Damned Collections: Volume One

by Lark Taylor

Are you ready for more from the Reckless Damned demons?

Published together for the first time, this collection of short stories follows the adventures of Cal, Harlow, Mori, Dagon, and their mates. From steamy scenes to murderous confrontations, there's something here for everyone.

This volume
- After the Battle (Cal and Oscar)
- After the Battle (Harlow and Bailey)
- After the Battle (Mori and River)
- Sunday Murder Club pt 1 (Harlow)
- Sunday Murder Club pt 2 (Cal)
- Sunday Murder Club pt 3 (Mori)
- Sunday Murder Club pt 4 (Dagon)
- Oscar's Christmas Surprise
- Lucky's Birthday Present
- Adventures with...Harlow and Bailey
- Adventures with...Mori and River
- Adventures with...the Triad

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Novella, Found Family, Demons

160 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2025

About the author

Lark lives with her family in southern England. An obsessive romance fan, she loves nothing more than a Happily Ever After – especially if there’s a good plot and a hefty amount of spice along the way. When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found hiding from adult life in escape rooms, travel and the MCU. As a Bi woman with OCD, Lark is a fervent supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community and an advocate for mental health awareness and support.

Reviews

[haletostilinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally got to this collection of shorts and it was fun overall to come back to the OG series and couples. Instead of going over each short I'll just kind of go over each couple (except for the poly one) and what kind of happened with their shorts.

✨Cal and Oscar - The very first couple of the very first book this author published and the very first couple/book I read by this author as well, and it was so fun to come back to them. While I didn't read the final battle due to it being in the poly book, I've read enough books since then from other POVs and from other couples at the battle to get the gist of what happened.

These after the battle shorts told me even more about what happened, and what happened for each specific couple of the OG series as well.

This kinda gets a few points off for the other MM authors and title mentioning, and I've gone into why I don't like it in past reviews. I've been really happy that this author has stopped doing that in her books so to have to deal with it once again in the earlier shorts in this was unfortunate.

BUT otherwise I loved revisiting these two, getting the Christmas short and getting to see Cal borrow Leo's uniform for him and Oscar to roleplay for sexytimes (very hot but also very sweet, of course). I remember him asking to borrow that outfit in I think Ferry and Leo's book so glad to finally get the scene of Cal fully borrowing the uniform 😉

Also, having just read Finlay, I was so happy to see the scene where Cal sees Chester being abused by Matt and then him and the other brothers helping to free him from that situation. Just knowing that Finlay would soon come into his life was wonderful while reading it. Made me so happy that he'd soon get that happiness even as my heart broke for him, seeing him in that awful situation with the awful Matt.

✨Harlow and Bailey - How wonderful to see them again and see some wonderful sexytimes with them as well. They are truly so in love with each other. Also the aftermath of Harlow having had to deal with Bailey dying again (but thankfully was his mate this time and so didn't die permanently like the first time). But still, it had to be hard for Harlow to relive at least part of that. Bailey as well, of course.

✨ Mori and River - Their book was my least fave of the OG series that I read but I enjoyed their scenes in this. Their sex scene at the kink club with others watching (only watching, no touching! So no worries there) was pretty hot overall. Nice to get introduced to characters that will no doubt be in the new spin-off series as well.

Also learning that they'd been together 7 years by the last short in this was interesting. Since their book came out two years ago in 2023, does that mean it's 7 years since 2023 and so 2030 in the timeline? Or is it 2025 in that last short and so they got together in 2018? I guess it doesn't truly matter in the end, but I generally like for timelines to make sense, is all.

Overall, I enjoyed these shorts and can't wait for more shorts from this whole universe. I hope Volume Two is of the spin-off series with some shorts for Ferry and Leo, especially Sebastian and Matty and Danny and Riley (Toby and Blaise too, their book was just my least fave of that spin-off series, is all.)

So, until the next volume of shorts. I can't wait! 😘

[BookGeek1987 · Rating 4 out of 5]

To confirm you really cannot pick this up unless you’ve read The Reckless Damned at least, preferably The Damned Connections as well.

I always enjoy Lark Taylor’s work, so going in I knew I’d like this book. It is just a lot of shorts, nothing too long, but enjoyable nonetheless. It was great to catch up with the gang and have some fun scenes. The books in the series are great but have a main & overarching plot to follow and have to stick to that for plot purposes, so seeing the characters going on a holiday or exploring a sexy fireman scene was perfect. It just adds to the relationship dynamic. Plus we got a great set up for Finlay’s book - whoop whoop.

I’m hoping Lark releases one of these for the Damned Connections as I need more Seb and Matty in my life!!

[Colleen (colleenreads40) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damned Collections: Volume One is a collection of short stories featuring your favourite main characters from Lark Taylor's The Reckless Damned series. You'll want to read the original four books in the series (Devil's Mark, Devil May Care, Deal With the Devil, and Luck of the Devil) before reading this collection of short stories. This volume includes 12 stories and is just over 150 pages long. I believe these stories were originally published on Lark's Patreon, but are now available widespread!

Ensure you review the content and trigger warnings to decide if this book is right for you. Note this list of warnings may be incomplete. Please take care of yourself while reading. References to trauma and abuse (including child abuse - happens off page); PTSD and anxiety representation; violence, torture, injury detail, and death; Dub-con is featured in Lucky's Birthday Surprise within a primal kink scene with previously agreed parameters; sex happens in a religious place in Adventures with Harlow and Bailey.

I'm a huge fan of this series, and I'm not ashamed to say I blew through this collection of short stories! I especially loved the Sunday Murder Club features. Some of the stories also take place some time after the conclusion of Luck of the Devil, so it was fun catching up with my favourite demons and their mates as they live their best lives and eternal happily ever afters. There were lots of tender, romantic moments, plenty of laughs, and of course scorching hot spice! This is a lovely must-read for any fan of the series.

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed revisiting the characters from the Reckless Damned series, and seeing what they've been up to. It was nice to dive back into this world, and know that the demon brothers and their mates are relatively safe and sound.

There are some mentions of characters in the spin-off series, and I'm really looking forward to getting to know them better, as well. (Yes yes, I know I'm late to the party, but I'll get there eventually. I promise.)

All in all, this was a very short and sweet anthology that showed the reader a glimpse into the futures of the four sons of Luficer, and their chosen mates. And I look forward to diving into this universe again and again with the spin-off series that are currently available!

[isthisakink · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5. These are specifically for the stans of the AU. I am very clearly a stan. Also, has anyone clapped for the marketing person? Good job, you. I am even more hyped for Finlay now. I’m always happy when Patreon content from authors makes it to where us broke bitches reside.

[paula reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ☆⋆˙

[erm · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS HOW SWEET and perfect for Finlay hype!

[Winnie Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Lark. It was so worth steaming through ARCs from other authors so I could read this book on release day. My boys are back!! I’d read a hundred of these collections if I could, and I hope your other series receive similar treatment in the future. I smirked and grinned and cooed through every story.

I told my bestie about how excited I was for the Sunday Murder Club stories in particular, and she cackled when I told her it’s because I thought the (FICTIONAL) concept is adorable. I was right. I’m particularly grateful considering I’ve only been able to read a couple of the stories included in the collection as a free Patreon member.

Lark continues to remind me why she is and how she became one of my favorite queer romance authors (easily top 5).Such a natural blend of steam, humor, and seriousness. Definitely going to add this when I reread the Reckless Damned and Damned Connections series for the razzle dazzle. All the stars!

[caffeinated.crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real talk: I am LOVING LOVING LOVING this!!! DAMNED COLLECTIONS is out today 🖤🔥

Reasons I bought this:
1- It's Lark.
2 - Cal & Oscar shorties

That's literally the only reason. But OMG, IT'S BEEN SO GOOD.

I just read the second Sunday Night Murder Club story and... I was already excited for Finlay, now I'm ready to burn the world down for [redacted] 🥰😭🥰😭🥰😭🥰 babe, when is Finlay coming out? How can I support a sooner release date? Let me help you! I'll do anything.

If you're a fan of the supe books, 10/10 recommend. I'm living for this. Truly.

Finished this, and I stand by my excitement level. Loved this novella collection.

[Jacob Gress · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was literally standing up to go to bed when I noticed a notification on my phone. Confused, I looked and realized what it was.

Thank you so much for this! I forgot how much I loved the original gang. Especially Cal. He’s the reason I stuck with the series and I couldn’t be happier reading about him and Oscar again! These stories were everything ❤️

I will absolutely be going back and rereading them all this week.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved being back in with the characters from the Damned connections series!! I reread the books a lot. I loved getting to see everyone take care of each other post battle and the addition of the murder club Harlow came up with was probably my favourite part!

This also has me even more like excited for Finlay’s book we got a sneak peak at who Clyde is. It was such a short part but I am properly excited 😊

[Little Shining One Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your favourite author gives you more

Please continue to drip feed me shenanigans from this lot I beg you Lark!!!!

These short snippets of the demons and other supes lives after their respective stories is everything ❤️

It's like coming home ! These characters mean so much to me!

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some sweet times, plenty of sexy times, and some violence thrown in. Definitely made for these boys! I liked the setup for Finlay's book and the Sunday Murder Club was amusing. As always, I was happiest reading more about Harlow. Wouldn't mind a collection similar to this for The Damned Connections boys, especially Sebastian and Ferry!

[Olivia Wenzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Damned Collections Vol 1 by Lark Taylor
available on Kindle Unlimited

⚠️This is a collection of short stories featuring familiar characters, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve at least read The Reckless Damned series before diving into this. It also wouldn’t hurt to read Damned Connections too, but none of those couples are the primary focus here.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Okay this was fun and all, but that set up to Finlay?! I’m SAT.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0⭐️

[Jessie (thatchickwithabook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a joy to be back with these characters again, and so happy that this is titled Volume 1 because it means we’re getting more!!!

[Jessica Gorgen · Rating 4 out of 5]

really liked it

I really liked these shorts. It was nice to revisit the characters from the Reckless Damned books. I hope we get more Sunday club shorts, those were especially fun!

[Lea Branov · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75*

[Birgit · Rating 4 out of 5]

perfect collection of short stories to heal my book hangover after I finished this series 🥹❤️.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the little snippets of loved up life for the brothers and their guys. Also really enjoyed the taster of what’s to come in Finlay.

[IAASA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a member of her Patreon so I enjoyed reading this. I’d love more longer stories around the Sunday murder club!

[Rebecca Bartlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these characters so so much and i had the best time spending a little bit more time with them 🖤

[Eva ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

extrañaba a mi triada fav

[Shannon Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read these on Patreon as they were released originally. Love that this is now all a collection!

[Ghazal · Rating 4 out of 5]

only read it for Mori and River and I gotta say I loved EVERY single part of it.

[Shiki V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short stories from the Damned series... Enjoyed it a lot... Fun reading

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved getting to spend more time with some of my favourite characters again. They always make me smile.

[Dhatri Pandya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when authors write extended epilogue in form of a book and I had so much fun reading this book. Lark Taylor once again delivered a book full of humor, tone of emotional scenarios, hooot smutty scenes and some of my favorite characters. I loved all couples from this series and enjoyed reading what are they upto now. And I am up all for the shenanigans all supes get up to during their Sunday Murder Club... If you have read The Reckless Damned series, this extended epilogue is worth reading...

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when there's a huge established universe/series and then the author enjoys it so much they write more short stories about them. I also really love how the "Mexico story" keeps being mentioned but we have literally no information (other than apparently it involves coconuts?), I hope we never find out what it is because it's so much funnier without knowing. I also appreciated the shoutout to my city, Toronto 😎