Blood & Roses Volume 1

Blood & Roses #1-3

by Callie Hart

What happens in the dark never stays in the dark.
As one of Seattle’s most dangerous, feared men, Zeth Mayfair always carried out the jobs he’s sent on without a second thought. Drugs? Guns? Dirty money? They’re all fair game. But girls? Girls are another matter entirely. When Zeth’s employer decides buying and selling kidnapped women is a lucrative sideline, Zeth’s usually uncomplicated life suddenly becomes very complicated indeed. And his biggest complication goes by the name of Sloane Romera.

​Sloane’s sister is missing, and she needs to find her, yet all doors leading into the seedy world of human trafficking are firmly closed in Sloane’s face. She’s a trauma doctor; she needs information. What she really needs is help…and help presents itself in a most unlikely form. Zeth is terrifying, scandalously hot, and comes fully loaded with a terrible attitude and wicked smile. He also looks like he’s Sloane’s only hope. Can she work with the guy without getting herself killed, losing her job, or falling head over heels in love?

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Fantasy, Dark, Audiobook, Romantasy, Contemporary

Audible Audio

Published March 10, 2026

Reviews

[Yana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ dare I say it?!? Too much spice not enough plot 😶

[Momma Eureka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I NEED THE OTHER BOOK !

I NEED THAT MAN !!!!!!!

WHAT A MAN !!!!! He is ALL man and he is delicious!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

If you can please listen to the audiobook because the MMC narrator’s voice is like a raspy whisper in your ears and it makes Zeth Mayfair even HOTTER than he already is !
Love the plot, love Sloane, love how bratty and sassy she is. I love Michael and I will also now read Rebel because what you mean he is a MOTORCYCLE CLUB PRESIDENT ? That’s my addiction!

[Sarah [semi slump] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I'm not sure where to begin.
I feel like 3 stars is very generous of me. If this wasn't written by Callie, I probably would have dnf'd.
WHERE WAS THE CHEMISTRY?
Yeah, the spice was 🤌🏻🌶 but did they even like each other? There really wasn't anything special between them.
I liked the plot, but I felt like the story as a whole was lacking.
The FMC, I wanted to shake her so many times throughout the story. Like, girl, I know you're smart AF, so act like it.
Broody, dark MMC, but where was his yearning?
I can't believe this is the same author who wrote Kingfisher!
No chemistry, yearning or tension.
There has to be a lot of convincing for me to read book 2 because I'm disappointed.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️ for the spice because it was hot & the ending because I wasn’t expecting that

[brittany:) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️⭐️💫
I’m ngl… this one just wasn’t hitting for me 😭

They had no chemistry… like I genuinely don’t even know if they liked each other fr 😭 even they seemed confused about what was going on… and so was I 🥴

As a pair they just weren’t convincing at all. And the FMC??? I’m sorry… she was insufferable 😩 she kept making the dumbest decisions and I just could NOT get on board with her.

Of course we love an obsessive man 😮‍💨🖤 but even that couldn’t save it for me…ion know….

That being said… I’m ngl… the ending did push this to a 3⭐ for me 👀 because now I’m lowkey on edge and I need answers 😭

I’m sure a lot of people will enjoy this, it just wasn’t for me. I wasn’t really vibing with any of the characters and the story had some holes that I’m hoping get clarified in the next book 🤞📚

[Liana Gold]

Surprise, surprise!!!
Give me all your morally grey characters!!!! Not one but two books in a short time, yeeeesss please

Publication date: January 20, 2026

[Bookishness · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

I read about 50% of the book and then skimmed the rest just to get to the ending. I loved that the FMC is a medical resident, and I’m always a fan of a morally gray MMC. But unfortunately the characters lacked chemistry and personality, and the story itself felt like it was missing a real plot. It just didn’t do it for me. 🤷‍♀️💋

[Kristina]

Human trafficking. This is a reprint of her early work from 2014

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

First things first: check your trigger warnings. This is very dark romance and nothing like Quicksilver, so if you’re expecting that vibe you will be very disappointed.

This book dives straight into the darkness and the spice from the very beginning. It’s intense, morally gray, and definitely not for everyone. But somehow it completely pulled me in.

Zeth is that obsessive, morally gray MMC who will do anything for the FMC, and the dynamic between him and Sloane kept me hooked. The mystery surrounding the missing sister and the darker world they’re navigating kept the story moving for me.

And yes… there is a lot of spice. Like… chapter-one spicy.

This one is gritty, twisted, and very spicy, but I have to admit I was completely entertained and already curious to see where the story goes next. Thanks to forever publishing for the gifted arc.

[Monica Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPICYYYYYY!! My jaw was on the floor towards the end… was not expecting that little plot twist 😳

[M D · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 25%

I was excited for this because I liked Quicksilver! I just couldn’t get through the errors. I figured with a republish this would have gone through additional editing, but there are SO many problems.

It seems disrespectful to write a book about a character who is in medical training and clearly not consult anyone with a medical background. On the same page, she refers to the main character as a fifth year resident and a medical student (which is incorrect, a resident has graduated school and been practicing as a doctor, in this case for 5 years). She later calls her an intern, which is AGAIN wrong, because this refers to a first year resident. And then 2 years later, the main character is somehow still in residency, which unless she is going into neurosurgery, is very unlikely.

She also refers to her best friend, the psychologist (?) as being board certified, which is not something that happens in psychology. Psychiatry, yes, but not psychology. Different fields. All of this could have been fixed had anyone with a medical background been involved in the editing process.

Aside from these errors, the plot was fine. Tons of triggers, some seemingly unnecessary. I am realizing dark romance is probably just not for me.

[✨Joe ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had no idea wtf was going on LOL

[Kerry · Rating 1 out of 5]

ugh no thanks, DNF at 56%... consent? we don't know her. I guess it's dark, but mostly it's just nonsensical and borderline problematic with the lack negotiated kink and consent. There is no emotional development here, they spend time either fucking or separately taking care of his suicidal ward. Read the content warnings, friends, but also consider staying away from this mess because it's just bad.

[Gigi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m ngl… I don’t even know where to start with this one 😭

It just wasn’t hitting for me. Like… WHERE was the chemistry?? The spice was there, sure, but did they even like each other? I couldn’t feel any real connection, no tension… and that’s literally a crime in a romance.

Zeth had that broody and dark energy (which I usually eat up), but even that felt kinda flat without the yearning to back it up. And Sloane… omg. She tested my patience so many times. Girl, you’re smart, so PLEASE act like it 😭 the decisions she made were just NOT IT.

The plot itself had potential, and I did find parts of the story interesting, but overall it just felt like something was missing. It didn’t fully come together for me.

That said, the ending did bump this up to a 3⭐ for me. I’m lowkey intrigued now and need answers, so I might still pick up book 2, but it’s gonna take some convincing.

[Hannah Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I REALLY enjoyed this story and I loved the relationship between the FMC and MMC - but that ending?? I NEED the next book like now…😅 like how does the relationship grow and where does her sister fit in!?

[Katie (Katieeatsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utter perfection

Callie Hart is devastatingly good at making me feel everything, this was no exception 🔥

That’s it that’s the review.

P.s. please don’t forget to check your trigger warnings this one is HEAVY! ❤️

[Stacey Beane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope! DNF on pg 219 & 56% in audio! Couldn’t finish it! Let me be the 1st to say…I’m a spicy lover! Gimme all the spice HOWEVER the writing is just bad in this book. My understanding is this is a republished piece of work from 2014 & you can absolutely tell her writing has improved TREMENDOUSLY since then…hence Quicksilver (one of my absolute favorite books). The plot is nonexistent…you get a little piece of the story then an ungodly amount of spice! It’s just overkill & completely took away from the potential this story could have.

[Grace Hall · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. What the f*ck did I just read.

[Vita Wirt · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a tiny bit of plot squeezed in between all the spice

[🌈Charnae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.85 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Smutty and fun. It was a good time.

[Melanie Dubois · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I was hooked from the start and it just kept getting better!

It was dark, it was violent and it was gripping! I am so excited for book 2, I literally can't wait!

Every part of that was perfection. Even the spicy scenes were hot and direct, not cringe or long winded.

10 out of 10 recommend!!!

[Desiree Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my

I devoured this book!!!! It was so good idk how to explain it. Finished it in less than 24 hours . Wow

[Lydia J · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you MEAN I have to wait an entire year for the next book?!!

[Tabatha (tab.talks.books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ 5🌶️

[WerBinIch2o · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️

[Julia Ross]

Soft DNF for now, I’m on a reading slump and get into anything it seems 😑

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

X rated! Loved the story so figuring out which book to continue with on the earlier release. Looks like Book 4. Fingers crossed!

[whatmarissareads · Rating 2 out of 5]

- dark romance
- her sister has been taken and she'll do ANYTHING to get her back
- she sells her body to get information on her sister
- mafia, drug lords, manipulation, relational drama
- high spice
- bad boy x good doctor

The story in itself is very intriguing but the execution of it had me pulling out of the story and checking out... I wish Sloane had stood up for herself more against Zeth. I would have loved to see more back and forth between them but instead she submits every time and even apologizes for things HE should be apologizing for....

Sadly this didn't work for me

[Gianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much a fun time spicy dark romance with a mafia vibe.

I enjoyed the FMC-strong independent baddy on a mission to find her missing sister. And the MMC was so down bad, but protective and possessive AF.

The phone scene in the bathroom was 🤌🏼

I will absolutely be continuing with this series!

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️ is a generous rating and I hate myself a little for even giving it that. Starting with the fact that she was a 20 something VIRGIN who has sex with someone to find out information about her kidnapped sister, adding that she is a physician and couldn’t possible hire a PI that takes money instead of sexual favors with strangers for information.

The most egregious thing to me is that I can’t believe that between editors and arc readers that not a single person had even a basic understanding of healthcare or medications or even access to Google.


—> “Ten CCS of Epinephrine. Call ahead to the or, Let them know we’re coming up.”

“He’s crashing, Dr. Romera. Adrenaline?” the nurse asks. Adrenaline is the last thing this guy needs. His heart is already near spent as it is.

EPINEPHRINE AND ADRENALINE ARE THE SAME EXACT THING.


—> “Pippa opted for psychology instead of medicine. We graduated at the same time. She’s been certified by the Board of Psychiatric Medicine for the last fourteen months.”

Psychology and psychiatry are NOT the same thing. Psychiatry IS medicine ya hotdog. Psychiatrists are physicians who went to medical school. 🫠


—> “Diclofenac. Great. 25mg if you have bad period pains. 200mg if you wanna send a kidnapper to the back of beyond. I load the syringe and run. It’s raining outside. Gravel tears into the soles of my feet. The guy carrying Lacey’s feet sees me coming. Too late, motherfucker. I plunge the syringe into his buddy’s neck. The guy with the shaved head sags like I just shot him. Good. He hits the ground, all arms and legs. Lacey goes with him, landing heavily on his chest.”

DICLOFENAC DOES NOT DO THAT. ITS IMPOSSIBLE. It’s an NSAID, basically a strong ibuprofen. 200mg is too high of a dose, for sure, but it isn’t going to make you immediately fall down to the ground unconscious. That’s not how that works, not even close. Honestly, she could have picked fentanyl instead and I would have believed her, but not diclofenac.


—> “In the weak yellow light from the pendant in the kitchen, I haven’t noticed a discoloration of her skin, but when I lay her flat and check her eyes, the jaundice is clear. “Kidneys,” Zeth says.”

LMAO NO. THE LIVER CAUSES JAUNDICE NOT THE KIDNEYS



The lack of even a basic Google search for information aside, some of the dumbassery and cringey quotes stand out above others and deserve mention for being a reason for my rating.

—> “The very first surgery I performed was on myself. I carved out my weakness with a rusty scalpel and reveled in the glorious void that remained afterward.”

—> “A wound becomes infected. Organs become inflamed. The body rejects new limbs. I’ve watched it happen time and time again, but I’ve never experienced it firsthand. Until now, that is. Zeth is performing butcher’s surgery on my open chest cavity, and my heart is already inflamed. It pounds behind my ribs, fighting the strange, alien feelings he’s infecting me with.”

—> “I’ve watched users shoot up and seen nirvana take them as the drugs have soaked their blood. I understand now. My eyelids flutter as I’m washed away on a tide of pleasure.”


I hate myself for finishing this book. I hate myself even more for planning to read the second book because I want to know what the fuck is going on with the kidnapped sister, even though reading it was painful