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Reign
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jun 26My name is Nikolaj Dragovich.
Pakhan of the Bratva. Blade of Moscow. Weapon turned king.
When I left Vintermoor, I walked away with a fractured skull and a mind full of cracks. Whatever I was before died somewhere between those walls, and what rose after was a man my father never managed to mold. A man without mercy. A man without fear. A man even the Five Families are suddenly eager to bow to.
Duty was never a choice, so why does the night refuse to leave me in peace?
Why do I hear a voice in my dreams that tightens like a hand around my throat, whispering a name I should know? Why does a phantom memory cut deeper than any blade when I can’t place the face behind it?
I don’t remember the life I left behind eight years ago.
But it remembers me.
This is book 2 in the Ruin and Royalty Duet. Conquest needs to be read first to understand the plot behind Reign.
Pakhan of the Bratva. Blade of Moscow. Weapon turned king.
When I left Vintermoor, I walked away with a fractured skull and a mind full of cracks. Whatever I was before died somewhere between those walls, and what rose after was a man my father never managed to mold. A man without mercy. A man without fear. A man even the Five Families are suddenly eager to bow to.
Duty was never a choice, so why does the night refuse to leave me in peace?
Why do I hear a voice in my dreams that tightens like a hand around my throat, whispering a name I should know? Why does a phantom memory cut deeper than any blade when I can’t place the face behind it?
I don’t remember the life I left behind eight years ago.
But it remembers me.
This is book 2 in the Ruin and Royalty Duet. Conquest needs to be read first to understand the plot behind Reign.
ebook
Expected publication June 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 29, 2026
I am speechless... this book was so good I don't know how to describe it other than simply incredible. Avery, what have you done? Written? You had my heart in my throat the ENTIRE time. The angst and the yearning between these men had me in a chokehold until the very last pages. I could feel their love through the pages in every look, touch, breath, and moment they were near each other. What I felt in Empire for their fathers came out tenfold in this book, with every part that makes me love romance and heartbreak in the same breath.
These two nearly put me on my knees with how much love was between them and how much it took from them in the end to make sure nothing and no one would keep them apart.
Nikolaj. Pakhan. The Blade. Cuore mio. The Russian who would speak first with his fists before words. He had grown in the years since Vintermoor, and coming out of that, he was not the same. But what he had grown into was someone who let the vulnerability come through and the blade soften to protect the one man he began to remember and would tear the world apart for. No longer afraid to hide, cater to the wills of other men, or let what happened to others in the past dictate his future.
Vincenzo. The Italian Lover. Capo dei Capi. The Beloved. A man who had to endure eight years of watching the man he loved no longer recognize what they had once started, only to watch that same man undo him with his returning memories and a love of a lifetime for him to hold onto. A man who would give up everything to make sure he never looked in his own eyes and saw the regret Vieri men carried when decisions became no longer their own.
A love that endured more than anyone should, but still found a way to shine brightly, no matter the blood, death, destruction, and violence desperately trying to get in their way. I am so excited to see more behind the Dragovich curtain next. Just brilliant, Avery.
These two nearly put me on my knees with how much love was between them and how much it took from them in the end to make sure nothing and no one would keep them apart.
Nikolaj. Pakhan. The Blade. Cuore mio. The Russian who would speak first with his fists before words. He had grown in the years since Vintermoor, and coming out of that, he was not the same. But what he had grown into was someone who let the vulnerability come through and the blade soften to protect the one man he began to remember and would tear the world apart for. No longer afraid to hide, cater to the wills of other men, or let what happened to others in the past dictate his future.
Vincenzo. The Italian Lover. Capo dei Capi. The Beloved. A man who had to endure eight years of watching the man he loved no longer recognize what they had once started, only to watch that same man undo him with his returning memories and a love of a lifetime for him to hold onto. A man who would give up everything to make sure he never looked in his own eyes and saw the regret Vieri men carried when decisions became no longer their own.
A love that endured more than anyone should, but still found a way to shine brightly, no matter the blood, death, destruction, and violence desperately trying to get in their way. I am so excited to see more behind the Dragovich curtain next. Just brilliant, Avery.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
🌶🌶.5/5.
This story earned my first 6 stars of 2026.
Conquest started my demise and wrecked me by the end of it but Reign gave me hope, closure and ultimately put my scattered pieces back together. The journey Vincenzo & Nikolaj took me on was chaotic, doubtful, cruel, sad, depressing but also beautiful, sometimes in an ugly way, challenging, hopeful but also fragile happiness.
By the end tho? It gave me the certainty that the love these two had, was one for the ages. The type of love that can survive anything no matter how much time has passed, who or what tried or stood between them, nor their fear of hoping for a happy ending and certainly not their will to stand beside the love of their life no matter how painful the journey was to get to that point. This was everything. They were everything.
After reading Empire and rereading Conquest before diving into Reign, I admit I had my doubts. I had my doubts about the author on whether or not she could write a story I would love because I'm new to her but also because amnesia trope is a deal breaker for me depending on who writes it and the type of story it is being told. I also wondered if my questions or rather feelings towards side characters would be resolved because I can hold a grudge and I had very mixed feelings towards Ruslan and Salvatore but also Arseniy.
I'm sort of in awe that Avery managed to weave the parents and Arseniy in a way that made sense, didn't feel like too much and by that I mean that the pov's we got were done in the place that we needed them to without taking away from the overall story. It was in a way a reprieve from everything while also making the reader come to terms with what they did and understand the cruel world they were in and that they did what they thought was the right thing while acknowledging that what they did wasn't the right choice and they should've done better but they can't turn back time now and maybe they wouldn't.
I'm pretty sure I never cried so much like I did in this one and the tears started rolling early on. I apparently have a weaker spot for powerful brutal men that just feel so much that when they cry, I cry too in solidarity because wtf not... I tried to control the tears and they still fell, just like these two powerful fell to each other's knees. 😭
I liked that those damn 8 long years happened for a reason. It was to make them the bosses they were supposed to be, some could say that they even surpassed expectations. Vincenzo also learned to appreciate what they had together so when everything came crashing down and there was no amnesia between them except hurt and a whole lot of other emotions, Vincenzo was hopeful but so afraid too. Nikolaj wanted him but also needed time because Vintermoor was heavy as F and it hurt. It hurt seeing Vincenzo going through it all alone. It hurt seeing Nikolaj building his empire without knowing half of his soul was missing and it hurt that after that was out of the way, they still hurt because nothing was ever easy for them and it wouldn't start being easy now.
I just loved that for better or for worse they became better partners to one another because of Vintermoor, painful heartbreak, ghosts and fragile hope. I loved seeing the way both of them grew up. There were no more games between them, no more hiding from one another. Just fragile hope and love that hurt so much that they couldn't take it anymore and had to lay it bare to the other because it's too much for just one person to carry all alone.
The plot twist twisted okay. I was not expecting that for both things that happened.
I'm happy that Salvatore finally swallowed his fear of being rejected and finally bit the b*llet. I'm glad he stopped his pity party and went to Ruslan. Ruslan was waiting for so many years and that also hurt. It was also heartwarming knowing Nikolaj had a hand in that.
I have so much more to say about this book but I'll just stop now because apparently the tears haven't dried yet. 😩
I'm very excited for what's coming next in this world.
* I read an arc of this story. *
🌶🌶.5/5.
This story earned my first 6 stars of 2026.
Conquest started my demise and wrecked me by the end of it but Reign gave me hope, closure and ultimately put my scattered pieces back together. The journey Vincenzo & Nikolaj took me on was chaotic, doubtful, cruel, sad, depressing but also beautiful, sometimes in an ugly way, challenging, hopeful but also fragile happiness.
By the end tho? It gave me the certainty that the love these two had, was one for the ages. The type of love that can survive anything no matter how much time has passed, who or what tried or stood between them, nor their fear of hoping for a happy ending and certainly not their will to stand beside the love of their life no matter how painful the journey was to get to that point. This was everything. They were everything.
After reading Empire and rereading Conquest before diving into Reign, I admit I had my doubts. I had my doubts about the author on whether or not she could write a story I would love because I'm new to her but also because amnesia trope is a deal breaker for me depending on who writes it and the type of story it is being told. I also wondered if my questions or rather feelings towards side characters would be resolved because I can hold a grudge and I had very mixed feelings towards Ruslan and Salvatore but also Arseniy.
I'm sort of in awe that Avery managed to weave the parents and Arseniy in a way that made sense, didn't feel like too much and by that I mean that the pov's we got were done in the place that we needed them to without taking away from the overall story. It was in a way a reprieve from everything while also making the reader come to terms with what they did and understand the cruel world they were in and that they did what they thought was the right thing while acknowledging that what they did wasn't the right choice and they should've done better but they can't turn back time now and maybe they wouldn't.
I'm pretty sure I never cried so much like I did in this one and the tears started rolling early on. I apparently have a weaker spot for powerful brutal men that just feel so much that when they cry, I cry too in solidarity because wtf not... I tried to control the tears and they still fell, just like these two powerful fell to each other's knees. 😭
I liked that those damn 8 long years happened for a reason. It was to make them the bosses they were supposed to be, some could say that they even surpassed expectations. Vincenzo also learned to appreciate what they had together so when everything came crashing down and there was no amnesia between them except hurt and a whole lot of other emotions, Vincenzo was hopeful but so afraid too. Nikolaj wanted him but also needed time because Vintermoor was heavy as F and it hurt. It hurt seeing Vincenzo going through it all alone. It hurt seeing Nikolaj building his empire without knowing half of his soul was missing and it hurt that after that was out of the way, they still hurt because nothing was ever easy for them and it wouldn't start being easy now.
I just loved that for better or for worse they became better partners to one another because of Vintermoor, painful heartbreak, ghosts and fragile hope. I loved seeing the way both of them grew up. There were no more games between them, no more hiding from one another. Just fragile hope and love that hurt so much that they couldn't take it anymore and had to lay it bare to the other because it's too much for just one person to carry all alone.
The plot twist twisted okay. I was not expecting that for both things that happened.
I'm happy that Salvatore finally swallowed his fear of being rejected and finally bit the b*llet. I'm glad he stopped his pity party and went to Ruslan. Ruslan was waiting for so many years and that also hurt. It was also heartwarming knowing Nikolaj had a hand in that.
I have so much more to say about this book but I'll just stop now because apparently the tears haven't dried yet. 😩
I'm very excited for what's coming next in this world.
* I read an arc of this story. *
Review of advance copy received from Author
OMG this absolutely destroyed me and then somehow put me back together again.
After Conquest, I knew this book was going to hurt, but I wasn't prepared for just how deeply Nikolaj and Vincenzo's story would get under my skin. The angst, the yearning, the heartbreak...it had me in a chokehold from beginning to end. Every glance, every touch, every moment they shared felt heavy with eight years of love, loss, regret, and hope.
What impressed me most was how Avery handled the aftermath of Vintermoor. The lost years weren't there simply to create angst; they shaped both men into who they needed to become. Nikolaj is no longer the same man we met before. Beneath the Pakhan, the Blade, the man who once led with his fists, we finally get to see vulnerability, tenderness, and a willingness to fight for his future instead of letting the past define him.
And Vincenzo... my heart broke for him over and over again. Eight years of loving someone who no longer remembered what they had, eight years of carrying hope alongside grief. Yet he never stopped loving Nikolaj. His strength, patience, and devotion made every moment of their eventual healing feel earned.
What I loved most was that this wasn't just a reunion romance. It was a story about growth, accountability, forgiveness, and learning how to choose each other again. The communication, vulnerability, and emotional maturity these two develop throughout the book made their relationship feel even stronger than before.
I also appreciated how Avery incorporated the wider cast. The perspectives from the parents and other key characters never felt intrusive; instead, they added depth and context to a world built on generations of difficult choices, mistakes, and sacrifices. Watching fractured family relationships slowly begin to heal was almost as emotional as the romance itself.
The plot twists genuinely surprised me, the emotional moments had me crying far earlier than I expected, and by the end I was left completely satisfied.
This book is painful, hopeful, heartbreaking, beautiful, and ultimately healing. It's a story about a love that survives the impossible and refuses to die no matter how much time, distance, or tragedy stands in its way.
Without question, my favourite book in the series so far. An absolute masterpiece.
After Conquest, I knew this book was going to hurt, but I wasn't prepared for just how deeply Nikolaj and Vincenzo's story would get under my skin. The angst, the yearning, the heartbreak...it had me in a chokehold from beginning to end. Every glance, every touch, every moment they shared felt heavy with eight years of love, loss, regret, and hope.
What impressed me most was how Avery handled the aftermath of Vintermoor. The lost years weren't there simply to create angst; they shaped both men into who they needed to become. Nikolaj is no longer the same man we met before. Beneath the Pakhan, the Blade, the man who once led with his fists, we finally get to see vulnerability, tenderness, and a willingness to fight for his future instead of letting the past define him.
And Vincenzo... my heart broke for him over and over again. Eight years of loving someone who no longer remembered what they had, eight years of carrying hope alongside grief. Yet he never stopped loving Nikolaj. His strength, patience, and devotion made every moment of their eventual healing feel earned.
What I loved most was that this wasn't just a reunion romance. It was a story about growth, accountability, forgiveness, and learning how to choose each other again. The communication, vulnerability, and emotional maturity these two develop throughout the book made their relationship feel even stronger than before.
I also appreciated how Avery incorporated the wider cast. The perspectives from the parents and other key characters never felt intrusive; instead, they added depth and context to a world built on generations of difficult choices, mistakes, and sacrifices. Watching fractured family relationships slowly begin to heal was almost as emotional as the romance itself.
The plot twists genuinely surprised me, the emotional moments had me crying far earlier than I expected, and by the end I was left completely satisfied.
This book is painful, hopeful, heartbreaking, beautiful, and ultimately healing. It's a story about a love that survives the impossible and refuses to die no matter how much time, distance, or tragedy stands in its way.
Without question, my favourite book in the series so far. An absolute masterpiece.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
An absolute masterpiece!!
This was so perfect! Angst so well written that you cry your way through till the end. Cute banter that pulls at your heartstrings. Yearning and love that rivals that of soulmates. Pain so raw that you might need a break. Heartbreak so palpable that you can feel it come alive. Stolen peace that settles deep in your bones. Vulnerability and tenderness in it's rawest form. Grief written so well, it feels so real.Healing as realistic as you could get from a book.Overall, a masterpiece you do not want to miss.
Nikolaj and Vincenzo went through exceptional character development, you could literally see them change through the chapters. Parts of them that was locked down, started opening up, apologies given from the very men who hurt them, them giving apologies to the very people they hurt in the name of duty. It was beautiful to see, family bonds trying so hard to repair the fractures. Yes there was betrayal from some, but all in all it was an amazing process. The way Vincenzo handled the situation with his wife was perfect. The way they learnt to lean into each other, open up to each other and communicate properly was all I needed. They have grown so much from when they were in Vintermoor.
Ruslan and Salvatore finally letting their prides asides and apologising to each other as well as their sons was what I needed. Finally, something that sets them apart from their fathers.
Arseniy, Maksim, Tatiana, Kai helping in ways they can. I love them especially Tatiana. That scene with her made me ugly cry 😭.
The slow process of healing till the end from that event was painful to read but necessary. I loved it, even better than Conquest and Empire. This was so, emotionally loaded and conflicting,so don't forget to read the trigger warnings.
Plus I think I have a new trigger word from this book, iykyk.
An absolute masterpiece!!
This was so perfect! Angst so well written that you cry your way through till the end. Cute banter that pulls at your heartstrings. Yearning and love that rivals that of soulmates. Pain so raw that you might need a break. Heartbreak so palpable that you can feel it come alive. Stolen peace that settles deep in your bones. Vulnerability and tenderness in it's rawest form. Grief written so well, it feels so real.Healing as realistic as you could get from a book.Overall, a masterpiece you do not want to miss.
Nikolaj and Vincenzo went through exceptional character development, you could literally see them change through the chapters. Parts of them that was locked down, started opening up, apologies given from the very men who hurt them, them giving apologies to the very people they hurt in the name of duty. It was beautiful to see, family bonds trying so hard to repair the fractures. Yes there was betrayal from some, but all in all it was an amazing process. The way Vincenzo handled the situation with his wife was perfect. The way they learnt to lean into each other, open up to each other and communicate properly was all I needed. They have grown so much from when they were in Vintermoor.
Ruslan and Salvatore finally letting their prides asides and apologising to each other as well as their sons was what I needed. Finally, something that sets them apart from their fathers.
Arseniy, Maksim, Tatiana, Kai helping in ways they can. I love them especially Tatiana. That scene with her made me ugly cry 😭.
The slow process of healing till the end from that event was painful to read but necessary. I loved it, even better than Conquest and Empire. This was so, emotionally loaded and conflicting,so don't forget to read the trigger warnings.
Plus I think I have a new trigger word from this book, iykyk.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
An absolute masterpiece!!
This was so perfect! Angst so well written that you cry your way through till the end. Cute banter that pulls at your heartstrings. Yearning and love that rivals that of soulmates. Pain so raw that you might need a break. Heartbreak so palpable that you can feel it come alive. Stolen peace that settles deep in your bones. Vulnerability and tenderness in it's rawest form. Grief written so well, it feels so real.Healing as realistic as you could get from a book.Overall, a masterpiece you do not want to miss.
Nikolaj and Vincenzo went through exceptional character development, you could literally see them change through the chapters. Parts of them that was locked down, started opening up, apologies given from the very men who hurt them, them giving apologies to the very people they hurt in the name of duty. It was beautiful to see, family bonds trying so hard to repair the fractures. Yes there was betrayal from some, but all in all it was an amazing process. The way Vincenzo handled the situation with his wife was perfect. The way they learnt to lean into each other, open up to each other and communicate properly was all I needed. They have grown so much from when they were in Vintermoor.
Ruslan and Salvatore finally letting their prides asides and apologising to each other as well as their sons was what I needed. Finally, something that sets them apart from their fathers.
Arseniy, Maksim, Tatiana, Kai helping in ways they can. I love them especially Tatiana. That scene with her made me ugly cry 😭.
The slow process of healing till the end from that event was painful to read but necessary. I loved it, even better than Conquest and Empire. This was so, emotionally loaded and conflicting,so don't forget to read the trigger warnings.
Plus I think I have a new trigger word from this book, iykyk.
An absolute masterpiece!!
This was so perfect! Angst so well written that you cry your way through till the end. Cute banter that pulls at your heartstrings. Yearning and love that rivals that of soulmates. Pain so raw that you might need a break. Heartbreak so palpable that you can feel it come alive. Stolen peace that settles deep in your bones. Vulnerability and tenderness in it's rawest form. Grief written so well, it feels so real.Healing as realistic as you could get from a book.Overall, a masterpiece you do not want to miss.
Nikolaj and Vincenzo went through exceptional character development, you could literally see them change through the chapters. Parts of them that was locked down, started opening up, apologies given from the very men who hurt them, them giving apologies to the very people they hurt in the name of duty. It was beautiful to see, family bonds trying so hard to repair the fractures. Yes there was betrayal from some, but all in all it was an amazing process. The way Vincenzo handled the situation with his wife was perfect. The way they learnt to lean into each other, open up to each other and communicate properly was all I needed. They have grown so much from when they were in Vintermoor.
Ruslan and Salvatore finally letting their prides asides and apologising to each other as well as their sons was what I needed. Finally, something that sets them apart from their fathers.
Arseniy, Maksim, Tatiana, Kai helping in ways they can. I love them especially Tatiana. That scene with her made me ugly cry 😭.
The slow process of healing till the end from that event was painful to read but necessary. I loved it, even better than Conquest and Empire. This was so, emotionally loaded and conflicting,so don't forget to read the trigger warnings.
Plus I think I have a new trigger word from this book, iykyk.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review Advance copy from the Author!
Well all I have to say is holy Sh*t!!
Reign picks up right after conquest and holy Sh*t.
8 years of lost memory and dreams for Nikolaj.
Nikolaj now the Pakhn of the Bravta also knows as the blade can not remember a lot of things that happened 8 years ago. He’s constantly dreaming about events that happened hearing a males voice that so familiar to him out can’t place it. He’s become more powerful dangerous. He and his family have been exile from the five families. But he gets a request or an invite to a summit to join the table. All while loathing the Veiri name. That’s until the door open and in walks in Vincenzo…
Vincenzo The king of the five families is just as powerful controlled but just as deadly. He’s been living his life for 8 years loving a ghost of the young man he once lost but has forgotten about Vincenzo. Until the summit when he sees Nikolaj..
This story truly is an emotional roller coaster ride.
Nikolaj and Vincenzo go through it the hurt, anger & lost years they’ve both missed. It was so well written that you feel all their pain emotions grief of the 8 yrs they’ve lost. I promise you they get their hard fought HEA.
Will you go through all the emotions absolutely but it’s all worth it. This book wraps up so beautiful it hurts.
I was also so happy for Ruslan and Salvatore 30 years lost but the love remains. If you haven’t read empire I suggest you do.
Please check your trigger warnings.
I will always praise Avery her writing never disappoints and she makes you want to scream and cry absolutely all with good intentions. It’s her love language.
What’s love worth fighting for without heartache and pain until you finally free yourself from the ghost of your past.
Well all I have to say is holy Sh*t!!
Reign picks up right after conquest and holy Sh*t.
8 years of lost memory and dreams for Nikolaj.
Nikolaj now the Pakhn of the Bravta also knows as the blade can not remember a lot of things that happened 8 years ago. He’s constantly dreaming about events that happened hearing a males voice that so familiar to him out can’t place it. He’s become more powerful dangerous. He and his family have been exile from the five families. But he gets a request or an invite to a summit to join the table. All while loathing the Veiri name. That’s until the door open and in walks in Vincenzo…
Vincenzo The king of the five families is just as powerful controlled but just as deadly. He’s been living his life for 8 years loving a ghost of the young man he once lost but has forgotten about Vincenzo. Until the summit when he sees Nikolaj..
This story truly is an emotional roller coaster ride.
Nikolaj and Vincenzo go through it the hurt, anger & lost years they’ve both missed. It was so well written that you feel all their pain emotions grief of the 8 yrs they’ve lost. I promise you they get their hard fought HEA.
Will you go through all the emotions absolutely but it’s all worth it. This book wraps up so beautiful it hurts.
I was also so happy for Ruslan and Salvatore 30 years lost but the love remains. If you haven’t read empire I suggest you do.
Please check your trigger warnings.
I will always praise Avery her writing never disappoints and she makes you want to scream and cry absolutely all with good intentions. It’s her love language.
What’s love worth fighting for without heartache and pain until you finally free yourself from the ghost of your past.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It's been two days since I finished Reign...and, I still have a book hangover!
8 years...8 years has passed for Nickolaj and Vincenzo. I felt every emotion of those 8 years alongside Vincenzo. I thought I was prepared for the conclusion of their story. Spoiler- my heart was not!
The love/hate/I don't understand why I feel this way dynamic between Nickolaj and Vincenzo made my heart stop, had me cursing at Avery (a lot), and had me ugly crying like I haven't cried for characters in a while. Yes, I get emotionally attached to characters- it's hard not to when they are well written, the story is passionate in all the right ways, and when you can see their story unfold like a movie in your mind. This is what Avery gives us with Reign.
Watching these two fight ghosts, unravel hidden moments from the past and long for each other is worth every heart stopping, tearful moment. Watching Nickolaj fight to understand fragments of voices and dreams that don't make sense. Watching Vincenzo mourn the loss of a love only he remembers.
I always knew their conclusion would be dark and dangerous, I just never knew how much. I loved these two so much, and I'm sad that I can't experience their story again for the first time.
Reign must be read after Conquest and Empire for full enjoyment and appropriate timeline. Please check the content warning as this is a dark romance.
8 years...8 years has passed for Nickolaj and Vincenzo. I felt every emotion of those 8 years alongside Vincenzo. I thought I was prepared for the conclusion of their story. Spoiler- my heart was not!
The love/hate/I don't understand why I feel this way dynamic between Nickolaj and Vincenzo made my heart stop, had me cursing at Avery (a lot), and had me ugly crying like I haven't cried for characters in a while. Yes, I get emotionally attached to characters- it's hard not to when they are well written, the story is passionate in all the right ways, and when you can see their story unfold like a movie in your mind. This is what Avery gives us with Reign.
Watching these two fight ghosts, unravel hidden moments from the past and long for each other is worth every heart stopping, tearful moment. Watching Nickolaj fight to understand fragments of voices and dreams that don't make sense. Watching Vincenzo mourn the loss of a love only he remembers.
I always knew their conclusion would be dark and dangerous, I just never knew how much. I loved these two so much, and I'm sad that I can't experience their story again for the first time.
Reign must be read after Conquest and Empire for full enjoyment and appropriate timeline. Please check the content warning as this is a dark romance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Reign is book two of the Of Ruin and Royalty Series.
This might be my favourite book so far from Avery Collins. You need to read Conquest before reading this one to understand everything that has led us to the events in this story. Reading Empire, as well, would help for a little bit of back story.
My emotions were all over the place while reading this. We get a lot of high intensity moments where I waited with bated breath to see what was going to happen next. Stakes were high and I teared up a few times through reading this. We finally get to see the events that transpired after the end of Conquest. I am just overwhelmed with the love you could feel from Nikolaj and Vincenzo. You could feel everything they were feeling, no matter the emotion. There is so much love I have for this story. The first part was very good as it is a young love while they are at school. But now we are eight years later and they are the strong leaders they need to be for their people, but you can see how much stronger the love has gotten over the years. This was an absolutely amazing read!
This might be my favourite book so far from Avery Collins. You need to read Conquest before reading this one to understand everything that has led us to the events in this story. Reading Empire, as well, would help for a little bit of back story.
My emotions were all over the place while reading this. We get a lot of high intensity moments where I waited with bated breath to see what was going to happen next. Stakes were high and I teared up a few times through reading this. We finally get to see the events that transpired after the end of Conquest. I am just overwhelmed with the love you could feel from Nikolaj and Vincenzo. You could feel everything they were feeling, no matter the emotion. There is so much love I have for this story. The first part was very good as it is a young love while they are at school. But now we are eight years later and they are the strong leaders they need to be for their people, but you can see how much stronger the love has gotten over the years. This was an absolutely amazing read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I've been waiting a gazillion years for this book, not really, but it feels like it. Going into this knowing it was going to be an emotional roller coaster ride still didn't prepare me for the real thing. It really hit me in the feels all the way down to the marrow. It was gut wrenching and don't read it while you're working or in public or any kind of adulting. It crushed me in some places, broke my heart in others. I love them so much and watching Niko bend himself for his King was so heartwarming. The spice was hot of course. I expect nothing less of our boys, but it was still very beautiful the way they came together. Maker I am still screaming and crying and I don't know what to do with it all. It was such a devastating and emotional story and it really made my heart bleed. I am not ready to leave them ;.; it was a hard earned HEA, but omg my babies.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Avery NEVER disappoints! Reign is Book 2 of the Ruin And Royalty Series by Avery Collins. Empire (Prequel) & Conquest (Book1) had already broken my soul. Like always Avery mended it back her way with Reign! Nikolaj & Vincenzo went through so much. Being born into an empire where love has no place, being born Enemies, & the history between the families, they had no chance. Going into this book I was anxious, I knew tears were going to be inevitable. And they were. But these two got their hard fought HEA! After burning everything down, they got it and Avery made sure you felt every second of it. Tbh 5 stars isn't enough. Make sure you pace yourself through this series & check the trigger warnings!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rtc when I stop starring at the wall…
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May 31, 2026RTC
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