Doubts & Fears

Season Sisters Saga #2

by Emerson Reign

Not every heart knows how to heal. Some wounds cut too deep, bleeding over no matter how many bandages you wrap around it. I should know better, peace and safety are mere illusions, especially when THEY won't let you keep your past buried.

Slowly, I begin to trust and open up to the men who've taken me in. Only the truth is more than we can handle and the cracks in my facade break wide open. In a desperate attempt to feel whole again, I push too far, breaking the one bond I can't bear to lose. Such a stupid, stupid girl.

THE REAPER, THE CROW, & THE

Not every battle can be fought together. We've built something beautiful with her, each of us finding connection in ways we never thought possible. But beauty is fragile, and the wounds she carries are deeper than we could fathom. Our little warrior's greatest flaw is impulsivity, and when it rears it's head she dives head first, shattering everything we've built.

And in the aftermath, her past resurfaces, more dangerous than ever. When she disappears without a trace, we're left searching for answers. Except one of us is keeping a secret, which breaks the sacred bond of brotherhood.

The final curtain hasn't fallen, and we're standing on the edge of the stage. One wrong step could bring the whole act crashing down.

Doubts and Fears is Spring's story, the second book in a trilogy of an interconnected series. It cannot be read as a stand-alone. Book two ends on a CLIFFHANGER. A full list of tropes, triggers, and content info is available on the author's website.

Spring's story is a why choose romance with brothers, so the FMC will have more than one love interest. The remaining season sisters are all MF pairings.

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Dark, Contemporary Romance, Why Choose

487 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2025

About the author

Emerson Reign is a Contemporary Dark Romance author living in the Pacific Northwest. She is known for creating intricately wordy, woven tales where the characters always get what they want.

Thanks in no small part to George R.R. Martin, her current book series in in the developmental stages with seven books completed. As the oracle of her family, she is used to telling stories. From a young age she could be found with a diary, journal or notebook in hand for jotting down ideas and poems.

When not writing, Emerson is immersed in family life, reading a book or tending to a needy dachshund while the calm terrier mix sighs heavily.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doubts and fears continues the story of Kinsley & her kings (Ivan, Nik and Aleksandr). Kinsley is still being a brat, LOL. But this book dives into her past trauma from a life she's left behind. D&F took me on a JOURNEY, ngl. I was curled up on the couch devouring this page by page. Again the author doesn't focus on the why choose element but the different relationships she has with Crow, Reaper and Blade. Each relationship is vastly different and we get a glimpse into what these three do on a daily bases of 'training' their ladies before they go off with their suitors.

Yes, it ends in another cliffhanger which is much more gut wrenching this time because of the progression of their relationships. So, yeah, when is book three coming because I am SAT, waiting.

I will say even though this is a 5 star for me.. I felt like adding in Sebastian (Bash) wasn’t really necessary unless he’s playing a bigger part in book 3. Overall, an excellent dark romance, why choose, healing trauma, love story. Just go put it on your TBR.

Thank you to the author for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Tedra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has its moments

1st let me say that this author is a fantastic writer and a part of me hates that I enjoyed this book as much as I did.
However this time around I hated, really hated the FMC.

What i feared happening after reading bk 1 happened, FMC is nothing but a doormat, mini sub that spends most of the book being stupid or doing stupid things, like lying- so much lying, outright making up stories, just
refusing to help herself, which ok, i get. However the only time she actively tries to do anything good like therapy, it's simply so she can get green lit to fuq the mmcs. That's her entire motivation right there & the men all know it & yet things just continue.
The worst part is shes doing all this -totally given up all independence and has turned into a yes, sir, sorry sir Lil sub and they aren't even in a relationship at all, zero commitment with 3 of the biggest horndogs on the planet and she's just gone.

*Earlier on in the book it's alluded that Alex tried to seek out "relief" with a female at the club but couldn't get it up- it's off page but still this occurs AFTER the fmc moved in with them.
*she assumes that they are all 3 screwing their subs or play partners but that does not stop her from trying to jump them every day.
*on going OW drama- the men continue to train subs that are new hires -they claim that they aren't touching just mostly verbal debasing & commands- but the OW is naked & being edged (with toys) by them. The FMC has made multiple mentions that it upsets her, why cant they get someone else to train her etc and they laugh & say it's "just work" while losing their minds & threatening her with punishment because her dance instructor touched her ass.

This right here is what I'm talking about BDSM and the huge power imbalance- authors (not just this one) look you in the eye & write things like she's really in control, it's empowering, excuse me? Girlfriend has to ask for permission to be excused from the table, she has zero power.

And the guys have only gotten worse, more immature & reckless & they all failed her cause gf needs more than just therapy judging by what she begged Ivan for, all 3 are still gross & still talking about women like objects & it pussed me off. These guys are Doms? These guys have women lining up to use them and they talk that way about them?

The FMC is also now just a pick me type girl, If she isnt begging the guys, she's putting herself in situations to show off her body- usually infront of other men, like Marcus. Dancing practically nude to show up the other 2 subs, she has no shame & is constantly "i can dance better, i can do better than them, I can be train a sub, i can give a better bj, I can give the best lapdance".

At 1 point FMC goes on & on about how to give the best bj, like this is supposed to be sexy - it's not once you realize that 1. All her oral skills were taught to her while she was like 10 freaking years old ! The girls were forced to practice on dummies & dildos as child slaves so hearing a grown FMC talking about the steps to giving a bj (she's still a virgin btw) is a turn off & gave me the ick.

The fingerbang at her BEST FRIENDS house while she & her boyfriend (and his friends ) was disgusting, what is it with this author writing sex scenes with besties being in the same room? It's cringe af). Again a mentally spiraling FMC paired up with 3 guys who only escalate her situations rather than de escalate.

Also..did you know that the FMC is tiny?? Like she's tiny, so tiny and really tiny. Did you know that she's tiny? So her p*ssy, it's just so tiny too. She's a tiny tot..you know how i know? Cause the author tells us all of the time, in every chapter, she's just soooo tiny! I half joke with myself that I'm going to count all the times tiny is used to describe the FMC.

That ending with her & Ivan. Now I gotta read about her guilt when he's the Dom. Are you freaking kidding me rn?
Also Marcus & Marcel- 2 major side characters with extreme similar names is confusing at times.

[Brita Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

We know that not every heart knows how to heal. There are those wounds that have cut too deep, they keep bleeding through all the bandages you wrap around it, no matter how many you use. Kinsley knows better, peace and safety are just illusions, especially when THEY will not let you keep your past buried.

Kinsley slowly began to open up and trust the men who took her in. The truth is more than any of them can truly handle and the cracks in her facade break wide open. In one desperate attempt to try and feel whole again, Kinsley pushes too far, and she breaks the only bond she couldn't bear to lose. Now she feels like a stupid girl.

The three of them know that not every battle can be fought together. They all know that they had built something beautiful and special with Kinsley, Kinsley The Reaper, The Crow, & The Blade each managed to find a connection with her that they never thought was possible. Beauty is so fragile though and none of them realized just how deep the wounds she carried truly ran. Their little warrior's greatest flaw though is her impulsivity, and the moment it raises its head she dives in head first, and that shatters everything they had built together.

In the aftermath of that shattering, Kinsley's past suddenly resurfaces and it's more dangerous than before. And then she disappears and Reaper, Crow, or Blade can find a trace of her and now all three of them are left searching for answers. The problem is, that one of them is keeping a secret, and it breaks their sacred bond of brotherhood.

Thankfully the final curtain hasn't fallen yet, but they are standing on the edge of the stage. And they all know that just one wrong move could bring the entire act crashing down around them.

Doubts and Fears is Spring's story, the second book in a trilogy of an interconnected series. It cannot be read as a stand-alone. Book two ends on a CLIFFHANGER. A full list of tropes, triggers, and content info is available on the author's website.

Spring's story is a why choose romance with brothers, so the FMC will have more than one love interest. The remaining season sisters are all MF pairings.

Tropes: Dancer MC, Russian MC, Why Choose, Multilingual/Bilingual MCs, MCs Nicknames in a Foreign Language, Russian Nicknames, BDSM, Obsession, Romance, Dark Romance, Hurt/Comfort, and Suspense.

Doubts & Fears is the 2nd book in the Season Sisters Saga by Emerson Reign. I loved the first book so I knew that I had to continue the series and I have to say that I enjoyed this book just as much. I found it to be the perfect blend of spice, banter, angst, character development, story development, and of course all the shocking surprises that you could ever hope for.

In this installment, we have the opportunity to learn more about Kinsley's time with X and of course the collector and all the horrific things that they did to her and what she had to endure and survive. More than that though we get to see Kinsley step more into who she truly is and was meant to be, and she finds the power within herself that she's always needed.

But, more than getting to see more of Kinsley, we are also given the chance to see a deeper side of the Kings. And some of the things that I love about romance books....only for her and her alone. They are soft and gentle, monogamous, but it's only for her. They want more, only with her.

Emerson did a chef's kiss job with the spice in this book. It is perfectly timed and well-placed. It feels genuine and authentic. But, seriously, um, what you did to Ivan???? Really????

YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and consider the trigger warnings and take them seriously. There are scenes and subject matter withing this book that are not suitable for all readers and some scenes could be triggering for some readers. This is a great book for those who can manage the trigger warnings, love dark romance vibes, and can handle dark topics.

I will say that I was ready to throw my Kindle at my wall as Emerson has left us with another nasty cliffhanger at the end of this one and I hope I can get my hands on book 3 sooner rather than later.

I highly recommend this book if you love dark romance, and can handle the trigger warnings and the dark topics. This is a great read and I loved it. And Emerson Reign is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors to read and I highly recommend her as an author you should be following.

[Katie Sprietsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I am so mixed about this. and maybe some of that stems from my naivety on certain things.
The flow of this is done well, although I expected answers and bigger things to happen throughout. The character development and connections that were evolving were done nicely in anchoring some of the more heavy stuff.
The trauma is also done so well. the contradictions and uncertainties with her inner turmoil make so much sense, and while it may seem frustrating at this point that she's holding on to so many secrets still, it also casts a level of realism. That her trauma comes out in unexpected ways, the want for love and trust but the inability to grasp the concept well. It's hauntingly beautiful.
The men frustrate me in this book. A lot. they all seem to care about her a lot, and come to see that there are triggers about her past that they need to tread carefully on. A vulnerability she has on many levels even though they don't know the details. And yet they continuously mock her and tease her. They flaunt the other women around her as if it's a joke even when they know it's hurting her and then snicker about it when she can actually bring it up. This part is what I don't like about the story. Their training of the other girl and how they stop it but don't correct her when she assumes they are being intimate with her and possibly others. Then the dinner at the parents where the two play things are invited and they just leave her in a room with them and their mom like it's nothing and then get all ragey at her for not being comfortable?! And what Alex said to his father and then barely takes accountability for any of it. Just yuck. I hate when the male characters do things to undermine a vulnerable FMC and then treat her like her reaction to it is the problem and that a very simple apology is enough to breeze past it.
Marcel was a fantastic touch to this book. He was an opening for us to get a much larger picture into Kinsleys past and a voice of reason into a situation that was starting to feel very immature and messy.
Ivan and how he was left. My jaw. Floor. I need to see how this all plays out.
Then that ending. We knew it was only a matter of time, and yet. Ugh! We also know that a full on HEA isn't guaranteed here, and even if we get one things could get super messy before we get there.
My heart is invested even if I am hating the dynamic between them sometimes. The daddy stuff gives me major ick but that's a personal factor here so meh. I will for sure keep reading because the intensity factor?! The healing I NEED to have happen?! so many aspects of closure I must have!!

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book literally had me angry one minute and laughing out loud the next. Angry because I just kept waiting for Kinsley to open up. And laughing because her smart mouth, no filter and the reactions are quite hilarious.

I see so many reviews with people complaining about the power imbalance and the relationship between the FMC and MMC. Kinsley does have ALL the control, she chooses not to exercise that control in most all situations. If she uses her safe word then everything is off, she’s in control. We see this with her and Marcel. However, her desire to be loved by these three and her internal trauma are in major conflict. She is experiencing pleasure and realizing she is lovable, which for so long she had convinced herself she wasn’t. However, she has NEVER had therapy or addressed her trauma. Not in all the years with Owen and not now. So while she’s trying to live a “normal” life, she doesn’t truly know what that is. She’s mixing her version of normal with her training from being captive, and what she feels is desirable and it’s all jumbling together.

She absolutely asked for what Ivan did with her, his guilt though is raw and real because knowing his limits and having self control is something he should be able to do when a situation takes a turn in a direction that is dangerous, and this was emotional and mentally dangerous and he got lost.

I am reeling waiting to read the last of Kinsey’s story, and I truly hope to figure out who is behind this Mask and Collector, and her Romanoiv family. I am also really pissed that I was right about Owen being involved with the grandpa, and truly hoping the grandpa didn’t have anything to do with Mishka’s “death” and Kinsley’s birth, and I will be destroyed if there’s any connection between the Kings or their family and the trafficking though I am not a fan of their mother.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emerson Reign has done it again—delivering another unputdownable installment that ups the stakes, the steam, and the emotional depth in Doubts & Fears, the second book in Kinsley’s gripping journey.

If book one left you craving more than just teasing, this sequel absolutely delivers. The chemistry between Kinsley and The Kings—especially Blade and Crow—hits an entirely new level of spice and intimacy 🔥. But it's not just about the heat. Reign masterfully weaves in deeper emotional threads as Kinsley begins trauma counseling with Marcel, adding a powerful layer of realism and vulnerability. Watching her start her healing journey is one of the most meaningful aspects of this book, normalizing therapy in such a grounded, everyday way.

Kinsley’s past is slowly unveiled—not just to the reader, but to The Kings themselves—as she opens up more and more. What begins as a reluctant agreement with the Reaper ends up becoming something far more emotional and raw. She’s on the verge of telling Marcel everything… and then Emerson drops that cliffhanger.

Yes, that HEART-STOPPING ending that will leave you breathless and desperate for more.

I absolutely cannot wait for book three, the final part of Spring’s story. Will Kinsley stay who she’s become—or return to the life of Mischa, the girl she was stolen from so long ago?

A brilliantly written, emotionally raw, and deliciously steamy continuation. 5 stars and a must-read for fans of dark romance with depth.

[Minnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

RC review

5⭐|5🌶|32% 🌶frequency

I got lucky to get a review copy of book 2 of this trilogy 🤩 Thank you again, Emerson 😘🩷


I so love dark why choose romance. And I can't say it often enough, it's not easy to find why choose I love. I don't want them to be just 🌽 I still need a really good plot. Something that catches me. That hooks me.
Yes, this series, or especially this book, is so full of 🌶️, and I'm not sure if I've ever read a book with this amount of 🌶️ without them even doing the real IT 😳 But it's the tiny things that make it just 🌽 and 🌽 with more. Emerson knows how to do it right. Even with being on the very edge (pun intended, you know when you've read this book 😎). And I'm pretty sure I haven't read a book with more k!nks than this one before 🙈 So good 🤩

The chemistry between the guys and Kinsley is wow. Yes, it started "strange" for a why choose 😎 It's "only" Aleksandr who is engaging with Kinsley in book 1. And girls, this guy 🥵 He is so 🔥 and I already said it in my first review, he is INTENSE!!! But Nik and Ivan aren't far behind 😁
As intense as they all are, they are also so sensitive and patient with Kinsley. Of course, they want to know about her past, and it's almost ☠️ them not to know, but they don't force her.

I do it like Emerson did it at the end of the book...
"to be considered..." Because I'm out of space and I'm ☠️ to read book 3, so... 😎


Follow me on IG for more
https://www.instagram.com/minnie.love...

[E*Marie {Find Us Between the Pages} · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd installment in this MFMM trilogy with Kinsley and the Kings (Alek - the Reaper, Nik - Crow, and Ivan - the Blade). It is part of the Season Sisters Saga. WHOA! 😯 What a saga it is and what what a series this trilogy has been so far!

Kingsley and the Kings are all tortured in some way and they begin to heal. It's amazing how the broken can take the pieces and put each other together again. Oh and poor Ivan! 😭 Each of the MMCs share a special bond with her and a special nickname. They're building and growing together, yet something is always there....in the background....danger.

The side character of Marcel has been great. Sebastian was a good inclusion, but he's not "part of them". It's really getting into their past, but especially hers. It's loaded with emotions, drama, action, and tension....along with sex and romance.



Please read the 🚩 trigger warnings 🚩 before reading this book. It also ends in a CLIFFHANGER so be sure to take note of that (also stated in the blurb).

Written in multiple POV (FMC and MMC).
4 ⭐️
3.5 🌶️
MFMM (Why Choose RH)
Slow Burn
Dark
Touch Her and ☠️
Soft for Her


I received this book from Emerson Reign as an ARC to give my honest review on this book.

[Makayla McCutcheon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emerson Reign has done it again everyone! If you thought book one was way too much teasing and not enough pleasing, buckle up, because this book brings Kinsley and The Kings to a whole new spice (and intimacy 👀blade and crow) level! Kinsley also takes us (and unknowingly the Kings) deeper into her past and trauma as she begins counseling with Marcel and starts her healing journey! I absolutely loved the way this made counseling a normal, everyday part of life, and healing from trauma.

What initially started out as humoring a request from the Reaper (and ultimately the Crow and the Blade), ends up with Kinsley ready to finally tell Marcel her story, but she doesn’t get the chance….

Why? Welp I don’t know since this is the HEART STOPPING cliffhanger Emerson chose to leave us on!

I absolutely cannot wait to read book 3, the final part of Spring’s story! Will she remain Kinsley or will she return to the life of Mischa she was taken from so long ago?



Once again thank you Emerson for having me as part of your ARC Team! I absolutely cannot wait for this to release July 7th 2025 for everyone else to enjoy as much as I do!

[Rhiannon Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had finished this book and pretty much one day. The thing I hate about this the most is the fact that I have to wait to get the third book in the series. I absolutely adore the writing and the characters. Kinsley and the King brothers are still my favorites however I really like the secondary or side characters, like Marcel. I’m really glad we got to see his point of view, especially. I loved how the relationships developed from the first book to the second and I can’t wait to see how things will be in the third book. And for the happily ever after. Hopefully I won’t have to wait too long but I know the wait is worth it. I am very grateful that the author gifted me an arc and introduced me to the Season Sisters Saga. I know I will be sad to see Spring go, but I can’t help but be excited for Autumn, Summer, and Winter as well. So far I have fell in love with almost everyone I have met, and I’m sure y’all will as well.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️

Genre/Tropes ✨ Dancer MC, Russian MCs, Why choose?, Multilingual/Bilingual MCs,Nicknames in a foreign language, Russian nicknames, BDSM, obsession, romance, dark romance, hurt/comfort, suspense

[Ashley Serino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emerson Reign. WHAT WAS THAT CLIFFHANGER? 😭😭

This book was SO good. It picks up right where book 1 left and I mean immediately.

I forgot how obsessed I was with the nicknames. Still am. And we get news one, too🤭

The character's growth, obsession, and possessiveness are huge.

Now, Kinsley has a huge amount of growth from her trauma. I love how the story really goes into her past more and shows her triggers in the present.

We see how intensely she feels about the Kings and the bonds she starts creating with two others from the Death Squad.

It was so hard to have to put this book down.

The level of spice intensified in the book, for sure. It’s written so well to show how each character is different.

The way Kinsley is with each MMC is also written well, because she immediately knows how to adapt to each one.

The number of secrets we find out to then be told "just kidding, there's more" got me 😂 like. Damn. I want to know everything.

I continued to question motivations starting mid-way. I was questioning everything and everyone 😂

I'm so ready for book three and this HEA, because these cliffhangers are killing me. But in such a good way.

[Tiffani Rutledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝘗𝘏𝘌𝘞! 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘧 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘔𝘖𝘙𝘌. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳? 𝘚𝘏𝘖𝘖𝘒. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘵.

𝘖𝘩 𝘮𝘺. 𝘔𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘺𝘴. 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘺'𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘏𝘌𝘈 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬. 𝘈𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴, 𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯!

𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘖𝘝𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘗𝘏𝘌𝘕𝘖𝘔𝘌𝘕𝘈𝘓.

𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘮𝘤 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 (𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 *𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘬*) 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 (𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘭𝘰𝘭) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘺.

𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘳. 𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦. 𝘌𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘏𝘌𝘈. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘌𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊!

[Nini · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

the teasinggg that this book was?? jesus🥵🥵
I need book 3 asap!!! because how that ended???!!!! nooooo


quotes:
••
"𝕴𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖎𝖊, 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖋𝖊𝖊𝖑 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖜𝖍𝖎𝖕 𝖆𝖌𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖘𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖑𝖎𝖑𝖞-𝖜𝖍𝖎𝖙𝖊 𝖆𝖘𝖘"
"𝕶𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖊𝖓, 𝖎𝖙'𝖘 𝖆 𝖈𝖗𝖎𝖒𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝖇𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖋𝖚𝖈𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖇𝖊𝖆𝖚𝖙𝖎𝖋𝖚𝖑"
"𝕭𝖊 𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖑𝖑, 𝖔𝖗 𝖞𝖔𝖚'𝖑𝖑 𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖓 𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖊. 𝖂𝖊'𝖑𝖑 𝖇𝖊𝖌𝖎𝖓 𝖓𝖔𝖜. 𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙 𝖆𝖑𝖔𝖚𝖉. 𝖂𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖎𝖘 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖘𝖆𝖋𝖊𝖌𝖚𝖆𝖗𝖉?"
••
"𝓢𝓸 𝓯𝓾𝓬𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂. 𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓽'𝓼 𝓶𝔂 𝓰𝓲𝓻𝓵. 𝓕𝓾𝓬𝓴 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓪𝓼 𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓪𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭. 𝓨𝓸𝓾'𝓿𝓮 𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼, 𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓽𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼"
"𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭 𝓰𝓲𝓻. 𝓤𝓼𝓮 𝓶𝓮."
••
"𝕾𝖚𝖈𝖍 𝖆 𝖇𝖊𝖆𝖚𝖙𝖎𝖋𝖚𝖑𝖑𝖞 𝖔𝖇𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖊𝖓𝖙 𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖞 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑. 𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖒𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖉𝖆𝖉𝖉𝖞 𝖖𝖚𝖎𝖙𝖊 𝖍𝖆𝖗𝖉, 𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖓 𝖜𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖎'𝖒 𝖚𝖕𝖘𝖊𝖙 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖞𝖔𝖚. 𝕿𝖍𝖆𝖙'𝖘 𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖆 𝖌𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖇𝖎𝖓𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓."
••
"𝓘 𝓬𝓪𝓷'𝓽 𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓽𝓮. 𝓘 𝓭𝓸𝓷'𝓽 𝓻𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓰𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝓶𝔂 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓴𝓲𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓽𝓸 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓸𝓷𝓮. 𝓜𝓪𝓵𝓮 𝓸𝓻 𝓯𝓮𝓶𝓪𝓵𝓮. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓫𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴𝓯𝓾𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓪𝓻𝓮𝓷'𝓽 𝓪𝓷𝔂 𝓫𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮, 𝓸𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓪𝓼𝓼 𝔀𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓫𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓬𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓻 𝓸𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓯𝓪𝓬𝓮, 𝓴𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓷."
(..)
"𝓢𝓮𝓮, 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓭 𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓿𝓮𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓹𝓼, 𝓘 𝓲𝓶𝓪𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓫𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓼 𝓭𝓮𝓮𝓹 𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓭𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓹𝓾𝓼𝓼𝔂, 𝓯𝓾𝓬𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓾𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓵 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓶𝔂 𝓬𝓸𝓬𝓴."
••

tropes:
☆🍁dark romance
☆🍁why choose
☆🍁ballerina
☆🍁vigilantes
☆🍁multi-pov's

[Jjs_booknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man this book is not for the faint of heart, I mean this in the gut wrenching, heart breaking, whirl wind of a journey. With that stated, I loved it. While the initial plot moves every slowing in this book, we really focus on Kingsley heartbreaking past and her developing relationship with the kings (Ivan, Aleks, and Nik). Not only is their relationship growing but the king’s individually are changing and realizing that Kinsley is their everything.
Kinsley had my heart breaking for her! You really are able to see the extent of the lasting trauma from her time as captive and how it shows in her relationships. And the guys are so darn stubborn, I understand they don’t have all the answers but if they listened a little more and tried not to have so much control, I think that would get a lot more answers. And I love Ivan but that ended hurt so much.
The second book does end in a cliffhanger, and it is rough ngl, but impatient waiting for the third book! Emerson Reign did such an amazing job!!

[Stormy Shadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
3.75 Stars
Pub Date: July 7th, 2025
Format: Kindle
This is a dark MFMM romance why choose and it’s the second in a series. There are a lot of triggers so please read the list that’s at the beginning of the book before you read. There’s lots of spice and it has kinks in it too. I kinda was confused at first but I did enjoy the book throughout just some parts kinda confused me but I would also recommend reading the first in the series before this. Otherwise this was a pretty interesting book. Lots of spice and love with found family too. I was really hoping for more of Kinsley’s past and what she went through. I also wanted more of the brothers stories but since I didn’t read the first one, that’s what is leaving me wanting more. Very good writing though and it’s more of a character driven story I feel like and that’s what I enjoyed. She’s a strong character and there’s a lot of sass between the characters.

[Isabelle]

DNF
For the first 6 chapters, the plot mainly seems to be around her just sleeping and occasionally waking up before sleeping again. There didn't seem to be much happening other than her bickering with them and then sleeping, just to wake up for a few more hours and do it again before sleeping again.
Personally I don't like the use of "little girl" and "young lady" and these are used regularly throughout, it just seems that there is a lot of emphasis around them loving her innocence. They are quick to punish her for swearing, but are free to use it all themselves too.
I also started finding it a little harder to differentiate the MMCs as they were all coming across too similar in the way the talk, act and think. Plus they kept yelling, roaring and telling off the FMC so that didn't endear any of them to me, as they didn't ever seem to apologise for anything.
I did really want to love it, and I think the writing was good just didn't end up liking the characters.

[CM · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟

I’m finding it is difficult to write a review for this series. The overall plant line or maybe it’s considered the sub plot — of her kidnapping, past trauma, current dangers, and risk of her family— is overshadowed by the plot line of the three MMC‘s “training” her. The MMC’s have secrets, the FMC has secrets and the relationships are not building and conversations are not being had on revealing those secrets to each other and battling the dangers. There are chapters after chapters after chapters on them “training “her. It becomes overly too much. I had to skim a lot through the chapters. At times her mannerisms of conversation sound childlike. Even though they say they are not in a dom/sub relationship with the other women that they are just “playing” with each other. They don’t try to ease her fears or insecurities. They never revealed that they’re actually not with the other women anymore and let her go on worrying and feeling bad.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still not sure how I feel about these characters, on the one hand the “relationship” with the Kings is really hot, on the other hand, grooming. Neither the Kings nor Kinsley seem in the right place for any kind of relationship, I am agreeing with Marcel.
I was so enthralled though by where this all was going that I, like the characters, forgot about the looming threat to Kinsley and is it bad that I really, really want Marcel and Sebastian to join the brothers in the relationship. Sebastian has certainly seen enough to warrant joining and Marcel would be the calming influence and would know about her past enough to stop any explosive outbursts.
After that ending, I am totally invested in where this is going and at the end of the story what a relationship between them would look like.
I still will have my fingers crossed about Sebastian and Marcel though!

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm speechless!
I have ready many books with BDSM and abusive relationships in them and a couple have been towards children but none like this 😢
I honestly can't wait for part 3 just so my heart can be healed and my soul put back together.

The pain and torture those three little girls went through is soul destroying.
So check your triggers because although they wasn't sexually abused in the technical terms they were definitely abused!

I am not surprised though that Kinsley doesn't want to tell Marcel her therapist what happened to her.
Abuse is hard to talk about and adults struggle to do it.

I need Kinsley and her Kings to have a happy ever after and for Ivan to heal from what he did.

I was given an advanced readers copy of this book and these are my thoughts after devouring it in two days.

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinsley and her Kings

So this story continues where book one left off. The guys are determined to keep her and when the fire completely takes out her place she is kind of forced to stay with them. 

I absolutely love that they push her into therapy and seeing her heal is absolutely beautiful. 

Kinsley is definitely still a brat and she is resourceful and sneaky. She is determined to get her way no matter what. This tends to cause issues for all the involved parties. 

That entire last part of the book was brutal and left gaping wounds. I am desperate to see what is next and how everything will work out. It's going to be brutal and probably bloody but I can't wait. 

I am also excited to read about the other season girls too. 

[Danielle Mathis · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG?!

Okay, book one hooked me, so imagine my surprise when I read “to be continued” on the last page of this book and my jaw is on the floor and I’m already refreshing Emerson’s Instagram page for book three. This story is brutal, unflinching, and deeply emotional. It doesn't hold your hand through the FMC’s trauma, but it also doesn’t exploit it. Watching her unravel and claw her way through the darkness while falling for three men who are just as broken (and dangerous) as she is? Addictive. Painful. Obsessively good. Each of them pushes her boundaries, sometimes in ways that made me want to scream, and yet I still found myself rooting for all of them. If you're into morally grey men, twisted love, and heroines who are more survivor than victim, you need this book.

[Jenn M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of My Seat Reading Continues!



This series continues to have a strong, fast hold on my heart and now, with that ending, a piece of my soul. In this book, we see a lot more of what Kinsley has had to live through. This was heartbreaking. We also see the love that her men have for her and how they just want to be let in by her which was heartwrenching. What happened with her and Ivan had me sobbing and then, yes another cliffhanger, had me gasping. 


If you are looking for a dark series and are okay with the triggers listed for this book, this is one you should get. You have to read Secrets and Lies first, but I promise you, these books won’t let you put them down. I am anxiously counting the days until the final book in this trilogy is released!

[Antika Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

After being left hanging with the last book i knew this one was going to be good.

Well it blew my expectations out of the water! It was so freaking good! The spice. Yes please!!! The story broke me, healed me, rinse and repeat.

Kinsley frustrated me during this one alot. But then I would be reminded of her backstory and my heart broke for her all over again.

The kings. Well they are called that for a reason! They did not disappoint at all.

I love her writing style. It flows so good, super easy to follow along. I was hooked immediately. But she did it again, left me hanging waiting on the third book.

I cant wait for what's next. Fingers crossed its soon because im impatient!

[Allison Comis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I don’t even know where to begin. This gave a lot of Kinsley’s back story and man was it a lot. She opened up to Marcel the guys friend who was a therapist. They did video chats since he was In London. She had a really hard time talking about it. She was in love with the guys and she ended up getting what she wanted in the end with Nik and Alek. She pushed Ivan too far one day and they had a major falling out and she wanted to make it right so she started to make a plan and then something happened that will prevent her from doing that right now. This was a great and heartbreaking story at some points but this series is a must read. Can’t wait for book 3.

[Als · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting for this sequel for so long and it did not disappoint. After Secrets and Lies ended on a cliffhanger I was desperate for more.

Emerson Reign did not disappoint! This book has such a beautiful way of handling trauma, therapy and unconventional relationship dynamics that you can help but buck against the slow burn between our FMC and MMCs. I particularly like how kink and BDSM are portrayed respectfully and with due care.

But another cliffhanger? I nearly threw my kindle out the window.

[Dolores Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emerson Reign for the second time has left me completely speechless. This book holds so many twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Heartache for each of the main characters as they work their way through such a beautiful yet emotional relationship. I fell absolutely head over heels for Ivan, but don't ask me to choose because I sincerely want them all. You will laugh, but you'll also cry as you experience every emotion while these four experience a sh!t ton of emotions they've never felt before. I absolutely can not wait for book #3!

[Janet Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doubts and Fears ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emerson Reign
Kinsley Aleksandr Nik and Ivan
As this is book two the continuation of Secrets and Lies. Kinsley is dealing with the three brothers and navigating through many different emotions. She doesn’t want to talk about her past as they keep trying to get it out of her. So what happens between the 4 of them when things from her past keep trying to be her present and future? Make sure you read the trigger warning because they are more intense in the second book here.

[TatiReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I Had to give this book a 5 star rating (this series is definitely my favorite right now ) My Kinsley girl I literally adore the way she loves them all differently. I love how she starts to finally open up to them about her background but she still has a lot of work to deal through and I hope Dr Marcel can continue to help her healing process. Emerson though the cliff hanger 😩 .. oh not to mention you made me cry for our boy Ivan. If you haven’t started this series please start it NOWWWWW!

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right away, this book had me invested because it picks up after the first book.
We get a lot more information on what happened in Kinsley's past. Which broke my heart at times. However, we start to see her growth and strength come out.
The relationships between Kinsley and the men is also growing. I feel like they are each moving at their own pace. I love that because it seems more realistic and genuine.
In addition, this book had lots of emotional moments, angst, and spice. We even had some danger and action!
Overall, this was a fantastic continuation. That cliffhanger though...oh my goodness!
Let's just say, I need book 3 right away!!

[Dayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please check your triggers!

A nice continuation of these characters and some added new ones.

Diving deeper into the past, the trauma. It was a nice dynamic and the plot was there. The way danger and something wanting to get in their way is always waiting at the next turn, it kept me flipping pages so fast. This is why choose but the why choose part is not shoved down your throat which is nice and it’s refreshing!

You’ll need to read book one for book two to make sense. And it does end on a cliffhanger and the series is not finished yet.

Id recommend