Scrum: A Dark Romance MFF Novella

The Hawks #1

by Ava Tenney

Izzy Johnson’s life has never been easy, and she’s always relied on herself to survive.

After receiving an acceptance letter into a top culinary school in Paris, she’s ready to take the leap to make a new future her reality.

That is until Izzy meets married couple Millie and Jon. She’s drawn to them but determined nothing will get in the way of her fresh start, not even her heart.

Fate has a different plan.

When she unexpectedly runs into them again, she must decide if she’s willing to take a chance on the growing feelings brewing between them.

Will Izzy finally have the life she hoped for, or will her past catch up with her and drag her back into the dark world she left?

Scrum is a dark interracial MFF romance novella intended for audiences 18+. Please check the content warnings.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

not at all what I expected 😅 but I'm curious where the series will go from here?

[hea booktubes · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an honor to be the first review. This is a romantic suspense, not a dark romance, all of the dark content is not with the love interests. This throuple is lovely, a sex worker is moving to Paris to train as a chef, and that’s where our married couple is based, a women’s rugby player (love) and a security expert. I liked the way sex work was handled without stigmatizing it. I absolutely love that we had two Black women in this throuple, and the care and attention to detail on caring for their hair was lovely. I do have a critique that the way the wife being bisexual was mentioned kind of felt like she was saying she needed to be with a woman as well as her husband because she was bisexual? Which isn’t how that works, because of course we bisexuals can be happy with one partner regardless of gender. Maybe that’s not what the author meant, but that is how I read it. But the polyamory is in addition to bisexuality, not because of it. This was so easy to fly through even though I’ve been in a reading slump. The sex was also filthy, which was great. Looking forward to more releases from this author.

[IV · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I liked this! Cute and spicy polyam MFF romance and the suspense/action was cool too. I also liked the SW representation without stigma.

Just two things: 1) This read more like romantic suspense than dark romance. Not that I mind — just an observation. 2) I would have loved for this to be a bit longer and spend more time on the throuple getting to know and falling for each other. This would also have allowed for more build-up toward the plot twist, which I also would have liked more.

Overall it was a good read though! Would recommend.

[HH Knotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A steamy quick read with plenty of fun moments to balance out the dark romance elements. Izzy is trying to get out of sex work and embrace a new life, but an old client just can't let go and her budding new life as a chef and in a throuple is threatened. Based on the ending, I hope I get to see all three in other works but especially Jon. The man is diabolical and I want more.

[Jamie Hicks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was enjoying the book until the kidnapping scene; it felt unexpected and didn’t gel with the plot. I wish Jon secret job was explored further so it would’ve made more sense with the plot transition. Sadly I wouldn’t recommend it.

[cheyanne jae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, short, spicy read. I was definitely blushing throughout most of the book. There was since intensity closer to the end I'd the book that I wasn't expecting and I like how it added to the story. This book felt very inclusive in many different ways. Very cute ending.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whewwwww!!!! This was my first read by Ava and it definitely won’t be my last. Her writing is spectacular and makes you feel like you are in the room with the characters. The love between these three is so sweet. And the way they are so accepting of Izzy warms my heart. 🖤 💜

[Sheba Hector]

Umm okay

[bri gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 maybe? Very interesting read lol. Looked at the second in the series. I don’t see the connection?

[Deirdre Megan Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 4.5. I love this story. Wish it was longer but excited for book 2. A must read for dark romance lovers and anyone looking for Poly book Recs.

[Jazelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline seemed a bit far-fetched but it was a cute quick read.