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Devil's Backbone #2
Watch Your Back: Devil's Backbone, Book 2
Dear Listener,
Just when you think it can’t get any worse, the universe seems to take that as a personal challenge. The Devil’s Backbone Society has their fingers everywhere. It’s more than a secret society―it’s a leash and a prison sentence. The elders insist it’s about making connections that will help you for the rest of your life, but what they don’t tell you is how long―or, in this case, short―your life might be.
The society has already cost me―cost us. Blood. Sweat. Tears. Lives.
Now, it may take more than what I have to give. A part of me wants to be here, wants to see this through to the end. But the rest of me? The rest of me worries that even if I watch my back, it won’t be enough. How do I protect them? How do I protect these handsome, crazy, over-the-top men that I’m falling for? How do I save them from the society and themselves? And more importantly, how do I save myself?
Just when you think it can’t get any worse, the universe seems to take that as a personal challenge. The Devil’s Backbone Society has their fingers everywhere. It’s more than a secret society―it’s a leash and a prison sentence. The elders insist it’s about making connections that will help you for the rest of your life, but what they don’t tell you is how long―or, in this case, short―your life might be.
The society has already cost me―cost us. Blood. Sweat. Tears. Lives.
Now, it may take more than what I have to give. A part of me wants to be here, wants to see this through to the end. But the rest of me? The rest of me worries that even if I watch my back, it won’t be enough. How do I protect them? How do I protect these handsome, crazy, over-the-top men that I’m falling for? How do I save them from the society and themselves? And more importantly, how do I save myself?
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Published July 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,615 reviews
August 1, 2025
DIABOLICAL CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!
August 12, 2025
WHAT. THE. F! Seriously, what did I just read??? This better not be true. How am I expected to wait until the next book!?! Omg! This book was so good and I am in love with everyone once again. If you are a Tate James Fan, this is an absolute must read!
September can’t come soon enough 😭😭😭
#whychoose
#secretsociety
#collegeromance
September can’t come soon enough 😭😭😭
#whychoose
#secretsociety
#collegeromance
August 3, 2025
3.5 stars
You’re telling me the next book ISNT OUT YET???????
You’re telling me the next book ISNT OUT YET???????
August 9, 2025
hey so I going to need to see a therapist after that mind fuck of an ending.
#worthit
#worthit
August 4, 2025
4.75⭐️
I am shocked with the cliffhanger……….
I can’t believe now I have to wait over a month for the next book……..
thanks Larry 😩
I loved even more than the first book, the mystery literally is the best. I love each guy individually but I would prefer her with my guy only and till now he is the only one out of this little harem …… don’t get me wrong the other guys are all amazing in their own way, but Nate is my guy, he is the most Machiavellian, mean, brooding rude one, and that for my favorite 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Can’t wait for the last book.
I am shocked with the cliffhanger……….
I can’t believe now I have to wait over a month for the next book……..
thanks Larry 😩
I loved even more than the first book, the mystery literally is the best. I love each guy individually but I would prefer her with my guy only and till now he is the only one out of this little harem …… don’t get me wrong the other guys are all amazing in their own way, but Nate is my guy, he is the most Machiavellian, mean, brooding rude one, and that for my favorite 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Can’t wait for the last book.
July 17, 2025
You have got to be ducking kidding me, this book was an absolute mindf*ck!! Yes, I’m writing this review at 2am because I absolutely could not physically force myself to put this book down, because I needed to know how it ended. However, I would not have seen that particular ending coming even if it had slapped me in the face! The ending of this book did feel a lot like being slapped in the face though
I want to believe wholeheartedly that this is all some big experiment, that all those people aren’t actually dead…except
I want to believe wholeheartedly that this is all some big experiment, that all those people aren’t actually dead…except
August 20, 2025
Things are heating up!!! By which I mean, what the helly was that cliffhanger Miss James??? Did I think the story would go there? Not in my wildest dreams. I don't know what's real anymore. Send help.
This series is getting better and better, I'm so excited for the third book and hate that I have to wait a month for it to come out ahhhhhh!!!
We got some relationship development between Ashley and the guys, and we finally saw Roycey in action, yup he's definitely my second fav alright. Carter is still first, Heath and Nate still battling for third, but depending on how that ending goes, Nate might keep last place.
I think it's hilarious how terrible things happen, and they're only worried about potentially sleepwalking, but people getting run over by cars? Fine. Someone committing murder? Also fine. But sleepwalking is where we draw the line.
And yes, there is a reason for that, but they just ignore things that happen to people around them in a "well, that's life" way. It's actually how one would expect out of touch rich people to act, so it's not that surprising.
I wish we had more mystery to go with the smut. Because so far in both books, the biggest chunk of it was saved for the ending. There are tidbits here and there as they're investigating, but I'd say Watch Your Back was more about the five of them bonding than anything else.
Either way, I need You're Next now, please and thank you.
This series is getting better and better, I'm so excited for the third book and hate that I have to wait a month for it to come out ahhhhhh!!!
We got some relationship development between Ashley and the guys, and we finally saw Roycey in action, yup he's definitely my second fav alright. Carter is still first, Heath and Nate still battling for third, but depending on how that ending goes, Nate might keep last place.
I think it's hilarious how terrible things happen, and they're only worried about potentially sleepwalking, but people getting run over by cars? Fine. Someone committing murder? Also fine. But sleepwalking is where we draw the line.
And yes, there is a reason for that, but they just ignore things that happen to people around them in a "well, that's life" way. It's actually how one would expect out of touch rich people to act, so it's not that surprising.
I wish we had more mystery to go with the smut. Because so far in both books, the biggest chunk of it was saved for the ending. There are tidbits here and there as they're investigating, but I'd say Watch Your Back was more about the five of them bonding than anything else.
Either way, I need You're Next now, please and thank you.
December 13, 2025
Tate James and I are about to have major beef 😪😩
November 17, 2025
i don't even know how to rate this because there were sooo many things i disliked (like the nicknames??? it's 2025 i thought we already left the cringy nicknames behind) but at the same time couldn't put it down. that cliffhanger? diabolical.
i still have no feelings whatsoever towards the fmc i think she's very mid and i don't get why the guys are so enamored with her
i still have no feelings whatsoever towards the fmc i think she's very mid and i don't get why the guys are so enamored with her
July 15, 2025
This might end up being my favorite Tate James series. I devoured this book as soon as I got it and I ended up wishing I had made it last. The cliffhanger is brutal and I need book three STAT.
I love all of the guys so much, and I am so invested in the development of Ashley’s relationship with Nate. I’m such a sucker for the grumpy hold out of the group and it will be so good when he finally gives in!
Did I mention the cliffhanger? It felt like things were coming together just to get completely annihilated by that ending. I’m dying to see how Ash will find her way out of this situation. This series has me on the edge of my seat and I cannot wait for the conclusion!
Oh and the audio is full cast and SO GOOD! If you are an audiobook person this is a must listen!
♥️Romantic Suspense
♥️Why Choose
♥️Secret Society
♥️Enemies to Lovers
♥️Step Brother and Friends
♥️Book 2 in a Trilogy
♥️Full Cast Audiobook🎧
I love all of the guys so much, and I am so invested in the development of Ashley’s relationship with Nate. I’m such a sucker for the grumpy hold out of the group and it will be so good when he finally gives in!
Did I mention the cliffhanger? It felt like things were coming together just to get completely annihilated by that ending. I’m dying to see how Ash will find her way out of this situation. This series has me on the edge of my seat and I cannot wait for the conclusion!
Oh and the audio is full cast and SO GOOD! If you are an audiobook person this is a must listen!
♥️Romantic Suspense
♥️Why Choose
♥️Secret Society
♥️Enemies to Lovers
♥️Step Brother and Friends
♥️Book 2 in a Trilogy
♥️Full Cast Audiobook🎧
July 29, 2025
amazing
intense
sexy
my fav Tate series ever
intense
sexy
my fav Tate series ever
July 22, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“𝕀’𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕤𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕪, 𝔸𝕤𝕙. 𝕀’𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕗𝕦𝕔𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕤𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕪 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟’𝕥 𝕓𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕣𝕧𝕖.”
𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
WHAT WAS THAT????
This woman will never let me know peace I swear. Another day, another cliffhanger, and this one was something else. I definitely have my theories but at the same time I have no idea what to think. Like some are so obvious but if you've read these books, you know they kinda aren't at the same time. Needless to say my brain is fried.
This book was really plot heavy and I loved that (don't worry, there is still A LOT of spice 😉). But with as much information we got from this book, you are still left with so many questions and the need for the third book is HEAVY. We also learn a lot more about Royce (which I figured was gonna happen), and it's so interesting how his family is all connected to this. 👀
With it being the second book in this trilogy, it's hard to say anything without spoiling anything but trust me when I say, I need everyone to drop what they are doing and read these books, they suck you in and never let you go. September 16th needs to come ASAP, and you best believe PTO will be used because I need the day to read and recoup 😂
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“𝕀’𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕤𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕪, 𝔸𝕤𝕙. 𝕀’𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕗𝕦𝕔𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕤𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕪 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟’𝕥 𝕓𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕣𝕧𝕖.”
𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
WHAT WAS THAT????
This woman will never let me know peace I swear. Another day, another cliffhanger, and this one was something else. I definitely have my theories but at the same time I have no idea what to think. Like some are so obvious but if you've read these books, you know they kinda aren't at the same time. Needless to say my brain is fried.
This book was really plot heavy and I loved that (don't worry, there is still A LOT of spice 😉). But with as much information we got from this book, you are still left with so many questions and the need for the third book is HEAVY. We also learn a lot more about Royce (which I figured was gonna happen), and it's so interesting how his family is all connected to this. 👀
With it being the second book in this trilogy, it's hard to say anything without spoiling anything but trust me when I say, I need everyone to drop what they are doing and read these books, they suck you in and never let you go. September 16th needs to come ASAP, and you best believe PTO will be used because I need the day to read and recoup 😂
August 8, 2025
Wow!
I can't say much without spoiling, but let me just say that I'm left mindblown.
That cliffhanger and the fact that I have to wait a month for the next book.
I honestly don't know that I'm going to do with myself until I know what happens next. The way I have fallen for each of these men and I'm so glad that this is a why choose because I couldn't choose just one of them 😂. Tate is becoming a favorite authors of mine already and I fully intend to read another of her series ASAP. If you've read her other series, which do you recommend I read next?
I can't say much without spoiling, but let me just say that I'm left mindblown.
That cliffhanger and the fact that I have to wait a month for the next book.
I honestly don't know that I'm going to do with myself until I know what happens next. The way I have fallen for each of these men and I'm so glad that this is a why choose because I couldn't choose just one of them 😂. Tate is becoming a favorite authors of mine already and I fully intend to read another of her series ASAP. If you've read her other series, which do you recommend I read next?
August 7, 2025
That was so rude...
Six star series so far...
You better not hurt me, Tate. I'd like to be friends so don't hurt me.
Six star series so far...
You better not hurt me, Tate. I'd like to be friends so don't hurt me.
December 7, 2025
I wouldn’t call this good by any means. It’s kinda bad actually, but I’m heavily entertained.
September 2, 2025
Ummm HOLY SHIT!? That ending???? I’m going to RAGE if what I read comes true…
And I’m sorry!? How am I suppose to survive without the 3rd book!? Ughhhh
Honestly one of the BEST dark why choose series I’ve read!!
And I’m sorry!? How am I suppose to survive without the 3rd book!? Ughhhh
Honestly one of the BEST dark why choose series I’ve read!!
August 15, 2025
3.5⭐️ why choose, mysterious element with a secret society. Twisty and turny however i personally felt the second book to be much slower and had more awkward pacing than the first which kinda made it drag for me. The characters feel kinda flat imo so I’m not really invested in any of them but the ending has me sat for the next one
July 6, 2025
This series is a totally mindf^ck and I LOVE it.
Watch Your Back was everything and more… I don’t even trust I know my first name after reading this and now I’m questioning everything we’ve read so far.
Without giving anything away, just know that this one is going to be super spicy with some group activities, some fun games, perhaps an unexpected murder, some interesting truths and even more lies & betrayal.
Oh, and you will question everything.
P.S. Royce is still my favorite!
Watch Your Back was everything and more… I don’t even trust I know my first name after reading this and now I’m questioning everything we’ve read so far.
Without giving anything away, just know that this one is going to be super spicy with some group activities, some fun games, perhaps an unexpected murder, some interesting truths and even more lies & betrayal.
Oh, and you will question everything.
P.S. Royce is still my favorite!
September 14, 2025
This book had me hooked from page one. Ashley is finally starting to come into her own here, and I loved watching her balance the whole “badass survivor” side with the softer, more vulnerable moments. The guys? Ugh, I adore the chaos of them all—each one brings something different, and the way their relationships are evolving kept me glued to the pages. Some of the scenes between them were downright delicious.
The plot kept me guessing, and every time I thought we were safe, Tate threw in another twist. I was literally whispering “no freaking way” at my Kindle more than once.
Overall, Watch Your Back was messy, and so much fun to read. I’m obsessed with this series and can’t wait to see how Ashley and her boys handle the chaos that’s still coming.
The plot kept me guessing, and every time I thought we were safe, Tate threw in another twist. I was literally whispering “no freaking way” at my Kindle more than once.
Overall, Watch Your Back was messy, and so much fun to read. I’m obsessed with this series and can’t wait to see how Ashley and her boys handle the chaos that’s still coming.
August 21, 2025
2 book in the Devil’s Backbone series. Bully romance. It’s such a good mind f***! Multiple MMCs. Insane plot twist. Completely unkind cliffhanger. Leaves you feeling like you were hit by a Mac truck. Completely untouchably corrupted. I LOVED it.
September 8, 2025
4.6 ⭐️
“Watch Your Back” is definitely the creepiest discovery of this year—it gave me chills more times than I could count. If the first book was packed with shock value, this one is the king of breathtaking moments, passionate romance, and a mind-blowing finale I still can’t stop thinking about. Here, the suspense is sharper, the secrets are darker, the twists are wilder—and that cliffhanger is pure cruelty. Hands down, Devil’s Backbone has even more darkness to reveal, and I both dread and crave what’s coming next
“Watch Your Back” is definitely the creepiest discovery of this year—it gave me chills more times than I could count. If the first book was packed with shock value, this one is the king of breathtaking moments, passionate romance, and a mind-blowing finale I still can’t stop thinking about. Here, the suspense is sharper, the secrets are darker, the twists are wilder—and that cliffhanger is pure cruelty. Hands down, Devil’s Backbone has even more darkness to reveal, and I both dread and crave what’s coming next
August 19, 2025
⭐️: 4.5
🌶️: 4
My mind is blown 🤯! I am speechless. This cliffhanger was not what I was excepting at all and OMG. Tate James HOLY DUCKING SHIT. I don’t know how I am going to wait for book three, I need it like now!
I will say that the pacing of this book was slower at times but still had twists and action that kept me engaged. The writing is so seamless, to me at least, and really immerses you into the story. I truly felt like I was watching a tv show while reading this because it’s 100% giving the CW or Hulu Original lol. I was not only entertained by certain things but also sweating. This is Reverse Harem w/ a side of the step brother trope and I absolutely loved the intense dynamics between everyone.
I am truly at a loss for words … stunned and still questioning EVERYTHING!
Ashley- girl you are INSANE but I mean I would be too 😅
Nate- OMG…… Idk what to feel toward you right now but a big whopping WTF.
Carter- I still love you
Heathcliff- omg & wtf & I still love you too.
Royce - definitely not surprised but surprised. I think I like him the most.
Carly- I’m still 100% skeptical.
This series was made for me. It has all of my favorite tropes/ micro tropes and I’m obsessed with the college, secret society, psychological romantic thriller aspect. My mind is blown away.
🌶️: 4
My mind is blown 🤯! I am speechless. This cliffhanger was not what I was excepting at all and OMG. Tate James HOLY DUCKING SHIT. I don’t know how I am going to wait for book three, I need it like now!
I will say that the pacing of this book was slower at times but still had twists and action that kept me engaged. The writing is so seamless, to me at least, and really immerses you into the story. I truly felt like I was watching a tv show while reading this because it’s 100% giving the CW or Hulu Original lol. I was not only entertained by certain things but also sweating. This is Reverse Harem w/ a side of the step brother trope and I absolutely loved the intense dynamics between everyone.
I am truly at a loss for words … stunned and still questioning EVERYTHING!
Ashley- girl you are INSANE but I mean I would be too 😅
Nate- OMG…… Idk what to feel toward you right now but a big whopping WTF.
Carter- I still love you
Heathcliff- omg & wtf & I still love you too.
Royce - definitely not surprised but surprised. I think I like him the most.
Carly- I’m still 100% skeptical.
This series was made for me. It has all of my favorite tropes/ micro tropes and I’m obsessed with the college, secret society, psychological romantic thriller aspect. My mind is blown away.
July 16, 2025
WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED??????!!!!!
July 19, 2025
This was such a boring read. It was a struggle to finish. There just wasn’t enough happening and too much just sitting around and talking. I’m still not connected to any of the characters.
July 28, 2025
WHAT?!?!? And no, no, no!! And WHAT?!?! The continuing saga of Ashley and the Devil’s Backbone Society. Along with several of her guys (step brother, friends, friends with benefits, frenemies…), Ashley can’t seem to shake the troubles and the fears that somebody wants her gone … permanently. She continues working as a masseuse (because she refuses to be taken care of that way…) but reaping the many, many sexual favors from those who either love her, want her, or just want to make protect her … seems she never has to go without and what better way to be distracted from the obvious danger. Grand parties, excitements, mean girls, wanting independence but also experimenting in the bedroom. It’s hot, hot, hot!!
But I’m also invested in Ashley and the people in her life, so after reading “Dear Reader” I couldn’t wait to get my hands on “Watch Your Back”. But OMG, the cliff hanger is blowing my mind and the third book isn’t due for release until September!! I’ll be agonizing over the wait, but I’ll read the first two several times to stave off my impatience and also for multiple opportunities for the repeat “goodness” in one and two ….
Tate James …. What have you done!!!! 😜🤪😘😘😘
But I’m also invested in Ashley and the people in her life, so after reading “Dear Reader” I couldn’t wait to get my hands on “Watch Your Back”. But OMG, the cliff hanger is blowing my mind and the third book isn’t due for release until September!! I’ll be agonizing over the wait, but I’ll read the first two several times to stave off my impatience and also for multiple opportunities for the repeat “goodness” in one and two ….
Tate James …. What have you done!!!! 😜🤪😘😘😘
August 14, 2025
THAT ENDING….WTF!!!!
August 12, 2025
Well that took an unexpected turn! What on earth will I do for another month until book #3 releases????
July 15, 2025
2.5 to be fair but the amount of skimming I did I cannot say this was a 3 for me.
spoilers.
FMC:
I think the reason I'm not connecting with this story is my dislike of Ashley. She is super selfish and self centered in her choices. It bothered me a lot in book one and when Heath hung himself I definitely was like WHY DID YOU NOT NOTICE. It bothered me a lot that she just did not see everyone around her. That only got worse in this book. The guys have their own lives and struggles and yet every chapter is "why me, what about me?" and it just makes me wish we had dual POV so I could get a break. We at least get the journal entries they have but we need a break from Ashley. God even at Christmas when she makes this melodramatic scene for 3 weeks when everyone around her has known heath their whole lives and is keeping it together when needed. Just annoying. Then with everything in her life going on and she still keeps thinking she is moving out? are you doing it for attention or are you that stupid? Honestly, if I don't end up picking up the next book it will be that I can't take anymore Ashley and now that she is cut off from everyone I'm sure she will be so much worse.
MMC:
I am down for the simping, I am, but no one thinks outside "oh I love her so much". On repeat the whole book. Why is there not kor investigation into the various issues they are facing rather than just hooking up and waiting for shit to happen? The guys have back stories they have lives, family, and other issues, why is it only Ashley they are thinking about? Anyway.
Overall:
This was on the whole; boring. Nothing happened until the big reveals happened and I struggled with the lack of real development. We had the cool events and the guys and her having sex. Yes that all progressed but we didn't have movement on anything else and were just stuck in a loop. This latest cliffhanger where she is slowly going to lose herself in a mental facility is a twist alright, but I'm just not sure I'm a long for that self pity ride with Ashley when I barely like her character the first two books.
spoilers.
FMC:
I think the reason I'm not connecting with this story is my dislike of Ashley. She is super selfish and self centered in her choices. It bothered me a lot in book one and when Heath hung himself I definitely was like WHY DID YOU NOT NOTICE. It bothered me a lot that she just did not see everyone around her. That only got worse in this book. The guys have their own lives and struggles and yet every chapter is "why me, what about me?" and it just makes me wish we had dual POV so I could get a break. We at least get the journal entries they have but we need a break from Ashley. God even at Christmas when she makes this melodramatic scene for 3 weeks when everyone around her has known heath their whole lives and is keeping it together when needed. Just annoying. Then with everything in her life going on and she still keeps thinking she is moving out? are you doing it for attention or are you that stupid? Honestly, if I don't end up picking up the next book it will be that I can't take anymore Ashley and now that she is cut off from everyone I'm sure she will be so much worse.
MMC:
I am down for the simping, I am, but no one thinks outside "oh I love her so much". On repeat the whole book. Why is there not kor investigation into the various issues they are facing rather than just hooking up and waiting for shit to happen? The guys have back stories they have lives, family, and other issues, why is it only Ashley they are thinking about? Anyway.
Overall:
This was on the whole; boring. Nothing happened until the big reveals happened and I struggled with the lack of real development. We had the cool events and the guys and her having sex. Yes that all progressed but we didn't have movement on anything else and were just stuck in a loop. This latest cliffhanger where she is slowly going to lose herself in a mental facility is a twist alright, but I'm just not sure I'm a long for that self pity ride with Ashley when I barely like her character the first two books.
July 20, 2025
2.55•• wtffff this is so mindf*ck
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