Ravaged Soul

Anaconda Tales #2

by J. Rose

Sabre Security saved my life.
Now they want my soul as payment.

After six years in captivity, forced to fight for survival, I thought I’d seen the darkest depths of humanity. The cartel broke me, forging a ruthless weapon from my shattered pieces.

Not even freedom can heal those wounds. Embroiled in an international criminal investigation to dismantle the ring that trafficked me, I have the chance to get justice for all the women who didn’t escape.

But the road to redemption is bloody, littered with violence and dark secrets that may derail our case before we apprehend the man responsible for so much suffering.

Our team is strong, a real-life family of choice. As we wage war on the illegal operation that stole my life from me, months of tension and forbidden desire reach a breaking point.

Warner. Hyland. Axel. Blaine.

My teammates. My fellow agents. My family.
The men who may just tear me apart if they don’t learn how to share.

Together, we can end Gael’s reign.
If our secrets don’t destroy us first.

Author’s Note: Set in the J Rose shared universe, Ravaged Soul (Anaconda Tales #2) is the second book in a dark, why choose trilogy that must be read in order.

Genres: Dark Romance, Why Choose, Found Family, Mental Health, Forced Proximity, Dark, Suspense

440 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2025

About the author

J Rose is an independent dark romance author from the United Kingdom. She writes challenging, plot-driven stories packed full of angst, heartbreak and broken characters fighting for their happily ever afters.

She’s an introverted bookworm at heart with a caffeine addiction, penchant for cursing and an unhealthy attachment to fictional characters.

Feel free to reach out on social media, J Rose loves talking to her readers!

Enquiries: j_roseauthor@yahoo.com

Stalk J Rose here:
www.jroseauthor.com/socials

Newsletter sign up:
www.jroseauthor.com/socials

Buy J Rose's books:
www.jroseauthor.com/books

Reviews

[J. Rose]

Available now!

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://mybook.to/RavagedSoul

Listen today!
Audible: https://bit.ly/3NwJE3r

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4jLlU6K

Start the Anaconda Tales Trilogy with book 1, Fractured Future!
https://mybook.to/FracturedFuture

[Smutty Little Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did I just read?? I thought you were giving me a break at the end so I could relax and be ready for the next book but now I’m full of nothing but questions! Why must you hold out on me!?! I will be chomping at the bit for the last book to this series! It’s safe to say I’m in love with this messy group of aholes.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐟--𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥. 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜💦𝐦𝐞.

I love J. Rose’s writing—it's so raw, real, and emotional.

And we are back, baby, and my girl did not come to play!

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐲'𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠.

I love how all the men are obsessed with Ember and how jealous they are—it’s wild! I am secretly loving it and having a grand ol' time with these guys. 😏 I love how each one gives her something completely different. Dare I say that I’m jealous and want to be brought into the mix? LOL! 😈

𝐒𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞.

AH!! The tension and spice are incredible—I’m loving it! But oh my gosh, that cliffhanger! I am not okay, y’all. I need the next book now!! 😫

𝐈'𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬.

[Britney ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cliffhanger 😭

This book is everything the first one was x10. The spice level kicked waaaaay up along with the tension tension and threw in a bit of pining for good measure 😌. Another book I read cover to cover because it kept me on the edge of my freaking seat??

Ember really just needs to smack all the guys heads together. They're all jealous and possessive which, hot, but girl wants to be in the middle of a four man sammie and they really just need to get on board. Blaine definitely has the most points in my book.

I say again - holy cliffhanger.

thank you to the author for the gifted arc

[Nini · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
I got an arc, but my rating/review are my own!

I loveee j rose books🤧🤧 how did she do it again??😭🤧🤧
the obsession this guys have??? Chef kisses🤧🥵and the jealousy??🤭🤭
I cannot wait for next book🤧🤧

quotes:
••
"𝖄𝖔𝖚’𝖗𝖊 𝖘𝖚𝖈𝖍 𝖆 𝖌𝖗𝖊𝖊𝖉𝖞 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑, 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊.”
“𝕻𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖊 𝖐𝖎𝖘𝖘 𝖒𝖊. 𝕿𝖔𝖚𝖈𝖍 𝖒𝖊. 𝕲𝖎𝖛𝖊 𝖒𝖊 𝖆𝖓𝖞𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌.”
“𝕬 𝖌𝖗𝖊𝖊𝖉𝖞 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑 𝖜𝖍𝖔 𝖐𝖓𝖔𝖜𝖘 𝖍𝖔𝖜 𝖙𝖔 𝖇𝖊𝖌.
𝕭𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖌𝖔𝖗𝖌𝖊𝖔𝖚𝖘 𝖕𝖚𝖘𝖘𝖞 𝖙𝖔 𝖒𝖊, 𝕰𝖒𝖇𝖊𝖗. 𝕼𝖚𝖎𝖈𝖐𝖑𝖞.”
“𝖂𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊?”
“𝕴 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖙𝖔 𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖊 𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖗𝖎𝖉𝖊 𝖒𝖞 𝖋𝖆𝖈𝖊.
𝕭𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖎𝖙 𝖙𝖔 𝖒𝖊. 𝕹𝖔𝖜.
𝕿𝖍𝖆𝖙’𝖘 𝖎𝖙, 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊. 𝕾𝖎𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖌𝖗𝖊𝖊𝖉𝖞 𝖈𝖚𝖓𝖙 𝖉𝖔𝖜𝖓. 𝕴’𝖒 𝖌𝖔𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖋𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖙 𝖔𝖓 𝖞𝖔𝖚.”
“𝖄𝖊𝖘! 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖓𝖊𝖗, 𝖋𝖚𝖈𝖐. 𝕸𝖔𝖗𝖊.”
••
“𝓘𝓯 𝔀𝓮 𝔀𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓱𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓷𝓸𝔀, 𝔂𝓸𝓾’𝓭 𝓪𝓵𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝔂 𝓫𝓮 𝓼𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓮𝓭 𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓲𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝓫𝓮𝓭 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓪 𝓼𝓬𝓻𝓪𝓹 𝓸𝓯 𝓬𝓵𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓲𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝔀𝓪𝔂. 𝓘’𝓭 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵, 𝓫𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓫𝓸𝓭𝔂 𝓻𝓲𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓶𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓮 𝓘 𝓭𝓲𝓼𝓬𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝓽𝓸 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓻𝔂 𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓶𝔂𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯.
𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓘’𝓭 𝓯𝓵𝓲𝓹 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓫𝓮𝓷𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓯𝓮𝓬𝓽 𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓵𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓫𝓮𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓭. 𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓯𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓽 𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓾𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓵 𝓘’𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓮𝔁𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓼 𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓭𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓭.”
“𝓗𝔂…”
“𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓽’𝓼 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽, 𝓲𝓼𝓷’𝓽 𝓲𝓽? 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓯𝓾𝓬𝓴𝓮𝓭 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓮𝓭? 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓾𝓼 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓸 𝓸𝔀𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓬𝓾𝓷𝓽, 𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽? 𝓘 𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓷𝓸𝔀.
𝓘 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓽, 𝓻𝓮𝓭. 𝓘’𝓭 𝓫𝓮𝓽 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓼𝓸𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓭 𝓪𝓵𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝔂.”
“𝓝𝓸,”
“𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓲𝓯 𝓘 𝓭𝓸𝓾𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓬𝓴?”
••

tropes:
☆🍁why choose
☆🍁brother's best friend
☆🍁obsessive bodyguards
☆🍁criminal 🥵
☆🍁forbidden love
☆🍁forced proximity
☆🍁stronge fmc
☆🍁criminal investigation
☆🍁disability rep + chronic illness

[Laura (lady_h_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I don’t want or need a law-abiding wallflower. I want a monster. A powerful force of nature.


Well, damn! That was a wild ride. The cliffhanger was a doozy. Action and danger with a lot of spice.

I KNOW we aren’t supposed to choose in a WC, but I have my favorites. Axel is a no brainer - stabby golden retriever? Yes, please! Blaine is the top contender. He’s willing to be the devil Ember needs. And she deserves.

I love the duality of Ember’s strength and softness. Watching her learn to trust others, but not having an immediate personality shift. She still has so much room for growth. Healing is a process.

The spice is jacked up in book two. No shortage of sexy time, but still with a ton of plot intermixed.

We’re left at another cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the next book!

Thanks to VPR and J Rose for the advance copy.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’ve MISSED this universe and these characters so much 😭

ember & her men never fail to strike every emotion i have in me 🤣 one second i’m laughing at axels antics and the next im crying from her conversations with any of the guys 🥺

ember truly is one of my favorite fmc’s written, she’s such an amazing character and i love that though she’s full of rage and anger and thinks she’s unredeemable, the guys don’t view her as less.

this book you really got to see the raw version of everybody and seeing how their dynamic works best when they’re there for each other — but just like every family there’s threats that they have to face within themselves.

i’m slightly biased towards a certain phantom so i can’t wait to see even more of him in the next book 😏 i figured i knew where the ending was heading, but i was so wrong and now i have endless questions i need answered 🤣

thank you so much to j rose and valentine pr for the arc, all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Casey Velasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️
3 🔥
Dark Romance
Why Choose
Criminal Investigation
Baddie FMC
Forbidden Love
Disability Rep
Mental Health
Forced Proximity
Cliffhanger
⚠️This is a dark romance and centers around dark themes. Please check content/trigger warnings.⚠️
My mind is spiraling after that ending!! I feel like every time I read a new J Rose book, I need to go back and read her entire backlist, AGAIN! J Rose will always be one of my most favorite dark, why choose romance authors. The way she writes this dynamic world, with imperfect characters, plot twists, relationships, mental health, found families, how she beautifully intertwines all(most) of her series, but they can also stand on their own, I am just totally SAT. This is book two of the Anaconda Tales Trilogy, and you must read book one Fractured Future first. This one was fast paced, action packed, spicy 🥵, twists and turns everywhere! Our characters really couldn’t catch a break!! There were some wins, and some losses, but can we talk about that ending?! Whew!! I need book three, immediately! This series is about Ember who is a victim, then survivor of human trafficking. She spends six years fighting for her life in underground fights, when a secret-filled onyx eyed savior delivers her to her brother’s best friend & the Anaconda Team of Sabre Security, as a bargaining chip. Ember struggles with memories from her time in captivity & is hiding a secret. She is offered a place on the team & part of their found family, in order to give her new life purpose and to help take done those that kept her captive. But this dark world is not for the faint of heart, it is deep, depraved & full of secrets and lies.

Thank you J Rose & Valentine PR for the ARC!

[Amanda Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate this up. ATE IT UP 😩

I had been (impatiently) waiting for the continuation of Ember, Warner, Hyland, Axel, and Blaine’s story. The tension in J’s writing is always so intense, because not only is the plot always so extreme, but so is the chemistry and spice.

This one in particular had quite a few plot lines going, and it kept my brain going in loops the whole time. Some things were answered in book 2, but now I’m left ON ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER and knowing what I know about the way these books always tie together, I know whatever this revelation is, is going to ruin me. I don’t know if it’ll be in a good way or a bad way but I don’t even care.

It’s the way that each one of Ember’s men care for her differently, and make a team at the same time. And then we add in the hatred for Blaine and the empire surrounding him, and everything is just constantly tense.

Oh and don’t forget the other absolute LEGEND of a twist that happened surrounding Axel ( of course it’s Blaine’s fault). That sh!t show just kept getting worse. And when you think it got better? Nope.

Getting glimpses of Hyland treating others with such compassion also kept making me giggle and kick my feet; ie his child and Willow. He’s such a MAN.

Okay I think I’m done ranting about how bad I need book 3 now.

Thank you so much to Valentine PR, J Rose, and team for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book!

[Meka 🌸 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I waited patiently for this book, and it did not disappoint.

Rose has a way of writing FMC’s that show both the soft and vulnerable side but also has the ability to be a total badass who can kick people’s asses.

All of her harem members are fully fleshed out with their own discernible personalities and backgrounds. While reading I don’t need to chapter title to know who’s POV I am reading because of the way each character is written.

The plot kept me on my toes and despite thinking I know what’s going to happen next Rose constantly flips the script and gives us twist after twist. The way it’s written is in a way that makes sense and flows with the story so you don’t end up feeling like it’s filler.


Overall


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Isabella Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ ᴍᴇɴ ᴀʀᴇ ᴠʏɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴀꜰꜰᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴꜱ. ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɴᴏᴛ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ?”

She’s Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!! 🤭🤭 One of my MOST anticipated reads of the year! I have been WAITING and biting my nails…needing my questions answered after that brutal cliffhanger. And J. Rose was giving me those answers right??? RIGHT?!?!? 🤡🤡🤡 absolutely not. Listen….I love you but why do you choose to torture me like this??? 😩😩😩 DESPITE THAT!! This book was phenomenal. Darker and more heart wrenching than the first if that’s even possible. Disclaimer…you 10000000% need to read book one to understand this one. And as always, check your trigger warnings. There are some very heavy topics and themes….your mental health ALWAYS comes first, so make sure to be safe.❤️

Now…let’s dive in 😈 We are back with our bad b FMC, Ember. Seriously. This girl is stronger than anyone I know. After everything she’s been through, she’s still standing tall. Fighting for her recovery and fighting against the man who held her captive. Vowing to get her vengeance and bring him down.

Of course, our delicious men are back. Warren , Hyland, Axel and Blaine. Axel is STILL my main man after reading this book. In fact, even more so after finally learning his secrets. My Shayla 🥺🥺🥺🥺 I want to wrap him in a bubble and love him forever. Hyland is still unhinged and we love him for that. Blaine is FINALLY opening up more. But I still have my eye on him 👀😤 and then Warren. The slow burn with this man. I feel like rose on the titanic, “It’s been 80 years”. Seriously let’s go man…everyone can see you love her. *slaps him in the head with a news paper*

What I loved about this book is how we see each of the these men grow and evolve. They are all slowly bringing their walls down and allowing themselves to be vulnerable with Ember. And in turn, Embers bond with them is growing and her trust in them is stronger.

Now…the spice… 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵 I didn’t realise I was DEHYDRATED UNTIL THIS BOOK! I was so thirsty for all of these scene. That garage scene ??? 😩😩😩 lord I need saving because that was all sin and I gobbled it up without an ounce of remorse. Ember is a lucky girl. I’m jealous. I’m just going to need all of these men to get over themselves and realise she isn’t choosing one, she’s choosing them all. So they need to get on board the train and quit being silly.

Along with the spice and emotional growth, we have the incredible plot and story line that continues from book one. If you thought things were crazy in book one, you are about to eat your words like I did. Because W T F?!?! I’m in shambles. I was swiping the pages on my kindle so fast as I read that there was smoke coming off my finger. I was HOOKED!

But….ummmmm Ms Rose…I need to have a chat 🤨 ARE YOU KIDING ME WITH THAT ENDING? Do you hate me? Do you just want me to be even MORE mentally unstable than I am?!?! Why…WHY WOULD YOU LEAVE ME ON A CLIFFHANGER AGAIN?!?!? 😭😭😭😭 I literally walked out of my house in the middle of the night after I finished reading this and screamed into the void to not wake my family up! MAM!!! My heart cannot take this! Please! Have mercy on us! 😩 I’m not saying I want you to rush on the 3rd book…but I AM saying…I’ll be stalking your social media for clues 👀👀

Thank you SO MUCH to J. Rose for the AMAZING opportunity of not only being able to ARC read this book but also being able to be on your team. It’s truly an honour ❤️

🇬🇧Dark Romance
🖤Why Choose/Reverse Harem
🇬🇧Hurt/Comfort
❤️Trauma/Healing
🇬🇧Emotional Growth
🖤SPICE
🇬🇧Tension
❤️SUSPENSE
🇬🇧Possessive & Obsessive MMC’s
🖤STRONG AF FMC
🇬🇧Revenge
❤️Criminal Investigation
🇬🇧Forbidden
🖤Mental Health Rep
🇬🇧Chronic Illness Rep
❤️Forced Proximity
🇬🇧Brothers Best Friend
🖤Sabre Security World
🇬🇧Found Family
❤️Slow Burn
🇬🇧Multi-POV
🖤Cliffhanger

[The_Book_Brat · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Reverse Harem
*Contemporary
*Multi-1st-PoV
*Dark Themes
*Abused FMC
*Protective MMCs
*Hurt/Comfort
*Revenge Plot
*Building Harem (4?)
*Slower Burn
*Book 2/3
Ups and downs: twists and turns!
Poor Ember has soooo much to deal with 😫 her worry over Tom and how to get him back: what’s happening to Gracie; her own medical condition and it’s debilitating impact; her own mental health/self worth issues and apparently playing referee to four overgrown cavemen 😅 she’s got a lot on her plate but in true Ember style she buckles up and faces it head first! There are several hurdles throughout this book that challenge her and I love the realistic representation of Embers struggle with self-esteem and how she views herself as guilty rather than a victim: she’s a superbly written character! Love her dry wit as well when quipping back about her life 🤣
Things are moving further forward with her men individually-Axel is more than happy to be the manic snuggle buddy and push the boundaries; Hyland the protective oaf is giving into his wants; Warner is finally acting on his long held feelings but his jealously needs to be checked 😬; and Blaine is realising it’s more than his exoneration keeping him with the team - honey he’s my fave 😍 there are some new characters at play in this book that bring an interesting dynamic as well as cameos from other JRose books, especially in the ending making you wonder what more could come of Embers past 😳
A griping read with the perfect balance of plot, character and smut…raring for the finale!

[TheDeniseBianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was even better than the first one!!!

I love that there was so much action in this book amongst the tenderness and steam and spice. There was a great balance that kept it fully gripping.

Drama between all the characters aside, I enjoyed that their experiences together really allowed for some individual growth. Their introspections weren’t intrusive and for Ember and her men to fully function, I think these moments were very necessary.

Dark romance once again teaches how much darkness within us just needs a little time and love to heal. That everything can’t just live in black and white and for you to truly live and heal, you have to come to terms with all the shades of gray.

[Brelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming into this from Fractured Future cliffhanger, I was just as nervous as I was excited.

I missed Ember & her men! One of the things I love about J Rose’s writing is she able to strike a perfect balance between action, spice, relationships and plot. Similar to Fractured Future, the pacing kept me hooked from beginning to end.

I LOVE J ROSE’S UNIVERSE. One of my absolute favorite things about these stories is how interconnected the characters & their lives are. It’s always a blast to see familiar faces while falling in love with new ones.

As usually. I will be impatiently waiting for the next book, and dreaming about being in Ember’s shoes.

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐈’𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧. 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧. 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐞’𝐬 𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞.”

J. Rose never misses. My dumb brain initially thought that this was going to be a duology - imagine my (happy) surprise when I found out it’s actually a trilogy. I’m always a bit wary when it comes to second books in trilogies, but this one delivered. Ravaged Soul was more plot & action driven which I absolutely adored, while also focussing on deepening the relationships that are going on. The chronic illness rep was yet again spot on and I felt very seen. Now after that (yet again) VILE plot twist at the end I am now impatiently awaiting book 3.

the vibes ™:
- taking down a sex trafficking ring
- why choose
- chronic illness rep
- mental illness rep
- dealing with grief

🔪✨❤️‍🔥

[Caitie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you valentinePR & J Rose for the arc!!

I swear, every time she writes a book, they get better and better. As always, I love the crossover with the characters from other books!! Love, love, LOVE them!!

I truly thought this was going to be two books, but I was pleasantly surprised with how this one ended, and I’m so excited for the next one to see how it wraps up.

Had me crying in the club, and also laughing out loud

Also…Blaine…. I still love you……

[Pandora · Rating 5 out of 5]

J Rose does it again! That ending though 🤯
I love how all of the characters from the different series have appearances within other books and this one is no exception. Even without having previously read some of those books you're not missing much.
I am loving Embers journey and how protective but chaotic the various men in the Anaconda team. I feel like there will be even more surprises to come in the next instalment, I can't wait!

[crysreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am SPEECHLESS. This was PHENOMENAL. Omg. Incredible. J Rose literally said hold my beer because she ATE with this one. I felt like I was watching the climax of an action movie the entire time - I was GRIPPING the edge of my seat. I could not BREATHE. The plot was incredible - the twists the flow was perfect. The SPICE?!?!?? Exactly what I wanted after getting a taste from book one. The filthy, hot spice omg - and each scene made so much sense. PERFECTION. Ember is badARSE. Every character had their moment. The development of characters and dynamics of each relationship was so well done. Incredible - infinity stars. This just became my favorite J Rose book to date. No NOTES.

[Cali Mafiaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhhh my freak’n gosh!!! That ending 😳😳 I need more!! 😭😭 lol I can’t wait till the next book.. oh my gosh J Rose has done it again!! I absolutely love her books cuz she always just pulls you in and just don’t wanna put the book down till you find out everything or the book ends and she leaves you wanting more & with so many questions lol.. 😅 I love how all the guys are all about Ember and they all bring something different to the relationship!! I love it and just can’t get enough!! This is a must read!! It is book two so make sure you read the first book otherwise you’ll be lost! ♥️🖤

[Elise Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I want more. I want to be yours. I want to be shared. I want everything and more still. So why won’t you give it to me?” 😍

Ravaged Soul continues Ember’s story for justice and I couldn’t have loved it more!

I just could not get enough of how obsessed the guys were with Ember. The jealousy was also insane (like I’m so jealous I’m not Ember 😭😂). The tension and spice between all of them was chef’s kiss! Now I just NEED all of them to get together already pleaseeee 😭

This book was also packed with lots of suspense and action. It kept me completely engaged the entire time to only kick me in the ass at the end because what was that ending 😭 safe to say I need book 3 asap!

[Laura Gerez · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review of Ravaged Soul by J Rose💘📚

This book wrecked me—in the absolute best way.

You ever read something so intense, so perfectly chaotic, that you just sit there afterward like… How do I sit still and wait for the next book? And how do I go on with my life now? Yeah, that was Ravaged Soul for me.

First off—seeing familiar faces from past series? Total serotonin boost. It felt like coming home to chaos, but in a warm, “I-missed-you-all-so-much-you-absolute-menaces” kind of way.

And don’t even get me started on the cliffhanger. HOLY. HELL. My jaw is still somewhere on the floor. J. Rose didn’t just up the stakes—she launched them into the freakin’ stratosphere. The tension? Explosive. The spice? Feral. The emotional damage? Delicious.

This book is like book one on steroids. The pacing? Chef’s kiss. I could barely breathe through some scenes—it felt like watching the most high-octane part of an action movie for hours straight. No fluff. No filler. Just raw, addictive chaos and heart.

Ember? That woman is steel wrapped in sarcasm and scars. She’s not just surviving anymore—she’s hunting. She wants justice. She wants blood. And honestly? I want to help her get it. She’s unhinged in the best way, and I’d follow her into the fire every time.

Let’s talk the guys for a second. Warner. Hyland. Axel. Blaine. Each one is unhinged, protective, and obsessed—and honestly, I support Ember being the center of that emotionally unstable four-man sandwich. They’re possessive, jealous, chaotic—and yeah, it’s hot as hell. And Blaine? That man owns my whole soul. No debate.

And the spice… sweet mother of heatwaves. It was filthy in the best, most well-earned way. Every scene hit exactly how it needed to—not just steamy for the sake of it, but filled with tension, longing, and so much chemistry it practically scorched my screen.

The emotional depth here? Immaculate. Every character had a moment. Every relationship dynamic felt earned and layered. The team is a mess, but they’re her mess. Family. Love. Temptation. Loyalty. Pain. It’s all tangled, and it’s all beautiful.

Bottom line: Ravaged Soul is a punch to the gut wrapped in spice and delivered by morally gray, ride-or-die characters I’d kill for. It’s brutal, tender, relentless, and unforgettable. If you love your romance dark, your stakes high, and your FMC capable of tearing a man apart with her words or her hands… this book will consume you.

I’m feral for book three. No notes. Infinity stars.💘💘💘

TROPES
♦️Why choose
♦️Slow burn
♦️Forbidden lust
♦️Brother's best friend
♦️Bada$$ heroine
♦️Obsessive secret agents
♦️Criminal underworld
♦️Mental health & trauma recovery
♦️Chronic illness
♦️Disability rep

🔫My Favorite Quotes🔫

“I will always protect you with my life”

“I’m here for all of you. Not just the good parts.”

‼️Book coming out August 1st on Amazon and I'm stoked for everyone to read it and enjoy it as much as I did‼️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

@ReadingLaurasLibrary
#HappyReading

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am unwell!
This damn book captivated me from page one, and by the time I was finished, I was well and truly mind blown.. And left on the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers.


Ravaged Soul is book two in the Anaconda Tales series! (pls go read book one if you have not already) And this book is EVERYTHING! Think about everything you loved from the first book and multiply it by 10, because oh my gosh, I couldn't get enough.
We have so much fun banter, tension that bleeds through the pages, and the spice..Well, the spice level has been dialled too high and it will have you melting!

I don't know how J Rose does it, but she managed to create the most unhinged characters who I time and time again will fall head over heels for - and in this book, that is Blaine, I am OBSESSED with that man. My morals should probably be checked because there is no way I should be giggling and kicking my feet every time that man speaks or makes even the slightest appearance.

I felt like each of the characters in this book had so much emotional development throughout the story, and I loved to see the dynamics of their relationship taking shape and I can't wait to see more!

I loved the twists and turns this took me on, to say this was an emotional rollercoaster is an understatement! There were moments in this book where I was so stressed it was insane, and the ending? EXCUSE ME? How can we end like that? I don't think my mind will rest until book three is in my hands because I need answers, and I need them now.

This book deserves all the stars! And there are not enough words to describe how much I loved this!

If you haven't already started the Anaconda Tales series, I am BEGGING you to! Please, please, please add this to your TBRs (along with every other J Rose book!!)

[SukisMagicLibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, can we all just take a moment to congratulate J. Rose on another wild, gritty, addictive release?! This woman does not miss.
This book? Whew. It’s a journey. Amber’s story hit hard. Watching her navigate not just the trauma from her past, but also this long-term diagnosis… it broke me in places. But the strength in her? Damn. It’s relentless. She doesn’t want to be seen as a victim, and while I respect the hell out of that, it gets a little too repetitive early on. Like girl… yes, we know you’re strong, we see you, now please just take a breath and let these men in.
And let’s talk about those men. Warner. Hyland. Axel. Blaine. 😮‍💨
Obsessed. Supportive, hot, loyal, and that “we’re in this together” energy?? Ugh yes. The way they step up for Amber, especially with her diagnosis? Beautiful. Sexy. Healing. All of it.
Spice? Oh yeah, it’s spicy-spice. 🌶️🌶️🌶️ You will not be disappointed.
It did take me a bit to fully sink into the story, especially if you're used to more action or plot-heavy books—it starts slow. But once it picks up, it really picks up. Emotional depth, found family, forbidden longing, and a heroine who learns that leaning on others doesn't make her weak — it makes her powerful in a whole new way.
Loved it. Can't wait for more. Bring on the chaos, the heat, and the healing. 🖤

[Marie-Hélène · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle books often drag on but I always love Jess’ because of the devotion to personal growth (individual, relationship-wise and as a group) - the found family is always immaculate and the middle part is how she gets under your skin. I loved how they all start to find their way and challenge their own beliefs and boundaries in order to form a more cohesive unit.

The learning how to deal with a chronic illness is so relatable. In the way Ember was resigned and okay with it, but Hyland lashes out in frustration because it cannot be fixed, reminded me a lot of my partner and I. It’s very nice to have that depicted realistically in a book, because it’s not pretty but it’s so raw and it made me feel very seen in the best possible way.

The action sucks you in and makes you fly through the pages, emotionally going through it together with the characters. That’s something I really love about J. Rose’s writing, but also kind of despise because when you inevitably finish the book way sooner than anticipated, it feels like a part of you gets ripped away. It’s like an emotional kick in the chest and it has me yearning for the third book even more than I already was. Five stars, hands down.

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this book was picked perfectly, because I am ravaged all the way down to my soul right now. Up until a certain point the story was flowing exactly like I expected it to, and then the twists started. Even before that I was loving the action, suspense and spice, but around halfway it all became so much better. Second books in a series often suffer from "middle book syndrome", but there is no way that can be said about "Ravaged Soul". Really; it took me by the throath and didn't let go.

At this point it becomes hard to write a spoiler-free review because there is so much I want to say and can't! I want to talk plot twists, characters, revelations, ... and it hurts not to be able to do so. It's something I rarely struggle with, but I do when the ending of a book leaves me reeling like this one. There is so much left to unpack, not in the least about that cliffhanger at the end. Seriously, this book had me at the edge of my seat for so long I'm left with a bit of a hangover at this point.

One person we do have to talk about though, is Warner. Seriously: where were you hiding that vibe and talk my man? Our fmc was not the only one affected once he gave in and fully became one of hers...

[Sylvana · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars!!!

Book: Ravaged Soul by J Rose

Nooo the epilogue ending!!! This is going to be a mind blowing twist, and I'm all here for it

“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘳𝘦𝘥. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦. 𝘚𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮… 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺.”

Reading a J Rose book always feels like coming home! Her familiar writing style, the way she will burrow her characters into my soul. It's a painful process, and I fall for it time and time again. This was the much needed sequel of the Anaconda Tales trilogy, and I'll be anxiously awaiting the third book

“𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶,”

I absolutely love Ember! She's a fiesty and fierce character. I live for the found family feelings, and this one hits just right. It doesn't surprise me that I'm once again obsessed with these men. I love their dynamics and individual traits! The obsessiveness and overprotective tendencies have me in a chokehold, I need more

“𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝘕𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.”

I want to thank the author for sending me an eARC to read and review 🖤 I'm forever grateful to be a part of your ARC team

[Jennifer Squillante · Rating 5 out of 5]

♾️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Just when you thought you were going to get the answers you needed whe the first book ended, J. Rose gives us this intense, emotionally charges and action filled second book in the trilogy. And while she does answer a few questions, she also opens up the door for so many more to come.

While I love all the guys, I had so many question on how Blaine was going to get to join the party and while he hasn't officially, J. Rose has set it up perfectly.

Getting Warner to break was so much fun to watch. The seemingly put together leader losing control for the one girl he has only ever wanted. The way they handled telling her brother I thought was perfect.

Hyland( I think he is my favorite but I a partial to a grump) He is the fierce protector. How much he takes on to protect those he loves is chef's kiss.


But for me, Axel had the best developement of this novel. While he is that happy,goofy kill character we know and love from Fracture Future, he has his moment when his past catched up with him. I have so many questions about his past, still

And can we please talk about that ending, I clearly didn't see that coming in any way share or form and I LOVED IT!

While I cannot wait to see how this trilogy will end, I am sad to see it go!

tropes:
☆🍁why choose
☆🍁brother's best friend
☆🍁obsessive bodyguards
☆🍁criminal 🥵
☆🍁forbidden love
☆🍁forced proximity
☆🍁stronge fmc
☆🍁criminal investigation
☆🍁disability rep + chronic illness

Thank You J. Rose and Valentine PR for the ARC in return for an honest review!

[Adri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blaine, Axel and Warner, Hyland … phewie its getting hot in here….

I do have a soft spot for Blaine but it might be since he is the black sheep?
The team is Alpha all the way and Ember is no walk over herself..

Anaconda Tales Book 2 in Audio was just … W.O.W.
Narrated by:Hannah Hedley & Will Thorne 5stars xxx

I do not want to miss book 3 in Audio that I can tell you right now!!!
Riveting and Spicy and wonderfully narrated and written!!
Fast paced and Slow burn and then just BOOM…

“I’m not stupid enough to think that what I’m asking for isn’t too much. By any normal standard, what I want with all of my teammates is wrong. Greedy. Immoral. …… I want Axel. Hyland. Warner. Blaine too. ….”
mic drop moment there..

Why choose with a cherry on top?
This is not a normal reverse harem novel.
Its focus is on the ongoing mission of the Sabre Security Team.
They are fighting the Human Trafficking Ring and dancing with Danger every step of the way.

There is a HEA for Now ending. No deadly Cliffy but it's far from over.

I love the newly included person I won't name and give away plot. I want to really see where this goes.
Fantastic!!!

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

J. Rose seriously knows how to keep you on edge, but of course in the best way. Ravaged Soul picks up right where Fractured Future left off, so definitely make sure you’ve read book one to really understand Ember’s journey. And trust me, it’s one worth following. She’s still one of my favorite FMCs and my heart broke for her in this one. She was carrying so much guilt over something completely out of her control, and watching her struggle to give herself the grace she deserves just hit me hard.

I know I say this a lot, but one of the things I genuinely love about why choose romances is getting to see how each connection builds and how those bonds deepen. Ember gets to see these guys in ways no one else ever has — and I love that for her. They’re all so fiercely protective of her, but what they haven’t realized is that she’s more than capable of protecting herself, too. The Anaconda Team still has some things to work through, but I’m so excited (and maybe a little nervous) to see where this goes next.

[Pana · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book was so damn good. No notes!

𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹, 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘀, 𝗵𝗲’𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲.

Ember was truly a tough fighter this book. The adversaries she had to overcome, her disability she had to adjust to, the men who tried to break her. AMAZING FMC

J FINALLY gave us the spice we wanted and needed in this installment. The fact that they all loved her and were willing to share her despite how they felt about another, perfect. That’s one of the many things I love about J. Rose’s books, is that everyone gets lovin ❤️‍🔥

The bathroom scene was so scorching hot. Omg!

I encourage others to read this series, because it’s so damn good. This may be one of my favorite series of hers!

Tropes:
WHY CHOOSE
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
STRONG HEROINE
FORBIDDEN LOVE
BROTHER'S BEST FRIEND
FOUND FAMILY
DISABILITY REP
FORCED PROXIMITY
SLOW BURN