Tarnished

by Ryan Mundy

I was raised in the dark.
Never protect. Not loved. Just locked away until the silence felt like home.
And then he found me.
He doesn’t promise freedom.
He promises nothing but himself.
A savior who looks at me like I was built to be caged.
A monster who whispers that I’ll never escape him.
A man who would rather burn the world to ash than to let me go.
I should fear him, I should run.
But every time I push, he pulls harder.
Every time I break, he picks up the pieces like they’ve always been his.
And maybe the truth is simpler than I thought…
I escaped one cage, just to walk into another.

As this is a dark romance, the author highly recommends reading the 'content warning' page.

598 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 19, 2025

About the author

Author📚
26 📍 South Carolina
Dark Romance | 18+🌶️
all books can be found on amazon (KU) and website ryanmundywrites.com

Reviews

[Cookiereadsalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I got the chance to read this book! Tarnished by Ryan Mundy is a beautiful and heartbreaking story, but worth every second of the read!

Sybil is so strong but has been conditioned to believe she’s not. The strength and power in her story has me crying and cheering for her!

Raiden is moody and broody. He’s everything Sybil needs when her stubbornness gets the best of her. With his own issues, he’s still such an amazing written character that I loved. Even if he has an ornery streak and a bad habit of forgetting just who Sybil is.

And I couldn’t just forget about Zyran! He’s my favorite brother! Being a friend and sharing his own trauma with Sybil. The comedic relief in chaotic times. He becomes a very needed piece of Sybil. And I would absolutely love a book of him and his adventures!

Again, Ryan you did an amazing job and I can’t wait to see what else you come up with!!!

[OooLaLa Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Cages & D€adly Obs€ssion

Geezus Besties… that 1st chapter? Immediate attention-grabber 👀. "Tarnished" wastes no time dragging you straight into the dark. Sybil’s past is heartbreaking. The trauma inflicted by her father is brutal and heavy, and you feel every cracked piece of her pain.

Enter Raiden... morally grey, dangerously poss€ssiv€, and absolutely unhing€d in the touch her & di€ way we love. The tension and banter between Sybil and Raiden had my anxiety spiraling (in the best way). Add in forced proximity, assassin x captive vibes, and a slow burn that hurts so good? I was locked in.

The brothers’ banter brings much-needed levity, while Sybil and Raiden’s story arc is both devastating and beautiful. Dark, intense, and addictive... this is a MUST ADD to your TBR if you love twisted, emotional dark romance.

My Ratings:  ⭐ 5/5  ▪︎  🥵 2/5

🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤

[Crystal D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again this is a one sitting cannot put down read!!!
Trained killer…the dad’s a monster…secret obsession(I’m calling it that cause let’s face it ya boy was obsessed but in a slightly healthy way)…band of brothers(I cannot wait for their books…Rhys I see you…your gonna be the one that steals all our hearts I’m calling it also slater I love a man of few words haha)
Our fmc truly was a phoenix rising from the ashes in this book and boy do I love a badass fmc that comes in and saves the day.

Also I need a reaper book. He’s intriguing! And I loved how puzzled the guys were with the connection at the end of the book.

[HeatherAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made the mistake of starting this book, reading almost half, knowing I wouldn’t be able to pick it up again until the next morning. HUGE mistake. I was up five hours later— two hours before the sun, unable to sleep because of the tension. Then finished it in five hours.

Ryan. Does. Not. Mess. Around, when it comes to her men being brooding, vicious, and tatted. Her men are insanely loyal to their woman; and how far they go to protect what’s theirs, depends on how much they see with their own eyes.

If you are like me and like to be surprised, …or the menu looks tasty and intriguing, there is no turning back once you begin. You’re in the world she builds with both main characters, feeling their memories, and squirming in your soul for some chapters to end. I sobbed so many times, I lost count. Emotionally, I was NOT okay in the best way possible by the end. My heart broke, then mended— mostly; before Ryan decided ’Go big, or go home’. Then followed it up with, “challenge accepted”
It’s like she said, nah, that wasn’t gut shattering enough; here, hold my sanity and my soul, I’m going further.

Time for me to tell you to quit reading this, you’ve heard what I have to say. Go find out for yourself 🖤 Thank me later. 😉

[Autumn Shreve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know where to start with this book. It’s so amazing. Sybil is a bad ass…. She builds herself back up from the bottom and is a heroine!!! This story is intense and revealing. I really love everything about the storyline, and the characters. The banter between Sybil and Raiden is to die for. Their building relationship was so fun to follow. It made me laugh, cry and kept me on the edge of my seat. The mix of action, self-rebuilding and romance is like nothing I’ve read before. I love how they all just accept her and I think her friendship with Zyran is my favorite. I’m only sad that I’m done reading it! I want more….

[Wilmalys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my new favorite book by Ryan.

Sybil and Raiden were the best 👌🏽 Raiden was all about Sybil. That man was committed to her in all ways.

Sybil had a hard childhood, her Father was a complete asshat psychopath and did unspeakable things to train her into his little assassin...

The slow burn romance was perfection, I loved all the moments they had together forming a real foundation for their love.

Raiden and his brothers were fun and refreshing. They were all so different but equally amazing.

I enjoyed this book so very much!

[Deona Landrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in such a chokehold!!! i ate it right up like always, i love Ryan's books!! I will say please please check triggers and tropes because this does cover very dark themes and triggers!! Sybil you want to protect at all cost even though she doesnt need your protection. Shes an badass fighter who just wanted to be free and loved. Raiden very serious and protect guy who wanted Sybil since the first time laying eyes on her. He just wanted to protect everyone including his brothers!! I'm hoping for more books because i NEED more on the brothers stories!!

[Liz Ranne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this! It's Sybil & Raiden's story & it was a good one. She's hiding, but she still has people coming out of the woodwork for her. When they first meet a lot is going on in her head. Ger life was heartbreaking & her dad is a horrible person. They have so much difficulty at first & a lot of things are happening here. It takes a really long time for them to come to terms with each other's issues. This is a slow burn & I liked the story! Recommend this book & author.

[Daisy Magnolia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book... The first chapter already grabbed me by the throat ✨️

Dark, heartbreaking, and completely unputdownable—because I needed answers about Sybil.

Imagine being trained to kill before she was even a child, and her life full of nothing but pain 💔 But she's strong, stubborn, and surviving despite everything.

But when a price is put on her head, an unexpected savior appears—someone who's been watching her all along, even when she didn't know he existed ❤️‍🩹

[Perdita The Reada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here’s my ARC review for “Tarnished” by Ryan Mundy ☺️
[HAPPY RELEASE DAY EVE!]

Plot-Driven: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Mundy has NAILED the tortured FMC trope with Sybil; she is a deeply traumatized young woman who was raised by her heartless father to become an assassin from a very young age. She manages to escape his clutches and survive on the run for a few years until she is then captured by Raiden, a brutal hitman for hire. And from there? Well, you’ll have to read the rest, but let’s just say no lamp is safe from our girl Sybil. 😛

The slow burn between Raiden and Sybil is paced perfectly and builds in tandem with the action of the story. Sybil’s backstory is BEYOND heartbreaking and Raiden’s devotion to her is unparalleled. I also really love that Sybil develops friendships with Raiden’s brothers throughout the story, especially given her background. The last 1/3 of the book had me tearing up hard multiple times but the emotional damage is WORTH IT for that ending 🥹💕

I would recommend this book to anyone who is obsessed with almost irreparably damaged FMC’s and ultra devoted hitman-type MMC’s 👏🏻

[The_Bookish_Masochist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tarnished was absolutely amazing! I love a good phoenix rising from the ashes FMC. Not to mention an MMC who helps her pave the way to her revenge. The story line kept me hooked, and the healing that goes on in this book is like no other. I can’t wait to read the rest of the brothers books!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!! I could not put this book down! I instantly fell in love with Sybil and Raiden, their strong personalities and the way they connected, you are pulled in starting with the first page. I cant wait to buy my trophy for this and to read it again!

[Deani Inkdrinker8962 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Where are all my dark romance buddies at??? You don't want to miss this brilliant read.
It is everything I love in a dark romance with a strong female character (Sybil) and a man who helps her get her revenge. (Raiden)
And the brothers!!!! Love the twins.
Can't wait for their stories 🖤

[Stephanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gripped me from the start and I only put it down when life got in the way! I love a good thriller with some slight obsession undertones! This one is one I will definitely be getting a physical copy of and share! I can’t wait for more!!

[Jessica Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan mundy did it again! This book was chefs kiss. I love Sybil! She is a bad@ss! Love her sassy personality. This book is a slow burn, dang did these two have tension, so many times I yelled, just do it lol.

[Meesh Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first ever Ryan Mundy book, and I was lucky enough to receive it as an advanced reader copy.

WOW. Seriously just WOW.

This book took me on such a wild adventure, I genuinely didn’t know where it was going next but I was HOOKED!

The tension, the banter, and the utter BAD ASSERY that these characters have is incredible.

I absolutely loved the way that the trauma and flashbacks were written. There was so much care and thought behind every single word, and it was not only beautiful to read, but it was refreshing to see harsh truths on page in such a blatant way.

The devotion between characters? Immaculate. No notes.

I cannot wait to see more of these characters!!
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“Not all monsters come in the same form - sometimes they’re the ones you trust the most.”

“She’s not a liability. She’s a fucking wired fuse. And I’m the dumbass holding the match”.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s 2am, and I just did 143k words in ONE SITTING. Um excuse me?! I Could not put it down!

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