What do you think?
Rate this book
Brutal Brotherhood #1
The Ecstasy of Sin
I’m invisible.
I’m a girl with no family, no friends, and no future.
Chronically ill. Homeless. Cast aside.
Death is beginning to look like mercy.
Then, he sees me.
An enigmatic stranger who holds me together like I’m not ripping at the seams.
And when he kills someone to save my life, I finally see the monster hidden behind his beautiful eyes.
He’s dangerous, and I should run...
But his obsession becomes my addiction.
His darkness becomes my sanctuary.
By the time the truth of what he is comes to light, it’s already too late.
Dominic Kael will burn the world to ash before he ever lets me go.
___________
The Ecstasy of Sin is a full-length dark romance standalone in an interconnected series. This book contains extremely disturbing content. Please read the trigger warning list before proceeding.
I’m a girl with no family, no friends, and no future.
Chronically ill. Homeless. Cast aside.
Death is beginning to look like mercy.
Then, he sees me.
An enigmatic stranger who holds me together like I’m not ripping at the seams.
And when he kills someone to save my life, I finally see the monster hidden behind his beautiful eyes.
He’s dangerous, and I should run...
But his obsession becomes my addiction.
His darkness becomes my sanctuary.
By the time the truth of what he is comes to light, it’s already too late.
Dominic Kael will burn the world to ash before he ever lets me go.
___________
The Ecstasy of Sin is a full-length dark romance standalone in an interconnected series. This book contains extremely disturbing content. Please read the trigger warning list before proceeding.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2025
About the author
Kay Alastor
4 books107 followersMy name is Kay, and I’m an indie author devoted to writing unapologetically dark stories of romance, tragedy, and scorching spice... always with a happily ever after.
You can find the full list of trigger warnings for all my books on my website! PLEASE read them before reading any of my books.
I humbly ask readers consider this when reading my stories: My books are never meant to reflect healthy relationships or reality. They are intended for those who enjoy dark romance, morally grey to black characters, and blurred lines between consent and non-consent.
Happy reading, and always protect your mental health!
🖤 Connect with me 🖤
My Website
↬ http://www.kayalastor.com/
Instagram:
↬ https://www.instagram.com/kay.alastor/
Facebook Readers Group:
↬ https://www.facebook.com/groups/kayal...
Facebook Author Page:
↬ https://www.facebook.com/kayalastor
You can find the full list of trigger warnings for all my books on my website! PLEASE read them before reading any of my books.
I humbly ask readers consider this when reading my stories: My books are never meant to reflect healthy relationships or reality. They are intended for those who enjoy dark romance, morally grey to black characters, and blurred lines between consent and non-consent.
Happy reading, and always protect your mental health!
🖤 Connect with me 🖤
My Website
↬ http://www.kayalastor.com/
Instagram:
↬ https://www.instagram.com/kay.alastor/
Facebook Readers Group:
↬ https://www.facebook.com/groups/kayal...
Facebook Author Page:
↬ https://www.facebook.com/kayalastor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 7, 2026
Yes, yes, yes! This is the epitome of dark romance book I’ve been anticipating to read. The way i devoured it… just chef kiss 😙🤌
“I’ve killed for you. I will die for you. I will fucking move mountains with my bare hands to give you everything you deserve, everything the world denied you when they made you feel like you were nothing.”
There is so much soul in the author’s writing, it’s beautiful and adds such divine depth to the characters. It’s written in a way that makes you feel all their emotions to the core ❤️🩹
Tbh, it made me want to downgrade a lot of other books because they felt superficial in comparison, like they lacked something real underneath.
My heart broke for Wren (FMC), my sweet girl had such challenging life, but she stayed strong for so long in difficult circumstances. When she thought about to end it all, my heart clenched 🥺
I was ready to go feral if the MMC would turn out to be an asshole to her. Protecting my girl at all costs 💪🤨
I’m so happy Dominic (MMC) turned out to be perfect morally black, psychotic and unmerciful killer who’s fully consumed by his woman, pampering and worshipping her at her feet 😌
MCs relationship is delicious in the best way, completely unhinged yet deeply devoted. Pure perfection ❤️🔥
"I love you so much. I’d rather die than be without you,” he whispers against my ear, his voice full of intense emotion. “If you leave this world before me, I’ll slit my throat and follow you.”
I think there’s a very fine line when it comes to morally black MMCs like Dominic. Either the author fails to translate the depth of his devotion, leaving readers genuinely worried for the FMC’s safety, or that darkness is balanced by a clear, unwavering adoration that makes his commitment to her undeniable.
Here author didn't just understand the assignment, they absolutely smashed it! 👏
The way he is so violently obsessed with her that he’d dismantle the entire world piece by piece just to give her the remains? I’m all for it 🛐
I’m praying for the next books in this series to be this safe and brilliant, because I need mooore of this author work and I’m very excited to read the stories of Dominic’s brother’s.
Because of the MCs connection and how the story flowed overall, made me not be bothered by the scenes I wouldn’t like much in other books - in two scenes, where she acted like a brat, she calls him daddy, and him fucking her in front of dying man. It was inserted quite gracefully, not in disgusting way.
And as always, like in most books where mafia is concerned, there is fleeting FMC when there’s danger lurking.
While Wren’s reason for her little run was okay with me and made complete sense, but doing it while she knew Dominic’s enemies were after her - did make me shake my head 😓
I know, I know, authors do that mostly to keep the plot going, but it’s just pains the FMCs not from the bright side, and I believe it could be done in a different settings.
Here it was over quickly, and frankly with me loving the story (I’m biased) - it didn’t bother me that much.
What’s with these HFN endings?! I wanted mooore! Gimme!
SAFETY
No OP drama, sharing, cheating
h - virgin, only had oral sex with boyfriend at nineteen and one time was SA into it.
H - no details, only one mention that he’s sexually deviant and it’s a very rare occurrence that he wants to fuck someone.
────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────────
(yeah, it’s a lot of quotes, but how could I not add them?)
“I love you, Wren,” he says, his voice thick with something dark and unrecognizable. He reaches beside me, slipping his hand between the mattress and the headboard. My eyes track his every movement. “I love you the way the devil loves hell. The way he fell from grace and built his own kingdom in darkness and sin… a home for the fallen angels he loves more than himself.”
"She’s the polar opposite of almost everything in my life, the light that balances my darkness. I want her exactly like this forever, and I’ll do anything to give her the soft life she’s always needed. I’ll be her sword and her shield."
"I can’t exist in a world where she isn’t safe. Not anymore. I had plans. They’re gone now, scorched in the wake of my obsession for her. I’m an addict, and if my drug of choice isn’t curled up in my bed every night from here on out, I’m liable to burn this whole fucking city to the ground."
"She settles in my embrace like my arms are the safest place in the world, and that realization has my heart pounding so hard I vaguely wonder if I’m having a heart attack."
"Even the thought of a fictional man having her attention makes my skin crawl."
"You’ve got a soft heart. I can’t imagine you’d be too happy about all the people I’d kill for trying to get in between me and what’s mine."
"My heart begins to beat a little faster. I’m already so addicted to every little scrap of attention she sends my way."
"I love all of him—the inescapable darkness and the light that survives despite it. Two halves of a whole I never knew I needed, but now can’t survive without."
"He’s an addiction I’ll never escape, and one I would rather die than lose."
"You should have found someone else to take your shitty mood out on. Now you'll die, because she belongs to me, and no one else gets to touch her."
"I breathe deeply as I embrace the evolution of my fucking insanity. I don’t even attempt to fight the tide of possessiveness that washes over me. It makes no sense, it doesn’t belong, and yet here it is."
"He could end my life in an instant, and there would be nothing I could do to stop him. Instead, he chooses to love me. With his body and with his pitch-black heart. With the madness clawing at the edges of his soul. He may be the devil, but he’s mine and I’m his…"
“I know this is scary, and it’s happening fast, but I promise you this… I’m going to make you love me until it’s as easy as breathing, and you forget what it feels like to have your heart torn in two.”
"Sharing is caring."
"Death is pretty caring too, when it’s quick and painless."
"I’ll be with her always, when she wants it, and even when she doesn’t. She’ll never have to be alone again, not with her psychopathic stalker future husband to keep her safe."
“I’m going to ruin you, and you’re going to love every fucking second of it.”
"Dominic makes me feel human, I realize suddenly. After such a long time feeling like a worthless soul drifting through the void, he’s anchoring me to something real."
"To a heart like mine, stitched together and starving, his love could be a lethal dose of poison and I’d still welcome it without hesitation."
“I’ve killed for you. I will die for you. I will fucking move mountains with my bare hands to give you everything you deserve, everything the world denied you when they made you feel like you were nothing.”
There is so much soul in the author’s writing, it’s beautiful and adds such divine depth to the characters. It’s written in a way that makes you feel all their emotions to the core ❤️🩹
Tbh, it made me want to downgrade a lot of other books because they felt superficial in comparison, like they lacked something real underneath.
"To be loved by a monster of a man… it’s exactly what a ghost of a girl like me always needed."
My heart broke for Wren (FMC), my sweet girl had such challenging life, but she stayed strong for so long in difficult circumstances. When she thought about to end it all, my heart clenched 🥺
"He doesn’t shy away from my damage, he cradles it in hands capable of destruction and cherishes it instead."
I was ready to go feral if the MMC would turn out to be an asshole to her. Protecting my girl at all costs 💪🤨
"Dominic Kael is otherworldly. He’s like some omniscient, dark god out of a fantasy novel."
I’m so happy Dominic (MMC) turned out to be perfect morally black, psychotic and unmerciful killer who’s fully consumed by his woman, pampering and worshipping her at her feet 😌
"I would die for you,” I whisper, but not loud enough to rouse her from sleep. “I’ll do anything for you, anything to keep you, anything to love you.”
Absolutely fucking anything.
MCs relationship is delicious in the best way, completely unhinged yet deeply devoted. Pure perfection ❤️🔥
"I love you so much. I’d rather die than be without you,” he whispers against my ear, his voice full of intense emotion. “If you leave this world before me, I’ll slit my throat and follow you.”
I think there’s a very fine line when it comes to morally black MMCs like Dominic. Either the author fails to translate the depth of his devotion, leaving readers genuinely worried for the FMC’s safety, or that darkness is balanced by a clear, unwavering adoration that makes his commitment to her undeniable.
Here author didn't just understand the assignment, they absolutely smashed it! 👏
The way he is so violently obsessed with her that he’d dismantle the entire world piece by piece just to give her the remains? I’m all for it 🛐
“You may not have control, but you do have power.” He leans closer, his eyes blazing. “You have power over me, and you are not nothing. You are everything.”
I’m praying for the next books in this series to be this safe and brilliant, because I need mooore of this author work and I’m very excited to read the stories of Dominic’s brother’s.
"Not even death can stop me from getting to Wren. I’d crawl out of the fucking grave and drag my corpse to the ends of the Earth to find her."
Because of the MCs connection and how the story flowed overall, made me not be bothered by the scenes I wouldn’t like much in other books - in two scenes, where she acted like a brat, she calls him daddy, and him fucking her in front of dying man. It was inserted quite gracefully, not in disgusting way.
"I’ve always been crazy, but this is a whole new level. Might as well lean into it."
And as always, like in most books where mafia is concerned, there is fleeting FMC when there’s danger lurking.
While Wren’s reason for her little run was okay with me and made complete sense, but doing it while she knew Dominic’s enemies were after her - did make me shake my head 😓
I know, I know, authors do that mostly to keep the plot going, but it’s just pains the FMCs not from the bright side, and I believe it could be done in a different settings.
Here it was over quickly, and frankly with me loving the story (I’m biased) - it didn’t bother me that much.
What’s with these HFN endings?! I wanted mooore! Gimme!
SAFETY
No OP drama, sharing, cheating
h - virgin, only had oral sex with boyfriend at nineteen and one time was SA into it.
H - no details, only one mention that he’s sexually deviant and it’s a very rare occurrence that he wants to fuck someone.
────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────────
(yeah, it’s a lot of quotes, but how could I not add them?)
“I love you, Wren,” he says, his voice thick with something dark and unrecognizable. He reaches beside me, slipping his hand between the mattress and the headboard. My eyes track his every movement. “I love you the way the devil loves hell. The way he fell from grace and built his own kingdom in darkness and sin… a home for the fallen angels he loves more than himself.”
"She’s the polar opposite of almost everything in my life, the light that balances my darkness. I want her exactly like this forever, and I’ll do anything to give her the soft life she’s always needed. I’ll be her sword and her shield."
"I can’t exist in a world where she isn’t safe. Not anymore. I had plans. They’re gone now, scorched in the wake of my obsession for her. I’m an addict, and if my drug of choice isn’t curled up in my bed every night from here on out, I’m liable to burn this whole fucking city to the ground."
"She settles in my embrace like my arms are the safest place in the world, and that realization has my heart pounding so hard I vaguely wonder if I’m having a heart attack."
"Even the thought of a fictional man having her attention makes my skin crawl."
"You’ve got a soft heart. I can’t imagine you’d be too happy about all the people I’d kill for trying to get in between me and what’s mine."
"My heart begins to beat a little faster. I’m already so addicted to every little scrap of attention she sends my way."
"I love all of him—the inescapable darkness and the light that survives despite it. Two halves of a whole I never knew I needed, but now can’t survive without."
"He’s an addiction I’ll never escape, and one I would rather die than lose."
"You should have found someone else to take your shitty mood out on. Now you'll die, because she belongs to me, and no one else gets to touch her."
"I breathe deeply as I embrace the evolution of my fucking insanity. I don’t even attempt to fight the tide of possessiveness that washes over me. It makes no sense, it doesn’t belong, and yet here it is."
"He could end my life in an instant, and there would be nothing I could do to stop him. Instead, he chooses to love me. With his body and with his pitch-black heart. With the madness clawing at the edges of his soul. He may be the devil, but he’s mine and I’m his…"
“I know this is scary, and it’s happening fast, but I promise you this… I’m going to make you love me until it’s as easy as breathing, and you forget what it feels like to have your heart torn in two.”
"Sharing is caring."
"Death is pretty caring too, when it’s quick and painless."
"I’ll be with her always, when she wants it, and even when she doesn’t. She’ll never have to be alone again, not with her psychopathic stalker future husband to keep her safe."
“I’m going to ruin you, and you’re going to love every fucking second of it.”
"Dominic makes me feel human, I realize suddenly. After such a long time feeling like a worthless soul drifting through the void, he’s anchoring me to something real."
"To a heart like mine, stitched together and starving, his love could be a lethal dose of poison and I’d still welcome it without hesitation."
September 3, 2025
This was a dark, twisty, and sexy romance that had some moments of dry humor to keep you guessing.
I was immediately connected with Wren and her pain was palpable. Both her physical pain, due to her chronic migraine condition, her financial insecurity and unstable housing situations. She was a hot mess that life just keeps kicking around. She even believes it might be better just to stop trying altogether. Her despair was hard to watch but I was rooting for her so hard!
Then we meet Dominic, and he was instantly compelling. From his homicidal vigilantism, to his band of brothers, to his canine companion. He was a package I couldn't help but lust after. He was powerful, foreboding, and a little unhinged. But because of his brotherhood, he felt more grounded than some killers like him often seem.
When Dom gets his first look at Wren he sees a fragile, beautiful girl that he wants to possess. He follows and stalks her as his prey and starts making plans to acquire her, right from the start. But there are some very sweet, caring things he does along the way. He was this odd mix of caretaker and master all in one. I understood why Wren was fearful and yet drawn to him at the same time.
This book has a lot of sexy, twisted scenes for us to love. There's some primal play, hand necklaces, stalking, dubious consent and CNC. Wren likes to make him take her AND she likes to submit. Dominic awakens parts of her she never had a chance to explore before. It gets INTENSE quick.
I think the best way I have been describing this is that it has the dark MC like a Rina Kent or S. Massery novel might, but with the caring and tenderness of Neva Altaj. Just to give you a taste of what to expect.
There was a few things that kept it from a 5 star for me. I feel like it lost momentum once Dominic kidnapped Wren, and I wasn't sure of what the full thrust of the book was. But I still ripped right thought this and I can't wait for Ghost's book next.
4.5 Stars
4.5 on the spice scale
CW: Severe Migraines/Chronic conditions, Parental Death, Suicidal Ideations, Kidnapping, CNC/Dub Con, Slight Non-con, Murder, Violence, financial insecurity, and more
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*
I was immediately connected with Wren and her pain was palpable. Both her physical pain, due to her chronic migraine condition, her financial insecurity and unstable housing situations. She was a hot mess that life just keeps kicking around. She even believes it might be better just to stop trying altogether. Her despair was hard to watch but I was rooting for her so hard!
Then we meet Dominic, and he was instantly compelling. From his homicidal vigilantism, to his band of brothers, to his canine companion. He was a package I couldn't help but lust after. He was powerful, foreboding, and a little unhinged. But because of his brotherhood, he felt more grounded than some killers like him often seem.
When Dom gets his first look at Wren he sees a fragile, beautiful girl that he wants to possess. He follows and stalks her as his prey and starts making plans to acquire her, right from the start. But there are some very sweet, caring things he does along the way. He was this odd mix of caretaker and master all in one. I understood why Wren was fearful and yet drawn to him at the same time.
This book has a lot of sexy, twisted scenes for us to love. There's some primal play, hand necklaces, stalking, dubious consent and CNC. Wren likes to make him take her AND she likes to submit. Dominic awakens parts of her she never had a chance to explore before. It gets INTENSE quick.
I think the best way I have been describing this is that it has the dark MC like a Rina Kent or S. Massery novel might, but with the caring and tenderness of Neva Altaj. Just to give you a taste of what to expect.
There was a few things that kept it from a 5 star for me. I feel like it lost momentum once Dominic kidnapped Wren, and I wasn't sure of what the full thrust of the book was. But I still ripped right thought this and I can't wait for Ghost's book next.
4.5 Stars
4.5 on the spice scale
CW: Severe Migraines/Chronic conditions, Parental Death, Suicidal Ideations, Kidnapping, CNC/Dub Con, Slight Non-con, Murder, Violence, financial insecurity, and more
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*
January 5, 2026
5/5 “I’m going to ruin you, and you’re going to love every fucking second of it.”
TROPES:
-serial killer MMC
-homeless & chronically ill FMC (migraines)
-touch her and die
-instant attraction
-found family
-stalker MMC
-DARK romance
I read this book in one sitting and I'm seriously regretting that because I wish I had savored it.
To be loved by a monster of a man… it’s exactly what a ghost of a girl like me always needed.
Wren has had a hellish life. She's 25, homeless, and suffering from debilitating migraines. She has to decide whether to spend money on food or the medicine she needs to keep the migraines at bay. One day, she stumbles upon Dominic... a man bathed in blood, who will KILL for her. She doesn't sense his dark aura at first, but as time passes and she realizes she's being stalked by him... she's intrigued.
“You’re fucking mine, Wren. Only mine.”
I loved Dom as well as his brothers. I cannot wait to read more about them! This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be my last. The writing, the spice, the emotional turmoil - it was amazing.
SAFETY & SPOILERS:
Virgin/celibate: virgin heroine, no past on hero
OM/OW: none
Cheating/sharing: none
Kinks: CNC, bdsm, dubcon, dirty talk, primal, praise, "good girl", rough sex, spitting, hand necklaces, knifeplay, blood play, very slight daddy kink (it was mentioned 2-3 times, I wish it had more!)
Triggers: dubcon, previous SA for both FMC and MMC's brother, murder, violence, sex in front of a dying man lol, foster care is mentioned, abuse from foster parents. also - for this couple, no means yes. so LOTS of CNC.
HEA?: yes! <3
My bookshelves may contain spoilers.
TROPES:
-serial killer MMC
-homeless & chronically ill FMC (migraines)
-touch her and die
-instant attraction
-found family
-stalker MMC
-DARK romance
I read this book in one sitting and I'm seriously regretting that because I wish I had savored it.
To be loved by a monster of a man… it’s exactly what a ghost of a girl like me always needed.
Wren has had a hellish life. She's 25, homeless, and suffering from debilitating migraines. She has to decide whether to spend money on food or the medicine she needs to keep the migraines at bay. One day, she stumbles upon Dominic... a man bathed in blood, who will KILL for her. She doesn't sense his dark aura at first, but as time passes and she realizes she's being stalked by him... she's intrigued.
“You’re fucking mine, Wren. Only mine.”
I loved Dom as well as his brothers. I cannot wait to read more about them! This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be my last. The writing, the spice, the emotional turmoil - it was amazing.
SAFETY & SPOILERS:
Virgin/celibate: virgin heroine, no past on hero
OM/OW: none
Cheating/sharing: none
Kinks: CNC, bdsm, dubcon, dirty talk, primal, praise, "good girl", rough sex, spitting, hand necklaces, knifeplay, blood play, very slight daddy kink (it was mentioned 2-3 times, I wish it had more!)
Triggers: dubcon, previous SA for both FMC and MMC's brother, murder, violence, sex in front of a dying man lol, foster care is mentioned, abuse from foster parents. also - for this couple, no means yes. so LOTS of CNC.
HEA?: yes! <3
My bookshelves may contain spoilers.
January 9, 2026
This one hit all the spots… I needed an obsessed over the top, unhinged MMC who stalks the FMC and is all in! This delivered!
No cheating, no sharing, no OW/OM scenes - FMC is V.
There are lots of triggers so please check before diving in!
No cheating, no sharing, no OW/OM scenes - FMC is V.
There are lots of triggers so please check before diving in!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2025
** ARC in exchange for honest review **
Did I read this in one day? YES
Did I neglect my household chores to finish it? Also yes.
I will say it now I'm inlove with all 4 brothers, but if I don't get Torin's book ASAP I will spontaneously combust!!
The banter between the brothers???? EXQUISITE. The spice? INSANELY HOT. Dominic taking care of Wren like the most perfect unhinged psychopath with a heart??? YES YES YES!
I'm still melting over the chapter between Dom and Torin... I may never recover.
Thank you so much Kay Alastor for this opportunity!!
Did I read this in one day? YES
Did I neglect my household chores to finish it? Also yes.
I will say it now I'm inlove with all 4 brothers, but if I don't get Torin's book ASAP I will spontaneously combust!!
The banter between the brothers???? EXQUISITE. The spice? INSANELY HOT. Dominic taking care of Wren like the most perfect unhinged psychopath with a heart??? YES YES YES!
I'm still melting over the chapter between Dom and Torin... I may never recover.
Thank you so much Kay Alastor for this opportunity!!
January 6, 2026
No OWD
Virgin h, not much on history of H
It was good I think I’m realizing I just don’t really care for primal play and “little lamb” lol
Virgin h, not much on history of H
It was good I think I’m realizing I just don’t really care for primal play and “little lamb” lol
August 14, 2025
This is my first time doing an ARC so thank you to the author for letting me read!!
I read and loved her other two books so Im not surprised I loved this one sm! It's been a few years but her writing has gotten better and I love that. Plus she's the sweetest person to chat to.
Dominic is so unique and I love his big brother/daddy energy sm. I love ALL THE BROTHERS. The smut scenes were amazing too, the perfect amount to compliment the plot. But the motorcycle/forest chase scene will live rent free in my head FOREVER!
It's dark so make sure you read trigger warnings and if you have a weak stomach this one is probably not for you.
Thanks again for this ARC Kay!!
I read and loved her other two books so Im not surprised I loved this one sm! It's been a few years but her writing has gotten better and I love that. Plus she's the sweetest person to chat to.
Dominic is so unique and I love his big brother/daddy energy sm. I love ALL THE BROTHERS. The smut scenes were amazing too, the perfect amount to compliment the plot. But the motorcycle/forest chase scene will live rent free in my head FOREVER!
It's dark so make sure you read trigger warnings and if you have a weak stomach this one is probably not for you.
Thanks again for this ARC Kay!!
Read
August 13, 2025𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕔𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕤𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕊𝕚𝕟
Releases August 29th 2025!
ᴘʀᴇ-ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ʟɪɴᴋ ⬎
⤳ https://books2read.com/u/4jjj5o
⤳ HEA.
⤳ Standalone in an interconnected series.
⤳ No cheating/other woman drama.
Releases August 29th 2025!
ᴘʀᴇ-ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ʟɪɴᴋ ⬎
⤳ https://books2read.com/u/4jjj5o
⤳ HEA.
⤳ Standalone in an interconnected series.
⤳ No cheating/other woman drama.
February 16, 2026
3.75⭐️
Opens with Wren, 17 years old. She lost her mom to a brain tumour 3 years ago and her dad has mentally and physically checked out of her life and is drinking himself to death. She suffers from chronic migraines, made worse by her dad’s neglect of not keeping her fed or providing and affording her meds. She finds him dying from liver failure.
Cut to Wren at 25 and her life still sucks basically. She went to foster care until 18 and then was on her own, she couldn’t keep a job due to her migraines but she needed a job to afford meds and was stuck in vicious cycle of just trying to survive so she’s been homeless and alone for years.
She meets Dominic one night at a walk in clinic and he becomes instantly obsessed with her, stalks her for a while and then makes her come live with him. He’s got 3 foster brothers (Ghost, Ryker and Torin) who grew up together and have been through a lot with, they’re all dangerous men now who are close and still look out for each other and they welcome Wren into the fold. There’s a bit of danger to Wren from one of their enemies after Dominic killed his brother, but she gets saved and then it’s left unsolved for future books for the brothers I guess. Epilogue is setting up for Ghosts book to be next with a female tattoo artist he meets.
-Dual PoV
-h25, H I’m not sure tbh
-fmc is homeless and chronically ill
-Virgin h 🙄🙄, H experienced but no real mention of his past and no details of his last time or anything. But they don’t use protection and no safety talk, like surely she should be being careful or at least worry about it since she’s so ill? Seems like this worried me more than her tbh lol
-no owd/omd
-no third act breakup, she tried to run away but she regretted it instantly and then she was kidnapped so she was happy when Dom saved her and she could go back with him.
-HFN
-epilogue they’re engaged and then it sets up for Ghosts book, him meeting his fmc and Dom seeing Ghost look at her and saying he knows obsession when he sees it.
Opens with Wren, 17 years old. She lost her mom to a brain tumour 3 years ago and her dad has mentally and physically checked out of her life and is drinking himself to death. She suffers from chronic migraines, made worse by her dad’s neglect of not keeping her fed or providing and affording her meds. She finds him dying from liver failure.
Cut to Wren at 25 and her life still sucks basically. She went to foster care until 18 and then was on her own, she couldn’t keep a job due to her migraines but she needed a job to afford meds and was stuck in vicious cycle of just trying to survive so she’s been homeless and alone for years.
She meets Dominic one night at a walk in clinic and he becomes instantly obsessed with her, stalks her for a while and then makes her come live with him. He’s got 3 foster brothers (Ghost, Ryker and Torin) who grew up together and have been through a lot with, they’re all dangerous men now who are close and still look out for each other and they welcome Wren into the fold. There’s a bit of danger to Wren from one of their enemies after Dominic killed his brother, but she gets saved and then it’s left unsolved for future books for the brothers I guess. Epilogue is setting up for Ghosts book to be next with a female tattoo artist he meets.
-Dual PoV
-h25, H I’m not sure tbh
-fmc is homeless and chronically ill
-Virgin h 🙄🙄, H experienced but no real mention of his past and no details of his last time or anything. But they don’t use protection and no safety talk, like surely she should be being careful or at least worry about it since she’s so ill? Seems like this worried me more than her tbh lol
-no owd/omd
-no third act breakup, she tried to run away but she regretted it instantly and then she was kidnapped so she was happy when Dom saved her and she could go back with him.
-HFN
-epilogue they’re engaged and then it sets up for Ghosts book, him meeting his fmc and Dom seeing Ghost look at her and saying he knows obsession when he sees it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2026
"Es el polo opuesto a casi todo en mi vida, la luz que equilibra mi oscuridad. La quiero así para siempre, y haré lo que sea para darle la vida tranquila que siempre ha necesitado.
Seré su espada y su escudo"
Dijeron que se cree el personaje mas oscuro, sin moral y red flag del mundo y nació Dominic 💅🏻 JAJAJAJ. Este libro me gustó bastante porque si bien el personaje de Dominic es muy controlador y obsesivo también tiene su gran dosis de ternura con la protagonista, fue un gran contraste a la hora de aceptar la obsesión que tenía sobre ella.
Wren es una mujer que a los 17 años perdió a su familia y tuvo que aprender a sobrevivir viviendo en las calles y su enfermedad la hizo sentir aún mas miserable porque no podía encontrar un trabajo fijo ya que con sus migrañas y malestar que tenía después de cada episodio quedaba muy débil razón por la que la vivían despidiendo, todo cambia cuando accidentalmente conoce a Dominic y se da cuenta que el hombre que le dió una mano y brindo medicamentos tiene una enorme obsesión con ella y que de alguna manera que no entiende que este constantemente persiguiendola la hace sentir segura por primera vez en su vida, además el la ama y adora muchísimo, algo que me gusto es la conexión que tenían porque cuando el se daba cuenta que ella estaba teniendo pensamientos negativos la bombardeara de palabras buenas y bonitas para que entendiera que ella era una mujer valorada y amada por el y que en sus brazos nunca le faltaría nada ♥️.
• Personalmente me hubiera gustado que hayan más interacciónes entre Wren y los hermanos de Dominic, porque si bien el era muy celoso siento que ellos necesitaban una mujer que les brindara el cariño de una hermana, cariño que no recibieron de pequeños y eso hubiera sumado un montón a la historia porque eran súper unidos y para los futuros libros sería buenísimo ya que es parte de la historia de su vida 🫶🏻
Seré su espada y su escudo"
Dijeron que se cree el personaje mas oscuro, sin moral y red flag del mundo y nació Dominic 💅🏻 JAJAJAJ. Este libro me gustó bastante porque si bien el personaje de Dominic es muy controlador y obsesivo también tiene su gran dosis de ternura con la protagonista, fue un gran contraste a la hora de aceptar la obsesión que tenía sobre ella.
Wren es una mujer que a los 17 años perdió a su familia y tuvo que aprender a sobrevivir viviendo en las calles y su enfermedad la hizo sentir aún mas miserable porque no podía encontrar un trabajo fijo ya que con sus migrañas y malestar que tenía después de cada episodio quedaba muy débil razón por la que la vivían despidiendo, todo cambia cuando accidentalmente conoce a Dominic y se da cuenta que el hombre que le dió una mano y brindo medicamentos tiene una enorme obsesión con ella y que de alguna manera que no entiende que este constantemente persiguiendola la hace sentir segura por primera vez en su vida, además el la ama y adora muchísimo, algo que me gusto es la conexión que tenían porque cuando el se daba cuenta que ella estaba teniendo pensamientos negativos la bombardeara de palabras buenas y bonitas para que entendiera que ella era una mujer valorada y amada por el y que en sus brazos nunca le faltaría nada ♥️.
• Personalmente me hubiera gustado que hayan más interacciónes entre Wren y los hermanos de Dominic, porque si bien el era muy celoso siento que ellos necesitaban una mujer que les brindara el cariño de una hermana, cariño que no recibieron de pequeños y eso hubiera sumado un montón a la historia porque eran súper unidos y para los futuros libros sería buenísimo ya que es parte de la historia de su vida 🫶🏻
August 14, 2025
THANK YOU FOR MY ARC KAY!!!!!! I LOVEEEED THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN DOM AND WREN OMG!!!!!!!! AND THE LOVE SCENES WERE 🤭🤤👏🏽 SO EXCITEDFOR GHOSTSSSSS STORY!!!!!!!!!!
March 3, 2026
3.5 stars
⬇️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Half star for the FMC.
The FMC deserves the world and thank goodness the MMC is hell bent on giving it to her. Although it didn’t sit well with me that he didn’t just kidnapped her right way… wow, didn’t ever expected to find myself typing up this exact sentence.
Anyway, how dare the MMC let the poor girl continue to be homeless instead of snatching her off the street and started spoiling her right away!
Also my girl had a tstl moment where she left while the night before got a death threat. It’s ok, I forgive her, poor baby.
I do want to note that the killing and torturing people turned the MMC on, he’s a sexual deviant, alright lmao.
I still don’t know what the MMC does for a living, like other than walking his dog, and killing people for fun. And no, he’s not getting paid to kill people. He does do illegal fighting and mentioned he got money because of his brother’s hacking. Whatever, as long as he got them money to spoil the FMC.
Btw, ew, all that bodily fluid and fucking in it.
⬇️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Half star for the FMC.
The FMC deserves the world and thank goodness the MMC is hell bent on giving it to her. Although it didn’t sit well with me that he didn’t just kidnapped her right way… wow, didn’t ever expected to find myself typing up this exact sentence.
Anyway, how dare the MMC let the poor girl continue to be homeless instead of snatching her off the street and started spoiling her right away!
Also my girl had a tstl moment where she left while the night before got a death threat. It’s ok, I forgive her, poor baby.
I do want to note that the killing and torturing people turned the MMC on, he’s a sexual deviant, alright lmao.
I still don’t know what the MMC does for a living, like other than walking his dog, and killing people for fun. And no, he’s not getting paid to kill people. He does do illegal fighting and mentioned he got money because of his brother’s hacking. Whatever, as long as he got them money to spoil the FMC.
Btw, ew, all that bodily fluid and fucking in it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2026
This type of dark twisted romance is just the sort I usually like to read. I used to suffer from bad migraines, so I know what the heroine was feeling during an attack. However, I felt the back story wasn't at all thought out, and I had so many questions, that I couldn't immerse myself in the story after the first few chapters. There was a lot of telling and no showing within the writing, continual repetition and years where Wren's life was never explained. This made her story unbelievable and her character shallow.
The following happens in the first handful of chapters:-
Wren's migraines are sometimes one after another, so bad at times that she keeps missing work. The author never mentions her life in the days between these the migraines. What sort of work? The author gives no details, apart from Wren is either working or looking for a job, because she's continually getting fired. What about showing how she showers, how she dresses with hardly anything in her backpack, how she interacts with work mates, the way she presents to the world? How does she look for these jobs? How about showing what she's doing during the long days and nights? Her back story is told via internal narration. She does stay at a shelter one night - we see nothing of that, apart from her telling us.
I will say that the first chapter/prologue sucked me in. When Wren discovered her father deceased, the experience was very dramatic and well written. Then, suddenly it is many years later and she's loosing yet another job and the employees are giving her pitying glances. I repeat, what sort of job? Does she have friends? Then she morphs into another migraine after having a free meal at a homeless place. Wren has no money for medication or food. She's been homeless for many years and only has a backpack with a few meager possessions and a thin blanket. She ends up eventually passing out in an alley in one scene, after she misses the cutoff for a place to sleep. She thinks about the year she was in foster care and recalls she's lived on the Toronto streets since the age of eighteen.
Plot. Holes.
Meanwhile, our 'hero' is killing yet another man - for who knows what reason - apparently because he's a serial killer and loves to kill? He internalizes that fact continually. He adores animals and his dog, also his foster brothers, so goes home after burying the guy ten feet down in the dirt... At home, has a fight with one brother who is spinning out with PTSD. Then, he imagines killing the doctor who is stitching the cut he got while fighting. Just before he leaves the medical centre, Wren stumbles in, suffering from yet another migraine and immediately giggles and tells Dom that he's like the hero on her newest mafia book cover. What?? She faints. OMG...
Leaving the review here.
The following happens in the first handful of chapters:-
Wren's migraines are sometimes one after another, so bad at times that she keeps missing work. The author never mentions her life in the days between these the migraines. What sort of work? The author gives no details, apart from Wren is either working or looking for a job, because she's continually getting fired. What about showing how she showers, how she dresses with hardly anything in her backpack, how she interacts with work mates, the way she presents to the world? How does she look for these jobs? How about showing what she's doing during the long days and nights? Her back story is told via internal narration. She does stay at a shelter one night - we see nothing of that, apart from her telling us.
I will say that the first chapter/prologue sucked me in. When Wren discovered her father deceased, the experience was very dramatic and well written. Then, suddenly it is many years later and she's loosing yet another job and the employees are giving her pitying glances. I repeat, what sort of job? Does she have friends? Then she morphs into another migraine after having a free meal at a homeless place. Wren has no money for medication or food. She's been homeless for many years and only has a backpack with a few meager possessions and a thin blanket. She ends up eventually passing out in an alley in one scene, after she misses the cutoff for a place to sleep. She thinks about the year she was in foster care and recalls she's lived on the Toronto streets since the age of eighteen.
Plot. Holes.
Meanwhile, our 'hero' is killing yet another man - for who knows what reason - apparently because he's a serial killer and loves to kill? He internalizes that fact continually. He adores animals and his dog, also his foster brothers, so goes home after burying the guy ten feet down in the dirt... At home, has a fight with one brother who is spinning out with PTSD. Then, he imagines killing the doctor who is stitching the cut he got while fighting. Just before he leaves the medical centre, Wren stumbles in, suffering from yet another migraine and immediately giggles and tells Dom that he's like the hero on her newest mafia book cover. What?? She faints. OMG...
Leaving the review here.
August 15, 2025
ARC for honest review
I felt so much for Wren. This book starts with a look into her teenage life and how sick she is, and then to end with tragedy... yeah, it make my heart hurt for her so much. Wren went through so much I don't think I would survive what she did. There was so much loss and sickness.
But she still tried so hard to make something of her life. Dominic's entrance into her life just made me sigh happily. Finally someone to care.
The book made me emotional because like... I can relate? I know lots of us feel invisible and like we don't matter to anyone. So when Dominic sees her and then you know he will never let her feel invisible again, and it just healed something in me.
And I'm literally feral for Dominic. He is the perfect mmc. I think he's more morally black than gray but not pitch black if that makes sense??
This was my fave read this year so far and I can't wait to read the other three brothers books!
Also the banter between the brothers was one of my favorite things. Their relationship felt so unique because they are like.. almost close like lovers but also not?? Its platonic love but super super close if that makes sense.
Thank you Kay for letting me ARC read your new book!
I felt so much for Wren. This book starts with a look into her teenage life and how sick she is, and then to end with tragedy... yeah, it make my heart hurt for her so much. Wren went through so much I don't think I would survive what she did. There was so much loss and sickness.
But she still tried so hard to make something of her life. Dominic's entrance into her life just made me sigh happily. Finally someone to care.
The book made me emotional because like... I can relate? I know lots of us feel invisible and like we don't matter to anyone. So when Dominic sees her and then you know he will never let her feel invisible again, and it just healed something in me.
And I'm literally feral for Dominic. He is the perfect mmc. I think he's more morally black than gray but not pitch black if that makes sense??
This was my fave read this year so far and I can't wait to read the other three brothers books!
Also the banter between the brothers was one of my favorite things. Their relationship felt so unique because they are like.. almost close like lovers but also not?? Its platonic love but super super close if that makes sense.
Thank you Kay for letting me ARC read your new book!
Read
February 22, 2026I loved the idea of this book I just didn’t like the writing style
January 2, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
This was an interesting dark romance between a serial killer, psychopath, stalker and his new obsession. He becomes obsessed with Wren after a run-in with her at a health clinic. She is a homeless girl that suffers from severe and debilitating migraines. I could really connect with her character since I have suffered for 20 years with chronic migraines.
I enjoyed this, but I did think the ending dragged on for too long. I am interested in continuing with the series since I loved Dominic's foster brothers.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
This was an interesting dark romance between a serial killer, psychopath, stalker and his new obsession. He becomes obsessed with Wren after a run-in with her at a health clinic. She is a homeless girl that suffers from severe and debilitating migraines. I could really connect with her character since I have suffered for 20 years with chronic migraines.
I enjoyed this, but I did think the ending dragged on for too long. I am interested in continuing with the series since I loved Dominic's foster brothers.
October 12, 2025
This was a quite disturbing read...
Read the trigger warnings because some scenes (sexy ones) were sick (blood play, dubcon...).
The FMC, Wren, is a homless girl with a chronic illness who kept being put down by life.☹️
The MMC, Dominique, is a psychopath, a real one who kills just for the pleasure.😈
So imagine now what it would be when Dominique met Wren and became obsessed with her...😅 Yes, something totally f*cked up!
Read the trigger warnings because some scenes (sexy ones) were sick (blood play, dubcon...).
The FMC, Wren, is a homless girl with a chronic illness who kept being put down by life.☹️
The MMC, Dominique, is a psychopath, a real one who kills just for the pleasure.😈
So imagine now what it would be when Dominique met Wren and became obsessed with her...😅 Yes, something totally f*cked up!
March 22, 2026
I need the next book asap
December 17, 2025
Man, this book was dark. Dominic's completely insane, but what can I say? I love how he pursued Wren and cared about her happiness. Even if he was a little bit crazy in some of those love scenes. And poor Wren...wow. She started this out literally thinking about ending her life. She was homeless and jobless due to a horrible chronic illness having to do with migraines, and I honestly loved watching Dominic help her, both medically and financially. He also helped her self-esteem, which I enjoyed seeing. Dominic's adopted brothers made me laugh, and I felt so bad for them all, what with the horrendous abuse they'd all suffered. Torin's book is going to be so, so dark. Overall, this was a gritty, crazy, dark, and yet sometimes sweet story about two people finding love in a very, very unconventional relationship. It's a good thing the author made it clear Wren was on board for it, because otherwise, this would have been a whole other book entirely, since Dominic was a literal killer because he enjoyed it. Dark romance certainly will take you on some crazy rides.
August 19, 2025
Read as arc
5-⭐️
3.5-🌶️
Kay really knows how to suck you into a story, this starts off following Wren, a cronically ill girl living at home with her dad who’s an alcoholic.
Eventually years later Wren is on the streets of dt Toronto (got that Canadian rep going)
Fast forward to Dom and Wren meeting in an unusual place, where she becomes his biggest obsession.
The burn is slow but let me tell you, it’s 100% worth the wait!
There is a lot to unfold in these 400 pages, and it’s captivated and put together so beautifully, you really feel so much for these characters.
There’s also lots to make you laugh, because who doesn’t love a good giggle while you’re knee deep in dark romance?!
Bonus, WE HAVE A DOG GUYS AND HES SUCH A GOOD BOY ❤️❤️
Thank you Kay for letting me read this baby, I am so greatful 🖤🖤
5-⭐️
3.5-🌶️
Kay really knows how to suck you into a story, this starts off following Wren, a cronically ill girl living at home with her dad who’s an alcoholic.
Eventually years later Wren is on the streets of dt Toronto (got that Canadian rep going)
Fast forward to Dom and Wren meeting in an unusual place, where she becomes his biggest obsession.
The burn is slow but let me tell you, it’s 100% worth the wait!
There is a lot to unfold in these 400 pages, and it’s captivated and put together so beautifully, you really feel so much for these characters.
There’s also lots to make you laugh, because who doesn’t love a good giggle while you’re knee deep in dark romance?!
Bonus, WE HAVE A DOG GUYS AND HES SUCH A GOOD BOY ❤️❤️
Thank you Kay for letting me read this baby, I am so greatful 🖤🖤
February 19, 2026
From the moment I started this book, I knew it was going to be a banger.
- The writing
- the emotions
- the pacing
Everything felt real and raw, I honestly couldn’t put it down.,
This is my first book by this author, and now I’m wondering where they’ve been hiding all this time! Everything about it just worked. I’ll definitely be reading more from them.
✅heroine with illness
✅damsel in distress
✅OTT MMC
✅virgin heroine
❌no OW drama, no cheating
Now, mind you this one is not for the faint of heart!! It’s heavy on the gore 🩸 🩸 🩸 and CNC is a whole new concept 🤣
I already want more
- The writing
- the emotions
- the pacing
Everything felt real and raw, I honestly couldn’t put it down.,
This is my first book by this author, and now I’m wondering where they’ve been hiding all this time! Everything about it just worked. I’ll definitely be reading more from them.
✅heroine with illness
✅damsel in distress
✅OTT MMC
✅virgin heroine
❌no OW drama, no cheating
Now, mind you this one is not for the faint of heart!! It’s heavy on the gore 🩸 🩸 🩸 and CNC is a whole new concept 🤣
I already want more
September 5, 2025
I LOVED LOVED this story it was a10 star read!!!
I need the next brothers book asap!!!!
I need the next brothers book asap!!!!
April 20, 2026
I have no idea what the whole point was of this book. So much inner monologue, so much telling, so many thoughts, so much dragging 😵💫😵💫 Why do I need to read the same scene twice from her and his POV?
Every chapter got me thinking why am I reading all this? Where is this going? Is there a plot here, what is the story line. It was all off. Nothing made sense and it was all over the place.
Throughout the whole book, he'll be like, run little lamb and killing people and she'll be crying about her migranes and running so he can chase.🤦♀️
This review summarizes it quite well.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Every chapter got me thinking why am I reading all this? Where is this going? Is there a plot here, what is the story line. It was all off. Nothing made sense and it was all over the place.
Throughout the whole book, he'll be like, run little lamb and killing people and she'll be crying about her migranes and running so he can chase.🤦♀️
This review summarizes it quite well.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Oh. My. GOD.
This book absolutely kept me hooked the whole way through and I loved every second of it. Dominic is the most terrifying, obsessive, possessive man I’ve read lately and I'm DROOLING OVER THAT MAN!!!
And Wren… my heart hurts for her. She’s broken, fragile, just trying to survive, and yet the strength she shows gutted me. Once Dominic met Wren I could hardly put the book down because I was desperate to see him come into his obsession and how they would get to their HEA.
+ No cheating or OWD
+ TRIGGERS!! Read them, this is DARK!
+ Smokin' hot spice!
+ Touch her and die to THE EXTREME!
+ Caretaker vibes... even tho hes an irredeemable psycho!
Also.... the epilogue. 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Oh. My. GOD.
This book absolutely kept me hooked the whole way through and I loved every second of it. Dominic is the most terrifying, obsessive, possessive man I’ve read lately and I'm DROOLING OVER THAT MAN!!!
And Wren… my heart hurts for her. She’s broken, fragile, just trying to survive, and yet the strength she shows gutted me. Once Dominic met Wren I could hardly put the book down because I was desperate to see him come into his obsession and how they would get to their HEA.
+ No cheating or OWD
+ TRIGGERS!! Read them, this is DARK!
+ Smokin' hot spice!
+ Touch her and die to THE EXTREME!
+ Caretaker vibes... even tho hes an irredeemable psycho!
Also.... the epilogue. 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
March 5, 2026
Honest review (aka “I guess we’re calling this a thriller… somehow”)
I picked this up expecting Lights Out level dark, twisty goodness. What I got instead felt like someone told a toddler to write a mafia romance after binge-watching too many crime shows. (Adorable effort, questionable execution.)
The plot is… well, if “overused” were a flavor, this would be a five-course meal. The sex scene? Let’s just say my eyebrows are still recovering. The FMC? Sweet, but running straight into the mafia like she didn’t see the warning signs… cute. Dumb, but cute. (No offense, girl.)
MMC is apparently a serial killer… and yet feels the need to repeat it like he’s filling out his Tinder bio. “Yes, I kill people, hi, just in case you missed it, I kill people.” Charming.
That said, credit where it’s due: grief, pain, despair—they’re written really well. If only the plot and characters had read the same chapters. There’s potential here, hidden like a good crime scene clue, but right now it’s buried under cringe and “did he really just do that?” moments.
Maybe the other foster brothers will redeem the series. Until then, I’m taking a polite step back, nodding, smiling, and pretending this was exactly what I wanted. Sneaky laugh, anyone?
I picked this up expecting Lights Out level dark, twisty goodness. What I got instead felt like someone told a toddler to write a mafia romance after binge-watching too many crime shows. (Adorable effort, questionable execution.)
The plot is… well, if “overused” were a flavor, this would be a five-course meal. The sex scene? Let’s just say my eyebrows are still recovering. The FMC? Sweet, but running straight into the mafia like she didn’t see the warning signs… cute. Dumb, but cute. (No offense, girl.)
MMC is apparently a serial killer… and yet feels the need to repeat it like he’s filling out his Tinder bio. “Yes, I kill people, hi, just in case you missed it, I kill people.” Charming.
That said, credit where it’s due: grief, pain, despair—they’re written really well. If only the plot and characters had read the same chapters. There’s potential here, hidden like a good crime scene clue, but right now it’s buried under cringe and “did he really just do that?” moments.
Maybe the other foster brothers will redeem the series. Until then, I’m taking a polite step back, nodding, smiling, and pretending this was exactly what I wanted. Sneaky laugh, anyone?
October 5, 2025
This started off so well - I was totally invested in Wren and Dom was ok. Dark romance (esp. stalking and similar) or anything feeling like or is mafia is not my thing usually and this seemed better than most. The descriptions of what Wren was going through - I am a hurt/comfort junkie and I ate.it.up.
Where it went downhill is with the "f(*king fixes everything" that happened once they got together. I just didn't buy she was a doormat submissive and masochist. Not the same thing. I am a masochist (but not a submissive) so when people try to write masochists -- well it's tough for them to do it in a way that reflects the way I understand it to feel as someone who actually is the thing. That may be my own thing and challenge. That's a huge part of this rating for me so please do understand that this will be my own lens - and don't let that detract.
Dom as a sadist. I could see it. However, every sadist I have played with/been with has had a great sense of humor - and that's all genders. He had no humor at all which I found strange. It felt too caricature to me. Again most probably want this as he's a type and they want to see this dark, serious guy that is always threatening in the way he acts and talks. Also he's really a psychopath and to me that's just not sexy. I get others like this (I mean there are real life women who were in love with Ted Bundy so...) or maybe want to fantasize about it. Not meaning to harsh on that. I tend to prefer a dark hero who is not mentally ill in this way- or who has some sort of redemption arc or similar. I just didn't feel like the connection was really there once he took her. I .. felt his obsession but her connection was just not strong enough for me to believe in it.
The other problem for me with this type of romance is I need to be able to imagine the future. I just don't see it. What happens when they have kids or she is 50? I cannot picture it at all. For me as a point in time to have this relationship maybe...but forever? No.
So 3 stars. I likely won't continue unless the next book is the guy that was the most abused as I feel a story there that may be stronger.
The hurt/comfort and downtrodden beginning for Wren was sublime - some of the best I've read. I wish that was followed up by a hero less morally black (there is no gray here folks) and who really made me feel more.
Where it went downhill is with the "f(*king fixes everything" that happened once they got together. I just didn't buy she was a doormat submissive and masochist. Not the same thing. I am a masochist (but not a submissive) so when people try to write masochists -- well it's tough for them to do it in a way that reflects the way I understand it to feel as someone who actually is the thing. That may be my own thing and challenge. That's a huge part of this rating for me so please do understand that this will be my own lens - and don't let that detract.
Dom as a sadist. I could see it. However, every sadist I have played with/been with has had a great sense of humor - and that's all genders. He had no humor at all which I found strange. It felt too caricature to me. Again most probably want this as he's a type and they want to see this dark, serious guy that is always threatening in the way he acts and talks. Also he's really a psychopath and to me that's just not sexy. I get others like this (I mean there are real life women who were in love with Ted Bundy so...) or maybe want to fantasize about it. Not meaning to harsh on that. I tend to prefer a dark hero who is not mentally ill in this way- or who has some sort of redemption arc or similar. I just didn't feel like the connection was really there once he took her. I .. felt his obsession but her connection was just not strong enough for me to believe in it.
The other problem for me with this type of romance is I need to be able to imagine the future. I just don't see it. What happens when they have kids or she is 50? I cannot picture it at all. For me as a point in time to have this relationship maybe...but forever? No.
So 3 stars. I likely won't continue unless the next book is the guy that was the most abused as I feel a story there that may be stronger.
The hurt/comfort and downtrodden beginning for Wren was sublime - some of the best I've read. I wish that was followed up by a hero less morally black (there is no gray here folks) and who really made me feel more.
March 16, 2026
Will I be okay?
That answer is yet to be determined.
You mean to tell me that after all of that, BOOK TWO ISN'T EVEN OUT YET. Furthermore, you're telling me this is an indie author?! I don't believe you. This was the work of an author who knows what the hell they are doing. An accomplishment not easily conquered after...what is this?...her THIRD book ever?
The instant Domonic lays eyes on Wren, it's game over.
This was spicy.
This was taboo.
This was fun.
It was precisely what I wanted from a stalker romance novel.
And you can bet that I signed up for Kay's newsletter after gobbling this up in a span of 6 hours.
Oh, Domonic. The serial killing, leather-wearing, stalker, psycho that you are. And my sweet, sweet Wren, who speaks to my soul so deeply. Brave, smart, a fighter to the end, but so so so tired. Who can blame her, after what she has been through? These two explore the opposites of predator and prey, life and death, freedom and captivity. And by the time the sensual dance is done, you'll be adding another book boyfriend to your ever-expanding list.
In all seriousness, Kay Alastor wrote about being disabled so perfectly, I wonder if she herself is disabled too. Which worries me because it's been six months since her last update on any of her socials (yes, I did some stalking of my own). As much as I want this series completed, shipped, and delivered to me yesterday, I hope the author is doing okay.
Check trigger warnings before reading.
That answer is yet to be determined.
You mean to tell me that after all of that, BOOK TWO ISN'T EVEN OUT YET. Furthermore, you're telling me this is an indie author?! I don't believe you. This was the work of an author who knows what the hell they are doing. An accomplishment not easily conquered after...what is this?...her THIRD book ever?
The instant Domonic lays eyes on Wren, it's game over.
This was spicy.
This was taboo.
This was fun.
It was precisely what I wanted from a stalker romance novel.
And you can bet that I signed up for Kay's newsletter after gobbling this up in a span of 6 hours.
If you leave this world before me, I'll slit my throat and follow you.
Is that what you want, little lamb? Do you want me to take you, pin you down in my bed, and fuck you until you're begging me for mercy? Until you're too tired to do anything but sleep in my arms?
Oh, Domonic. The serial killing, leather-wearing, stalker, psycho that you are. And my sweet, sweet Wren, who speaks to my soul so deeply. Brave, smart, a fighter to the end, but so so so tired. Who can blame her, after what she has been through? These two explore the opposites of predator and prey, life and death, freedom and captivity. And by the time the sensual dance is done, you'll be adding another book boyfriend to your ever-expanding list.
Even the thought of a fictional man having her attention makes my skin crawl.
In all seriousness, Kay Alastor wrote about being disabled so perfectly, I wonder if she herself is disabled too. Which worries me because it's been six months since her last update on any of her socials (yes, I did some stalking of my own). As much as I want this series completed, shipped, and delivered to me yesterday, I hope the author is doing okay.
Check trigger warnings before reading.
September 5, 2025
Our FMC, Wren, is homeless. She's 25 and has been living on the streets of Toronto for years, bouncing between shelters and alleys to sleep in. She has a chronic illness- debilitating migraines, which causes her to often make the choice between medication or food her priority. Our girl is living out of a backpack.
She's down on her luck one night (of course), and she has no medication, dragging herself to a clinic. Where she meets our MMC, Dominic. He's one of four foster brothers (none blood related, but they grew up together and forged a brotherhood from it).
Dom is like an angry cinnamon roll- it's hilarious. A bit insta-love when he saw her, but dude is not letting go. However, I liked that he didn't immediately kidnap her or something. He watches her for the first... 40% of the book? Leaving supplies in her backpack and killing people who bother her. His mouth is decently filthy, too. He eventually decides she's coming home with him, whether she likes it or not.
Add in some Bratva drama and there you go. Some of the drama is unresolved, but I'm guessing that sets up for the next brother's book. I'll definitely read it; the group chats were enjoyable and their antics in general were amusing. Dom has a dog and the other three brother fight over who gets to walk him.
HEA, Dual POV
Stalking, Noncon Tracker installation, Primal scenes (I think I counted 2 or 3?), Pet name: "Little Lamb", Insta-love-ish.
Quote: “I will fuck you on the hood of this car until the only words you’re capable of saying are, ‘I deserve everything,’” he whispers, his voice low in warning.
She's down on her luck one night (of course), and she has no medication, dragging herself to a clinic. Where she meets our MMC, Dominic. He's one of four foster brothers (none blood related, but they grew up together and forged a brotherhood from it).
Dom is like an angry cinnamon roll- it's hilarious. A bit insta-love when he saw her, but dude is not letting go. However, I liked that he didn't immediately kidnap her or something. He watches her for the first... 40% of the book? Leaving supplies in her backpack and killing people who bother her. His mouth is decently filthy, too. He eventually decides she's coming home with him, whether she likes it or not.
Add in some Bratva drama and there you go. Some of the drama is unresolved, but I'm guessing that sets up for the next brother's book. I'll definitely read it; the group chats were enjoyable and their antics in general were amusing. Dom has a dog and the other three brother fight over who gets to walk him.
HEA, Dual POV
Stalking, Noncon Tracker installation, Primal scenes (I think I counted 2 or 3?), Pet name: "Little Lamb", Insta-love-ish.
Quote: “I will fuck you on the hood of this car until the only words you’re capable of saying are, ‘I deserve everything,’” he whispers, his voice low in warning.
October 29, 2025
I quite enjoyed this book. Dominic was almost perfect. And all the things he did for wren was so sweet. He even had a whole locked down compound built for her. I liked that he had a very strong relationship with his foster brothers and they automatically loved wren as well. I don’t really like when the families hate the fmc for no reason but Doms brothers were great. I also like the portrayal of wrens chronic condition and how that affected her time on the streets. This book takes place in Canada but it’s always sad to see how easily people can become homeless and how living in the streets is. One of my favorite parts is when Dom came to bring wren home. I love scenes with trackers. The only thing that brought this down was the cringey dialogue between the brother occasionally. Also just a few inconsistencies. Like at the beginning before wren is brought back to finds house but after he starts stalking her Torin one of Doms brothers texts saying he really needs to meet with Dom. It’s written in a way that something very important is being said to Dom and the readers but it’s never brought up an again so I guess it was never important. Also at the very end he donates to charities and is a serial killer… yes Dom answers this and says he’s trying to be a somewhat good person but I would rather he just be the serial killer stalker that loves wren. There will never redemption for him so why try. He has killed innocent people already and because this is a fiction story the only that really matters at this point is his loyalty to wren and how he treats her. Anyway I’m excited to see what ghosts book looks like.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2025
So I read this book in a day. It was so good. I loved loved loved the banter between the brothers!!. It felt very realistic and like I was in it with them if that makes sense lol this is also a fast paced dark romance that leaves you wanting more in the best way possible!
The spiciness was perfect! The characters had great chemistry and I will always be happy about a touch her and 💀 MMC 🥵
I also cannot tell you how much I appreciate reading a book that showcases an FMC that has not only a chronic illness, but severe severe migraines as someone who also struggles with migraines, it is debilitating at the best of times and to read a character that struggles with very similar Challenges was very special and so relatable!
I really enjoyed the fact that Dom had such a cute and special relationship with his dog Hunter. I loved the fact that that was part of the authors story as well and incorporated into this book.
Being a fellow Canadian, it is always so nice to read a book that captures pieces of cities and towns in Canada the story takes place in Toronto Ontario, which is close to my hometown and just made me smile reading about familiar areas/etc.
I cannot wait for the rest of this series to come out. I am invested in the brothers and cannot wait to see what each of their individual stories holds.
The spiciness was perfect! The characters had great chemistry and I will always be happy about a touch her and 💀 MMC 🥵
I also cannot tell you how much I appreciate reading a book that showcases an FMC that has not only a chronic illness, but severe severe migraines as someone who also struggles with migraines, it is debilitating at the best of times and to read a character that struggles with very similar Challenges was very special and so relatable!
I really enjoyed the fact that Dom had such a cute and special relationship with his dog Hunter. I loved the fact that that was part of the authors story as well and incorporated into this book.
Being a fellow Canadian, it is always so nice to read a book that captures pieces of cities and towns in Canada the story takes place in Toronto Ontario, which is close to my hometown and just made me smile reading about familiar areas/etc.
I cannot wait for the rest of this series to come out. I am invested in the brothers and cannot wait to see what each of their individual stories holds.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews