trust me when I say to check your triggers, Sara was pushing the boundaries in this one 😬

[Anna Nenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The way I Dnf-ed this audio after the first 30 minutes was wild! 🤪(but then I picked it up and skimmed through it!)
FMC stumbles upon MMC furiously hate ducking OW and stays to watch… then after the OW leaves annoyed & because MMC didn’t get fof he makes FMC give him a BJ … but wait it gets “better” she has body betrayal syndrome and fingers herself while pleasuring him … also you have no ideea if he had a condom 5 seconds before (while he was in OW) or he just double dipped 🤢 … yeah how romantic and swoony! So dark😱🙄 …. I.e. my vision from nausea and all the eye rolling! 🤪