What do you think?
Shadowed States #2
Starving Butterfly
They took my daughter, thinking I would shatter.
They were mistaken.
Violence raised me.
Groomed me to obey.
Trained me to endure.
I am done letting men decide what happens to my body, my child, or my future.
Scott is gone.
Dustin pulled the trigger.
Cole won’t meet my eyes.
They called it protection.
I call it control.
These men were divided long before they ever stood beside me. Now they’ll choose — loyalty or blood.
I will not beg.
I will not cry.
I will not ask for permission.
If the world wants war —
I will create one.
Pain was only the beginning.
Death is only temporary.
But this time —
We choose who survives.
Author’s Note: Starving Butterfly is a pitch black/horror steamy Why choose romance, with detailed graphic content that may be disturbing for some readers.
They were mistaken.
Violence raised me.
Groomed me to obey.
Trained me to endure.
I am done letting men decide what happens to my body, my child, or my future.
Scott is gone.
Dustin pulled the trigger.
Cole won’t meet my eyes.
They called it protection.
I call it control.
These men were divided long before they ever stood beside me. Now they’ll choose — loyalty or blood.
I will not beg.
I will not cry.
I will not ask for permission.
If the world wants war —
I will create one.
Pain was only the beginning.
Death is only temporary.
But this time —
We choose who survives.
Author’s Note: Starving Butterfly is a pitch black/horror steamy Why choose romance, with detailed graphic content that may be disturbing for some readers.
- GenresDark Romance
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2026
About the author
F. King Hayes
9 books92 followersI am a writer, I write dark romance that sometimes ends up as horror er0tic whooops
Reader of basically everything fiction might see some wild things come out of me.
Reader of basically everything fiction might see some wild things come out of me.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 14, 2026
This is a great sequel. It’s so unhinged and also what an unexpected twist. And the ending… argh cliffy. Need book three soon!
There’s so much going on. I don’t know if I was fully able to take it all in. I needed to let it simmer afterwards. And although I was confused at times where we were dropped into the story, I figured it out and I did enjoy it to the fullest. I will say that it’s still a lot of story to follow. But I can’t say this is spice with out plot because it has heeps of both 💯
This is pitch black, female rage, sorta why choose - she enjoys all the MMC’s and they enjoy her 😉 She has a complicated history with most of them. He father sold her as a child, he’s the worst. If you didn’t know, these characters and the story are interconnected with @author.sky.blu’s Saving the angle of death series. So lots to get into here.
Summer kicks ass. She’s amazing, strong and relentless. …and these men are not hero’s, more like terrible anti hero’s and morally black. Pitch black 🖤
There’s so much going on. I don’t know if I was fully able to take it all in. I needed to let it simmer afterwards. And although I was confused at times where we were dropped into the story, I figured it out and I did enjoy it to the fullest. I will say that it’s still a lot of story to follow. But I can’t say this is spice with out plot because it has heeps of both 💯
This is pitch black, female rage, sorta why choose - she enjoys all the MMC’s and they enjoy her 😉 She has a complicated history with most of them. He father sold her as a child, he’s the worst. If you didn’t know, these characters and the story are interconnected with @author.sky.blu’s Saving the angle of death series. So lots to get into here.
Summer kicks ass. She’s amazing, strong and relentless. …and these men are not hero’s, more like terrible anti hero’s and morally black. Pitch black 🖤
May 6, 2026
Starving Butterfly 🦋
Ok, I’m sat in complete shock & full of adrenaline whilst writing this review. I loved this so so much!! It was so much more than I expected!! I did message Hayes throughout because there were too many moments that had me needing to discuss!
Slaughtered Firefly, was full of layers not just Summers but the multiple men that all had issues but all had their purpose too. It delved deep into each characters background, what Summer went through, what the men had to offer & why they were all so important to Summer
Whereas Starving Butterfly shows us the progression of these characters, new relationships & new sides to them. Whilst also showing us who Summer should have trusted & who she should have just shot point blank dead 🥲
I still really feel for her! She went through so much & it never ends for her 😭 Will she ever get a happy ending? 🥲 I LOVED the new relationships & how everyone came together for Summer (in more ways than one 😉)
Safe to say it was absolutely unreal! I loved every single part of it, it took me 2 days (stupid work) but my god did I devour and take in every single last word!! I was SHOOK from the very first chapters until the very end…(that ending was naughty!!)
Anyways, this is releasing on 14th May, add to your TBR, pre-order & Makesure you read slaughtered firefly first!! You will honestly LOVE them!!
Thank you again to Hayes for letting me ARC for you, I shall now be on the pester for the next release 🤣🤎
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ok, I’m sat in complete shock & full of adrenaline whilst writing this review. I loved this so so much!! It was so much more than I expected!! I did message Hayes throughout because there were too many moments that had me needing to discuss!
Slaughtered Firefly, was full of layers not just Summers but the multiple men that all had issues but all had their purpose too. It delved deep into each characters background, what Summer went through, what the men had to offer & why they were all so important to Summer
Whereas Starving Butterfly shows us the progression of these characters, new relationships & new sides to them. Whilst also showing us who Summer should have trusted & who she should have just shot point blank dead 🥲
I still really feel for her! She went through so much & it never ends for her 😭 Will she ever get a happy ending? 🥲 I LOVED the new relationships & how everyone came together for Summer (in more ways than one 😉)
Safe to say it was absolutely unreal! I loved every single part of it, it took me 2 days (stupid work) but my god did I devour and take in every single last word!! I was SHOOK from the very first chapters until the very end…(that ending was naughty!!)
Anyways, this is releasing on 14th May, add to your TBR, pre-order & Makesure you read slaughtered firefly first!! You will honestly LOVE them!!
Thank you again to Hayes for letting me ARC for you, I shall now be on the pester for the next release 🤣🤎
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 7, 2026
If you haven’t read the first book, please do and familiarize yourself because you’re about to be heavily traumatized over and over again. I had to mentally prepare myself for this book and do some breath work 🤣
Girl what the hell x2. That recap had my anxiety sky high before I even started the first chapter because I just knew this book was going to be devastatingly rough but worth it. I hate Cole. I don’t care how much trauma they’ve endured both with/without one another… but I’ll never forgive him and neither should Summer. I love her back & fourth banter with Lucas even if he is terrible. Nice little twist the younger brothers. Wasn’t expecting that at all. Scott’s justice was delicious. Ethan, I need more back story on him. And Karter!? I need book 3 asap.
This book was not as intense as the first. But don’t let that sentence fool you because it is still intense compared to others. I love Hayes writing style. You get quick to the story and leave no room for filler or fluff. This book was a “read in one sitting” type of read. Thank you! Can’t wait for the next one
Girl what the hell x2. That recap had my anxiety sky high before I even started the first chapter because I just knew this book was going to be devastatingly rough but worth it. I hate Cole. I don’t care how much trauma they’ve endured both with/without one another… but I’ll never forgive him and neither should Summer. I love her back & fourth banter with Lucas even if he is terrible. Nice little twist the younger brothers. Wasn’t expecting that at all. Scott’s justice was delicious. Ethan, I need more back story on him. And Karter!? I need book 3 asap.
This book was not as intense as the first. But don’t let that sentence fool you because it is still intense compared to others. I love Hayes writing style. You get quick to the story and leave no room for filler or fluff. This book was a “read in one sitting” type of read. Thank you! Can’t wait for the next one
May 14, 2026
WHAT did i read?? HOLY DARKNESS!! I Loved every minute of it!!
May 6, 2026
Why 😭😭😭😭My heart is broken 💔
This book was fast past paced with all kinds of F***ery!!
So much to unpack & dots connected with even more questions!!
4.5 ⭐️’s!!
This book was fast past paced with all kinds of F***ery!!
So much to unpack & dots connected with even more questions!!
4.5 ⭐️’s!!
May 14, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
F. King Hayes has once again proven she is completely unafraid to drag her readers into the darkest corners of humanity and make them feel every brutal second of it.
Starving Butterfly is emotionally devastating, psychologically intense, and impossible to look away from. This story takes everything established in Slaughtered Firefly and deepens it. The trauma, the survival, the rage, and the desperate search for something resembling hope.
What makes Hayes’s writing so effective is that she never uses darkness purely for shock value. Every horrific moment serves the story and the characters, making the emotional impact feel painfully real. Even in the bleakest moments, there are threads of hope woven throughout the chaos, and that fragile hope is exactly what makes this book so heartbreaking.
The interconnected storylines, layered reveals, and character development are brilliantly executed. Long-running threads begin colliding in ways that completely reframe earlier events, making the world feel immersive, complex, and horrifyingly alive.
And the ending? Absolutely soul-crushing.
This book left me emotionally wrecked and that final stretch had me staring at the wall trying to process everything I had just read.
F. King Hayes doesn’t just write dark fiction.
She writes emotional warfare. 🖤
*Check your triggers*
F. King Hayes has once again proven she is completely unafraid to drag her readers into the darkest corners of humanity and make them feel every brutal second of it.
Starving Butterfly is emotionally devastating, psychologically intense, and impossible to look away from. This story takes everything established in Slaughtered Firefly and deepens it. The trauma, the survival, the rage, and the desperate search for something resembling hope.
What makes Hayes’s writing so effective is that she never uses darkness purely for shock value. Every horrific moment serves the story and the characters, making the emotional impact feel painfully real. Even in the bleakest moments, there are threads of hope woven throughout the chaos, and that fragile hope is exactly what makes this book so heartbreaking.
The interconnected storylines, layered reveals, and character development are brilliantly executed. Long-running threads begin colliding in ways that completely reframe earlier events, making the world feel immersive, complex, and horrifyingly alive.
And the ending? Absolutely soul-crushing.
This book left me emotionally wrecked and that final stretch had me staring at the wall trying to process everything I had just read.
F. King Hayes doesn’t just write dark fiction.
She writes emotional warfare. 🖤
*Check your triggers*
May 14, 2026
First, thank you Fawn for the opportunity to read another one of your books as an ARC. Starving Butterfly is such an emotional roller coaster that I am still trying to wrap my head around!!!
I will finish this review soon because I am still in shock! I could tell you this much this is a must read 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Ok, I am back ☀️ what an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end!! summer was everything and I love Cole. The other characters in the book have been developed so well that it just all merges together. I cannot wait for the third one.
I will finish this review soon because I am still in shock! I could tell you this much this is a must read 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Ok, I am back ☀️ what an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end!! summer was everything and I love Cole. The other characters in the book have been developed so well that it just all merges together. I cannot wait for the third one.
May 14, 2026
This book feels like a complete emotional spiral in the darkest possible way. Starving Butterfly doesn’t just flirt with horror elements or darker romance themes; it fully throws itself into brutality, trauma, psychological destruction, and survival without softening any of it. The entire story feels raw and jagged, like every character is barely holding themselves together while standing knee-deep in violence, grief, and revenge. And honestly, that heaviness hangs over every single page.
Summer is one of those protagonists who immediately feels emotionally dangerous, not because she’s unstable for shock value, but because you can feel how much pain, rage, and survival instinct are constantly fighting inside her at once. She doesn’t come across as someone trying to heal quietly or gently. She feels like someone who has been pushed beyond the point of endurance and has finally stopped caring about being “good” in the eyes of anyone else. There’s this constant refusal to submit anymore that drives so much of the emotional intensity of the story.
What really stood out to me about her character is that the book never strips away her agency even when exploring horrific trauma and control. Her anger feels earned. Her violence feels deeply tied to reclamation. She’s messy, ruthless, emotionally fractured, and honestly terrifying at times, but underneath all of that is this desperate need to take ownership over a life and body that other people have controlled for far too long. That emotional core gives the story so much weight underneath all the bloodshed and horror.
And the relationship dynamics throughout this book are incredibly complicated in the best way for darker romance. Nothing feels simple or emotionally clean here. Every connection feels tangled up in guilt, loyalty, betrayal, protection, trauma, and power imbalance. The men surrounding Summer aren’t written as straightforward saviors, and I appreciated that a lot. Their possessiveness, loyalty, and attempts at protection constantly blur into control, manipulation, and emotional damage, which creates this ongoing tension where trust never fully feels stable.
The emotional atmosphere of this book honestly feels suffocating at times. There’s this constant sense that everyone is haunted by things they can never fully escape, whether that’s childhood abuse, violence, grief, or the systems that shaped them into who they are now. Even quieter moments still carry this underlying tension because the story never lets you forget how dangerous this world is or how emotionally broken these characters already were before the plot even began.
I also really appreciated how horror-infused the story feels beyond just the graphic content itself. The psychological fragmentation, the non-stop emotional pressure, the bodily autonomy themes, the cycles of abuse and violence, all of it creates this feeling of dread that lingers constantly in the background. This isn’t dark romance that uses trauma as aesthetic. The trauma is embedded into every relationship, every choice, every reaction these characters have.
The mafia and syndicate world adds so much to that emotional claustrophobia too because nobody truly feels safe anywhere. Loyalty constantly feels conditional. Violence feels inevitable. And every relationship carries this sense that love and destruction are existing side by side at all times. The book leans heavily into morally broken characters trying to survive systems designed to consume them, and because of that, the emotional stakes feel incredibly high throughout.
Overall, this is absolutely not a light dark romance. It’s pitch-black, emotionally brutal, psychologically heavy, and deeply rooted in trauma, vengeance, and survival. If you enjoy horror-heavy with morally gray characters, graphic violence, emotionally fractured relationships, possessive dynamics, and heroines who stop asking permission to survive, Starving Butterfly will absolutely consume you.
As always be mindful of any trigger warnings, what I like you may not.
Happy Reading! ✨📚
Summer is one of those protagonists who immediately feels emotionally dangerous, not because she’s unstable for shock value, but because you can feel how much pain, rage, and survival instinct are constantly fighting inside her at once. She doesn’t come across as someone trying to heal quietly or gently. She feels like someone who has been pushed beyond the point of endurance and has finally stopped caring about being “good” in the eyes of anyone else. There’s this constant refusal to submit anymore that drives so much of the emotional intensity of the story.
What really stood out to me about her character is that the book never strips away her agency even when exploring horrific trauma and control. Her anger feels earned. Her violence feels deeply tied to reclamation. She’s messy, ruthless, emotionally fractured, and honestly terrifying at times, but underneath all of that is this desperate need to take ownership over a life and body that other people have controlled for far too long. That emotional core gives the story so much weight underneath all the bloodshed and horror.
And the relationship dynamics throughout this book are incredibly complicated in the best way for darker romance. Nothing feels simple or emotionally clean here. Every connection feels tangled up in guilt, loyalty, betrayal, protection, trauma, and power imbalance. The men surrounding Summer aren’t written as straightforward saviors, and I appreciated that a lot. Their possessiveness, loyalty, and attempts at protection constantly blur into control, manipulation, and emotional damage, which creates this ongoing tension where trust never fully feels stable.
The emotional atmosphere of this book honestly feels suffocating at times. There’s this constant sense that everyone is haunted by things they can never fully escape, whether that’s childhood abuse, violence, grief, or the systems that shaped them into who they are now. Even quieter moments still carry this underlying tension because the story never lets you forget how dangerous this world is or how emotionally broken these characters already were before the plot even began.
I also really appreciated how horror-infused the story feels beyond just the graphic content itself. The psychological fragmentation, the non-stop emotional pressure, the bodily autonomy themes, the cycles of abuse and violence, all of it creates this feeling of dread that lingers constantly in the background. This isn’t dark romance that uses trauma as aesthetic. The trauma is embedded into every relationship, every choice, every reaction these characters have.
The mafia and syndicate world adds so much to that emotional claustrophobia too because nobody truly feels safe anywhere. Loyalty constantly feels conditional. Violence feels inevitable. And every relationship carries this sense that love and destruction are existing side by side at all times. The book leans heavily into morally broken characters trying to survive systems designed to consume them, and because of that, the emotional stakes feel incredibly high throughout.
Overall, this is absolutely not a light dark romance. It’s pitch-black, emotionally brutal, psychologically heavy, and deeply rooted in trauma, vengeance, and survival. If you enjoy horror-heavy with morally gray characters, graphic violence, emotionally fractured relationships, possessive dynamics, and heroines who stop asking permission to survive, Starving Butterfly will absolutely consume you.
As always be mindful of any trigger warnings, what I like you may not.
Happy Reading! ✨📚
Review of advance copy received from Author
⚠️ Warning!!! This book has very pitch-black themes - Please check TW/CW!!! ⚠️ This is book 2, so book 1 has to be read first. My review WILL contain spoilers from the first one!
This is a tragic tale of survival, heartbreak, betrayal, loss, and revenge. How people are used and shaped by those in high places of money and corruption, the criminal underworld syndicates. And an innocent, brave, beautiful, and sweet little butterfly.... 💔🦋. I have no words.
Omg - grab your tissues (and a lot of them) and as another reader warned me, find a wall to stare at.
The cliffhanger left us with Dustin pulling the trigger, Scott being held captive after trying to take matters into his own hands, and Cole having lost the one person in the world that Summer truly loved. And now she's on a single mission → to find her little girl. She'll burn down the world to find her; anyone who's in her way won't be standing for long!
I loved being back in this world. The mystery, suspense and twists are addictive. However, it is a world that is way too cruel, cold, and inhumane. Our little butterfly is so sweet, innocent, but also strong and fierce, just like her mom. I was so excited for them to finally be together after she was taken from Summer in such a heartbreaking way.
Dustin is trying to find his brother and doesn't know if he's on the side of the good or bad guys anymore. Scott doesn't want to live anymore, believing that if he ever comes face to face with Summer again, she will hate him for what happened. And Cole... my heart always breaks for him and Summer - the love that they shared, their traumatic past, what they had to endure from the very beginning. A before-and-after scenario that changes your life forever, where things that could have been in a different lifetime 😭. But this time, I don't know how he's going to come back from his choices. I am so angry and hurt with him right now, I can't decide how I want his story to turn out, lol. Summer is her same fiercely strong and determined self that I love, and I truly admire how she goes after what she wants unapologetically. And after all the horrors she's experienced and things she was forced to do, she deserves a happy ending.
I also want to note that a couple of MCs switched things up in this book, and I absolutely loved it! I can't wait to read more about them together.
There is one part of the story that just absolutely shattered me (please read the TWs), and I so wished it didn't happen.... but it did 😭😭😭🤧💔. I'm not sure how some people will get their HEA moving forward, so I'm looking forward to how that plays out.
There are also a few other characters whose perspectives we get to read, which I really enjoyed! Some questions were answered, some I still have, and new ones have come up (which I know we'll get in the 3rd book). Hayes has an amazing talent for weaving such an intricate web that's addictive. Everything is written for a reason, and complex connections are designed throughout the entire book; it's amazing. I can not wait for the third book!!
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice/Heat Intensity: 3 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Dustin, Scott, Cole, & Summer
Nickname: Little Firecracker
Darkness: 10 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️
Type of book: MMMF, Why Choose, Multiple 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Books need to be read in order
Title: Shadowed States Series- Starving Butterfly: Book 2
Ending Type: Cliffhanger
*Cheating, Sharing - sort of a love triangle
*Torture, Gore, Violence
*Vengeance
*Female Rage
*MF/MM
*Death of Character
*Death of a child
*Non-Con flashback
*Flashbacks to CSA
*Non-Con present day
*Starvation of a child
*Secrets revealed
🛑⚠️ This book has very pitch-black themes; there are descriptive parts that will be extremely offensive or triggering to some. Please check all the authors' TW/CW before reading! 18+ ⚠️🛑
*I received an early copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving this review.
This is a tragic tale of survival, heartbreak, betrayal, loss, and revenge. How people are used and shaped by those in high places of money and corruption, the criminal underworld syndicates. And an innocent, brave, beautiful, and sweet little butterfly.... 💔🦋. I have no words.
Omg - grab your tissues (and a lot of them) and as another reader warned me, find a wall to stare at.
The cliffhanger left us with Dustin pulling the trigger, Scott being held captive after trying to take matters into his own hands, and Cole having lost the one person in the world that Summer truly loved. And now she's on a single mission → to find her little girl. She'll burn down the world to find her; anyone who's in her way won't be standing for long!
I loved being back in this world. The mystery, suspense and twists are addictive. However, it is a world that is way too cruel, cold, and inhumane. Our little butterfly is so sweet, innocent, but also strong and fierce, just like her mom. I was so excited for them to finally be together after she was taken from Summer in such a heartbreaking way.
Dustin is trying to find his brother and doesn't know if he's on the side of the good or bad guys anymore. Scott doesn't want to live anymore, believing that if he ever comes face to face with Summer again, she will hate him for what happened. And Cole... my heart always breaks for him and Summer - the love that they shared, their traumatic past, what they had to endure from the very beginning. A before-and-after scenario that changes your life forever, where things that could have been in a different lifetime 😭. But this time, I don't know how he's going to come back from his choices. I am so angry and hurt with him right now, I can't decide how I want his story to turn out, lol. Summer is her same fiercely strong and determined self that I love, and I truly admire how she goes after what she wants unapologetically. And after all the horrors she's experienced and things she was forced to do, she deserves a happy ending.
I also want to note that a couple of MCs switched things up in this book, and I absolutely loved it! I can't wait to read more about them together.
There is one part of the story that just absolutely shattered me (please read the TWs), and I so wished it didn't happen.... but it did 😭😭😭🤧💔. I'm not sure how some people will get their HEA moving forward, so I'm looking forward to how that plays out.
There are also a few other characters whose perspectives we get to read, which I really enjoyed! Some questions were answered, some I still have, and new ones have come up (which I know we'll get in the 3rd book). Hayes has an amazing talent for weaving such an intricate web that's addictive. Everything is written for a reason, and complex connections are designed throughout the entire book; it's amazing. I can not wait for the third book!!
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice/Heat Intensity: 3 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Dustin, Scott, Cole, & Summer
Nickname: Little Firecracker
Darkness: 10 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️
Type of book: MMMF, Why Choose, Multiple 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Books need to be read in order
Title: Shadowed States Series- Starving Butterfly: Book 2
Ending Type: Cliffhanger
*Cheating, Sharing - sort of a love triangle
*Torture, Gore, Violence
*Vengeance
*Female Rage
*MF/MM
*Death of Character
*Death of a child
*Non-Con flashback
*Flashbacks to CSA
*Non-Con present day
*Starvation of a child
*Secrets revealed
🛑⚠️ This book has very pitch-black themes; there are descriptive parts that will be extremely offensive or triggering to some. Please check all the authors' TW/CW before reading! 18+ ⚠️🛑
*I received an early copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving this review.
May 11, 2026
Possible spoilers
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F. King Hayes Really Chose Violence With This Ending
I finished Starving Butterfly by F. King Hayes a week ago and just sat there staring into space wondering what the actual fuck did I just read. Why did it have to end that way?! I’m still not over it.
One of my daughter’s name is Gabriella, and I never understood why people struggled reading books with their kids’ names in them… now I get it. Every scene involving Gabriella hit me so much harder emotionally.
Summer is an absolute bad ass FMC. That woman has been through hell and back… and then dragged back through hell again. Every time you think maybe she’ll finally catch a break, life throws something else at her. My heart genuinely hurt for her the entire book. Her strength, even while completely broken at times, made me love her even more.
Cole frustrated me SO much because he was clearly so lost and carrying so much guilt, but I was honestly angry he didn’t speak up sooner. Things could have been so different for Gabriella. That part absolutely wrecked me.
Scott’s story was another one that hit hard. He went through so much trauma and pain, but the moment Dustin saved him and they had that scene in the bathroom… IYKYK.. I literally squealed. I didn’t realize how badly I needed that moment for both of them until it happened. It was emotional, tender, and honestly one of my favorite moments in the book.
Karter is such a complicated character because all he wants is a family and a place to belong, but he’s willing to do some seriously messed up things to get it. You almost hate him and feel bad for him at the same time. But who am I kidding, I can’t hate him.
And Lucas? Lucas is still completely fucked up, but honestly I love that about him. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything, doesn’t pretend to be someone he’s not, and somehow that raw honesty makes him one of the most interesting characters in the story.
Every single character in this book is carrying trauma, pain, grief, or damage in some way, and watching them continue to endure everything life throws at them was emotionally exhausting in the best way possible. This book ripped my heart out repeatedly and I still couldn’t put it down.
Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for book 3 because I NEED answers immediately.
This is the 3rd book I’ve read by F. King Hayes and I’m in love with her story telling. She has gained a forever reader. I will be stalking her page and accounts.
As always, please check trigger warnings before reading. Happy reading. Xo 💋
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F. King Hayes Really Chose Violence With This Ending
I finished Starving Butterfly by F. King Hayes a week ago and just sat there staring into space wondering what the actual fuck did I just read. Why did it have to end that way?! I’m still not over it.
One of my daughter’s name is Gabriella, and I never understood why people struggled reading books with their kids’ names in them… now I get it. Every scene involving Gabriella hit me so much harder emotionally.
Summer is an absolute bad ass FMC. That woman has been through hell and back… and then dragged back through hell again. Every time you think maybe she’ll finally catch a break, life throws something else at her. My heart genuinely hurt for her the entire book. Her strength, even while completely broken at times, made me love her even more.
Cole frustrated me SO much because he was clearly so lost and carrying so much guilt, but I was honestly angry he didn’t speak up sooner. Things could have been so different for Gabriella. That part absolutely wrecked me.
Scott’s story was another one that hit hard. He went through so much trauma and pain, but the moment Dustin saved him and they had that scene in the bathroom… IYKYK.. I literally squealed. I didn’t realize how badly I needed that moment for both of them until it happened. It was emotional, tender, and honestly one of my favorite moments in the book.
Karter is such a complicated character because all he wants is a family and a place to belong, but he’s willing to do some seriously messed up things to get it. You almost hate him and feel bad for him at the same time. But who am I kidding, I can’t hate him.
And Lucas? Lucas is still completely fucked up, but honestly I love that about him. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything, doesn’t pretend to be someone he’s not, and somehow that raw honesty makes him one of the most interesting characters in the story.
Every single character in this book is carrying trauma, pain, grief, or damage in some way, and watching them continue to endure everything life throws at them was emotionally exhausting in the best way possible. This book ripped my heart out repeatedly and I still couldn’t put it down.
Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for book 3 because I NEED answers immediately.
This is the 3rd book I’ve read by F. King Hayes and I’m in love with her story telling. She has gained a forever reader. I will be stalking her page and accounts.
As always, please check trigger warnings before reading. Happy reading. Xo 💋
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I took some time to process before writing this review and honestly I'm still screaming. I devoured this. I absolutely love this authors books! You definitely have to read slaughtered firefly before this! Book 1 sets the foundation and this one just well it blows up. Literally.
The trauma, the heartache, this was so emotional. Summer can't catch a break! Not just Summer, shoot, most of these characters can't catch a break. Things just kept coming that I wasn't expecting and this entire thing is one giant mindf*ck! 🖤 I'm stressed 😂 All the characters are messy, but I love them all together. Except Cole..I'm so so so mad at him right now. Grrr...
My thoughts are scattered all over the place 😂😭 I'm mad, I'm upset. I loved it. Like LOVED this! I'm still heartbroken. Sigh. I LOVED seeing some other characters in this. Even tho roles might of been small or even just a drop of a name! That's all I'll say about that.
The ending. I'm not even ready to discuss that but ok let's do it 😂 WTF. Cliffhanger!!!!! I need book 3 now so I can either be completely destroyed emotionally or completely healed. I'm left in limbo right now and I NEED answers!!!!! 😭😭😭
This one literally took my breath away. I'm left questioning time lines, comparing, trying to piece answers together on my own. Honestly, this one might of jumped to my favorite from this author. Well freaking done! Is book 3 ready yet? Asking for a friend 😂
Sooo many twists and turns in this one. Very emotional ride. Quite the rollercoaster. As usual check the triggers. I think this one is going to stick with me for quite some time 🖤
✔️Pregnancy
✔️Serial 💀
✔️Betrayal
✔️Enemies forced to work together
✔️Reverse Harem
✔️Political corruption
✔️Trauma survival
✔️High angst
✔️Pitch black
✔️Captivity
The trauma, the heartache, this was so emotional. Summer can't catch a break! Not just Summer, shoot, most of these characters can't catch a break. Things just kept coming that I wasn't expecting and this entire thing is one giant mindf*ck! 🖤 I'm stressed 😂 All the characters are messy, but I love them all together. Except Cole..I'm so so so mad at him right now. Grrr...
My thoughts are scattered all over the place 😂😭 I'm mad, I'm upset. I loved it. Like LOVED this! I'm still heartbroken. Sigh. I LOVED seeing some other characters in this. Even tho roles might of been small or even just a drop of a name! That's all I'll say about that.
The ending. I'm not even ready to discuss that but ok let's do it 😂 WTF. Cliffhanger!!!!! I need book 3 now so I can either be completely destroyed emotionally or completely healed. I'm left in limbo right now and I NEED answers!!!!! 😭😭😭
This one literally took my breath away. I'm left questioning time lines, comparing, trying to piece answers together on my own. Honestly, this one might of jumped to my favorite from this author. Well freaking done! Is book 3 ready yet? Asking for a friend 😂
Sooo many twists and turns in this one. Very emotional ride. Quite the rollercoaster. As usual check the triggers. I think this one is going to stick with me for quite some time 🖤
✔️Pregnancy
✔️Serial 💀
✔️Betrayal
✔️Enemies forced to work together
✔️Reverse Harem
✔️Political corruption
✔️Trauma survival
✔️High angst
✔️Pitch black
✔️Captivity
Review of advance copy received from Author
What did I just read? No, seriously! Wow! Just…Wow! Between the "WTFs," the "noooooos," and the "OMGs," I spent the majority of the book gasping in shock. It was a total mindfuck.
First, Summer just can’t seem to catch a break. As if her past trauma wasn't enough, the layers just keep piling on. Honestly, I’m surprised she hasn’t had a complete mental breakdown yet. Although, the book does end on a massive cliffhanger, so there’s plenty of room for that in book three.
Cole? Yeah, he's an idiot. A complete and utter idiot. So much pain and sadness could have been avoided if he’d just been man enough to actually do something. I was already on the fence after book one, but now? I’m done. I don't care what he does to redeem himself in the next book. I just can’t with him.
Scott? That was a whole pile of "WTF." Seriously, the sweetest of the bunch gets the short end of the stick and is taken on a ride of fucked-up proportions. He has officially become my favorite. (Please, F. King Hayes, I am begging you! Do not ruin this for me. I love him and will be devastated if you mess with his character!).
Dustin is also an idiot, but seems to pull his head out of his ass. He's still an idiot, just one we somewhat like now. No matter the situation, he seems to stay level-headed. A feat with all the fuckery going on around him.
As we learn how interconnected these characters really are, the story gets even more complex. Just when you think you finally have it figured out, another plot twist slaps you upside the head. And even throughout all the fuckery, I still loved every minute of it.
First, Summer just can’t seem to catch a break. As if her past trauma wasn't enough, the layers just keep piling on. Honestly, I’m surprised she hasn’t had a complete mental breakdown yet. Although, the book does end on a massive cliffhanger, so there’s plenty of room for that in book three.
Cole? Yeah, he's an idiot. A complete and utter idiot. So much pain and sadness could have been avoided if he’d just been man enough to actually do something. I was already on the fence after book one, but now? I’m done. I don't care what he does to redeem himself in the next book. I just can’t with him.
Scott? That was a whole pile of "WTF." Seriously, the sweetest of the bunch gets the short end of the stick and is taken on a ride of fucked-up proportions. He has officially become my favorite. (Please, F. King Hayes, I am begging you! Do not ruin this for me. I love him and will be devastated if you mess with his character!).
Dustin is also an idiot, but seems to pull his head out of his ass. He's still an idiot, just one we somewhat like now. No matter the situation, he seems to stay level-headed. A feat with all the fuckery going on around him.
As we learn how interconnected these characters really are, the story gets even more complex. Just when you think you finally have it figured out, another plot twist slaps you upside the head. And even throughout all the fuckery, I still loved every minute of it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow. Just wow. Starving Butterfly is so different from the first book, Slaughtered Firefly, but so deeply dark and depressing in its own way.
I did not register the character crossover until this book and I was stoked. It answered some questions I had from Fixing Her, but definitely not all of them. I have so many more questions now.
I liked that a lot of the past trauma was left in the first book and this book had current trauma. It also had the best amount of feminine rage. The FMC fully unleashed her inner psychopath and I was here for it! I was hoping she would create chaos and she absolutely did.
The relationship development between most of the characters was fantastic. Especially between some of the MMCs 👀. There’s one character I definitely no longer like due to his own selfish decisions and other characters I definitely shouldn’t like and absolutely do.
I would say this book does not have an HEA and ends on a cliffhanger of sorts. After reading all three books, the author leaves the endings open as to create more books and more series within the same universe and timeline…I think, I hope.
The only part of this book I didn’t care for was the very long recap at the beginning. Having a recap of book one was a fantastic idea. It was just very long and kind of hard to follow with all the characters being involved.
If you like horror erotica or pitch black romance sorties then this series is for you. They are pitch black and have a lot of triggers. If that isn’t an issue for you, they are all so so good.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sign me up for your next arc release F. King Hayes! In obsessed.
I did not register the character crossover until this book and I was stoked. It answered some questions I had from Fixing Her, but definitely not all of them. I have so many more questions now.
I liked that a lot of the past trauma was left in the first book and this book had current trauma. It also had the best amount of feminine rage. The FMC fully unleashed her inner psychopath and I was here for it! I was hoping she would create chaos and she absolutely did.
The relationship development between most of the characters was fantastic. Especially between some of the MMCs 👀. There’s one character I definitely no longer like due to his own selfish decisions and other characters I definitely shouldn’t like and absolutely do.
I would say this book does not have an HEA and ends on a cliffhanger of sorts. After reading all three books, the author leaves the endings open as to create more books and more series within the same universe and timeline…I think, I hope.
The only part of this book I didn’t care for was the very long recap at the beginning. Having a recap of book one was a fantastic idea. It was just very long and kind of hard to follow with all the characters being involved.
If you like horror erotica or pitch black romance sorties then this series is for you. They are pitch black and have a lot of triggers. If that isn’t an issue for you, they are all so so good.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sign me up for your next arc release F. King Hayes! In obsessed.
May 14, 2026
F. King Hayes, I Need Emotional Compensation
OMG Besties… WTF. DID. I. JUST. READ?! "Starving Butterfly" came in swinging and immediately reminded me why Slaughtered Firefly is absolutely required reading first because Book 2 starts right where Book 1 leaves off. No easing in. No mercy. Just immediate chaos.😳
First, can we talk about that opening summary?! The characters interacting with the author had me grinning because it was such a clever, unexpected twist. I was obsessed before the story even fully started.💯
And Summer? Oh, this woman is DONE asking permission. Watching her step into rage, pain, and absolute destruction had me clutching my Kindle... Hard. Then add Cole, Scott, Dustin, Lucas, and Karter into this tangled disaster of betrayal, loyalty, secrets, and emotional damage?! Pure mindfawk energy. Every time I thought I understood what was happening, F. King Hayes said, “Cute,” and threw another twist directly at my face.😳
AND THAT ENDING?! F. KING HAYES. ABSOLUTELY NOT. A cliffhanger?! I am not a happy camper. I needed the next book yesterday. Also… read the TWs. Pitch black means PITCH BLACK.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 4/5
🥀 My ratings and review are my own. For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
OMG Besties… WTF. DID. I. JUST. READ?! "Starving Butterfly" came in swinging and immediately reminded me why Slaughtered Firefly is absolutely required reading first because Book 2 starts right where Book 1 leaves off. No easing in. No mercy. Just immediate chaos.😳
First, can we talk about that opening summary?! The characters interacting with the author had me grinning because it was such a clever, unexpected twist. I was obsessed before the story even fully started.💯
And Summer? Oh, this woman is DONE asking permission. Watching her step into rage, pain, and absolute destruction had me clutching my Kindle... Hard. Then add Cole, Scott, Dustin, Lucas, and Karter into this tangled disaster of betrayal, loyalty, secrets, and emotional damage?! Pure mindfawk energy. Every time I thought I understood what was happening, F. King Hayes said, “Cute,” and threw another twist directly at my face.😳
AND THAT ENDING?! F. KING HAYES. ABSOLUTELY NOT. A cliffhanger?! I am not a happy camper. I needed the next book yesterday. Also… read the TWs. Pitch black means PITCH BLACK.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 4/5
🥀 My ratings and review are my own. For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well thank you very much for shattering my heart💔 with another one of your truly beautifully tragic horror stories F. King Hayes.!
My eyes are all red and puffy and I have even more questions now with the completely breath stopping ending. Oh yes darklings get settled in for this crazy rollercoaster ride through Summers life that I thought couldn't get any worse. With all her men that are involved romantically and the history behind everyone explained more in depth.
All the love, betrayal, secrets and yes Summer and her full on rage, full of vengeance, the black hole in her heart with no room for remorse only revenge and so much blood. And just wait for the deep fried spirals 🤭🙃😏 I laughed so hard.
So first check TW before reading.
Then read Slaughtered Firefly first. Then get ready for more heart break and read this book. They are both incredible stories. For all of us lovers of the darkness and the bloody horror. These pitch/black steamy Why-Choose Romances are must reads.
I highly recommend this book and this series.
🤗🖤🖤🖤
My eyes are all red and puffy and I have even more questions now with the completely breath stopping ending. Oh yes darklings get settled in for this crazy rollercoaster ride through Summers life that I thought couldn't get any worse. With all her men that are involved romantically and the history behind everyone explained more in depth.
All the love, betrayal, secrets and yes Summer and her full on rage, full of vengeance, the black hole in her heart with no room for remorse only revenge and so much blood. And just wait for the deep fried spirals 🤭🙃😏 I laughed so hard.
So first check TW before reading.
Then read Slaughtered Firefly first. Then get ready for more heart break and read this book. They are both incredible stories. For all of us lovers of the darkness and the bloody horror. These pitch/black steamy Why-Choose Romances are must reads.
I highly recommend this book and this series.
🤗🖤🖤🖤
May 15, 2026
Wow! When they say check the triggers, they mean it.
I’m pretty new to the dark romance genre, so jumping into a pitch-black read definitely made me wary. Since this is the second book in the series, the author was kind enough to send me a copy of Slaughtered Firefly for continuity, and I’m so glad she did because this story is intense from start to finish. I genuinely had to take a few breaks in between chapters just to catch my breath.
It took me a little while to fully keep up with the timelines, but once everything started coming together, I was completely invested. My heart absolutely broke for the FMC. The amount of pain and suffering she endures throughout the story is devastating, and the emotional weight of it all really sticks with you.
This book is dark, heavy, and definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you enjoy intense dark romance with emotional impact, this one delivers. I really appreciate the opportunity to read and review this ARC from the author, and now I’m impatiently waiting for the next book!
I’m pretty new to the dark romance genre, so jumping into a pitch-black read definitely made me wary. Since this is the second book in the series, the author was kind enough to send me a copy of Slaughtered Firefly for continuity, and I’m so glad she did because this story is intense from start to finish. I genuinely had to take a few breaks in between chapters just to catch my breath.
It took me a little while to fully keep up with the timelines, but once everything started coming together, I was completely invested. My heart absolutely broke for the FMC. The amount of pain and suffering she endures throughout the story is devastating, and the emotional weight of it all really sticks with you.
This book is dark, heavy, and definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you enjoy intense dark romance with emotional impact, this one delivers. I really appreciate the opportunity to read and review this ARC from the author, and now I’m impatiently waiting for the next book!
May 28, 2026
This book takes place right where the first one left off. And let me tell you this book takes you for a wild wild ride!
Our girl Summer is on the hunt for her daughter. And let me tell you that nothing can stop a mom on a mission. We also get to see all the emotions and heartache she goes through while trying to find her baby girl. Once again we are taken on a roller-coaster of heartbreak and discovery. I don't want to give anything away but this book just hooks you and does not let go!
We also get a POV from her daughter which is just heart wrenching in itself. That girl is such a fighter just like her mom! All the emotions and thoughts that girl goes through in such a short amount of time is wild!
And that ending tho! And all that we find out!! My jaw was literally on the floor! So here I am anxiously waiting for the next book! Highly recommend for all my super dark loving girlies! There are some extreme tropes so please check before diving in!
Our girl Summer is on the hunt for her daughter. And let me tell you that nothing can stop a mom on a mission. We also get to see all the emotions and heartache she goes through while trying to find her baby girl. Once again we are taken on a roller-coaster of heartbreak and discovery. I don't want to give anything away but this book just hooks you and does not let go!
We also get a POV from her daughter which is just heart wrenching in itself. That girl is such a fighter just like her mom! All the emotions and thoughts that girl goes through in such a short amount of time is wild!
And that ending tho! And all that we find out!! My jaw was literally on the floor! So here I am anxiously waiting for the next book! Highly recommend for all my super dark loving girlies! There are some extreme tropes so please check before diving in!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I just finished Starving Butterfly and wow… this book absolutely destroyed me in the best way. F. King Hayes really went all in with the darkness, emotion, and chaos in this one.
After everything Summer’s already survived, She’s messy, broken, angry, and completely ruthless when she needs to be. I loved her.
The relationships are intense, toxic, emotional, and complicated in the best dark romance way possible. The twists kept hitting, the angst was brutal, and there were so many moments that genuinely shocked me. F. King Hayes balances the horror, revenge, spice, and found family elements so well that I couldn’t stop reading.
If you like your dark romance genuinely dark with betrayal, vengeance, morally grey men, and an FMC who fights back hard, this one is definitely worth the emotional damage.
After everything Summer’s already survived, She’s messy, broken, angry, and completely ruthless when she needs to be. I loved her.
The relationships are intense, toxic, emotional, and complicated in the best dark romance way possible. The twists kept hitting, the angst was brutal, and there were so many moments that genuinely shocked me. F. King Hayes balances the horror, revenge, spice, and found family elements so well that I couldn’t stop reading.
If you like your dark romance genuinely dark with betrayal, vengeance, morally grey men, and an FMC who fights back hard, this one is definitely worth the emotional damage.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Before going into to this please know your triggers. Your mental health matters!
This book picks up right at the end of Slaughtered Firefly. You get a funny Summery from the characters which was a nice touch. This was a wild ride with a lot of moving pieces. Summer is on a mission and there is always someone in her way trying to stop her. She can’t catch a break. This story is not for the faint of heart and leave you sobbing. This book for me was really good but had my cussin and wanting to throw my phone. I will say there were times I was confused with the timeline of events. I felt like when I got a character pov we were dropped in the middle of something and didn’t have the full story. That’s the only reason I gave it a 4star. Overall I want my girl to get her justice and can’t wait for part 3.
This book picks up right at the end of Slaughtered Firefly. You get a funny Summery from the characters which was a nice touch. This was a wild ride with a lot of moving pieces. Summer is on a mission and there is always someone in her way trying to stop her. She can’t catch a break. This story is not for the faint of heart and leave you sobbing. This book for me was really good but had my cussin and wanting to throw my phone. I will say there were times I was confused with the timeline of events. I felt like when I got a character pov we were dropped in the middle of something and didn’t have the full story. That’s the only reason I gave it a 4star. Overall I want my girl to get her justice and can’t wait for part 3.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Read trigger Warnings
I knew going into this book that it was going to be a destroy me!! I almost didnt sign up for the ARC but I am glad I did!
I was shocked all the way through. It was twist after twist and I dont think I had the same emotion between chapters. And the spice was on point!!
The trauma, lies, betrayal, and revenge was so beautifully written. Im still not over everything that happened in Starving Butterfly.
I absolutely love "Fck it" moments in books but when it was finally said in this book i think screamed with excitement. (Iykyk) i was not expecting that scene.
I definitely recommend Starving Butterfly but you do need to read Slaughtered Firefly and Fixing Her.
I would like to thank F.King Hayes for letting me be a part of the ARC team. I cant wait to read more about these characters.
I knew going into this book that it was going to be a destroy me!! I almost didnt sign up for the ARC but I am glad I did!
I was shocked all the way through. It was twist after twist and I dont think I had the same emotion between chapters. And the spice was on point!!
The trauma, lies, betrayal, and revenge was so beautifully written. Im still not over everything that happened in Starving Butterfly.
I absolutely love "Fck it" moments in books but when it was finally said in this book i think screamed with excitement. (Iykyk) i was not expecting that scene.
I definitely recommend Starving Butterfly but you do need to read Slaughtered Firefly and Fixing Her.
I would like to thank F.King Hayes for letting me be a part of the ARC team. I cant wait to read more about these characters.
May 15, 2026
Before going into to this please know your triggers. Your mental health matters!
I had the pleasure of ARC reading Starving Butterfly. This book picks up right at the end of Slaughtered Firefly. You get a funny Summery from the characters which was a nice touch. This was a wild ride with a lot of moving pieces. Summer is on a mission and there is always someone in her way trying to stop her. She can’t catch a break. This story is not for the faint of heart and leave you sobbing. This book for me was really good but had me cussin and wanting to throw my phone. I will say there were times I was confused with the timeline of events. I felt like when I got a character pov we were dropped in the middle of something and didn’t have the full story. That’s the only reason I gave it a 4star. Overall I want my girl to get her justice and can’t wait for part 3
I had the pleasure of ARC reading Starving Butterfly. This book picks up right at the end of Slaughtered Firefly. You get a funny Summery from the characters which was a nice touch. This was a wild ride with a lot of moving pieces. Summer is on a mission and there is always someone in her way trying to stop her. She can’t catch a break. This story is not for the faint of heart and leave you sobbing. This book for me was really good but had me cussin and wanting to throw my phone. I will say there were times I was confused with the timeline of events. I felt like when I got a character pov we were dropped in the middle of something and didn’t have the full story. That’s the only reason I gave it a 4star. Overall I want my girl to get her justice and can’t wait for part 3
June 1, 2026
Starving Butterfly is a brilliant, dark mindfuck of a sequel that completely raises the stakes from book one. The way the author weaves together insane plot twists and deepens the raw trauma and survival dynamics is nothing short of flawless. Summer is put through the absolute ringer here, and watching her try to navigate her complicated web of men and figure out who deserves her trust versus who deserves a bullet and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The character growth is incredible; Cole is incredibly frustrating, Dustin does his best to keep a level head, and Scott completely stole my heart despite the total chaos surrounding them.
The final chapters are pure adrenaline and wrap up on a soul crushing and will completely wreck you by the sheer emotional warfare. It's a phenomenal read, but I need a book three to heal from this immediately!
The final chapters are pure adrenaline and wrap up on a soul crushing and will completely wreck you by the sheer emotional warfare. It's a phenomenal read, but I need a book three to heal from this immediately!
June 5, 2026
This is the second book in the Shadowed States series. And I am standing here with a hand over my mouth thinking “OMFG!!! What did I just read?!!!” I had a hard time wrapping my head around this story…It was crazy and unhinged and had me bawling my eyes out!! It was a total mind screw!!
This story was a hair raising, death defying roller coaster ride. It had me cringing, peed off, panting and crying. Sometimes I had to go back and reread a certain section to make sure I read what I read! Although it was wild and crazy, I thoroughly enjoyed this stomach dropping story. It was hair raising and death defying and I need to ride this roller coaster again!!
Thank you, F. King Hayes, for this chaotic and mind-blowing book. You have truly become one of my favorite authors. And I look forward to adding the rest of your books to my TBR list.
This story was a hair raising, death defying roller coaster ride. It had me cringing, peed off, panting and crying. Sometimes I had to go back and reread a certain section to make sure I read what I read! Although it was wild and crazy, I thoroughly enjoyed this stomach dropping story. It was hair raising and death defying and I need to ride this roller coaster again!!
Thank you, F. King Hayes, for this chaotic and mind-blowing book. You have truly become one of my favorite authors. And I look forward to adding the rest of your books to my TBR list.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book early..and just WOW!!!! It was sooooo good! Summer..this poor girl has been through it. If you read Slaughtered Firefly..which you HAVE to read before this one..then you know! But her guys 🥵🌶️..they take care of her. I love the way F. King Hayes puts a summary of the 1st book..and how she tells it! I was sitting on the edge of my seat..and I still sitting there after finishing. The book was so sad 😭..but the revenge is AMAZING!!! There are times that my jaw just dropped and I was like WTH! IYKYK! It ends on a HUGE cliffhanger..but so worth it! I can’t wait for book 3! Definitely a must read!
Review of advance copy
4.25 ⭐'s
WOW!!! First check your trigger warnings. This is a DARK DARK RH. Also, even though there is a spectacular recap and intro from the author, you should really read Slaughtered Firefly.
I like this book more than book 1, there were less flashbacks and more of Summer and her men. This book picks up directly where book 1 leaves off. So strap in because you are in for a hell of a ride. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster! My heart broke so many times. The spice is definitely SPICING! I was entranced from the beginning, and loved every bit until the very end. I need the next book like now!
WOW!!! First check your trigger warnings. This is a DARK DARK RH. Also, even though there is a spectacular recap and intro from the author, you should really read Slaughtered Firefly.
I like this book more than book 1, there were less flashbacks and more of Summer and her men. This book picks up directly where book 1 leaves off. So strap in because you are in for a hell of a ride. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster! My heart broke so many times. The spice is definitely SPICING! I was entranced from the beginning, and loved every bit until the very end. I need the next book like now!
May 14, 2026
Devastated. That’s it. That’s all I got for it. Every emotion possible was felt. I threw my phone a couple of times not even gonna lie. This world. These characters and my main man Karter are permanently imbedded into my soul. Through all the devastation and heartbreak it all comes back to one thing, but are they going to be able to have their happy ending or is Midas going to continue tearing it all apart and my god Cole; I could drop kick you. Scott. DADDY CHAPTER 33 and 34 dear lord sweet baby Jesus every single day of the week.
BUT THAT CLIFFHANGER I WILL RIOT IF ANYTHING AND I MEAN ANYTHING HAPPENS TO KARTER
BUT THAT CLIFFHANGER I WILL RIOT IF ANYTHING AND I MEAN ANYTHING HAPPENS TO KARTER
Review of advance copy received from Author
I already knew going into Starving Butterfly that F. King Hayes was going to hand me an absolutely unhinged plot, but I was NOT prepared for the emotional damage this series would deliver. Book 2 Starving Butterfly hit so much harder than I expected. Beneath all the chaos, tension, and insanity was this raw emotional weight that completely wrecked me. Every character decision hurt in the best way possible, and by the end I just sat there staring at the wall trying to recover. F. King Hayes really said “you can have trauma with your plot twists” and honestly? Mission accomplished.
Review of advance copy received from Author
***Spoilers***
This book ends on a cliffhanger, and I’m really hoping everything gets wrapped up in a third and final book because I genuinely cannot handle a fourth at this point. Go into this one knowing that not everyone gets a happily ever after.
Summer has already been through more than anyone should ever have to endure, and I honestly can’t imagine what her life is going to look like next. But after that ending, I absolutely need to find out.
This book ends on a cliffhanger, and I’m really hoping everything gets wrapped up in a third and final book because I genuinely cannot handle a fourth at this point. Go into this one knowing that not everyone gets a happily ever after.
Summer has already been through more than anyone should ever have to endure, and I honestly can’t imagine what her life is going to look like next. But after that ending, I absolutely need to find out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 11, 2026I genuinely don’t even know where to begin. I thought our FMC had already survived the worst, that she’d been forged in fire and nothing could break her again… but I was so painfully wrong. The hurt she endures in this book it wasn’t just unexpected it was the kind of hurt that makes you stop reading for a second because you feel it right along with her. I’m devastated for her in a way I didn’t see coming.
But don’t think for a second that she stays down. Her revenge? It’s not just satisfying it’s brutal and served on a platter so twisted it made me grin through the heartbreak. She rises in a way that made every ounce of pain worth witnessing.
I went in with high expectations because Summer has always been one of my favorite FMCs, and somehow she still managed to shatter every single one. F. King Hayes writes with this raw, emotional intensity that drags you into the story and refuses to let you go. Every feeling is sharp. Every moment is alive. Every heartbreak is personal.
And yes, I absolutely despise the cliffhanger she left me with. It gutted me. But at the same time, I’m buzzing with anticipation for book three. I need answers, closure and healing.
But don’t think for a second that she stays down. Her revenge? It’s not just satisfying it’s brutal and served on a platter so twisted it made me grin through the heartbreak. She rises in a way that made every ounce of pain worth witnessing.
I went in with high expectations because Summer has always been one of my favorite FMCs, and somehow she still managed to shatter every single one. F. King Hayes writes with this raw, emotional intensity that drags you into the story and refuses to let you go. Every feeling is sharp. Every moment is alive. Every heartbreak is personal.
And yes, I absolutely despise the cliffhanger she left me with. It gutted me. But at the same time, I’m buzzing with anticipation for book three. I need answers, closure and healing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Idk if I finished this book or if this book finished ME.
In true F King Hayes fashion my heart is broken. I hurt for Summer. ALWAYS CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!!
This story is RAW. FAST PACED. GOING TO SHRED YOUR HEART.
I can’t believe I don’t have book 3 yet 😂 (funny considering book 2 isn’t out yet technically)
I could not wait to get home to finish this book…. There is much to be said, but I am literally still processing..
Great work!
In true F King Hayes fashion my heart is broken. I hurt for Summer. ALWAYS CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!!
This story is RAW. FAST PACED. GOING TO SHRED YOUR HEART.
I can’t believe I don’t have book 3 yet 😂 (funny considering book 2 isn’t out yet technically)
I could not wait to get home to finish this book…. There is much to be said, but I am literally still processing..
Great work!
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