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Dark Love #2
Love to Defy You
IN DEATH WE BECOME GODS. WE ARE GODS AMONG MEN.
Willow
Deferring college for a year to travel the world with Aleksandr Kurochkin was a dream, but now it’s time to wake up.
Except we wake up in a nightmare.
Weltner College is the top university for the most elite families in Europe, but it is also the home of a dark and violent secret society. Their brotherhood spans the globe, and they decide who to instill as world leaders, which countries to overthrow, and which corporations will sink or swim. They puppet the global population the way the gods puppet man.
And Alek and I are just two more pawns on their giant chess board.
Aleksandr
The world’s most elite men send their sons off to university knowing the risk—they might not survive.
Except my father died without warning me of the danger that lies ahead.
Before becoming a member of the Order, one must complete a series of trials on their path to being reborn as a god among men. If I refuse the call or fail, I die. It’s one thing to gamble with my life, but Willow is also caught in the crosshairs of the Order’s mysterious leader. He says Willow was made for this, whatever this is.
But if we survive, I’m not sure if either of us will come out the same on the other side.
This book is the second book in a connected series, and it is highly recommended to read the first book, Love to Fear You, first.
This book ends on a cliffhanger.
Book 1: Love to Fear A Dark Bully Romance
Book 2: Love to Defy A Dark College Romance
Willow
Deferring college for a year to travel the world with Aleksandr Kurochkin was a dream, but now it’s time to wake up.
Except we wake up in a nightmare.
Weltner College is the top university for the most elite families in Europe, but it is also the home of a dark and violent secret society. Their brotherhood spans the globe, and they decide who to instill as world leaders, which countries to overthrow, and which corporations will sink or swim. They puppet the global population the way the gods puppet man.
And Alek and I are just two more pawns on their giant chess board.
Aleksandr
The world’s most elite men send their sons off to university knowing the risk—they might not survive.
Except my father died without warning me of the danger that lies ahead.
Before becoming a member of the Order, one must complete a series of trials on their path to being reborn as a god among men. If I refuse the call or fail, I die. It’s one thing to gamble with my life, but Willow is also caught in the crosshairs of the Order’s mysterious leader. He says Willow was made for this, whatever this is.
But if we survive, I’m not sure if either of us will come out the same on the other side.
This book is the second book in a connected series, and it is highly recommended to read the first book, Love to Fear You, first.
This book ends on a cliffhanger.
Book 1: Love to Fear A Dark Bully Romance
Book 2: Love to Defy A Dark College Romance
- GenresDark Romance
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2025
44 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Kati McRae
16 books177 followersGrowing up, I was always unsatisfied with fade-to-black romance scenes in books and movies. So I took matters into my own hands and started writing about what happens after the happily ever after. As I got older, these romantic fanfictions and one-shots became original full-length novels—with lots of steamy action.
When I’m not writing, you can find me exploring my home state of Arizona with my husband, stepdaughter, and three dogs (two Shih Tzus and a wacky golden retriever).
When I’m not writing, you can find me exploring my home state of Arizona with my husband, stepdaughter, and three dogs (two Shih Tzus and a wacky golden retriever).
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 27, 2025
4.5⭐️/2.5🌶️
🚨 Please read Tw's before reading!
This book picks up a few months after the first one ended. Willow and Asher were the perfect match made in hell, lol. This book also introduces a few characters that I am looking what will happen in the next book. 👀
P.S. - Read this book after Love to fear you for a better reading experience.
🚨 Please read Tw's before reading!
This book picks up a few months after the first one ended. Willow and Asher were the perfect match made in hell, lol. This book also introduces a few characters that I am looking what will happen in the next book. 👀
P.S. - Read this book after Love to fear you for a better reading experience.
August 5, 2025
Love to Defy You picks up months after Love to Fear You end. We get to see what Willow and Alek have been up to since Alex was exiled from Andarusia. They have spent time their time in different countries living their best lives. But now the vacation is over and it’s time for them to go back to real life: University and that brings a whole slew of new challenges. We’re introduced to Enzo in this book and I don’t trust him from the moment we meet him. So Alek is chosen to be apart of a secret society( maybe forced). In order to be initiated he has to go through a bunch of different trials and each trial definitely test his and Willow’s relationship. You can definitely see the toll it takes but you also see the effort that they each put in to make their relationship work.When I tell you they went through some things I mean that. This book gave us some good spicy scenes. We love our Willow and Alek spicy moments. This was definitely more plot than spice but I love every single moment. Remember when I said I didn’t trust Enzo from the moment his name graced the screen. I knew he was a sneaky joker. I’m not going to tell you what he did, you’ll have to read that for yourself but just know he ain’t right. This man despises Alex. The whole time I was reading I was try to figure out why and I came up with a theory and I was right! This story took us a roller coaster and then left us right at the top dangling. The cliffhanger was just disrespectful, I need book three like now. To say I liked this book would be an understatement. I told myself I just want to get through ten chapters today, and then I said let me just get to fifty percent and I will read the rest the next day. The next thing I know I was at sixty percent and then seventy and then book I was at the end. The story draws you in to the point that you don’t want to put it down. My mind is coming up with all types of theories/scenarios for book three and I can’t wait to see what the finale of Alek and Willow’s love story brings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2025
Love to Defy You is Katie McRae’s second book in the Dark Love Series. I highly anticipated it, as I enjoyed Book 1, Love to Fear You. A story that started as a dark ßülly trope between two characters intertwined in a political uprising plot. It is an unputdownable story that made me curious how things would develop between Willow and Alek, knowing how Book 1 dramatically ended.
Let me preface by saying that I did speed read/skim Love to Fear You to refresh my memory—and it was just as great as I remembered. Then I hopped right to Love to Defy You. Though Willow and Alek are very much together, danger still looms around them. It’s like they can’t have anything good. They’re just trying to get their college education, but there is a major interference from a dark secret society with some serious practices. These trials of either do it, survive, or fail, and die mentality is reminiscent of some dystopian books I used to love to read, and I just devoured this theme!
Love to Defy You is packed with exciting action, weaving in so much intrigue in the plot that I didn’t realize I was nearing the end. And the end does leave on a whopping cliffhanger. I know I’ll have to wait, but until then, I’ll likely re-read because it will be well worth it!
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘍𝘭𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘪𝘨 𝘗𝘙 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘒𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦 𝘔𝘤𝘙𝘢𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘦-𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺.
Let me preface by saying that I did speed read/skim Love to Fear You to refresh my memory—and it was just as great as I remembered. Then I hopped right to Love to Defy You. Though Willow and Alek are very much together, danger still looms around them. It’s like they can’t have anything good. They’re just trying to get their college education, but there is a major interference from a dark secret society with some serious practices. These trials of either do it, survive, or fail, and die mentality is reminiscent of some dystopian books I used to love to read, and I just devoured this theme!
Love to Defy You is packed with exciting action, weaving in so much intrigue in the plot that I didn’t realize I was nearing the end. And the end does leave on a whopping cliffhanger. I know I’ll have to wait, but until then, I’ll likely re-read because it will be well worth it!
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘍𝘭𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘪𝘨 𝘗𝘙 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘒𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦 𝘔𝘤𝘙𝘢𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘦-𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺.
October 24, 2025
“Love to Defy You” is the second book in “The Dark Love Series.” This book covers everything 🖤dark romance🖤college romance🖤secret societies🖤rituals🖤secret clubs. Alek and Willow’s story continues….
“Terror mixed with lust to create an explosive mixture that sent adrenaline rushing straight to my core. It makes no sense, but I’m sexually attracted to danger.
Last night, I lived out my deepest, darkest fantasy, and it was so much better than I imagined. How the hell are Alek and I going to top that?”
I am thoroughly enjoying Alek and Willow’s story - the chemistry between these two sizzle! This is such a beautiful love story that is so intense - a love that will last forever, in both good and bad times! The story is full of passion, humor, intrigue, betrayal, vengeance, power, control, twists and turns around every corner - most of all love ♥️ There is never a dull moment - you will be hooked! The story goes from pages that are sizzling, to extreme violence to the most beautiful tender moments! I’m very happily hooked 😊 I did not want it to end! Just so that you are aware, this does end on a cliff hanger ….
A thoroughly enjoyable read from page to page, one chapter to the next - at times you are metaphorical “on the edge of your chair” wondering what will happen next. Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊
“Terror mixed with lust to create an explosive mixture that sent adrenaline rushing straight to my core. It makes no sense, but I’m sexually attracted to danger.
Last night, I lived out my deepest, darkest fantasy, and it was so much better than I imagined. How the hell are Alek and I going to top that?”
I am thoroughly enjoying Alek and Willow’s story - the chemistry between these two sizzle! This is such a beautiful love story that is so intense - a love that will last forever, in both good and bad times! The story is full of passion, humor, intrigue, betrayal, vengeance, power, control, twists and turns around every corner - most of all love ♥️ There is never a dull moment - you will be hooked! The story goes from pages that are sizzling, to extreme violence to the most beautiful tender moments! I’m very happily hooked 😊 I did not want it to end! Just so that you are aware, this does end on a cliff hanger ….
A thoroughly enjoyable read from page to page, one chapter to the next - at times you are metaphorical “on the edge of your chair” wondering what will happen next. Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊
August 28, 2025
✨ARC Review 📚✨
Can I just say I'm really hating Kati right now, but not really because I need her to give me book 3 like yesterday!! Now I'm going to be anxiously waiting for the next book in the trilogy. In this book we follow Alek and Willow where we left off in book one, they are just enjoying themselves traveling taking a year off before starting university. Little do they know they are in for a wild ride, I don't even know how to explain much without adding any spoilers. But trust me you will not want to put this book down once you start. Let's just say if you like dark academia and secret societies this is definitely a book to pick up, that is where Enzo Messina who is the leader of said secret society. Enzo of course ends up being the bad guy in this and is out to get Alek and when you find out the reason you will be shocked. We also see more of Mikhai who Alek mentions is the closest he has to a brother, and even before seeing that he will get his own book I knew I felt there was something between him and Ana, Alek's sister. The book basically ends on a cliff hanger where Alek returns to Andarusia even though he is exiled to rescue Willow.
I’d like to thank author Kati McRae and Flying Pig PR for the opportunity to receive this ARC.
Can I just say I'm really hating Kati right now, but not really because I need her to give me book 3 like yesterday!! Now I'm going to be anxiously waiting for the next book in the trilogy. In this book we follow Alek and Willow where we left off in book one, they are just enjoying themselves traveling taking a year off before starting university. Little do they know they are in for a wild ride, I don't even know how to explain much without adding any spoilers. But trust me you will not want to put this book down once you start. Let's just say if you like dark academia and secret societies this is definitely a book to pick up, that is where Enzo Messina who is the leader of said secret society. Enzo of course ends up being the bad guy in this and is out to get Alek and when you find out the reason you will be shocked. We also see more of Mikhai who Alek mentions is the closest he has to a brother, and even before seeing that he will get his own book I knew I felt there was something between him and Ana, Alek's sister. The book basically ends on a cliff hanger where Alek returns to Andarusia even though he is exiled to rescue Willow.
I’d like to thank author Kati McRae and Flying Pig PR for the opportunity to receive this ARC.
August 31, 2025
𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝙳𝚎𝚏𝚢 𝚈𝚘𝚞
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
4.5/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️
↓↓
If you have not read Love to Fear You first, stop what you are doing and read that one before anything.
This picks up a few months after the last one ended and what a ride it is. Willow and Asher have been enjoying their summer until reality hits and they have to return to school.
I loved their connection and the twist and turns this book took me on. All the new characters were a nice touch and Enzo?? Ahhhhh Enzo is extremely intriguing and hope we get more on him.
Uugggghhhhh I need that next book. Whyyyyyyyy did you leave us like that!?!?!?!?!?
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
💙 Possessive billionaire MMC
💙 “Us against the world” relationship dynamic
💙 Jealousy trope (two men compete for FMC)
💙 Dark academia setting in Europe
💙 Secret society with hazing
💙 Exh!bit!onism
💙 Humiliation k!nk
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
4.5/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️
↓↓
If you have not read Love to Fear You first, stop what you are doing and read that one before anything.
This picks up a few months after the last one ended and what a ride it is. Willow and Asher have been enjoying their summer until reality hits and they have to return to school.
I loved their connection and the twist and turns this book took me on. All the new characters were a nice touch and Enzo?? Ahhhhh Enzo is extremely intriguing and hope we get more on him.
Uugggghhhhh I need that next book. Whyyyyyyyy did you leave us like that!?!?!?!?!?
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
💙 Possessive billionaire MMC
💙 “Us against the world” relationship dynamic
💙 Jealousy trope (two men compete for FMC)
💙 Dark academia setting in Europe
💙 Secret society with hazing
💙 Exh!bit!onism
💙 Humiliation k!nk
October 7, 2025
After reading the first book I didn’t really feel like it needed to be a series but I do like where the story went. The whole reveal of who Enzo is foreshadowed throughout the book by people comparing them and saying they look so mush a like. They both have massive daddy issues one stems from his father abandoning him and never acknowledging him while the other is having his shitty father raise him. I get why Enzo wanted revenge since his dad is a piece of shit but he’s been dead so he goes after all the wrong people who literally have nothing to do with the situation. There’s also hints of Anastasia and Mik getting together but I hope it’s like after a time jump since in this book she’s 16 and he’s a third year uni student. And Alek sees him as another protective older brother type. Also check the TW before reading.
August 29, 2025
Please check tws. This book had me on edge the whole time, like every chapter pushed me to feel something new. Alek and Willow gave such strong emotions, their chemistry exploded from the pages and made my heart race more than once. Enzo drove me insane, but in the kind of way that made the story unforgettable. The mix of dark academia atmosphere, and secret society elements created a world that felt deep and addictive. I loved how the pace never let me breathe. It was the kind of book that I devoured in no time and still thought about after finishing. Thank you so much to the author and Flying Pig PR for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.
August 26, 2025
Love to Defy You - Kati McRae
I fell in love with Alexsandr and Willow from the last book and I love them even more now. We got to see so many more characters. I really want to see things from their point of view. I really enjoyed the universe and world building done in this story. I screamed so much because of Enzo and the dynamics between him and Alexsandr and Willow. I can’t wait for book 3 and the other girls stories as well.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy
Series 🌙 Dark Love, #2
Genre/Tropes ✨ dark romance, college romance, secret societies, rituals, secret clubs
I fell in love with Alexsandr and Willow from the last book and I love them even more now. We got to see so many more characters. I really want to see things from their point of view. I really enjoyed the universe and world building done in this story. I screamed so much because of Enzo and the dynamics between him and Alexsandr and Willow. I can’t wait for book 3 and the other girls stories as well.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy
Series 🌙 Dark Love, #2
Genre/Tropes ✨ dark romance, college romance, secret societies, rituals, secret clubs
August 4, 2025
Oh. My. God!!!!! This is book 2 of the Dark Love series and what a WILD RIDE!!!! I loved it!! This one was much heavier than book 1 so definitely mind the TW!! I absolutely love Alek and just WOW!!! The plot was captivating and the spice was 🔥🔥I devoured this one in a day seriously couldn’t put it down!!! The twists towards the end though 😱wow. Just wow!!! If you like dark romances and have no issues with TW Read this series!!! That cliffy has me ready for 3…..like yesterday….for real need it now!! 🙈😂 gonna be crazy!!!
August 13, 2025
Love to Defy You is book 2 in the Dark Love series.
This is a dark romance please read trigger warnings! I really enjoyed this book! I do recommend reading the books in order, and this book ends on a cliffhanger so we need book 3 ASAP! lol...
I think this book is written well, and the story is interesting and held my attention with a secret society, and a woman who loves attention. Can't wait to get my hand on book 3!
This is a dark romance please read trigger warnings! I really enjoyed this book! I do recommend reading the books in order, and this book ends on a cliffhanger so we need book 3 ASAP! lol...
I think this book is written well, and the story is interesting and held my attention with a secret society, and a woman who loves attention. Can't wait to get my hand on book 3!
August 29, 2025
I received this book early and was hooked from the start. I have enjoyed this series!! The characters, the plot, ALL OF IT! I LOVE Alek 🥵🌶️ and Willow! There’s some twists and turns in this book that left my mouth hanging open. It does end on a cliffhanger so I can’t wait for book 3! Make sure to check on your triggers. I don’t have any so 🙃. The smut is smuttin and I was here for it!! Definitely recommend this series!!
August 27, 2025
I adore Alek. This was a wild ride from start to finish and I couldn't put it down. if you want a dark and spicy read with twists then this is for you. It is book two so you need to read Love to Fear You first. This is quite a bit darker and heavier than book one so check TWs. If you're good with those jump in. That cliffy has me ready for book three.
September 3, 2025
This book starts several months after book 1 ends. Alek and Willow are happy, but then need to start university.
This is a dark tale with secret societies and it has many ups and downs and unexpected revelations.
I was hooked from start to finish, but be aware that this book ends on a cliff. I need to read book 3 now so I can find out what happens next!
This is a dark tale with secret societies and it has many ups and downs and unexpected revelations.
I was hooked from start to finish, but be aware that this book ends on a cliff. I need to read book 3 now so I can find out what happens next!
September 3, 2025
This is the second book in the Dark Love series. It picks up where the first book left off. Willow and Alex's story is gripping, dark and intense. Lots of action, secrets, ups and downs and drama. It leaves us with a cliffhanger like the first book did. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
August 21, 2025
Love To Defy You picks up Willow and Alex's story a short while after where Love To Fear You leaves off. It's a little darker than Fear You and is an intense, intriguing, great read. Make sure you check trigger warnings before you start reading.
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