Rook

by Becca Jameson

Brimstone house is a dark romance series with morally gray heroes who will stop at nothing to get what they want, and what they want is control.

He’s watching me.
I can feel his gaze on me. Goosebumps rise all over my skin.
I don’t know how I know. I just do. He’s somewhere in this crowded quad, keeping tabs on my every move.
My heart is racing. I should be scared out of my mind.
Instead, I find it thrilling.
There’s something terribly wrong with me.
I have a stalker. I don’t know anything about him except the sound of his deep voice and the feel of his hands on me.
He’s mysterious and dangerous and so dirty.
He consumes me day and night.
Controls me. Because I let him.
If I had any good sense, I would go to the campus police.
I’m living on the edge. Because I’ve never felt more alive.

This is a darker romance than usual for Becca Jameson. It could be disturbing for some readers. Please see my website for triggers. It is a stand-alone with an HEA, but the path is dark.

“Holy shit, this one came out of left field!! Rook made even me uncomfortable at times, and I loved it! Typical Becca-writing, but dark, and I think it's gonna surprise people. A creep at a party, a stalker, a sociopath, Rook is all that, but more. I love the spice, the non-con/dub-con, and the story itself. It's a perfect first in series!”—Tamara, early ARC reader

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Found Family, BDSM

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2026

About the author

Becca Jameson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books. She is most well-known for her Wolf Masters series and her Fight Club series. She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and Goldendoodle. Two grown kids pop in every once in a while too! She is loving this journey and has dabbled in a variety of genres, including paranormal, sports romance, military, and BDSM.

A total night owl, Becca writes late at night, sequestering herself in her office with a glass of red wine and a bar of dark chocolate, her fingers flying across the keyboard as her characters weave their own stories.

During the day--which never starts before ten in the morning!--she can be found jogging, running errands, or reading in her favorite hammock chair!

Reviews

[Kursed Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Briana immediately hits it off with her roommates and is eager to live her best life while a student at Darkwell University. That includes attending her first-ever party. While there, a bizarre “freshman prank” finds her shoved into a pantry by an intense stranger who refuses to show his face.

Spotting her on campus on move-in day, Rook was instantly taken with Briana and targeted her for the prank. But the prey aren’t supposed to consume the predator’s thoughts.

I’m so torn on this one. On one hand, I loved the way Rook cares for Briana. He puts so much effort into making sure she’s safe, healthy, and focused on her studies. After growing up in the foster care system, it’s obvious she thrives with the structure and consistency he gives her. And, of course, I loved how completely obsessed he is with her.

That said, Rook openly admits to toying with Briana and pushing her past her limits for his own amusement. While I understand he struggles with social cues, he’s still aware enough to recognize when he’s gone too far - and that some of his behavior ultimately harms her more than it helps.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Format: 📱

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark, New Adult

Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present • Past}
Emotions: 🫣🥵😳🥵😍
Darkness: 🩶🩶🩶
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

✨ Tropes: Forbidden, Hidden Identity, Insta-Obsession, Secret Relationship, Stalker
 
💫 Microtropes: Boy Obsessed, Caretaker/Protective MMC, “Good Girl”, Neurodivergent, Panty Thief, Pet Name (Princess), Tragic Past, Virgin FMC, “Yes, Sir”

🔆 Character: Student

💋 Kinks: 🍑, Biting/Marking, Blindfold, Body Betrayal, Bondage/Restraints, Caged, Daddy, Dirty Talk, Discipline/Punishment, Domination, Gagged (Ball, Panty), Humiliation, Impact Play (Belt), Orgasm Denial, Power Exchange, Spanking, Toys as Teammates

🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a

🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole, Bulldozer MMC, Dominant MMC, DubCon (by MMC), Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive, MINE!, OTT Hero, Tracking/Spying, Unhinged MMC, “You’re Not Wearing That”

⛔️ Safety Squad: There are potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📍 Setting: College Campus

📣 Type: Rook is the first book in the Brimstone House series of interconnected standalones.

⚠️ Warning: This one-handed read may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care. It may also leave you questioning your morals.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Wendy Marie (myrisingphoenixera.reads)]

DNF at 62% I tried I really did. This is the most toxic and abusive bdsm romance I’ve ever read. That’s saying a lot. He has made her brainless and she doesn’t think for herself and he knows it’s cruel but wants to keep pushing her? Like what? I can handle a lot but this is not the right way to go about this type of bdsm dynamic. They’re both immature and cringey on top of the toxicity. His excuse is he knows he’s different and that it’s cruel but he doesn’t care. She tells herself she needs someone to control everything and does everything he says so he’ll give her even the smallest of attention. They also talk about everything as if he’s training a puppy…just no.

[Lauryn Munro · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

Therapy! Everyone in the book NEEDS extensive therapy.

I liked the concept of this book, but I have come to learn that reading “Daddy” 301 times is 301 times too many. I can’t even get started on “sir”. Freaking eye roll every time she called him that. Also, a kennel?! I know people are into that but fuck no. I can’t imagine not having a single backbone and not standing up for yourself. Obviously, this level of extreme dom/sub isn’t for me. However, the level depicted here isn’t healthy for anyone and I was really hoping she’d build some boundaries and not continue to be brainwashed. I’m also pissed at her brother for just backing down?!??? Like dude, she isn’t even allowed to look at you, yet she’s living in your house! How does everyone just turn a blind eye to that. Anyway, I hope she grows to learn that she’s truly in a fucked up situation and gets a different life.

[Ashly]

DNF @ 41%…. I tried, it’s not for me 🤷‍♀️

[Breanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was um... wow. This was not marketed the way I felt it should be. It's labeled as dark romance but honestly this felt way more horror erotica to me.

I'm not sure I would even say this is a Dom/Sub relationship, he literally grooms and trains her into complete control by means of punishment and "reward". And by complete control I mean she literally has to take and send a picture of her 🐱 every time she sits on the toilet, amongst other things. Her point of view is constantly switching rapidly between completely and utterly terrified and traumatized, and "I can't survive without my Daddy, I can't function without him telling me every step I need to take, he loves me so much." Because she has full blown Stockholm syndrome, without question.

I struggled with how to rate this because honestly the writing DID come across exactly how it was meant to for this to be a dark, psychological, erotic thriller. Rooks point of view was very short and extremely clinical, and it was completely unnerving because I really sat there like "holy s*** is this what it's like to be in the mind of a sociopath?" Another reason I wouldn't call this a dark "romance" is because every time Rook talks about doing something to Briana or testing her in a different way, it was just... purely to see how far he could push her and how much pain and embarrassment she would give up for him. There really wasn't any "romance" at all aside from pure trauma-induced brainwashing.

Now, clearly, there are other people that liked this. And that's fine! Everyone has different tastes. I personally don't like horror erotica, non-con, straight up abuse labeled as loving control or whatever, and I wouldn't have signed up to read this had I known that it wasn't really a romance. That being said, I did add a star (and debated adding 2) just for the writing, since it was definitely written so well to invoke such feelings from readers.

Thank you so much to Grey's Promotions and the author for allowing me to read and review, all opinions are my own.

[arn barn · Rating 1 out of 5]

yikes there is a difference between dark romance and just literal abuse.

[Meilin · Rating 2 out of 5]

arc review

⭐️⭐️|🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I’m so sorry but I really tried to like this book. I really have nothing positive to say about it. Actually I will say I like the first couple chapters (I think).

The plot, well what plot? Nothing happened and it was just about the development of Rook and Briana’s dom/sub dynamic and relationship. While I have read other books with barely any plot that focused entirely on the development of the relationship and enjoyed them, I didn’t enjoy this one at all.

I found both characters to be flat and one dimensional. Neither of them had any depth. Rook was dominant and obsessive, Briana was innocent and submissive. There’s literally nothing else to them.

I didn’t really enjoy their dom/sub dynamic either. Rook was very manipulative and forceful, and Briana just took it, cried her eyes out and then apologized for not obeying, when most of the time she responded based on survival instincts because he was doing things to her that were all new. She needs to grow a backbone.

Overall not a book I enjoyed. This one really wasn’t for me.

Still very grateful for the arc so thank you Grey’s PR and Becca Jameson!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 ⭐️

First, I would like to acknowledge that this story, in no way, is representative of any type of bdsm/ddlg relationship. It’s far more manipulative, controlling, and abusive (and not in a fun, ‘touch her and die’ way). No mentions of safe words, limits or discussion were brought up. With that being said, at least in my version of the book, there were no warnings, triggers, or any of the alike. I previewed the beginning of the book through Amazon though, and the author does state that triggers are listed on their website.

Now as for the story, the writing style was repetitive. How many times can the words “daddy”, “princess”, or “sir” be mentioned without it being overdone? It got to be too much.

I also did not like the FMC or MMC. The MMC, Rook, presents himself as a dom, but he is just possessive, overbearing, invasive, and downright abusive towards the FMC, Briana. Unfortunately, Briana gets caught up into this relationship and is now totally dependent and reliant on Rook. The further their relationship progresses, the more Rook isolates Briana and influences her that she was born to be submissive. It was like she was slowly being brainwashed. She knows the relationship is messed up, but somehow convinces herself that this is what she wants. I could get into it more, but overall you get the point.

Even though the relationship between Rook and Briana was abusive and toxic, I weirdly enough didn’t drag my feet with continuing to read. Maybe it was one of those train wrecks you just need to keep watching? I’m glad I didn’t end up DNF, but was not impressed by this story unfortunately.

Thank you Becca Jameson and Grey's Promotions for providing this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

#Rook #BeccaJameson #GreysPromotions #ARC

[Emmy Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fair warning that the his book is dark and has heavy themes, including but not limited to non-con, dub-con, sexual and emotional manipulation, extreme stalking tactics, and blackmail. Please check your triggers before reading because this one is intense. However I very much enjoyed this! I love a dark college romance, with an older, sort of “bully” mmc who terrorises the fmc. But in this case, he terrorises her with extreme protective, controlling tendancies and a major daddy kink. If you’re not into daddy kinks please do not pick this up because it is HEAVY on it, the entirety of the book focuses on him fostering a sense of dependence on the fmc in submitting to him and obeying his orders. Like he even makes her text him whenever she goes to the washroom and send pictures. This guy is just insane but there’s no way I’d rather have him. There aren’t many surprises in this book but the tension and spice kept me hooked, there’s also the forbidden romance aspect (mmc being the fmcs brothers best friend) which makes it even better. We dive a little into Rook’s traumatic past that’s shared with his four “brothers”, but I hope we’ll get more in the following books. This book was so fun and sooo spicy, I give this a 5/5

[Emily Pellegrini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Grey’s Promotions for an eARC of this story for a review!

This story wasn’t my cup of tea. I think it was a little too messed up for my liking. I felt conflicted about the obsessive relationship between Briana and Rook. It just felt a little too toxic. I unfortunately had to DNF at 55%.

I like give this story a 2.5 ⭐️

[Ariday Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un dark romance bastante diferente a lo que suelo leer y estoy en shock aún 😳 siento que cuando un libro tiene el trope de dominante-sumisa, este libro es básicamente a lo que se refieren. Y a pesar de que no es mi lectura usual lo disfrute bastante🫣🖤
—————
Thank you Grey’s Promotion for the ARC✨

Tropes:
•dark romance
•dom-sub
•collage romance
•stalker romance
•proximidad forzada
•age gap
•best friend’s brother

Briana☪️:
Su primera fiesta en su primer año de universidad no esperaba ser acorralada por un chico desconocido que le da el susto de su vida. Pero no todo fue terrible, porque también comienza a sentirse atraída por ese tipo de situaciones donde ella no tiene nada que decir al respecto y dejar que otro la controle 🖤😳

Rook💀:
Después a asustar a su víctima, el no esperaba empezar a obsesionarse con ella al punto de no poder dejar de seguirla. Es muy raro para él porque él nunca se queda enganchado con las chicas a las que se dedica a asustar. Así que hace un plan…

Historia 📝:
Luego de que Rook acorralara a Briana en un rincón oscuro en una fiesta para asustarla, Rook comienza a obsesionarse con ella y decide que ella le pertenece. Pero el no es una hombre normal, el no hace relaciones como cualquier otro. El decide que necesita controlar la vida de Briana en todos los sentidos. Así que comienza hacer exactamente eso. Y Briana no le desagrada para nada la idea a tal punto que hará todo lo que ‘Daddy’ le diga que tiene que hacer 😳

Pensamientos 💭:
Disfrute bastante leer una dinámica diferente entre protagonistas a la que hay en otros libros. La forma en la que se describe la relación entre dom-sub es lo que yo me imagino cuando los libros tienen este trope. Eso si me hubiera gustado que tuviera un poco mas de capítulos para ver cómo se desarrollaba la relación de ambos en el futuro y como eran sus dinámicas🥹

English:

A dark romance very different from what I usually read, and I’m still in shock 😳 I feel like when a book has the dominant/submissive trope, this book is basically what people actually mean. And even though it’s not my usual type of read, I enjoyed it a lot 🫣🖤

—————
Thank you Grey’s Promotion for the ARC✨

Tropes:
• dark romance
• dom/sub
• college romance
• stalker romance
• forced proximity
• age gap
• best friend’s brother

Briana☪️:
Her first party during her freshman year of college was definitely not what she expected—especially when she ends up cornered by a stranger who scares the life out of her. But not everything about that night was terrible, because she also starts feeling drawn to situations where she has no say and can let someone else take control 🖤😳

Rook💀:
After scaring his target, he never expected to become obsessed with her to the point where he couldn’t stop following her. It’s strange for him because he never gets attached to the girls he usually scares. So, he comes up with a plan…

Story 📝:
After Rook corners Briana in a dark corner at a party just to scare her, he becomes obsessed with her and decides she belongs to him. But he’s far from a normal man—he doesn’t do relationships like everyone else. He decides he needs to control every aspect of Briana’s life, so that’s exactly what he does. And Briana doesn’t seem to mind the idea at all—to the point where she’ll do everything “Daddy” tells her to do 😳

Thoughts 💭:
I really enjoyed reading a different type of dynamic between the main characters compared to what I usually see in other books. The way their dom/sub relationship was portrayed is exactly what I imagine when books use that trope. That being said, I do wish there had been a few more chapters so we could see how their relationship developed in the future and what their dynamic looked like later on 🥹

[Javiera · Rating 2 out of 5]

Primero que nada, muchas gracias por la oportunidad a la autora y la editorial por compartirme este libro.

Personalmente, confieso que tenía otro tipo de expectativas con la portada. Pensé que sería más enfocado en el terror, un thriller, con un toque de romance oscuro. Sin embargo, es muy alejado de ello.

Es una historia de dark romance, pero que realmente fue muy incómodo de leer, ya que por una parte tenemos a una protagonista que tiene un stalker, pero no quiere hacer nada al respecto y se deja pasar a llevar siempre. Por otra parte, lo tenemos a él, que es el mejor amigo de su hermano y tiene una obsesión con ella, pero no sabe que hacer con ella, más allá de tenerla bajo su control.

En resumen, es un libro smut que aborda el tema de sadomasoquismo con los juegos de roles como dominante y sumisa, sin mayor trama y solo enfocado en como el tenía el control de su vida tanto en los sexual, social, personal, individual y demás.

Asimismo, no tiene mayores plot twist y el hecho de que la casa sea como el centro donde llevan a cabo esta dinámica fue tan x, realmente esperaba más, algo giro, alguna pelea, pero ni siquiera cuando el hermano descubre lo que estaba pasando entre su hermana y su mejor amigo me dió drama.

So, si quieren algo smut con el juego de bdsm, aquí es; si buscan algo más, mejor saltarlo.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series, and this is Brianna and Rook’s story.
Brianna is a freshman at college, and Rook is working toward his PHD. When Brianna is targeted by a mysterious, dangerous, and obsessed stalker, he takes control of her life but keeps her in the dark by blindfolding her in his presence.
This is a well written action-packed story, which is revealed in dual POV’s, and has found family, friendships, emotions, angst, tension, challenges, opposites attract, touch her and die vibes, obsession, morally gray, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, tragic, twisted, haunting, and unpredictable, dark college romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Ximena Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bueno pero aburrido, neta aburrido toda la trama pasa dentro de la habitación de ella, no hay nada interesante, lo entrenado es que el tipo de relacion está muy torcida, te mantiene la intriga de cómo manejan las cosas, si esta algo fuerte si no estas abierto a leer como someten a la mujer, como el es dominante etc.
Pero de verdad que esta aburrido tarde demasiado en leerlo y lo termine por puro compromiso.

[Margaret Minoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars | 3.5 Spice

Thank you Grey’s Promotions and Becca Johnson for the opportunity to be part of the ARC team.

Rook was a short and engaging read I believe will resonate with readers who enjoy a story focused almost entirely on the intense and evolving relationship between two primary characters. Becca Johnson has a compelling writing style that allowed me to fly through the book and the dual POV was a nice touch that added some depth to the narrative.

The story follows freshman Briana as she becomes involved with an older and morally black MMC, Rook. The main focus explores their very dark and complex dynamic. While I think that Becca did an impressive job navigating such heavy themes, I realized while reading Rook that this specific brand of “Stockholm Syndrome” trope isn’t quite the right fit for my personal taste in books. I enjoy stories with a broader focus on subplots and secondary characters, and found myself wishing that Briana was given a bit more development to her outside world compared to the confines of her relationship with Rook.

I decided to give this series a try to see if I’d be open to these types of narratives and tropes, but have since confirmed that I prefer a different narrative style. Even though I will not be moving forward with the Brimstone House series, I truly appreciate the chance to read Rook and think that fans of high-intensity, dark romance will find exactly what they’re looking for in the Brimstone House series!

[Praline 99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stalker romance.

Briana is a young woman who grew up in the system, but this year everything changes. She's reunited with her brother and enrolled at the same university as him. She certainly didn't expect to be part of the freshman prank or to attract a stalker. Now she finds herself torn between running away and the thrill of the chase.

Rook grew up in the system in an abusive home with three other boys he considers his brothers. Every year they play the freshman prank, usually limited to one night where their dark side emerges. But since he saw her, he's completely smitten and can't stop at just one night; he has to possess her completely. But she's also the little sister of one of his brothers.

Will Briana and Rook have a beautiful but dark love story, or will it be the end of their relationship when Rook tells his brothers he's broken their rule…

I loved this story, which draws us into a dark world.

[Why Choose Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

Rook is a dark college stalker romance that commits to its chaos with the enthusiasm of a man sprinting downhill and hoping gravity doesn’t kill him. It’s intense, messy, addictive, and absolutely not pretending to be a healthy love story. This is the kind of book you read with one eyebrow raised and a running internal monologue of “oh, we’re doing that now.” It’s entertaining, but not always for the reasons it intends.

Briana is an eighteen‑year‑old freshman who grew up in foster care and has the emotional armour of someone who’s had to survive more than she’s lived. She’s inexperienced, lonely, and walking into university with no idea she’s about to become the main character in someone else’s obsession. Rook is the product of a brutal boys’ home, bonded to four equally damaged men, and operating on a moral compass that spins like a broken fan. He sees Briana once and immediately decides she’s his, which is… a choice. Their dynamic is built on fear, fascination, and the kind of power imbalance that makes you want to hydrate before continuing.

Briana arrives at Darkwell University for one reason: she made a promise. When her older brother Silver finally found her after years in the system, he begged her to join him at Darkwell when she turned eighteen. She agreed, because when you’ve spent your life being separated from the people you love, you don’t break promises lightly. So here she is, new campus, new start, new trauma incoming.

Unfortunately for her, Darkwell comes with a charming tradition known as the Brimstone House freshman prank. Every year, Rook and his brothers pick a freshman to terrify for sport. This year, Rook sees Briana, and the prank immediately stops being a prank and becomes a full‑time obsession. He approaches her anonymously, using his voice, his presence, and the kind of stealth that suggests he’s been training for this since birth. She should be terrified, and she is, but she’s also weirdly thrilled, which is exactly the kind of psychological conflict this book thrives on.

Rook watches her constantly. He learns her routines, slips into her space, and blindfolds her whenever he touches her so she never sees his face. He isolates her, dictates her movements, and frames every controlling behaviour as “protection,” which is a bold interpretation of the word. Briana knows something is wrong, knows she should report him, knows she should run, but she doesn’t. She’s never had anyone pay this much attention to her, and the book leans into that vulnerability with both hands.

As the story progresses, the dynamic between them shifts from stalker‑and‑target to something resembling a Dom/sub structure, except without the communication, negotiation, or mutual understanding that makes BDSM, you know, BDSM. Instead, it’s more like Rook is running a one‑man psychological experiment and Briana is the only participant who didn’t sign the consent form. The forbidden element, Rook being her brother’s best friend, adds extra tension, but also extra chaos, because nothing says “healthy relationship” like hiding your stalker from your sibling.

The plot builds through secrecy, obsession, and escalating control, setting up the wider Brimstone House world while occasionally sprinting past emotional beats that needed more time. It’s gripping, yes. It’s also messy. And sometimes the mess is the point.

Rook is one of those books that you can’t stop reading even while you’re side‑eyeing half the decisions being made. It’s dark, intense, and fully committed to its own madness, which I respect. But it’s also uneven, rushed in places, and absolutely not a good representation of BDSM dynamics. The book uses the language of dominance without the structure that makes it safe or consensual, and the result is more “psychological chokehold” than “power exchange.” As a dark romance, it’s entertaining. As a portrayal of kink, it’s… not that. Hence the three stars: interesting, addictive, occasionally unhinged, but not something I’d recommend to anyone looking for accuracy or emotional balance.

Thank you to Grey's PR for the chance to read this ARC.

[Holly Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t really read may stalker/prey type of books, but the tags on this one piqued my interest. This is also the first book that I’ve read by this author. I always take notes then write a review. I received an advanced reader copy of this book to review.

1. Okay, only one chapter in and it’s confusing. “I told him…” but also “never seen him” and “don’t know his name” or “what he looks like”?! 🤦🏻‍♀️ How can she tell him if she doesn’t know who he is? This should be interesting!

2. Ahh yes! Jungle Juice! Oh to be in my twenties again! 😂😭🫣 “The other main beverage in this kitchen is a giant trash can of something red.” (pg. 12)

3. Ooh we get a pov from Rook. I wasn’t expecting that!

4. Oh snap 🥵 I didn’t realize this is a Daddy Dom book. Yes, please!!

5. Ah okay, my first bullet is answered. Ofc his name is “Daddy” in her phone. I’m not hating it. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤭

6. A DD kink is hot, but the lifestyle he’s describing about is borderline psycho. Let’s see how everything plays out though. I’m definitely not judgmental, but this is WILD!

7. I’m not sure if this book is an accurate representation of a bdsm lifestyle, but Rook is beyond controlling to the point it’s scary!

8. I really hope no one is living such a degrading life like this!

🖤🫶🏻🖤🫶🏻🖤🫶🏻🖤🫶🏻🖤🫶🏻🖤

Well, wow! I most definitely didn’t expect **this** type of book based on the hashtags it fell in. I did finish it on my own, like I didn’t have to force myself to finish it. So, I found it interesting and informative, in a way.

The hashtags definitely need upgraded! I assumed this was a stalker/prey book but **clutch my pearls** was I wrong!! This is absolutely a bdsm, DD/lg, abusive type of book.

As I mentioned above, I love the bdsm and DD kink, but a lifestyle 24/7 is something I’m not very familiar with. So, if this book is a representative of that…holy moly run for the hills!

I would like a book about the psyche of Rook. Bri..oops..Briana definitely has some daddy issues so she loves the attention and affection, as twisted as it may be.

I was hoping that Silver would step up to help his sister, but he “grew up” with Rook and the others, so they may have the same mentality. I’m curious about Silver, so I plan to read book two about Silver and his new lady.

The story flows rather smoothly, I could play out the scenes in my mind easily…even the intense scenes. Some scenes were very hot…other scenes I wanted to reach in to save Bri. I don’t even know what to say about Rook, except he needs love and deep psychological help. I see the good in folks, under the many disturbing layers…even in characters!

I’ve never read anything by Becca Jameson before, but I noticed she was a top seller, so this book shocked me for sure. She took me to a deep place with this book and I love when an author can shock me, keep me entertained, and leave me wanting more.

I highly recommend having trigger warnings for assault, psychological abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and trauma.

Overall, this was one hell of a book. Very intense and hits many categories like…stalker, DD/lg, bdsm, erotica. Becca Jameson seems to be a great writer. I plan to check out her other books and as disturbing as it may be, I really want to read Silvers book. She’s added to my “tbr authors” list! While this may not be something I want to read all the time, I enjoyed the book and the way Becca Jameson writes is incredible!

4 ⭐️ for the genre and topic of this book. It’s not something I would dive into normally..maybe..actually I did like it. 🤷🏻‍♀️
5 ⭐️ for how the author writes and how kept me interested wanting to know more.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like walking barefoot into a thunderstorm while somebody whispered “this is a terrible idea” directly into your ear and honestly?? I sprinted deeper into the chaos 🖤🔪

ROOK is DARK dark. Not the cute watered-down “morally gray” where the guy growls a little and breaks one rule. No. This man is genuinely unsettling at times and somehow Becca Jameson still had me obsessively turning pages at 2am like a sleep-deprived raccoon digging through toxic waste for treasure.

Rook is possessive, manipulative, controlling, obsessive, and completely unhinged in a way that made me question myself repeatedly because WHY was I kicking my feet over some of the things he said 😭 The stalking aspect created this constant crawling tension through the entire book. You could feel his presence everywhere even before he appeared on page. Every scene had this electric sense of danger hanging over it like a live wire.

And the heroine being THRILLED by it instead of immediately running away made this even more addictive. There was something so twisted and psychologically messy about the push and pull between fear and desire. She knows this is wrong. He knows this is wrong. I know this is wrong. Yet somehow the book drags you into their warped little orbit until you’re just sitting there like “well… maybe one more chapter.”

The atmosphere in this was unreal too. Dark academia vibes soaked in obsession and voyeurism with this underlying feeling that something terrible could happen at any second. The campus setting made everything feel even creepier because Rook was always THERE. Watching. Waiting. Controlling things from the shadows like some morally bankrupt phantom with a praise kink and zero boundaries.

And listen… this book absolutely will not work for everyone. The non-con/dub-con themes, the intensity, the manipulation, the sheer level of control? It’s a lot. But for readers who like their dark romance actually DARK instead of just aesthetically edgy, this delivered hard.

What surprised me most was how emotionally consuming it became underneath all the chaos. Rook isn’t just a creepy stalker caricature. He’s deeply damaged, possessive to a terrifying degree, and weirdly vulnerable beneath all that control. The connection between them felt toxic, consuming, addictive, and impossible to look away from. Like watching a candle burn too close to a curtain and knowing it’s all going up in flames eventually.

And the SPICE?? Dear lord. Filthy. Uncomfortable at times. Tense in a way that had my stomach flipping because you never fully knew where a scene was going. Becca Jameson really said “let’s emotionally destabilize everyone today” and committed to the assignment.

This wasn’t a safe little romance. It was sharp edges, bad decisions, obsession, adrenaline, and desire tangled together in the darkest way possible. I felt slightly concerned for myself by the end and that honestly feels like the correct reading experience for this book.

[Books, Booze & Bon Voyage (Krista Webster) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rook by Becca Jameson is book one in the new Brimstone House series. It starts off as a dark college romance between Briana and Rook then slowly becomes a Daddy Dom BDSM story. They have an unconventional relationship which many readers will find disturbing, manipulative and abusive.

Briana grew up in foster care so is looking forward to starting her freshman year. Four years ago her brother Silver found her and insisted she join him at Darkwell University so they could reconnect. Her life changes the night she attends her first college party with her housemates.

Rook lived his teenage years in a boys home which was a bullying and cruel environment. It left him and his four friends with many issues and a lack of social skills but they have adapted to survive. They have bought Brimstone House while they all attend college and every year they pull a frightening freshman prank. Rook first sees Briana on the day she moves in and he immediately becomes obsessed with her so makes sure she is his target. He has never broken the prank rules before but there is something about her.

Although scared when he pranks her, she is also taken with the mysterious man and his dirty talk. She feels she has no choice but to obey him because she knows nothing about him so couldn’t report him. She knows he’s watching her and for some strange reason finds it thrilling and exciting. She has been deprived of any sexual experiences and he makes her feel alive.

Rook keeps his identity secret by blindfolding her whenever he visits her. He likes how naive and innocent she is and quickly exploits her submissive side. He is very controlling and demanding but sees it as keeping her safe. He constantly tests her to see how far he can push her which often ends with her humiliated or embarrassed. He is a sadist so trains and disciplines her but does show a caring and kind side occasionally.

There is also a forbidden romance side with Rook being her brother’s best friend and things get complicated when Rook finds out who she is. What will be her brother’s reaction when he finds out or realises what’s going on between them. Briana knows their relationship is different and a bit crazy but she begins to wonder if she could live under the complete control of her stalker.

The blurb had caught my interest but I’m afraid I’m not a fan of Daddy kink and I found it hard to connect with the characters. Briana never stands up for herself and lets him brainwash her. One minute she talks about being traumatised then the next she can’t live without him. Rook invades her privacy and takes stalking to another level. It was a little creepy how he totally takes over her life so she depends on him and there were times I though he went too far. I like dark romance but sadly this wasn’t for me.

[Alexia Gauthier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obsessive, dirty, and deeply messed up… But not quite what I expected

3 ⭐️ | 4 🌶️

I went into Rook expecting an intense dark romance filled with obsession, danger, and morally gray chaos. And technically? That’s exactly what I got. But somehow, it still left me conflicted.

This was my first Becca Jameson book, and I can definitely see the appeal if you like your romance dark, possessive, and toeing the line between devotion and control. The atmosphere was heavy from the start: secret touches, anonymous watching, whispered commands, the constant feeling that something dangerous was lurking just beneath the surface. Rook is obsessive in every sense of the word, and the book leans hard into that power dynamic.

But wow… this story was messy.

Briana is an 18-year-old freshman trying to navigate university life when she becomes the target of the infamous “freshman prank” created by Rook and his group of brothers/roommates. What starts as intrigue quickly spirals into a relationship built almost entirely on control and ownership. And while I know this is dark romance, I’m not walking into this genre expecting green flags and healthy communication, there were still moments that made me pause and think, what the actual fuck?

The biggest issue for me was the way Briana was treated. Not treasured. Not protected. Just… possessed. Rook constantly frames his behavior as love, but it often felt less like devotion and more like domination without balance. The Dom/Sub dynamic didn’t feel seductive or consensual in the way I expected; it leaned heavily into ownership, isolation, and control. She’s not even allowed to speak to other men, including her own brother, and that crossed from dark and sexy into uncomfortable territory for me.

And maybe that’s the point. Maybe Rook is meant to blur those lines and make you question everything. But the emotional connection never fully landed for me because of it.

That being said, the book is addictive. The writing itself flowed well, the chemistry was scorching, and the darker moments absolutely commit to the vibe Becca Jameson was going for. I just wish the pacing had been tighter because some scenes and transitions felt rushed, almost like emotional beats were skipped entirely before jumping into the next intense moment.

Overall, this was a 3-star read for me: chaotic, spicy, obsessive, and undeniably dark. Definitely not a romance for everyone, and absolutely check trigger warnings beforehand.

Thank you to Grey’s Promotions for the e-ARC, and congratulations in advance to Becca Jameson on the release of Rook on May 12.

[A. Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't what I was expecting. I mainly read dark romances. However, this book was way too toxic and only favored Rook. Normally, I enjoy toxic characters, but Rook was never redeemable. Rook turned Brianna into a mindless sex robot. That's only good for Rook.

I'm just going to say that Rook comparing training Brianna to training a dog is so highly offensive! Rook's control is too extreme. He basically has brain washed a poor innocent girl. She's just 18 and has only lived in foster care. How dare Rook manipulate her for his own amusement and pleasure. Rook takes someone who was never loved as a child and messes with her head and emotions. I don’t think it's ok at all!

If Briana was my friend or relative, I would seriously want to kill Rook! Rook's methods are just too extreme and controlling. Rook even admits to "toying" with her. I also have a huge problem with Rook admitting that he and his roommates fuck girl's lives up so badly that they need counseling and may never recover! What is wrong with them? Rook readily admits he wants a slave. A slave has no rights or autonomy.

Briana knows what Rook is doing is wrong but she endures because her mind is so destroyed and Briana herself is isolated, intentionally. Personally, Rook needs therapy not a submissive slave to take his anger out on. Briana thinks this is a relationship? How delusional is she? Briana has never even seen Rook either. Rook makes all the rules. A relationship that does not make! I don't think Rook loves Briana in the slightest. I think Rook likes what he created Briana to be. There is a difference.

The extreme nature of Rook is very off putting. There is no love here only ownership and forced submission. I wouldn't allow someone to treat me this way or put me in a dog kennel. The 5 men that live in Brimstone house together only think of the trauma they went through. Neither Rook or Silver asked or considered what Briana went through. Because in this world only the men matter or have rights. At the end of the day no one really cares. These boys only think of themselves. Rook made Briana into what he wanted and doesn't care at all what Briana wants. Briana has no mind or thoughts for herself. Which, at the age of 18, is stupid. Why stay in college? About as stupid as getting in a dog kennel willingly. They are clearly very selfish men. I didn't like that one bit. I think there's a better way to write this BDSM dynamic in a healthier manner.

I received an ARC of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rook was my first read from this author and, unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. As someone who generally enjoys dark romance and has read plenty of stalker romances before, I fully went into this book expecting morally grey characters and toxic, questionable behaviour. Usually, though, there’s still some level of emotional depth or redeeming quality to the anti-hero that makes their behaviour compelling despite the darker themes, but I struggled to find that here.

Set within a college environment, the story follows Rook and the disturbing traditions of Brimstone House, where he and his four friends each target a female student to intimidate and psychologically terrify, their actions definitely crossing the lines into sexual assault. Rook becomes obsessed with Briana his latest victim, and what follows quickly moves beyond morally grey into uncomfortable territory. The invasive stalking, manipulation, surveillance, and coercive control become difficult to overlook, particularly as he gradually isolates Briana from the people around her and takes control of nearly every aspect of her life under the framework of a Daddy Dom/sub relationship. Rather than coming across as a complex anti-hero, Rook often felt more unsettling than compelling.

What made the story difficult for me was the lack of any convincing emotional connection between the characters. I never really felt that Rook cared for Briana in any meaningful way, and at times it seemed more like he was projecting some unresolved trauma or anger onto her. Briana herself was harder to connect with than I expected. Given her difficult upbringing in foster care and the lack of any parental support system, her naivety and lack of experience felt unrealistic and a little too unbelievable but at no point did I feel Rook gave her a choice something that just emphasised the imbalance in their relationship.

Dark romance rarely pushes me away as a reader and I usually have a fairly high tolerance for morally questionable characters and toxic themes, but this was one of the few books I’ve read that genuinely left me feeling uncomfortable in a way that didn’t feel intentional or enjoyable. While readers who enjoy extremely dark and controlling dynamics may feel differently, Rook simply wasn’t the right fit for me, and by the end I was left feeling more unsettled than invested.

[Bia · Rating 2 out of 5]

WTF, so where to start 🫠


I’m very conflicted about how I feel about this book bc at first, it was the slow build up of their dinamic and all the Daddy/Dom sub thing going on. But as time went on I was starting to really despise their relationship bc basically for 70% of the book it was the SAME FUCKINH THING, he would come at night do what he wanted and the bye bye 🙃

And so when we got to the point where her brother, Silver, finally connected the dots, I WAS VERY VERY HAPPY, like finally we are gonna switch things up a bit, but eh .. wrong, bc she finds out and run, but immediately after Rook found her she didn’t ever protest, like girl.. have some back bone, make him work for it (and that just pisses me off more) and for there just went downhill for me, bc I still had hope for this book to get better, bc don’t get me wrong, I love me a Stalker romance (I’ve read my share 😌😏) same goes for The daddy kink, but in this book it was to a point that I just couldn’t, and it wasn’t bc of the kink itself it bc of the characters.

Normally I like an FMC that’s more shy, reserved , like a grumpyxsuahine, but here I just wanted to like slap her , WAKE UP GIRL ( there was even a quote -
“His head lifts, and he meets my gaze and holds it. “You’ll do anything I tell you, won’t you, Briana?”
“Yes, Daddy. - If he tells you to go jump of a bridge would you go 😒)

Rook what really wrangled me with him is that he wasVERY VERY SELF AWARE of the damage that he was doing, bc he himself was always saying “I know I’m confusing her, hurting her, but he just couldn’t stop” - like bro stfu 🤬, and on top of that I saw some comments saying that at first they didn’t like him, and didn’t understand why he was that way, but bc of his background story they now understand- EXCUSE MEEE , I’VE READ BACKSTORIES WAY WAY WORSE THAT HIS AND THEY TREATED THE GIRL LIKE A QUEEN, so 🤔

Going back to the FMC I didn’t like that she was basically ALWAYS in sub space, she never was able to speak freely basically, she always had a rule to follow but if not she has punishment. I wouldn’t really minded their relationship as much if their wore scenes where they acted normal for a chance, speaking freely

I could talk even more of why this book disappointed me , but that’s my thoughts on this

[Teressa - The Sassy Book Tribe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to 4 stars - I go back and forth (sorry)

I thought I had an idea of what to expect, but I was very wrong.

Rook is a menacing dark romance. I loved the suspense and how intensely the story unfolded. Rook the character is not the type I normally read. His actions were extreme and controlling, but to him it was warranted. It took me back a bit but once I got around to his ways, I found him more intriguing.

Rook grew up in a boy’s home where he meets four boys in the same situation. They band together and become family. Now that they are adults and living on their own, they live by hard and fast rules never to be broken. That is until Rook breaks the ultimate rule that begins an unavoidable chain of events leading to a disconnect with his brothers. But that isn’t even the biggest issue, the twist with him breaking this rule is so unexpected and just added that much more to the story.

Briana on the other hand is as innocent as they come. Growing up in foster care, she learns to be helpful but not seen. Once she arrives at college her plan is to change that. She wants to live for once. At her first party, her wants and needs get thrown out the door with one little prank. That prank eventually changes her entire world in a way she didn’t know she needed.

Both characters were touch and go for me. Some things I just couldn’t fully get into. Personally – the overuse of certain words and the back-and-forth inner monologues were a bit distracting. I would have liked more conversation between the two without other things getting in the way, like hot perverted freaky sex that is. But all of this is not enough to end my reading of this series or this author; I will finish the series and indulge in her other books. Please remember, this review is a result of my personal taste. I have absolutely no doubt dark readers will love every inch of this book.

Although it was a bit difficult for me, I am looking forward to the rest of the series. The writing is great and kept me reading.

Also – it’s best to check trigger warnings with this book. When I say this book is dark – its pitch black!!

[Beckreadz25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an advanced copy from the author and am reviewing for free.

****PLEASE READ ALL TRIGGERS****

Okay I am a dark romance fan. I live for morally black men with all of the red flags. I adore Zade Meadows, Xero Greaves, and Kade Mitchell and would get on my knees for them. Those books had the stalker/primal dynamic and total obsession down to a science. Rook blew his way right up to the top of the list.

Note, this my first book that had the whole BDSM lifestyle woven in throughout the whole story. Warning to some you may gind it uncomfortable as it went much further than a bedroom kink. I wasn't sure how I would enjoy it, but holy hell I devoured it!

Briana is the virgin MMC who is the victim of a prank at the beginning of the school year. Her assaulter is the MMC, Rook, who becomes unhealthily attached to her. He starts to control ever aspect of her life. The whole Daddy dom thing at first was off putting to me. I was so glad when the author included flashbacks to Rook's childhood and his nightmares. It brought everything into perspective, and I admittedly cried reading through those passages. It was so unfair that he endured all that and still showed extreme care and devotion to Briana. He really cared about her well-being and safety. I was oddly turned on by that, much like the FMC. Their whole dynamic was unconventional but the eroticism was out of this world. Not to mention the aftercare and worship. My God it was hot! Spice level 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

I am completely obsessed by this world that Becca Jameson has brought to life. Her attention to details and in-depth research into the human psyche opened my eyes to worlds of possibilities and different kinds of love. The story really pays homage to everyone having their perfect match. There reallyis someone to complete everyone. It could be through conventional love, role play, or BDSM. Just remember there is someone out there who also enjoys your own brand of weirdness/kinks and loves you no matter what.

5 stars for not only drawing me into this world but making me feel curious about exploring different ways of expression.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rook (Brimstone House) by Becca Jameson — 3.5⭐

Thank you to Becca Jameson and Grey's Promotions for the ARC!

This was my first book by Becca Jameson, and overall, I really enjoyed it! The story follows Briana, a freshman in college trying to settle into campus life with her new roommates. During the first week of school, they attend a party where Briana quickly realizes the party scene might not be for her. While alone in the kitchen, she’s suddenly pulled into a pantry by a complete stranger — a man who is terrifying, intense, and says some very illicit things to her before warning her to grab her friends and leave. Naturally, Briana is left shaken and terrified he might come back for her… and honestly, she should be.

Rook is dangerous, highly intelligent, and deeply controlling. He and his roommates all came from the same abusive foster home and now live together while attending college. Every year, they participate in a twisted freshman “prank” where they corner a girl, scare her a little, say filthy things, and then let her go. It’s their way of keeping their darker instincts under control. But when Rook meets Briana, the rules stop mattering. What should have been a one-time encounter quickly turns into obsession.

Soon, Briana finds herself with a mysterious “Daddy” who wants complete control over her life — and surprisingly, she thrives under it. Rook gets the control he craves, while Briana enjoys finally having someone take care of everything for her. The complication? She has no idea who her Daddy actually is… or that he’s one of her brother’s best friends.

I liked this story a lot. The characters were interesting, and the relationship dynamic felt different from a lot of other Daddy Dom/sub-con romances I’ve read. Personally, I would’ve been trying to figure out who Rook was WAY sooner than Briana did, but the mystery definitely added tension to the relationship. I’ll absolutely be checking out the rest of the Brimstone House series!

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rook was one of those dark romances that immediately pulls you into the obsession, tension, and chaos from the very beginning.

This book reminded me why I love stalker romances so much because the atmosphere felt intense, possessive, unsettling, and addictive all at the same time.

Briana and Rook’s dynamic was toxic in the exact way a dark romance reader expects going into a book like this.

Briana grew up in foster care and is trying to navigate college life when she meets Rook at a party. From the moment he corners her, the tension is immediate, even before she fully understands who he is or how deeply he’s already fixated on her.

And Rook???
That man was completely obsessed.

What made his character interesting to me was that even HE didn’t fully understand why Briana affected him differently from everyone else. He was used to fear, control, and detachment, but with Briana, his obsession became personal in a way he wasn’t expecting.

This definitely leans into darker themes, so I highly recommend checking trigger warnings before reading because it will not be for everyone.

But for me personally?
This book was calling my name 😭

The stalker romance elements, forced proximity, possessiveness, and the psychological tension throughout the story made it hard for me to stop reading once I started.

And yes…
the daddy kink worked for me in this book 🫣

I know that trope definitely won’t work for every reader, but honestly, it fit the dynamic between them and added to the intensity of the relationship for me.

If you enjoy:
🖤 Dark romance
🔪 Stalker MMCs
🔥 BDSM elements
🏠 Forced proximity
🫣 Daddy kink
💀 Morally gray obsession
📚 College romance
✨ Best friend’s brother

then this is definitely worth checking out.

⭐️ 4.5/5
🔥 5/5
🌶️ 4.5/5
💧 3.5/5

Thank you to Grey’s Promo and Becca Jameson for the ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own.

[World Of Books 65 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 or maybe 4 🖤

Becca Jameson did not hold anything back with Rook, the first book in her brand-new dark romance series Brimstone House. I’m honestly hovering between 3.5 and 4 stars because this book absolutely commits to the darkness from the very first page. It doesn’t simply linger in the dark romance world—it dives headfirst into it, and for some readers that level of intensity may feel like too much.

The “good girl meets bad boy” description barely scratches the surface of what unfolds between Rook and Briana. Briana is the good girl from the foster system, finally reaching college and hoping to embrace some sense of normality and freedom. But fate has other plans for her, and the life she imagined quickly twists into something far darker and far more dangerous.

Then there’s Rook. Honestly, I’m not sure any review can fully capture the complexity of this man. Raised in a boys’ home, the bonds he formed there became something deeper in adulthood—brotherhood, loyalty, survival. The men around him live by rules that are never meant to be broken. But what happens when Rook crosses those lines himself? That’s where this story becomes something far more unsettling and addictive.

This is not your standard morally grey hero romance. Becca Jameson pushes far beyond that comfortable line and drags her readers straight into morally black territory. Rook is possessive, brutal, damaged, and at times impossible to justify—yet somehow you still cannot look away from him. The tension between him and Briana carries this dangerous edge throughout the story where obsession, control, fear, and desire all blur together.

The atmosphere of Rook feels heavy, consuming, and deliberately uncomfortable in places, but that’s also what makes it impossible to stop reading. If you are a reader who loves your dark romance truly dark—with damaged antiheroes, twisted loyalties, and themes that test boundaries—then Brimstone House is definitely a series to watch.

[redreadsromance_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book honestly started so strong for me. Brianna arrives at college, goes to her first party and ends up locked in a pantry with a mysterious man whispering filthy things in her ear while she has no idea who he is. From there he becomes completely obsessed with her and, as someone who loves an OTT possessive MMC, I was immediately hooked. Hidden cameras, tracking her phone, stalking, dominance… this book had so many dark romance elements I usually eat up.

But the further I got into the story, the more uncomfortable I became with the relationship dynamic. What started off feeling dark and addictive slowly started feeling genuinely toxic and abusive. Brianna basically had no independence at all. Everything revolved around what “Daddy” wanted, with no real discussion about boundaries, safe words or what she was actually comfortable with. It was very much his way or nothing.

And the punishments weren’t just physical either. Rook would manipulate her emotionally, disappear for days knowing it upset her and make her feel like wanting bodily autonomy or independence was somehow wrong. Meanwhile she still had to tell him where she was at all times and wasn’t really allowed to do anything outside of class and studying. Watching Brianna slowly accept all of this as love was honestly frustrating more than romantic for me.

I also found the repetition really noticeable. Certain phrases and words were used over and over again to the point where it started pulling me out of the story a bit.

I don’t regret reading it because the premise had so much potential and the first half genuinely hooked me, but after the 50% mark it really lost me. I wanted to love this one a lot more than I actually did.