Sinful Little Lies

Blackwood University #2

by S.J. Ryder

VERENA
Day in and day out I deal with the same shit. The same grief, the same prison, the infinite cycle reminding me that I have no one to lean on. But in my darkest days, I begin to see him for who he truly is and wonder why it’s taken me so long to see what’s been right in front of me all this time. My newfound strength created a monster so insatiable and fierce, there’s no going back. The world is mine for the taking, and so is he.
GRIMM
My little monster has been my driving force since the moment I laid eyes on her. There’s not a single act of violence I wouldn’t commit for her, it’s how I show my love. Not only do I push her to save herself from her darkest evils, but I will protect her against every curveball life throws our way. Anyone who dares to take us down will live to regret it, but only if we let them.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2025

About the author

SJ Ryder is a dark romance author from New Jersey. She has written through many periods of her life but since finding dark romance, it has been the number one thing that helped lead her onto her current path. SJ loves writing morally grey characters but also wants to use her writing platform to show all different scenarios, relationships, and backgrounds. Her stories may have you questioning your morals (in a good way...of course).

Reviews

[destiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

“To the jokers, smokers, and midnight tokers who want an intimidating goofball to shower them with love and affection, May I present to you, Grimm Griswold.”

everything about grimm and verena is what i manifest 🕯️ MAY THIS TYPE OF LOVE TACKLE THE FUCK OUT OF ME LIKE FOOTBALL SUNDAY

oh how these two completely stole my heart !!
sj thank you for writing and sharing their story 🥹 thank you for giving me the chance to arc read this 🖤

this is a dark romance, teenage friends to lovers, a bit of second chance, college setting, “it’s always been you”, domestic abuse (not between main characters), obsession, possessive, secret society, violence, torture, cannibalism, breath play, blood necklace, grief, infertility, suicide ideation, psuedo-necrophilia, smoking that good weed while doing the horizontal tango, duo pov, and interconnected standalone ⛓️

i’m completely in love with how grimm and verena’s relationship came to be 🥹

grimm was always in love with her but he never wanted to make her feel obligated into reciprocating the same feelings towards him. he stood by and watched all these years. he saw her light go out when he sister passed out. he saw the way she changed mentally and physically. he saw her fall in love with someone who isn’t worth her time and energy. everything grimm did was for verena with the hopes that one day she would truly see him 🖤

verena was in an abusive relationship. she didn’t tell anyone and it wasn’t something she found herself leaving behind anytime soon. she felt that this is what she deserved. she thought if her sister couldn’t get her own happily ever after then why should she? verena was losing her spark and nothing seemed to matter to her anymore. not even her well being. she endured the abuse and being pushed around solely because she thought she had no where to go. but when she shows up at grimm’s house bloodied and a mess … all hell breaks loose 👀

i’ve been thinking about the characters from this book world recently so when this arc dropped into my kindle i ran so fast i broke both ankles 😩 grimm and verena are so perfect together !! it took a couple years but that love was always there 🥹 they bring out the best in each other. their chemistry and history is so electric. they are such ride or die ❤️‍🩹 grimm brings out the monster inside her and verena calms his monster. they are meant to be 🙌🏼

SMOKING WHILE FUCKING 💥💳 yeah they know what the fuck is up 🤭 every time they smoked i literally just rolled up to smoke along with them LOL 😂 i fucking love them !! i’m so excited for more of this series. it’s absolutely addicting !!

🌶️🌶️🌶️

[haunted.kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grimm “I’ve been such a good boy” Griswold, the man that you are! This book was so fkn good. It immediately jumped straight into the relationship between V and Grimm. I loved both of them so much in PLF so it was perfect to get their story.

Grimm was so unhinged, he was a loverboy for his girl Verena but would kill anyone that wasn’t her, like the way this man went around just murdering people had me screaming lmaooo. He is the definition of touch her and 💀 while also being such a goofball.

Please this man actually rang up every single dog shelter to try and find V’s dog, like if this doesn’t SCREAM the standard, idk what does 😭
My girl V, she’s up there with one of my fave FMC. I loved her resilience and courage, she’s one strong, bad ass bitch! Idk who i want more 🫦

Also smoking while banging? Goals af. Some of these spice scenes had me all the way fked up! The scene at the dinner table? Obsessed. The “are you gonna be a good boy?” HOT AF, RAW, ALL DAY, ALL NIGHT. I could keep going hehehehe

Thank you for this arc SJ, i really loved reading more in this universe i missed it so much 😭

The v important stuff:
~ touch her and 💀
~ he falls first
~ secret society
~ revenge
~ protective / possessive MMC
~ golden retriever x black cat

4.5 ⭐️

[Isis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grimm Griswold>>>

Grimm and Verena were perfect!
“Eternal Lovers”🥹

Another easy five star read by SJ, I couldn’t stop reading. The story just flowed and the grinder?? Shit came outta nowhere. You know how Brynne Weaver said she’d ruin ice cream? Well SJ has fucking RUINED lasagna 💀

I loved how they were both smokers and dog parents. I teared up with Flame & Mística but their love for each other was eveything and more. Grimm saw Verena, really saw her and worshipped her like the Goddess she is😭

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grimm and Verena were chefs kiss! I loved this book so much! They are completely unhinged and I was there for it.

Grimm and Verena both attend the same college, Blackwood University. Grimm is part of a secret society and has know Verena since they were kids. Verena is in a bad relationship and Grimm helps her get out of it. I don’t want to reveal too much but the angst and the unintended behavior is unmatched and the spice… HOLY SHIT! it was out of this world! This is one of the best dark romance college series I’ve ever read. I can’t wait for more! Grimm and Verena make the best couple in their dark world!

[Fae Massimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ - because i wish i would’ve had a Grimm in my life 🖤

[kat reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READER 📕

I've been waiting impatiently for this book since finishing Pretty little fears last year & it did not let me down. This was a MASTERPIECE. I can't explain it but Sj Ryders writing & storytelling is so therapeutic & you just fall so in love with her characters. I love how her characters don't hate each other for no reason like a lot of dark romance books these days. It was written so beautifully & I am so disgusted I read it in one sitting. I swear I tried to take my time and make it last, I'm so sad it's over.
Also the fucking banter is UNWORDLY, I was legit in the floor cackling like a witch at the dialogue in this book. ("I gotta go. Roombath. Fuck. I mean bathroom,") Grimm is the
most sweetest unhinged loverboy & I'm so obsessed with him & Verena.
SOMEONE WIPE MY MEMORY SO I CAN RE READ THIS.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR ELI STORYYYY EEEKKK.

[Kiki’s Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies and gentlemen may I introduce you to my new scary as fuck but deeply a sweetheart (jokes on you only for her), 6’6 wall of muscles Grimm Griswold aka my new obsession.

After Emmett and Blair, Grimm and Verena came like a freaking nuclear bomb and blew me apart. These two were EVERYTHING.

But let’s take it from the beginning. Grimm Griswold was the first one to fall in love and when I say fall in love I mean like literally first sight love and he was gone. What I loved from the start about Grimm was that he never pressured Verena to feel the same about him. He just stood there for her, watching her fall in love with another man, face a heartbreaking loss, losing herself mentally and psychically. My sweet boy was always taking care of her and wishing the simplest thing that one day Verena truly see him.

✨𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐖𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥’𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭.✨

✨𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐳𝐳𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬. 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭, 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩. 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐌𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐮𝐳𝐳𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞. 𝐌𝐲 𝐕.✨

✨𝐈 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲✨

✨𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧.✨

✨𝐅𝐮𝐜𝐤, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞. 𝐓𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐦. 𝐍𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝.✨

✨𝐈 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐯𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝.✨

✨𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐣𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞, 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐕. 𝐌𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.✨

Verena from the other side was a hard character to read. She was in a very abusing relationship and she was all by herself. She didn’t tell anyone and just kept punishing herself thinking that she deserves this. Seeing her losing beats of herself was so heartbreaking and then moment she had enough she came knocking a bloodied mess on mister Grimm’s door.

Together they were FIRE. Like I don’t think I was ever gonna imagine Verena being that bold but here we are. Jokes aside I think I developed a trauma for a meat grinder, maybe I should go vegan at this point to be one hundred percent sure I won’t eat Leosagna too 😂.

If I haven’t convinced you to read it yet I will say just one last thing. That Freaking man SMOKED WHILE F*cking her 🥵. I was sold before that but that scene leaves still rent free in my mind. Can’t wait for Eli’s and Jayden’s books 🤭.

S.J I love you and I am deeply grateful that I received this book in ARC copy 🖤.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️: 5
🌶️: 4


Loveddd this book! I thought the first one was my favorite but Grimm came in and took the spot. I knew reading his book that we would see just how unhinged Grimm is and I wasn’t disappointed. He is crazy for sure but I love it. The way he held onto V for so long was cute. Grimm is down badddd for her and I loved it! He whimpered for her. He whimperedddd! Definitely so much spice 😮‍💨 That man would burn the world down for her and so much more. V’s story is sad but so realistic for a lot of people. Her meeting Grimm gave her a reason to live. I needed more of them by the end of the book. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.


Favorite quotes:

“Oh little monster, the things I’d do for you.”

“Today, I’m a friend but soon, I’ll be so much more. I will be the air she breathes and as well as her reason to smile. I will bend and mold myself into whoever she needs me to be, whatever she needs me to do, as long as I can call her mine.”

“This is my hell, bxtch. I make the goddamn rules! You don’t get to speak anymore.” Oh, my lanta. I could combust right here, right now.”

“Please,” He kisses my lips softly as his hands find my waist and lift me onto the counter. “I’ve been such a good boy, haven't I?”

“When you pop a kid out of your cunt, I don’t think you expect to become one.”

“Are you going to be a good boy for me, Grimm?”

“I could never hate you, V. From the moment I laid eyes on you, you’ve belonged to me. I’m not Prince Charming, Verena. I’m not the angel that’s going to balance out your demons. I’m a monster. But I do think if you gave me a fxcking chance, I would do a damn good job of making you feel loved and secure. I live to see that smile and hear your laugh. I want to heal all of your scars and put you back together the way you so desperately need. You did nothing to deserve your pain and I will spend every day for the rest of my life proving that to you. Open your fxcking eyes and let me in.”

[Sam B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The man of the hour, Grimm. The MF I have been begging and pleading for has finally arrived and his little monster also came to play. Grimm is like the biggest baddie cinnamon roll, golden retriever type I have ever met. But only for his little monster.
I have such a deep and depraved need for anything SJ writes and yet again I was blown away. The events that took place in this book had my jaw dropping, my whole body shaking from laughing and screaming at some characters I did not like. I’m also a sucker for a fantastic torture scene and I had torture aplenty.
This book takes place kinda during the same timeline as Pretty Little Fears and honestly you could read this as a standalone and it would still make sense although I HIGHLY recommend starting with Pretty Little Fears.
Grimm has always had a deep love for Verena, he watched her change with the passing of her sister. Always a background figure in her life. One night, Verena shows up soaked to the bone, bruised and battered. Claims nothing is wrong, but Grimm knows better.
Verena has been keeping a secret, her boyfriend has been physically and mentally abusing her for years. But now, it’s really showing and taking its toll. Why should she be allowed to be happy when her sister will never have a happy ending?She has always felt a pull towards Grimm, always wondering why he was in the background of her life.
Then Grimm gets a text that changes everything.
The patience, devotion and lust between these two is definitely felt and it was the most delicious slow burn. The things Grimm would do for her know no bounds and allow V to fall back in love with herself. Giving her everything she needs.

Also…all I’m saying is…lasagna

[Abagail_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The moment I picked up Pretty Little Fears I loved Grimm, I could NOT wait for his story, his darkness, his depravity and Sinful Little Lies? Did NOT disappoint. I was absolutely hooked from page one, we are thrown into the same dark world and timeline but instead it's based on Verena's hell.

Verena.. this sweet broken girl, my heart could not take what she goes through, I was wishing I could jump into the pages and commit murder, hold her and help her. Grimm and I both were waiting oh so patiently for her to overcome and open her eyes to what she needed but also who she was blind too.

Grimm is depraved, protective but most importantly 𝔰𝔞𝔣𝔢. You thought Emmets pumpkin carving season was bad? We'll wait till Grimm plays hangman ☠️🫠.

I love how this timeline overlaps with Emmett's and Blair's it really gives more context to what the other characters were going through and doing whilst each other were busy.

I absolutely LOVEDDD this. Pretty little fears is one of the first dark romances I ever recommend to anyone and now it'll be the whole damn series. S J servedddd AGAIN, but we aren't suprised because she's a baddie 😈

Verenas revenge was bittersweet but her happy ending was even better. Grimm and Her deserve the world and I'm so happy to have be able to arc review this and dive back into this world some more. 🖤

What to expect:
☠️ Secret Society
☠️ Slow Burn
☠️ He Falls first
☠️ Golden Retriever x Black cat
☠️Touch her & d!e
☠️ Artist x Unal!ver

[Kim_sorrybookbound · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been anticipating this book since I read Pretty little fears and I was not disappointed in Grimm and Verenas story. This was everything I love in my dark romance and more.

Verena and Grimm were made for each other, their chemistry was so hot they are literally soul mates. I was rooting for Verena to get her hea because my girl deserves the world. And Grimm the way he pinned for Vee for years in secret. Always there for her no matter what just made me swoon for this man. And the mouth on Grimm 🥵😮‍💨😮‍💨 just perfection. They just really stole my heart.

Highly recommend if you love friends to lovers with a slow burn, he falls first and hard, secret society and all the spice then you should definitely read this.

💌Please check you TW's

Tropes:
🖤Slow burn
🖤Artist x unaliver
🖤Revenge
🖤He falls first
🖤Protective MMC
🖤Secret society

Thank you to SJ for the arc opportunity❤️

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5⭐️
Spice: 3🌶️
Would Recommend!

My Review:
Good lord! This book was adorable—in a totally dark, stabby kind of way, you know? 😏

Grimm might just be the most unhinged golden retriever MMC I’ve ever read, and I LIVED for it. The way he’s soft for her but ready to burn the world down? 🤌🏼

And Verena? My girl deserves the world. She’s been through it, and watching Grimm help her find her way back to herself, piece by piece, with so much care and obsession?? Ugh, my heart. ❤️‍🔥
Now let’s talk about the spice—HOT. AF. 🚬 Iykyk 😉

This book definitely delivered on the heat without ever losing that emotional punch.
I don’t know if there’s going to be another book, but honestly? I NEED more of SJ Ryder in my life.

Tropes:
College Romance
Golden retriever x black cat fmc
Secret society

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for Grimm’s book!!
Who would have thought Grimm was such a golden retriever, softy!
Grimm and Verena were perfect for each other. They were each other’s biggest supporter.
This was the definition of it’s always been you! Grimm has been waiting for Verena since he met her.
Verena has been through it!! I was so happy to see her growth by the end of the book and Grimm being there for her through it all and helped her heal.

Make sure to check trigger warnings!

Rating ⭐️: 5/5
Spice 🌶️: 2.5/5

🖤 Dark college romance
⛓️ Golden retriever x black cat
🖤 Secret society
⛓️ Touch her & 💀
🖤 It’s always been you
⛓️ He falls first
🖤 Friends to lovers
⛓️ Revenge

Thank you so much to SJ Ryder for the arc! 🖤

[Katherine M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say this is a dark romance but with a comedic undertone. Grimm is charming and a character but goofy. So this is different than book one. And he’s the first golden retriever unaliver I’ve ever seen.

So Grimm and Verena have known each other since middle school. Now they are almost finished with college. He’s been smitten and protective of her since they first met and they’re friends. But she’s been dating this abusive a-hole for a few years. She also lost her best friend/little sister a few years ago to cancer and she hasn’t been the same since. I feel so bad for Verena. Her mindset and what she goes through and Grimm just wants to help her.

This was sad, dark, spicy but also funny. It was a great read and I enjoyed it! Loved having the other guys and gals from book one in it too.

[Ransyd Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read. SJ has always had a way with writing characters you can truly relate to. Grimm and Verenas pasts and story line were something alot of people could relate to. Not necessarily what they were doing presently through the storyline but the home life and relationships. Grimm absolutely was an amazing MMC and made sure to put V first from the beginning. V was going through alot but she was resilient and everything you want to see in an FMC dealt a bad hand. I love the pieces that shine in this book that shows little bits of the author. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

[Tori Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

MA’AM!! This book was delicious! 🤤
I didn’t think I could love Grimm more than Emmett and well… he stole my heart!

The second book to the Blackwood university is based on Grimm and Verena’s story and they had me melting into the couch! I needed more, I loved every second and I can’t get enough of this series!
I ate this up in 2 hours 🤭 yeah addicted is an understatement

Grimm had been swooning on Verena for YEARS, and I loved their happy ending- they both deserved it 🥹

Grimm- ‘I've been here waiting for you to realize that I'm all you need.
I'm your protector, I'm your provider, I'm your safe haven and your weapon. I don't want to be your goddamn friend anymore. I could make you happier than any other man or woman on this fucking planet’ 🥹🥹🥹 like stop!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC 😫

[Ava Ly · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’ve been such a good boy, haven't I?”

Our sweet but psychotic Grimm and Verena! This book was fun, twisted and dark. Check those TWs if you wish to attend Blackwood university 😌😂

[𝖌𝖆𝖇𝖇𝖎𝖊 🥀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW 🖤


SJ RYDER DOES IT AGAIN 😩

This book is made for the garden girlies and Grimm will absolutely become your favorite MMC after you’re done reading this!

Verena and Grimm are each others safe place, and are each others person to turn to when they need support. Grimm would absolutely burn the world down to protect V, and will stop at nothing to make sure she’s taken care of.

The topics in this book are heavy, so mind your triggers baby.

The spice in this is also TOP TIER!! The 420 references spoke to my soul, and I felt like I saw myself in several aspects of this story.

My dark romance girlies better add this to your TBR because it’s unhinged, spicy, and the plot twists will have your jaw on the floor.

Overall: 5⭐️
Spice: 2.5 🌶️

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙑𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙖. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙪𝙢. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙝 ���𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡. 𝙄 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙖𝙡𝙥𝙝𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙜𝙖. 𝙈𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙙. 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙢𝙚?”

Grimm griswold, Nutcase Emmett’s best friend. Grimm is crazy as they come, not as crazy as Emmett but a close second. Emmett was purely unhinged. Grimm is in love with Verena. Who’s in an abusive relationship with her husband Leo. Leo is a piece of shit. Plain and simple. He abuses women and takes his day out on Verena, Grimm notices the bruises, as most people would. The signs are all there. He wants to help Verena, save her. After one particularly brutal beat down session with Leo, Verena finally leaves Leo and embraces her darkness along with Grimms. Grimm and Verena take care of Leo together and kill the piece of crap.

Honestly I found it hard to believe that Verena just accepted how crazy and nuts Grimm is with literally no hesitation. Grimm literally gets off on blood and murder. I’m not talking about your average old blood kink, seeing people bleed as he kills them actually gets him hard. I read a lot of fucked up shit but that is just sick as far as I'm concerned. Then we got sweet little timid Verena just accepting that he’s a nutcase and she is too? I find that very hard to believe, kick ass FMC or not. This book is too short and it was too rushed to make it seem believable. Maybe with another 150 pages that kind of thing could be made to seem more realistic.

The spice in this book was really good, there’s only like five or six scenes though, so don’t go into this expecting nonstop smut. My only other beef with this book was there’s way too many small typos. Honestly, whoever proofreads these books should be ashamed of themselves. Especially when it’s such a short book. I’m not sure how so many typos go unnoticed, I spot them instantly.

“I’ve been such a good boy, haven't I?” His lips continue to pepper soft kisses against mine as his hands leave my waist and settle between my thighs. “Such a good boy for not fucking you on the table in front of my whole family,” He grips the thin material of my tights that rests against my pussy and pulls. “Such,” Rip. “A good,” Rip. “Boy,” He yanks the rest of the way until a large hole is formed in my tights displaying my pussy. His hand grips the side of my thong before pulling it to the side and baring my soaked slit to him. “Say it again,” he whispers while dragging his finger through my folds and pushing it inside. I’ll just leave that there so you horny people can go rub one out 😉

Spice rating 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙩, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚. 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙝, 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥.”

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Dedication:
𝑻𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒋𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝒔𝒎𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒇𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝑴𝒂𝒚 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑮𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒎 𝑮𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒘𝒐𝒍𝒅

Tropes:
🖤 He falls first
🖤 Secret Society
🖤 Slow Burn
🖤 Revenge
🖤 Artist FMC/ Unaliver MMC
🖤 Dog lovers

Please read TW!

Let's start this off by saying you will become obsessed with this man.

Grimm and Verena both attend Blackwood University. As for Grimm he is part of this secret society and has always been in love with Verena from the start. What I love about him is that he never pushed Verena to feel the same. He stood by her side as she fell for another man, went through a loss, and lost herself mentally and physically. Until she shows up to his place late at night.

Verena, this girl went through so much and I love how much she grew and realized that she deserved to be happy and not become a victim. She turned herself into such a feisty and bada** individual that matches Grimms personality.

You will fall in love with these 2 characters and will be wanting more of them. They will steal myour heart with their story.

🖤𝑽, 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖

🖤𝑯𝒆'𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒕𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒕? 𝑽𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒂, 𝑰'𝒎 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒔𝒚𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄.... 𝑨𝒃𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒖𝒏𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅. 𝑰 𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑰'𝒎 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅."

🖤𝑴𝒚 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒖𝒛𝒛𝒍𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆. 𝑴𝒚 𝑽. 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆.

🖤𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒕, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆. 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉, 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑

🖤"𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏".... "𝑴𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒐,𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒐."

[Camryn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

🩸𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸🩸
𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨: ★★★★☆
𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨: 𝟢𝟦/𝟤𝟢

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ🗒️

Oh god I’ve been waiting for this book for ages and it did not disappoint I literally loved it!

These two were everything and more I couldn’t get enough it was fast paced and the raw emotions in this book were overwhelming but also amazing it was written so well

Rena oh rena my girl deserves everything in life I just love her so much and I’m so happy she got her happy ending she went through so much stuff I will defend her forever, I will marry her in a heartbeat (I’m sorry Grimm don’t kill me)

Verena and Grimm are literally so perfect for each other like in every way possible especially when they cook together (pun intended) I love their banter, and chemistry that they have is just *chef kiss*

I literally love Grimm he’s my husband (please don’t kill me verena) my psycho pookie deserves everything good in life especially in the sibling department, I’m glad he found his found family

I’m happy we got to see what happened in the first book but their prospective I loved reading about them growing into something more than friendship and how they were for each other

I definitely can’t wait for this next book in this series

tropes ⋆. 𐙚 ˚

🔪Friends to lovers
🔪Revenge
🔪Slow burn
🔪He falls first
🔪Protective/Possessive MMC
🔪Secret Society
🔪Artist/Writer x Unaliver

💌Thank you @sj.ryderauthor so much for this arc💌

[Rachel O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is ready for a new loveable psycho book boyfriend. He enjoys torturing and killing especially when it’s someone who has messed with his little monster.

Verena
She has felt trapped in her abusive relationship. It’s didn’t start out bad. In the beginning it was the perfect relationship but now it’s one of nightmares with no way out in sight. The only person she confides in is Grimm

Grimm
He has had a crush on Verena since she moved in down the street when they were kids. He’s stood back and protected her from a distance. But that all changes when one night he opens the door to find her bruised and beaten with nowhere else safe to go.

“I could never hate you, V. From the moment I laid eyes on you, you’ve belonged to me. I’m not Prince Charming, Verena. I’m not the angel that’s going to balance out your demons. I’m a monster. But I do think if you gave me a f*cking chance, I would do a damn good job of making you feel loved and secure. I live to see that smile and hear your laugh. I want to heal all of your scars and put you back together the way you desperately need.”

I was not expecting the twist towards the end of the book. I did enjoy watching Grimm help Verena slay her demons and rebuild her confidence was so healing. I loved these two together. For them nothing is impossible without each other and a little MJ. They were made for each other. Everything Grimm does for her 🥰 makes me fall more and more in love with him.

[Sinful Stacks✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review

🖤 Sinful Little Lies by S.J. Ryder 🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Sinful Little Lies delivers a gripping, emotional, and unflinchingly dark story that hooks you from page one. We follow Verena, a survivor with a haunted past, and Grimm, the man who has loved her in secret for years. When Verena’s world collapses, she turns to the only person she’s ever truly trusted—and Grimm is ready to burn the world down to keep her safe.

This installment is shorter than Pretty Little Fears but still packed with tension, heart, and heat. While the spice scenes carried that raw chemistry and emotion Ryder is so good at, they landed just a little softer compared to the first book.

Ryder masterfully balances dark themes with fierce loyalty and love, making Grimm and Verena’s bond feel both inevitable and deeply earned. Their journey is brutal, beautiful, and utterly satisfying—though after everything they endured, my heart ached wishing we could have seen them get the happily ever after they dreamed of in every way.

If you love dark romance that blends violence, vengeance, and devotion with unforgettable characters, Sinful Little Lies will leave you breathless and begging for more. 🖤

[Alax · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙑𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙖. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙪𝙢. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡. 𝙄 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙖𝙡𝙥𝙝𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙜𝙖. 𝙈𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙙. 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙢𝙚?”

✨GRIMM FVCKING GRISWOLD ladies and gentleman, to say I was so damn excited to read this was an understatement. I fell in love with this man when I read pretty little fears and have been waiting for his story ever since and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Grimm and Verena are my absolute favorite. 😍 the banter, the schmurder, the SPICE. This book was everything I’d hoped it would be and more…it 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 have ruined lasagna for me though…but 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐢𝐦 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞…𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞🤣 I’m so grateful I got the chance to arc read this and I cannot wait to see what SJ has up her sleeve for the next one 😏
If you haven’t read any of the Blackwood university series, I HIGHLY recommend you do so, you won’t be disappointed…. 𝙞 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 😘🤍

“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙩, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚. 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙝, 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥.”

[Canieshia Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in The Blackwood University Series.

Here we follow Verena, little monster, she is in an abusive relationship and always seems to fall back on Grimm when times get too hard. She’s lost her spark, her creativity isn’t there anymore but she’s also trying to hide this part of her life from everyone; except she can’t hide from the one person who truly sees her!

Insert Grimm, he’s known Verena most his childhood he might be completely unhinged and protective but he’s the one person who makes her feel safe! He would do absolutely anything for her including helping her try a new lasagna recipe 🫣

I loved that this book overlapped with book 1 it was nice to get more context.

Favorite quotes

I’m a monster. But I know she is too.

I’m your protector, I’m your provider, I’m your safe haven and your weapon.

“You are mine. You have always been mine. Whether you knew it or not, that doesn’t matter. What does matter is that now, you know and now, you’re here. Mine to love, mine to cherish, mine to keep.”

I’ll never get over how he responds to me. I drip for him, but he melts for me.

🖤🌶️🌶️🌶️.75
Tropes
Secret Society
Unaliving
Golden retriever x black cat
He falls first
Revenge
Slow burn
Artist FMC
Stomers

[Jen ⌇ jens.liiibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am shamelessly obsessed with Grimm. Is he crazy? Yes. Is he hot? Yes. Is he so in love with his girl he would burn the world and rebuild it for her exactly how she wants it? Also, yes.

Grimm has been in love with Verena from the start. Through everything - watching Verena loose her sister and loose herself with her; watching her fall in love with someone who didn't deserve her; Grimm was always there for Verena, he was the safe place she could always go, hoping one day she would realize that he was there all along, that he was her perfect match.

This book is not rainbows and sunshine. It has many dark situations, domestic abuse (not between mcs), and torture. It also has a secret society, possessive/protective mmc, revenge, and more! Plus a twist that I did NOT see coming!

Grimm and Verena stole my heart, and the love that buds between them is so raw and passionate it makes you believe in soulmates and true love.

SJ had me in a chokehold with this book, and I cannot wait to read more about our next couple in the Blackwood University Series!

[Ash Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Pretty Little Fears, I was so excited for this one and to see Grim as the MMC! Now I will not say that I was let down in anyway, because I wasn't, but I also was not expecting this story to go this way.

Let me start by saying that this story takes place during the same timeline as Pretty Little Fears, so we get to see what Grim and Verena were up to during that same time frame. Also, this story is just about as dark as the other one so please check the TW.

Now this story start off with a bang, as in V is running down the street in the pouring rain. That's all I will say. But it was so intriguing that it immediately grabbed my attention. Of course, she runs to Grim, because obviously, and this man would literally drop anything to help her. He would do anything, murd3r anyone, stop/drop anything, and say anything just to help her or see a smile light up her face. The man is obsessed with her and it is absolutely adorable.

So, one thing that made this book not exactly like what I was expecting, was Verena's situation. She just kept letting things repeat themselves and escalate and it was just so opposite of the person that we were introduced to in the first book. Which it was explained a little in this one, but just something about it felt a little untrue to her character for me.

As for the story as a whole, I felt that it turned out good. Each main character had their own little drama/event. They each also got their own little revenge. And then they got their HEA together and plus some. Def worth the read if you enjoy dark romance and unhinged characters!

[Trinket Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hold onto your horses Sinful Little Lies packs a punch! This is the 2nd book of the Blackwood University series and focuses on Grimm & Verena. Grimm is an unhinged golden retriever MMC whose heart only beats for Verena. He has pined for her for years, and been there for her through so much trauma, so when he finds Verena at rock bottom he vows to move heaven & earth to make her smile again.
Did I mention Grimm’s unhinged? Yeah, his acts of love live up to his namesake! If you’re squeamish then there may be a few chapters to avoid 😂 but like I said earlier Grimm will do anything for his woman. Verena has been through so much, and Grimm is the constant she turns too when times are tough, so it’s a satisfying moment when she finally realises her feelings for him. As luck would have it, Grimm unlocks a darkness in Verena and so between the both of them they embark on some acts of revenge not for the faint of heart.
It’s not all gore though, the love between these two characters is so intense and beautiful, and the trauma they have both faced in their lives, leaves you rooting for them and their happy ever after. Check your TWs

[Tyler Embery · Rating 5 out of 5]

My, Oh my.

I have been stoked to read Grimm and Verena's story since I finished PLF's

SJ, you did not disappoint!

I laughed, cried, got mad, and screamed! you name it, I felt it.

I've been meaning to post this review for a while, but I struggled to put into words just how to word this review.

We got a glimpse into Grimm and Verena's story in PLF, but why did I not expect this storyline!

I never imagined Verena's upbringing and day to day life to be so sad! The poor girls needed a break.

That was until she met Grimm and asked for his help, & boy did Grimm help! 😍

Grimm, I bloody adore you! You are a big scary giant .... UNTILL, you are with Verena, and I bloody love that!

SJ, thank you so so much for another amazing story, but my emotions can't wait it 🤣

That being said, when do I get my hands on Eli and Aspen's story 👀