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Breaking Lara: A Tale of Innocence, Obsession, Darkness & Awakening
He’s cheeky menace wrapped in ink and sin. She’s a little ghost with secrets sharp enough to cut.
Derek Carter doesn’t do gentle. He doesn’t do love. Violence is in his veins, torment in his smile, and women are nothing more than bodies he breaks and leaves behind. Men like him don’t protect angels. They ruin them.
Until her.
Lara Morozova—fragile, haunting, silent. A porcelain ghost pulled from hell and dropped into his arms like she already belonged there. She shouldn’t tempt him, not with her wide brown eyes and the way her body listens to him without words. She shouldn’t want the danger in him… but she does.
And Derek? He doesn’t just want her. He wants to corrupt her. To press her up against the darkness until she moans for it. To make her his ruin.
But Lara isn’t only fragile. She’s fire wrapped in silk, her past laced with blood and secrets buried so deep they could bring them all to their knees.
Because when her memories return, Derek won’t just have to fight to keep her.
He’ll have to decide if he can survive her.
A dirty, dangerous romance of innocence, obsession, shadows, and the sweet ache of surrender.
Derek Carter doesn’t do gentle. He doesn’t do love. Violence is in his veins, torment in his smile, and women are nothing more than bodies he breaks and leaves behind. Men like him don’t protect angels. They ruin them.
Until her.
Lara Morozova—fragile, haunting, silent. A porcelain ghost pulled from hell and dropped into his arms like she already belonged there. She shouldn’t tempt him, not with her wide brown eyes and the way her body listens to him without words. She shouldn’t want the danger in him… but she does.
And Derek? He doesn’t just want her. He wants to corrupt her. To press her up against the darkness until she moans for it. To make her his ruin.
But Lara isn’t only fragile. She’s fire wrapped in silk, her past laced with blood and secrets buried so deep they could bring them all to their knees.
Because when her memories return, Derek won’t just have to fight to keep her.
He’ll have to decide if he can survive her.
A dirty, dangerous romance of innocence, obsession, shadows, and the sweet ache of surrender.
466 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
2 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 16, 2025
"First time, Ghost, and you've already learned. You don't breathe without me. You're ruined now - and I'll keep you ruined." - Derek
Breaking Lara brought all the darkness that I needed.
It's obvious from the start that Derek and Lara share a connection even before any words are spoken. As soon as their eyes connect everything changes. Derek becomes Lara's safety, her everything. At first Derek tries to fight the inevitable but the once womaniser can't get the ethereal, little ghost out of his mind.
I love how Penny tackled Lara's memory loss to her true identity and how it unfolded. The way the two sides of Lara unfolded were such a beautiful contrast.
On one hand you had the Lara that appeared sweet, timid and innocent. Which we learn she is far from that as a trained Russian assain. She also has a robotic, cold side that she can switch to quickly. Lara is literally light and dark.
I loved Lara's strength of character and seeing her grow, develop and find herself throughout Breaking Lara.
With the help of Derek and the girls she really opened up and found herself, learning what she liked and wanted, especially when it came to Derek.
The chemistry between Derek and Lara was intense. And the Halloween scene with Derek, Lara, Elaina and Jake..now that was hot. If you know you know! If you don't, you need to know.
I need a Derek Carter in my life - Cheeky, menacing, filthy and dark to his core.
Breaking Lara brought all the emotions, even humour, especially when Lara was learning how to act and do stuff. The ice lolly scene was hilarious.
Derek and Lara's love was not typical, it was built on pain, obsession and darkness.
That ending? I was not ready for. Bring on Claiming Sabine to see how it all unfolds. I definitely need more of the Dark Series.
Breaking Lara brought all the darkness that I needed.
It's obvious from the start that Derek and Lara share a connection even before any words are spoken. As soon as their eyes connect everything changes. Derek becomes Lara's safety, her everything. At first Derek tries to fight the inevitable but the once womaniser can't get the ethereal, little ghost out of his mind.
I love how Penny tackled Lara's memory loss to her true identity and how it unfolded. The way the two sides of Lara unfolded were such a beautiful contrast.
On one hand you had the Lara that appeared sweet, timid and innocent. Which we learn she is far from that as a trained Russian assain. She also has a robotic, cold side that she can switch to quickly. Lara is literally light and dark.
I loved Lara's strength of character and seeing her grow, develop and find herself throughout Breaking Lara.
With the help of Derek and the girls she really opened up and found herself, learning what she liked and wanted, especially when it came to Derek.
The chemistry between Derek and Lara was intense. And the Halloween scene with Derek, Lara, Elaina and Jake..now that was hot. If you know you know! If you don't, you need to know.
I need a Derek Carter in my life - Cheeky, menacing, filthy and dark to his core.
Breaking Lara brought all the emotions, even humour, especially when Lara was learning how to act and do stuff. The ice lolly scene was hilarious.
Derek and Lara's love was not typical, it was built on pain, obsession and darkness.
That ending? I was not ready for. Bring on Claiming Sabine to see how it all unfolds. I definitely need more of the Dark Series.
December 5, 2025
Phew…What an ending!!! I quite literally can’t wait to read the next book so that I can see what happens next.
This book follows Derek and Lara, the young woman they find and rescue taking her back to the club with them. It’s obvious from the very first page that the connection between Derek and Lara is undeniable, the moment their eyes meet a bond is formed and Derek becomes everything to Lara. Derek initially fights his attraction to Lara with varying success but when he finally breaks…well…you can expect volcanic level spice!
I think that this is my favourite book so far not because I didn’t like the others, they were equally as good. But, for me seeing Lara grow and come into herself and watching her learn and explore her sensuality and sexuality (especially when it comes to her instant attraction to Derek)as well as the juxtaposition between Laras sweet, silent, innocent naivety and the cold, callous, robotic soldier. I’m going to keep this pretty short as its difficult to review without giving spoilers as my favourite parts of the book are pretty specific but this book is the kind of book where you have to expect the unexpected, with violence, banter, love, lust and maybe an intimate piercing or 2. I will say that what Lara has already been through is unimaginable and if anyone deserves a HEA its her and Derek but with danger just around the corner will they all make it through unscathed or will their love come to a heartbreaking end?
This book follows Derek and Lara, the young woman they find and rescue taking her back to the club with them. It’s obvious from the very first page that the connection between Derek and Lara is undeniable, the moment their eyes meet a bond is formed and Derek becomes everything to Lara. Derek initially fights his attraction to Lara with varying success but when he finally breaks…well…you can expect volcanic level spice!
I think that this is my favourite book so far not because I didn’t like the others, they were equally as good. But, for me seeing Lara grow and come into herself and watching her learn and explore her sensuality and sexuality (especially when it comes to her instant attraction to Derek)as well as the juxtaposition between Laras sweet, silent, innocent naivety and the cold, callous, robotic soldier. I’m going to keep this pretty short as its difficult to review without giving spoilers as my favourite parts of the book are pretty specific but this book is the kind of book where you have to expect the unexpected, with violence, banter, love, lust and maybe an intimate piercing or 2. I will say that what Lara has already been through is unimaginable and if anyone deserves a HEA its her and Derek but with danger just around the corner will they all make it through unscathed or will their love come to a heartbreaking end?
February 2, 2026
She may be pretty but she is dark 🖤🖤
This book was all the darkness I adore 😍
The connection between Lara & Derek was electric before any words were spoken! 🥵
I loved everything about this book.. the chemistry between Lara and Derek was incredible! The possessive and dark personalities were just perfection!
I loved seeing Lara develop and grow as her memories return, seeing the friendships form between Elaina, Aria & Lara was beautiful 😍
Penny you absolutely killed me with that ending! I was floored 😭😭
I NEED to know what happens next 💔
As usual it was an absolute pleasure to read this and I’m obsessed 🖤
I would absolutely recommend that you put this series at the top of your TBR pile 😘
Read this for;
- Touch her and die 💀
- Forbidden obsession 🚫
- Age gap
- Morally Grey MMC 🩶
- Identity Lost
- Dangerous FMC ‼️
- Found family 🩷
- Forced Proximity
- Knife Play 🔪
- Brotherhood
As usual babes, check your trigger warnings 😉💋
This book was all the darkness I adore 😍
The connection between Lara & Derek was electric before any words were spoken! 🥵
I loved everything about this book.. the chemistry between Lara and Derek was incredible! The possessive and dark personalities were just perfection!
I loved seeing Lara develop and grow as her memories return, seeing the friendships form between Elaina, Aria & Lara was beautiful 😍
Penny you absolutely killed me with that ending! I was floored 😭😭
I NEED to know what happens next 💔
As usual it was an absolute pleasure to read this and I’m obsessed 🖤
I would absolutely recommend that you put this series at the top of your TBR pile 😘
Read this for;
- Touch her and die 💀
- Forbidden obsession 🚫
- Age gap
- Morally Grey MMC 🩶
- Identity Lost
- Dangerous FMC ‼️
- Found family 🩷
- Forced Proximity
- Knife Play 🔪
- Brotherhood
As usual babes, check your trigger warnings 😉💋
December 16, 2025
OMG 😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨
Book three in The Dark Series and I’m totally in lust with all these men 😉😉😉😉
Derek, doesn’t do relationships, but why does ‘ghosts’ eyes speak to him????
Ghost (Lara) sees Derek and can’t help but feel comfortable when he’s around, but why?????
This is such a fantastic read with 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵 ‘melting panties’ moments 😮💨😮💨 and such deep and meaningful words…….but what is waiting in the background?????
I can’t wait not wait for the next book, I need more of my men 🤤🤤🤤🤤
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!
Book three in The Dark Series and I’m totally in lust with all these men 😉😉😉😉
Derek, doesn’t do relationships, but why does ‘ghosts’ eyes speak to him????
Ghost (Lara) sees Derek and can’t help but feel comfortable when he’s around, but why?????
This is such a fantastic read with 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵 ‘melting panties’ moments 😮💨😮💨 and such deep and meaningful words…….but what is waiting in the background?????
I can’t wait not wait for the next book, I need more of my men 🤤🤤🤤🤤
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!
February 3, 2026
Oh my! Penny’s books just get better and better!! Derek, the guy who can’t be tamed, finally finds his one. I can’t wait for the next installment!!! Highly recommend The Dark Series, if you haven’t read any of these books…………why not????
November 30, 2025
'Breaking Lara' by Penny M Salmon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
OMG, this has ruined me!!!
The dark, chaotic, inked devil, Derek, and a tiny white assassin, Lara. From the moment Lara laid her big brown eyes on Derek, there was no going back. He was going to be haunted by her innocence, and she was going to meet her dark devil 😈
Lara was like an alien. She didn't belong in his world, and she was going to discover so much that was kept from her all her life. Just when things are going great and Lara is feeling like part of the family and has a sense of belonging, past demons make an appearance, the syndicate who are going to make her remember.
I just love all the characters from The Dark Series, and all of them make an appearance in Book 3, Elaina, Jake, Alex, Aria, Mark, and even Jakes sister Nicole and her husband Anthony. They all have their parts to play, and Penny's words bring out all their personalities so beautifully and convey her true love for writing, in her characters 🖤
This is honestly a 5⭐️ read for me.
This series has been sensational so far, and there is a Book 4 coming 2026!!!
It has been a hell of a ride.... that I have eaten up the whole way!!!
The spice in this book is off the scale 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 and really explores the deepest darkest desires 🖤😈 Some of my favourite parts of the book 😜🤭😉
Another amazing read 💯 🙌
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
OMG, this has ruined me!!!
The dark, chaotic, inked devil, Derek, and a tiny white assassin, Lara. From the moment Lara laid her big brown eyes on Derek, there was no going back. He was going to be haunted by her innocence, and she was going to meet her dark devil 😈
Lara was like an alien. She didn't belong in his world, and she was going to discover so much that was kept from her all her life. Just when things are going great and Lara is feeling like part of the family and has a sense of belonging, past demons make an appearance, the syndicate who are going to make her remember.
I just love all the characters from The Dark Series, and all of them make an appearance in Book 3, Elaina, Jake, Alex, Aria, Mark, and even Jakes sister Nicole and her husband Anthony. They all have their parts to play, and Penny's words bring out all their personalities so beautifully and convey her true love for writing, in her characters 🖤
This is honestly a 5⭐️ read for me.
This series has been sensational so far, and there is a Book 4 coming 2026!!!
It has been a hell of a ride.... that I have eaten up the whole way!!!
The spice in this book is off the scale 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 and really explores the deepest darkest desires 🖤😈 Some of my favourite parts of the book 😜🤭😉
Another amazing read 💯 🙌
January 26, 2026
Breaking Lara is book three in the Dark Series, and I highly recommend reading book two before starting this one, as it follows directly on from the cliffhanger.
I loved how Derek tried to fight the connection he so obviously shares with Lara. He’s always been the womaniser of the series, but she is the one who could change all of that — and as they say, people don’t like change.
I absolutely adore Lara. She is effortlessly funny, without even realising it herself. I love how Penny has written her character; even though Lara doesn’t do much talking at the beginning of the book, you can’t help but love her. You see her grow and evolve from someone who comes across as sweet, timid, and innocent, into someone who can, at the flip of a switch, become robotic, cold, and completely kick-ass.
That Halloween scene… OMG. FIRE 🔥🔥🔥
That’s all I’m saying — you need to read it.
And that ending! Once again, Penny, why are you doing this to me? Now I have to wait for book four, but I know it will be worth it.
Each book in the series introduces the man who will be the MMC in the next book, so I was hoping for a little more Mark in preparation for book four. However, he is the dark, mysterious type, so I guess it’s no surprise.
I loved how Derek tried to fight the connection he so obviously shares with Lara. He’s always been the womaniser of the series, but she is the one who could change all of that — and as they say, people don’t like change.
I absolutely adore Lara. She is effortlessly funny, without even realising it herself. I love how Penny has written her character; even though Lara doesn’t do much talking at the beginning of the book, you can’t help but love her. You see her grow and evolve from someone who comes across as sweet, timid, and innocent, into someone who can, at the flip of a switch, become robotic, cold, and completely kick-ass.
That Halloween scene… OMG. FIRE 🔥🔥🔥
That’s all I’m saying — you need to read it.
And that ending! Once again, Penny, why are you doing this to me? Now I have to wait for book four, but I know it will be worth it.
Each book in the series introduces the man who will be the MMC in the next book, so I was hoping for a little more Mark in preparation for book four. However, he is the dark, mysterious type, so I guess it’s no surprise.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews