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The Broken Devotion Duet #2
Poison Petals
Bleed if you need to.
Break if you must.
Just don’t leave.
She left.
She walked out of that hotel room like what we shared could be forgotten with the door clicking shut behind her.
Bold move.
Wrong move.
Because now I’m starving in a way I didn’t know was possible, and I don’t intend to lose her again, no matter how hard she fights me.
She thinks pushing me away will save her.
It won’t.
It just gives me something to push back against.
** Book two in the Broken Devotion duet and must be read after Velvet Thorns - please check TW's **
Break if you must.
Just don’t leave.
She left.
She walked out of that hotel room like what we shared could be forgotten with the door clicking shut behind her.
Bold move.
Wrong move.
Because now I’m starving in a way I didn’t know was possible, and I don’t intend to lose her again, no matter how hard she fights me.
She thinks pushing me away will save her.
It won’t.
It just gives me something to push back against.
** Book two in the Broken Devotion duet and must be read after Velvet Thorns - please check TW's **
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
March 8, 2026
5⭐️|3🌶️
Lea Rose truly writes some of the most addicting books and devoured this one!
After the cliffhanger at the end of Velvet Thorns, I was desperate for more & this book delivered everything I wanted and then some. Phoenix Cassidy is toptier book boyfriend material…MY GODDDD THIS MAN!!!! The way he is so obsessive & possessive over Shannen, the way he yearns for her????I was unwell 😭
You can feel how deeply he loves her in every moment, like it’s literally written into every fiber of who he is & as a reader I felt that love so intensely it genuinely made me emotional🥹Shannen had so many walls built up around her & watching them slowly come down and let Phoenix back in was everything. These two were absolutely soulmates.
All the freaking stars for this duet. Thank you so much Lea Rose for the ARC🩷
Lea Rose truly writes some of the most addicting books and devoured this one!
After the cliffhanger at the end of Velvet Thorns, I was desperate for more & this book delivered everything I wanted and then some. Phoenix Cassidy is toptier book boyfriend material…MY GODDDD THIS MAN!!!! The way he is so obsessive & possessive over Shannen, the way he yearns for her????I was unwell 😭
You can feel how deeply he loves her in every moment, like it’s literally written into every fiber of who he is & as a reader I felt that love so intensely it genuinely made me emotional🥹Shannen had so many walls built up around her & watching them slowly come down and let Phoenix back in was everything. These two were absolutely soulmates.
All the freaking stars for this duet. Thank you so much Lea Rose for the ARC🩷
Review of advance copy received from Author
ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀᴏᴜꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴜɴʜɪɴɢᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇʟʏ ꜰᴜᴄᴋɪɴɢ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪꜰᴜʟ.
Is there a better way to describe Pheonix? Absolutely not 🙌🏼 He’s permanently secured real estate in my top-tier book boyfriend hall of fame.
Morally grey (and that’s generous), this man lurks, protects, retaliates, and has been quietly orbiting her world for a decade. And for anyone thats hurt her... well lets just say he isn't shy about righting wrongs 💀
Meanwhile, Shannen has rebuilt herself from the wreckage, carved out her own empire, and still can’t quite outrun her first love.
Is this relationship healthy? Not even remotely. Is it addictive? Completely.
It’s messy. It’s feral. It’s all-consuming. The obsession, the devotion, the shared scars. I ate up every second of it.
I knew this book would wreck me after the first one, but I was wildly underprepared. The tension? Suffocating. The chemistry? Off the charts. The banter? Elite. And that ending? I’m still staring at a wall trying to process it.
“𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒙 𝑪𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒚.”
“𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐𝒐, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘?”
Thank you so much Lea for the ARC of this. You have truly outdone yourself and you should be incredibly proud of the masterpiece that is the Broken Devotion Duet 🖤
.
.
.
coming back with a full review soon... just know that no matter what you tell yourself... you are not ready to be ruined by Pheonix Cassidy.
Is there a better way to describe Pheonix? Absolutely not 🙌🏼 He’s permanently secured real estate in my top-tier book boyfriend hall of fame.
Morally grey (and that’s generous), this man lurks, protects, retaliates, and has been quietly orbiting her world for a decade. And for anyone thats hurt her... well lets just say he isn't shy about righting wrongs 💀
Meanwhile, Shannen has rebuilt herself from the wreckage, carved out her own empire, and still can’t quite outrun her first love.
Is this relationship healthy? Not even remotely. Is it addictive? Completely.
It’s messy. It’s feral. It’s all-consuming. The obsession, the devotion, the shared scars. I ate up every second of it.
I knew this book would wreck me after the first one, but I was wildly underprepared. The tension? Suffocating. The chemistry? Off the charts. The banter? Elite. And that ending? I’m still staring at a wall trying to process it.
“𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒙 𝑪𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒚.”
“𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐𝒐, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘?”
Thank you so much Lea for the ARC of this. You have truly outdone yourself and you should be incredibly proud of the masterpiece that is the Broken Devotion Duet 🖤
.
.
.
coming back with a full review soon... just know that no matter what you tell yourself... you are not ready to be ruined by Pheonix Cassidy.
March 2, 2026
ARC Review
Still not over this one. Poison Petals was so worth the wait. Ever since that cliff-hanger at the end of Velvet Thorns, I’ve been counting down for this release—and I’m happy to report it did not disappoint. Poison Petals picks up right where we left off and dives deeper into the dark, seductive world Lea has created.
The tension between Phoenix and Shannen is absolute perfection and once she starts to understand the depth of his obsession now, she knows he’s not going anywhere. And instead of shrinking, she pushes back and challenges him. The chemistry is explosive. Her eventual surrender? Delicious agony.
Phoenix… yeah. I’m not okay. He’s earned a permanent, non-negotiable spot in my top-tier book boyfriend lineup. He is catastrophically obsessed, and unwaveringly devoted to Shannen. And Shannen, she is pure fire and fury. She starts off guarded, furious, heartbroken but watching her slowly bring down her walls and open back up to Phoenix was everything. Their relationship is messy, volatile, and beautiful. Shoutout to Lianna, Lucien and Cain, I need more. Immediately! I’ve actually decided I want to be Lianna when I grow up! This book had me smiling like an idiot one minute, blushing hard the next and hen there were times my jaw was on the floor but what I didn’t expect was to be sobbing - Lea you reached into my heart and pulled every emotion out with this one!
The ending ruined me in the most beautiful way. I still keep thinking about it. This is not surface-level romance. It consumes you. If the first book hooked you, this one takes everything and cranks it up—the obsession, the devotion, the intensity, the stakes. It’s relentless and unapologetic in its pursuit of a love that refuses to be quiet or sensible. Would I give it more than five stars if I could? Without hesitation.
Still not over this one. Poison Petals was so worth the wait. Ever since that cliff-hanger at the end of Velvet Thorns, I’ve been counting down for this release—and I’m happy to report it did not disappoint. Poison Petals picks up right where we left off and dives deeper into the dark, seductive world Lea has created.
The tension between Phoenix and Shannen is absolute perfection and once she starts to understand the depth of his obsession now, she knows he’s not going anywhere. And instead of shrinking, she pushes back and challenges him. The chemistry is explosive. Her eventual surrender? Delicious agony.
Phoenix… yeah. I’m not okay. He’s earned a permanent, non-negotiable spot in my top-tier book boyfriend lineup. He is catastrophically obsessed, and unwaveringly devoted to Shannen. And Shannen, she is pure fire and fury. She starts off guarded, furious, heartbroken but watching her slowly bring down her walls and open back up to Phoenix was everything. Their relationship is messy, volatile, and beautiful. Shoutout to Lianna, Lucien and Cain, I need more. Immediately! I’ve actually decided I want to be Lianna when I grow up! This book had me smiling like an idiot one minute, blushing hard the next and hen there were times my jaw was on the floor but what I didn’t expect was to be sobbing - Lea you reached into my heart and pulled every emotion out with this one!
The ending ruined me in the most beautiful way. I still keep thinking about it. This is not surface-level romance. It consumes you. If the first book hooked you, this one takes everything and cranks it up—the obsession, the devotion, the intensity, the stakes. It’s relentless and unapologetic in its pursuit of a love that refuses to be quiet or sensible. Would I give it more than five stars if I could? Without hesitation.
April 16, 2026
To all of my fellow dark romance fans, if you love a MMC on the dark side with a side of being absolutely love struck, a FMC who is a bit feral, best friends that are the fierce found family that dreams are made of, a best friend who yells requests at Alexa like it's a real person, EPIC one liners and an ending that will positively hit you right in the feels......please give this duet a read!
March 7, 2026
4.75 ⭐️
I love when a dark romance character is so much more I love when a dark romance character is so much more than just being morally grey. Phoenix is full of emotion that he can’t contain any longer. He’s been biding his time, hiding in the shadows but since the school reunion, he can finally be free to bring Shannen into his all consuming obsession and darkness.
He has so many red flags with a smattering of green where it matters.
When Shannen can’t deny her feelings any longer she is just as unhinged and deeply captivated by everything that Phoenix is.
They are each others ride or die. They have an unhealthy fixation on each other. They can’t be apart even for a brief moment. And you know what? I love it.
And the spice? The chemistry sets the page on fire!
Phoenix being a virgin at 28 may seem unrealistic but it fits his character perfectly. It is very well written and you can feel how deep his obsession runs. He would never be with anyone but Shannen. Period.
The epilogue. Are you trying to kill me? Lea played dirty with my heart .
I hope we get a story about Lucien and Cain, because I love their level of unhinged and it would be a travesty not to read their book. So you know, hint, hint 😉
If you love dark romance with a stalker who makes everyone fear him but is only vulnerable with her. Then you 💯 need to read this duet. Don’t forget to read book 1 - Velvet Thorns first!
I love when a dark romance character is so much more I love when a dark romance character is so much more than just being morally grey. Phoenix is full of emotion that he can’t contain any longer. He’s been biding his time, hiding in the shadows but since the school reunion, he can finally be free to bring Shannen into his all consuming obsession and darkness.
He has so many red flags with a smattering of green where it matters.
When Shannen can’t deny her feelings any longer she is just as unhinged and deeply captivated by everything that Phoenix is.
They are each others ride or die. They have an unhealthy fixation on each other. They can’t be apart even for a brief moment. And you know what? I love it.
And the spice? The chemistry sets the page on fire!
Phoenix being a virgin at 28 may seem unrealistic but it fits his character perfectly. It is very well written and you can feel how deep his obsession runs. He would never be with anyone but Shannen. Period.
The epilogue. Are you trying to kill me? Lea played dirty with my heart .
I hope we get a story about Lucien and Cain, because I love their level of unhinged and it would be a travesty not to read their book. So you know, hint, hint 😉
If you love dark romance with a stalker who makes everyone fear him but is only vulnerable with her. Then you 💯 need to read this duet. Don’t forget to read book 1 - Velvet Thorns first!
February 26, 2026
Release Date - 1st March
“Dangerous and unhinged and completely fucking beautiful “ - the best quote to sum up this duet!
“Bleed if you need to. Break if you must . Just don’t leave”
This book was SO MUCH MORE! I was shown the painful past of Shannen & Phoenix . This made me understand their deep connection and why they had grown up to be who they are .
Phoenix was unhinged yes.. BUT
Did he love Shannen? Yes!
Did he stalk to protect her ? Yes!
Would he kill for her? Don’t ask him twice !
Was the cameras in her home necessary ? Of course !
Did he mutilate his skin in the name of love ? Swoon worth moment I guess !
Our red flag man was just a romantic soul . Their connection was dangerous . A love so destructive. A love that could destroy eachother
I DEVOURED THIS BOOK.. That ending !! Why did you do that to me 😭😭😭 The way I highlighted practically EVERY word in epilogue 2!
YOU BROKE ME ! I. AM. NOT. OKAY! I repeat .. I . AM . NOT. OKAY!!!! “I love you, Phoenix Cassidy.” “I love you too, but can you please tell me again tomorrow?” Whyyyyyy Lea ! Why?!!!! Just stab me in the heart next time. I did text my sister for moral support ! I needed it !
“ Forever and hereafter. Just like I promised.”😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 Their story was beautiful . Devastating. A must read !
I am in awe in your ability as an author ! The way you captured their story beautifully and made me feel and see everything from their eyes and heart. I felt the rage , the passion , the desperation , the love .. I FELT IT ALL! I’m so proud of you! Another amazing book that will be loved !!
Also, I know I’m being greedy but I definitely need a book for Cain, Lucien and Lianna. Their banter was top tier !
✨ Thank you Lea Rose for this advance reader copy in return for an honest review . I love being on your unhinged street team✨
“Dangerous and unhinged and completely fucking beautiful “ - the best quote to sum up this duet!
“Bleed if you need to. Break if you must . Just don’t leave”
This book was SO MUCH MORE! I was shown the painful past of Shannen & Phoenix . This made me understand their deep connection and why they had grown up to be who they are .
Phoenix was unhinged yes.. BUT
Did he love Shannen? Yes!
Did he stalk to protect her ? Yes!
Would he kill for her? Don’t ask him twice !
Was the cameras in her home necessary ? Of course !
Did he mutilate his skin in the name of love ? Swoon worth moment I guess !
Our red flag man was just a romantic soul . Their connection was dangerous . A love so destructive. A love that could destroy eachother
I DEVOURED THIS BOOK.. That ending !! Why did you do that to me 😭😭😭 The way I highlighted practically EVERY word in epilogue 2!
YOU BROKE ME ! I. AM. NOT. OKAY! I repeat .. I . AM . NOT. OKAY!!!! “I love you, Phoenix Cassidy.” “I love you too, but can you please tell me again tomorrow?” Whyyyyyy Lea ! Why?!!!! Just stab me in the heart next time. I did text my sister for moral support ! I needed it !
“ Forever and hereafter. Just like I promised.”😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 Their story was beautiful . Devastating. A must read !
I am in awe in your ability as an author ! The way you captured their story beautifully and made me feel and see everything from their eyes and heart. I felt the rage , the passion , the desperation , the love .. I FELT IT ALL! I’m so proud of you! Another amazing book that will be loved !!
Also, I know I’m being greedy but I definitely need a book for Cain, Lucien and Lianna. Their banter was top tier !
✨ Thank you Lea Rose for this advance reader copy in return for an honest review . I love being on your unhinged street team✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
Absolute show stopper of a book. I was already in love with Pheonix Cassidy from Velvet Thorns and felt like I have waited a lifetime for the rest of his and Shannen's story.
I will never get enough of these two and their obsessive, possessive, toxic love.
Our Pheonix, he's got some issues, he's a little bit traumatised, causing some questionable stalker tendencies, for the sake of protecting his woman and I have so here for it!!
Shannen, she fought her demons, overcame them, then went back to play with the devil!
I absolutely love the additional characters in this book and really hope we get a spin off! it was great to hear more about Lianna and girl is she my spirit animal.
The epilogue broke my damn heart, so prepare for a final tear jerker at the end 😭 still a HEA, but just a wee bit emotional at the end.
Hats off to Lea again, another fabulous book from you and I really hope you write more dark romances 💖
I will never get enough of these two and their obsessive, possessive, toxic love.
Our Pheonix, he's got some issues, he's a little bit traumatised, causing some questionable stalker tendencies, for the sake of protecting his woman and I have so here for it!!
Shannen, she fought her demons, overcame them, then went back to play with the devil!
I absolutely love the additional characters in this book and really hope we get a spin off! it was great to hear more about Lianna and girl is she my spirit animal.
The epilogue broke my damn heart, so prepare for a final tear jerker at the end 😭 still a HEA, but just a wee bit emotional at the end.
Hats off to Lea again, another fabulous book from you and I really hope you write more dark romances 💖
March 3, 2026
"𝑩𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐. 𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕. 𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆."
This is book 2 in The Broken Devotion duet and kicks off right after the cliff hanger we were left on after Velvet Thorns.
Was Phoenix unhinged? Definitely yes. BUT! Did he love Shannen with everything in him? Yes. Did he stalk her for years without her knowing? Yes. Would he do anything to keep her safe? Absolutely yes. Were all the cameras in her apartment necessary? Duh, of course they were! This man is full of red flags but that's the way we love our MMCs 🤭
Their relationship is addictive and definitely not healthy. It's messy. It's all consuming. It's obsessive. It's possessive. It's intense. It's raw. They shared a hard past and this just makes their connection that much stronger.
An absolutely amazing read, I devoured both books in this duet. If you love a dark romance, here's another one for your tbr 🖤
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 -
🥀Enemies to Lovers
🖤Dark St@lker Romance
🥀Virgin MMC
🖤Touch her & 💀
Thank you Lea for the arc 🫶🏼
This is book 2 in The Broken Devotion duet and kicks off right after the cliff hanger we were left on after Velvet Thorns.
Was Phoenix unhinged? Definitely yes. BUT! Did he love Shannen with everything in him? Yes. Did he stalk her for years without her knowing? Yes. Would he do anything to keep her safe? Absolutely yes. Were all the cameras in her apartment necessary? Duh, of course they were! This man is full of red flags but that's the way we love our MMCs 🤭
Their relationship is addictive and definitely not healthy. It's messy. It's all consuming. It's obsessive. It's possessive. It's intense. It's raw. They shared a hard past and this just makes their connection that much stronger.
An absolutely amazing read, I devoured both books in this duet. If you love a dark romance, here's another one for your tbr 🖤
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 -
🥀Enemies to Lovers
🖤Dark St@lker Romance
🥀Virgin MMC
🖤Touch her & 💀
Thank you Lea for the arc 🫶🏼
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️'s
Poison Petals is book two in the Broken Devotion duet, and it delivers a dark, obsessive, emotionally volatile reunion that absolutely does not play by the rules.
Ten years after high school, Shannen and Phoenix are forced back into each other’s orbit. Once best friends, now something far more dangerous. Shannen wants to tear the skin from him — one hatred-fuelled claw mark at a time. Phoenix? He’d stand there and let her. He’d probably tell her how to make it hurt more, all while calling her “pretty girl” — and he'll love it. Because at least her fury means he has her attention.
Lea Rose has crafted a deliciously dark romance layered with stalking, friends-to-enemies-to-unhinged-and-feral-lovers energy, touch-her-and-💀 possessiveness, he-falls-first devotion, and a morally grey virgin MMC who is obsessive in the most chaotic way possible.
Shannen and Phoenix have always been all or nothing. Their bond was forged in trauma-filled childhoods, fractured by betrayal, and rebuilt through obsession, resentment, longing, and a reluctant reestablishment of trust. This is not a healthy relationship — not even close. But it is raw. It is intense. It is consuming.
Are they each other’s orbit? Absolutely.
Is it safe? Not even slightly.
Lea Rose’s writing feels effortless while cutting straight to the emotional core. You don’t just read their pain — you feel it pressing against your ribs. And despite the darkness, this book is packed with some of the sharpest, most outrageous one-liners I’ve read in a long time.
For all its toxicity, Poison Petals is emotionally gripping, deeply character-driven, and unforgettable. This duet has been a reading journey that will stay with me for a very long time, and I adore Lea for bringing it into the world
Thank you to Lea Rose for this ARC — all opinions are my own.89
Poison Petals is book two in the Broken Devotion duet, and it delivers a dark, obsessive, emotionally volatile reunion that absolutely does not play by the rules.
Ten years after high school, Shannen and Phoenix are forced back into each other’s orbit. Once best friends, now something far more dangerous. Shannen wants to tear the skin from him — one hatred-fuelled claw mark at a time. Phoenix? He’d stand there and let her. He’d probably tell her how to make it hurt more, all while calling her “pretty girl” — and he'll love it. Because at least her fury means he has her attention.
Lea Rose has crafted a deliciously dark romance layered with stalking, friends-to-enemies-to-unhinged-and-feral-lovers energy, touch-her-and-💀 possessiveness, he-falls-first devotion, and a morally grey virgin MMC who is obsessive in the most chaotic way possible.
Shannen and Phoenix have always been all or nothing. Their bond was forged in trauma-filled childhoods, fractured by betrayal, and rebuilt through obsession, resentment, longing, and a reluctant reestablishment of trust. This is not a healthy relationship — not even close. But it is raw. It is intense. It is consuming.
Are they each other’s orbit? Absolutely.
Is it safe? Not even slightly.
Lea Rose’s writing feels effortless while cutting straight to the emotional core. You don’t just read their pain — you feel it pressing against your ribs. And despite the darkness, this book is packed with some of the sharpest, most outrageous one-liners I’ve read in a long time.
For all its toxicity, Poison Petals is emotionally gripping, deeply character-driven, and unforgettable. This duet has been a reading journey that will stay with me for a very long time, and I adore Lea for bringing it into the world
Thank you to Lea Rose for this ARC — all opinions are my own.89
March 9, 2026
Lea. We need to have a chat. Can you talk to my husband and give him some tips?
First we have Tobias. My first love in Leas world who will always hold a special place in my heart. Next we have Christian “daddy cowboy” Crawford. A beautiful piece of man who is both a daddy and a cowboy. Now we have Phoenix, a morally grey stalker who is OBSESSED with his girl. And I’m obsessed with your fictional characters 😂
On to the review. I ate this one up! You’ve all heard me talk about the first book in this duet, Velvet Thorns. I loved it so much I might have requested to get my hands on this book earlier than an arc because I couldn’t take the tension anymore, it was killing me!
He protects her (kills for her). He pays attention to her. (Stalks her) He loves her. (obsesses over her) He rides a bike and is tattooed( just to add to his list😂). He saves himself for her. LIKE COME ON! Put a bow on him he’s the perfect package.
Also Tobias makes alittle cameo and that made my heart happy 💕
March 4, 2026
✨️ "Dangerous and unhinged and completely fucking beautiful." ✨️
That quote pretty much sums up this duet!
Poison Petals picks up right where Velvet Thorns leaves, and we continue with the crazy, obsessive, and unhinged behaviour Phoenix displays, and I am here for every second of it.
Phoenix is working hard to win back Shannen, and Shannen is working hard to block him out. Only one can win.
I really enjoyed reading this, the banter, the tension, the angst, the vulnerability Phoenix shows, and the strength Shannen displays just all made this book for me. I loved Shannen's relationship with her best friend, we all need someone like Lianna in our lives!
If you're after a fast paced, dark romance, with tropes that include stalking, friends to enemies to lovers, second chance, then I recommend this.
That quote pretty much sums up this duet!
Poison Petals picks up right where Velvet Thorns leaves, and we continue with the crazy, obsessive, and unhinged behaviour Phoenix displays, and I am here for every second of it.
Phoenix is working hard to win back Shannen, and Shannen is working hard to block him out. Only one can win.
I really enjoyed reading this, the banter, the tension, the angst, the vulnerability Phoenix shows, and the strength Shannen displays just all made this book for me. I loved Shannen's relationship with her best friend, we all need someone like Lianna in our lives!
If you're after a fast paced, dark romance, with tropes that include stalking, friends to enemies to lovers, second chance, then I recommend this.
April 1, 2026
Obsession ✔️ Unhinged ✔️ Stalker ✔️ — I am completely obsessed with this duet. They were both unhinged in the absolute best way. Phoenix may be one of my new favorite MMCs. This man is a psychopath (in a good way, mostly), and the way he is completely obsessive and possessive over Shannen? Perfect. And Shannen is a firecracker — just as obsessed with him as he is with her. I know we all love a “good girl” line, but what about a “good boy”?
The spice was definitely spicing, and I loved the tension and angst as well as the vulnerability between them. The side characters are great, especially Lianna. She is an absolute mess, and she may be as crazy as Phoenix. There is so much more I can say but if dark romances with obsessive characters, stalking and second chances are your vibe, then you should definitely read this duet!
The spice was definitely spicing, and I loved the tension and angst as well as the vulnerability between them. The side characters are great, especially Lianna. She is an absolute mess, and she may be as crazy as Phoenix. There is so much more I can say but if dark romances with obsessive characters, stalking and second chances are your vibe, then you should definitely read this duet!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lea never disappoints!! Phoenix and Shannen are definitely one of my top couples... 🤩 Their story is, well, crazy af 😆👌 but that just adds to the fun.
This is the second book in the duology, the first being Velvet Thorns. The series was such an enjoyable read, with lots of sexual tension, laugh out loud moments and - quite unexpectedly - tears!!
Side characters are absolute friend goals!! 🙌 Not so secretly manifesting that we get to learn more about some of them... if you read it, youll know 👀
Can't say too much more or i will spoil it for sure! I won't be able to help myself. Just know that you are guaranteed to have a good time with this series...
✨️ COMING MARCH 1ST 2026 - AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW ✨️
This is the second book in the duology, the first being Velvet Thorns. The series was such an enjoyable read, with lots of sexual tension, laugh out loud moments and - quite unexpectedly - tears!!
Side characters are absolute friend goals!! 🙌 Not so secretly manifesting that we get to learn more about some of them... if you read it, youll know 👀
Can't say too much more or i will spoil it for sure! I won't be able to help myself. Just know that you are guaranteed to have a good time with this series...
✨️ COMING MARCH 1ST 2026 - AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW ✨️
March 4, 2026
This book was one of my most antecipaded read of the year, I am slightly obsessed with Phoenix.
Lea did not disappoint with this one, it was filled with tension, twists and so much yearning.
Phoenix & Shannen push and pull is electric, scorching and it will leave you breathless. This man never heard of the word boundaries in his life, he is unhinged, possessive, obsessed, and so in love.
The way Shannen made this man grovel was epic, she made him suffer and made his grovel one of the longest I've read! We love a good grovel, what can I say? 😏
This book is spectacular, the plot, the characters, the side characters, and the spice were extremely well written. It's a perfect mix of dark, twisted, and a beautiful love story.
Add this to your TBR, it is just too good.
Lea did not disappoint with this one, it was filled with tension, twists and so much yearning.
Phoenix & Shannen push and pull is electric, scorching and it will leave you breathless. This man never heard of the word boundaries in his life, he is unhinged, possessive, obsessed, and so in love.
The way Shannen made this man grovel was epic, she made him suffer and made his grovel one of the longest I've read! We love a good grovel, what can I say? 😏
This book is spectacular, the plot, the characters, the side characters, and the spice were extremely well written. It's a perfect mix of dark, twisted, and a beautiful love story.
Add this to your TBR, it is just too good.
March 12, 2026
5 ⭐️ | 3 🌶️
This was SO GOOD!!!!! An absolute delight of an unhinged morally grey possessive & obsessive MMC and a feisty badass FMC who becomes just as possessive!
🖤 Dark romance
🖤 stalker
🖤 secret tattoos
🖤 virgin MMC
I truly can’t recommend this duet enough. I was CACKLING, my jaw was on the floor (in shock and sometimes horror 😂) and I even cried 🥺.
Seriously, if you love dark romance, this is a duet you must add to your TBR.
Phoenix Cassidy… the man that you are 👏🏼🥵
Also… the whiplash between epilogue 1 and 2… IYKYK 😅
This was SO GOOD!!!!! An absolute delight of an unhinged morally grey possessive & obsessive MMC and a feisty badass FMC who becomes just as possessive!
🖤 Dark romance
🖤 stalker
🖤 secret tattoos
🖤 virgin MMC
I truly can’t recommend this duet enough. I was CACKLING, my jaw was on the floor (in shock and sometimes horror 😂) and I even cried 🥺.
Seriously, if you love dark romance, this is a duet you must add to your TBR.
Phoenix Cassidy… the man that you are 👏🏼🥵
Also… the whiplash between epilogue 1 and 2… IYKYK 😅
March 9, 2026
This second book of our favorite couple Phoenix and Shannen is so good!! The smexual tension and the push and pull between them is everything that I love about them. Both kinda stubborn even though they both know what they want is each other. I love Shannen's strength and determination. Also loved Phoenix's unhinged possessiveness of her. We love a book boyfriend with a few red flags! I loved the ending to this story.
February 27, 2026
Phoenix Cassidy the man you are 🫦😍
Lea’s gone and done it again 😭 another 5* read, with characters (and side characters I can’t wait to see more of) that you endlessly fall in love with.
Blessed to have read the ARC for Poison Petals, and I’ll immediately be buying my trophy book for when it releases in a few days.
Oh Lea I love you girl, you spoil us in every way! 😭🫶🏼
Lea’s gone and done it again 😭 another 5* read, with characters (and side characters I can’t wait to see more of) that you endlessly fall in love with.
Blessed to have read the ARC for Poison Petals, and I’ll immediately be buying my trophy book for when it releases in a few days.
Oh Lea I love you girl, you spoil us in every way! 😭🫶🏼
April 23, 2026
Did he have a redemption arc? Meh. But he took her on a super sweet and private date. And we waited all that time for her. Im swooning. I also really got wanna see Lianna with the twins. That would be such a peak book. Wasn't the biggest fan of the 50 years later. But, I guess that was okay. Other wise, great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2026
OMG!!! I absolutely loved this story. It was beautifully written and the character development was done perfectly. I loved the chemistry between our MFC & MMC I think it was done really well.
March 11, 2026
Firstly i need to say THANK YOU for picking up exactly where we left off, no time jump or flashbacks! Just right back into it.
You’d think this level of obsession would turn someone off but it does exactly the opposite, keep it comingggg!
You’re going to destroy anyone who looks my way? Perfect, thank you.
The moment she started giving crazy possessive back i knew all bets were off and it was going to get wild and did it ever!
You’d think this level of obsession would turn someone off but it does exactly the opposite, keep it comingggg!
You’re going to destroy anyone who looks my way? Perfect, thank you.
The moment she started giving crazy possessive back i knew all bets were off and it was going to get wild and did it ever!
Review of advance copy
What an epic conclusion to this dark romance duet!
Phoenix is deranged, possessive and psychotic but this man is totally gone for his woman and I loved every second of it.
Oh, and Lianna and the twins... yeah I'm going to need a lot more of them please.
Phoenix is deranged, possessive and psychotic but this man is totally gone for his woman and I loved every second of it.
Oh, and Lianna and the twins... yeah I'm going to need a lot more of them please.
March 1, 2026
This book continues on immediately AFTER Velvet Thorns, so you must read that first.
Every. Single. Book. Written by Lea is 5 billion starts for me. Her writing is just on another level. She captures the souls of the individual characters and lets them out through her words.
Phoenix is a walking red flag, HOWEVER, he is this way to protect Shannen, he loves her and will literally murder and burn the world for her as long as it will keep her safe.
Their past is heartbreaking, you can feel the pain, the desperate love from both of them oozing off the pages. I love them both so much.
I also loved their besties, Lianna, Lucien and Cain are top tier, they are their ode or dies and their banter is super amusing, would love a spin off of these guys!
Also, I cannot not mention the cameo appearance of my love Tobias (from After All This Time) he has stuck with me since I read his book in Feb 2025. 💜
The epilogue - specifically number 2 - erm wow!! Lea, what the hell?! Break my heart, oh my Christ I love them so so much!!!
Every. Single. Book. Written by Lea is 5 billion starts for me. Her writing is just on another level. She captures the souls of the individual characters and lets them out through her words.
Phoenix is a walking red flag, HOWEVER, he is this way to protect Shannen, he loves her and will literally murder and burn the world for her as long as it will keep her safe.
Their past is heartbreaking, you can feel the pain, the desperate love from both of them oozing off the pages. I love them both so much.
I also loved their besties, Lianna, Lucien and Cain are top tier, they are their ode or dies and their banter is super amusing, would love a spin off of these guys!
Also, I cannot not mention the cameo appearance of my love Tobias (from After All This Time) he has stuck with me since I read his book in Feb 2025. 💜
The epilogue - specifically number 2 - erm wow!! Lea, what the hell?! Break my heart, oh my Christ I love them so so much!!!
March 1, 2026
Thank you to Lea for allowing me an ARC copy!
I absolutely ate this book up and I was so excited to have Phoenix Cassidy back in my life.
The epilogue had me in tears. It really hurt my heart and even after sitting a few days after reading it I’m still not over it 🥺.
The connection between Shannen and Phoenix was so screwed up but ended being the most beautiful connection! Their love is so toxic, obsessive, possessive but just beautiful.
The additional characters in this book… I hope we have a story for them because IYKYK 🤪 I absolutely adored Lianna and I need more of her too.
I’ll be giving this book five stars all day long, everyday because stunning.
I absolutely ate this book up and I was so excited to have Phoenix Cassidy back in my life.
The epilogue had me in tears. It really hurt my heart and even after sitting a few days after reading it I’m still not over it 🥺.
The connection between Shannen and Phoenix was so screwed up but ended being the most beautiful connection! Their love is so toxic, obsessive, possessive but just beautiful.
The additional characters in this book… I hope we have a story for them because IYKYK 🤪 I absolutely adored Lianna and I need more of her too.
I’ll be giving this book five stars all day long, everyday because stunning.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Honestly I don't know what to say other than I need more.
I read every single book ever written and published by Lea, and she knows how much I love them. So when she asked me if I wanted to read PP as she writes, my soul literally left my body, because there's not a bigger honor than when the author recognises your love for their work and wants you to have the front row seat while they create 🖤
This duet is Lea's first Dark Romance, and I think we'll all agree when I say HELL YES! 🔥
I loved every single moment of this duet, Phoenix is one of my favourite MMCs (right after Tobias), he's the OTT man every girl dreams of having in her life (maybe except the excessive stalking LOL)
Both the FMC Shannen and MMC Phoenix went through a great character development, Shannen from a bitch who wanted revenge for Phoenix breaking her heart, and Phoenix went from absolute casual psycho to loving, devoted (still) psycho 🤣🤭🖤
The side characters in this duet had me cackling, and I hope to see more of Lianna, Lucien and Cain🫠😈
Phoenix and Shannen got their HEA, after the slight slow burn (side eyeing you Lea👀💀), but I would say the HEA is kinda questionable 🤔 I cried, for a long time, because as much as it was beautiful, it still broke my heart 😭🖤
I honestly think Lea is one of the very much underrated authors, and I try to recommend her books everywhere I go, because she's a remarkable writer. Her stories are so well written, and she possesses an ability to show you what's happening within the pages, instead of telling you.
Lea is not just my auto buy author, she is on the 'I hope she never stops writing' list!
If I could I would give this book (and the duet) infinity stars, that's how much I love it!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
P.S.: EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HER BOOKS IS A MASTERPIECE, so if you're looking for a read with no grammar mistakes that will make both your brain and panties wet, her books are the right choice 🖤
I read every single book ever written and published by Lea, and she knows how much I love them. So when she asked me if I wanted to read PP as she writes, my soul literally left my body, because there's not a bigger honor than when the author recognises your love for their work and wants you to have the front row seat while they create 🖤
This duet is Lea's first Dark Romance, and I think we'll all agree when I say HELL YES! 🔥
I loved every single moment of this duet, Phoenix is one of my favourite MMCs (right after Tobias), he's the OTT man every girl dreams of having in her life (maybe except the excessive stalking LOL)
Both the FMC Shannen and MMC Phoenix went through a great character development, Shannen from a bitch who wanted revenge for Phoenix breaking her heart, and Phoenix went from absolute casual psycho to loving, devoted (still) psycho 🤣🤭🖤
The side characters in this duet had me cackling, and I hope to see more of Lianna, Lucien and Cain🫠😈
Phoenix and Shannen got their HEA, after the slight slow burn (side eyeing you Lea👀💀), but I would say the HEA is kinda questionable 🤔 I cried, for a long time, because as much as it was beautiful, it still broke my heart 😭🖤
I honestly think Lea is one of the very much underrated authors, and I try to recommend her books everywhere I go, because she's a remarkable writer. Her stories are so well written, and she possesses an ability to show you what's happening within the pages, instead of telling you.
Lea is not just my auto buy author, she is on the 'I hope she never stops writing' list!
If I could I would give this book (and the duet) infinity stars, that's how much I love it!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
P.S.: EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HER BOOKS IS A MASTERPIECE, so if you're looking for a read with no grammar mistakes that will make both your brain and panties wet, her books are the right choice 🖤
April 7, 2026
A blubbering, emotional mess - that’s what this book made me! What. A. Book! What an epilogue! And wow I am in awe of Lea Rose
Continuing on from Velvet Thorns, Shannon takes to return to her life in New York but with a very big difference, she knows that Phoenix is watching, very much close by and is coming for her. Phoenix Cassidy is relentless, obsessive and absolutely besotted with his girl, as he always has been.
This was the perfect continuation and ending to this series. I have laughed, I’ve cried, my heart has hurt with the love and pain these two complicated characters have gone through and I honestly didn’t want their story to end! I cannot wait to hear this on audio soon 😍
Continuing on from Velvet Thorns, Shannon takes to return to her life in New York but with a very big difference, she knows that Phoenix is watching, very much close by and is coming for her. Phoenix Cassidy is relentless, obsessive and absolutely besotted with his girl, as he always has been.
This was the perfect continuation and ending to this series. I have laughed, I’ve cried, my heart has hurt with the love and pain these two complicated characters have gone through and I honestly didn’t want their story to end! I cannot wait to hear this on audio soon 😍
April 29, 2026
I love a Lea Rose book…was it unhinged? Yes, but I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t! I enjoyed it more than the first book and it was a very easy read. Check your triggers but if you’ve enjoyed Lea’s books before you know what to expect…morally grey main characters with a side of smut!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have officially surrendered my sanity to this duet.
This story is a chaotic cocktail of vengeance, fixation, unwavering allegiance, and hard-earned transformation — equal parts velvet and razor blades. It is intense, dramatic, and completely addictive.
Phoenix? I am unwell. He has secured a permanent seat in my elite book boyfriend hierarchy, and that placement is not given lightly. He is feral-level protective, morally questionable, catastrophically obsessed, and entirely committed. The man radiates “cross the line and I’ll erase you” energy. Is he stable? Absolutely not. Is he devoted beyond reason? Without hesitation. A loyal menace. A consistent menace. We respect it.
And Shannen? She is fire wrapped in fury. She begins hardened and furious, carrying heartbreak like armor, determined to make him pay. Watching her slowly dismantle those walls — not because she is weak, but because she chooses to feel again — was mesmerizing. Their evolution together is messy, volatile, and strangely beautiful. Phoenix matures too, in his own slightly unhinged way. He’s still chaos… just now it’s focused chaos.
The supporting cast deserves their own spotlight. Lianna is the kind of unfiltered, slightly unbalanced best friend everyone secretly needs. Lucien and Cain? I am begging for more content immediately. The dynamics, the humor, the sharp dialogue — it all adds texture to an already explosive story. The banter alone had me grinning like a fool.
Now let’s talk about that ending. Yes, technically you receive your happily-ever-after. Emotionally? Prepare for damage. I was left staring into space reevaluating my entire emotional resilience. It’s tender and brutal all at once — which feels very on-brand for this author. She gives you joy wrapped in ache and tells you to survive it.
The tension between Phoenix and Shannen after everything is revealed is chef’s kiss. She knows the depth of his obsession now. She knows he’s not leaving. And instead of shrinking, she challenges him. She pushes back. She fumes. He remains utterly undeterred. The chemistry is combustible. The inevitability of her surrender? Delicious torture.
Also — can we acknowledge that Phoenix is essentially a possessive, slightly psychotic golden retriever when it comes to her? Desperate for her attention. Determined to claim every piece of her. It’s outrageous and somehow endearing at the same time.
The writing style pulls you directly into the emotional crossfire. You don’t just observe the turmoil — you experience it. The longing feels tangible. The heartbreak lingers. The passion is almost suffocating in the best way. This isn’t surface-level romance. It’s consuming.
If the first installment impressed you, brace yourself. This one escalates everything — the stakes, the intensity, the obsession, the devotion. It is relentless in its pursuit of a love that refuses to be quiet or reasonable.
Would I give it more than five stars if I could? Without question.
If you crave romance that is polished yet primal, emotionally chaotic yet purposeful, and centered around a man who would dismantle the universe for his woman — this duet is waiting for you.
I, for one, am still spiraling. And I regret nothing.
This story is a chaotic cocktail of vengeance, fixation, unwavering allegiance, and hard-earned transformation — equal parts velvet and razor blades. It is intense, dramatic, and completely addictive.
Phoenix? I am unwell. He has secured a permanent seat in my elite book boyfriend hierarchy, and that placement is not given lightly. He is feral-level protective, morally questionable, catastrophically obsessed, and entirely committed. The man radiates “cross the line and I’ll erase you” energy. Is he stable? Absolutely not. Is he devoted beyond reason? Without hesitation. A loyal menace. A consistent menace. We respect it.
And Shannen? She is fire wrapped in fury. She begins hardened and furious, carrying heartbreak like armor, determined to make him pay. Watching her slowly dismantle those walls — not because she is weak, but because she chooses to feel again — was mesmerizing. Their evolution together is messy, volatile, and strangely beautiful. Phoenix matures too, in his own slightly unhinged way. He’s still chaos… just now it’s focused chaos.
The supporting cast deserves their own spotlight. Lianna is the kind of unfiltered, slightly unbalanced best friend everyone secretly needs. Lucien and Cain? I am begging for more content immediately. The dynamics, the humor, the sharp dialogue — it all adds texture to an already explosive story. The banter alone had me grinning like a fool.
Now let’s talk about that ending. Yes, technically you receive your happily-ever-after. Emotionally? Prepare for damage. I was left staring into space reevaluating my entire emotional resilience. It’s tender and brutal all at once — which feels very on-brand for this author. She gives you joy wrapped in ache and tells you to survive it.
The tension between Phoenix and Shannen after everything is revealed is chef’s kiss. She knows the depth of his obsession now. She knows he’s not leaving. And instead of shrinking, she challenges him. She pushes back. She fumes. He remains utterly undeterred. The chemistry is combustible. The inevitability of her surrender? Delicious torture.
Also — can we acknowledge that Phoenix is essentially a possessive, slightly psychotic golden retriever when it comes to her? Desperate for her attention. Determined to claim every piece of her. It’s outrageous and somehow endearing at the same time.
The writing style pulls you directly into the emotional crossfire. You don’t just observe the turmoil — you experience it. The longing feels tangible. The heartbreak lingers. The passion is almost suffocating in the best way. This isn’t surface-level romance. It’s consuming.
If the first installment impressed you, brace yourself. This one escalates everything — the stakes, the intensity, the obsession, the devotion. It is relentless in its pursuit of a love that refuses to be quiet or reasonable.
Would I give it more than five stars if I could? Without question.
If you crave romance that is polished yet primal, emotionally chaotic yet purposeful, and centered around a man who would dismantle the universe for his woman — this duet is waiting for you.
I, for one, am still spiraling. And I regret nothing.
Review of advance copy
I genuinely do not have coherent thoughts. I have feelings. Ferocious, unhinged, feral feelings.
First of all, being asked to read Poison Petals while it was being written? Front row seat to the chaos? I ascended. There is no greater honour than when an author you adore says, “come watch me build this world.” I have read every single thing Lea has ever put into the universe, so this felt like being handed the crown jewels and told not to drop them.
This duet was everything. Obsession, devotion, revenge, character growth wrapped in barbed wire and silk. Phoenix… I don’t even have the vocabulary. He is officially sitting in my top MMC lineup right under Tobias, and that is sacred territory. He is that over the top, unhinged, touch her and you die, I will burn the world down for you kind of man. The stalking? Slightly concerning. The loyalty? Absolutely elite. The love? Deranged but devoted. We support a consistent psycho king.
Shannen’s evolution had me hooked. She starts out sharp edged, furious, out for revenge because Phoenix shattered her heart, and watching her unravel and rebuild herself alongside him was addictive. And Phoenix going from casual chaos gremlin to loving, devoted chaos gremlin? Growth. Beautiful, unwell growth.
The side characters? I was cackling. Lianna, Lucien, Cain… I need more of them immediately. Give me spin offs. Give me crumbs. Give me anything.
Now let us discuss the HEA. Technically, yes. They get it. Emotionally? I am still recovering. I cried. Proper cried. The kind where you stare at the wall afterwards questioning your stability. It was beautiful and devastating in equal measure, which feels very on brand for Lea. She hands you a happy ending dipped in heartbreak and expects you to cope.
Lea is criminally underrated. Her writing does not just tell you what is happening, it drags you into the room and makes you breathe the same air as her characters. The tension feels real. The pain feels real. The love feels dangerously real. She is not just an auto buy author for me. She is on my “please never stop writing because I am emotionally dependent on your fictional men” list.
If I could rate this duet infinity stars, I would. Infinity and then some.
And yes. Holy hell. I love Phoenix and Shannen with my entire unhinged heart. 💀🌹
Every single one of her books is a masterpiece. If you want a story that is cleanly written, emotionally feral, and makes both your brain and your hormones clock in for overtime, this is your sign.
First of all, being asked to read Poison Petals while it was being written? Front row seat to the chaos? I ascended. There is no greater honour than when an author you adore says, “come watch me build this world.” I have read every single thing Lea has ever put into the universe, so this felt like being handed the crown jewels and told not to drop them.
This duet was everything. Obsession, devotion, revenge, character growth wrapped in barbed wire and silk. Phoenix… I don’t even have the vocabulary. He is officially sitting in my top MMC lineup right under Tobias, and that is sacred territory. He is that over the top, unhinged, touch her and you die, I will burn the world down for you kind of man. The stalking? Slightly concerning. The loyalty? Absolutely elite. The love? Deranged but devoted. We support a consistent psycho king.
Shannen’s evolution had me hooked. She starts out sharp edged, furious, out for revenge because Phoenix shattered her heart, and watching her unravel and rebuild herself alongside him was addictive. And Phoenix going from casual chaos gremlin to loving, devoted chaos gremlin? Growth. Beautiful, unwell growth.
The side characters? I was cackling. Lianna, Lucien, Cain… I need more of them immediately. Give me spin offs. Give me crumbs. Give me anything.
Now let us discuss the HEA. Technically, yes. They get it. Emotionally? I am still recovering. I cried. Proper cried. The kind where you stare at the wall afterwards questioning your stability. It was beautiful and devastating in equal measure, which feels very on brand for Lea. She hands you a happy ending dipped in heartbreak and expects you to cope.
Lea is criminally underrated. Her writing does not just tell you what is happening, it drags you into the room and makes you breathe the same air as her characters. The tension feels real. The pain feels real. The love feels dangerously real. She is not just an auto buy author for me. She is on my “please never stop writing because I am emotionally dependent on your fictional men” list.
If I could rate this duet infinity stars, I would. Infinity and then some.
And yes. Holy hell. I love Phoenix and Shannen with my entire unhinged heart. 💀🌹
Every single one of her books is a masterpiece. If you want a story that is cleanly written, emotionally feral, and makes both your brain and your hormones clock in for overtime, this is your sign.
March 3, 2026
Poison Petals picks up right where Velvet Thorns left us — dangling off that wicked cliff, heart in our throats — and it wastes no time throwing us straight back into Shannen’s emotional storm. She’s furious, confused, hurting, and absolutely determined not to feel anything for Phoenix. That mask of anger she clings to is sharp enough to cut, and Lea Rose makes you feel every bit of it. Her rage, her denial, her heartbreak… it all pulses through the pages in a way that’s raw and painfully real. You understand her even when you’re silently begging her to stop running.
And then there’s Phoenix — our tortured, beautiful, dangerous man. Every time he steps onto the page, the air shifts. His devotion is fierce, unwavering, and so achingly tender beneath all that darkness. Even when Shannen is pushing him away with everything she has, he stands his ground and lets his actions speak for him. You want to hate him with her, but you can’t. He’s too steady, too sincere, too determined to love her in the only way he knows how.
Lianna, though. She is the beating heart of this book. Loyal, hilarious, grounding — the best friend who shows up, calls you out, and holds your hand through the chaos. She brings so much warmth and realism to every scene she’s in. And when she meets Phoenix? Fireworks. She is literally all of us: wanting to hate him on principle, trying to stay loyal to Shannen, but also… he makes sense. He’s charming. He’s impossible to dismiss. Watching her get flustered and confused is so funny and so relatable. I adored her.
The chemistry between Shannen and Phoenix is molten. It burns hot and bright and inevitable. You can feel the moment her walls start to crack, the moment she stops fighting the truth she’s known all along. These two are endgame — unstoppable, uncompromising, unapologetically themselves once they finally give in to the heat and the darkness that binds them. Thorns and all.
James’s storyline adds the perfect edge of danger. He’s slimy from the start, and watching his mask slip is deeply satisfying. The threat he brings forces everything to a head, and even though Phoenix’s involvement nearly gives Shannen (and us) a heart attack, it pushes them toward the ending they deserve. Messy? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
Lea Rose never misses, and Poison Petals is no exception. It’s emotional, addictive, darkly romantic, and full of characters who feel alive in your hands. I devoured it.
And now I need — truly need — a Lianna spin‑off with Cain and Lucien. The chaos, the tension, the banter? I’m already obsessed.
And then there’s Phoenix — our tortured, beautiful, dangerous man. Every time he steps onto the page, the air shifts. His devotion is fierce, unwavering, and so achingly tender beneath all that darkness. Even when Shannen is pushing him away with everything she has, he stands his ground and lets his actions speak for him. You want to hate him with her, but you can’t. He’s too steady, too sincere, too determined to love her in the only way he knows how.
Lianna, though. She is the beating heart of this book. Loyal, hilarious, grounding — the best friend who shows up, calls you out, and holds your hand through the chaos. She brings so much warmth and realism to every scene she’s in. And when she meets Phoenix? Fireworks. She is literally all of us: wanting to hate him on principle, trying to stay loyal to Shannen, but also… he makes sense. He’s charming. He’s impossible to dismiss. Watching her get flustered and confused is so funny and so relatable. I adored her.
The chemistry between Shannen and Phoenix is molten. It burns hot and bright and inevitable. You can feel the moment her walls start to crack, the moment she stops fighting the truth she’s known all along. These two are endgame — unstoppable, uncompromising, unapologetically themselves once they finally give in to the heat and the darkness that binds them. Thorns and all.
James’s storyline adds the perfect edge of danger. He’s slimy from the start, and watching his mask slip is deeply satisfying. The threat he brings forces everything to a head, and even though Phoenix’s involvement nearly gives Shannen (and us) a heart attack, it pushes them toward the ending they deserve. Messy? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
Lea Rose never misses, and Poison Petals is no exception. It’s emotional, addictive, darkly romantic, and full of characters who feel alive in your hands. I devoured it.
And now I need — truly need — a Lianna spin‑off with Cain and Lucien. The chaos, the tension, the banter? I’m already obsessed.
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