What do you think?
Rate this book
When The Bough Breaks
Not yet published
Expected 10 Feb 26Have you ever felt like you’re being watched?
That, ironically, is the least of my problems.
Stuck in a dead-end relationship with an emotionally unavailable fiancé and little to no support system, I'm just trying to make the best of the hand I've been dealt. But that all changes when my masked stalker shows me just what my would-be spouse has been up to, convincing me that I deserve far more than the contempt and abuse I've been accepting.
It's time that I start living for myself and finally release the rage that's burning straight through my soul.
That, ironically, is the least of my problems.
Stuck in a dead-end relationship with an emotionally unavailable fiancé and little to no support system, I'm just trying to make the best of the hand I've been dealt. But that all changes when my masked stalker shows me just what my would-be spouse has been up to, convincing me that I deserve far more than the contempt and abuse I've been accepting.
It's time that I start living for myself and finally release the rage that's burning straight through my soul.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 10, 2026
5 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
O'Junea Brown
3 books57 followersO'Junea Brown is an emerging author of Romantasy. A Fate of Onyx and Ivory is her first published novel with many more to come. She was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.
She loves her books, comics, video games, sports (go Cubs!), and anything fitness related. O'Junea has a bit too much dark humor and somewhat of a sailor's mouth, but her husband loves her the way that she is and that's all that matters.
Her baby boy Phoenix and dog Khloe are her only babies.
Follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @fit.and.fiction
She loves her books, comics, video games, sports (go Cubs!), and anything fitness related. O'Junea has a bit too much dark humor and somewhat of a sailor's mouth, but her husband loves her the way that she is and that's all that matters.
Her baby boy Phoenix and dog Khloe are her only babies.
Follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @fit.and.fiction
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 6, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ RTC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW: When The Bough Breaks
by O'Junea Brown
Thank you Meg Opalescent for the ARC copy!
Welcome to Maevis's ride! We hope you have read the trigger warnings, as it's about to be quite the experience. Please keep all hands and feet tucked safely inside at all times and safely enjoy the ride. Please read responsibly!
3.5 - 4 ⭐️: From page 1, this book had me hooked and running through the chapters real quick. Good thing, the story moves just as quick, as well. Had a great storyline, but I just wished, there was a bit more in depth about her past with Vane. I also found, some gaps with the story lines with Maevis's parents and the background story around that. While Vane had me swooning, Ross most certainly had me cussing. LOL! This book gave me mini Haunting Adeline vibes.....
I really did thoroughly enjoy this story!
Well done O'Junea. Well done!
by O'Junea Brown
Thank you Meg Opalescent for the ARC copy!
Welcome to Maevis's ride! We hope you have read the trigger warnings, as it's about to be quite the experience. Please keep all hands and feet tucked safely inside at all times and safely enjoy the ride. Please read responsibly!
3.5 - 4 ⭐️: From page 1, this book had me hooked and running through the chapters real quick. Good thing, the story moves just as quick, as well. Had a great storyline, but I just wished, there was a bit more in depth about her past with Vane. I also found, some gaps with the story lines with Maevis's parents and the background story around that. While Vane had me swooning, Ross most certainly had me cussing. LOL! This book gave me mini Haunting Adeline vibes.....
I really did thoroughly enjoy this story!
Well done O'Junea. Well done!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A dark but accessible introduction to the genre.
I received a copy of When the Bough Breaks as an ARC reader.
I’ve read and watched a lot of very dark romance through anime and manga, so while this book is dark, I’ve personally experienced darker stories. With that in mind, I think this is a surprisingly sweet entry point into dark romance for readers who are curious about the genre but intimidated by it. The story goes to uncomfortable places, but not so far that you feel emotionally wrecked after finishing.
That said, this book absolutely carries weight. There were moments that hit very close to home for me. Some pages had me closing my ereader because certain lines mirrored things I’ve heard in real life. I cried more than once. The emotional impact is real.
The story follows Maevis, a young woman climbing the ladder in finance and preparing to marry her fiancé. Her life is already in a fragile, transitional place when a mysterious stalker begins circling her. Everything shatters when he forces his way into her home, and from there the story spirals into something tense, spicy, and deeply psychological. That break-in scene in particular is intense.
Representation was another highlight. The book features a Black female main character, a white male lead, and a supporting cast filled with people of color. It’s refreshing to see dark urban romance told through that lens. The kink elements are present but light compared to heavier entries in the genre, making it approachable without losing edge.
If this is a standalone, it wraps up in a satisfying way. Personally, I would love to see the author continue exploring this style of storytelling. The writing feels raw, like it’s pulling from deeply personal places. Whether intentional or not, you can feel lived experience in the emotions. That vulnerability gives the story its power.
Overall, this is a strong debut into dark urban romance. It is emotional, tense, intimate, and human.
Reader-inferred trigger warnings: stalking, home invasion, emotional abuse themes, psychological manipulation, sexual content, power imbalance dynamics, trauma references.
I received a copy of When the Bough Breaks as an ARC reader.
I’ve read and watched a lot of very dark romance through anime and manga, so while this book is dark, I’ve personally experienced darker stories. With that in mind, I think this is a surprisingly sweet entry point into dark romance for readers who are curious about the genre but intimidated by it. The story goes to uncomfortable places, but not so far that you feel emotionally wrecked after finishing.
That said, this book absolutely carries weight. There were moments that hit very close to home for me. Some pages had me closing my ereader because certain lines mirrored things I’ve heard in real life. I cried more than once. The emotional impact is real.
The story follows Maevis, a young woman climbing the ladder in finance and preparing to marry her fiancé. Her life is already in a fragile, transitional place when a mysterious stalker begins circling her. Everything shatters when he forces his way into her home, and from there the story spirals into something tense, spicy, and deeply psychological. That break-in scene in particular is intense.
Representation was another highlight. The book features a Black female main character, a white male lead, and a supporting cast filled with people of color. It’s refreshing to see dark urban romance told through that lens. The kink elements are present but light compared to heavier entries in the genre, making it approachable without losing edge.
If this is a standalone, it wraps up in a satisfying way. Personally, I would love to see the author continue exploring this style of storytelling. The writing feels raw, like it’s pulling from deeply personal places. Whether intentional or not, you can feel lived experience in the emotions. That vulnerability gives the story its power.
Overall, this is a strong debut into dark urban romance. It is emotional, tense, intimate, and human.
Reader-inferred trigger warnings: stalking, home invasion, emotional abuse themes, psychological manipulation, sexual content, power imbalance dynamics, trauma references.
February 5, 2026
It’s hard to say you loved a book that was written from the darkest moments of the authors life but it was such an inspiring story of fighting your way out of the dark and learning your true worth. This book definitely is dark and the trigger warning cannot be overlooked. Both of the main characters suffered a dark childhood and continue to live through the trauma and new traumas. It was so good and horrifying and heartbreaking all at the same time. If you have read Rina Kent’s books and enjoyed them then this book is worth reading. Thank you so much to the author for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The romance is spicy and the revenge is sweet.
This dark romance checks so many boxes and I couldn't put it down! Doesn't every woman want to be swept off her feet by a masked stalker who will encourage her to burn the world down?
I am so excited to read more dark romance from this author and will happily beg that the next installment be about Rose and Ryatt!
This dark romance checks so many boxes and I couldn't put it down! Doesn't every woman want to be swept off her feet by a masked stalker who will encourage her to burn the world down?
I am so excited to read more dark romance from this author and will happily beg that the next installment be about Rose and Ryatt!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I could not put this book down!!
Maevis is trying to live the best life she can with controlling parents and a distant fiancee. Until a masked stalker starts showing her who she is under all the doubt.
This is a dark story (so check those TWs), but it is about healing each other.
Thank you for taking the emotional journey and writing this story.
Maevis is trying to live the best life she can with controlling parents and a distant fiancee. Until a masked stalker starts showing her who she is under all the doubt.
This is a dark story (so check those TWs), but it is about healing each other.
Thank you for taking the emotional journey and writing this story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book waxed and waned for me. There were strong parts where I was engrossed in the plot. There were other parts that were stiff and felt like there was a lack of fluidity. There was a lot going on!! A lot, with multiple sub plots.
I loved Vane, Maevis, not so much. And Ross, he deserved so much more, and not in a good way!
I loved Vane, Maevis, not so much. And Ross, he deserved so much more, and not in a good way!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Pretty dark!!!
Death
Blood
Steam
Action
The works!
Very edge of my seat type of story line
Death
Blood
Steam
Action
The works!
Very edge of my seat type of story line
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dark, broody, murdery, this was great and the female rage gave me life in this!!
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
Love this author so much and this book is a great fun read!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews