Darkened Truths

Kings of Pointebreak #1

by Cara Wade

Everything we’ve ever wanted. But this isn’t my dream. I didn’t have a choice. I never have a choice…

My plans involved Dartmouth, not Pointebreak—a school that thrives on secrets, and dark games. This is my jail for four years, but it’s not the classes that I fear will break me.

Julien Azarian, Zander Fedorov, and Wesley Bastian—my personal tormentors—aren’t just out to ruin me. They’re out to control me, to bend me to their will.

I’m expected to break, but I won’t. I can’t. I’ll prove I can endure everything thrown at me. Classes are easy compared to navigating the murky waters of lust and hate between the self-appointed kings of Pointebreak. They’re wrong if they think they can crush me. I might be their target, but I’m not the one who’ll end up losing control.

Be careful, Julien, Zander, and Wesley. I may just turn your world upside down.

AUTHOR'S This is a bully, why choose/reverse harem romance.

Genres: Why Choose, Enemies To Lovers

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2025

About the author

Cara Wade is a daydreamer and a lifelong teenybopper. Boy bands forever! She would love to spend the day in the kitchen baking up sweet treats but hates doing the dishes after. When she is not writing (or suffering writer's block) you can find her reading, hiking, or relaxing by the water. She lives in northern Massachusetts with her loving husband.

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟, 3🌶️

I dove into this book with no idea what to expect, and it was such a wild ride.

Riley is shipped off to the intimidating Pointebreak school, where she is instantly caught in a web of secrets spun by three very different and dangerous guys. I loved how the story kept me guessing, forcing me to flip back through pages just to try and piece together the mystery alongside the FMC.

The chemistry is electric, and I am so here for this why-choose dynamic. Whether it is the intense, brooding Julien, the quiet menace of Zander, or the sunshine yet rebellious Wesley, the tension is suffocating in the best way. Riley is a fantastic protagonist because she never loses her spark or her sass, even when these guys try to play their games with her.

Everything builds to such a high-stakes and spicy climax that I did not even notice how few pages were left. That final cliffhanger left me reeling and desperate for the next book immediately.

It is dark, messy, and completely addictive, and I am counting down the days until I can get my hands on the sequel.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Cara Wade & The Author Agency for this Copy! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[BettyLovesBooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Conflicted. This had the bones of a good dark academia, RH, mafia-esque, found family/brotherhood ‘romance’ and I was intrigued by the FMC, MMCs, glimpses of the ‘plan’ and underlying motivations… and yet it was let down by seemingly negligible editing or proofreading.
It was so frustrating to find at least one error on every page!
Proofreading and editing are crucial, well-established steps in the publishing process for good reason.
Not only were there missing words, missing letters (e.g. ‘my who body’), incorrect word choice (e.g. omission instead of admission, pact/pack, light/like, damn/dam, flair/flare, foul/fool), and poor punctuation… but also errors in basic elements of the story: e.g. a minor character is first introduced as ‘Nate Halpin’, but from the fourth or so mention onwards is called ‘Nick Halpin’ - arrrghhh!

[Nicoles_bookcorner10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every second of this! Loved the push and pull between each character

[Rachel Nahabedian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: Loved it!

Oy! The ｃｌｉｆｆｙ! 😱

🖤Bully
🖤Why Choose/Reverse Harem
🖤She's mine
🖤Suspense
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🖤Revenge
🖤Playboy
🖤Alpha Male/Protective but really a Golden Retriever
🖤Sassy Heroine
🖤Asshole Hero
🖤Punishment kink/Don't let me catch you

I’ll be honest: when this book started, I had no idea what was going on. I always go in blind, so I never expect to have any idea really, but usually there’s some idea in chapter one of the direction it's going to go. Not here. I felt just as confused and unprepared as Riley and I loved that! Every little detail revealed had me flipping back and piecing things together, trying to figure out how it all fits.

Enter:

Julian – the intense alphahole with a plan
Zander – the quiet but intimidating tech genius
Wesley – the golden retriever sunshine (yes, named after The Princess Bride)

Each of them clearly has a secrets and they all have a plan...all we know is that Riley is at the center of it all. What the plan is? Still a total mystery.

The chemistry between Riley and all three guys is off the charts. I’m so happy this is a why-choose romance, because if it's already this hot and we’ve only fully met Wesley, barely scratched the surface with Zander, and haven’t even begun to figure Julian out? We’re in for one spicy ride.

As the story builds and we near the climax, the tension and pacing hit hard! And just as things reached a peak, I realized…I have ten pages left. TEN. And then? Cliffhanger. I didn’t know it was going to end like that, and now I’m kicking myself because I need to know what happens next.

When is Book 2 coming?! Please tell me it’s soon. I’m not okay.

Huge thanks to @authorcarawade and @theauthor.agency for the ARC (and for real, please tell me Book 2 is dropping by the end of the month because I’m desperate).

[Alexis Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved all the betrayals, spice, emotions, stories and more that was shown. I loved all the little twists and turns in the book. The ending definitely left a lot open for the next book

[Ashley Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a solid start!! I found the plot patterns slow to get up to speed but I’m hoping we did a lot of development to lead up to that big ending and cliffhanger.

So many questions to be answered….

[Alicia Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulls you in fast and doesn’t let go.

From the start, the premise feels intense and a little unsettling in the best way—Riley, the governor’s daughter, being sent off to Pointebreak under the illusion of a prestigious school, only to discover it’s really a brutal training ground for surviving a world built on crime, manipulation, and blackmail. The stakes are high immediately, and the atmosphere is dark, secretive, and charged with tension.

What really drives the story is Riley herself. She’s thrown into a situation she doesn’t understand, surrounded by people who seem ten steps ahead of her, and yet she doesn’t completely fall apart. Watching her try to figure out the rules of Pointebreak while being targeted by the Kings keeps the story gripping. The power dynamics are sharp and unpredictable—especially with the three Kings. One clearly hates her, one keeps her guessing with his hot-and-cold behavior, and the third offers protection… though you can’t quite tell what his true motives are. That mix creates a constant sense of unease and intrigue.

The chemistry between Riley and the Kings adds another layer. It’s complicated, messy, and definitely not safe—but that’s what makes it compelling. Just as things begin to build and you think you might understand where it’s all going, the story takes a sharp turn.

The kidnapping scene is where the book really escalates. It’s chaotic, frightening, and vividly written. Riley being drugged, dumped in the woods, and told to run feels raw and desperate—you can practically feel her panic and exhaustion as she pushes herself to survive. The tension in this sequence is easily one of the strongest parts of the book.

And then… that ending.

She finds the house, makes it to the porch, and everything fades to black—only for the hint that the person inside knows her. It’s a cliffhanger that feels almost cruel, but in a way that absolutely works. It leaves you with questions, theories, and a strong urge to pick up the next book immediately.

Overall, this is a dark, addictive read with strong tension, layered characters, and a plot that keeps shifting just enough to stay unpredictable. If you like morally gray characters, high-stakes environments, and slow-burning, complicated relationships, this one delivers.

And that ending? Yeah—you’re definitely going to want book two.

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This romance that dives headfirst into the treacherous world of Pointebreak Academy…. a place where secrets fester, power rules, and nothing is what it seems. 😮

From the very first pages, I was pulled into Riley’s reluctant journey. She had her life mapped out, Dartmouth was the dream, but her powerful father yanks her into this shadowy elite school instead.

What starts as a punishment quickly spirals into a battle for survival, identity, and unexpected desire. Riley is a strong, resilient FMC who refuses to be broken. I loved how she holds her ground against the overwhelming forces around her, even as her world turns upside down. She’s a little vulnerable yet defiant, with a backbone that made me root for her fiercely. ♥️

Enter the Kings of Pointebreak….Julien Azarian, Zander Fedorov, and Wesley Bastian. These three aren’t your typical brooding love interests, oh no, they’re intense, morally gray tormentors who thrive on control!

Their dynamic with Riley crackles with tension, hate, lust, and those delicious push/pull moments that define bully romance. The chemistry is electric, the spice is plentiful, and the “why choose” elements are handled with heat and the emotional moments are 🤌🏻.
Watching Riley navigate (and gradually flip) their power games was one of the highlights in this book, and I might have cheered 😝.

For me, what made this more than a standard dark academy fare is the atmosphere. Pointebreak isn’t just a backdrop, it pulses with hidden agendas, betrayals, and a sense of constant danger.

The plot balances steamy encounters with mystery and suspense, keeping the pages turning. Tragic pasts for the characters add depth without slowing the pace.

If you enjoy dark romance with bully vibes, reverse harem dynamics, touch her and die energy, and a school full of secrets, this one delivers.

It’s addictive, intense, and left me eager for the next book in the series (Darkened Desires).

Not for the faint of heart, expect darkness, obsession, and plenty of steam.

It’s a solid, page turning start to the Kings of Pointebreak world.

Highly recommend for fans of dark why choose romance.

🦋

4.5 ⭐

[Sarah Coggins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Darkened Truths is book#1 of the Kings of Pointebreak series and being my first read by Cara Wade I really wasn’t sure what to expect, but I can definitely say it was a read that had me intrigued from the very start.

Riley's plans to attend Dartmouth are crushed when her politician father announces he has enrolled her into Pointebreak Academy and it's not up for discussion. Pointebreak is a school with a reputation that is shrouded in danger and secrets, but with no idea why her father is forcing her to attend Riley makes it her mission to find out. Although when she arrives she doesn’t expect to catch the eyes of the kings of pointebreak, Julien, Zander and Wesley who seem to have their own secrets and a plan to manipulate and control, which she soon realises she is very much the centre of.

Riley is completely out of her depth, pointebreak is full of mystery and so are the students that attend. She doesn’t get the warmest of welcomes, especially when it comes to the kings and she finds herself stuck in their brutal mind games, but I loved how she was so determined to not let them break her regardless of what they threw at her.
Zander, Julien and Wesley set out to make Riley’s life miserable from the very start, each doing whatever they can to try and push her to her limits. But the chemistry between them and Riley definitely can’t be denied and even though they know they shouldn’t they can’t help but want her, just as much as she wants them.

The plan the 3 guys have for Riley is one that stems from revenge, although it continues to be a mystery to us all throughout this story and it definitely left me wanting more, especially after that very unexpected cliffhanger!

This book started off on the slow side but as soon as the story started to unfold and the tension between the characters grew, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

[Michaela Zeno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to The Author Agency for an ARC of this book. This was my first introduction to the author and it did not disappoint!! I found myself flying through this book and y’all it ends on a cliffhanger. I repeat it ends on the cliffhanger!! The cliffhanger is actually insane, so I’m gonna need the second book like ASAP because I genuinely can’t believe that happened. Riley is our female main character and she’s also the governor‘s daughter. She’s been wanting to go to Dartmouth forever, but her dad springs this on her that she’s now going go to Pointebreak. The school also has a bit of a bad reputation. Riley is believes she’s isn’t going to fit in and questioning why her dad is doing this. Her dad is keeping the secret and she has no idea why she’s now going to this school instead of what was originally planned. She informed her friend and they have the idea of potentially doing a story on the school and what really goes on behind those closed gates. Our three male main characters are Zander, Wesley and Julien. They also have this secret going on where apparently Riley is a part of some plan they have but we don’t have all of that information. Also Julien needs some more character development in book two for me because I was a little bit upset with him in this book. Wesley is probably my favorite and then Zander would follow after. At the start they definitely treat Riley pretty bad and they don’t have a great relationship but as time goes on, she starts to bond with the boys individually. Obviously not Julien because the enemies lovers with that is strong, but I’m enjoying how things are going so far with all the characters and the relationships. Going back to that cliffhanger. I really need the second book!!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riley had always planned to go to Dartmouth, so when her father announced in a press conference at the last minute that she was enrolled at Pointebreak she is devastated. As far as she knows, only criminals go there, and she knows her life will never be the same if she’s forced to attend. On her first day, she is immediately singled out by the Kings of Pointebreak, 3 men who rule the campus with an iron fist, and they’ve made her both a target and pariah within the first 24 hours. As much as she’s determined to avoid them, she can’t go anywhere without at least one of them showing up, and while the de facto leader still visibly hates her, the other two get a lot closer.

Julien, Wesley and Zander have a plan and Riley is at the centre of it. While Julien is willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants, Wesley quickly falls for Riley and Zander isn’t far behind her. But while they’re trying to figure out how to keep their promise to Julien without risking losing Riley, she’s on a mission of her own.

This was my first read by the author and boy am I ever hooked! While she hasn’t been sheltered in the past, it’s clear that there is more happening around Riley than simply being a politician’s daughter. While she initially doubted her father’s motives for sending her to Pointebreak, the more time she spends there, the more she realizes that her father has secrets of his own, she’s just hoping she doesn’t end up as collateral damage in his schemes. While she initially tried to stay away from the Kings, the attraction is unavoidable, and she’s quickly swept up in their orbit. With a cliffhanger ending that leaves you on the edge of your seat, you’re going to want to get your hands on this one!

[mkm_bookloverarchivistreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

CARA Wade focuses on complex issues and 4 persons points of you. Riley is the FMC while them MMCs are Julian Zander and Wesley. They romance focuses heavily on the trope of why choose as the points of you would indicate. Cara Wade tells a brilliant and complex romance story. As a first time reader of Cara Wades work I didn’t know what to expect. This was a 4.75 star read that’s been round up to five stars. The plot intriguing and the character driven narrative is exceptional. I had a difficult time putting this book down. Read it start to finish in less than 24 hours. While a trigger warning might exist for some readers because of bully in a school environment for the sake of this plot and story Riley’s relationship with Julian, Wesley and Zander wouldn’t have developed the way it did with you that element to the plot. But because some readers are triggered check out trigger warnings first. Tropes that would be of interest to readers are why choose also know as reverse harem in some cases, she’s mine, college bully romance, wooded chase, don’t let me catch you. Then there the focus of the three MMcs starting with Julian he has a secret past, he enemies from the start and a**hole from the start of the book. Next is Wesley, who falls first for Riley, he’s both possessive and protect and he has golden retriever energy. Last is Zander who watches everything, has a punishment kink and feels underserving of love. To find out how these tropes fix the scope of the story you must read Darken truths by Cara wade. As I’m new to reverse harem I highly recommend Cara Wade’s newest release Darken truths. This plot and story makes me intrigued and interested in checking out more of Cara wades novels.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darkened Truths By Cara Wade ARC Review 5 Stars!

Riley, was a beautiful female main character she didn’t have a wonderful childhood with a neglectful father I liked how she had fight in her attitude and owned it! Her character grew on me throughout the story I learned how she got to where she is now and how she did it without nobody till the guys showed up.

Julian, was a phenomenal male main character because he tried to break Riley but he really enjoyed her spirit and tried his hardest to break her even though he was falling for her through and through till the end that cliffhanger kept my heart racing wondering what was going to happen next. I can’t wait for the next in the trilogy.

Zander, was a sweet talker and cared for Riley and I loved his spicy scenes with her and that he knew how to talk her through it. This book had everything it needs the chemistry and the spice all added in a way I can’t comprehend but I was a dark read with everything you need within the story.

Wesley, tried his hardest to be the son he was raised to be by his parents but broke them and enjoyed it while doing I liked how he went out of his family ways for Riley, and his friends the relationship was put together nicely but it was really great trying the break the chains from his family’s expectations.

[Joanna Marzetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkened Truths was my first book by Cara Wade, and after finishing it, I immediately understood the hype. In fact, it was the reason I dove headfirst into this series and knew I needed more.

I originally picked this up after being approved for the ARC of book two, and it completely solidified my love for this world. The combination of secrets, suspense, bullying, and dark college romance had me hooked from the very beginning.

Riley is one of those FMCs you can’t help but root for. No matter what gets thrown at her, you find yourself completely invested in her journey and desperate to uncover the truth right alongside her.

And then there are the Kings.

Wesley, Zander, and Julien completely stole the show for me. Each of them brought something different to the story, and together they created the perfect blend of tension, mystery, and obsession that kept me turning pages long into the night.

I loved the atmosphere, the twists, the secrets, and the constant feeling that there was something bigger lurking beneath the surface. Every answer seemed to lead to more questions, and I couldn’t get enough.

And that cliffhanger? Absolutely brutal.

Thankfully, I already had book two waiting because there was no way I was walking away from that ending without immediately needing answers.

Read this if you love:
* Why choose romance
* Bully romance
* Dark college settings
* Suspense and secrets
* Possessive MMCs
* FMCs you can’t help but root for
* Cliffhangers that leave you stunned

I’m officially obsessed with this series and cannot wait to continue devouring every book Cara Wade writes. 🖤📚

[KayBeReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the book opens up and it’s already some shady mess. Riley’s dad just blindsided her by saying she going to some new college. She is pissed and not happy. Pointebreak is college for select demographic. Riley arrives at the college and catches the eyes of the Kings: Julien, Wesley and Zander. Well she didn’t really catch them she already had it. Julien has plans for her and Wesley and Zander are there to help. Riley has some spunk and she definitely stands up for herself. All three of these men are captivated by her( some more willing to admit it than others). I absolutely adore Wesley he’s like teddy bear but don’t get it twisted he will get you. Zander is all broody and I like it. Julien is an ahole. We laid some groundwork, we’re getting background, feelings are getting involved, panties are dropping all the things. These men have Riley’s panties on waterfall and I don’t blame her. The spice in this one was delicious. I needed more. I’m excited to see her relationship with each guy evolve. They all have nicknames for each other and they are down right adorable. There are secrets all over this book and I need to know them right now. This is my first book by Cara and I like it, the writing and the story is very engaging. I know this only the tip of the iceberg so we will be reading the next one. Because what was that cliffhanger? And when these men find out I can’t wait to see what happens!

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this! I’m obsessed with the academy setting. FMC was sent away to this school then slammed up against multiple guys. You get a bully romance wrapped into dark academia. I love a why choose/ reverse harem aspect. The MMC’s are built up so well and you can’t help to chase their every word. The FMC is a spit fire and the back and forth is so good you can’t stop yourself from moving to the next page! That cliffhanger!! Secrets, lies and a plot that keeps giving! -Kerin





5-stars

Holy cow this book was exciting and thrilling from the first chapter. I love a dark bully mafia romance and as in the RH/why choose trope and it’s a chefs kiss to dark romances IMO. I loved the storyline it was original, page-turning and filled with drama, mystery, suspense, angst and spice, but my fable was the bullying in this book. It wasn’t a good over and they were in love it was a true intense hate(between Julian and Riley) to kinda don’t dislike him right back to disposing him. Freaking amazing!!! Zander and Wesley were dark and delicious in their own ways and it added the right kind of spice to the situationship. I can not wait to dive into Darkened Desires!!! This book is a dark romance and touches on sensitive topics. Make sure to check the CW before starting this book.

Riley is a firecracker!!! She’s got a backbone, is witty and very independent. My heart went out to her for what she was having to do and experience, but man she was a fighter and didn’t let it get her down. Wesley is the golden boy with a wild streak a mile wide. Zander is the quiet protector with a secret, and Julian is a total alpha-hole. He’s the leader and has just as many secrets. I love the mystery and suspense!!! They have an intense chemistry that scorched the pages with the spice and banter. -by Brooke

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riley—which made me want to keep reading. Every little piece of info felt like a clue I had to hold onto. I was literally flipping back pages trying to figure things out. It’s messy, dark, and twisted, but in a way that makes you need answers.

Julien is the classic alphahole. Possessive, intense, full of secrets, and you just know he’s running the show, even if no one says it.
Zander is the quiet, techy one who somehow makes silence feel dangerous.
Wesley is the golden retriever—flirty, hot, sunshiney, and absolutely the one I fell for first.

They all clearly have some kind of plan, and Riley is stuck in the middle of it. She’s being played, protected, threatened, wanted… all at once. And she still manages to keep her sass, which I loved. She doesn’t roll over or take their crap, even when she’s being pulled in a thousand directions.

The chemistry is insane. Like, off-the-charts hot. And I’m SO glad this is why-choose, because choosing one would’ve been impossible. The punish-me-but-love-me energy is very real here. Also, the “don’t let me catch you” scenes?

it ENDS. Cliffhanger

Dark, twisty, spicy, and full of secrets but totally addictive

[Kilee Goode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darkened Truths is everything I crave in a dark academia romance—intense, addictive, and dripping with secrets. From the moment the main character is dragged into the shadows of Pointebreak, I was hooked. Cara Wade builds a world where power is currency and survival depends on how far you’re willing to go to protect your truth.

Julien, Zander, and Wesley are the kind of enemies you hate to love—infuriating, magnetic, and absolutely impossible to ignore. The tension is off the charts, the mind games are brutal, and the chemistry is explosive. But what really stole the show was the heroine. She’s fierce, smart, and refuses to be broken, even when everything is stacked against her.

This book is a perfect storm of lust, betrayal, and twisted alliances. If you love morally gray characters, power plays, and stories where the line between love and hate disappears, Darkened Truths will consume you. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and that cliffhanger is agonizingly good that will leave you with questions and panting for the next book.

[gemma.louise.xx.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riley is set on going to Dartmouth but when her dad tells her she’s going to Pointebreak instead she’s confused, upset and angry. The school is shrouded in mystery and Riley quickly realises she needs to trade in secrets and learn to play the game to survive the next four years. It doesn’t help that the Kings of the school, Julien, Wesley and Zander, have her in the sights. They plan on bending, breaking and controlling her but she won’t submit that easily.

I adore a good college bully romance and this hasn’t disappointed! Add that’s it’s a Why Choose/RH and I’m in love!! It was actually a short read but it’s clearly setting things up for book two because the way this ended?! I’m gunna need that asap!! I’m trying to decide who my favourite guy is so far (I always have a favourite) and I think it might be Zander. He has that mysterious, deep, dominant vibe going on. But everything could change come the next book. Honestly loved every second of this but I have soooo many questions I need answers to!!

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blink...blink...blink

If you don't like endings that slap you in the face and you're like there must be more....yeah make sure the rest of the books are out before you start this one. That ending just left me blinking and wondering wtf just happened and how can it possibly end right there 

Riley is a strong woman. She thought she knew what he future would hold but then her father told her she would not be attending Dartmouth as she had planned. Nope she was headed to Pointebreak and it was not up for discussion. 

Riley had no clue what she was getting thrown into. Welcome to the school the mafia kids are attending. Where you learn self defense as well as your other classes.

When she becomes the focus of the Kings her life will never be dull. I love these guys. They all want her but they shouldn't. Doesn't stop them though. They all are becoming obsessed with her. Be it watching, helping, or actually acting they are all in her orbit. 

This book is spicy and filled with danger. But the ending left me wondering what could possibly be next. 

[Novellaworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

They tried to break her… but Pointebreak was never ready for Riley.” 🔥📚

Darkened Truths by Cara Wade completely pulled me into the chaos of Pointebreak. Between the secrets, tension, betrayals, and messy emotions, I honestly couldn’t stop turning the pages.

Riley was such an easy FMC to root for. She’s been through so much, but her strength and attitude never let her fully break, even when Julien, Zander, and Wesley kept pushing her limits. Each of the guys brought something different to the story, and the multiple POVs made the tension and emotions feel even more intense.

Cara Wade’s writing really shines in the emotional moments and the dark, addictive atmosphere surrounding Pointebreak. The chemistry, drama, and constant twists kept me hooked, and just when I thought I had things figured out… that cliffhanger hit. 😭

If you love dark romance with morally grey characters, secrets, emotional tension, and a heroine who refuses to give up, this one is definitely worth picking up. Just be prepared to immediately need book two. 📚🔥

[Nini · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

I really wasn't expecting thisss!!!! a crime school???? mind blowinggg
I need to know more asappp!!!

quotes:
••
“𝕿𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖘𝖍𝖎𝖗𝖙 𝖔𝖋𝖋, 𝕽𝖎𝖑𝖊𝖞,”
“𝕾𝖙𝖗𝖎𝖕. 𝕴 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖓𝖆 𝖜𝖆𝖙𝖈𝖍 𝖞𝖔𝖚.”
“𝕴’𝖒 𝖆𝖇𝖔𝖚𝖙 𝖙𝖔 𝖗𝖎𝖕 𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖘𝖊 𝖋𝖚𝖈𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖏𝖊𝖆𝖓𝖘 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖑𝖊𝖌𝖘. 𝕾𝖔 𝕴 𝖘𝖚𝖌𝖌𝖊𝖘𝖙 𝖎𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖙 𝖙𝖔 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖘𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖌𝖔 𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖊 𝖎𝖓 𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖗𝖔𝖜, 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖎𝖕 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖒𝖊.”
“𝕬𝖑𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖚𝖌𝖍 𝖘𝖊𝖊𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖆𝖉𝖊 𝖆𝖗𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖉 𝖎𝖓 𝖒𝖞 𝖇𝖔𝖝𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝖜𝖔𝖚𝖑𝖉 𝖇𝖊 𝖆 𝖌𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖙 𝖜𝖆𝖞 𝖙𝖔 𝖒𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖘𝖚𝖗𝖊 𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖞𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖐𝖓𝖔𝖜𝖘 𝖜𝖍𝖔 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖇𝖊𝖑𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔. 𝕯𝖔 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖚𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖓𝖉?”
“𝕴 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖓𝖆 𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖗 𝖞𝖔𝖚, 𝕳𝖊𝖑𝖑𝖈𝖆𝖙. 𝕸𝖔𝖆𝖓 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖒𝖊, 𝖉𝖔𝖓’𝖙 𝖍𝖔𝖑𝖉 𝖇𝖆𝖈𝖐.”
••
“𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓪 𝓯𝓾𝓬𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓬𝓸𝓬𝓴 𝓽𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓮, 𝓡𝓲𝓵𝓮𝔂.”
“𝓢𝓱𝓱𝓱𝓱. 𝓓𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓽𝓪𝓵𝓴. 𝓓𝓸 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓮𝓷𝓳𝓸𝔂 𝓽𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓭𝓸? 𝓕𝓾𝓬𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓦𝓮𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂 𝓪𝓰𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓽 𝓶𝔂 𝓫𝓮𝓭𝓻𝓸𝓸𝓶 𝓭𝓸𝓸𝓻, 𝓸𝓻 𝓭𝓻𝔂 𝓱𝓾𝓶𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓱𝓲𝓶 𝓸𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓽𝓼? 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝓘’𝓶 𝔀𝓪𝓽𝓬𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰, 𝔀𝓱𝓲𝓬𝓱 𝓶𝓮𝓪𝓷𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓹𝓾𝓽 𝓸𝓷 𝓪 𝓯𝓾𝓬𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝔀. 𝓘𝓼 𝓲𝓽 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓸𝓻 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓶𝓮? 𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓪𝓫𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓷𝓲𝓬𝓴𝓷𝓪𝓶𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓰𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓶𝓮?”
••


tropes:
☆🍁dark romance
☆🍁why choose
☆🍁enemies to lovers
☆🍁academy setting
☆🍁bully
☆🍁playboy
☆🍁asshole mmc
☆🍁sassy fmc
☆🍁punishment kink 🤭

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkend Truths by Cara Wade is one of the most chaotic, addictive rides I’ve been on lately- and I loved every messy, morally grey second of it.

It has the secrecy and drama of a bully romance, the sharp aesthetic of dark academia (which I’m always a sucker for), and three MMCs that bring a why-choose romance to a constant slow boil. The multiple POVs are done really well and let you dig into the tension and secrets brewing between everyone.

Now, the spice? It’s high- like, definitely outpacing the plot- but for me, that’s part of the fun. It is the plot in many ways. If you’re looking for a romance with more balanced pacing or heavier worldbuilding, this might not be the one. But if you're in it for chaos, lust, and tension-soaked secrets, this delivers.

It ends in a cliffhanger (don’t say I didn’t warn you), and while not all the mysteries are unwrapped yet, I’m fully hooked and already eyeing book two.

⛔Trigger warnings definitely apply, so check before diving in!

[OooLaLa Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

College, Crime, and Chaos—My Kind of Fun

Okay besties, gather ‘round because I just finished "Darkened Truths" by Cara Wade and I am SHOOK. We’re talking organized crime college vibes, multiple POVs (yes please), and one badass FMC named Riley who’s juggling danger, desire, and seriously chaotic men.

Julien? The ANIMOSITY. Whew. You could cut that tension with a dagger.
Zander? S€xual tension so thick, I needed a fan.
But Wesley? OMG. That man? I need my own. The build-up between him and Riley had me on edge, and when it finally happened? WORTH. IT.

Cara Wade knows how to tease a girl—with her words, obviously. The banter is hilarious, the grit is real, and then… WHAM! Just as the plot gets hot, we go flying off a cliffhanger like a scene from Fast & Furious. RUDE!

Such a fun, twisted ride. Now I need Book 2 like yesterday.
As always, check those trigger warnings, babes!

My Ratings:
⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 3.5/5

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need the next book right now after that ending! From the very first page, I was completely pulled into Riley’s story, and I stayed invested in every single moment. The emotional beats, the tension, and the way the story unfolded kept me hooked straight through.

Why choose books are some of my absolute favorites, and this one reminded me exactly why. The MMCs were complicated in the best way—layered, messy, and magnetic—and watching their dynamic with Riley play out was addictive. The chemistry and tension were so well written that I didn’t want to put the book down.

And then came the cliffhanger. I’m still reeling. It was the kind of ending that leaves you staring at the last page in shock, desperately needing more. I definitely needed a moment to process after finishing, and now I’m counting down until the next book releases.

If you’re a fan of why choose romances with complex characters, high stakes, and a cliffhanger that will have you on edge, this one is a must-read.

[Becky Kapjon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the first of this series, we are introduced to Riley Whittier,who like nothing more than attend Dartmouth in the fall. To her shock during father’s press conference she is told she will be attending the mysterious Pointebreak Academy. She has no idea the background of the students who are going to be her companions.

We are introduced to rulers of school, The Kings, Julian, Zander and Wesley. They have a plan for Riley. Throughout the book we see Riley fall for each of The Kings in a different way. The plan the boys have for Riley is still mysterious and the reader doesn’t know what they have in store for her.

I liked the twists and turns throughout the story. I also liked the fact that she has a different type of relationship with each one of the Kings. I’m hoping the next book is soon, so I can find out what happens next.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has that gripping, dark energy that pulls you in from the start. Nothing feels safe or simple everything’s layered with tension, control, and power dynamics that constantly shift. The relationships are intense in a way that’s hard to explain but easy to get addicted to. There’s this constant back and forth between resisting and giving in, and you’re never quite sure who has the upper hand.

It plays with themes like control, survival, and emotional walls, but underneath all the chaos, there’s something deeply emotional that sneaks up on you. The whole story feels like a slow unraveling of secrets, of people, of intentions and it keeps you guessing the whole way through.

It’s messy, it’s hot, it’s heavy, and it’s definitely the kind of book that leaves you needing a moment after you finish.

[Chlo - TartanMidnightReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Great. And now I need new panties."

This quote sums the book up perfectly!!
Wesley, Zander & Julian, I love you all.
Especially you, Zander!!

This book is amazing. It's written well. It flows well. You can feel the emotions of Riley through the pages. The angst, the tension, the rage. This is only book one of the series & the world building is already incredible!!
As much as Wes is such a gentleman, I am so so excited to see more of Zander.
This definitely has dark themes & is a bully romance, but I'm in love and screaming for book two.
Riley is sticking up for herself & I love an FMC who doesn't back down!! She gets those boys told whenever she has to!!
I need to know what the secret is, what the grudge is that Julian holds!!

"She needs to hear my darkened truths, even if it drives her away from me."

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Wade gave me so many feels! My gosh!

When I started…I didn't want to put it down and I could have spent many more hours with this foursome!

INTENSE!
Emotional!
STEAMY! STEAMY!

I was so proud of Riley! Standing up for herself.
BUT, the consequences...PHEW!

I'm guessing what happened to put Julien in this frame of mind, but, we'll see if I'm right! (See how I did that...no spoilers!)

Love how Wesley is getting Riley up to speed.

And Zander, protective of those he loves.
Will Riley be under that umbrella?

Dare I say romance is here too?

Ms. Wade is a new to me author!
I WILL be st@lking her Now!

A Must Read!
Kings of Pointebreak...deliciously demanding!

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series, and this is Riley’s journey.
Riley always had a dream of attending Dartmouth, but her powerful father puts her into a shadowy elite school instead. Julien, Zander, and Wesley are the self-appointed kings of Pointebreak, who become Riley’s personal tormentors, who are out to control and ruin her.
This is a well written action packed story, with family dynamics, friendships, emotions, tension, secrets, betrayal, mystery, danger, intrigue, bullying, why choose, reverse harem, survival, obsession, humour, witty banter, and undeniable chemistry, which leads to an entertaining, and unpredictable, dark romance, which is not for the faint-at-heart.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.