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The Consumed Trilogy #1
Burn For Me: Special Edition Red Pages
I'd Burn The World Down For Her.
My Father used to say that I was dramatic and weak and needed to toughen up. My mother used to say nothing.
The only glimmer of happiness I had was my brother Asher. We could keep each other safe from the man that turned into a monster and the woman that let it happen.
Until I fought back.
After that, I was scarred for life and found myself locked in a room that was supposed to be safe. But safe for whom? For the doctors who tormented me, or for my brother who had put me in this place? I did have one bright light. Adalyn’s soul made me feel a little less like a monster. But they took that away too and released the demon everyone tried so hard to contain.
No one was safe when that rabid animal broke free from its chains. Fire didn’t just cleanse my sins—It was the very essence of my being. There was nothing purer than sitting back and watching flames lick up the side of a building, consuming everything in their path. Some would say I was the spawn of Satan himself, and maybe I was?
But not even the devil could burn the world like I could.
My Father used to say that I was dramatic and weak and needed to toughen up. My mother used to say nothing.
The only glimmer of happiness I had was my brother Asher. We could keep each other safe from the man that turned into a monster and the woman that let it happen.
Until I fought back.
After that, I was scarred for life and found myself locked in a room that was supposed to be safe. But safe for whom? For the doctors who tormented me, or for my brother who had put me in this place? I did have one bright light. Adalyn’s soul made me feel a little less like a monster. But they took that away too and released the demon everyone tried so hard to contain.
No one was safe when that rabid animal broke free from its chains. Fire didn’t just cleanse my sins—It was the very essence of my being. There was nothing purer than sitting back and watching flames lick up the side of a building, consuming everything in their path. Some would say I was the spawn of Satan himself, and maybe I was?
But not even the devil could burn the world like I could.
302 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2025
44 people are currently reading
496 people want to read
About the author
Brooklyn Cross
39 books2,133 followersWriting is not just a passion for me. It is a lifeline to my sanity.
I have always loved writing but suffer from severe dyslexia and short-term memory retention issues. I struggled in school while I worked every night on re-training my brain.
I was frequently treated like I would never succeed, and I found myself putting my love for writing on a shelf.
Even at the age of six, I found it easier to communicate with animals than people, which was a big reason why I was drawn to dressage horseback riding. I remained focused on my passion for riding until I had to step away from the competition world for personal reasons.
Today, my desire for writing and storytelling has been rekindled. I have published multiple books and will never let anyone or anything hold me back again.
I am a proud romance author who offers my readers morally grey heroes, a ton of spice, epic journeys, and redemption stories.
-Follow Your Dreams-
I have always loved writing but suffer from severe dyslexia and short-term memory retention issues. I struggled in school while I worked every night on re-training my brain.
I was frequently treated like I would never succeed, and I found myself putting my love for writing on a shelf.
Even at the age of six, I found it easier to communicate with animals than people, which was a big reason why I was drawn to dressage horseback riding. I remained focused on my passion for riding until I had to step away from the competition world for personal reasons.
Today, my desire for writing and storytelling has been rekindled. I have published multiple books and will never let anyone or anything hold me back again.
I am a proud romance author who offers my readers morally grey heroes, a ton of spice, epic journeys, and redemption stories.
-Follow Your Dreams-
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
June 22, 2022
This read packed a hot, dark and depraved punch. Intense and twisty. Just how I like it!
It will have you questioning humanity and the lengths that some go to make one pay. Revenge can come when you least expect it and it sure did in this book!
Derek, oh my Derek. That man has been broken, manipulated and put back together in the most obscene way. His childhood was gruesome and the man he grew up to be showcased that. Holy crap this dude knew how to make you squirm. Wouldn't want to me meet him in a dark, deserted alley. He'd have you screaming in no time. Either by pleasure or by fiery pain.
I was shocked by what I read. I had no idea that this fantastic author was going to take my heart hostage while reading this! The story line was captivating and I can't wait to see what she has in store for book 2! I am burning inside to find out!!
It will have you questioning humanity and the lengths that some go to make one pay. Revenge can come when you least expect it and it sure did in this book!
Derek, oh my Derek. That man has been broken, manipulated and put back together in the most obscene way. His childhood was gruesome and the man he grew up to be showcased that. Holy crap this dude knew how to make you squirm. Wouldn't want to me meet him in a dark, deserted alley. He'd have you screaming in no time. Either by pleasure or by fiery pain.
I was shocked by what I read. I had no idea that this fantastic author was going to take my heart hostage while reading this! The story line was captivating and I can't wait to see what she has in store for book 2! I am burning inside to find out!!
September 2, 2025
Mind Blown 🤯
🔥Fire didn't just cleanse my sins-It was the very essence of my being.🔥
🔥Suspense/Thriller
🔥Dubious Con
🔥Forbidden Love
🔥Vigilante Anti Hero
I was hooked from the first page I absolutely could not put it down.
It was so gripping, twisted & totally unhinged, I loved it I absolutely ate this book up….
I Love Derek like soooo much, my heart broke for him.. I now have another book boyfriend, I’m obsessed with him..
Derek had an awful start to life he’s childhood was heartbreaking 💔 I just wanted to hug him..
I don’t want to give anything away as I went in blind it was mind blowing 🤯 intense so so good. Also Not for the faint hearted..
This book is seriously dark, definitely check trigger warnings ..
🔥Fire didn't just cleanse my sins-It was the very essence of my being.🔥
🔥Suspense/Thriller
🔥Dubious Con
🔥Forbidden Love
🔥Vigilante Anti Hero
I was hooked from the first page I absolutely could not put it down.
It was so gripping, twisted & totally unhinged, I loved it I absolutely ate this book up….
I Love Derek like soooo much, my heart broke for him.. I now have another book boyfriend, I’m obsessed with him..
Derek had an awful start to life he’s childhood was heartbreaking 💔 I just wanted to hug him..
I don’t want to give anything away as I went in blind it was mind blowing 🤯 intense so so good. Also Not for the faint hearted..
This book is seriously dark, definitely check trigger warnings ..
June 24, 2022
Wow! I don’t really know what to say after reading probably the darkest book I’ve ever read in my life. Mind you, Burn For Me by Brooklyn Cross is no romance. At least, as the first book in The Consumed Trilogy, it is pretty much an intense suspense thriller about Derek who happens to be a pyro and a murderer and lives in a maximum security psychiatric facility. His trauma and his demons are incredibly well described and his dilemma of who he is and who he is supposed to be is mind-shattering. This was nothing I have ever read before so I am blown away (no pun intended). In all honesty, I am a little afraid to read what the next book is going to bring to the table. Mind the triggers if you have any but if you are into the dark novels, know that Burn For Me is going to force you into the pitch black depths of a sick, wounded man.
June 23, 2022
Ok... So... Ok... Well... See... But... Then... But... And... How... Why... Holy sh1t!... I think that about sums it up 😳
In case you didn't notice, I'm kind of at a loss to be honest!...
It says at the start of the book 'may contain content that some readers may find disturbing' so if you're in doubt, then just don't - there's nothing worse than reading reviews and people complaining that a book is sick, or it's abusive and degrading, or too violent or just straight up messy bla bla - you were warned! Move on and just don't bother reading it - the end! 🤷🏻♀️
HOWEVER if you like your books quite twisted, definitely graphic, very violent, totally messed-up, has an alpha-hole who may not be redeemable then buckle up peeps - Brooklyn Cross will have you slack-jawed and at a loss for words - it was excellent!!
Derek the main man is twisted, he's suffered at the hands of people who should've helped him but instead they tormented him. My heart hurt for him and it made me angry so I understand why he does what he does but I truly wonder if he can be redeemed! Seriously, this guy has no morals and no conscience and still he made me squirm 😏
I'll leave the rest up to you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*I voluntarily received an arc and this is my honest review.
In case you didn't notice, I'm kind of at a loss to be honest!...
It says at the start of the book 'may contain content that some readers may find disturbing' so if you're in doubt, then just don't - there's nothing worse than reading reviews and people complaining that a book is sick, or it's abusive and degrading, or too violent or just straight up messy bla bla - you were warned! Move on and just don't bother reading it - the end! 🤷🏻♀️
HOWEVER if you like your books quite twisted, definitely graphic, very violent, totally messed-up, has an alpha-hole who may not be redeemable then buckle up peeps - Brooklyn Cross will have you slack-jawed and at a loss for words - it was excellent!!
Derek the main man is twisted, he's suffered at the hands of people who should've helped him but instead they tormented him. My heart hurt for him and it made me angry so I understand why he does what he does but I truly wonder if he can be redeemed! Seriously, this guy has no morals and no conscience and still he made me squirm 😏
I'll leave the rest up to you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*I voluntarily received an arc and this is my honest review.
June 23, 2022
MINDBLOWN!!!
Burn for Me is book #1 in The Consumed Trilogy. It's a dark romance.
Burn for Me is an incredible start to this new series! I was glued to the pages and couldn't put my Kindle down til i finished.
Derek had been thru so much in his life and his childhood was horrible. This man has some demons, and his only happiness is Adalyn.
Brooklyn will have you in a chokehold with this story and will have you on the edge of your seat! I literally have no words! That ending!?!?! I am counting down the days to book #2!!!!!
Burn for Me is book #1 in The Consumed Trilogy. It's a dark romance.
Burn for Me is an incredible start to this new series! I was glued to the pages and couldn't put my Kindle down til i finished.
Derek had been thru so much in his life and his childhood was horrible. This man has some demons, and his only happiness is Adalyn.
Brooklyn will have you in a chokehold with this story and will have you on the edge of your seat! I literally have no words! That ending!?!?! I am counting down the days to book #2!!!!!
June 17, 2022
Wow I just have no idea where to start with this book.
This book was epically brilliant
Derek oh my what a main character he was, so dark and haunted, my heart literally burst for him. No matter what he did I was there beside him.
And that ending I mean why do you do this to my fragile heart Brooklyn.
Really can't wait for book 2 now, I think if anyone can clam Derek's demons it might just be her.
Well done for an amazing start to what I believe will be a epic series
This book was epically brilliant
Derek oh my what a main character he was, so dark and haunted, my heart literally burst for him. No matter what he did I was there beside him.
And that ending I mean why do you do this to my fragile heart Brooklyn.
Really can't wait for book 2 now, I think if anyone can clam Derek's demons it might just be her.
Well done for an amazing start to what I believe will be a epic series
July 9, 2022
I loved this. SO much! It was dark and intense and just gripped me from the first page.
Now Derek, he does some crazy things - awful things really - but I truly felt so bad for him. What he had been through was just heartbreaking, and those moments shaped him into the person he is now.
I seriously cannot wait for book 2. I am hooked!
Now Derek, he does some crazy things - awful things really - but I truly felt so bad for him. What he had been through was just heartbreaking, and those moments shaped him into the person he is now.
I seriously cannot wait for book 2. I am hooked!
February 3, 2024
UTTERLY PHENOMENAL! WOW!! I am completely blown away by how shockingly good this story was. I have no words for how this story consumed my every waking moment from the moment I started reading right until that crazy ending. This is no romance story – so don’t start reading it thinking you are going to get some kind of love story in between all of the darkness that is Derek. This story is dark, depraved, violent, gory, bloody and titillating. You will be taken on one hell of a crazy rollercoaster ride into the pit of darkness with completely unhinged, psychotic and corrupt characters, making you gasp, possibly cringe and utterly shock you with everything that transpires right before your very eyes.
Derek is one twisted MF, definitely an anti-hero, but you can’t help fall in love with his kind of crazy and encourage him to fulfill his need for vengeance in the most twisted and messed up ways possible. He was broken in the obscenest ways as a child, which in turn weaved him into the dark reaper that he has become as an adult. Derek knows just how to make us love him and make us writhe with pleasure and pain.
This story was brilliantly written. It was filled with so much emotion and pain, which pulled on our heartstrings and made us fall in love with a man filled with so many demons. We feel his pain, his hatred, his anger and his deep seeded need to burn the world around him to ash.
Buckle up and hang on tight because Derek is going to take you into the darkness and feed you his demons making it impossible to ever forget him.
I loved every deliciously dark second of this book and can’t wait to see what happens next.
Derek is one twisted MF, definitely an anti-hero, but you can’t help fall in love with his kind of crazy and encourage him to fulfill his need for vengeance in the most twisted and messed up ways possible. He was broken in the obscenest ways as a child, which in turn weaved him into the dark reaper that he has become as an adult. Derek knows just how to make us love him and make us writhe with pleasure and pain.
This story was brilliantly written. It was filled with so much emotion and pain, which pulled on our heartstrings and made us fall in love with a man filled with so many demons. We feel his pain, his hatred, his anger and his deep seeded need to burn the world around him to ash.
Buckle up and hang on tight because Derek is going to take you into the darkness and feed you his demons making it impossible to ever forget him.
I loved every deliciously dark second of this book and can’t wait to see what happens next.
June 24, 2022
This book was amazing! It was dark, twisted, violent, full of anger, pain, deception, tragedy and just plain amazing. This book was mind tease from the beginning. You never knew what was going to happen and that is one thing that you will find in this author’s books. If you like to walk on the dark and twisted side this is for you!!!
June 24, 2022
The book truly took me by surprise. Completely different than her other books and I love it. Like to be kept on my toes.
More suspenseful thriller than romance, readers are introduced to Derek West who is way past morally gray but you feel empathy toward his predicament. As one learns of what put him in the asylum, you realize how messed up the system and those who are supposed to help really are.
Can’t wait to see what Derek will do next. Unpredictable.
* I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
More suspenseful thriller than romance, readers are introduced to Derek West who is way past morally gray but you feel empathy toward his predicament. As one learns of what put him in the asylum, you realize how messed up the system and those who are supposed to help really are.
Can’t wait to see what Derek will do next. Unpredictable.
* I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
August 8, 2022
Wow
I really didn't know what I was getting into with this book!!!! I mean read the trigger warning! This is not for the pearl clutching faint of heart!!! Derek is just, wow. I alternated between wanting to hug him and show him all the love he needs, to shaking my head thinking wtf!?!! The cameos were brilliant and the story was riveting. I couldn't put my Kindle down, I needed to know what would happen next. That epilogue left me salivating!!! I cannot wait for the next book and I am dying to know more about Asher, Violet and Rebecca!!!!
I really didn't know what I was getting into with this book!!!! I mean read the trigger warning! This is not for the pearl clutching faint of heart!!! Derek is just, wow. I alternated between wanting to hug him and show him all the love he needs, to shaking my head thinking wtf!?!! The cameos were brilliant and the story was riveting. I couldn't put my Kindle down, I needed to know what would happen next. That epilogue left me salivating!!! I cannot wait for the next book and I am dying to know more about Asher, Violet and Rebecca!!!!
July 9, 2022
Burn for Me follows Derek, a man locked up in a maximum security psychiatric facility. He's a pyromaniac and a murderer and his life is just continuing to go into a downward spiral until he reaches a breaking point.
I am never disappointed with Brooklyn Cross's books. I have yet to find one that I didn't absolutely love in every capacity. They are dark and this one is one of the darker ones that I've read from her to date. It has a lot of triggers, but the story is just too good to put down! Derek is a little psychotic, but given they years of trauma he's endured, I completely understand it.
This has no romance currently, and I'm hoping book two will bring a little of it to his story!
I am never disappointed with Brooklyn Cross's books. I have yet to find one that I didn't absolutely love in every capacity. They are dark and this one is one of the darker ones that I've read from her to date. It has a lot of triggers, but the story is just too good to put down! Derek is a little psychotic, but given they years of trauma he's endured, I completely understand it.
This has no romance currently, and I'm hoping book two will bring a little of it to his story!
June 25, 2022
Heed those trigger warnings, folks! And after you’ve read through them, if you’re still game to read, buckle up, buttercup, because this gets intense, dark, and graphically violent really fast.
I was hooked right at the beginning, and read this in one day. You become attached to Derek as you learn about all the physical and emotional abuse that he grew up with and consequently, his pyromania. Instead of the professional help he should have received during the past nine years, he’s gone through more of the same crap, but at the hands of his psychiatrist and the faculty. The only person that keeps him from going totally insane is a nurse.
After he escapes, he retaliates against everyone, using torture and pyromaniac deaths. For two seconds you question if you should feel sorry for any of those people, and decide you’re completely okay with this.
In the midst of that, you see him find compassion for a neighbor. Then when you think he’s getting his happy ending, you get punched in the gut, and he spirals more.
And just when things can’t get worse, Brooklyn rips your heart out at the end. Oh, my God, what an emotional roller coaster. It was awesome!
This is one of the best books I have read all year, and one of the easiest 5 STARS I could give. I wish I could give it more.
I can’t wait for the second book!
I was hooked right at the beginning, and read this in one day. You become attached to Derek as you learn about all the physical and emotional abuse that he grew up with and consequently, his pyromania. Instead of the professional help he should have received during the past nine years, he’s gone through more of the same crap, but at the hands of his psychiatrist and the faculty. The only person that keeps him from going totally insane is a nurse.
After he escapes, he retaliates against everyone, using torture and pyromaniac deaths. For two seconds you question if you should feel sorry for any of those people, and decide you’re completely okay with this.
In the midst of that, you see him find compassion for a neighbor. Then when you think he’s getting his happy ending, you get punched in the gut, and he spirals more.
And just when things can’t get worse, Brooklyn rips your heart out at the end. Oh, my God, what an emotional roller coaster. It was awesome!
This is one of the best books I have read all year, and one of the easiest 5 STARS I could give. I wish I could give it more.
I can’t wait for the second book!
July 1, 2022
Internal Combustion
Brooklyn Cross’ first book in her ‘The Consumed Trilogy’ has readers burning for more. This is certainly one hot read but maybe not in the way you’re thinking. When I started reading this book I didn’t think I’d like it but yet I couldn’t put it down. It kept drawing me into Derek’s, the main character, world. It made me wonder what his life could’ve been like if it hadn’t been for his father. I have never before cheered and cried over the bad guy. But would you really consider Derek a bad guy? He calls himself a monster but I really felt for this monster. It just seems like he could never catch a break. The author did an amazing work of art with this story. There was never a dull moment. It was full of exciting adventure, mystery and suspense. I can’t wait for the next installment. Highly recommended and definitely a MUST read!
Brooklyn Cross’ first book in her ‘The Consumed Trilogy’ has readers burning for more. This is certainly one hot read but maybe not in the way you’re thinking. When I started reading this book I didn’t think I’d like it but yet I couldn’t put it down. It kept drawing me into Derek’s, the main character, world. It made me wonder what his life could’ve been like if it hadn’t been for his father. I have never before cheered and cried over the bad guy. But would you really consider Derek a bad guy? He calls himself a monster but I really felt for this monster. It just seems like he could never catch a break. The author did an amazing work of art with this story. There was never a dull moment. It was full of exciting adventure, mystery and suspense. I can’t wait for the next installment. Highly recommended and definitely a MUST read!
July 3, 2022
Burn For Me is Fantastically Intense!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
This book was absolutely intense. Had me on the edge of my seat and completely engrossed from page one all the way to the end.
This is Derek’s story and it’s a dark and brutal one. Abused repeatedly as a child he grows to be hardened and strong in order to protect himself and his lil brother when they finally manage to run away. When he finally gets his revenge he finds himself betrayed by his only remaining family and is locked up in a mental hospital after having what they obviously labeled as a psychotic break and un-aliving four people. Some years later he meets a new nurse and they fall in love…..but all is not as it seams once he manages to get out.
Derek is betrayed so many times by those he thinks care about him that you can’t help but look past his brutal crimes of revenge and feel bad for him and feel that they are getting what they deserve for the way that they treat others. He is definitely what I would label as an Anti-Hero because he doesn’t just get revenge for himself but for those that have been hurt or wronged and deserve it too.
The ending will leave you questioning what’s in store next and definitely wanting more!! Am definitely looking forward to the next book in series and where Brooklyn will take us next. Do be aware of TW. If you like dark, brutal, un-aliving anti-heroes then you definitely need to read this book. Highly recommend it!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
This book was absolutely intense. Had me on the edge of my seat and completely engrossed from page one all the way to the end.
This is Derek’s story and it’s a dark and brutal one. Abused repeatedly as a child he grows to be hardened and strong in order to protect himself and his lil brother when they finally manage to run away. When he finally gets his revenge he finds himself betrayed by his only remaining family and is locked up in a mental hospital after having what they obviously labeled as a psychotic break and un-aliving four people. Some years later he meets a new nurse and they fall in love…..but all is not as it seams once he manages to get out.
Derek is betrayed so many times by those he thinks care about him that you can’t help but look past his brutal crimes of revenge and feel bad for him and feel that they are getting what they deserve for the way that they treat others. He is definitely what I would label as an Anti-Hero because he doesn’t just get revenge for himself but for those that have been hurt or wronged and deserve it too.
The ending will leave you questioning what’s in store next and definitely wanting more!! Am definitely looking forward to the next book in series and where Brooklyn will take us next. Do be aware of TW. If you like dark, brutal, un-aliving anti-heroes then you definitely need to read this book. Highly recommend it!!
June 26, 2022
Brooklyn Cross is brilliant. This book is amazing and I wish I could give it more than 5 starts. Beyond that I don’t know if I have the words to express how good this book was but I’ll try. First please heed all trigger warnings because this book is so very dark and graphic and should not be knocked for that.
Derick is a very dark and depraved and I don’t know if he can be redeemed. Though he is this way because he was broken and betrayed by the people who should have loved, protected, and/or helped him. It is a testament to Brooklyn Cross’s writing ability that through all the dark we can see a tiny glimmer of the man he could have been.
There are many twists that I didn’t see coming and that end just wow! If you love book very dark this book is a MUST read!
Derick is a very dark and depraved and I don’t know if he can be redeemed. Though he is this way because he was broken and betrayed by the people who should have loved, protected, and/or helped him. It is a testament to Brooklyn Cross’s writing ability that through all the dark we can see a tiny glimmer of the man he could have been.
There are many twists that I didn’t see coming and that end just wow! If you love book very dark this book is a MUST read!
July 12, 2022
So Good
Derek West and his brother Asher were abused by their Father when the day came for Derek to get his revenge by setting a fire which killed 4 people Asher turned his brother in. Derek spent 9 years in an asylum abused by a psychotic Doctor and his staff until the day came for him to get his revenge. As much as I wanted to hate some of the things Derek did when he finds his files and reads them you know he’s a product of a corrupt system . I loved how much Dora cared for him and she had me giggling at some of the things she came out with. I’m really looking forward to the next book however I’m not sure if I’m wanting Derek to redeem himself or seek revenge on those that hurt him.
Derek West and his brother Asher were abused by their Father when the day came for Derek to get his revenge by setting a fire which killed 4 people Asher turned his brother in. Derek spent 9 years in an asylum abused by a psychotic Doctor and his staff until the day came for him to get his revenge. As much as I wanted to hate some of the things Derek did when he finds his files and reads them you know he’s a product of a corrupt system . I loved how much Dora cared for him and she had me giggling at some of the things she came out with. I’m really looking forward to the next book however I’m not sure if I’m wanting Derek to redeem himself or seek revenge on those that hurt him.
September 11, 2025
5+++ book
Okay this book to be fully appreciated needs to be read. This book had my black insides giddy with the unhinged, unstable male character. This book is amazing and is perfect if you love a book that is dark, deranged and twisted, violent with depths of pain and anguish. Brooklyn will have you invested from page one and the book will not let you put it down, with you being taken on a psychotic journey with Dereck. Can’t wait to get into the next instalment.
Okay this book to be fully appreciated needs to be read. This book had my black insides giddy with the unhinged, unstable male character. This book is amazing and is perfect if you love a book that is dark, deranged and twisted, violent with depths of pain and anguish. Brooklyn will have you invested from page one and the book will not let you put it down, with you being taken on a psychotic journey with Dereck. Can’t wait to get into the next instalment.
September 12, 2025
Madness, absolute madness! I feel like I just got off a rollercoaster after the twists and turns of chaos, sweetness, darkness, kindness and hurt that this book put me through! And I loved every moment!
August 30, 2025
We get quite a few surprises with Derek’s story! This book is not a typical romance!
I like Derek and totally understand why he does what he does throughout!
Can’t wait to find out what happens next and that means it sucks you in and leaves you happy for now but still on the edge!
(I received an advanced copy of this book, it didn’t however affect my honest opinion)
I like Derek and totally understand why he does what he does throughout!
Can’t wait to find out what happens next and that means it sucks you in and leaves you happy for now but still on the edge!
(I received an advanced copy of this book, it didn’t however affect my honest opinion)
February 18, 2024
Villain Orgin Story
Just spent time reading a man devolve into a villain. It's a sad sort of corrupted circumstances, and we are on the journey through his de-evolution. Brooklyn Cross is a genius with crafting broken pyscho MMCs you feel sorrow and empathy for. Here, she hits the mark. Each word, chapter, and flow is the slow character build. Strong writing is present. Top-notch lines here like "Evertthing in my past must die and I must bury my past to be the new thing" hits at the layered and nuanced story shift.
If you are a person who needs spoilers, take this:
🔥this is no romance. It is a Dark Fiction with a brilliant bildungsroman
🔥this is no romance. There are sex scenes used purely to show definitive character moments. Are the scenes hot and steamy? Of course, but it's not for romance
🔥this is not a romance. There is no HEA. There is a female character who provides light to the MMC, but this is a revenge and avenge story.
Check your morality at the door. The MMC will do lots of bad things, but as the reader gets a 1st pov, we become immersed in DW pain and want to see him win. We root for him. We want him to grab love. We want him to find solitude at the farm. We want a fairy tale ending. Considering his crimes that means Cross did a phenomenal job.
Just spent time reading a man devolve into a villain. It's a sad sort of corrupted circumstances, and we are on the journey through his de-evolution. Brooklyn Cross is a genius with crafting broken pyscho MMCs you feel sorrow and empathy for. Here, she hits the mark. Each word, chapter, and flow is the slow character build. Strong writing is present. Top-notch lines here like "Evertthing in my past must die and I must bury my past to be the new thing" hits at the layered and nuanced story shift.
If you are a person who needs spoilers, take this:
🔥this is no romance. It is a Dark Fiction with a brilliant bildungsroman
🔥this is no romance. There are sex scenes used purely to show definitive character moments. Are the scenes hot and steamy? Of course, but it's not for romance
🔥this is not a romance. There is no HEA. There is a female character who provides light to the MMC, but this is a revenge and avenge story.
Check your morality at the door. The MMC will do lots of bad things, but as the reader gets a 1st pov, we become immersed in DW pain and want to see him win. We root for him. We want him to grab love. We want him to find solitude at the farm. We want a fairy tale ending. Considering his crimes that means Cross did a phenomenal job.
February 8, 2024
This is definitely my type of crazy...what a ride. Derek is put in a mental institution at age 17 for setting 4 people on fire. Is he crazy or did they make him crazy? Of course he escapes and then reigns down revenge and justice like no other.
Lots of violence, revenge, and gore for sure. Almost cringe worthy in the detail. But the twists are great. And guess what, there is even some emotion that pulls at your heart strings. That's hard to pull off writing the story of a crazy serial killer. But we all like to root for the underdog, even if he's out of his mind, and you can't help but root for Derek.
This author is known for the "out there" story and this one didn't disapoint. 5 stars and can't wait for the rest of the series.
Lots of violence, revenge, and gore for sure. Almost cringe worthy in the detail. But the twists are great. And guess what, there is even some emotion that pulls at your heart strings. That's hard to pull off writing the story of a crazy serial killer. But we all like to root for the underdog, even if he's out of his mind, and you can't help but root for Derek.
This author is known for the "out there" story and this one didn't disapoint. 5 stars and can't wait for the rest of the series.
November 6, 2022
To start check your triggers before reading. Now to the point! Burn For Me is AHA-MAZING! Derek is a serial unaliver; his weapon of choice is fire. He starts off with a very set purpose, you could describe him as a vigilante in loose terms; he definitely likes his revenge. We get to watch his progress from having been institutionalized to the outside world. This book is a slow burn (pun intended) but there is definitely some mild spice. This book is just amazing, I love Derek and can’t wait to see what happens next in book 2. Also special shout out to Dora, her kind hearted and her lemon pie!
September 4, 2025
Burn for Me is the first book in The Consumed Trilogy by Brooklyn Cross. I have to start by saying, check the trigger warnings because this book is dark and has quite a few potential triggers. This book is not full of romance, but is filled with vengeance, misunderstandings, and so much more. I enjoyed the book even though I struggled with the characters a bit.
I partially understood where Derek was coming from but he took things a little too far for me at times. My heart did break for him throughout the book with everything that he faced as a child and then things he faced as an adult. At the end, I think he is a bit misunderstood and I am interested to see where his character development goes from here. I absolutely did not like Adalyn at all. I have no problem with having dark desires, but I just do not like how she treated Derek.
If you are interested in a book that will definitely push you with how dark it gets then you need to give this book a read. I am interested to see what Cross does with this trilogy.
I partially understood where Derek was coming from but he took things a little too far for me at times. My heart did break for him throughout the book with everything that he faced as a child and then things he faced as an adult. At the end, I think he is a bit misunderstood and I am interested to see where his character development goes from here. I absolutely did not like Adalyn at all. I have no problem with having dark desires, but I just do not like how she treated Derek.
If you are interested in a book that will definitely push you with how dark it gets then you need to give this book a read. I am interested to see what Cross does with this trilogy.
June 30, 2022
Another incredible book by Brooklyn!!
Derek had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. He's so broken yet so easy to love.
He was dealt such a crappy hand from the very beginning of his life. Never being able to please his parents and never receiving the help he deserved.
Until he takes his life into his own hands and gets his revenge in the best way he knows how. After losing 9 years of his life to his time on an asylum Derek takes control of his life for once in the one way he knows how. By burning the world down.
This book is full of angst, watching Derek discover himself through the person he was always told he was. Seeing him discover what it means to be loved by someone and also how cruel the world can be outside of his childhood home.
I can't wait for book two!!!
Derek had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. He's so broken yet so easy to love.
He was dealt such a crappy hand from the very beginning of his life. Never being able to please his parents and never receiving the help he deserved.
Until he takes his life into his own hands and gets his revenge in the best way he knows how. After losing 9 years of his life to his time on an asylum Derek takes control of his life for once in the one way he knows how. By burning the world down.
This book is full of angst, watching Derek discover himself through the person he was always told he was. Seeing him discover what it means to be loved by someone and also how cruel the world can be outside of his childhood home.
I can't wait for book two!!!
August 26, 2022
I liked it,
September 10, 2025
I wish I could read this again for the first time! What a beautifully broken, depraved, vengeful man. Derek is everything you don’t want for your daughters. However you can’t help but feel so many emotions for him.
This book is not a romance but any stretch of the word.
This will leave you craving more. It will leave you with your mouth hanging up and you will absolutely fall in love with this broken anti-hero of a man.
Kudos Brooklyn for such a brilliantly written book.
This book is not a romance but any stretch of the word.
This will leave you craving more. It will leave you with your mouth hanging up and you will absolutely fall in love with this broken anti-hero of a man.
Kudos Brooklyn for such a brilliantly written book.
June 29, 2022
This book was so damn good, and unlike anything I have read. I loved it! Definitely dark and twisted, and obviously our mmc Derek has had a shit life and his trauma is in control! The things this man has been through in his life, and all the people that have abused and used him pushes him to his limits. I love the way the author details his feelings and emotions and really lets us into Derek’s dark, untrusting mind. Sympathy and empathy have me cheering on his crime spree and all it entails. This book surprised me and went in a direction I was not expecting. I expected it to be good, this author’s writing style is phenomenal, but this one was so much more! Its not your normal romance… his one true love is fire. I didn’t realize I needed this as much as I did! I am absolutely excited to see what comes next in this series!
December 12, 2022
I did not see that coming. This was an incredible heartbreaking book. I loved the character development and interactions. I am absolutely in love with the way Brooklyn writes her characters are all so unique 😍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2024
I wasn't prepared! But with Brooklyn I never am. It definitely isn't a "romance" per se but Derek, I see you! WOW just wow is really all I have right now. I'm speechless in the best way possible! You got me again!
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