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Deviant
An all-new dark standalone romance from the USA Today bestselling author, Ivy Fox.
RowenEvery small town harbors its secrets—some darker than others.
None are more sinister than the one we carry.
Blackwater Falls thrives on its macabre annual ritual, where twelve souls are sent into the unforgiving mountains during harvest season, bound to a deadly game where only one returns alive.
We call these grim games The Scourge, and this year, I’m not merely hoping to be chosen—I’m determined to be offered up as a sacrifice.
For that will be my penance and, hopefully…my absolution.
EliasLittle doe-eyed Rowen Hawthorne believes she can escape the wrathful storm brewing inside me by getting selected for the Harvest Dozen, but she underestimates the lengths I will go to for my vengeance.
I won’t let anyone take her from me.
Rowen’s shattered existence is a puzzle I intend to reconstruct in my cruel design. If being chosen for The Scourge gives me the chance to exact my revenge on her, then I will wholeheartedly embrace the role of the hunter.
I’m not afraid of the dark—I am the dark.
If absolution is her end game, then I’ll make sure to steal it away from her.
She should tremble in fear, for once the games begin, every secret, every breath, will lead to her downfall... and my ultimate triumph.
Author This is a dark, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity romance, which features scenes of a violent nature as well as those of an explicit sexual nature. Your mental health matters, so please check TW.
RowenEvery small town harbors its secrets—some darker than others.
None are more sinister than the one we carry.
Blackwater Falls thrives on its macabre annual ritual, where twelve souls are sent into the unforgiving mountains during harvest season, bound to a deadly game where only one returns alive.
We call these grim games The Scourge, and this year, I’m not merely hoping to be chosen—I’m determined to be offered up as a sacrifice.
For that will be my penance and, hopefully…my absolution.
EliasLittle doe-eyed Rowen Hawthorne believes she can escape the wrathful storm brewing inside me by getting selected for the Harvest Dozen, but she underestimates the lengths I will go to for my vengeance.
I won’t let anyone take her from me.
Rowen’s shattered existence is a puzzle I intend to reconstruct in my cruel design. If being chosen for The Scourge gives me the chance to exact my revenge on her, then I will wholeheartedly embrace the role of the hunter.
I’m not afraid of the dark—I am the dark.
If absolution is her end game, then I’ll make sure to steal it away from her.
She should tremble in fear, for once the games begin, every secret, every breath, will lead to her downfall... and my ultimate triumph.
Author This is a dark, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity romance, which features scenes of a violent nature as well as those of an explicit sexual nature. Your mental health matters, so please check TW.
466 pages, Hardcover
Published March 29, 2025
92 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Ivy Fox
49 books1,762 followersIvy Fox is a USA Today bestselling author who thrives on angst, yearning, and the kind of soul-crushing tension that keeps readers up way past their bedtime.
A shameless connoisseur of emotional chaos, Ivy crafts stories where feelings hit hard, desire simmers low, and falling in love feels completely inevitable. She believes love is beautiful and should be celebrated in all its forms, so readers can expect everything from MF, MM, and MMF romances to one lucky heroine collecting an entire harem of devoted soulmates.
When she’s not unleashing emotional devastation on the page, Ivy lives a pretty chill life with her two favorite men—her husband and her son.
The only thing that truly keeps her up at night are the fictional characters in her head who refuse to shut up until she tells their story. She’s long learned to let them run the show… and honestly, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
A firm believer in happy endings, Ivy writes romance fueled by passion, heart, and the promise that no matter how messy things get, love will always prevail.
For more news on current and upcoming projects, get the inside scoop and sneak peeks by stalking Ivy on Social media!
@ivyfoxauthor
But for all the brave and sassy, join her FB reader's group - Ivy Sassy Foxes.
A shameless connoisseur of emotional chaos, Ivy crafts stories where feelings hit hard, desire simmers low, and falling in love feels completely inevitable. She believes love is beautiful and should be celebrated in all its forms, so readers can expect everything from MF, MM, and MMF romances to one lucky heroine collecting an entire harem of devoted soulmates.
When she’s not unleashing emotional devastation on the page, Ivy lives a pretty chill life with her two favorite men—her husband and her son.
The only thing that truly keeps her up at night are the fictional characters in her head who refuse to shut up until she tells their story. She’s long learned to let them run the show… and honestly, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
A firm believer in happy endings, Ivy writes romance fueled by passion, heart, and the promise that no matter how messy things get, love will always prevail.
For more news on current and upcoming projects, get the inside scoop and sneak peeks by stalking Ivy on Social media!
@ivyfoxauthor
But for all the brave and sassy, join her FB reader's group - Ivy Sassy Foxes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
November 5, 2024
One word DARK and of course I’m going to read it,
plus this author never disappoints 🙌
Holy crap, everything this author writes is unique and unforgettable and this book was no different, a book I never wanted to end, hoping that maybe just maybe we jump back into this sick twisted world this author created with new characters.
Because this twisted world is too good to just end here.
This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat more times than I cared to count, praying to the book gods that these two came out the other end relatively unscathed.
I loved these two characters
An emotional roller coaster that pulled me in as soon as I started, a bittersweet feeling as I closed that last page.
Books like this one are ones I crave, fans of the hunger games and saw will enjoy this one..
A game of survival
One winner
plus this author never disappoints 🙌
Holy crap, everything this author writes is unique and unforgettable and this book was no different, a book I never wanted to end, hoping that maybe just maybe we jump back into this sick twisted world this author created with new characters.
Because this twisted world is too good to just end here.
This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat more times than I cared to count, praying to the book gods that these two came out the other end relatively unscathed.
I loved these two characters
An emotional roller coaster that pulled me in as soon as I started, a bittersweet feeling as I closed that last page.
Books like this one are ones I crave, fans of the hunger games and saw will enjoy this one..
A game of survival
One winner
November 2, 2025
”Oh, and how I wish she’d stop being such a cock tease and just give in to the Grim Reaper already.”The book opened with the heroine being suicidal while her love interest was… excited about it? Yeah, that threw me. He was obsessed with her, but also wanted revenge. It was toxic, messy, and slightly confusing at first.
This book felt like the chaotic love child of The Hunger Games, The Society, and Squid Game. Mostly because of the competition that took place, but also because of how isolated this town was.
For context, every year, this cursed little town held The Scourge. A deadly competition where twelve people, the “Harvest Dozen,” were chosen at random to compete. No one can leave this town and those who try mysteriously stop breathing by sunrise. The only way out was to win. The stakes? The town’s literal survival; the lights stayed on, people are fed and your family will get to leave.
Now the romance…we had the classic combo of best friend’s older brother and boyfriend’s brother. (Don’t worry, the boyfriend’s a d*uche, so no love lost there.) Their dynamic was all angst, tension, and threats of murder. Beneath it all, though, are feelings neither of them knows how to express, and it hurts in the best way.
The mystery surrounding her friend Nora completely blindsided me. I did not expect where it went or what the heroine ended up doing to “save” her. Brutal twist.
I think the revenge arc evolved beautifully, they both learns the truth behind the mystery and the characters slowly start to soften. By the end, I actually loved who the main character became and how they fought for each other. Yes, it got a little mushy, but honestly? They earned that mush.
There was a strong found-family thread running through it, which made every loss sting. I cried. A lot.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t realise it was a standalone until the end, but I’m actually relieved, my heart couldn’t take more of this emotional chaos. I do think the ending could’ve leaned harder into a saviour arc, but I respect the choice to protect their small slice of peace instead of trying to fix a system they knew they were outmatched on.
This book felt like the chaotic love child of The Hunger Games, The Society, and Squid Game. Mostly because of the competition that took place, but also because of how isolated this town was.
For context, every year, this cursed little town held The Scourge. A deadly competition where twelve people, the “Harvest Dozen,” were chosen at random to compete. No one can leave this town and those who try mysteriously stop breathing by sunrise. The only way out was to win. The stakes? The town’s literal survival; the lights stayed on, people are fed and your family will get to leave.
Now the romance…we had the classic combo of best friend’s older brother and boyfriend’s brother. (Don’t worry, the boyfriend’s a d*uche, so no love lost there.) Their dynamic was all angst, tension, and threats of murder. Beneath it all, though, are feelings neither of them knows how to express, and it hurts in the best way.
The mystery surrounding her friend Nora completely blindsided me. I did not expect where it went or what the heroine ended up doing to “save” her. Brutal twist.
I think the revenge arc evolved beautifully, they both learns the truth behind the mystery and the characters slowly start to soften. By the end, I actually loved who the main character became and how they fought for each other. Yes, it got a little mushy, but honestly? They earned that mush.
There was a strong found-family thread running through it, which made every loss sting. I cried. A lot.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t realise it was a standalone until the end, but I’m actually relieved, my heart couldn’t take more of this emotional chaos. I do think the ending could’ve leaned harder into a saviour arc, but I respect the choice to protect their small slice of peace instead of trying to fix a system they knew they were outmatched on.
October 30, 2024
Deviant - Let the games begin
The wait is over...Let the Harvest Games begin
Welcome back to the dark side Ivy, this story is unhinged and disturbed. Holy hell Ivy this story just kept getting more intense and more addicting, It was a wild ride and I was here for it all.
Blackwater Falls is a small town that has a secret that happens once a year. Twelve unsuspecting teenagers (The Harvest Dozen) are selected to participate in The Scourge, a deadly game where there can only be one winner.
Elias & Rowe hate each other but the more time they spent together the closer they got. Their story doesn't shy away from touching on the hard emotional places, and it takes you on a journey from the depths of hell to the love of a lifetime. These two are pure fire.
So many plot threads and I’m obsessed with every single one. Violence, spice, death, and suspense- what a crazy ride
I have never read another book like this before. it was refreshing to read a book with a story that hasn't been recycled before. This is a dark version of the Hunger Games where the last person remaining wins, however at what cost to the players morals.
The wait is over...Let the Harvest Games begin
Welcome back to the dark side Ivy, this story is unhinged and disturbed. Holy hell Ivy this story just kept getting more intense and more addicting, It was a wild ride and I was here for it all.
Blackwater Falls is a small town that has a secret that happens once a year. Twelve unsuspecting teenagers (The Harvest Dozen) are selected to participate in The Scourge, a deadly game where there can only be one winner.
Elias & Rowe hate each other but the more time they spent together the closer they got. Their story doesn't shy away from touching on the hard emotional places, and it takes you on a journey from the depths of hell to the love of a lifetime. These two are pure fire.
So many plot threads and I’m obsessed with every single one. Violence, spice, death, and suspense- what a crazy ride
I have never read another book like this before. it was refreshing to read a book with a story that hasn't been recycled before. This is a dark version of the Hunger Games where the last person remaining wins, however at what cost to the players morals.
May 5, 2025
I have a huge book hangover. Deviant by Ivy Fox was everything I expected it to be and more.
It’s dark romance in its finest. It makes you hate everything and slowly the vines of love slowly creep in and grip you to the edge of your seat so you can’t read fast enough.
Roe did a bad thing. So unthinkable even she can’t forgive herself. Now she’s waiting for her judgement day and hoping it comes fast. She sits on Grove bridge between life and death waiting.
Elias knows what Roe did. He’s heard her confession on the whisper of the wind. He wants revenge as much as she wants her judgement day. With a plan to give into her wants they’re both living in the balance between fates.
Blackwater Falls is a town built on corruption. The town survives in the sacrifice of the Harvest Dozen. It’s a deadly game with only one winner. How to be selected is unclear but Roe discovers there’s a way to volunteer. Now her focus is on joining her bad mistake, her best friend.
Elias is fully aware of everything Roe does and he’s only a step behind her.
When the game is deadly can Elias survive long enough to get what will give him peace?
✅Revenge
✅ Enemies to Lovers
✅ Dark romance
✅ Hunger games vibe
✅ Horror
✅ Dystopian
RARE25 Morally Grey Readathon. Book Tweleve out of eighteen.
It’s dark romance in its finest. It makes you hate everything and slowly the vines of love slowly creep in and grip you to the edge of your seat so you can’t read fast enough.
Roe did a bad thing. So unthinkable even she can’t forgive herself. Now she’s waiting for her judgement day and hoping it comes fast. She sits on Grove bridge between life and death waiting.
Elias knows what Roe did. He’s heard her confession on the whisper of the wind. He wants revenge as much as she wants her judgement day. With a plan to give into her wants they’re both living in the balance between fates.
Blackwater Falls is a town built on corruption. The town survives in the sacrifice of the Harvest Dozen. It’s a deadly game with only one winner. How to be selected is unclear but Roe discovers there’s a way to volunteer. Now her focus is on joining her bad mistake, her best friend.
Elias is fully aware of everything Roe does and he’s only a step behind her.
When the game is deadly can Elias survive long enough to get what will give him peace?
✅Revenge
✅ Enemies to Lovers
✅ Dark romance
✅ Hunger games vibe
✅ Horror
✅ Dystopian
RARE25 Morally Grey Readathon. Book Tweleve out of eighteen.
November 22, 2024
I don’t have the energy to write an extended review….
This book had everything to BE but wasn’t, had everything to GIVE but didn’t…..
The story is great but the female character is blah, the many chances she had to be a BAD BITCH and she was eh …
I wish I loved. The plot/story was all you can wish but the pace and development was off.
This book had everything to BE but wasn’t, had everything to GIVE but didn’t…..
The story is great but the female character is blah, the many chances she had to be a BAD BITCH and she was eh …
I wish I loved. The plot/story was all you can wish but the pace and development was off.
January 27, 2025
This story was so unique and original I’ve never read anything like it and I loved it ! Ivy Fox is a master at her craft and she proved it by her writing in this story! I’m going to say go in blind and enjoy the thrilling ride you won’t be disappointed!
January 17, 2025
Almost all the contestants committed suicide or murder each other for stupid reasons, so there wasn’t any games to be played. Plus even the games played by MCs was tame. They never really got any hard challenges, that was given to some side characters. Also MMC didn’t let anything happen to the FMC which was kind of boring. She was a damsel in distress the entire time but somehow manages to win 😒. The MMC was hyped up so much but there isn’t a backstory to it. Every thinks he soo cool, or sooo scary for no reason. Maybe because he wears all black 🥱. The romance was unbelievable, their connection felt a little exaggerated.
I feel like none of the characters were challenged enough to earn their happily ever after. There were a few plot holes. The main one that pisses me off is that the castle/mansion (where ever they were) was filled with cameras, but none of them caught on to the characters sneaking around different rooms and finding libraries and evil lairs? Yeah right.
I feel like none of the characters were challenged enough to earn their happily ever after. There were a few plot holes. The main one that pisses me off is that the castle/mansion (where ever they were) was filled with cameras, but none of them caught on to the characters sneaking around different rooms and finding libraries and evil lairs? Yeah right.
October 31, 2024
Wow this book coming out on Halloween is so epic. Deviant is a very dark book with a plot that hasn’t been used much. I fell in love with this book from the first chapter. Rowen is an only child and her mother passed away her father is raising her and…she is dating her dead best friends brother. Her best friend that she blames herself for her passing…Did I hook ya yet?
In Blackwater falls, you see, every year 12 people under the age of 28 get chosen for The Scourge. The winner gets to live…the other 11 face their fate. The rumor is people who have secrets are chosen. If you have kids you are not chosen…unless you’re Rowes mom.
This book had me on the edge of my seat and I am here for all of it. The twists and turns and OMG moments are just the tip of the iceberg. I have honestly never read anything remotely close to this. If you like intense/dark/suspenseful/books with a hint of romance and death this book is for you. I will say this is not like Ivy’s norm and honestly? This is my new favorite book of hers. She hit some uncharted territory, went out of her comfort zone, and honestly killed it (pun intended).
In Blackwater falls, you see, every year 12 people under the age of 28 get chosen for The Scourge. The winner gets to live…the other 11 face their fate. The rumor is people who have secrets are chosen. If you have kids you are not chosen…unless you’re Rowes mom.
This book had me on the edge of my seat and I am here for all of it. The twists and turns and OMG moments are just the tip of the iceberg. I have honestly never read anything remotely close to this. If you like intense/dark/suspenseful/books with a hint of romance and death this book is for you. I will say this is not like Ivy’s norm and honestly? This is my new favorite book of hers. She hit some uncharted territory, went out of her comfort zone, and honestly killed it (pun intended).
November 25, 2024
***5 "The Scourge!" stars***
"Your end will be by my hand, Rowen. And mine alone. This is my solemn vow to you."
I love Ivy's writing! I love the way her mind works, especially when she is embracing her darker side!
This was an original story that was very addictive!!!
Blackwater Falls is a place that nobody would like to visit...
The people in that town were facing an ugly fate...
Every year, they had to sacrifice twelve young people in the Scourge, a very ugly and cruel game that is taking place in the mountains and in the end, only one person can survive and become the winner!
This year, Rowen and Elias will be among these participants, but for different reasons...
I really liked the idea... Yep, this book had Hunger Games vibes, but at the same time, there were no similarities at all!!!
So, let the games begin...
"That's what this game does to you... It takes good honest people and turns them into deviants."
Rowen was a good girl all of her life... but Rowen is having a dark secret... A secret that is destroying her from the inside... She wants absolution and the only way to do it is to participate in this year's Scourge... That way she can take what her heart truly desires!!!
Elias is seeing Rowen every day ready to jumb, but she is always hesitating at the last minute... He knows what she did and he wants her to pay... but only by his hand!!! And if he has to follow her to the pits of Hell to exact his revenge, he will do it with no hesistation!!! Because she is his to deal with however he wants!
"Haven't you figured it out yet? The only one who gets to hurt you is me. I pity the fucker who tries to damage what's mine."
Elias and Rowen's relationship was full of intensity and bad blood from the very first moment...
There was palpable hatred between them, but you could also taste the desire in the air, every single time they were in the same place and that intensity got out of hand when they both selected to enter the Scourge... A place that your soul is coming to die!!!
And in there, our heroes created bonds that were meant to destroy them and they came closer than they ever thought possible and that could be their demise, cause only one could get out of this creepy mansion alive!!!
"How the fuck did we get here? How did it get this fucked up? And how the fuck can we get ourselves out of such a tangled mess?"
I loved Rowen and Elias very much!!!
Elias was oozing power since the beginning and I liked his determination and clear mind... Yep, he was cruel toward Rowen many times, but I can not fault him for that! His protective and possessive sides were making me swoon over him all the time!!!
As for Rowen? That girl's desperation was speaking volumes... She had put herself in harm's way just to find absolution but instead, she had found something more precious than death... She had found love and friendship in a place that was wrecking your mind, body and soul and that wasn't always in her favor.
"I always knew I wasn't good, but for him... I wan to be more than just bad."
This story was amazing!!! It was dark, twisted and very suspenseful!
It was a story that you will think about many times...
You will be mad with the Hosts and their actions!!!
You will be furious with the manipulation that they placed upon this town!!!
You will be attached to people that will rip you heart out, but Row and Elias's story, even though cruel and brutal, will give you an unforgettable ride!!!
"I pity all those involved... For this is the place where souls go to die."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
"Your end will be by my hand, Rowen. And mine alone. This is my solemn vow to you."
I love Ivy's writing! I love the way her mind works, especially when she is embracing her darker side!
This was an original story that was very addictive!!!
Blackwater Falls is a place that nobody would like to visit...
The people in that town were facing an ugly fate...
Every year, they had to sacrifice twelve young people in the Scourge, a very ugly and cruel game that is taking place in the mountains and in the end, only one person can survive and become the winner!
This year, Rowen and Elias will be among these participants, but for different reasons...
I really liked the idea... Yep, this book had Hunger Games vibes, but at the same time, there were no similarities at all!!!
So, let the games begin...
"That's what this game does to you... It takes good honest people and turns them into deviants."
Rowen was a good girl all of her life... but Rowen is having a dark secret... A secret that is destroying her from the inside... She wants absolution and the only way to do it is to participate in this year's Scourge... That way she can take what her heart truly desires!!!
Elias is seeing Rowen every day ready to jumb, but she is always hesitating at the last minute... He knows what she did and he wants her to pay... but only by his hand!!! And if he has to follow her to the pits of Hell to exact his revenge, he will do it with no hesistation!!! Because she is his to deal with however he wants!
"Haven't you figured it out yet? The only one who gets to hurt you is me. I pity the fucker who tries to damage what's mine."
Elias and Rowen's relationship was full of intensity and bad blood from the very first moment...
There was palpable hatred between them, but you could also taste the desire in the air, every single time they were in the same place and that intensity got out of hand when they both selected to enter the Scourge... A place that your soul is coming to die!!!
And in there, our heroes created bonds that were meant to destroy them and they came closer than they ever thought possible and that could be their demise, cause only one could get out of this creepy mansion alive!!!
"How the fuck did we get here? How did it get this fucked up? And how the fuck can we get ourselves out of such a tangled mess?"
I loved Rowen and Elias very much!!!
Elias was oozing power since the beginning and I liked his determination and clear mind... Yep, he was cruel toward Rowen many times, but I can not fault him for that! His protective and possessive sides were making me swoon over him all the time!!!
As for Rowen? That girl's desperation was speaking volumes... She had put herself in harm's way just to find absolution but instead, she had found something more precious than death... She had found love and friendship in a place that was wrecking your mind, body and soul and that wasn't always in her favor.
"I always knew I wasn't good, but for him... I wan to be more than just bad."
This story was amazing!!! It was dark, twisted and very suspenseful!
It was a story that you will think about many times...
You will be mad with the Hosts and their actions!!!
You will be furious with the manipulation that they placed upon this town!!!
You will be attached to people that will rip you heart out, but Row and Elias's story, even though cruel and brutal, will give you an unforgettable ride!!!
"I pity all those involved... For this is the place where souls go to die."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
October 31, 2024
This captivatingly dark romance is set in Blackwater Falls, a town with a sinister secret. Twelve souls are selected each year for "The Scourge," a brutal survival game where only one returns. Haunted by her past, Rowen willingly steps into the deadly ritual, seeking redemption. But Elias, driven by revenge, sees The Scourge as his chance to make Rowen pay, igniting a dangerous, obsessive tension between them. Ivy Fox masterfully combines suspense and emotion, taking readers on a gripping journey through betrayal, survival, and forbidden passion. This intense, morally complex story keeps you hooked until the last page, challenging your perceptions of love and vengeance in a raw, unforgettable way and impossible to put down.
October 30, 2024
arc review
im still in shock with all the events that started after the part 2 begun
omg its my first ever ivy fox book and im obsessed
the writing the characters were perfect
im still in shock with all the events that started after the part 2 begun
omg its my first ever ivy fox book and im obsessed
the writing the characters were perfect
January 22, 2025
DNF @ 7%.
I don't like the FMC.
I don't like the FMC.
December 10, 2024
I truly try not to leave bad reviews and in no way am trying to be rude to author. My opinion is my own. This one may seem harsh but after reading the reviews and deciding to give my all to a 562 page book, I have to be very clear if only to help one person.
This book was mind boggling. It began well and sucked me in, the premise and the FMC and MMC intrigued me. The writing seemed good until about the mid way point. I started to notice some bizarre language patterns given to the twenty something main characters.
By Part 2 , I was literally holding my head in my hands thinking, “what happened? , did I accidentally get an ARC?, did the author not have an editor?” And as Part 2 went on, “what is this:a wattpad creepypasta mid 2000s fanfic?” Yes, it was truly that yet some of those were probably better written than this. Stunning, and not in a good way.
Why didn’t this go in the DNF list? Well, I decided to torture myself and go to the end, solely wondering,”will it get better? Will they survive? Will I?”
The errors were vast. The list of Harvest Dozen changed from the first part to the second. The ages changed. So many things wrong and not edited that I was blown away no one mentioned in review. The grammatical errors were innumerable, and the supposed language the characters used in the second part became absurd and repetitive. I honestly thought I would lose my mind at all the girls coo-ing and all characters skipping around. In a horror dark romance?
Circling back to the top, the way the main characters thought was messy and absurd, many times using incorrect tenses and definitely not sounding like any twenty something I know. In fact you would 💯 call this cringe.
I could continue, but I think asking if you are reading an ARC is pretty obvious. Those points above just made me baffled that this is an author that I’ve never read, who has written many books. Published many books.
The end was so rushed and absurd. How on earth would the FMC accomplish the things she did? More absurd was the MMC. I don’t want to spoil it, but I guess they have some really great internet in Blackwater Falls ( which begs the question, if a town is run by faceless founders who demand a sacrifice of 11 people yearly, and do not let you leave unless you win the game, wouldn’t they monitor your internet usage?). It was way too fantastical. There is willful suspension of disbelief and just wtf? We ran up on wtf? way early on.
If this book had an editor, I think the premise, while not original, would have been good. However this was a messy, ludicrous, chaotic story that I genuinely couldn’t believe was published.
Good luck.
This book was mind boggling. It began well and sucked me in, the premise and the FMC and MMC intrigued me. The writing seemed good until about the mid way point. I started to notice some bizarre language patterns given to the twenty something main characters.
By Part 2 , I was literally holding my head in my hands thinking, “what happened? , did I accidentally get an ARC?, did the author not have an editor?” And as Part 2 went on, “what is this:a wattpad creepypasta mid 2000s fanfic?” Yes, it was truly that yet some of those were probably better written than this. Stunning, and not in a good way.
Why didn’t this go in the DNF list? Well, I decided to torture myself and go to the end, solely wondering,”will it get better? Will they survive? Will I?”
The errors were vast. The list of Harvest Dozen changed from the first part to the second. The ages changed. So many things wrong and not edited that I was blown away no one mentioned in review. The grammatical errors were innumerable, and the supposed language the characters used in the second part became absurd and repetitive. I honestly thought I would lose my mind at all the girls coo-ing and all characters skipping around. In a horror dark romance?
Circling back to the top, the way the main characters thought was messy and absurd, many times using incorrect tenses and definitely not sounding like any twenty something I know. In fact you would 💯 call this cringe.
I could continue, but I think asking if you are reading an ARC is pretty obvious. Those points above just made me baffled that this is an author that I’ve never read, who has written many books. Published many books.
The end was so rushed and absurd. How on earth would the FMC accomplish the things she did? More absurd was the MMC. I don’t want to spoil it, but I guess they have some really great internet in Blackwater Falls ( which begs the question, if a town is run by faceless founders who demand a sacrifice of 11 people yearly, and do not let you leave unless you win the game, wouldn’t they monitor your internet usage?). It was way too fantastical. There is willful suspension of disbelief and just wtf? We ran up on wtf? way early on.
If this book had an editor, I think the premise, while not original, would have been good. However this was a messy, ludicrous, chaotic story that I genuinely couldn’t believe was published.
Good luck.
January 15, 2025
“Sooner or later, they all must come to an end and surrender to something far stronger than they could ever be—hope.”
4.5✨
My chest physically hurts after reading this book. When Ivy said it would be dark, she wasn’t kidding. From the very first page, this story is dark, twisted, and completely addictive. And the characters? WOW. Their transformation from true, vile hate (and I mean hate) to love had me absolutely in awe (don’t judge me, lol). It’s a tragic romance that left me teary-eyed by the end, with my heart racing in the most terrifying way🤣
This book is split into two wild parts, each as wicked, anxiety-inducing, and captivating as the other. If you’re craving a dark romance filled with hate, lies, secrets, and sinister games of the ultra-rich, this could be your next read. And trust me, the tragically beautiful romance between Roe and Elias is reason enough to pick it up.
The only thing I struggled with was the length. While it’s packed with action, tension, and steam, there were moments I just wanted it to cut to the chase - probably because it had me on edge the whole time!🥲
4.5✨
My chest physically hurts after reading this book. When Ivy said it would be dark, she wasn’t kidding. From the very first page, this story is dark, twisted, and completely addictive. And the characters? WOW. Their transformation from true, vile hate (and I mean hate) to love had me absolutely in awe (don’t judge me, lol). It’s a tragic romance that left me teary-eyed by the end, with my heart racing in the most terrifying way🤣
This book is split into two wild parts, each as wicked, anxiety-inducing, and captivating as the other. If you’re craving a dark romance filled with hate, lies, secrets, and sinister games of the ultra-rich, this could be your next read. And trust me, the tragically beautiful romance between Roe and Elias is reason enough to pick it up.
The only thing I struggled with was the length. While it’s packed with action, tension, and steam, there were moments I just wanted it to cut to the chase - probably because it had me on edge the whole time!🥲
October 30, 2024
🅳🅴🆅🅸🅰🅽🆃 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆
Author: Ivy Fox
Couple: Rowen Hawthorne & Elias Larsen
Tropes:
🖤 ᴅᴀʀᴋ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
🖤 ᴇɴᴇᴍɪᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ
🖤 ꜰᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀᴏxɪᴍɪᴛʏ
🖤 ʙᴜʀɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ
🖤 ᴋɪʟʟᴇʀ/ꜱᴏᴄɪᴏᴘᴀʜ
🖤 ᴍᴏʀᴀʟʟʏ ɢʀᴀʏ ᴍᴄ
🖤 ᴍᴀꜱᴋᴇᴅ ᴍᴀɴ
🖤 ᴜɴʟᴏᴄᴋꜱ ʜᴇʀ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ꜱɪᴅᴇ
🖤 ᴀɴɢꜱᴛ
🖤 ᴛᴏʀᴛᴜʀᴇ ɢᴀᴍᴇꜱ
🖤 ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀ ꜱᴛʀᴜɢɢʟᴇꜱ
🖤 ɢᴀᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴀʟ
Review: 𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 was one of my most anticipated Spooky Season releases and Ivy Fox did not disappoint with this darkly disturbing read! Blackwater Falls kept me in a COMPLETE chokehold while reading and I found it IMPOSSIBLE to put down once I began. Elias, Rowe and the Harvest Dozen will be haunting my thoughts for the foreseeable future as I come to terms with the ABSOLUTE WILD ride Ivy put me through while reading this book. 𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 had ALL the vibes for a dark romance from the forbidden and taboo to the deeply dark and morally gray anti-hero and Ivy led me on a path that made me question my morals, sanity and taste in book boyfriends as I fell HARD for Elias Larsen!
𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 is all about the dark and disturbed. The way Ivy set the plot for the book BLEW my mind in ways I never thought possible. The whole foundation of the story hinged on the mystery, intrigue and suspense surrounding The Scourge and the Harvest Dozen. The depravity Ivy put into this book…I have no words for it. I found myself questioning everything as I read and was left baffled when the final events unraveled. Ivy was able to both captivate me and disturb me with the unhinged and blood thirsty vibes Blackwater Falls and The Scourge created in my head while reading and I was not ready for all the secrets and betrayals that she left me with.
The romance in 𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 hinged on the way Elias both HATED and LUSTED after Rowen and the way he sta!ked her to get his revenge! The moral compass this man lacked allowed for an absolute wreckage for my mind while reading and I found myself submerged inside his POV every chance I got! The way he went from obsessed about his revenge plans to obsessed over her safety and attention flabbergasted me but also warmed my little dark heart since this morally gray red-flag of a man fell hard, fast and all consumingly for his woman.
While Elias was everything bump in the night, Rowen was a conundrum in contradictions. Her POV was littered with guilt, hatred and self loathing which left me questioning her sanity from page one. Ivy was able to capture her story PERFECTLY from start to end and while her story arc was devastating, I appreciated how it was written and the beauty Ivy put into the brokenness of her character. Rowen is a character that truly hits a certain way and her growth and journey to her HEA is one that is wholly deserved after everything she preserved through to get it!
𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 is a DARK romance that pushes boundaries and toys with the forbidden. The tension and sparks that flew between these two every time they shared space added a nice point of contention and Ivy dominated the forbidden lust between them while also toeing the line of cheating since Rowen is dating Elvis’ younger brother when we meet her. I found myself questioning EVERYTHING in this book but one thing I always felt safe knowing was Elias would truly do everything to keep Rowen his. The absolute FILTH that came out of this man lit the pages on fire and if Ivy did one thing on an immortalized level it was the way Elias perfected the dirty talk and degradation.
Elias and Rowen bled me dry in this book and I don’t think I’ve completely recovered yet. Ivy Fox once again left me in a book hangover with 𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 and the whole world of Blackwater Falls and I can only hope we see more of this darkly disturbed world again!
Rating: 100+; Ivy Fox destroyed my mental sanity with this book! Elias, Rowe and the Harvest Dozen took me on the most taboo, deliciously 𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 ride and I have yet to recover after the madness!
Thank you to Ivy & Wordsmith Publicity for sending me this eARC!
Author: Ivy Fox
Couple: Rowen Hawthorne & Elias Larsen
Tropes:
🖤 ᴅᴀʀᴋ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
🖤 ᴇɴᴇᴍɪᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ
🖤 ꜰᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀᴏxɪᴍɪᴛʏ
🖤 ʙᴜʀɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ
🖤 ᴋɪʟʟᴇʀ/ꜱᴏᴄɪᴏᴘᴀʜ
🖤 ᴍᴏʀᴀʟʟʏ ɢʀᴀʏ ᴍᴄ
🖤 ᴍᴀꜱᴋᴇᴅ ᴍᴀɴ
🖤 ᴜɴʟᴏᴄᴋꜱ ʜᴇʀ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ꜱɪᴅᴇ
🖤 ᴀɴɢꜱᴛ
🖤 ᴛᴏʀᴛᴜʀᴇ ɢᴀᴍᴇꜱ
🖤 ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀ ꜱᴛʀᴜɢɢʟᴇꜱ
🖤 ɢᴀᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴀʟ
Review: 𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 was one of my most anticipated Spooky Season releases and Ivy Fox did not disappoint with this darkly disturbing read! Blackwater Falls kept me in a COMPLETE chokehold while reading and I found it IMPOSSIBLE to put down once I began. Elias, Rowe and the Harvest Dozen will be haunting my thoughts for the foreseeable future as I come to terms with the ABSOLUTE WILD ride Ivy put me through while reading this book. 𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 had ALL the vibes for a dark romance from the forbidden and taboo to the deeply dark and morally gray anti-hero and Ivy led me on a path that made me question my morals, sanity and taste in book boyfriends as I fell HARD for Elias Larsen!
𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 is all about the dark and disturbed. The way Ivy set the plot for the book BLEW my mind in ways I never thought possible. The whole foundation of the story hinged on the mystery, intrigue and suspense surrounding The Scourge and the Harvest Dozen. The depravity Ivy put into this book…I have no words for it. I found myself questioning everything as I read and was left baffled when the final events unraveled. Ivy was able to both captivate me and disturb me with the unhinged and blood thirsty vibes Blackwater Falls and The Scourge created in my head while reading and I was not ready for all the secrets and betrayals that she left me with.
The romance in 𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 hinged on the way Elias both HATED and LUSTED after Rowen and the way he sta!ked her to get his revenge! The moral compass this man lacked allowed for an absolute wreckage for my mind while reading and I found myself submerged inside his POV every chance I got! The way he went from obsessed about his revenge plans to obsessed over her safety and attention flabbergasted me but also warmed my little dark heart since this morally gray red-flag of a man fell hard, fast and all consumingly for his woman.
While Elias was everything bump in the night, Rowen was a conundrum in contradictions. Her POV was littered with guilt, hatred and self loathing which left me questioning her sanity from page one. Ivy was able to capture her story PERFECTLY from start to end and while her story arc was devastating, I appreciated how it was written and the beauty Ivy put into the brokenness of her character. Rowen is a character that truly hits a certain way and her growth and journey to her HEA is one that is wholly deserved after everything she preserved through to get it!
𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 is a DARK romance that pushes boundaries and toys with the forbidden. The tension and sparks that flew between these two every time they shared space added a nice point of contention and Ivy dominated the forbidden lust between them while also toeing the line of cheating since Rowen is dating Elvis’ younger brother when we meet her. I found myself questioning EVERYTHING in this book but one thing I always felt safe knowing was Elias would truly do everything to keep Rowen his. The absolute FILTH that came out of this man lit the pages on fire and if Ivy did one thing on an immortalized level it was the way Elias perfected the dirty talk and degradation.
Elias and Rowen bled me dry in this book and I don’t think I’ve completely recovered yet. Ivy Fox once again left me in a book hangover with 𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 and the whole world of Blackwater Falls and I can only hope we see more of this darkly disturbed world again!
Rating: 100+; Ivy Fox destroyed my mental sanity with this book! Elias, Rowe and the Harvest Dozen took me on the most taboo, deliciously 𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑻 ride and I have yet to recover after the madness!
Thank you to Ivy & Wordsmith Publicity for sending me this eARC!
April 19, 2025
A 4.75/5 ⭐️ for Deviant.
This was my first ever Ivy Fox book and it surely won’t be my last. This was dark, suspenseful, funny, sad, hopeful and everything in between.
The book itself gave me a The Hunger Games x Squid Game sprinkled with Gilmore Girls small town vibes. Unfortunately, my questions regarding why the town is in the predicament they’re in will never be fully answered and will remain a mystery (I wouldn’t be opposed to a full novella or short story about how The Scourge was formed and why Blackwater Falls has become the way that it is). There’s info given, but I’m a reader who loves to read about these little nit bits and background stories to get a full picture of the situation.
Rowen
Guilt ridden due to a life altering event that has changed her life upside down. Which has been the cause of a very strained relationship with her father. It incredibly saddened me to see him not being able to forgive his daughter and have his own Lion King moment (Scar x Simba when he tells him to never ever return and come back). Rowen does have severe mental health issues, suicidal ideation & depression, but can’t pull through with the idea of dying.
As I continued reading and we went further into the book, it was nice to see her finding her peace, but also developing a variant of a savior complex, but unable to successfully save her friends.
Coming to know that Rowen is a legacy addition to The Scourge since her mother had been part of the Harvest Dozen years prior. I would’ve loved to know why her mother had initially entered The Scourge. What had compelled her to do so, was it to give Rowen a better life? Did it have another reason?
Elias
He’s a complicated character who is conflicted within himself. To me it felt like he was filled with anger, grief and hurt. He wants revenge for what Rowen’s put his family through. And I get it, but I also understand her perspective on it. Eventually when all is spilled and said, he comes to realize it was an accidental mishap, which makes it truly more difficult for him to commit and continue his hatred for Rowen and ultimately his promise to her.
As the book went on I sensed that these two main characters have always loved each other, even when their lives seemed so vastly different from one another. but neither thinking they could give in or feeling like they belonged to one another, when, as we read on, it becomes very clear they have always belonged together. There’s always been curiosity and infatuation toward each other.
I enjoyed reading about the others who had been selected for the Harvest Dozen. How their friendships grew, what everyone’s role was, whom I had a preference for in wanting to learn more about (secretly hoping they wouldn’t turn on the main characters as time progressed). Also being sad to see them go and be lost to the brutal game they were forced to play. It’s the enemies that make us see friendships blossom and grow tighter connections within their own trusted circles as time goes on. Every secret slowly unfolded as we went on chapter by chapter.
The ending left me sobbing like a small child having dropped her ice cream on a hot summer day. It had been wrapped up so nicely and ended on a good note, even though I wondered if we were ever going to get the happy ever after ending.
Personal preferences/minor dislikes
At times the writing/dialogue read a little juvenile.
There’s a bit of repetition, one example is “doe eyed girl”.
Not all questions have been answered that I had at the start. Like, who is behind The Scourge? What is their reason for it? Why do they do what they do?
Overall I liked Ivy Fox’s writing style, it’s flowing, descriptive and easy to get through while leaving you hanging just enough to make you crave more of the story.
I adored this book and another amazing find through the readathon for RARE25LONDON. It’s safe to say that this book is definitely one of my favourite finds of the year so far.
This was my first ever Ivy Fox book and it surely won’t be my last. This was dark, suspenseful, funny, sad, hopeful and everything in between.
The book itself gave me a The Hunger Games x Squid Game sprinkled with Gilmore Girls small town vibes. Unfortunately, my questions regarding why the town is in the predicament they’re in will never be fully answered and will remain a mystery (I wouldn’t be opposed to a full novella or short story about how The Scourge was formed and why Blackwater Falls has become the way that it is). There’s info given, but I’m a reader who loves to read about these little nit bits and background stories to get a full picture of the situation.
Rowen
Guilt ridden due to a life altering event that has changed her life upside down. Which has been the cause of a very strained relationship with her father. It incredibly saddened me to see him not being able to forgive his daughter and have his own Lion King moment (Scar x Simba when he tells him to never ever return and come back). Rowen does have severe mental health issues, suicidal ideation & depression, but can’t pull through with the idea of dying.
As I continued reading and we went further into the book, it was nice to see her finding her peace, but also developing a variant of a savior complex, but unable to successfully save her friends.
Coming to know that Rowen is a legacy addition to The Scourge since her mother had been part of the Harvest Dozen years prior. I would’ve loved to know why her mother had initially entered The Scourge. What had compelled her to do so, was it to give Rowen a better life? Did it have another reason?
Elias
He’s a complicated character who is conflicted within himself. To me it felt like he was filled with anger, grief and hurt. He wants revenge for what Rowen’s put his family through. And I get it, but I also understand her perspective on it. Eventually when all is spilled and said, he comes to realize it was an accidental mishap, which makes it truly more difficult for him to commit and continue his hatred for Rowen and ultimately his promise to her.
As the book went on I sensed that these two main characters have always loved each other, even when their lives seemed so vastly different from one another. but neither thinking they could give in or feeling like they belonged to one another, when, as we read on, it becomes very clear they have always belonged together. There’s always been curiosity and infatuation toward each other.
I enjoyed reading about the others who had been selected for the Harvest Dozen. How their friendships grew, what everyone’s role was, whom I had a preference for in wanting to learn more about (secretly hoping they wouldn’t turn on the main characters as time progressed). Also being sad to see them go and be lost to the brutal game they were forced to play. It’s the enemies that make us see friendships blossom and grow tighter connections within their own trusted circles as time goes on. Every secret slowly unfolded as we went on chapter by chapter.
The ending left me sobbing like a small child having dropped her ice cream on a hot summer day. It had been wrapped up so nicely and ended on a good note, even though I wondered if we were ever going to get the happy ever after ending.
Personal preferences/minor dislikes
At times the writing/dialogue read a little juvenile.
There’s a bit of repetition, one example is “doe eyed girl”.
Not all questions have been answered that I had at the start. Like, who is behind The Scourge? What is their reason for it? Why do they do what they do?
Overall I liked Ivy Fox’s writing style, it’s flowing, descriptive and easy to get through while leaving you hanging just enough to make you crave more of the story.
I adored this book and another amazing find through the readathon for RARE25LONDON. It’s safe to say that this book is definitely one of my favourite finds of the year so far.
October 29, 2024
From the dark, twisted mind of Ivy Fox Deviant has been born and WOW!! It's brilliant!!
In the small town of Blackwater Falls every year a twisted game is played called The Scourge. A game where twelve people are sent out into the wilderness and only one person survives. Any normal person isn't thrilled to be picked to play in these deadly games, but this year there are two souls within the small town who actually volunteer. One has secrets they wish to bury with their soul, the other wants to help this person dig the grave so deep that they burn for an eternity and then will dance on their grave.
Deviant is a psychological roller coaster of emotions. A book that looks at different sides of what you would do in the same scenario, how you would feel in that moment, and then highlights what different people go through in the most extreme circumstances. It's gripping and terrifying, but also really great story telling.
The book centers around Rowen, who is desperate to pay for a past mistake and Elias who is desperate to make her pay for that mistake. They are joined by ten other souls who are part of The Scourge, along with numerous secondary characters from the town and those who are part of the game. Every person in this book is memorable and vital to the book, but none more so than the main characters.
Rowen and Elias don't have a normal path to an ever lasting love. It's dark and twisted, but I think because of their shared trauma, it's actually stronger like a rare jewel. It was fantastic to witness how these two slowly unwrapped their emotions, while living in a high extreme environment. I was just as hooked on what was happening with them as I was with the game. I couldn't stop reading.
Seriously, every chapter captured and held my attention. I didn't want to set this book down for a moment, even while I was at work...that's great writing. I really want to say more, but instead--dive in, don't read spoilers, and completely fall for this dark, thrilling romance.
In the small town of Blackwater Falls every year a twisted game is played called The Scourge. A game where twelve people are sent out into the wilderness and only one person survives. Any normal person isn't thrilled to be picked to play in these deadly games, but this year there are two souls within the small town who actually volunteer. One has secrets they wish to bury with their soul, the other wants to help this person dig the grave so deep that they burn for an eternity and then will dance on their grave.
Deviant is a psychological roller coaster of emotions. A book that looks at different sides of what you would do in the same scenario, how you would feel in that moment, and then highlights what different people go through in the most extreme circumstances. It's gripping and terrifying, but also really great story telling.
The book centers around Rowen, who is desperate to pay for a past mistake and Elias who is desperate to make her pay for that mistake. They are joined by ten other souls who are part of The Scourge, along with numerous secondary characters from the town and those who are part of the game. Every person in this book is memorable and vital to the book, but none more so than the main characters.
Rowen and Elias don't have a normal path to an ever lasting love. It's dark and twisted, but I think because of their shared trauma, it's actually stronger like a rare jewel. It was fantastic to witness how these two slowly unwrapped their emotions, while living in a high extreme environment. I was just as hooked on what was happening with them as I was with the game. I couldn't stop reading.
Seriously, every chapter captured and held my attention. I didn't want to set this book down for a moment, even while I was at work...that's great writing. I really want to say more, but instead--dive in, don't read spoilers, and completely fall for this dark, thrilling romance.
November 10, 2024
"I'm... not... yours," she stammers, swallowing hard.
"Ah, Roe, I think I just proved that you are."
(Deviant, Chapter 17).
Highlights: 628😲
Spice Level🥵: 3.5/5
Overall⭐: 4.5/5 (I have a hard time giving out a 5/5 rating, that being said this would EASILY be a 5/5 on others scales.)
Tropes:
🖤Secret Society
🖤Revenge Romance
🖤Possesive MMC
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🖤Forbidden Romance
🖤Dark-ish Romance
I have been a fan of Ivy's for a little over a year now and was so excited to be a part of this release!
First off, this book is DARK. It's like if you took the hunger games and then made it smutty and darker. The things that the characters had to go through towards the end of the books were sooo sick and twisted. I cried way too much during this book, lol.
The chemistry between Rowen and Elias is dark and depraved and seeing how they started off vs how things ended was such a rollercoaster. I love Elia's character development, he could have done things very differently and made things darker but seeing his thoughts and point of view shift and his feelings for both Rowen and especially Andy change. To see him be in touch with his emotions and allow himself to grieve and truly feel pain was something else entirely.
Also, without spoiling one of the biggest "surprises" in this book, my heart broke for Elias of course but also for Rowen because...and this may just be my opinion but she didn't deserve her father's hate towards her, I understand what she did was obviously wrong, but it was an accident and she had the best intentions. Plus, she truly hated herself because of it and the two people in her life who could have loved her through it weren't able to because one of them was now obviously gone and the other, her father gave up and failed as a parent.
A special thank you to Ivy for allowing me to be a part of her beautiful team and I can't wait for the next!
I want to say so much more but I don't want to spoil anything! 🖤🦊
"Ah, Roe, I think I just proved that you are."
(Deviant, Chapter 17).
Highlights: 628😲
Spice Level🥵: 3.5/5
Overall⭐: 4.5/5 (I have a hard time giving out a 5/5 rating, that being said this would EASILY be a 5/5 on others scales.)
Tropes:
🖤Secret Society
🖤Revenge Romance
🖤Possesive MMC
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🖤Forbidden Romance
🖤Dark-ish Romance
I have been a fan of Ivy's for a little over a year now and was so excited to be a part of this release!
First off, this book is DARK. It's like if you took the hunger games and then made it smutty and darker. The things that the characters had to go through towards the end of the books were sooo sick and twisted. I cried way too much during this book, lol.
The chemistry between Rowen and Elias is dark and depraved and seeing how they started off vs how things ended was such a rollercoaster. I love Elia's character development, he could have done things very differently and made things darker but seeing his thoughts and point of view shift and his feelings for both Rowen and especially Andy change. To see him be in touch with his emotions and allow himself to grieve and truly feel pain was something else entirely.
Also, without spoiling one of the biggest "surprises" in this book, my heart broke for Elias of course but also for Rowen because...and this may just be my opinion but she didn't deserve her father's hate towards her, I understand what she did was obviously wrong, but it was an accident and she had the best intentions. Plus, she truly hated herself because of it and the two people in her life who could have loved her through it weren't able to because one of them was now obviously gone and the other, her father gave up and failed as a parent.
A special thank you to Ivy for allowing me to be a part of her beautiful team and I can't wait for the next!
I want to say so much more but I don't want to spoil anything! 🖤🦊
November 1, 2024
Dark and disturbing , Deviant will haunt your soul . The Harvest Games are the Hunger Games on steroids, extremely dark and unhinged. Deviant kept me on my toes from the very start till the last page. It's totally unputdownable. And at the same time will put you through the wringer with all the feels and the constant plot twists. Blackwater Falls is where all hope came to die and where The Scourge, a deadly game with only one winner takes place. The Harvest dozen is very carefully chosen. There are rules and you have to know them well so you can win and beat the system. And that bunch of contestants are insanely smart. But Rowen and Elias are the smartest of them all . Those two love to hate each other or the other way round. Rowen is the loved good girl and Elias is the feared bad boy. And the obvious winner if only he was chosen. But this year both of them are volunteering and they make sure to make it to the games. Their goals are favoring each other and they pair together to be sure their goals are met .And that makes them quite a team. But the more time they spend together the more they get to know each other. And their emotions have a field day not only in the games. When all the secrets are revealed their connection is unbreakable. And in the middle of the deadliest game their will for life and the greatest love are born. Rowen and Elias are absolute fire together. Rowen cut ties with her past and found her power and let me tell you till the end she's an absolute boss lady. And Elias is a total alpha dominant male with a soft spot only for Rowen and those few who became his friends. The suspense in the story is gradually growing to the very end. Still recovering of that whirlwind of a story . Deviant is the perfect read for the end of Spooktober.
That playlist is enchanting and chilling, and at the same time calling to the pagans in everyone of us.
Thanks to the author and WordSmith Publicity for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.
That playlist is enchanting and chilling, and at the same time calling to the pagans in everyone of us.
Thanks to the author and WordSmith Publicity for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.
May 17, 2025
Rating: 5⭐️/5
“I’m not merely hoping to be chosen—I’m determined to be offered up as a sacrifice. For that will be my penance, and, hopefully… my absolution.”
In the quiet-looking town of Blackwater Falls, hidden in the Pocono Mountains, there’s no peace—only darkness. Every year during harvest season, twelve teens are sent into the woods to play a deadly game called The Scourge, and only one comes back alive. The wait is over… let the Harvest Games begin. The town depends on this twisted tradition to survive. Rowen Hawthorne, with her soft heart and haunted past, thinks entering the game is her way to make things right and escape the guilt eating her alive. But Elias knows what she did, and he’s not ready to let her go. He’s angry, obsessed, and always just a step behind her. She believes The Scourge will set her free—but Elias has other plans, and in his eyes, she’s already his.
Deviant is a bold, intense read that throws you straight into chaos and keeps you guessing the whole way through. Think this is just Hunger Games all over again? Yeah… it’s not. The attack is very different. This story goes darker, hits harder, and the emotional stakes cut way deeper. The love story between the main characters starts off rough—full of tension, anger, and unresolved pain—but watching it slowly unravel and rebuild is what makes it so satisfying. There are twists you won’t see coming, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story flips again. The writing is sharp and powerful, with storytelling that digs deep and doesn’t hold back. The plot is fresh, gripping, and totally unforgettable. Just… WOW. This one will stay with me for a long time.
To Wordsmith Publicity and Ivy Fox (How? What? Why? What were you thinking when you wrote this? This book wrecked me.) thank you for sending me a digital ARC of this book!
—
#lateARCreview
“I’m not merely hoping to be chosen—I’m determined to be offered up as a sacrifice. For that will be my penance, and, hopefully… my absolution.”
In the quiet-looking town of Blackwater Falls, hidden in the Pocono Mountains, there’s no peace—only darkness. Every year during harvest season, twelve teens are sent into the woods to play a deadly game called The Scourge, and only one comes back alive. The wait is over… let the Harvest Games begin. The town depends on this twisted tradition to survive. Rowen Hawthorne, with her soft heart and haunted past, thinks entering the game is her way to make things right and escape the guilt eating her alive. But Elias knows what she did, and he’s not ready to let her go. He’s angry, obsessed, and always just a step behind her. She believes The Scourge will set her free—but Elias has other plans, and in his eyes, she’s already his.
Deviant is a bold, intense read that throws you straight into chaos and keeps you guessing the whole way through. Think this is just Hunger Games all over again? Yeah… it’s not. The attack is very different. This story goes darker, hits harder, and the emotional stakes cut way deeper. The love story between the main characters starts off rough—full of tension, anger, and unresolved pain—but watching it slowly unravel and rebuild is what makes it so satisfying. There are twists you won’t see coming, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story flips again. The writing is sharp and powerful, with storytelling that digs deep and doesn’t hold back. The plot is fresh, gripping, and totally unforgettable. Just… WOW. This one will stay with me for a long time.
To Wordsmith Publicity and Ivy Fox (How? What? Why? What were you thinking when you wrote this? This book wrecked me.) thank you for sending me a digital ARC of this book!
—
#lateARCreview
November 5, 2024
As I read this book, I experienced a range of emotions. I sobbed laughed, was frustrated, felt happy, and then wept some more.
A dozen are selected each year to take part in the Scourge, in which only one winner survives.
We explore the ties and friendships that the dozen develop throughout their brief time together. Will people continue to trust one another after secrets are exposed and everyone's actual character and nature are ultimately exposed, or will the scrouge succeed. Because of Andy and Harper's connection, we witness love in its purest form. Through Abigail, Harper, Rowen, Elias, and Andy, we witness stronger connections and a constant concern for one another. Through all of their hardships, they were there for one another no matter what.
Although I found Rowen's persona to be a little challenging to read, I came to like her as the story went on, and I learned more about her. Elias, you beautiful man with the most giving black heart. Despite his sulky exterior, he is actually a large golden retriever. I adored how he became friendly with Andy, and we witnessed their growing friendship. Unbeknownst to him, he was constantly looking after Rowen. Elias was constantly watching out for the others to make sure they were alright.
We follow their journey from hatred to love. The character growth was amazing. Roe and Elias brought out the best in one other. I had a great time reading about their journey. Through all of the challenges and ups and downs they encountered, they were able to find one another.
A dozen are selected each year to take part in the Scourge, in which only one winner survives.
We explore the ties and friendships that the dozen develop throughout their brief time together. Will people continue to trust one another after secrets are exposed and everyone's actual character and nature are ultimately exposed, or will the scrouge succeed. Because of Andy and Harper's connection, we witness love in its purest form. Through Abigail, Harper, Rowen, Elias, and Andy, we witness stronger connections and a constant concern for one another. Through all of their hardships, they were there for one another no matter what.
Although I found Rowen's persona to be a little challenging to read, I came to like her as the story went on, and I learned more about her. Elias, you beautiful man with the most giving black heart. Despite his sulky exterior, he is actually a large golden retriever. I adored how he became friendly with Andy, and we witnessed their growing friendship. Unbeknownst to him, he was constantly looking after Rowen. Elias was constantly watching out for the others to make sure they were alright.
We follow their journey from hatred to love. The character growth was amazing. Roe and Elias brought out the best in one other. I had a great time reading about their journey. Through all of the challenges and ups and downs they encountered, they were able to find one another.
November 4, 2024
It totally had Hunger Games vibes!
If you loved the Hunger games movies you would thoroughly enjoy this book. It had a similiar premise like the movie but with a dark and gory twist.
Deviant was definitely different. It was divided into two parts, Part 1 gave a lot of background into the characters, Blackwater falls and the annual game they played, the Scourge. This first half set the stage for what was to come. I found it was a bit drawn out . The thing that maintained my interest was the push and pull, love hate relationship between Rowen and Elias.
I would say, if you are thinking of not finishing, keep reading because Part 2 of the book was packed with so much intrigue, murder suspense, and horror! This part was much more fast paced and had my undivided attention. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what and how things were going to unfold. I enjoyed the development of Rowen and Elias' relationship as well as the development of them as individuals.
I absolutely loved Elias, his strength,thoughtfulness and how he took care of Roe was heartwarming.
Rowen definitely grew as a character throughout the book and at the end was very strong and independent.
This book was well written with a lot of interesting and intriguing moments. It could have been shorter in my opinion as there were parts that dragged but overall I enjoyed it .
If you loved the Hunger games movies you would thoroughly enjoy this book. It had a similiar premise like the movie but with a dark and gory twist.
Deviant was definitely different. It was divided into two parts, Part 1 gave a lot of background into the characters, Blackwater falls and the annual game they played, the Scourge. This first half set the stage for what was to come. I found it was a bit drawn out . The thing that maintained my interest was the push and pull, love hate relationship between Rowen and Elias.
I would say, if you are thinking of not finishing, keep reading because Part 2 of the book was packed with so much intrigue, murder suspense, and horror! This part was much more fast paced and had my undivided attention. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what and how things were going to unfold. I enjoyed the development of Rowen and Elias' relationship as well as the development of them as individuals.
I absolutely loved Elias, his strength,thoughtfulness and how he took care of Roe was heartwarming.
Rowen definitely grew as a character throughout the book and at the end was very strong and independent.
This book was well written with a lot of interesting and intriguing moments. It could have been shorter in my opinion as there were parts that dragged but overall I enjoyed it .
September 24, 2025
I was debating wether to give this a 3.5 or a 4 so I settled on a 3.75
The plot was very unique for a contemporary dark romance , we follow a corrupt, spooky, isolated town where no one is allowed to leave and no one is allowed in. Every year they host a set of games that 12 people are selected to play where only 1 can survive and if they win they get the luxury of leaving the town.
Think squid games because that’s what this book gave me especially the second half.
It was part romance and part horror in my opinion.
The first half for me felt like a different book to the separate half as it’s set in the town and gives you a backstory to Rowen our main female character. It sets you up to why she wants to be selected and why the male hero wants to aswell as they both volunteer to go. I think we only needed personally a 100 pages of this as it was just a tad slow for a while.
Once the 12 are selected and they go into the mountains to live in a spooky house to play that’s when the book picked up for me that’s when I was really invested. I kind of wanted more into depth on this than we got as the games didn’t feel like they lasted that long? I also really wanted to know more about ‘the hosts’ it was just a mystery that I think the book could have explored more..
However, I did like the ending, I could see this being a great film.
The plot was very unique for a contemporary dark romance , we follow a corrupt, spooky, isolated town where no one is allowed to leave and no one is allowed in. Every year they host a set of games that 12 people are selected to play where only 1 can survive and if they win they get the luxury of leaving the town.
Think squid games because that’s what this book gave me especially the second half.
It was part romance and part horror in my opinion.
The first half for me felt like a different book to the separate half as it’s set in the town and gives you a backstory to Rowen our main female character. It sets you up to why she wants to be selected and why the male hero wants to aswell as they both volunteer to go. I think we only needed personally a 100 pages of this as it was just a tad slow for a while.
Once the 12 are selected and they go into the mountains to live in a spooky house to play that’s when the book picked up for me that’s when I was really invested. I kind of wanted more into depth on this than we got as the games didn’t feel like they lasted that long? I also really wanted to know more about ‘the hosts’ it was just a mystery that I think the book could have explored more..
However, I did like the ending, I could see this being a great film.
November 4, 2024
Man, oh man...... I've read this authors puckered heart series (hockey romance), and I really liked them. I've never been too huge in dark romance, but I figured I'd give it a shot since I like the author, and she did not disappoint.
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time . It's going to be hard to describe without giving away too much (trust you don't want it ruined). Rowen is going through a difficult time in her life, feeling guilt and feeling like she shouldn't be alive. Elias is the bad boy who was Rowens best friends older brother who has a problem with Rowen and wants her dead.
They live in this weird town that once a year takes 12 people between the ages of 18 and 28 to fight for their life at The Scourge . The build-up to this point was nail-biting trying to figure out what was going to happen.
Then you see what happens at The Scourge, and believe me when I say you will want to read this. This story is a dark romance with enemies to lovers. Then, add in a couple of great side characters who helped enhance the two main characters. Sprinkle in suspense, drama, torture, and falling in love.
I can't say enough good things about this book, and I know I can't do it justice. But I highly recommend this book.
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time . It's going to be hard to describe without giving away too much (trust you don't want it ruined). Rowen is going through a difficult time in her life, feeling guilt and feeling like she shouldn't be alive. Elias is the bad boy who was Rowens best friends older brother who has a problem with Rowen and wants her dead.
They live in this weird town that once a year takes 12 people between the ages of 18 and 28 to fight for their life at The Scourge . The build-up to this point was nail-biting trying to figure out what was going to happen.
Then you see what happens at The Scourge, and believe me when I say you will want to read this. This story is a dark romance with enemies to lovers. Then, add in a couple of great side characters who helped enhance the two main characters. Sprinkle in suspense, drama, torture, and falling in love.
I can't say enough good things about this book, and I know I can't do it justice. But I highly recommend this book.
November 12, 2024
Oh wow.
This book.
This incredible book!
I’m blown away!
There were two parts to this story, Part One being the lead-up to The Scourge.
In this part we get to know Rowen, and honestly my heart was breaking for this poor depressed girl who was really just living as a shadow of her former self for the past year. She was hiding a terrible, dark secret that she just couldn’t escape from.
And then there was Elias.
He had been through so much and was intent on making Rowen pay for being the one responsible for all his misery.
There was definitely a love/hate relationship between the two, and by the end of Part One I truly didn’t know how things were gonna go for the two.
Part Two of the story was the Scourge. A twisted, deadly game where there can be only one survivor. This part had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, never knowing what to expect! I had so many emotions while reading this. My head is still spinning and I can’t stop thinking about it!
This whole story was so original; unlike anything I’ve read before! It had similar vibes to the Hunger Games, but was also uniquely different! I loved everything about it and am low-key hoping for another story set in this world - if my poor heart can take it!
This book.
This incredible book!
I’m blown away!
There were two parts to this story, Part One being the lead-up to The Scourge.
In this part we get to know Rowen, and honestly my heart was breaking for this poor depressed girl who was really just living as a shadow of her former self for the past year. She was hiding a terrible, dark secret that she just couldn’t escape from.
And then there was Elias.
He had been through so much and was intent on making Rowen pay for being the one responsible for all his misery.
There was definitely a love/hate relationship between the two, and by the end of Part One I truly didn’t know how things were gonna go for the two.
Part Two of the story was the Scourge. A twisted, deadly game where there can be only one survivor. This part had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, never knowing what to expect! I had so many emotions while reading this. My head is still spinning and I can’t stop thinking about it!
This whole story was so original; unlike anything I’ve read before! It had similar vibes to the Hunger Games, but was also uniquely different! I loved everything about it and am low-key hoping for another story set in this world - if my poor heart can take it!
October 31, 2024
This was a unique and interesting book. I really enjoyed it and the fact that it was so descriptive that it played like a movie in my mind was just an added bonus. I think it's best to go in blind to truly immerse yourself in the story. With that in mind it's hard to not say too much and give something away.
I really liked both Elias and Rowen. It ripped my heart out for the dispare that they had to face. They were both so strong and resilient. I loved the added suspense with the other characters and their connections. As much as I admired Rowen I have to say that Elias was my overall favorite character. He showed the most personality and growth.
This is a hard review to do because this book was so good and I want to tell everyone about it but don't want to give anything away and there is so much that could be given away. I will say that I was hooked from the beginning and barely put it down. It was exciting, suspenseful, and gritty. As raw as it was I was still very emotional because it was impossible not to get attached to the characters. This is a perfect spooky season read and I would highly recommend it!!
I really liked both Elias and Rowen. It ripped my heart out for the dispare that they had to face. They were both so strong and resilient. I loved the added suspense with the other characters and their connections. As much as I admired Rowen I have to say that Elias was my overall favorite character. He showed the most personality and growth.
This is a hard review to do because this book was so good and I want to tell everyone about it but don't want to give anything away and there is so much that could be given away. I will say that I was hooked from the beginning and barely put it down. It was exciting, suspenseful, and gritty. As raw as it was I was still very emotional because it was impossible not to get attached to the characters. This is a perfect spooky season read and I would highly recommend it!!
November 1, 2024
Deviant is a dark revenge romance. If you liked The Hunger Games you will love this book. This book reminded me of The Hunger Games, but also has a lot of different elements to make it unique. This book is about Rowan and Elias and is told from both of their points of view.
Elias and Rowan live in a place called Blackwater Falls. They have an annual ritual where they send 12 people to the mountains during harvest season and only after playing the games only one comes back alive.
Rowan was best friends with Elias sister and when something happens Rowan wants to get into the games to end her existence. However Elias wants to be the one to end her. So they both make sure they get into the games.
However, as the games go on Elias realizes not everything is as he believed, and they both start to have feelings for each other. As the competition goes only one can win. What happens when it comes down to the last two? How can Elias and Rowan get through the game together?
I really enjoyed this story. I'm curious to see if this author will bring more like this book, because I enjoyed it, and would love to read more like this!
Elias and Rowan live in a place called Blackwater Falls. They have an annual ritual where they send 12 people to the mountains during harvest season and only after playing the games only one comes back alive.
Rowan was best friends with Elias sister and when something happens Rowan wants to get into the games to end her existence. However Elias wants to be the one to end her. So they both make sure they get into the games.
However, as the games go on Elias realizes not everything is as he believed, and they both start to have feelings for each other. As the competition goes only one can win. What happens when it comes down to the last two? How can Elias and Rowan get through the game together?
I really enjoyed this story. I'm curious to see if this author will bring more like this book, because I enjoyed it, and would love to read more like this!
December 10, 2025
Read this book now!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
“My cold bones could be dead and buried, and I would have still missed the way your body feels when it’s on top of me.” 😭
This was unique and unforgettable. I could not put it down, was on the edge of my seat the entire book, and never wanted it to end. What an emotional roller coaster that pulled me in from the first page and gave me a bittersweet feeling as I closed that last page. Mix together a dark romance, mystery, enemies to lovers, boyfriend’s (and best friend’s) brother, The Hunger Games, and Saw and you will get this glorious book. This was twisted and everything I love in a book. I don’t often say this but the authors writing was phenomenal, I have to read more of their work. This easily became one of my favorite books. Rowen and Elias.. oh how you grow with them and end up loving them, even more together. I don’t want to give anything else away because going in blind made this so much better for me.
Can I erase my brain so I can read this all over again?
“My cold bones could be dead and buried, and I would have still missed the way your body feels when it’s on top of me.” 😭
This was unique and unforgettable. I could not put it down, was on the edge of my seat the entire book, and never wanted it to end. What an emotional roller coaster that pulled me in from the first page and gave me a bittersweet feeling as I closed that last page. Mix together a dark romance, mystery, enemies to lovers, boyfriend’s (and best friend’s) brother, The Hunger Games, and Saw and you will get this glorious book. This was twisted and everything I love in a book. I don’t often say this but the authors writing was phenomenal, I have to read more of their work. This easily became one of my favorite books. Rowen and Elias.. oh how you grow with them and end up loving them, even more together. I don’t want to give anything else away because going in blind made this so much better for me.
Can I erase my brain so I can read this all over again?
November 1, 2024
Welcome back to the dark side with this one and it is a perfect read for Halloween! Written in two parts with a slow burn, Ms. Fox has weaved a spell with Rowen that will sit with readers once finished. Part one sets the stage for Blackwater Falls and their strange custom of The Scourge which is a yearly event where twelve people get chosen. The prize is financial compensation for the winner and his/her family along with continuing to live while the other eleven are left to their fate. There is a criteria for being chosen but sometimes, although very rare, one is subjected to participate who does not fit the criteria as is the case with Rowen’s mother. The second part is the game itself and you will not be able to put it down. The ending will break you with the final words. This is one storyline that is filled with drama and will ensnare you from the beginning and hold you in its thrall until the end. If you are a dark romance lover, then you MUST READ this one!
November 1, 2024
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
I don't even know that I know how to review this book and not give something away. I will tell you that once you pick it up you won't be laying it down. This book takes place in the small town of Blackwater Falls. Once a year there is a secret that takes place. The players are twelve unsuspecting teenagers that they call The Harvest Dozen who play in The Scourge. This is a deadly game where there can only be one winner. This is the story of Elias and Rowe. To people that absolutely can't stand each other but spend a lot of time together. This book is full of twists and turns and will have you reading as fast as you can. I love that these characters are not afraid to touch on the emotional stuff either. I wish I could tell you more. I could really go on and on about this book. You just need to grab it dive in and enjoy the game.
I don't even know that I know how to review this book and not give something away. I will tell you that once you pick it up you won't be laying it down. This book takes place in the small town of Blackwater Falls. Once a year there is a secret that takes place. The players are twelve unsuspecting teenagers that they call The Harvest Dozen who play in The Scourge. This is a deadly game where there can only be one winner. This is the story of Elias and Rowe. To people that absolutely can't stand each other but spend a lot of time together. This book is full of twists and turns and will have you reading as fast as you can. I love that these characters are not afraid to touch on the emotional stuff either. I wish I could tell you more. I could really go on and on about this book. You just need to grab it dive in and enjoy the game.
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