Deceiving Their Minds

Tactum Obscurae #1

by Laiken Rhodes

Set in the small coastal town of Alabastor Cove, where nothing is as it seems. Enter the world of spoiled heirs, hidden secrets, and dangerous betrayals in Deceiving Their Minds, the first book of the Tactum Obscurae Series, from indie author Laiken Rhodes. Deceiving Their Minds. Perfect for readers who love the intricate world of Shantel Tessier, the gritty romances of Rina Kent and the intense pacing of Tate James.

I bow to no man. No country. No King.

Audrey
When an invitation arrived inviting me to participate in the first Viperae Rosarum Ludi, I was reluctant to accept. My past was already dipped in tragedy, and fighting for a seat within a feared secret society held no appeal to me.

The lure of power and riches did nothing for me as a girl whose birthright held the promise of crowns, yet I found myself entering the Ludi with the other heirs of the Cove by my side.

I quickly came to realize the forefathers holding the Ludi aimed to break me, to carve me open and find what made me tick.

Little did they know that I was not the naive girl they believed me to be…

And The Guilda Sanguis Venenati just opened their doors to something much worse than the monsters they have lurking within. This ‘innocent little princess’ lost her innocence long ago, and now I planned to seek vengeance on all those who dared to wrong me.

The Shadow
Princess Audrey Yates. My obsession. My prey. The target the Guild placed right in front of me again.
The girl who should have run far, far away from me.

Tropes:

Dark Secret Society
Romantic Suspense
Morally Grey to Black Characters
Multiple POVs
Hate to Love You
OTT/ JP Antihero
Forced Proximity
Touch Her &
Primal Play
Group Play (MM, MMF, MFM)
Hidden/ Repressed Memories
Brutal Cliffhangers


**Deceiving Their Minds is the first book in a four-book series. Readers are warned that each book will have a brutal cliffhanger until book four when the couple has their HEA. Of note: the FMC in this book is an unreliable narrator, and at times, won’t express the emotions you feel she should. This is a dark romance that contains mature themes and content that can be triggering to some readers. Reader discretion is advised as it may not be suitable for everyone. Please check the author's note and trigger/ content warnings list before reading. **

Genres: Dark Romance, Forced Proximity, Dark, Morally Grey, Suspense

434 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2026

About the author

Laiken Rhodes, a true lover of dark romance works in her dream career by day and writes angst filled words by night. She loves encouraging her travel bug, splurging on her reading addiction, as well as cuddling her fur-babies, and hopes one day people will warn her before sending NSFW art without warning her first since the wrong people always open them!

When she’s not working 12 hour shifts at odd hours, you can find her with her beloved fur-baby and her family and friends kicked back with an adult beverage and a book in her hands.

Keep up with Laiken on all platforms today:
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Reviews

[Jenny Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75 ⭐️

There’s a lot going on in this book—and I mean that in both a good and slightly overwhelming way!

The plot has some really interesting threads that kept me engaged the whole time. I never felt bored, and I was definitely curious about where everything is headed. There are quite a few unanswered questions and gaps, but the author does set that expectation early on—that not everything will be explained yet and that future books will build on it.

I also really enjoyed the Russian storyline elements—the bratva, the use of nicknames, and how that culture was woven into the story added a lot of personality and depth. It stood out in a good way.

The characters were compelling overall, especially Audrey. I love her strength and the sense of revenge building for her—it has me very ready to see what she does next. Her dynamic with Aleks is also something I’m interested in seeing develop further. That man is down bad for her. I also appreciated the strong found family vibe between the heirs and the founding families of Alabaster Cove—that dynamic added a nice emotional layer! I love found family so much.

That said, I did find myself a bit confused at times with how all the characters connect and how some of the storylines intertwine. I think I personally would’ve loved a little more clarity or development in certain areas to make those connections hit harder!

And that ending… brutal cliffhanger. I’m still trying to process what actually happened. I swear if what I think happened I’m going to be upset. 😭

Overall, I think this book has a really strong foundation with a lot of potential. While I wanted a bit more depth in places, I’m definitely invested enough to pick up book two and see where it all goes.

[Casey Voisine · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Review of advanced reader copy received from author*

Thank you to the author Laiken Rhodes for the opportunity to read and review Deceiving Their Minds.

Unfortunately, this novel was a DNF at 30%.

I really tried hard to get into the story but honestly I was so confused. I felt my mind drifting, the pacing was slow and the sexy scenes came out of no where. I’m not one to shy away from dark romance but I just couldn’t get on board.

Make sure to throughly read through all of the triggers; just in case you’re more sensitive because things went from zero to one hundred!

2/5⭐️
4/5🌶️

[KayBeReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no clue what is going on lol! I know we have an initiation into a secret society, power families and many many secrets. Audrey is the hiding many things from those around. And Miss mamas if something else. Then there’s a Shadow and then there Aleksandr. Aleks and Audrey have a twisted history. I can tell this man is down bad for her and vice versa. There is so much going on and I’m starting to put some things together I think lol! Lilah, Audrey’s friend I don’t trust her, maybe she’s deceiving me I don’t know. I adore Cameron. I had a suspicion about someone and it was confirmed, and that’s about the only thing I know for sure. Audrey is that girl, you don’t want to mess with her. Aleks is crazy and will harm you if you mess with his woman. I love how they speak to each other and the nicknames. Aleks is very much secure in his manhood and is like “yeah my woman is a queen in her own right.” I love how he adores her. They are the perfect power couple, would definitely be scared to cross them. These two, Aleks and Audrey are nasty if you know what I mean. And I am living for it! There was even towards the end that was doublely delicious, wink wink. But there some foulness to it as well and I know it has something to do with the bigger games they are playing. So we made it to the end and sh*t got real and fast. I’ve pieced together some things but I’m still confusion. This book ain’t nothing but a puzzle that I need to solve immediately. I was on the edge of my seat the entire book, there was no rest. The last chapter got me, my eyes were so wide. I knew a cliffhanger was coming but I was not prepared. I’m going to need book two like now. Brava Laiken!

[Kayla | Kayla Reads Smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

So... I went into this one blind. And I think that is how you need to go into it as well. But I you decide to pick up this book and go into it blind then there are a few things you need to know.

1. This is the first book of FOUR! Which means you are presented with a LOT of characters, names and world building. There's a lot going on which can feel overwhelming.

2. Since this is the first book of four, you need to know this is left on a cliffhanger. Yes, I know, cliffhangers are brutal. They are meant to be. But you need to know that before moving forward with this book.

3. This book is based off of a secret society. If you have read any secret society books before then you know how there are a lot of inner workings within the society. There are a lot of key players. This book is no different. Which means you will need to know how that secret society works. ie see no.1

Ok now let's get into my thoughts. I will keep this review to the basics as to not give anything away. If you know me, you know I love a book that is layered and makes me think. I love trying to solve the plot. And this one is LAYERED. It kept me fully engaged from page one. I loved keeping notes to try to figure everything out.

I absolutely loved the convoluted plot with complex and dynamic characters. Just like the plot, the characters are also very layered. You learn who they are on the surface but each character is so much more. There are hidden and secret identities. Some of which you will see coming, others will have your jaw on the floors and then there will be other people that you will question. But this keeps you full engaged throughout the whole story. BUT again, this may cause some confusion so it's important for you pay attention.

Laiken, babe, you took on a lot when you decided to plot this book/series. And as a debut author, I truly commend you. This is layered and complex. I love the foundation that was set up with this book. I am so intrigued how this society with evolve. I am also so invested on what happens in book two after that cliffhanger!

With all of that being said, I don't think this book will be for everyone. Not everyone has the capacity to sit for a 400+ page book and put all the clues together to leave on a cliffhanger with unanswered questions. I am aware of that. I personally love it but I will say, as someone who reads a lot of secret society books, I did find myself confused at times feeling as if did not have all of the information. I caught myself rereading sections questioning if I missed something. I feel like this was due to the many names that these characters are being called as well as feeling as if some scenes were not complete. Like I felt like some scenes were too long and others were too short. I also felt like there was a lot of repetition that was not needed. I also question if there were plot holes or if things were intentional. Sometimes with a secret society book with multiple books left on cliffhangers, you are unsure if it's a plot hole or simply an unanswered question that will be answered later in the series. But I would like to make note, you SHOULD READ every page before the prologue because the author does state that you will be dropped off in the middle of the story and then back track with characters who are not good historians. So the scene is set early on with the expectations you need going into this book. But I fear most people won't read that and will not like the book thinking it's incomplete with gaps.

You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Dark Secret Society
- Billionaires and Heirs
- Hidden and Secret Identities
- Hate to Love
- Morally Grey Heros
- Forced Proximity
- Black Cat FMC

* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Laiken Rhodes for allowing me to read Deceiving Their Minds as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.

[De Rijdende Boekenwurm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Naughty Nook PR for the ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.

Where power, obsession, and secrets collide

‘Deceiving Their Minds’ by Laiken Rhodes unfolds like a carefully constructed trap, one that slowly tightens around both its characters and the reader. From the very first pages, the atmosphere feels heavy with unspoken truths, where every glance carries meaning and every silence feels deliberate.

The dual POV structure adds a layered intensity to the story. Seeing the same world through different emotional lenses creates a constant sense of unease. Motives blur, intentions shift, and trust becomes something fragile, almost dangerous. The pacing builds gradually, allowing the tension to simmer before it truly ignites, making the unraveling of secrets feel both satisfying and unsettling.

The morally grey to black characters are at the heart of this story. They are not meant to be liked in the traditional sense, yet they are impossible to look away from. Their actions walk a fine line between devotion and destruction, especially within the darker dynamics that shape their relationships. The “touch her and die” energy is ever present, but it is layered with obsession, control, and something that feels dangerously close to vulnerability.

What makes ‘Deceiving Their Minds’ particularly compelling is the constant push and pull between hate and desire. The emotional tension is sharp, almost suffocating at times, especially within the forced proximity that leaves no room to escape. Combined with hidden identities and the looming presence of a secret society, the story maintains a strong sense of mystery throughout.

The small town setting adds an interesting contrast to the larger, darker forces at play. Beneath its quiet surface lies a world filled with power, legacy, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.

While the story leans heavily into its darker themes, it never loses sight of its emotional core. Every interaction feels intentional, every revelation carefully placed, creating a reading experience that feels immersive and intense.

Some stories entertain. Others linger. This one lingers in the shadows long after the final page.

Dark Secret Society | Hate to love you | Billionaires & Heirs | Morally grey to black MCs | Touch her & die | Hidden identity | Forced proximity | Primal play | Small town | Romantic suspense mystery | First person dual POV

[Rechal · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCUSE ME?? Wait—give me a second to process what I just read...WTF?!!🤯😭

What in the actual mind-twisting chaos was that?! You know when you go into a book SO excited, ready to fall in love with everything, and then 30–40% in, you’re just sitting there like… what is even happening right now? Yeah, that was me. Fully confused. Slightly concerned. But I trusted the process.

And THANK GOD I did.

Because suddenly—BAM!! Everything starts clicking into place and you realise this book is built on lies, secrets, and the most insane web of deception. And once it hits?? There’s no going back.

The whole secret society concept, Guilda Sanguis Venenati??INSANE. Trials, deadly consequences, heirs fighting for their place in this underground world… It’s dark, immersive, and so addictive. I was constantly flipping back pages, checking family trees, rereading bits, just trying to piece everything together. My brain was WORKING overtime!!!

Yes, the pacing felt a little slow at times for me, but it never dragged. There was always something brewing underneath—another twist, another reveal, another “wait… WHAT??”


THE SECRETS! THE REVELATIONS! THE BETRAYAL!! 😵‍💫🔥

Dead people?? Not so dead. Hidden identities?? EVERYWHERE. Trust?? NON-EXISTENT. I was suspicious of everyone, and the worst part? Sometimes I was right… and sometimes I was SO wrong.

Those last chapters?? I’m not okay. I’m actually not okay. I’m confused, wrecked, and desperate for answers I do NOT have 😭

"I cower to no man, no country. No King."

Audrey, our fmc, Oh, I LOVE her. She’s an absolute badass, but not in a one-dimensional way. She’s strong, sharp, and ready to burn the world if needed, but she also has this softer, emotional side that comes out with the people she loves. That balance? So well done.

"Only you, Aleksandr. I've only ever loved you, King, and I will always love you, in times of sin or repentance. In chaos or peace."

And Alexander… yeah, I get the hype. 😩🔥 Possessive, protective, completely obsessed, and yet layered enough to keep you questioning him. The duality in his character had me confused in the best way possible. And the way he loves? Intense.

"I love you too, Lenochka. Wholly, obsessively, there is no escaping what you gave me."

The way he loves? Intense. Consuming. And even when things are messy, even when he’s hurt, he makes it very clear: she is his. Always.

"You're my home, Lenochka, my dream. Just please, promise you'll always come back to me."

And THAT right there?? That emotional pull?? Yeah, I was gone.

Their chemistry was EVERYTHING. The tension, the push and pull, the chase, especially during the trials—was SO good. That first chase?? I had to pause and just breathe for a second. And chapter 33??? EXCUSE ME??? WHAT WAS THAT?? 😭

The trials themselves got darker as the story progressed. What starts off feeling manageable slowly turns into something much more intense, and at times, brutal. And the emotional impact of that? It hits.

Also, I really felt for Lexington. That ending for him was hard to read. He didn’t deserve that.

By the end, I was left completely shaken. As a fangirl, I’m still trying to process what actually happened because that final twist?? Brutal. I’m genuinely not okay.

Overall, this was a dark, twisty, and addictive read that completely pulls you in and refuses to let go.

And June seriously cannot come fast enough. 😭🔥

[Ashley Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laiken!!?? Girlllll….I know you warned us there would be a cliffhanger but holy 😳😳 I was NOT expecting that!! I literally devoured this book - I still don’t think I’ve put all the pieces together but that’s okay because I’ll be thinking about it until book 2 comes out! Seriously here for this plot - the mind games are real.

Definitely check your triggers - it’s mentioned numerous times but not for the faint of heart - it’s unhinged and dark and there’s really no limits….what a wild ride. The spice and chemistry between the two main characters had me fanning myself - they’re hot, he’s hot 🥵 Audrey is such a badass and I am here for it!! I loved them…and all of the bonus characters too!

I love a good secret society and this was that and more!! The opening of the book was legit an invitation to a whispered-about society that hasn’t “hunted” recently…I mean…the rich people always run the towns don’t they!? Heirs and secrets…soooo manyyyyy secrets!!!

If you love a good -
🖤secret society with trials/tests for new initiates
🖤lots of spice
🖤lots of secrets
🖤forced proximity
🖤people with too much money
🖤touch her and ☠️ energy
🖤pretty much black/morally grey mmc

Then this is a book for you!! Out 4/10…this is the first book in a series of 4 I believe and I CANNOT WAIT to read the next book!! Props to you Laiken!! Thank you for having me on your team for early reading! I’m forever changed. All opinions are my own.

[Lisa Babin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check your trigger warnings first!

The way this book hooked from the start and it had me going back and forth between pages to double check what I just read is crazy work. Deceiving Their Minds by Laiken Rhodes is one of those dark romances that pulls you in and won’t let you go until it wants to.

The secret society piece was done so well. The Guild, the trials, the manipulation. The trials is what had my attention and how everyone was going through them.

There's a ton of characters so read the family trees! It’s need to know. Audrey is amazing. She’s not your tropical heroine but she is powerful and unforgettable. I really enjoyed the fact that the side characters contributed to the whole story and wanted to know so much more of them.

Then the romance! It’s dark, possessive, obsessive. The tension had me on the edge of my seat! The chemistry is off the charts and there are 2 different chapters that will have you COMBUST!

Overall, a great read. It’s the first book I’ve read from this author but won’t be the last. It's only book one of four and I'm blown away. It ends with a cliff hanger so I NEED to know the rest!

You’ll love it if you like
- Dark Secret Society
- Billionaires and Heirs
- Hidden and Secret Identities
- Hate to Love
- Forced Proximity

4/5
spice 5/5

[Book_it_to_me_baby · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a LOT going on in this book! it is definitely not what I would call a fast read. The multiple POV's, backstory, and trials. This is one you need to take your time because of the depth of just everything.

Please take note that this book does end on a cliffhanger. I mean, that freaking cliffhanger!

I really enjoyed this book, who doesn't love a secret society with morally gray/black characters? I don't want to give a lot away, so I won't go too into the story. But, Audrey is hiding secrets (I mean everyone seems to have secrets) and while the Guild wants to have those secrets, but she won't take it lying down. The complex relationships between everyone has me questioning EVERYTHING 😂

There is a lot of ground building in this book and not everything is as it seems.I cannot wait to find out more in book two!!!

[Leanne (Queen_and_the_wolf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this advanced copy from the author.

This page turner was devoured in one night. I couldn’t put it down.
It’s dark and unhinged (please check the TRIGGERS)

The relationship between our MMC and FMC is twisted, semi controlling and in parts absolutely smutty and nothing is off limits 😍 and I’m here for all of it all.
I think there’s aloe more to learn from each of these characters
The plot of the founding families and the trials is gripping and leaves you wanting more which is exactly why there’s a cliffhanger ending making me need book 2 ASAP

If 🖤forced proximity 🖤secret society 🖤morally grey almost black MMC 🖤spice 🖤billionaires are your tropes then get this on your TBR

This is book one in a 4 book series …cannot wait for more !!

[Jaelene · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Holy. Shit.

This book was hot as hell!!! It was dark, intense, and completely addictive. Every chapter had me adding new tropes to my list like “oh… we’re doing this now??” and I was absolutely here for it (and so was my husband)

The spice? DELIVERED.
The story? Unhinged (in the best way)
The tension, the yearning, the “punishments”, the trials… it just kept serving nonstop.

And listen. I do have questions. A LOT of them. Will I get answers? Probably not. Do I even care? Not really, because I was having too good of a time.

That cliffhanger though?? Criminal. Actually criminal. Waiting for the next book is going to be torture.

[Sammie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is unfortunatly a DNF😭 I got 33% in and just so confused as nothing has happened and the book is so so confusing and I couldn’t read along.. so sad

[lex (samkiel’s version ⚡︎) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cameron is scrumptious😮‍💨🤭 hey baby boy!! Heheh

[Your_bookish_fantasy Kerri-louise Whitham · Rating 4 out of 5]

**𝓝𝓞 𝓢𝓟𝓞𝓘𝓛𝓔𝓡𝓢**
⚜️𝔻𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 𝕠𝕗- Deceiving their minds

𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 Luna Literary
𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐢𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐢 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.

⚜️ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤-
* 📚 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
* 🌡️ 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲🌶🌶🌶🌶 / 5 -𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑠
* Which books have I also given this same rating? (𝑠𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛)
5⭐️ Fourth wing / Bound by inked flame / Anathama / The Lies of Lena / Of silver and Curses
4.5⭐️ Bitten / The Female / Quicksilver / Bride / Lights Out / A Bargain so Bloody
4⭐️ Spellcaster / One Dark Window / From Blood and Ash / Phantasma / Butcher & Blackbird
3⭐️We Who Will Die / The Wolf King / Daughter of No Worlds / The Ex Hex


⚜️𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠:
* 📖 434 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
* Dual 𝗣𝗢𝗩
* 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲- 10 April 2026
* 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 or 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 driven? 𝒫𝓁ℴ𝓉 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝒜 ℳ𝒾𝓍
* 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 & 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗻𝗼- Tactum Obscurae book 1
* 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 on 𝗞𝗨? ✅𝒴ℯ𝓈
* 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗲- ℱ𝒶𝓈𝓉
* 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲? ✅ ℐ 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓇ℯ𝓂ℯ𝓂𝒷ℯ𝓇 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓋𝒾𝒷ℯ𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒻ℯℯ𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓇ℯ𝒶𝒹 𝓁ℯ𝒻𝓉 𝓂ℯ 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽!
* ℳℴℴ𝒹𝓈; 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝑳𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒅, 𝑪𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒚, 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒄, 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒚, 𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒕𝑖𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍, 𝑺𝒂𝒅, 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒚, 𝑳𝑶𝑳 𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒓, 𝑯𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍, 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒇𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍, 𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑯𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌, 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆, 𝑻𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒚, 𝑨𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔, 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈
* 𝒟𝒾𝒹 𝒾 ℯ𝓃𝒿ℴ𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈?✅
* 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒾 𝓇ℯ𝒶𝒹 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓃ℯ𝓍𝓉 𝒷ℴℴ𝓀 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓈ℯ𝓇𝒾ℯ𝓈?✅
* 𝒲ℴ𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒾 𝓇ℯ𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 ℯ𝓁𝓈ℯ 𝒷𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒽ℴ𝓇?✅
* 𝖂𝖍𝖔 𝖜𝖔𝖚𝖑𝖉 𝖎 𝖗𝖊𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖙𝖔? People who already love fantasy, multi layered plots and so many secrets you trip over yourself!


🚨🅲︎🅷︎🅴︎🅲︎🅺︎ 🆃︎🅷︎🅴︎ 🆃︎🆆︎!🚨

⚜️𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝔽𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕤:
💦𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬/ 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬
🥵𝒟𝒾𝓇𝓉𝓎 𝒯𝒶𝓁𝓀
🙏𝐻𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 and harder
🎲𝕎𝕙𝕪 ℂ𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕤𝕖
⚔️𝔅𝔲𝔩𝔩𝔶 𝔯𝔬𝔪𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢
😇BDSM

⚜️𝕋ℝ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕊
😈soooooooooo many 𝕊𝕖𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕤 & 𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕪𝕒𝕝𝕤
🔮𝔓𝔯𝔬𝔭𝔥𝔢𝔠𝔦𝔢𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔐𝔶𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰
🏆TᖇIᗩᒪՏ
🪧Pᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄᴀʟ Iɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ
🧸𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑦
🤩so many Side Characters
💈 ᗷᗩᑎTᗴᖇ
☠️𝕋𝕠𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕒𝕟𝕕...
🏹𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐌𝐂
⌚𝔸-𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕖

✨ TᕼᗴᗰᗴՏ ✨
You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Dark Secret Society
- Billionaires and Heirs
- Hidden and Secret Identities
- Hate to Love
- Morally Grey Hero’s
- Black Cat FMC

🌍 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘:
Did you read quicksilver, close the book and wonder what you just read because you couldn’t describe more than the butterfly moment? Well this is like that but 10x worse!
It was THE. MOST. MULTI LAYERED PLOT. EVER! even part way through I couldn’t have paused to tell you what was happening because I just had no clue! Yet I couldn’t stop reading!

I loved it, there was always something going on, with about 6.25 sub plots underneath, 23 characters, each with a multitude of secrets and all moving chess pieces on a 10 player board, whilst juggling grenades and sipping whisky on the rocks… if that description confused you then this book is not for you! And the author does set this expectation early on—that not everything will be explained yet and that future books will build on it.

It won’t be for everyone, although the characters are all humans (not fae or shifters etc…) there is a lot of dark, mysterious and secretive things going on, there is a lot of characters right from the start, and those characters all have siblings and family dinasties with a pecking order and rules you will die from if you break them!

The spice is hot and heavy and jumps to 100 very quickly! Very taboo and raunchy, kinky and experimental shall we say…

The story feels intense, dark and addictive in the best way. The world of the secret society is well written leaving many questions in it wake and every chapter revealing another layer of secrets and manipulation. Good luck figuring it all out!

I also really enjoyed the Russian storyline elements—the bratva, the use of nicknames, and how that culture was woven into the story added a lot of personality and depth. It stood out in a good way.

🧝‍♂️ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤:
This is the first book of FOUR! Which means you are presented with a LOT of characters, names and world building. There's a lot going on which can feel overwhelming and that’s before all the secrets, plots and betrayals hit!

Just like the plot, the characters are very layered. You learn who they are on the surface but each character is so much more. There are hidden and secret identities. Some of which you will see coming, others will have your jaw on the floors and then there will be other people that you will question. But this keeps you full engaged throughout the whole story. BUT again, this may cause some confusion so it's important for you pay attention.

😥 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕟𝕠 𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤?
Just too confusing without enough clarifications

⏳ 𝕎𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕚 𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕕?
I would only re-read to catch up before the next book, I wouldn’t pick this back up for fun no. But I would absolutely recommend it to the right people.

🪧𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
Dark, spicy, hugely layered plot with more secrets than you can grasp! This secret society is full of deadly trials, mysteries and plans!


𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠;

𝕋𝕚𝕜𝕋𝕠𝕜
https://www.tiktok.com/@your_bookish_...

IᑎՏTᗩ
https://www.instagram.com/your_bookis...

 

***********************

𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕤:
⭐️ DNF

⭐️⭐️
I managed to finish it but it was rubbish. I won't keep a physical copy and won't recommend it, but  it's a shame as the plot could have made a good book in another author's hands

⭐️⭐️.5
It was OK. I wish I didn't start this one as it didn't do it for me as I struggled to read it. It had an interesting premise that fell flat but I had to see what happened in the end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don't regret reading it, and I will read the next one, but this one did have a few flaws. [These could be repetitive writing, gaps or plot holes, better character growth or world building, areas needing more detail]
Generally, the book lacked depth and became confusing. The plot resonated with me even though it annoyed me on the whole.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to the right people, but I wanted more! Sadly, it's easily forgettable with a few issues I just couldn't overlook/get past.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good book! I loved it, but... I needed more! I really did enjoy it, but it had a few parts that needed more detail or added history/background or lore. But that's because the story or characters were memorable, and the plot was strong with brilliant twists. I would re-read if I needed to catch up for the next book and would recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Great book! I truly wish the story had been thought about more, or the author had been given more time as this book is so close to brilliance! I will likely read again and will definitely be recommending it to all!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW! Absolutely amazing book! Well written with great characters and a plot so memorable that it will stay with me. I will definitely read this again, I will be recommending it and sharing it with the whole world! Also- I NEED A PHYSICAL COPY!

🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
This is my God level tier. The book must be perfectly memorable. Even after reading 50+ more books, I will remember character names and emotions along with the plot. If there is a special edition, then I need to own it! If there is a conversation on books- I'm talking about this!

 SPICE SCALE:
🌶️– segsual language and a little on-page action

🌶️🌶️– a lot of segsual language and some on-page open door action, may be occurring a couple of times

🌶️🌶️🌶️– a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently with 2/3 lurvers

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – super graphic and explicit, occurring 4 or more times, can be more grey and taboo themed.

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – Kinks and Fet!shism, explicit and super graphic. It is likely to be tushy play, toys, playrooms, and more dark / taboo fantasies and realities.

[Tehmeena · Rating 5 out of 5]

CONTENT WARNINGS; Check your triggers, please!

Thank you to the author Laiken Rhodes for an advanced copy of this book. I'm leaving a voluntary review.

Tropes;
⚜🖤𝑫𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝑶𝑽𝒔
⚜💋𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
⚜🖤𝑭𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆 & 𝑽𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝑭𝑴𝑪
⚜💋𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒚/𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑴𝑴𝑪
⚜🖤𝑯𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑻𝒐 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒀𝒐𝒖
⚜💋𝑱𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒚 & 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔
⚜🖤𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝑺𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒕𝒚
⚜💋𝑽𝒆𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝑨𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔
⚜🖤𝑩𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒔 & 𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒓𝒔
⚜💋𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒚
⚜🖤𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚
⚜💋𝑬𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕
⚜🖤𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑨𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒔
⚜💋𝑻𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝑯𝒆𝒓 & 𝑫!𝒆
⚜🖤𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝑽𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒔/𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝑴𝒂𝒏
⚜💋𝑴𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 & 𝑻𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆
⚜🖤𝑯𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑴𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔
⚜💋𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝑰𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒚
⚜🖤𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒇-𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓

This is the first installment in the series!🔥

"𝕬𝖗𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖌𝖔𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖇𝖊 𝖒𝖞 𝖌𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑, 𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖘𝖊𝖘𝖘𝖆?"

This is a dark one, so please do check out the triggers very carefully. I enjoyed this one so much. The plot is deep and keeps you guessing, isn't predictable, and leaves you gasping in stunned silence after the daunting, harrowing cliff-hanger, even though I was expecting one, but not to this extent! That was something. Oh my gosh, what a ride. Wild, unhinged, and chilling! It's only book one, and I'm blown away. Talk about mind games.

The storyline overall is brilliant and sucks you in from the start from the invitation to the secret society, spoilt heirs and trials, and what not! There's so much going on, and in some places, I do get slightly baffled and need to read it again to regain a better understanding. And although the pacing of the book is on the slower side for me, it doesn't drag. There are plenty of delicious twists and turns to get your blood pumping, too, and the cogs in your brain turning! It's such an excitingly dark and immersive world. Love it. And the writing style feels so new to me, so beautiful!

Audrey, our FMC, is an absolute babe and a badass. I love her personality, and the girl will unleash vengeance! Next, we have our MMC, who is super possessive and protective of his love. Ughh, he's so hot. The rest of the characters are awesome, each bringing in their versatile personalities and auras. Very well thought out and written people, I must say. Oh, and the chemistry between the main MCs is so good! And spice? SIMMERING HOT. I can't tell you how many times I pause and take a breather. The man is FINE.

"𝖄𝖔𝖚'𝖗𝖊 𝖒𝖞 𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖊, 𝕷𝖊𝖓𝖔𝖈𝖍𝖐𝖆, 𝖒𝖞 𝖉𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖒. 𝕵𝖚𝖘𝖙 𝖕𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖊, 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖒𝖎𝖘𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚'𝖑𝖑 𝖆𝖑𝖜𝖆𝖞𝖘 𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖊 𝖇𝖆𝖈𝖐 𝖙𝖔 𝖒𝖊."

If you like a dark romance that's embroiling with a dark secret society, trials and tests, mystery and danger, obsession and love, spice and suspense, and more, then this one is for you.

ﾒ૦ﾒ૦💋

Out of Fives;
⚜🖤𝑪𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓:✨✨✨✨✨
⚜💋𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆:🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
⚜🖤𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔:🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
⚜💋𝑩𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔:🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
⚜🖤𝑼𝒏𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅:🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
⚜💋𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆:🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
⚜🖤𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚:🔎🔎🔎🔎
⚜💋𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔:🎲🎲🎲🎲🎲
⚜🖤𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆:🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
⚜💋𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆:🫀🫀🫀🫀🫀
⚜🖤𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚:‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
⚜💋𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒕:💔💔💔💔
⚜🖤𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚:⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
⚜💋𝑨𝒖𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒚 𝑭𝑴𝑪:🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
⚜🖤𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒌𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒓 𝑴𝑴𝑪:🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶
⚜💋𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆:📝📝📝📝📝
⚜🖤𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈:⏳⌛⏳⌛
⚜💋𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕:🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
⚜🖤𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈:🌏🌎🌍🌏🌎
⚜💋𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅: 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪/𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆.
⚜🖤𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: 𝑻𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝑶𝒃𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒆, 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑶𝒏𝒆.
⚜💋𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓: 38 (𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆, 𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆, & 𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒔).
⚜🖤𝑷𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔: 441.
⚜💋𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚, 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌, 𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆.
⚜🖤𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅: 10 𝑨𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒍 2026.
⚜💋𝑾𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑰 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅: 𝒀𝒆𝒔.
⚜🖤𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Ashes And Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow…this book accomplished something that not many can. Mysteries on top of twists and more betrayals than I can count! I still have zero confidence that I have everything figured out and I believe there are more twists waiting for me. As a reader who can usually figure out the major twists and reveals early on this is such a refreshing place of confusion to find myself in. An absolute page turner that I devoured every second of!

Audrey is a strong, confident FMC who has prepared her whole life for the world she is about to enter and for what is to come. Her invitation to participate in the Viperae Rosarum Ludi will change everything and no one will make it out unscathed. I connected with Audrey’s character because she is not a “typical” FMC. Emotions are something Audrey is not very in touch with, due in part to her upbringing and the traumas she has experienced. She is not an emotional person and does not necessarily react in the way most think she would, though that does not mean she doesn’t feel. I appreciate seeing a female character depicted in this way, as more often, it is usually male characters who portray this character trait.

Aleksandr is powerful, handsome, dangerous, and absolutely obsessed with his Printsessa. He knows Audrey is meant to be his. Unfortunately for him, she has not accepted this foregone conclusion. He has his own darkness and dark world he operates in making everything much more complicated for the two of them to be together. Similar to Audrey, Aleks also takes on some less common characteristics for an MMC. He is obsessed and possessive and definitely morally grey. However, he has a side where he is very in touch with what he is feeling. He has an emotional intelligence to be patient with Audrey, realizing this is part of who she is and he loves all of her and will do anything to help her… even when it hurts him.

The yearning this man has for Audrey is fantastic! The heat and chemistry between them are fire! The swap of male and female character roles and dynamic is something I really love seeing in this book.

The plot is complex, not in a bad way (don’t be scared), it is layered and as each layer was peeled back, I became more invested. The connections, betrayals, twists, and turns… I am absolutely reeling from all of it. I will not go into much detail on the plot as I do not want to risk revealing anything that could potentially ruin this experience for future readers. Just believe me when I say yes, you may be confused, but you are meant to be. Keep reading and putting pieces together. This book ends on a BRUTAL cliffhanger…I am still not entirely recovered, and my kindle may or may not have a few new wounds from finishing this book.

This is book one of four in the Tactum Obscurae Series, so there are a lot of character introductions, world building, and many mysteries. I absolutely cannot wait to see where this series goes!

[Danielle Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an arc from the author, and all my genuine thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for allowing me to read this book before its release.

This has to be one of the most chaotic dark romance books I have read as of this year, and I was actually very intrigued by the entire story. This had elements of mystery, intrigue, and high stakes, and it reminded me very much of The Purge, but with a twist and in a more controlled environment: the mafia. I was interested in Audrey's backstory, and since it was so ominous and we only know she survived a plane crash, I was eager to learn more. She mentions burying certain memories, which cause her nightmares and night terrors. The Guilda was acting almost like The Purge group, but instead, they targeted the kids of the mafia family to test if they are worthy, which is interesting to read. Aleks was something, man was feral for his Queen, only like damn I'm gonna need ten of THAT please and thank you. But also the shared scenes though hehehehehehe.

There were times when I just rolled my eyes at Audrey delaying things and not doing things with urgency, which I ended up face-palming myself repeatedly. Like GIRL, YOUR ANSWER WAS RIGHT THERE ALL ALONG!! But then again, it was for the plot, so I understood, regardless of how frustrating and annoyed I was with her. Aleks, on the other hand....I love you, but please, for the love of god HELP YOUR WOMAN LMAO. Aleks, being a horn dog, had me cackling and giggling cause how was he even able to stay focused when all he did was rail the hell out of Audrey. I mean shit, I'd do the same lol Audrey is hot. Anywho, I am curious as to how The Guilda first started and was created because surely one of the families from a previous generation probably fucked around and found out and made the society as a form of threat.

I honestly do not trust Aleks' family whatsoever because I find it WEIRD that they're claiming Audrey to be dirty. I have an inkling that they are the cause of the plane crash and the murder of the Ellesworth family, leaving Audrey and her twin brother the only ones alive. I am just above all suspicious about them. Aleks, I have a big bone to pick with him (pun intended). I just didn't understand why he lied about the entire truth about the stuff he knew about The Guilda, it made me question whether he was the one being a double agent the entire time when Audrey was being taken for each trial, like it was SUSPICIOUS. I do like how both characters navigated through a time where their lives were at risk and in danger, and I enjoyed some of the high-stakes scenes that were happening.

I give this book 4/5 stars because I am super curious about what will happen in book 2 with Audrey and Aleks. I do see that this book has potential, and it just needs a little brush here and there, BUT it was definitely a good read for Dark Romance. If you are someone who loves a dark romance, with a dark mystery/past and a purge theme, then this book is for you!

[Juliann Pawlowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was The Shadow, in the woods, with the secrets!

This was a real-life game of clue - trying to piece together who did what and to whom and why. How is everyone linked…and what is everyone hiding? I felt like a deceptive with a cork board and red string, connecting all of the evidence, players, hidden identities, names, and subtle clues dropped throughout the book.

The Guilda Sanguis Venenati is complied of trials and games intended for the heirs of founding families in Alabaster Cove to complete in order to earn a seat in their underground society, one’s fated to them by their infamous last names. Failure to comply or finish and the consequences are fatal. That’s all the specifics I’ll give - I don’t want to ruin the fun!

Secret society is one of my favorite tropes! The mystery, the suspense, trying to put the pieces together and figure out the ending. Some of my suspicions were confirmed, and others left me speechless. In true secret society fashion…everything isn’t what it seems and there are things working behind the scenes and in the dark that have yet to be revealed and are meant to keep you engaged.

That being said, I found myself confused wondering if I didn’t have all of the information. This took me longer to finish than I wanted because I caught myself rereading parts and going back to previous chapters thinking I missed something. At times I felt like there were plot holes, and I’m not sure if that was intentional or not. Some scenes felt incomplete or too short, while others seemed too long. I also noticed a lot of repetition that I thought was unnecessary. When dealing with a series that ends on cliffhangers, sometimes what you thought was a plot hole is actually just an unanswered question to be discovered later.

This is book 1 of 4 of a twisted, complex plot revolving around a secret society built on lies, deceit, and betrayal with HEAVY world building. The author notes that you are dropped off in the middle of the story and the main characters are unreliable narrators so you need to PAY ATTENTION and READ EVERY PAGE. She does a great job of setting expectations and giving you information before the prologue that will be helpful to reference throughout the book.

This had me locked in from page 1! I’m so invested and need book 2. I need to see how everything continues to unfold. I need answers to my questions. I’m craving more! And that cliffhanger…had me staring at the wall like WTF just happened?! I think Laiken did an amazing job of laying the foundation and created a very intriguing world that I can’t wait to get back to.

Read this book if you’re into:
-Dark Secret Society
-Morally Gray/ Black MMC
-Hidden/Secret Identities
-Touch Her and Die
-Primal Play
-Hate to Love
-Forced Proximity

THANK YOU LAIKEN RHODES! I really enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to ARC read your debut novel!

[WinkingReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐜𝐫𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞... 𝐖𝐓𝐅?!!What in the mindfuck was that? My head is still spining from the Luda games, they're so soul crashing, I wasn't sure i was going to finish this book or it would finish me.

Those last chapters absolutely broke me. I'm left confused, wrecked, in chaos and desperate for answers i cannot get. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫...*exhales*

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗦! 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗦! 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗦! 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦! 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗟𝗦!
Had my mind-blowing, like suddenly the supposed to be dead are alive, hidden identities revealed..

The Guilda isn't here to play, and I'm afraid that by the time they're done with Aleks and Audrey, there will be nothing left of my sanity! 𝘓𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘺, 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴, 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥. Innocent or not, It doesn't matter. The Guilda will go to any extreme to get their desired outcome.

“𝙈𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚…𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙨𝙝,” I truly understood what the shadow meant by that the hard way.

And 𝐎𝐌𝐆!! 𝐅𝐔𝐔𝐔𝐔𝐂𝐂𝐊𝐊𝐊𝐊 can we 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 about 𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 14!! What the HELL did you put in there Miss Laiken??!!! ,girl i was on my damn knees screaming, gasping, and sweating, taking a moment to breathe, picking my jaws from the damn floor just trying not to faint from the scene... don't even get me started on 𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 33🔥❤️‍🔥..no words because those two scenes had no reason to be that hoottt

I enjoyed reading this book so much, everything is perfection from the gripping refreshing plot, to the characters, the tension, the spice, and the brutal trials. I was invested(locked in) and i still am. My mind is still scattered trying to make sense of everything and absorb it, and honestly, I'm not recovering soon.

The Dark Secret Society trope in this book is 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨..𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁.And may God help me by the time this series will finished.

🎀𝕱𝖆𝖛 𝕼𝖚𝖔𝖙𝖊𝖘:
 ✨️𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳.  𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
✨️“𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶…𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦, 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘭𝘴. 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘦.”
✨️“𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦, 𝘓𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘬𝘢, 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦.”
✨️сила в правде 
𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘢 𝘷 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘥𝘦.
𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩
✨️“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘦, 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.”
✨️𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘺 𝘌𝘭𝘭𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩.  𝘓𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘬𝘢. 𝘔𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢. 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘦.
✨️“𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦…𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘩”

❤️𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
• 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
• 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲
• 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐬
• 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲
• 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞
• 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
• 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝
• 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲
• 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝!𝐞
• 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐌𝐂

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 𝓛𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓵: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
Deceiving Their Minds by @authorlaikenrhodes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¾ (3.75/5)

If you love dark secret societies, clandestine meetings, and riddles wrapped in mysteries wrapped in enigmas, this book is going to hook you. Set in the coastal town of Alabastor Cove, nothing is quite what it seems, and that tension carries through every page.

The POV shifts between Audrey, Aleksander, and a mysterious figure known as The Shadow. All of them are unreliable narrators who speak and think in riddles, which makes for a deeply immersive (and sometimes chaotic) reading experience. By the end of the book, I had more questions than I did when I began—but in a way that kept me intrigued.

The author’s note is a must-read, as it really helps set expectations. This is the first of four books, and it very much feels like it. We’re dropped into the middle of a larger mystery with only glimpses of the past, and it ends on a cliffhanger (which I am very proud of myself for figuring out beforehand). The HEA is clearly a long game here, so be prepared to suffer alongside these characters. And definitely check your trigger warnings.

I was immediately sucked into the intrigue of the Ludi. The fast-paced trials keep things moving, and the stakes feel high—some might even say life-or-death. I was constantly trying to piece together who the behind-the-scenes players were—The Shadow, The Hellhound, The Sun, and the Rose—and second-guessing myself at every turn. I’m still not convinced my final guesses are right.

Audrey is a strong black cat FMC—guarded, sharp, and far more calculating than she appears. The dynamic between her and Aleksander leans into that hate-to-love tension and hints at a tragic backstory that I need to know more about. They’re both morally grey, and I found myself constantly questioning their true motivations.

Fair warning: keep the family tree at the front of the book handy. There are a lot of characters, and with shifting identities, people returning from the dead, and secret babies, it can get overwhelming fast.

My favorite character so far is Cameron, Aleksander’s best friend. He brings much-needed comic relief, and I’m really hoping we get more of his backstory—and maybe even his POV—in future books.

I will most likely be picking up the next book in the series—I’m definitely curious enough to keep going for answers.

Thank you to the author for providing an ARC!

For fans of:
🖤 Dark Secret Society | 🕶️ Hidden Identities | 👑 Billionaires & Heirs | 😤 Hate to Love | 🖤 Morally Grey Heroes | 🏠 Forced Proximity | 🐈‍⬛ Black Cat FMC

[MandysBookish Mind · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an amazing story. Not gonna lie, the beginning had me feeling a little lost. Laiken drops you in as our MFC receives her invitation to the trials, and I had no clue what that meant, who The Shadow was, or even who I was supposed to trust. It honestly threw me for a minute. But that actually ended up working so well and completely pulled me in. As the story unfolds, you get these little nuggets of information at just the right moments, and suddenly things start clicking into place in a really satisfying way.

Audrey is such a schemer in the best sense. She’s always thinking ten steps ahead, constantly processing what people are saying and already planning for what comes next. Watching her take in all that information and put it in her puzzle felt so intentional and smart. Her friend group adds so much to that dynamic too. Their conversations bring clarity when you need it, but also a bit of humor that helps break up some of the heavier moments.

Aleks… is completely gone for Audrey, and it’s obvious from the moment he’s introduced. You can tell there is a history between them that we only get pieces of, and while I was able to connect some dots, there’s still a lot left unanswered, which just made me more invested. But one thing is clear: these two are everything to each other - especially if their spicy scenes have anything to say about it. His friends are fiercely loyal to him, and I love how that loyalty naturally extends to Audrey. And Cam… just a total love button.

The trials are where things really shift. The first couple had me thinking, okay… this isn’t too bad. But that feeling does not last. They get progressively worse, and by the time you hit the later ones, it’s intense in a way that had me holding my breath more than once. Everything escalates into something darker, deeper, and honestly kind of mind-blowing. I’m equal parts intrigued, overwhelmed, and completely invested… and I already know I’m going to need the rest of this series. I received this as an ARC and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

You're my home, Lenochka, my dream. Just please, promise you'll always come back to me.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deceiving Their Minds, set in the atmospheric coastal town of Alabastor Cove, opens the four-part Tactum Obscurae series with an ultra-dark and intense premise. At its core is the ominous Guilda Sanguinis Venenati, a secret society shrouded in fear and power that looms over the story. The heroine, Audrey finds herself a reluctant participant in the first Viperae Rosarum Ludi alongside the other heirs of the cove. However, she’s far from the typical vulnerable protagonist, Audrey is driven, secretive, and driven by a desire for vengeance. While others may underestimate her, with her own agenda, she has no intention of being controlled even as a mysterious figure from her past lurks in the shadows, determined not to let her escape them again.

For a debut novel, this story makes a strong impression. It’s dark, gritty, and at times brutal, with content that may be triggering for some readers. The pacing is fast from the outset, pulling you straight into a world filled with danger, secrets, and shifting allegiances. The plot is layered with mystery, intrigue, and a constant undercurrent of hidden motives. However, the complexity, combined with the large cast of characters cast, can make it difficult to keep track of who everyone is and what part they play. The romance element leans heavily into morally grey territory, with a dynamic that is intense, unpredictable, and steamy. Aleks, in particular, fits the mould of a possessive and dominant anti-hero, and the chemistry between him and Audrey is undeniably fiery with very much a ‘burn your fingers’ level of heat between them and their interactions push the boundaries, fitting the darker tones explored throughout the book.

At times, the narrative feels crowded, with so much happening that, for me at least, meant occasionally doubling back to re-read parts. Despite this, Deceiving Their Minds shows potential. Its dark tone lays the groundwork for what could become a compelling series, while leaving readers with enough questions about where this series will go next.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is a brilliantly dark and immersive experience that captivates from the very first invitation to the secret society.

The plot is remarkably deep and unpredictable, weaving a web of chaotic mind games that left me in stunned silence following a harrowing and diabolical cliffhanger.

While the pacing is more deliberate and leans toward a slow burn, the tension never falters, and the prose is so beautiful.

Audrey is a formidable and badass protagonist whose thirst for vengeance is matched only by the intense, simmering chemistry she shares with her possessive and protective counterpart.

​For readers who enjoy dark romance centered on high-stakes trials and mystery, this book is an absolute must-read.

The author has crafted an excitingly dark world filled with versatile characters and delicious twists that keep the cogs in your brain turning.

The story does require close attention, as the introduction of new characters and the use of unreliable narrators can be baffling at times, but this complexity only adds to the immersive nature of the world.

It is a visceral, chilling ride that expertly balances suspense and danger with a writing style that feels entirely fresh and elegant.

​Overall, Deceiving Their Minds: Tactum Obscurae Trilogy #1 is a stunning opening to a series that challenges the reader to keep up with its unhinged secrets before leaving them with a million questions at the finish line.

Every moment of the journey is rewarded by the sheer genius of the trials and the depth of the character development.

If you are looking for a story that truly does not hold back, I recommend going in blind and letting the mysteries unfold exactly as intended.

​Content Warning: This is a dark romance that does not hold back. Readers should check their triggers as the story contains intense themes, graphic violence, and explicit spice.

[Mia Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story plunges you into the shadow-drenched world of the Guilda Sanguis Venenati. The concept of "The Iron Table" and its heirs creates a claustrophobic, high-pressure environment where every move is monitored and every word has a double meaning. The inclusion of encrypted text threads and unredacted chat logs between the heirs added such a unique, modern layer to the mystery, it made me feel like I was spying on a dangerous world I wasn't supposed to see. Audrey and Aleks are everything you want in a dark romance pairing. Their dynamic is electric, built on a foundation of "deceiving the minds" of everyone around them while trying to navigate their own intense connection. Audrey is a complex protagonist caught in a web of legacy and duty, and Aleks is the perfect foil, mysterious, calculating, and fiercely protective in his own dark way. The family trees included in the book are a testament to how deep the history goes; these aren't just characters, they are pieces of a multi-generational game. This isn't just a romance; it’s a puzzle. I spent half the time trying to figure out the secrets of the Guild and the other half rooting for Audrey and Aleks to burn the whole system down. The pacing is relentless, and the Latin-infused lore gives it an ancient, prestigious feel that sets it apart from other secret society books. But I did find the princess, prince, king, queen part a little cringe and wasn't really my cup of tea but if it's your I highly recommend you do read it. The whole experience was even more fun knowing I was one of the people who got a first look into this book. ALSO HIGHLY RECOMMEND PRINTING THE FAMILY TREE, TRANSLATION ETC OUT 😭.

If you love authors who can balance a complex plot with "edge-of-your-seat" romantic tension, pick this up immediately. Just be prepared to question everything you think you know.

TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️: As it's a dark romance do read the content warning before reading it.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely consumed me from the very first chapter and I am still not over it. Deceiving Their Minds by Laiken Rhodes is one of those dark romances that pulls you into its world and refuses to let go. The atmosphere alone is addictive. Alabastor Cove feels eerie, elite, and dripping with secrets, and I loved every second of unraveling it.

Audrey completely stole the show for me. She is not your typical heroine and that is exactly what makes her unforgettable. There is a quiet strength and intensity to her that builds with every page. You can feel her pain, her past, and that simmering desire for control and vengeance. Watching her step into the Viperae Rosarum Ludi and slowly reveal who she truly is was everything. She is layered, unpredictable, and honestly a little terrifying in the best way.

The secret society element was done so well. The Guild, the trials, the manipulation, all of it created this constant tension that kept me on edge. Every interaction felt like a game and no one could be trusted. The writing made it so easy to get lost in the danger and the power dynamics. I found myself questioning everyone and loving that feeling.

And then there is the romance. Dark, obsessive, and full of tension. The kind that blurs the line between desire and danger. The chemistry is intense and addictive, and it fits perfectly with the overall tone of the story. If you love morally gray characters and relationships that feel a little dangerous, this delivers.

What really stood out to me was how immersive everything felt. The world building, the hierarchy, the secrets, it all felt so intentional and detailed. For a debut, this was incredibly impressive and it already has me hooked on the series.

This is definitely a darker read with heavy themes, so I highly recommend checking the trigger warnings beforehand. But if dark secret society romance with power, revenge, and obsession is your vibe, you are going to devour this.

[Merrit Townsend (always1morebook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deceiving Their Minds by Laiken Rhodes
Pages: 400

This book had me questioning everything… and honestly? I’m still not sure I’ve recovered...No, let me rephrase.....I have NOT recovered, LOL

If you love dark, twisty stories where nothing is what it seems and everyone is hiding something, this one is going to hook you fast. The vibe is very elite secret society meets psychological mind games, and it keeps you on edge the entire time. Just when you think you have a handle on what’s going on… nope...PLOT TWIST. Think again.

Audrey is such an interesting main character. She’s not your typical FMC—she’s layered, a little mysterious, and definitely not someone you can easily figure out. She has so many secrets and I think we haven't even touched the surface of what she is hiding. I loved that I was constantly trying to read her while also realizing she was probably ten steps ahead of me the whole time. And Aleksandr.....Well he is the kind of character that completely takes over every scene he’s in. He’s fierce, mysterious, and very much living in that morally black space. There’s this constant push and pull with him where you’re not sure if you should trust him, fear him, or fall in love, and honestly it’s probably all three. He brings so much all consuming energy to the story and keeps you guessing the entire time.

The tension?? SOOOOOOOO good. The relationships in this book are powerful, complicated, and full of that push and pull energy that makes you keep turning pages. It’s dark, it’s addictive, and it definitely leans into the morally gray (okay… maybe darker than gray 😏).

I will say, this is one of those books where you kind of have to just go with it and let the story unfold because trying to figure it out will drive you crazy. It’s meant to keep you guessing and it absolutely delivers on that.

This story was a wild ride and I’m very curious to see where the story goes next 👀

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orphaned at the age of 6 when a fiery crash claimed the life of her entire family, Audrey was taken in by an American family, but her arrival in Alabastor Cove was nothing like the idyllic life she was promised. Now at the age of 21, she is invited to participate in the Viperae Rosarum Ludi, a secret society determined to break potential members before welcoming those who survive into the fold, but the secrets she keeps put more than just her own life at risk, and if she is forced to reveal the truth, she will make sure to take down everyone in her path along with her.

The Shadow as been obsessed with Audrey for longer than she’s realized, and now that she’s being initiated, he is forced to confront not only his feelings for her, but his loyalty to the Guild itself. But he and Audrey share secrets, and they have made a vow to protect those secrets at all cost. As ghosts from their past come into play, all bets are off, and all he can hope is that those he loves will be able to survive the trials to come.

I received an early copy of this book from the author, and with all the hype over the past few months, I’m happy to say it definitely delivered! While some parts made me feel like I was missing information, the author made it clear in the foreward that this was intentional, given that this series is comprised of four books, including a prequel to help fill in some of the blanks. That said, I loved that readers were left in the dark, because it gave us the chance to make our own assumptions of the direction things were headed, and as much as I was right about some, I couldn’t have been more wrong about others. I felt both Audrey and the Shadow’s pain viscerally, and now knowing who they can trust left me waiting to see how things would play out. The cliffhanger ending left me reeling and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Jovie Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a refreshingly honest book that threw one into the chaos in the best way possible. Even at the beginning, there are too many moving parts with secret societies, influential families, and underhand schemes to keep you guessing at every turn what is really happening. I will confess that I did not grasp all of it immediately, which is also one of the reasons why it became so addictive.

Audrey is a powerful and interesting protagonist. It is evident that she is concealing much, and the more you get to know her, the more complicated she is. She is a person who should not be underestimated. Then there is Aleksandr, who is passionate, erratic, and who is fully devoted to her. Their history is not easy, and that tension can be felt in every interaction. Their tone of voice and the relationship between them is quite impressive. They are dangerous as a duo, as a real power couple that no one is supposed to cross.

I also enjoyed the fact that the side characters contributed to the mystery. You are always left wondering because you have this constant feeling that not everybody can be trusted. There are those that were not so difficult to figure out and there are those that certainly surprised me.

It is fast-paced and nothing is ever dull, and that made it difficult to put down. Towards the end of the book, I found myself with more questions than answers as everything became a lot to take in within a very short period. It was particularly dramatic at the end and prepares the next book in a grand manner.

On the whole, it is a dramatic and twisty read that could be compared to the solving of a puzzle bit by bit. In case you like intricate storylines, characters that are morally grey, and relationships that are very intense, this one will certainly make you addicted. I am already anticipating the second book.

arc read

[Cassie the Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Book overview
Set in the small coastal town of Alabastor Cove, where nothing is as it seems. Enter the world of spoiled heirs, hidden secrets, and dangerous betrayals in Deceiving Their Minds, the first book of the Tactum Obscurae Series, from indie author Laiken Rhodes. Deceiving Their Minds. Perfect for readers who love the intricate world of Shantel Tessier, the gritty romances of Rina Kent and the intense pacing of Tate James.

I bow to no man. No country. No King.

Audrey
When an invitation arrived inviting me to participate in the first Viperae Rosarum Ludi, I was reluctant to accept. My past was already dipped in tragedy, and fighting for a seat within a feared secret society held no appeal to me. I quickly came to realize the forefathers holding the Ludi aimed to break me, to carve me open and find what made me tick.

Little did they know that I was not the naive girl they believed me to be

❤️💛🖤❤️💛🖤❤️💛🖤❤️💛🖤

This is a great book and has one of the best plots i have read in a while. Nothing felt rushed or boring and i am excited for future books in the series.

- Russian Mafia
- Touch her and ☠️
- Strong FMC
- Revenge
- Strong family vibes
- Dark romance
- Russian cult and secret society
- Dark brooding MMC
- Multi POV

❤️💛🖤❤️💛🖤❤️💛🖤❤️💛🖤
I love the russian mafia stories and the culture. Laiken showed had good knowledge and proper researched the topic.

Audrey is both lovely, Fiesty and strong.
“Little did they know that I was not the naive girl they believed me to be.”
Her revenge built gradually and i loved the pace of her story. I am looking forward to finding out what is in store in further books. You can see how much Alek has the feels for her.

I love the strong family ties woven into the story. It was well developed and you could feel layer of it as it was placed in the story.

❤️💛🖤❤️💛🖤❤️💛🖤❤️💛🖤
The brutal cliffhanger nearly ended me 😂 i was gobsmacked and cannot wait for the next book.

I enjoyed this book a lot and the multi povs. Laiken did an amazing job and this book was great
story 4/5
Spice 4/5

[Booksbystarlightandshadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book kept me engaged but I am so confused with what is going on and wish I had taken some proper notes! The author says in the note at the beginning the story is happening out of order which has left me intrigued as the gaps are deliberate. I did have to go back and re-read certain chapters after finishing including the prologue and the flash forward did make more sense to me. The foreboding is there big time as we know there is a betrayal coming!

I am a big secret society fan and I am looking forward to finding out more about the Guilda as all the things I love are here; mysterious identities, hidden pasts, and scary trials (that last one had me on the edge of my seat). I am struggling a bit with the number of characters though. Often the male characters are referred to by physical characteristics (as no one is meant to know which MC is which under the masks) but with the two separate groups and the two separate timelines I was going back and forth trying to remember who was who towards the end when more people came out of the woodwork. I also really need to understand the reason behind the King, Queen and Prince labels as it seems more than just a carryover from highschool!

I was definitely feeling the why choose potential too although Audrey and Aleks seem to be the main couple. As much as I like the intensity that Audrey and Aleks have going on, I do have a soft spot for Cameron and I liked Alaister's energy. I did have to keep going back to that family tree though to make sure I wasn't going a step too far!

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read