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Dominant Strategy #2
Broken by Them
The epic conclusion to the Dominant Strategy Duet.
Adria, Bryson, Seth, and Kaydon have never been in more danger. To survive the wrath of the Nine, they must flee the country—only to discover that danger doesn’t stop at the border.
In a world of shifting alliances, they’ll face unlikely allies, shocking betrayals, and enemies who know their every weakness. Haunted by the past and hunted at every turn, each of them must decide what they’re willing to risk for freedom—and for each other.
Can they outrun the shadows closing in, or will the only way forward be to confront what has bound them all along?
✨ Exclusive Release: Broken by Them will be available first through Mz's website before it goes wide.
Mzrylan(dot)com
Adria, Bryson, Seth, and Kaydon have never been in more danger. To survive the wrath of the Nine, they must flee the country—only to discover that danger doesn’t stop at the border.
In a world of shifting alliances, they’ll face unlikely allies, shocking betrayals, and enemies who know their every weakness. Haunted by the past and hunted at every turn, each of them must decide what they’re willing to risk for freedom—and for each other.
Can they outrun the shadows closing in, or will the only way forward be to confront what has bound them all along?
✨ Exclusive Release: Broken by Them will be available first through Mz's website before it goes wide.
Mzrylan(dot)com
ebook
First published November 11, 2025
6 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
M.Z. Rylan
2 books56 followersLove stories where power and vulnerability collide.
Adria Fedorov doesn’t kneel—she commands. And so does her creator.
Mz Rylan is an award-winning author of dark, emotionally intense romance where fierce women take control—and keep it. Her debut novel, Bound by Her, won the Silver Medal in Readers’ Favorite’s Sizzle category, the Bronze Medal in the 2025 IPPY Awards for Romance E-Book, and was a finalist in the 2025 IAN Book Awards for LGBTQ and Romance, marking her arrival as a bold new voice in independent publishing.
Mz writes stories where power and vulnerability collide, and where strong, unapologetic heroines dismantle the systems built to contain them. Her characters don’t wait to be saved—they take what they want, even when it costs them everything.
In Bound by Her, Adria Fedorov inherits her father’s brutal legacy within the Nine, an underground society ruled by dominance and betrayal. With three dangerously broken men in her charge, Adria doesn’t just survive—she trains, molds, and commands them. But when control meets desire, and power gives way to love, the real struggle begins.
Bryson, Kaydon, and Seth may kneel for her—but they’ll make her question everything.
With razor-sharp prose and unapologetic heat, Mz Rylan delivers a reverse harem debut packed with emotional stakes, taboo pleasure, and a heroine who rewrites the rules of power.
Bound by Her is just the beginning.
Follow Mz Rylan and step into a world where women don’t just survive—they rule.
Adria Fedorov doesn’t kneel—she commands. And so does her creator.
Mz Rylan is an award-winning author of dark, emotionally intense romance where fierce women take control—and keep it. Her debut novel, Bound by Her, won the Silver Medal in Readers’ Favorite’s Sizzle category, the Bronze Medal in the 2025 IPPY Awards for Romance E-Book, and was a finalist in the 2025 IAN Book Awards for LGBTQ and Romance, marking her arrival as a bold new voice in independent publishing.
Mz writes stories where power and vulnerability collide, and where strong, unapologetic heroines dismantle the systems built to contain them. Her characters don’t wait to be saved—they take what they want, even when it costs them everything.
In Bound by Her, Adria Fedorov inherits her father’s brutal legacy within the Nine, an underground society ruled by dominance and betrayal. With three dangerously broken men in her charge, Adria doesn’t just survive—she trains, molds, and commands them. But when control meets desire, and power gives way to love, the real struggle begins.
Bryson, Kaydon, and Seth may kneel for her—but they’ll make her question everything.
With razor-sharp prose and unapologetic heat, Mz Rylan delivers a reverse harem debut packed with emotional stakes, taboo pleasure, and a heroine who rewrites the rules of power.
Bound by Her is just the beginning.
Follow Mz Rylan and step into a world where women don’t just survive—they rule.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 25, 2026
Dark, mafia, why choose, kinky romance.
Yes, there are dark subjects beyond the obvious, i.e. "it's mafia, people are getting killed" (check author's website for more extended list). Yes, there is MM in this duet, which I find a plus not a minus in why choose. No, fmc doesn't give up her power or lifestyle at the end. There is HEA (ofc, it's a romance).
There's a good amount of spice, including
The plot tackles dealing with the aftermath of traumatic experiences for the mcs and scheming between mafia families (by "mafia", I mean any form of organized crime syndicates).
Another positive was that the men were fairly distinct, because it's a common problem in why choose / RH that they all blend together.
There's a good balance between spice and story, the spice is plentiful but there's enough room for plot and character development.
My personal pet peeves:
I read femdom because I have aversion to reading women being dominated by men. This is my personal reason of interest in this trope. I literally feel heterosexuality leaving my body at the sight of dominant men (I probably should have figured it out earlier it's a sign I'm queer), and they're everywhere. I'm fairly picky in what I find "hot" to the point I thought I'm not attracted to anything at all, but nope, there's a narrow array of spice I do find hot.
This is totally separate from debating "is the kink portrayed faithfully" or "were the sex scenes varied and sexy".
Taking in the wider context, it's extremely common that books marketed as "femdom" are "spiced up" with switchy scenes and some form of commentary how being dominant for a woman is masking some deeper, more worthy need (there was a quote here along the lines "she didn't want control, she wanted to be loved"). Can't you, like, want both?
This is nearly never the case in the reverse. That's what I mean about context. Take any daddy dom or alpha in the sheets type of mmc, does he ever want to be spanked? Does he ever think he needs some rest from all the control and responsibility, so he'd love to let go and submit? And if there's ever a "powerful man who wants to submit" you bet it's gonna be marketed as femdom not maledom. There are no added femdom scenes in maledom books. There reverse is not true.
Obviously, this feels unfair to authors who want to write switchy scenes, because we don't get that many kinky switchy romances, it's usually vanilla or pure maledom (also a lot of "spicy vanilla" is written like "maledom-lite", "good girl" and all, meaning you have to go to low spice books to avoid this).
Yes, there's a good amount of femdom scenes here, the epilogue one is especially good, but there are also maledom scenes, both MM and MF, and yes, fmc asked the mmc to dominate her in that scene, so it was consensual, but all kink should be consensual and that doesn't make it "not switchy". There's also another scene where the men are supposed to "f- her senseless" at her request, which also read switchy to me.
This book reminded me of Pawn of the Cruel Princess where there was also a good amount of femdom scenes, but also some amount of fmc being dominated / taught to "let go". Both good books, but not what I was looking for when scanning for femdom. I probably stripped half the "femdom" recs off my TBR because I learned they have switchy scenes, most famously Mercy and Open Hearts.
This is my personal preference. If you enjoy switchy dynamics, more power to you, and you'll likely enjoy these much more than I could.
TW: mafia stuff, including torture and SA (characters being forced into performing nonconsensual sexual acts). PTSD from said events. Self-harm.
I recommend this duet to fans of dark mafia kinky reverse harem with MM content.
Thank you M.Z. Rylan and Naughty Nook PR for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
Yes, there are dark subjects beyond the obvious, i.e. "it's mafia, people are getting killed" (check author's website for more extended list). Yes, there is MM in this duet, which I find a plus not a minus in why choose. No, fmc doesn't give up her power or lifestyle at the end. There is HEA (ofc, it's a romance).
There's a good amount of spice, including
The plot tackles dealing with the aftermath of traumatic experiences for the mcs and scheming between mafia families (by "mafia", I mean any form of organized crime syndicates).
Another positive was that the men were fairly distinct, because it's a common problem in why choose / RH that they all blend together.
There's a good balance between spice and story, the spice is plentiful but there's enough room for plot and character development.
My personal pet peeves:
I read femdom because I have aversion to reading women being dominated by men. This is my personal reason of interest in this trope. I literally feel heterosexuality leaving my body at the sight of dominant men (I probably should have figured it out earlier it's a sign I'm queer), and they're everywhere. I'm fairly picky in what I find "hot" to the point I thought I'm not attracted to anything at all, but nope, there's a narrow array of spice I do find hot.
This is totally separate from debating "is the kink portrayed faithfully" or "were the sex scenes varied and sexy".
Taking in the wider context, it's extremely common that books marketed as "femdom" are "spiced up" with switchy scenes and some form of commentary how being dominant for a woman is masking some deeper, more worthy need (there was a quote here along the lines "she didn't want control, she wanted to be loved"). Can't you, like, want both?
This is nearly never the case in the reverse. That's what I mean about context. Take any daddy dom or alpha in the sheets type of mmc, does he ever want to be spanked? Does he ever think he needs some rest from all the control and responsibility, so he'd love to let go and submit? And if there's ever a "powerful man who wants to submit" you bet it's gonna be marketed as femdom not maledom. There are no added femdom scenes in maledom books. There reverse is not true.
Obviously, this feels unfair to authors who want to write switchy scenes, because we don't get that many kinky switchy romances, it's usually vanilla or pure maledom (also a lot of "spicy vanilla" is written like "maledom-lite", "good girl" and all, meaning you have to go to low spice books to avoid this).
Yes, there's a good amount of femdom scenes here, the epilogue one is especially good, but there are also maledom scenes, both MM and MF, and yes, fmc asked the mmc to dominate her in that scene, so it was consensual, but all kink should be consensual and that doesn't make it "not switchy". There's also another scene where the men are supposed to "f- her senseless" at her request, which also read switchy to me.
This book reminded me of Pawn of the Cruel Princess where there was also a good amount of femdom scenes, but also some amount of fmc being dominated / taught to "let go". Both good books, but not what I was looking for when scanning for femdom. I probably stripped half the "femdom" recs off my TBR because I learned they have switchy scenes, most famously Mercy and Open Hearts.
This is my personal preference. If you enjoy switchy dynamics, more power to you, and you'll likely enjoy these much more than I could.
TW: mafia stuff, including torture and SA (characters being forced into performing nonconsensual sexual acts). PTSD from said events. Self-harm.
I recommend this duet to fans of dark mafia kinky reverse harem with MM content.
Thank you M.Z. Rylan and Naughty Nook PR for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
March 26, 2026
4⭐️
4🌶️
🔥Dark Romance
🔥Secret Society
🔥Underworld Dealings
🔥Independent MFC
🔥Why Choose/Reverse Harem
🔥Polyamorous Relationship
🔥Touch Her and ☠️
🔥Touch Them and ☠️
🔥Found Family
🔥She’s only soft for them
🔥When the boyfriends are boyfriends
🔥BDSM, Kink exploration
🔥Mental Health Rep
🔥Multi Third Person/ Past Tense POV
This picks up two months after the cliffhanger from book one. Adria believes the Bryson, Kaydon, & Seth are with their buyer. When the woman shows up, asking where they are she knows something is very wrong. Adria quickly figures out who is behind their disappearance and is on the warpath to get the brothers back. Bryson has been waiting for the right moment to make their escape, but when he finds out that Adria is walking into a trap, he makes his move. When they are finally reunited they’re all struggling with injuries and truama. Bryson is haunted by what he endured, Kaydon feels guilty he wasn’t able to protect them, and Seth wants to feel wanted and needed. Adria struggles with one shocking revelation after another, all the while discovering what it means to be together. Their journey is action packed, emotional and very steamy. As much spice as there is, there is even more emotional connection with complex feelings while they find strength in each other. Together they navigate all the pain and help each other pick up the pieces. This explores healing through kink and a BDSM dom/sub relationship. Adria discovers she can be herself and be vulnerable with the brother, while still being in control. They are on the run from The Nine, a secret society where power, pain, and control rule. Secrets upon secrets are revealed as they work to prove the collusion between Triune. Broken by Them delivers an intricate plot with high emotions, tension, and intense spice.
🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.
Plot: 4
Engaging: 4
Character: 4
Thank you MZ Rylan and Naughty Nook PR for the gifted advanced copy.
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
A Few Favorite Quotes:
“You can be your own person. Just as long as they know we will rip their arms off if they so much as look at you wrong.”
“What happened to the case-by-case basis we agreed upon?”
Seth spun a blade in his hand. “That’s how we are handling these cases for the foreseeable future.”
“She hadn’t been broken by them. Instead, she was made whole.”
4🌶️
🔥Dark Romance
🔥Secret Society
🔥Underworld Dealings
🔥Independent MFC
🔥Why Choose/Reverse Harem
🔥Polyamorous Relationship
🔥Touch Her and ☠️
🔥Touch Them and ☠️
🔥Found Family
🔥She’s only soft for them
🔥When the boyfriends are boyfriends
🔥BDSM, Kink exploration
🔥Mental Health Rep
🔥Multi Third Person/ Past Tense POV
This picks up two months after the cliffhanger from book one. Adria believes the Bryson, Kaydon, & Seth are with their buyer. When the woman shows up, asking where they are she knows something is very wrong. Adria quickly figures out who is behind their disappearance and is on the warpath to get the brothers back. Bryson has been waiting for the right moment to make their escape, but when he finds out that Adria is walking into a trap, he makes his move. When they are finally reunited they’re all struggling with injuries and truama. Bryson is haunted by what he endured, Kaydon feels guilty he wasn’t able to protect them, and Seth wants to feel wanted and needed. Adria struggles with one shocking revelation after another, all the while discovering what it means to be together. Their journey is action packed, emotional and very steamy. As much spice as there is, there is even more emotional connection with complex feelings while they find strength in each other. Together they navigate all the pain and help each other pick up the pieces. This explores healing through kink and a BDSM dom/sub relationship. Adria discovers she can be herself and be vulnerable with the brother, while still being in control. They are on the run from The Nine, a secret society where power, pain, and control rule. Secrets upon secrets are revealed as they work to prove the collusion between Triune. Broken by Them delivers an intricate plot with high emotions, tension, and intense spice.
🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.
Plot: 4
Engaging: 4
Character: 4
Thank you MZ Rylan and Naughty Nook PR for the gifted advanced copy.
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
A Few Favorite Quotes:
“You can be your own person. Just as long as they know we will rip their arms off if they so much as look at you wrong.”
“What happened to the case-by-case basis we agreed upon?”
Seth spun a blade in his hand. “That’s how we are handling these cases for the foreseeable future.”
“She hadn’t been broken by them. Instead, she was made whole.”
March 19, 2026
Thank you to Luna Literary for the ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.
You don’t escape them… you unravel inside them
Broken By Them by M.Z. Rylan doesn’t just continue the story… it traps you deeper inside it.
Where the first book builds control, this one weaponizes it. The tension shifts. It sharpens. It follows them beyond the walls, into something far more dangerous. There is no safety here. Not in the world around them. Not in each other.
The constant sense of being hunted seeps through every page. The threat of the Nine lingers like a shadow that never fully steps into the light, yet is always there, always closing in. It creates this suffocating urgency that pushes the story forward without ever letting you breathe. But what hits hardest isn’t just the danger. It’s them.
The dynamic between the characters grows darker, more complex, more consuming. Control blurs into dependence. Protection twists into possession. And somewhere in that chaos, something fragile begins to shift. Not softer… just deeper. More dangerous.
This isn’t a clean emotional journey. It’s messy. Conflicting. At times uncomfortable in a way that feels intentional. The kind of discomfort that keeps you reading because you need to understand where the line is… and why it keeps moving.
The pacing works in waves of tension and release, balancing moments of external danger with intense, emotionally charged interactions. It never truly slows down, it just changes form.
What makes this story linger is the way it explores what happens after the breaking point. When leaving is no longer the question… and staying becomes something far more complicated than choice.
And by the end, it doesn’t feel like survival.
It feels like surrender to something that was never going to let her go.
dark romance | why choose | on the run | captivity vibes | power dynamics | morally grey men | psychological tension | danger & obsession
You don’t escape them… you unravel inside them
Broken By Them by M.Z. Rylan doesn’t just continue the story… it traps you deeper inside it.
Where the first book builds control, this one weaponizes it. The tension shifts. It sharpens. It follows them beyond the walls, into something far more dangerous. There is no safety here. Not in the world around them. Not in each other.
The constant sense of being hunted seeps through every page. The threat of the Nine lingers like a shadow that never fully steps into the light, yet is always there, always closing in. It creates this suffocating urgency that pushes the story forward without ever letting you breathe. But what hits hardest isn’t just the danger. It’s them.
The dynamic between the characters grows darker, more complex, more consuming. Control blurs into dependence. Protection twists into possession. And somewhere in that chaos, something fragile begins to shift. Not softer… just deeper. More dangerous.
This isn’t a clean emotional journey. It’s messy. Conflicting. At times uncomfortable in a way that feels intentional. The kind of discomfort that keeps you reading because you need to understand where the line is… and why it keeps moving.
The pacing works in waves of tension and release, balancing moments of external danger with intense, emotionally charged interactions. It never truly slows down, it just changes form.
What makes this story linger is the way it explores what happens after the breaking point. When leaving is no longer the question… and staying becomes something far more complicated than choice.
And by the end, it doesn’t feel like survival.
It feels like surrender to something that was never going to let her go.
dark romance | why choose | on the run | captivity vibes | power dynamics | morally grey men | psychological tension | danger & obsession
March 28, 2026
"𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝓱𝓪𝓭𝓷'𝓽 𝓫𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓫𝓻𝓸𝓴𝓮𝓷 𝓫𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓶. 𝓘𝓷𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓪𝓭, 𝓼𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓶𝓪𝓭𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓮."
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This is book 2 in the Dominant Strategy duet, and you ABSOLUTELY have to read the first book to understand this one. This book picks up after the WILDEST CLIFFHANGER in book 1. To say I was obsessively chomping at the bit to get my hands on this book!!! And let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint!!!
MZ Rylan is back with the conclusion of one of the darkest and most soul crushing duets I have ever read...seriously....I did not think my emotions could be toyed with anymore than after reading the first book, but I was so very wrong. This one broke me and by the end put me back together.
We are back with Adria, Bryson, Kaydon and Seth. Jumping right into the chaos that left us all on the edge of our seat in the previous book. Adria realises that something is very wrong when the men have not been picked up by their buyer, and immediately goes to work to find them. What ensues is an onslaught of pain, trauma and abuse beyond anything any of them have ever experienced before.
Once they are reunited they are faced with an uphill battle. They all have scars, emotional and physical...shame and blame runs through them all and at times, I found myself wondering how they would ever be able to navigate this and find their way back to each other....
But, through their pain and the dynamic of their relationship with each other, they are able to find their way back to each other. The shmexual dynamics of control help them get a grasp on everything they have been through. It helps them navigate healing. If you have ever had to deal with trauma, SA, anything like that, dark romance and many of the themes throughout this book, often help with processing the feelings that come after enduring that. And that is what is shown in this book. It's not just a shmexual thing...it's not depravity or indulgence...they find comfort and safety in each other and their relationships...relinquishing control helps in realising that you have ALL the control, and trust the other person to not abuse that control when given to them.
Theres no real way to explain the impact this story has, you truly have to read the first book to understand the importance of this one, and I absolutely think it is worth the read.
Just keep in mind that this is truly a dark romance book, there are a lot of triggers that you can find on the authors page and website, please please please, check them before diving in...your mental health should always come first.
Thank you so much to MZ Rylan for allowing the absolute privilege of ARC reading this amazing book. 🖤
🥀Reverse Harem
🖤Fem Domme
🥀MMMF/MM/MF
🖤Dark Romance
🥀Secret Society
🖤Mafia
🥀Polyamory
🖤Touch Her and 💀
🥀Touch Them and 💀
🖤Found Family
🥀Soft Only For Each Other
🖤K!nk Exploration
🥀BD$M
🖤Secrets
🥀Independent FMC
🖤Hurt / Comfort
🥀Age Gap
🖤Forced Proximity
🥀Forced O’s
🖤 🔪 Play
🥀Non Con
🖤Shmurder
🥀Branding
🖤Patricide
🥀Duet
🖤Multi POV
🥀HEA
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This is book 2 in the Dominant Strategy duet, and you ABSOLUTELY have to read the first book to understand this one. This book picks up after the WILDEST CLIFFHANGER in book 1. To say I was obsessively chomping at the bit to get my hands on this book!!! And let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint!!!
MZ Rylan is back with the conclusion of one of the darkest and most soul crushing duets I have ever read...seriously....I did not think my emotions could be toyed with anymore than after reading the first book, but I was so very wrong. This one broke me and by the end put me back together.
We are back with Adria, Bryson, Kaydon and Seth. Jumping right into the chaos that left us all on the edge of our seat in the previous book. Adria realises that something is very wrong when the men have not been picked up by their buyer, and immediately goes to work to find them. What ensues is an onslaught of pain, trauma and abuse beyond anything any of them have ever experienced before.
Once they are reunited they are faced with an uphill battle. They all have scars, emotional and physical...shame and blame runs through them all and at times, I found myself wondering how they would ever be able to navigate this and find their way back to each other....
But, through their pain and the dynamic of their relationship with each other, they are able to find their way back to each other. The shmexual dynamics of control help them get a grasp on everything they have been through. It helps them navigate healing. If you have ever had to deal with trauma, SA, anything like that, dark romance and many of the themes throughout this book, often help with processing the feelings that come after enduring that. And that is what is shown in this book. It's not just a shmexual thing...it's not depravity or indulgence...they find comfort and safety in each other and their relationships...relinquishing control helps in realising that you have ALL the control, and trust the other person to not abuse that control when given to them.
Theres no real way to explain the impact this story has, you truly have to read the first book to understand the importance of this one, and I absolutely think it is worth the read.
Just keep in mind that this is truly a dark romance book, there are a lot of triggers that you can find on the authors page and website, please please please, check them before diving in...your mental health should always come first.
Thank you so much to MZ Rylan for allowing the absolute privilege of ARC reading this amazing book. 🖤
🥀Reverse Harem
🖤Fem Domme
🥀MMMF/MM/MF
🖤Dark Romance
🥀Secret Society
🖤Mafia
🥀Polyamory
🖤Touch Her and 💀
🥀Touch Them and 💀
🖤Found Family
🥀Soft Only For Each Other
🖤K!nk Exploration
🥀BD$M
🖤Secrets
🥀Independent FMC
🖤Hurt / Comfort
🥀Age Gap
🖤Forced Proximity
🥀Forced O’s
🖤 🔪 Play
🥀Non Con
🖤Shmurder
🥀Branding
🖤Patricide
🥀Duet
🖤Multi POV
🥀HEA
March 22, 2026
This was a great conclusion to the Adria, Bryson, Kaydon and Seth story. I enjoyed following them along their journey. Watching their growth, even when it felt like the world was against them was refreshing.
Adria’s worst nightmare is happening. Her boys never made it to Elena’s. Working together, Adria and Elena follow the breadcrumbs back to the man responsible, Johnathan. While captive, Bryson strikes a deal with their captor, he will “play” with him as long as Kaydon and Seth are left unharmed.
Adria is eventually reunited with her boys. But this battle is nowhere near over. Branded traitors by the nine, they now need to outrun the bounty hunters on their heels. Finding temporary reprieve at the mysterious X’s, they work to find a way to clear their names.
Even in the temporary safety, they each still have their personal demons to battle. They soon realize that they are stronger together and they can overcome any obstacles as long as they do it together. Secrets the opposition tried to bury are exposed. These secrets become their biggest weapon, against the nine. Now they just need to survive.
In a world where secrets are your greatest weapons, Adria, Bryson, Kaydon, and Seth soon unearth the very secrets that will bring their enemies to their knees. On their journey, they learn that they are strongest together, and together they will destroy anyone who stands in their way.
Adria’s worst nightmare is happening. Her boys never made it to Elena’s. Working together, Adria and Elena follow the breadcrumbs back to the man responsible, Johnathan. While captive, Bryson strikes a deal with their captor, he will “play” with him as long as Kaydon and Seth are left unharmed.
Adria is eventually reunited with her boys. But this battle is nowhere near over. Branded traitors by the nine, they now need to outrun the bounty hunters on their heels. Finding temporary reprieve at the mysterious X’s, they work to find a way to clear their names.
Even in the temporary safety, they each still have their personal demons to battle. They soon realize that they are stronger together and they can overcome any obstacles as long as they do it together. Secrets the opposition tried to bury are exposed. These secrets become their biggest weapon, against the nine. Now they just need to survive.
In a world where secrets are your greatest weapons, Adria, Bryson, Kaydon, and Seth soon unearth the very secrets that will bring their enemies to their knees. On their journey, they learn that they are strongest together, and together they will destroy anyone who stands in their way.
March 24, 2026
I received an ARC of Broken by Them and I am honestly still trying to process everything I just read.
This book is heavy in every sense of the word. The emotions hit hard and do not let up, and I found myself completely immersed in the characters and their relationships. What stood out most to me was how deeply connected they all felt. Nothing about their dynamic seemed shallow or thrown together. Every bond had weight and purpose, and that made the story even more intense.
The darker themes are not handled lightly. You feel the pain, the fear, and the healing right alongside the characters. It is not always easy to read, but it feels meaningful. The author does not shy away from the difficult parts, and I really respected that.
The spice is very present and very explicit, but it fits the story and the characters. It adds to the emotional connection rather than taking away from it.
I would strongly recommend checking content warnings before diving in, because this is not a light read. But if you enjoy dark romance with emotional depth, strong bonds, and a why choose dynamic, this book absolutely delivers.
This book is heavy in every sense of the word. The emotions hit hard and do not let up, and I found myself completely immersed in the characters and their relationships. What stood out most to me was how deeply connected they all felt. Nothing about their dynamic seemed shallow or thrown together. Every bond had weight and purpose, and that made the story even more intense.
The darker themes are not handled lightly. You feel the pain, the fear, and the healing right alongside the characters. It is not always easy to read, but it feels meaningful. The author does not shy away from the difficult parts, and I really respected that.
The spice is very present and very explicit, but it fits the story and the characters. It adds to the emotional connection rather than taking away from it.
I would strongly recommend checking content warnings before diving in, because this is not a light read. But if you enjoy dark romance with emotional depth, strong bonds, and a why choose dynamic, this book absolutely delivers.
April 10, 2026
ARC Review of Broken by Them by MZ Rylan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5.
Tropes:
🖤Secret Society
🖤Why Choose
🖤MMMF
🖤BDSM and Kink Exploration
🖤Dark Romance
🖤Underworld Dealings
🖤Touch Them and ☠️
Boy Oh Boy!!! This book for sure has the breaking part down. This book starts two months after book 1. Adria finds out that the boys have been kidnapped and is stopping at nothing to get them back. Bryson realizes that she is walking into the trap, and he sees the opportunity that he needed for them all to escape. I won’t go much further book detail wise, as I do not want to give to much away. This book is so heavy. There is a lot of emotional healing due to trauma. Along with the trauma they find themselves healing through Kink Exploration and BDSM. There is a lot of spice in this book, but not so much that it deviates from the plot. It’s woven into the plot in a perfect balance. You need to read this book. Make sure to check your content warnings and Triggers.
I would like to thank Luna Literary and MZ Rylan for the early copy of the book, these are my honest thoughts on the book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5.
Tropes:
🖤Secret Society
🖤Why Choose
🖤MMMF
🖤BDSM and Kink Exploration
🖤Dark Romance
🖤Underworld Dealings
🖤Touch Them and ☠️
Boy Oh Boy!!! This book for sure has the breaking part down. This book starts two months after book 1. Adria finds out that the boys have been kidnapped and is stopping at nothing to get them back. Bryson realizes that she is walking into the trap, and he sees the opportunity that he needed for them all to escape. I won’t go much further book detail wise, as I do not want to give to much away. This book is so heavy. There is a lot of emotional healing due to trauma. Along with the trauma they find themselves healing through Kink Exploration and BDSM. There is a lot of spice in this book, but not so much that it deviates from the plot. It’s woven into the plot in a perfect balance. You need to read this book. Make sure to check your content warnings and Triggers.
I would like to thank Luna Literary and MZ Rylan for the early copy of the book, these are my honest thoughts on the book.
March 21, 2026
This book… wow. It honestly broke me in so many ways and then somehow put me back together again.
It follows on perfectly from book one, which was already intense, but this one takes everything to another level. The plot, the emotion, the tension, the chemistry, everything is heightened. It’s one of those books where you feel every moment, and I was completely hooked from start to finish.
If you’re looking for something that delivers on high plot, high emotion, high tension, high everything, this is it. It doesn’t hold back. The stakes are higher, the emotions hit harder, and the connections between the characters feel even deeper.
There’s also such a strong thread of healing throughout the story. After everything they’ve been through, watching them navigate that pain, grow through it, and slowly start to piece themselves back together was honestly so powerful. At the same time, secrets are coming to light, tensions are rising, and everything is finally being laid bare.
I loved how the rival family storyline reaches its peak in this book. It felt like everything was building towards this moment, and the payoff was completely worth it.
Overall, this was intense, emotional, addictive, and just so well done. It completely consumed me, and I’m still thinking about it.
Tropes:
• Why choose
• Black cat FMC
• Alpha male energy
• Secret society
• Age gap / taboo
• Rival families
It follows on perfectly from book one, which was already intense, but this one takes everything to another level. The plot, the emotion, the tension, the chemistry, everything is heightened. It’s one of those books where you feel every moment, and I was completely hooked from start to finish.
If you’re looking for something that delivers on high plot, high emotion, high tension, high everything, this is it. It doesn’t hold back. The stakes are higher, the emotions hit harder, and the connections between the characters feel even deeper.
There’s also such a strong thread of healing throughout the story. After everything they’ve been through, watching them navigate that pain, grow through it, and slowly start to piece themselves back together was honestly so powerful. At the same time, secrets are coming to light, tensions are rising, and everything is finally being laid bare.
I loved how the rival family storyline reaches its peak in this book. It felt like everything was building towards this moment, and the payoff was completely worth it.
Overall, this was intense, emotional, addictive, and just so well done. It completely consumed me, and I’m still thinking about it.
Tropes:
• Why choose
• Black cat FMC
• Alpha male energy
• Secret society
• Age gap / taboo
• Rival families
March 22, 2026
Broken By Them book two of the series. It didn't hold back. After book one had an ending that literally made me gasp in shock, the beginning of book two had me worried for the boys and the fact that nobody seemed to know what was going on.
While being kidnapped left marks on each other Them in their own ways. The marks lay deeper inside Bryson and Adria. While Adria wasnt taken and tortured like the others she had to live with thinking that what happened was her fault.
This book gave you suspense with a sadness you worry wont ever go away. The story gives you the spice with a MMMF dynamic that doesnt feel like its to much and absolutely connects with the plot. Revenge and betrayal lays in every dark corner. Its emotional, intense and was absolutely impossible to put down.
While being kidnapped left marks on each other Them in their own ways. The marks lay deeper inside Bryson and Adria. While Adria wasnt taken and tortured like the others she had to live with thinking that what happened was her fault.
This book gave you suspense with a sadness you worry wont ever go away. The story gives you the spice with a MMMF dynamic that doesnt feel like its to much and absolutely connects with the plot. Revenge and betrayal lays in every dark corner. Its emotional, intense and was absolutely impossible to put down.
March 24, 2026
Outrageously good read. The things that Bryson went through in the beginning of the book and then dealing with the trauma from that was such a mixed bag of emotions. It was so hard seeing him separate himself from the group and I felt so horrible for him. I loved the ways Adria became closer with Seth and Kaydon and how their dynamic changed a bit from book one. The spice in this was hotter than I can find words for. There’s some pretty huge twists that had me so shocked. I loved getting more insight into Eric’s character. The way this ended was absolutely perfect and I’m so happy with the way everything worked out.
March 24, 2026
It was a stressful rollercoaster but it was also really good!
This book had my emotions all over the place. From heartache to almost a heart attack, I was so entranced! Were there times I wanted to throw the book? Absolutely. Did I also cry both happy and sad tears? 100%.
I loved getting to see the character development in book one, but book two gave us so much more! We got to see them grow in ways I didn’t think we would which made it all the better. The communication between the characters made me so happy!
The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat throughout the book and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
This book had my emotions all over the place. From heartache to almost a heart attack, I was so entranced! Were there times I wanted to throw the book? Absolutely. Did I also cry both happy and sad tears? 100%.
I loved getting to see the character development in book one, but book two gave us so much more! We got to see them grow in ways I didn’t think we would which made it all the better. The communication between the characters made me so happy!
The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat throughout the book and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
March 11, 2026
It feels like I have been waiting for the second book for forever!!! Of course it did not disappoint one bit. At first I was like “Adria, how could you not have known?!” But Adria being Adria and how she felt towards the boys, when she found out what happened, I loved she determination to go after them. But of course it doesn’t stop there. Bryson is dealing with trauma and hauntings of Regan, Kaydon is feeling guilty because he is supposed to be the protector, then Seth just wants to be wanted and Adria is dealing with surprises and a whole s*** load of drama being dumped on her one after another. But they each are strong themselves but are stronger together, so when they helped each other with their healing, oh my god, it was beautiful. I loved how this story was put together and how their story was written, it was really really beautiful. Because while we love the spicy scenes we also love the deep emotional parts as well.
March 12, 2026
While Adria believes that the boys are with the buyer she chose, she tries to figure out what life looks like moving forward, and what it will look like if they return to her in a year. But when her buyer shows up on her property asking to see them, she realizes that someone betrayed her, and they may all be in more danger than she thought.
Bryson, Seth and Kaydon entered the car as they were supposed to, but after being poisoned, they woke up in cages, at the mercy of a man they thought was just another sub. Now Bryson must survive the unspeakable in hopes of keeping his brothers alive, and hopefully making their way back to Adria. But as his captor gets more comfortable, he begins to reveal secrets which show that they are all in more danger than they thought, and when they finally escape and find their way back to Adria’s side, they begin an international escape while trying to figure out who in the Nine wants them eliminated.
I received an early copy of this book from Naughty Nook PR and I have to say, it was even better than the first one. While Bound By Her was more passive, taking more time to set the scene and introduce the characters as they found their way through a new dynamic, this one was action packed almost from the beginning, with twists I never saw coming. I loved how Adria and the boys find ways to support each other, even when they can’t find the strength to ask for it, and as they allow themselves to be vulnerable, their connection only grows stronger. The secrets and lies carried forward from the first book, but somehow they manage to find new allies, even among their new and old enemies.
Bryson, Seth and Kaydon entered the car as they were supposed to, but after being poisoned, they woke up in cages, at the mercy of a man they thought was just another sub. Now Bryson must survive the unspeakable in hopes of keeping his brothers alive, and hopefully making their way back to Adria. But as his captor gets more comfortable, he begins to reveal secrets which show that they are all in more danger than they thought, and when they finally escape and find their way back to Adria’s side, they begin an international escape while trying to figure out who in the Nine wants them eliminated.
I received an early copy of this book from Naughty Nook PR and I have to say, it was even better than the first one. While Bound By Her was more passive, taking more time to set the scene and introduce the characters as they found their way through a new dynamic, this one was action packed almost from the beginning, with twists I never saw coming. I loved how Adria and the boys find ways to support each other, even when they can’t find the strength to ask for it, and as they allow themselves to be vulnerable, their connection only grows stronger. The secrets and lies carried forward from the first book, but somehow they manage to find new allies, even among their new and old enemies.
March 22, 2026
Adria, Bryson, Seth, and Kaydon.
Broken by Them is the 2nd book in the Dominant Strategy duet. We are brought right back into the mist so, if you haven't read book 1 please do so before even attempting to read this book.. Otherwise, you'll be confused by the characters and their behaviors.
I really enjoyed the conclusion to this duet. It was fast paced and the twist near the end I did not see coming. I was also happy they finally got some happy in between all the chaos that ensued.
Thank you to Naughty Nook PR and the author for a reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Broken by Them is the 2nd book in the Dominant Strategy duet. We are brought right back into the mist so, if you haven't read book 1 please do so before even attempting to read this book.. Otherwise, you'll be confused by the characters and their behaviors.
I really enjoyed the conclusion to this duet. It was fast paced and the twist near the end I did not see coming. I was also happy they finally got some happy in between all the chaos that ensued.
Thank you to Naughty Nook PR and the author for a reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2026
This was the absolute perfect follow up to Bound by Her and it had my gasping at the plot (and also hella mad) within the first chapter.
This takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions and well as being absolute filth in the best way. It’s full of kinks and BDSM so if that’s not for you then move on but if it is for you, I would say this absolutely slaps. It also addresses some very serious themes and how BDSM can be helpful but also this is not a manual.
I would argue that this is better than the first, where not many books can say that. I am soooo looking forward to the next!
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
This takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions and well as being absolute filth in the best way. It’s full of kinks and BDSM so if that’s not for you then move on but if it is for you, I would say this absolutely slaps. It also addresses some very serious themes and how BDSM can be helpful but also this is not a manual.
I would argue that this is better than the first, where not many books can say that. I am soooo looking forward to the next!
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
March 12, 2026
This book was given as an ARC and this review is of my own free will.
So, I read the first book as an arc and loved it and was expecting the same from this book. Boy was I surprised when I got more than I expected. Yes, I expected the boys and Adria to find each other again. But, I wasn’t expecting the mystery that were the Serras and for even more betrayals from Family. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because I wanted more information on the 9 and the founders and their connection to Adria. Is she safe now? Is she more of a Target. The end seemed like an HEA, but was also left open for more in the future.
So, I read the first book as an arc and loved it and was expecting the same from this book. Boy was I surprised when I got more than I expected. Yes, I expected the boys and Adria to find each other again. But, I wasn’t expecting the mystery that were the Serras and for even more betrayals from Family. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because I wanted more information on the 9 and the founders and their connection to Adria. Is she safe now? Is she more of a Target. The end seemed like an HEA, but was also left open for more in the future.
November 27, 2025
I don’t even know where to start.
Broken by Them broke something in me …. I fell for this quad in Book 1 and this just solidified my feelings for Adria, Bryson, Seth, and Kaydon.
The trust and love that these four have for one another is amazing. Coming from a society where power, pain, and control rule the idea of finding love probably seems unattainable.
Book 2 picks up where Book 1 ends so you must read it to understand the dynamics of this group. What started as a business arrangement turned into something none of them expected.
MZ Rylan’s character development is in-depth and so descriptive that you feel like you are in the room with the characters. The level of spice this book offers is top notch.
If you are not a fan of kink or BDSM then this probably isn’t for you. This books is full various Kinks and explores the BDSM lifestyle in great detail.
I am so excited to see where this book leads, especially for Eric. I am so curious to see if he also gets his happily ever after!
Broken by Them broke something in me …. I fell for this quad in Book 1 and this just solidified my feelings for Adria, Bryson, Seth, and Kaydon.
The trust and love that these four have for one another is amazing. Coming from a society where power, pain, and control rule the idea of finding love probably seems unattainable.
Book 2 picks up where Book 1 ends so you must read it to understand the dynamics of this group. What started as a business arrangement turned into something none of them expected.
MZ Rylan’s character development is in-depth and so descriptive that you feel like you are in the room with the characters. The level of spice this book offers is top notch.
If you are not a fan of kink or BDSM then this probably isn’t for you. This books is full various Kinks and explores the BDSM lifestyle in great detail.
I am so excited to see where this book leads, especially for Eric. I am so curious to see if he also gets his happily ever after!
November 24, 2025
Another amazing book. Adria is a force to be reckoned with. From not wanting to ever have “feelings” for these three to going to whatever lengths needed to get them back. Bryson, Seth and Kayden are perfect fits in each of their own way. Even with less spice in this book the spice that is there is fantastic. The way all four of them just know what the other needs just shows how much they mean to each other. The twist of finding out who “X” and the his partner was definitely one of the sweetest and eye opening yet. Loved how Eric allowed his walls to come down just a bit, can’t wait for his book and the next one in this series.
November 17, 2025
Excellent finale to this duet in the Dominant Strategy series! I love a dark romance story that navigates trauma, and this was done beautifully here. This book was exciting and I couldn’t put it down. I’m looking forward to whatever comes next!
My only complaint is that I was frustrated with the FMC at the start because she was being a bit of a dingdong, but I got over it pretty quickly. 😂
My only complaint is that I was frustrated with the FMC at the start because she was being a bit of a dingdong, but I got over it pretty quickly. 😂
January 2, 2026
I could not have anticipated the twists, turns, and direction the conclusion of this duet was going to take. Still extremely steamy 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, and very story driven, it kept me guessing chapter after chapter. If you want to read a dark femdom romance, this is your chance, but you definitely need to start at the beginning with Bound by Her.
March 28, 2026
A huge thank you to Luna literacy for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is an honest and voluntary review.
4.5 stars
I said I couldn’t wait for this book, and MZ Rylan did not disappoint. Adria and her men are in danger. Due to circumstances out of their control they have incurred the wrath of the Nine and are on the run. But being on the run isn’t the best environment for budding relationships, especially when each of them has new traumas haunting their minds. They must stay alive until they can clear their names and somehow heal, not letting the circumstances or their traumas pull them apart.
I was so ready for this book and it sucked me in immediately. I cannot emphasize enough how much I love the world and the dynamic the author built within this series. I loved how this book got further into exploring each character. The more I learned about each of them the more I wanted to know. I never wanted this book to end. I especially loved how we got more into Adria’s backstory in this book. The twists and turns her story took kept me on my toes for sure. And then Bryson and the boys… My heart broke for them but reading as they began to heal and grow was so heartwarming.
On the other side of the spectrum of emotions there are those spicy scenes. Honestly MZ Rylan has a talent with these because they were absolutely gorgeous. There was communication. The was k!nk. There was Adria, who is the most gorgeous freaking Domme these men could ever hope for. And the scenes with just the guys were just as beautifully written.
MZ Rylan is an amazing author and I hope to read more of their work very soon. In the meantime if you are looking for a why choose romance with strong men and a strong FMC please go check out this book, you won’t regret it!
4.5 stars
I said I couldn’t wait for this book, and MZ Rylan did not disappoint. Adria and her men are in danger. Due to circumstances out of their control they have incurred the wrath of the Nine and are on the run. But being on the run isn’t the best environment for budding relationships, especially when each of them has new traumas haunting their minds. They must stay alive until they can clear their names and somehow heal, not letting the circumstances or their traumas pull them apart.
I was so ready for this book and it sucked me in immediately. I cannot emphasize enough how much I love the world and the dynamic the author built within this series. I loved how this book got further into exploring each character. The more I learned about each of them the more I wanted to know. I never wanted this book to end. I especially loved how we got more into Adria’s backstory in this book. The twists and turns her story took kept me on my toes for sure. And then Bryson and the boys… My heart broke for them but reading as they began to heal and grow was so heartwarming.
On the other side of the spectrum of emotions there are those spicy scenes. Honestly MZ Rylan has a talent with these because they were absolutely gorgeous. There was communication. The was k!nk. There was Adria, who is the most gorgeous freaking Domme these men could ever hope for. And the scenes with just the guys were just as beautifully written.
MZ Rylan is an amazing author and I hope to read more of their work very soon. In the meantime if you are looking for a why choose romance with strong men and a strong FMC please go check out this book, you won’t regret it!
March 25, 2026
Digging deeper
Book one left you gasping for breath in a world where air was never guaranteed and fighting is all you knew. This book drops you back into the world of the Nine with more risk, more secrets, more torture, more kink, and more love.
On the run and looking for her men Adria has to reach deep to find them. However, by the time they are all reunited they are all changed and it takes time to find themselves again.
Bryson really struggles through what he went through. Having to blind the horrors with the pleasure and being able to rediscover himself and where he fits was painful to read. The flashbacks and fear he refuses to share cause him to struggle much longer than he needed to. Adria though is able to find the right thing to do for him to come back to himself.
The secrets and lies you discover in this book just keep you on your toes. Just when you think you are getting a grasp on them something else is revealed making you question everything and everyone all over again.
I love the kink scenes in this book just as much as the first one. I loved the way Seth got worked over in the bathroom. That scene was so hot and intense. Each of the intimate moments are claiming and bring them closer together.
There is still so much unknown about the Nine. There were so many changes and revelations but also so many more questions. I can't wait to see what's next.
Eric is going to have way to much fun in his next chapter. I'm excited to see what happens. Plus that character is still out there and some of what they wanted did come true so I feel like they will be back.
Book one left you gasping for breath in a world where air was never guaranteed and fighting is all you knew. This book drops you back into the world of the Nine with more risk, more secrets, more torture, more kink, and more love.
On the run and looking for her men Adria has to reach deep to find them. However, by the time they are all reunited they are all changed and it takes time to find themselves again.
Bryson really struggles through what he went through. Having to blind the horrors with the pleasure and being able to rediscover himself and where he fits was painful to read. The flashbacks and fear he refuses to share cause him to struggle much longer than he needed to. Adria though is able to find the right thing to do for him to come back to himself.
The secrets and lies you discover in this book just keep you on your toes. Just when you think you are getting a grasp on them something else is revealed making you question everything and everyone all over again.
I love the kink scenes in this book just as much as the first one. I loved the way Seth got worked over in the bathroom. That scene was so hot and intense. Each of the intimate moments are claiming and bring them closer together.
There is still so much unknown about the Nine. There were so many changes and revelations but also so many more questions. I can't wait to see what's next.
Eric is going to have way to much fun in his next chapter. I'm excited to see what happens. Plus that character is still out there and some of what they wanted did come true so I feel like they will be back.
April 4, 2026
4.25 stars
This dark romance is part 2 of a series, and you definitely need to have read the first book to understand what's going on. We are immersed in a mafia world where The Nine, the most powerful families, hold all the power. Adria, our FMC, is the head of one of the families, and she's also a Domme who trains male submissives. Her 3 MMCs are subs she trained in the previous book, and while she thought she sold them to appease Bryson's father, something has gone awry.
I really loved this duet. Adria is strong and ruthless, but we also see enough of her inner monologue that we know she doubts herself and struggles with her confidence and processing her own traumas. She fiercely protects her men, and they protect her, but they all have their own healing to do as well.
Overall, the love and connection between the men (who went through their childhood trauma together) and Adria is so beautiful. I love how they became more vulnerable over time and chose each other over family and other obligations. The spice was super spicy too :)
My only hangup is that in this second part of the duet, there was much more mafia drama and substantially less relationship dynamic drama - I liked the first book of the duet better because we watched each of the men connect with Adria and learn to break down their walls through the D/s dynamics they practice. Here, we spent a lot more time playing mental chess with other mafia members, and that was less interesting to me. It was very well written though, and I loved the duet as a whole.
This dark romance is part 2 of a series, and you definitely need to have read the first book to understand what's going on. We are immersed in a mafia world where The Nine, the most powerful families, hold all the power. Adria, our FMC, is the head of one of the families, and she's also a Domme who trains male submissives. Her 3 MMCs are subs she trained in the previous book, and while she thought she sold them to appease Bryson's father, something has gone awry.
I really loved this duet. Adria is strong and ruthless, but we also see enough of her inner monologue that we know she doubts herself and struggles with her confidence and processing her own traumas. She fiercely protects her men, and they protect her, but they all have their own healing to do as well.
Overall, the love and connection between the men (who went through their childhood trauma together) and Adria is so beautiful. I love how they became more vulnerable over time and chose each other over family and other obligations. The spice was super spicy too :)
My only hangup is that in this second part of the duet, there was much more mafia drama and substantially less relationship dynamic drama - I liked the first book of the duet better because we watched each of the men connect with Adria and learn to break down their walls through the D/s dynamics they practice. Here, we spent a lot more time playing mental chess with other mafia members, and that was less interesting to me. It was very well written though, and I loved the duet as a whole.
April 7, 2026
Oh what a tangled web that has been weaved. There are so many secrets and lies that you never know who the real villians are at times. You know some of them for sure but their are hidden villians and people up to no good everywhere you turn. The poor guys have been put through the ringer and poor Bryson has been put through the most. He has suffered so much and it follows him for a long time in this book. I love how Adria helped him learn to overcome the grippling effects of what happened to him. He is such an amazingly strong character and his devotion to her and the brothers is everything. Each of them has needs that the others can fufill. They need Adria's dominate nature but at times she needs the others to take on that roll. I enjoyed watching their relationships grow and evolve over time in this book. In the first book it was not a give and take situation it was Adria was pretty much in charge and she got what she wanted and needed not knowing there was so much more to her life. I enjoyed watching the evolution of the characters. I feel like they really figured out who they were and where they belonged in their lives. Adria had to come to terms with some hard truths in her life as well. I am so excited that there will be another book in this series. It was a nice little surprise. If you love a book about secret societies, secrets, domination, and lots of why choose action this is the book for you.
March 24, 2026
🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
❄️ Why Choose/Poly
🐏 Secret Society
🖤 Independent & Strong FMC
⛰️ Found Family
❄️ Only Soft for Each Other
🐏 Touch Her/Them & ☠️
🖤 BDSM/Kink Exploration
⛰️ Boyfriends are Boyfriends
❄️ Mental Health Rep
🐏 Dark Romance
🖤 So Many Secrets
⛰️ HEA
This is the conclusion to the Dominant Strategy Duet and Book 1, Bound to Her, must be read first. Book 1 introduces us to everyone and starts us down a very perilous and scary road with many twists and turns. It does lead to a HEA, but there’s a journey to take first.
This found family really goes through it. Each character has had to endure forms of mental and physical pain and torture at one point or another. There are so many secrets buried under layers of other secrets within this Secret Society. Those in power vying for more and more power. Willing to hurt innocent people to get what they want. And as each one secret is revealed, Adria and her men grow closer. And stronger together. They help each other grow and work through the past pain and torture. They don’t let it fester and grow into something toxic. I admire Adria’s strength and her unwavering loyalty to her men. I admire their loyalty and love for Adria.
This is a dark romance. There are hard parts to read at times, but they get their HEA. And it’s a great HEA too. Please read TWs as mental health is important.
❄️ Why Choose/Poly
🐏 Secret Society
🖤 Independent & Strong FMC
⛰️ Found Family
❄️ Only Soft for Each Other
🐏 Touch Her/Them & ☠️
🖤 BDSM/Kink Exploration
⛰️ Boyfriends are Boyfriends
❄️ Mental Health Rep
🐏 Dark Romance
🖤 So Many Secrets
⛰️ HEA
This is the conclusion to the Dominant Strategy Duet and Book 1, Bound to Her, must be read first. Book 1 introduces us to everyone and starts us down a very perilous and scary road with many twists and turns. It does lead to a HEA, but there’s a journey to take first.
This found family really goes through it. Each character has had to endure forms of mental and physical pain and torture at one point or another. There are so many secrets buried under layers of other secrets within this Secret Society. Those in power vying for more and more power. Willing to hurt innocent people to get what they want. And as each one secret is revealed, Adria and her men grow closer. And stronger together. They help each other grow and work through the past pain and torture. They don’t let it fester and grow into something toxic. I admire Adria’s strength and her unwavering loyalty to her men. I admire their loyalty and love for Adria.
This is a dark romance. There are hard parts to read at times, but they get their HEA. And it’s a great HEA too. Please read TWs as mental health is important.
March 29, 2026
This book did not come to play—it came to emotionally wreck me.
From the first page, the tension is nonstop. They’re running, hiding, constantly one step away from losing everything… and you feel that pressure the entire time. The danger, the betrayals, the shifting alliances?? I was STRESSED.
But what really made this hit was the relationships.
This is why-choose done RIGHT. The bond between Adria, Bryson, Seth, and Kaydon isn’t just romance—it’s loyalty, survival, and us against the world energy. And the “when the boyfriends are boyfriends” dynamic?? Yeah… I ate that up.
Adria being strong, independent, but only soft for them?? Perfect.
And the “touch her and die / touch them and die” vibes go BOTH ways, which made it even better.
It’s dark, emotional, and intense—but balanced with found family and those softer moments that remind you exactly what they’re fighting for.
If you love:
• dark romance with real stakes
• poly/why-choose with depth
• ride-or-die relationships
• danger, betrayal, and found family
…this finale will have you hooked start to finish.
From the first page, the tension is nonstop. They’re running, hiding, constantly one step away from losing everything… and you feel that pressure the entire time. The danger, the betrayals, the shifting alliances?? I was STRESSED.
But what really made this hit was the relationships.
This is why-choose done RIGHT. The bond between Adria, Bryson, Seth, and Kaydon isn’t just romance—it’s loyalty, survival, and us against the world energy. And the “when the boyfriends are boyfriends” dynamic?? Yeah… I ate that up.
Adria being strong, independent, but only soft for them?? Perfect.
And the “touch her and die / touch them and die” vibes go BOTH ways, which made it even better.
It’s dark, emotional, and intense—but balanced with found family and those softer moments that remind you exactly what they’re fighting for.
If you love:
• dark romance with real stakes
• poly/why-choose with depth
• ride-or-die relationships
• danger, betrayal, and found family
…this finale will have you hooked start to finish.
April 11, 2026
⭐️ 5/5
🔥 5/5
🌶️ 5/5
💧 5/5
Broken By Them is a powerful and emotionally charged conclusion to the duet, delivering a strong balance of character development, tension, and relationship growth.
Picking up a few months after the first book, the story dives deeper into the aftermath of what the characters have endured. Each of them—Adria, Bryson, Seth, and Kaydon—grapples with their own trauma, adding layers of emotional depth to the narrative.
One of the standout elements is how their dynamic evolves. The “why choose” aspect isn’t just about the relationship—it becomes a source of strength, support, and healing as they navigate the challenges they face together.
The found family theme is woven throughout the story, reinforcing the idea that healing doesn’t happen alone. Their connection feels earned, especially as they work through their individual struggles while still fighting to stay together.
Overall, this is a well-written and satisfying conclusion that delivers both emotional impact and character-driven storytelling.
🔥 5/5
🌶️ 5/5
💧 5/5
Broken By Them is a powerful and emotionally charged conclusion to the duet, delivering a strong balance of character development, tension, and relationship growth.
Picking up a few months after the first book, the story dives deeper into the aftermath of what the characters have endured. Each of them—Adria, Bryson, Seth, and Kaydon—grapples with their own trauma, adding layers of emotional depth to the narrative.
One of the standout elements is how their dynamic evolves. The “why choose” aspect isn’t just about the relationship—it becomes a source of strength, support, and healing as they navigate the challenges they face together.
The found family theme is woven throughout the story, reinforcing the idea that healing doesn’t happen alone. Their connection feels earned, especially as they work through their individual struggles while still fighting to stay together.
Overall, this is a well-written and satisfying conclusion that delivers both emotional impact and character-driven storytelling.
April 14, 2026
Whew. The first book of this series was full of anger and domination and relationships were forming between Adria and the three men. The cliffhanger was a doozy and entering book 2, we find out where the guys really are and what is happening.
My heart just hurt over and over again while reading this. All four of the MCs were going through it in different ways. It broke my heart that Adria wasn't aware at first and that panic she must have felt when she found out they weren't where she thought they would be.
M.Z. Rylan brought the angst and anxiety in this one. The last one had me on alert every turn of the page but this one amplified all of that. Suspense, angst, loyalty, betrayal, fast paced, and so satisfying would be perfect descriptors for this book. Definitely read content and trigger warnings.
what you'll find:
*reverse harem
*secret society
*touch her/them and
*found family
*mental health rep
I received an eARC and my review is voluntary. Thank you to the author and Luna Literary Management.
My heart just hurt over and over again while reading this. All four of the MCs were going through it in different ways. It broke my heart that Adria wasn't aware at first and that panic she must have felt when she found out they weren't where she thought they would be.
M.Z. Rylan brought the angst and anxiety in this one. The last one had me on alert every turn of the page but this one amplified all of that. Suspense, angst, loyalty, betrayal, fast paced, and so satisfying would be perfect descriptors for this book. Definitely read content and trigger warnings.
what you'll find:
*reverse harem
*secret society
*touch her/them and
*found family
*mental health rep
I received an eARC and my review is voluntary. Thank you to the author and Luna Literary Management.
Did Not Finish
March 24, 2026I was SO excited when I got approved for this ARC. Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, dark romance, AND reverse harem all in one book? Yes please!
Unfortunately, I hit a bit of a wall pretty quickly. Turns out, Broken By Them is actually book 2 in the series, and it's pretty strongly recommended that you read book 1 first. I didn't realize that going in, and I think that's what made it so hard for me to connect with the story. I was missing all that background and context that would've made everything click.
I'm setting this one aside for now. Life is busy and my TBR is overflowing, but I genuinely do want to come back to this series the right way, starting from book 1. The tropes alone are enough to keep it on my radar!
No rating from me since I don't think it's fair to rate a book when I couldn't give it a proper shot. This one's going straight to my "try again later" shelf. 📚
Unfortunately, I hit a bit of a wall pretty quickly. Turns out, Broken By Them is actually book 2 in the series, and it's pretty strongly recommended that you read book 1 first. I didn't realize that going in, and I think that's what made it so hard for me to connect with the story. I was missing all that background and context that would've made everything click.
I'm setting this one aside for now. Life is busy and my TBR is overflowing, but I genuinely do want to come back to this series the right way, starting from book 1. The tropes alone are enough to keep it on my radar!
No rating from me since I don't think it's fair to rate a book when I couldn't give it a proper shot. This one's going straight to my "try again later" shelf. 📚
April 27, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 - stars
🌶🌶🌶🌶.5/5 - spice
I absolutely loved this book!! The pace for me I enjoyed. It was was fast paced in the beginning, as it approached the middle, it slowed, and as it came close to the end, it picked up.
The dynamic between Adria and her mother Sophia, I didn't like. Adria was hoping to have a relationship with her after so many years being separated, but her mom, the only thing she wanted from her was to use her. There were times when I wanted to shake Adria and be like, "can't you see?" but Adria had to learn and find out for herself.
Adria, Bryson, Kaydon & Seth fought for one another when no one else did. The dynamic between all of them worked and complimented one another. I loved how Adria was Bryson, Kaydon, and Seth's person and vice versa for the guys to one another and for Adria.
"Giving her the gift of their submission was paramount to telling her all of the things people like them had trouble saying."
I can't wait to read more from this series!
ARC provided from the author and Luna Literary for an honest review.
🌶🌶🌶🌶.5/5 - spice
I absolutely loved this book!! The pace for me I enjoyed. It was was fast paced in the beginning, as it approached the middle, it slowed, and as it came close to the end, it picked up.
The dynamic between Adria and her mother Sophia, I didn't like. Adria was hoping to have a relationship with her after so many years being separated, but her mom, the only thing she wanted from her was to use her. There were times when I wanted to shake Adria and be like, "can't you see?" but Adria had to learn and find out for herself.
Adria, Bryson, Kaydon & Seth fought for one another when no one else did. The dynamic between all of them worked and complimented one another. I loved how Adria was Bryson, Kaydon, and Seth's person and vice versa for the guys to one another and for Adria.
"Giving her the gift of their submission was paramount to telling her all of the things people like them had trouble saying."
I can't wait to read more from this series!
ARC provided from the author and Luna Literary for an honest review.
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