I should have kept my mouth shut. I didn’t know better. Where I’m from, when the police ask a question, you answer. Not here. Everything is masks and secrets and lies, wrapped underneath glitter and gold in Thorn Falls. I caused problems for the rulers of this campus, and they’ve made me pay for my sin with tears and other bodily fluids. That should have been the end of it. Trust me, I learned my lesson. Except Keller isn’t done with me.
Feel Free to Scream is a deliciously dark standalone in the Heritage world.
The writing was a bit choppy and some of the things that happened in this book was a bit over the top and had me internally ragging, but I did enjoy the story overall.
This was a nice light smutty Cinderella story that worked despite the insta-everything and kind of cringey smut. I loved the way Keller took care of Claire and bulldozed all over her life to get her. Claire was likeable enough. There isn't much plot, but I didn't come for it anyway...
I normally don’t leave book reviews but I’ve read all of the heritage & thorn falls books available this past week and I LOVEEE them. I need more, ASAP. I’m so ready to read about the other Goltz brothers and I’m really hoping there’s a book on Roman too. I’ve truly loved every book!
If you haven't read any of the other books set in this fictional town, this one is a fine place to start. You don't really need any background. It's an insular college town where a few rich families call the shots. And you don't want to get on their bad side.
The main characters meet and he decides he'll do whatever it takes to have her, even though she's still technically in a relationship with her controlling, not-meant-to-be high school sweetheart. Coercion is on the table.
I'd recommend for those who like downtrodden heroines, don't mind consent issues in fiction and love a truly unique story.
Many books by Emm or May have triggers. I almost didn't get this one. Glad I did. Enjoyed. But the autistic in me has a note : I'd like the cop to face repercussions and the record to be set right about our "snitch." The cop was out of line. Its fiction , and .. I just wanted to punch him really badly. 3 college girls go through a traumatic experience and instead of gathering facts he's through ing accusations. Good cops are there as public servants to protect and serve. He was an ass. I am not a fan of Cross, but I hope in the next book to see him cleaning up the officers in thorns fall.
Maybe Claire Fairmont should have thought about that before...but let's start from the beginning. This book is part of the deliciously dark and dirty Heritage world Emm Darcy created. You don't have to know any of the other books to enjoy this one. But please read and heed the authors warnings at the beginning. The Heritage world is not for the faint-hearted. It's full of darker themes, kink and lots of spice. If you have any triggers, check the warnings beforehand. If you absolutely can't condone cheating (not between the main characters but a continuous theme until close to the ending of the book), this will probably not be the book for you. Everyone else - please continue and enjoy the ride with Keller and Claire. Innocent, naive, self-righteous but absolutely relatable and likable 18 year old Claire. She was raised by her grandmother and not only extremely sheltered, but very much restricted in what was deemed appropriate and what was not. That upbringing and correspondent views and moral high ground are what get Claire into trouble on her second day at Rothford University. But thankfully she attracted the attention of one of Rothfords legacy students before she stuck her foot in her mouth and created trouble. Darius Keller is influential, calculating, manipulative and pretty cold - at least to all the people outside of his family. But he is also warm and caring, if he chooses to be so. His way of helping Claire with her self-created problems at Rothford is underhanded and demeaning most of the time. But he apparently saw something in Claire and over the course of the book sets her free from the cage her grandmother and awful boyfriend shoved her into without Claire realising it.
There's not much drama or action in this book. For me it was more about the road to better self-reflection, self-awareness and confidence for Claire. There is quite a bit of underlying humour in this book - but probably only noticeable for those who have read the other books in the Heritage world. The whole story was a quick, spicy and entertaining read. I enjoyed it very much and hope many more will feel the same. And just as a thought for the powers that be at Rothford University - if you let outsiders into your small elitist part of the world maybe you should hand out a short do/don't list with the acceptance letters for anyone not familiar with your city. It would have saved Claire quite a bit humiliation and stress, but then we wouldn't have this story. Very well then keep things as they are and lure the next unsuspecting and malleable young woman into your honey trap of wealth and education - I need new stories to read.
So I liked the plot and everything. What threw me off was the fact the FMC had ZERO experience and being raised a certain way and not showing signs of liking certain things then during a "punishment" decided that she liked ALL these things and had almost no qualms about what happened to her. Which was like 3 or 4 days in from meeting the MMC. I know it's a shorter book but it would have been nice to build up to that even just a little bit. Geez. Other than that and the typos I thought the book was pretty good. There were a few things that I don't think got enough closure but the ending was fair enough. Maybe could've been a little longer to clear some things up. I did like the epilogue though it was cute. The book definitely has some spice in it and if you're not into exhibitionism or voyeurism in your books you might not like a few things. I thought the one part was pretty cringey but it was okay after that. Like I said, the timeline of book is like 2 to 3 weeks i think and some things take more time. There wasn't any sharing at least, I'm not a fan of that unless it a RH. Otherwise i liked it.
Emm just knows how to hit it right every time we visit Thorn Falls.
This was such an easy but fun steamy read - the perfect palate cleanser. Keller might be a red flag but the way he supported Claire and didn’t just bulldoze into her life completely like usual MMCs do made him more pink which I loved, or is this me just justifying his behaviour because I loved him? Claire too was the perfect FMC, innocent enough to be interesting without being so innocent that it was cringe inducing.
Their dynamic while quick paced was realistic and engaging. I was invested in them throughout rooting for their HEA.
For me, the highlight had to be the councils assessment (IYKYK). These two definitely know how to put on a show and I really hope we get to see them again.
Highly recommend that you read the heritage books before picking this up for maximum enjoyment but can be read as a standalone!
Perfect read if you like a fast paced MF with a possessive MMC but not dark.
Based in a rich elite college where the foundations are based on rich families who make the rules, the FMC gets accepted via a scholarship, only to meet the MMC who changes her world. Was it for the better? Or for the worse? You’ll have to read to find out!
If you like God of Malice, you might like this, but keep in mind this book was wayyyy less toxic and the guy actually being somewhat good despite the dark, which made me like this book a lot more in comparison. Some things made me laugh and the spice was spicyyyy. The things I did not like was the cheating (TW) which was not between the two main characters, but still :/ and the nickname the MMC called the FMC while they were banging was “wench” which felt degrading to the FMC to say the least- but then he said it a few more times throughout the book, which contextually felt a bit more lighthearted as a nickname but still a bit off putting- but that’s just me.
I was so stuck on whether to rate this 1 or 2 stars. This book really couldn't hold my interest - the writing, the plot, the characters.
There was so much unnecessary side character pairings.
And the writing couldn't hook me so I wasn't a fan. I almost DNF 20% in and a few other times after. The only thing that kept me going is I do like a manipulative MMC and I wanted to see how dark he goes. He was a bit stalkerish where he researches the FMC and schemes to get her by his side but he's not really that dark. The smut was also okay though it wasn't spicy enough to hold my interest either.
It took 50% of the book to even cover what's in the blurb.
Wouldn't reread. I don't think this author's writing style is for me.
I love Emm Darcy novels! She is one of my favorite authors. Feel Free to Scream is part of the Heritage universe and is just as spicy as you'd expect a Heritage novel to be. You really get a sense of the MMC's motivations and the FMC's journey to find her people and discover her kinky, sexy self. I like that it's spicy and edgy without being a dark romance, which can feel heavy and depressing. The characters in FFTS are really sex-positive, and care for and enjoy each other.
Claire finds herself entangled in a perilous situation at Thorn Falls University, where a misstep leads to severe repercussions from the campus's elite. Keller, a prominent figure among these elites, becomes fixated on Claire, leading to a complex and consuming relationship. The story delves into themes of power dynamics, manipulation, and psychological control, challenging readers with its unflinching portrayal of a toxic relationship. #virginheroine #nosharing #noOW #cheating but not between main characters #HEA
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book had the potential to be absolutely amazing and the first half of it is! The pacing is nice, the characters are all lovely and the plot is really well done I loved it! But about half way through the book it started feeling rushed and like the author just wanted to get it done. This story definitely could’ve been drawn out either into a longer book or even a duet. Overall though I absolutely loved the book and was obsessed with the characters the whole way through❤️
This is a good coercion story. Keller is mysterious and knows how to get what he wants. Claire is sweet but not completely vulnerable. However I feel that the author didn't use all the weapons in her arsenal to their greatest effect. I think Noah and the Grandmother could have added more tension. In addition Claire never finds out about Noah's secrets which would have added more angst and tension. It's just frustrating when characters especially antagonists are introduced but not really used.
A wildly entertaining whirlwind romance, with coercion and kinks
This is an unconventional tale of a love at first sight, coercion at first kiss, and a girl who gets the dream come true after first living a nightmare that becomes a wet dream. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Check triggers: it’s a dark romance with said coercion and exhibitionism that ends in a solid HEA. It left me wanting more, more, more of Emm Darcy and the world she’s built.
School hasn't even started and Claire catches the eye.of Darius Keller, the Keller, but unfortunately her strict.upbringing get her kicked out before school even starts and her.only way back in is to submit to punishment from the student board of the most carnal nature. Luckily its Keller dishing it out since Claire is his and off limits in this absolutely divine dirty tale.
I devour anything Emm writes and the Heritage series is so unique. There’s nothing out there like it and I crave each new deliciously dirty installment. There’s nothing more perfect a this blend of naughty and sweet. I love the MMCs confidence and drive for their women and Keller did not disappoint. I loved Claire’s naïveté and how genuinely kind she was. I am SO ready for Dee and Markus!!!
Okay this is a classic Emm Darcy, May Sage Story. Complete with Witty banter Overbearing And only slightly hinged MMC. The FMC is strong but not overly naive. She's a girl who knows what she wants and when she gets it she's not about to ignore a reality. If you have triggers please read with caution. It gets a little🍆🍆🍆🌶🌶🌶kinky. But only mildly...the spice however is 4⭐
Feel Free to Scream was my first book by Emm Darcy and won't be my last. On my journey to discover new to me authors I've tuned into an interview with team RARE and Emm Darcy (May Sage) and she got me interested in her books. Not only because she offered beautiful special editions ;-)
Feel Free to Scream is kind of darkish, with a kind of bullish, definitely morally grey and obsessive hero. And I totally enjoyed reading it. Will circle back to Emm's books at some point :-)
I'm always happy to return to Thorn Falls. This was a little different from the usual fare. A little lighter on the spice amount. Honestly could have been longer for me. Keller is your typical Emm mmc with the immediate knowing he wants the girl but Claire is a little different than the usual.
I love anything by Emm Darcy!! Based on the title and previous Thorn Falls books, I assumed this might be a bit darker & involve more push-pull dynamics. While my assumptions were wrong, I still liked the book, esp. Keller's efforts to show Claire her value.
Oh my god I love this book soo much I am going to reread it. I loved both main characters and an insight to Markus and Dex was awesome. Cannot wait for the next book in this series. If you haven't read the others in this series get to it. This was amazing and worth the wait. Love you Emm Darcy x
Basically, I never miss a Emm Darcy or May Sage book. Swinging is just not my kink. So the previous books have been good, but this one is MY type of book.
My only complaint is that I wish it was a little bit longer like the others…or maybe it was so pleasing to read, that I just blew through it.
To be completely honest I thought this book was going to be a lot more interesting based on it almost having 5 stars.
It might be a personal thing but I think it could've included some more detail and relationship building. I didn't feel the connection between the two main characters.
I finished it in around 3 and a half hours and it was a good distraction 🌟
As always I devoured another Emm Darcy book! I wish it was double the size because it is so good! I literally read it in one day and now cannot wait until Lily’s story and Dez!! Please please give us more!!!
Love Emm Darcy’s thorn falls books! They are dark , twisted & oh so hot 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. If you love morally grey forced consent with possessive MC this is right up your alley.
All the spice and smut you desire without the tiresome drama, like other women. Other man, but it's painless and smooth for the reader. Love the world building and prep for the next book.
This is perfection. Plenty of time with our characters, good pacing and a great amount of smut. Loved the characters and cannot wait to read more in this verse!