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Taunting Tarran: A darker dark romance

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'If his hands were to be the end of me, then I’d gladly meet my fate with a smile.'

Out in the forest exists a place so vile that only the world's most depraved are aware of its existence.

The Butcherbird

I escaped a place no one should ever go - a living nightmare that marked me forever. But even now, in freedom, the darkness follows me. Its grip keeping me in a chokehold, unless I'm punished.

In the shadows, someone watches - a predator feeding on my fear.

A powerful man that thinks he can break me.

The Punisher

My world is painted in shades of darkness. The power I wield is intoxicating, but it's the fear in her eyes that gives me the greatest high.

I crave it, need it, like a lifeline. She won't escape me again.

This book is a horromance. Please check the content warning.

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2025

14 people are currently reading
141 people want to read

About the author

E.J. Wood

14 books140 followers
Wood is just a storyteller!
E.J. Wood is a British writer of dark romance and thrillers with imperfect, morally grey characters. Stories that kiss you sweetly before they tear you apart, luring you in with tenderness and leaving you breathless in ruins.

Her often comical experiences of life in Spain encouraged her to write her *Get Spained* memoirs.

Her GET SPAINED series has been featured in The EuroWeekly, a leading English-language newspaper in Spain, and her historical thriller series, the Landon mysteries highlighted in Sussex World in the UK, drawing attention across international media.

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5 stars
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13 (25%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Ang.
199 reviews2 followers
May 11, 2025
I absolutely love EJ Wood. Her books never cease to amaze me. Taunting Tarran is by far my favourite book by this author yet.. And I've read them all!!

Horror is my favourite genre and this has the added dark romance horror side as well. I was thrilled to receive this as an ARC. I strongly recommend anyone reads the warnings at the start if you have triggers tho as this is certainly not the faint hearted or for those who may be triggered easily. Saying that I actually went into this one blind and was totally blown away.

Well written story. Fast paced, blood, guts, violence, smut.. And a main character who you instantly love. What more could a horror fan ask for!

Easy 5* read from me, loved it.
2 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2025
Let me start by saying—this book isn’t for the faint of heart. Definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in. This story pulls no punches when it comes to emotional and psychological intensity. Mental health MATTERS!!!

Taunting Tarron hooked me from the first few pages. It’s an eerie, seductive blend of horror and romance that had me torn between wanting to look away and not being able to stop reading. E.J. Woods delivers a story that doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable—and somehow makes it beautiful. It’s dark. It’s twisted. And it makes you feel everything.

The connection between the two main characters is anything but soft. It’s raw, consuming, and often violent—emotionally and otherwise. The MMC leads the FMC into a world where danger and passion intertwine, testing her boundaries and forcing her to confront the shadows of her past. The way he “shows love” is far from traditional—gifts that chill instead of charm, and intimacy that walks the line between affection and destruction.

After years of trying to heal from childhood trauma through therapy that never quite worked, the FMC ends up drawn to a sex club—and that choice leads her down a path filled with desire, darkness, and a man unlike any other. Woods handles these moments with vivid, unflinching detail, so prepare yourself—it’s intense in every sense of the word.

What really impressed me was the pacing. The story moves quickly but never feels rushed. The steamy scenes serve the story—they’re not just thrown in. The twists kept me turning pages, and I finished it in just a few hours because I couldn’t look away.

Big thank you to Emily Wood for letting me read an early copy. If there’s ever another ARC coming, sign me up—I’ll be there.
Profile Image for Trish Cordero .
4 reviews3 followers
May 4, 2025
EJ Wood’s "Taunting Tarran" is a dark, intense, and emotionally layered romantic suspense novel that pulls readers into a storm of secrets, power struggles, and vulnerability. With a gripping plot and well-developed characters, this book explores the complexity of trust and trauma in the face of manipulation and control.

At the center of the story is Tarran—a cold, commanding figure whose presence is as magnetic as it is intimidating. The female protagonist, whose name and strength anchor the emotional arc of the novel, enters Tarran’s world with fierce independence and a past that refuses to stay buried. What begins as a clash of wills slowly transforms into a tangled dance of attraction, danger, and revelation.

Wood’s writing is sharp, evocative, and emotionally honest. She doesn’t flinch away from the darker aspects of control, mental games, and emotional wounds, but instead leans into them with a rawness that makes the story deeply compelling. Tarran himself is a fascinating antihero—both feared and desired, distant yet somehow painfully human. The chemistry between the leads crackles with intensity, and their interactions are charged with both tension and tenderness.

Though the book delves into serious themes—manipulation, autonomy, and emotional healing—it does so with careful pacing and character depth. This is not a lighthearted romance, but rather one that will appeal to readers who appreciate emotional complexity and a slow unraveling of inner conflict.

Final Verdict:
Taunting Tarran is a seductive, dark romance that challenges and captivates. EJ Wood crafts a story that’s equal parts psychological and passionate, with characters that leave a lasting mark. A must-read for fans of morally grey heroes and emotionally intense storytelling
Profile Image for Natalia (JotunQueenNatz) Richards.
27 reviews
June 1, 2025
Don’t read this book unless you want to have emotions you didn’t think you could have.

Taunting Tarran is not just a book it’s a full body experience. EJ Wood delivers a dark, emotionally intense, and unapologetically haunting romantic suspense that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go. This is a story that doesn’t whisper its presence it screams it into your bones.

At the center is Tarran, a cold, commanding antihero whose magnetic pull is equal parts danger and desire. The female protagonist, equally fierce and emotionally complex, collides with him in a clash that becomes something far more layered and brutal, beautiful unraveling of pain, power, and passion.

Emily’s writing is razor-sharp and fearless. She leans into the darkest corners of control, trauma, and emotional warfare without blinking. The result is a story that is psychologically gripping and emotionally devastating in the best way. But please check your Trigger warnings, It’s not for the faint of heart.

What sets Taunting Tarran apart is its refusal to offer easy answers or tidy resolutions. It’s messy, twisted, and horrifyingly honest. A slow burn that builds into a storm of reckoning. You’ll find yourself staying up into the early hours, devouring each chapter, aching for more even as it breaks you.

Final Verdict:
Taunting Tarran is a seductive, disturbing, and deeply addictive masterpiece. EJ Wood crafts a world where morality is murky, love is war, and survival is anything but guaranteed.
Just be warned: this book doesn’t just stay with you. It marks you and dare I say Taunt you.
1 review
April 15, 2025
Taunting Tarron - Dark and Delicious

Please be aware of slight spoilers and please read the trigger warnings! Mental health matters.

From the very beginning this dark horror romance has you wrapped around its finger being beautiful, seductive and terrifying all in one.

The author E.J. Woods blends well the macabre with a love lusting relationship between the MFC and MMC. E.J.Woods masterfully writing a story that unearths the horror while unraveling the hearts of the main characters making the reader feel every emotion with the characters.

The romance is not gentle by any stretch; the MMC makes the FMC commit dark acts as well as sending her gifts of a non normal romantic gesture. “ if his hands were to be the end of me then I’d gladly meet my fate with a smile”. The MFC is drawn to a “sex club” after years of therapy that doesn’t work for the trauma she has endured as a young person (15 yrs). The level of detail the author depicts within their writing is something to approach with caution. Please make sure you read the trigger warnings.

From start to finish I could not put this book down and I devoured it within a few hours. If you are looking for something that blends beauty with brutality this book should be on your TBR. Taunting Tarron is an easy paced well written story that has numerous twists and turns gripping the reader. Sexual content with ties nicely within the story itself and doesn’t drag on or happen for the sake of happening giving it a good balance between dark romance and the horror genre itself.
Profile Image for Donna Morfett.
Author 9 books71 followers
May 4, 2025
Im not sure I've ever read anything quite like this before. its pitched as a horrormance and I totally get why.
it follows the story of Tarran, aka butcherbird. After therapy from childhood trauma, she joins a club called the Lickerish Lounge (i loved this name, so many kinds of clever!) where things start to unravel, especially when she encounters the Conquerer.
A holiday in Spain with her friends seems like a good idea, but of course, that does not go to plan.
The story is also told from the point of view of The Punisher. He is obsessed with Tarran, but he knows how her mind works, how she ticks. He has to have her, but she has to make him chase.
Then there is the 50th anniversary of the Warfare Games. A sick battle in which rich people get their kicks in ways most people couldn't even imagine. I hope such games are purely fiction but I suspect not.
This is one of the darkest books I've read. Yet I dont think the author is gratuitous. It all works in the context of the story. It has its steamy moments, but they aren't there for no reason and they are all in context.
I couldn't stop reading, I had to know what happened and the pace is relentless.
The characters are all well rounded and the setting is perfect. Its written so well I could almost feel the oppressive silence and the snap of a breaking branch underfoot. I could smell and taste some of the other scenes too. A fantastically dark read.
25 reviews2 followers
May 24, 2025
The book kept me interested! I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen. I couldn't stop reading the book! Typically I can finish a book in about 2 days.. this one was about 24 hours.

There were twists i didnt expect. It started off immediately in action which I appreciate. It left me a little confused at first, but its explained later in the book. The characters were well developed which i thoroughly appreciated.

My favorite type of books are dark romance and edgy. This one had a thriller aspect. Im not typically a thriller reader, but holy cow I devoured this book. It foreshadows different timelines in the book to tie everything together and really explain different emotions and reactions. The way it was written really made you feel the characters emotions and why they were reacting the way they were.

I think why I loved this book so much is because it had similar vibes to Haunting Adeline. It gave the same type of thriller, stalker romance feeling. Absolutely loved that aspect of the book!

This is my time reading a book of EJ Woods. I can't wait to read more. I did receive an arc of the book. It sounds like there will be a second book which I'm excited to read!
Profile Image for Vicsta Dolan.
169 reviews14 followers
April 10, 2025
Wow where do I start on reviewing Taunting Tarran. This is another fab book by this author, which has some unique topics. The tag line on the cover is very apt “When the hunted becomes the hunter”.

This is a story which starts 20 years ago when Tarran (the main protagonist) was 16 and then moves to present day after she’s been through years of therapy, but what impact does this have on her? The story involves The Lickerish Lounge which is a club. Who goes there? What does it involve? Who is the Conqueror and what darkness occurs in his room? Also the 50th Anniversary of the Warfare Games which was a thriller ride to read.

This story made me feel various emotions which was triggered by the fantastic descriptive writing. At points I could feel Tarran’s anxiety and sadness. I also felt the main characters had many dimensions to them.

This book is an easy paced, intricate dark edgy story that immerses the reader in topics of pain, lies and threats. These topics are entwined alongside some sexual context which I felt had a good balance between this and the genre itself.
Profile Image for Lauren Thomas.
53 reviews2 followers
May 14, 2025
How to describe Taunting Tarran in enough words to make you understand the absolute chaos this story is but still convince you to read it…Okay, I’ll give you this—this book HAUNTED me. Tarran just..ugh! My heart! The two of them together is more than emotional rollercoaster, it’s like being in an emotional version of Final Destination and I didn’t know who was going to make it out alive. The story gripped me and I. Wanted. More.

First, let me say this is not a book for the faint of heart. No joke—heed the warnings.

Second, this is not the kind of story that wraps up in a pretty little bow—it is haunting and horrifying and crazed in a way that keeps you up at 2am devouring the next chapter, only to find you’ve reached the end.

Last, run, don’t walk, to grab this book as soon as you can. Fans of horror and romance are in for a depraved treat but the question is—can you survive the games too?
125 reviews
April 16, 2025
I don’t know if I’m twisted or I just get where this author is coming from but I see these as love stories. Dark, yes. Violent, absolutely. But still I see these as obsession that many of us think of as love.

Tarran gets kidnapped at 15 and escapes, and tells herself she’s coming back for the other girls. But she never makes it back, and under the circumstances, who WOULD return to a place like that? But she tries therapy,without much success, and finds herself drawn to a “sex club” of sorts, to punish herself for not going back.
Profile Image for Brittany.
38 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book. It had me on a roller-coaster ride from the front to the very last page. This book will have a choke hold on you till the very last page. I have said it before, but I'll say it again. Emily Wood has a talent for writing and love how she puts her own style of writing in her books . This whole book had me on my toes and didn't know what was gonna happen next, which made the book even better. So, for all you new readers that are about to start this book, get ready for a ride of emotions and late night reading because this book will have you doing both.
Profile Image for Krysten.
106 reviews
April 25, 2025
Tarran is the fmc and she gets kidnapped as a teenager and escapes with the help of a boy but is wracked by guilt for not saving the others. Years later she find interesting ways to deal with her guilt (sex club) and unknowingly comes across the boy that saved her, only he’s all grown and owns that club and is head of his family. He begins to taunt her, knowing who she is. It’s dark and violent with some spicy scenes. This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I will definitely be looking at the rest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
June 10, 2025
I had the privilege of reading this book, and let me tell you, it was good. the author did a great job at providing suspense but also mystery. I had a hard time putting this book down. The writing was great the chapters weren't too long I really enjoyed reading this book. It was totally worth reading 📚 and I loved every minute of reading it. I hope to get the privilege of reading more books by her in the future
21 reviews
April 20, 2025
This book was really well written and def something I recommend reading.

It starts with a traumatized fmc who tries to get her life back together but fails. As a last resort she goes to a sex club. Here enters the mmc.

The story had a plot twist I was not expecting but I loved it. Everything is very wel connected.

Profile Image for Cassie Cooley.
22 reviews2 followers
May 26, 2025
Wow, I couldn’t put this book down. It had me hooked from the very beginning. The twists and turn of events keeps you begging for more and are totally unexpected. If you are into dark romance, this is your book. It gives you everything you could ask for including cringeworthy moments. One of the best books I’ve read this year.
Profile Image for Patricia Cummings Brown.
17 reviews7 followers
June 24, 2025
Taunting Tarran is a Dark Romance novel. A very Dark Romance. You will be on an emotional rollercoaster but may never hit “joy”. You may also wonder how the beginning chapters are connected. Trust me, they are connected. Just keep reading. Oh, you think you know the ending. Well, no you don’t!

5 Stars. Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
8 reviews
April 18, 2025
Received this book as an ARC. I throughly enjoyed the story and the pacing of the book. There wasn’t a lot of smutty scenes in the book but the scenes that were in there are *chef kisses*. Definitely read the trigger warnings if you have triggers
Profile Image for Sandra Doyle.
6 reviews
April 24, 2025
Ej wood what can I say this book broke my soul and then put it back together again the hunt in the forest and the way it was written was so well thought out out you have a very crazy brain that has imagined one of the most clever stories I have read for a long time the red lights were so clever
19 reviews
April 24, 2025
I absolutely love this author. I have read two of her books currently. Taunting Tarran is by far my favorite. I never would have guessed who it was. Love is an amazing thing. I would recommend this book to all who likes a darker read. Great job!
Profile Image for Rebecca Cherrington.
13 reviews1 follower
May 29, 2025
Loved this book! I really enjoyed the darkness and tension throughout, it had me in its grips from the start, it does get very dark so read the trigger warnings but I loved this book! I enjoyed the morally grey complexity of the MMC and how Tarran breaks him down!
Profile Image for Lisa Kane.
25 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2025
Thrilling

The thrill of the chase. It seems our MMC is always chasing the FMC. Yet she evades him. I loved seeing what she got herself into and how she got herself out. You’ll enjoy this one!
12 reviews
May 6, 2025
What can go wrong on a girl's weekend in Spain? How about getting kidnapped and forced to participate in a little fun and games.
Profile Image for Amethyst Maxey.
451 reviews11 followers
May 30, 2025
Thank you for the ARC. This was my first book by this author but won’t be my last. This dark romance was a quick read. It gave off Hunger Game, Squid Games and the movie Taken vibes. All of which I enjoyed. I loved the connection between Tarran and Mr. Lewis. I felt for Tarran and rooted for her.
Profile Image for Bookgirl Book Blogger.
46 reviews5 followers
April 13, 2025
Absolutely loved this book. Received as an arc!!
Where to start?

“If his hands were to be the end of me, then I'd gladly meet my fate with a smile."

🖤 I've never felt so many emotions. I feel like I shouldn't love this story, but I do 🖤
and the ending, I know, cliche, but I didn't see that coming.

I highly recommend reading the trigger warnings as there are very descriptive scenes of torture and gore - which I love, but may be triggering to others. There are a few, and in my opinion necessary, and yes I did find myself goading the characters to commit such acts. I wanted these people to die!

On the whole, I devoured this book, and I can easily say it is my favorite from this author so far.
From the first page we're thrown into acts of torture and dubious acts performed with bodies...and although it's not full on smut, it kept me hooked.
It's not a short book, nor too lengthy. I found it just right.
I loved the plot and the setting, very original, I've never read a book set where this takes place, and I can say I don't particularly want to go there now HA.

The sex scenes are 🔥 and don't repeat, so that's refreshing, and I loved the dynamic between the characters.

All I can say is, give it a go. I found it DIFFERENT and I thoroughly ENJOYED it.
Profile Image for Persephone  Roze.
161 reviews
May 27, 2025
What a ride this book was! PLEASE read and heed the warnings for this one. They are not just for show! This was a very dark journey with a black hole of trauma. The rollercoaster of emotional and mental health struggles that this book deals with is like a livewire of crazy. The hauntingly beautiful struggles of the fmc were heartbreaking to witness and what she survived was devestating. There are not pretty tied bows in real life and this book was brutally true to that. You won't find sunshine or a happy ending here but some powerful truths exist inside. My heart also broke for our mmc and I was so saddened by the ending. I will say that I longed for more depth and character development for our characters so I could be that much closer to them, but we only really scratched their surfaces. What a haunting taunting of Tarran.
Profile Image for Avid reader.
22 reviews
May 19, 2025
Incredible and very dark
I devoured this story between Tarran our FMC and Mr Lewis our MMC. Such an original storyline and very cleverly written. Love the Games. On the whole one of the best books I've read. It's not for the faint hearted, it's dark and depraved, and damn right wicked. The attention to detail is chef's kiss, and it both scared me and excited me all in different ways.
So, what's it about? Well...
Tarran has a traumatic past (won't say due to spoilers) and she has tried various ways of dealing with it. When she finds the only solution, that's when she meets our MMC. From then on, we're thrown into a story of lust and obsession, however her past catches up with her and not all meets the eye.
Great twists - I hope there's more.
723 reviews7 followers
June 26, 2025
This is a new to me author but I am glad that I found her!

I am not a huge horror fan but this book with the dark romance had me captivated and reading faster than I thought possible!

Be sure to read the warnings at the beginning as this book has triggers that some may want to avoid.

Tarran finds herself kidnapped at the age of 15 but does escape. In the midst of escaping, she vowed to return for the other girls. Fast forward to now, she doesn’t make it back. Years of therapy and she still can’t get past the trauma that she endured. Determined to punish herself for leaving the others behind, she finds a sex club, thinking since she can’t go back there, she can get her punishment here.
42 reviews2 followers
June 2, 2025
When the hunter becomes the hunted....what a tag line and watch out! What a ride!
How much can one person go through? Having a traumatic past, and 15 tears passing, the last thing Tarran wanted was to be brought back in but sometimes you cannot escape!
This is a fast paced horror romance full of twists and betrayal that keeps you reading. I loved the raw emotions of the intense relationship between the FMC and MMC.
I finished this in 2 sittings and was left wanting more! I cannot wait for the next installment!
Profile Image for Susan.
15 reviews2 followers
September 1, 2025
Fantastic. Just when you think you know what's going to happen BOOM plot twist. Not for the squeamish, Taunting Tarran hits all the dark notes. There's gore and plenty of it. Suited to readers of dark romance and those that love horror. Definitely feeling the WRONG TURN vibes here. If you loved dark romances like Haunting Adeline but without the gr@pe, or the ruinous love trilogy, this might be up your street.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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