My Savage Valentine

by Selena Winters

As Chicago's most promising artist, I've always seen the world differently—noticing patterns others miss, sensing the darkness hidden beneath polished surfaces. My abstract paintings explore the shadows most people fear to face, but I never imagined finding someone who truly understood them until I met Gabriel Dawson. His jazz bar became my sanctuary, his music echoing the chaotic beauty I try to capture on canvas. But when I accidentally discovered what lay beneath the stage floor—the carefully preserved trophies of his darkest passions—I should have run screaming into the night.

Instead, I found myself drawn to his dangerous honesty, the raw authenticity in his eyes when he speaks of justice served outside the law. My best friend Maya fell into this world through Adrian's chocolates; I stumbled in through Gabe's bloodstained hands. Now we're forming something beyond friendship or romance—a dark quartet playing a deadly symphony of our own composition.

They say true artists must suffer to create authentic work. What they don't tell you is how exhilarating it feels when suffering is something you inflict rather than endure, or how intoxicating it is to find a partner who appreciates your particular vision of justice rendered in crimson.

My Bloody Valentine is a dark serial killer romance that explores the darker side of human nature and contains heavy subjects that some readers may find triggering. At the beginning of the book, you will have access to a full list of the warnings. This story has no cliffhanger and ends with a HEA.

Genres: Dark Romance

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2026

Reviews

[neeshreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Whew! You know you’re in for a treat when 🥣☠️ besties find their obsessions at virtually the same time! We met Gabe in My Bloody Valentine, he’s Adrian’s only friend and vice versa, and while this can be read as a standalone, it’s fun to see the dichotomy between these two vigilantes and their methods (basically, you’ll want to meet Adrian if you haven’t already!). Gabe is filled with passion, and his emotions guide his art creation, so it’s only fitting he falls for the up-and-coming artist who sees the darkness hiding in plain sight…

💀Serial Unaliver MMC
🖤Artist FMC🎨
💀Obsessive & Possessive MMC
🖤Power Exchange - Dom/Sub
💀Hand Necklaces, Use of Restraints & Spanking
🖤Br33d!ng K!nk w/o Pregnancy
💀Dirty Talk, Begging, Praise & Degradation
🖤Impact & 🔪 Play, Edging
💀Ladynapping & Forced Proximity
🖤Masked Man & Pri!mal Play

Amelia has always noticed patterns that others miss–seeing the darkness most people fear to face. So, when Gabriel Dawson views her art, really understands what’s hiding in plain sight, she feels seen in ways she never has before. Gabe becomes her muse and when she finds what truly lays beneath his polished exterior, instead of running from his darkness, she’s drawn to it…

Listen, it’s no secret that Gabe is unhinged. We can’t change that and we don’t want to 🤣 Red flags in real life don’t exist in the fictional world Selena Winters creates, because vigilante justice painted in red looks good on Gabe. Would I visit his…uhh…museum? You know what? There’s a first time for everything 🤣

When Gabe finds Amelia and their darkness blends into a new shade of black, there’s no going back. We love a committed and dedicated man, and especially one who can unlock all of your hidden desires while fueling his own. The tension and heat that builds between these two? 🔥🔥🔥 Who knew a spiked mask, rope play, and filthy words would lead to branding (consensual!), all while also having me nodding my head saying, “I get it.” Gabe lured me into a symphony of his own making, and I didn’t want it to end!

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selena Winters is so good at writing bad boys. Gabriel oozes sex appeal, with his dirty talk, sexy body, talented hands and … well, he has a few other talented parts. Together, Gabriel and Amelia are magic. Just when they think everything is going their way, it doesn’t. Secrets are revealed. Loyalty is tested. Feelings are … complicated.

*** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Gabriel
FMC:
✨Amelia
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Book 2 of The Valentine's Duet
Epilogue:
🌗yes
Tropes:
👉dark valentine’s romance
👉serial killer romance
👉masked man romance
👉touch her and ☠️
👉vigilante killer mmc/acclaimed artist fmc
Triggers:
⚠️Readers should read all triggers on author’s website⚠️
💥18+
💥sex, primal, bondage, knife play, etc
💥profanity
💥violence, graphic, abuse - past
💥death, murdery type
💥kidnapping
💥immuring
Burn Speed:
✨medium
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Savage Valentine's Day! Gabr is the definition of savage & unhinged. He is talented in so many ways wine, music, building furniture, running a jazz bar, & well of course killing! Everyone has their reasons for killing people, the way they kill them, & how they dispose of them. Gabe's methods similar to Adrian but a bit more savage. These two continue their friends but Adrian's love Maya brings Adrian's new obsession into his life. Amelia is also a talented artist beautifully broken but equally as savage when her trueself comes out. Through her paintings Gabe see somethu no one else does. Amelia is done playing it safe. The twisted HEA always gets me because not every happy ending is perfectly clean. I loved how Adrian & Maya do show up throughout the story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KayCee · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading My Bloody Valentine, I was hoping to get more of Gabe and Amelia. Gabe is passionate, about his jazz bar, about his unconventional hobby, and now, about Amelia. Amelia is an up and coming artist whose work seems misunderstood, but appreciated by most. Gabe sees what others can't and he shows her a world she never imagined. The passion in these book is palpable and raw. They each surrender to the other in ways that they never saw coming. A quick dark romance read (read it in one afternoon), that will keep you engaged.

[Dana Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Selena's writing! Just like she wrote with Adrian and Maya in My Bloody Valentine - she develops her characters with very dark, deep seeded desires throughout the story in such a way that it's believable and realistic (even if they are murderous and unhinged).

I loved that Amelia is naturally hesitant and resistant to embracing her true dark side that Gabe notices and tries to nurture. Gabe is hot, possessive, obsessive, and devious in all the best ways!! And the spice is chef's kiss!!!!

Selena is an author who is an automatic buy EVERY TIME!!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gives a whole new meaning to Valentine’s Day 🌶️

Absolutely delicious! Amelia and Gabe brought together by art; the things people don’t see, the emotions captured in her paintings. Neither run from it, but embrace the darkness together to create something spectacular. There’s also just something about a man willingly holding down a predator so his woman can make her beautiful art 🙃❤️

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia sees patterns and truths many dont its what makes her art so vivid and real but she never feels seen that is until she meets Gabe, he becomes her muse but what happens when she discovers his truths? Gabe is (Adrians bk1- best and only friend) they share a vigilante lifestyle, only when Gabe sets his sights on Amelias and her work the darkness speaks even more, and thats enough to seal their fates! Well written engaging dark themes, desires, suspense steamy scenes and more!

[Jacquelyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

really wanted to like it

Love the author, her carnival series was amazing. First book in this series was fine; I wanted to like this one so much but the writing felt off to me. Settings were jumbled, details weren’t kept through the book. It felt like reading AI and I truly hope the author isn’t using it because her earlier books are so good.

[Sara Duran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia & Gabe

Amelia & Gabe are just perfect for each other. Amelia brings a new dynamic and sees what Gabe & Adrian haven't. I was worried for her in the beginning, but she has shown her strength in many ways. I wouldn't mind reading a novella seeing what kinds of art they have all been up to.

[Elsa Reyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll buy anything she writes

She could write a one page recipe and I'll buy it!!!!!
She is that good!!!
Love all her books, they are all in my shelf!!! Trophies!!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
Great story, another keeper!!!

[Bam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fine dark romance smutty read. As always loved this book.
Its unhinged and spicy.
Makes 4 a amazing read 🔥 💦 🤤 🥵.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great read by Selena winters and another great dark romance. the chemistry between Gabe and Amelia was a delight to read..

[Read, Run and Rescue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part two didn’t even know this box existed but it was a continuation well same work different main characters. Still sexy good fun!