Flowers In The Wind

by C.J Riggs

𝙼𝚢 𝚜𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚙𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚝𝚞𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚕.
𝙷𝚎𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝙸 𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚍, 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚕.
𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎.

𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚝𝚊𝚕 𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝, 𝚊𝚜 𝚒𝚏 𝙸 𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚢 𝚎𝚢𝚎𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2025

Reviews

[Darkbookghoul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished Flowers in the Wind by C.J. Riggs and this book is so good, but very hard to read as there are some very traumatic bits. Please make sure you check your trigger warnings before reading! Bear in mind that this book is a PITCH BLACK EROTIC HORROR!

Lani and Kiah are sisters and they are everything to each other. When Kiah gets a boyfriend, she soon changes as he comes between them and Lani soon finds herself without her sunflower.

This book is extremely hard hitting and I couldn’t put it down. I won’t give spoilers but this book is a bittersweet and heartbreaking read but I would recommend it to anyone that can handle it. I will think about this one for a long time.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was beyond excited when I was chosen to arc read flowers in the wind.
This book was written so well, yes it was hard to read at times but it is a story that is rarely told but needed to be.
C.J Riggs writes revenge so beautifully that every time the FMC got her revenge I was like YES!!!
Check your triggers before reading as this is a heavy emotional read.
This book takes a spot in my top 10 of 2025!!

[Caffs37 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow, this was an emotional ride and then some… I may need to sit on this for a few days and come back with a full review…. Riggs will forever be a go to author for me and this just strengthens that, is there nothing she can’t write 😯

[Dani-Lynn Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓮
🌶️🌶️- 𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮
🔥🔥🔥 - 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
🩸🩸🩸 - 𝓰𝓸𝓻𝓮

🖤 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼🖤
Kiah & Leilani

🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤
📕bone shattering
📕racial stereotyping
📕tongue removal
📕skinning
📕incorrect use of a hammer

🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤
First of all, I want to start this out by saying how much I appreciate all the collective notes from the author explaining the harsh conditions that women of color face. The way the author went carefully in depth with how so many colored women go missing but are never on the news. It brings forth awareness to what others may not notice is truly happening.

*spoilers*

Leilani has always been overly protective of her twin sister, Kiah. Whether at school or at home, she feels like she tries to be normal but something prevents her. Like she’s different in an odd way. It’s not until she turns fourteen when she discovers a body in the woods on the walk home. Instead of reporting it, she feels comfortable. Like she’s and the dead girl have something in common. Her father finds her with the body and notices there may be something wrong with their daughter but he doesn’t want to acknowledge it. Lani understands she’s different and tries to become normal for her sister.

Even throughout their adult years, they remain close to each other until Kiah starts dating the quarterback of the university. One fight in front of the whole school between them sends Lani to come to her defense, even though she’s told to stay out of their business. Ultimately, Kiah chooses to go back to him, leaving her sister behind. Lani has been wrapped up in her own relationship to worry until the day they stop hearing from Kiah altogether. Worry passes through the family as their dad starts a search for her. But the drastic part is when they discover her body in the swamp and they both unravel at the seams.

Now, they know who did it but with the corrupt legal system, they were able to get away with the homicide and r@PE of her sister. With her tendencies, Lani knows the only way they’ll get what they deserve is if she takes control with her own hands. I will say, things take a blood churning turn in the story as it dives into themes of mourning and revenge. The death scenes are explained with such grotesque descriptions that you’ll feel like you were in the room when it happened.

This story is captivating, gruesome, and full of sisterly love that ends with twists and bloody turns you won’t see coming. This is truly a good for her story that everyone will thoroughly enjoy. We definitely need more POC main characters in 2026!

[Eunice Hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darlings of Darkness

Oh, honey, where do I even start? CJ Riggs has done it again, delivering a book that doesn’t just titillate the senses, it grabs you by the collar, smirks, and says, “Buckle up, babe.” If you’ve read her debut, No, For An Answer (and if you haven’t, what are you even doing with your life?), you know you’re in for a ride that’s equal parts emotional chaos and literary brilliance.

First things first! TRIGGER WARNINGS. Yes, sweetie, they’re there for a reason. Check them before they check you.

Now, let’s talk about Lani. This girl is an entire vibe. Sapphic queen with ice in her veins and a spine forged from pure steel, Lani doesn’t do emotions, she does actions. Her connection to her twin isn’t about gushy feelings; it’s an unbreakable bond that’s colder than logic and sharper than a blade. And when someone dares to mess with her sunflower? Oh, darling, you better duck, because Lani doesn’t simmer—she erupts, and the fallout is catastrophic.

But wait…. what happens to Lani’s family? Her lover? The poor souls who dare cross her path? That’s for you to discover, my curious little chaos gremlin. All I’ll say is, CJ Riggs didn’t come to play; she came to shatter hearts and twist minds.

If you’re in the mood for a book that will have you crying, gasping, and questioning your sanity, Flowers In The Wind is your next read. The twists alone will leave you in a state of glorious whiplash.

Yours in literary madness,
E

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Truly. I went into this fairly blind as to what the story was about and once I started, I couldn’t put it down.

This is pitch black erotic horror. Not a love story. Not a HEA. A dark, intricately woven story that’s brutal, sad, haunting and is written in a way that is both sensitive to the reader but doesn’t sugarcoat how brutal the story is….and how it can easily translate to real life.

Lani, since childhood is fiercely protective of her sister Kiah. Her love for her sister is the only thing she feels is “normal” about herself as she doesn’t feel things the way other people do. Not her parents, not her sister, but how she cares for Kiah is the closest she’s ever been to a feeling of love.

Then everything changes. It takes a new circle of friends for Kiah. One argument….and then she’s just….gone. She’s missing and what follows is harrowing.

Its revenge, blood spilled, gory, satisfying and a sister who truly would go to the ends of the earth to protect the one person who always accepted her just as she is…

You need to read this book for yourself. There’s one huge twist I did not even slightly guess was coming….and it was fantastic. Be warned, it deals with dark issues, gore and monsters that don’t just hide in the shadows, but are in plain sight…

100% recommend.

[Sam Oneill · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALWAYS check your trigger warnings!

This is a beautifully written pitch black erotic horror, one that is hauntingly sad, brutal and tear jerking.

This story follows Lani who is protective over her sister, the light in her dark tunnel, after being so close to her sister, all it took was for one argument to change everything, Lani's whole world changed, the darkness took over and she was on the hunt for revenge...

The way this author has brought this storyline and the characters in it was amazingly done!

This novel caught me hookline and sinker and I absolutely ate this book up!

This novel was raw and held every emotion possible, you felt every emotion in it, the talet that went into this storyline is amazing!

This isn't the first novel by this author I have read and I can hands down say it will not be the last of her novels!

This is one of my favourite reads of 2025!!

The twists and turns in this storyline was very creative and written amazingly well. There twist at the end I was not expecting! It left me wanting and needing more!

The spice, the g0re, the love Lani had for her sister, I am here for!!

I highly recommend this author and her work, as always please read your triggers before reading this novel!

I can't wait to see what else this author has in store for us next!

[Pitch Black J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting this book from the dedication I can honestly state just the dedication alone had me in tears.
Now don’t get me wrong this story is heartbreaking, rage filled and a deep look into a culture that most don’t truly understand.
With that being said if you don’t or didn’t read the dedication then you lost the plot of book in its entirety.
This book derives from looking back on what can truly happen when you’re hated for being born into this world.
This book upset me, broke me, rebuilt me and understood exactly what the author was trying to achieve.
This book is not for the weak at heart. It is dark, it is vengeance, it is meant to be viewed with an open mind so that us as a reader will understand.
I loved that a sister’s bond meant to exact the justice is deserved on those at all cost. Lani loved her sister so deeply that she took her hurt and turned into a path of darkness and destruction. At first I thought she was the villain in the story but the deeper I got the more I saw just how far she was willing to go. A love like Lani’s will forever stay with me because this story deserved to be told. I truly hope others find the remarkable life of Lani and all that she endured to capture the love of myself for the battle she took upon herself so that her sister’s life wasn’t in vain.

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love me a strong FMC who is hell bent on vengeance 🤭

Kiah and Lani are fraternal twins, being very close to one another. The difference is whilst Kiah is a kind natured soul, Lani knows she is different from a very young age. However, Lani learns through years to hide it behind a facade of ‘normal’. Until the day her sister disappears and then the instigators need to look out! Lani is not a woman to hide behind the justice system no, she is her own justice system and she plans her vengeance down to the last detail except she learns something she didn’t forsee...

𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎'𝚜 𝚗𝚘 𝚜𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚕𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝙴𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚒𝚜 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢.
🔪 ᖇEᐯEᑎGE.🩸

C.J has popped her long list of triggers at the front of the book, and I am not ashamed to admit I didn’t read them I suggest if you have at least one you do. For me there wasn’t anything that affected me, I have read other stories a similar ilk if not more gorey (is that a word 🤔) What I liked about this one, apart from the storyline was the influence of reality intertwined within plus the little twists, I did foresee one but then the others 🤯 it made for a great read and the ending, loved it. If you can stomach the intense torture scenes, the description of what happened to her sister 🍇 & 💀 then you will enjoy it.

[Elorafae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a 6⭐️ read for me!!

I went into this knowing that I was about to experience trauma, pain, revenge and grief… given the TWs I knew it was going to be an emotional rollercoaster. And by god did Riggs deliver!

This is something very different to her usual stuff, it’s focused on the emotions and suffering rather than smut. When I tell you this book altered my brain chemistry, I’m not joking.

I’m not spoiling anything, but all I can say is that I adored following Lani’s story. Being able to learn who she is alongside her with each chapter was such a beautiful way of getting to know her and what she went through.

This is soo beautifully written, I sobbed reading this but I’d do it all again just to experience such an amazing book! It truly broken my heart and as someone who has such a vivid imagination, I felt every word.

I know Riggs poured her heart and soul into every word written in this book, and you can tell. She’s written this with every fibre of herself and for that I am immensely proud that I have been able to experience this.

This is a book that I would recommend everyone to read.

[Gemz Booktok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well of course I expected this new release to be absolutely amazing and out of this world because i expect nothing less from this incredible author! This book deserves way more than 5 stars and this has become my top favourite read of riggs to date.
Riggs has beautifully written this book its tragic emotional devastating gory deliciously deliciously spicy with every emotion complimenting the other. Being able to write about a subject as heavy as this and create a beautiful masterpiece is raw talent. Riggs should be so very proud of herself for creating this book and taking us into a space where where you feel fully connected with this fmc and the trauma she faces and the journey she embark on for justice. I will never ever forget this book it will stay with me forever.
I absolutely devoured it and most definitely will reread it again. Riggs carry on doing what you doing girl! Still remains an instant read and buy author for me.
Now don't waste any more time and get stuck into this incredible read!!
Gemz booktok x

[kat reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

UTTER PERFECTION!! If C.j writes it, I’m gonna read it. I knew from the very first chapter that this was going to be some of her best work, it blew me away. The storyline was so easy to follow and the characters were so easy to connect to and picture. The plot twist was absolutely diabolical, another reason why I love her writing so much. I NEVER guess the plot twists & this was no different. Lani, our fmc took revenge in her own hands for her sister and it was such a wild ride. You could feel all the emotions she was feeling and the rage she had for those people.

If you enjoy horror & gore, an fmc on a revenge spree & a plot twist you never saw coming, run to KU on the 20th & read this work of art.

“𝙉𝙤𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩… 𝙄’𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙤𝙙!”

𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 & 𝕋𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕘𝕖𝕣𝕤:
🌻 Sapphic Horror Erotica
🖤 Pitch Black
💀 Serial Unaliver
🩸 Heavy Gore & Murder
🦷 Teeth & Finger Removal
🌪️ Plot Twists
✍🏻 Revenge
⛪️ Bible Scripture
🫙 Lye
🎭 Skin Mask

You can find the Full list of trigger warnings in the book.

𝙴̷𝚟̷𝚎̷𝚗̷ 𝚝̷𝚑̷𝚘̷𝚞̷𝚐̷𝚑̷ 𝙸̷’𝚖̷ 𝚐̷𝚛̷𝚘̷𝚠̷𝚗̷ 𝚎̷𝚗̷𝚘̷𝚞̷𝚐̷𝚑̷ 𝚝̷𝚘̷ 𝚔̷𝚗̷𝚘̷𝚠̷ 𝚝̷𝚑̷𝚎̷𝚒̷𝚛̷ 𝚠̷𝚘̷𝚛̷𝚍̷𝚜̷ 𝚠̷𝚎̷𝚛̷𝚎̷ 𝚏̷𝚘̷𝚛̷ 𝚌̷𝚘̷𝚖̷𝚏̷𝚘̷𝚛̷𝚝̷—𝚝̷𝚘̷ 𝚜̷𝚑̷𝚘̷𝚠̷ 𝚖̷𝚎̷ 𝚝̷𝚑̷𝚎̷𝚢̷ 𝚕̷𝚘̷𝚟̷𝚎̷ 𝚖̷𝚎̷—𝚝̷𝚑̷𝚊̷𝚝̷ 𝚝̷𝚑̷𝚎̷𝚛̷𝚎̷ 𝚑̷𝚊̷𝚜̷ 𝚋̷𝚎̷𝚎̷𝚗̷, 𝚊̷𝚗̷𝚍̷ 𝚊̷𝚕̷𝚠̷𝚊̷𝚢̷𝚜̷ 𝚠̷𝚒̷𝚕̷𝚕̷ 𝚋̷𝚎̷, 𝚜̷𝚘̷𝚖̷𝚎̷𝚝̷𝚑̷𝚒̷𝚗̷𝚐̷ 𝚠̷𝚛̷𝚘̷𝚗̷𝚐̷ 𝚠̷𝚒̷𝚝̷𝚑̷ 𝙻̷𝚎̷𝚒̷𝚕̷𝚊̷𝚗̷𝚒̷ 𝚂̷𝚖̷𝚒̷𝚝̷𝚑̷.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ review
Prepare yourself… No spoilers!!!!
I don’t want to go into too much detail, but believe me when I say this was an emotional rollercoaster but one I didn’t want to get off. I needed to know more.
I full on fell in love with Lani and her story! You can tell how much time and effort has gone into this from the little details! This deserves a whole lot more than five stars. I have never felt such raw emotion through someone’s writing before.
Just a heads up, this isn’t like anything that CJ Riggs has written before this isn’t some smut fuelled novel, this is a hell of a lot deeper!
With all due respect please check your trigger warnings before reading this!
That put aside I truly do believe this is by far one of the best books I have ever read! And I will brag about this book to anyone that will listen!

[Letty Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy moly guacamole!
This was amazing!
I cried, I laughed, I felt a wee bit nauseated everything you want from a horror.
Phenomenal!
Lani may be different, but the love she has for her sister is amazing, it’s how siblings should be! My heart hurt for them both!
You should 100% read this, check your triggers & get your tissues!

A silence in my soul I'm unable to get rid of, for the tirst time in twenty-one years on this Earth...I can't feel my sister anymore.

😭😭😭

Thank you Riggs for the ARC I’m so glad I signed up because this is a book that will stay with me! 💖

[Erica Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review
Flowers In The Wind

My girl CJ has done it again, I'm actually struggling to put into words how I feel.

This story is dark, twisted, gory and is mental health heavy but when you peel back those layers it's a story of love, heartbreak and a fight for justice.

I loved the twist CJ put on our normal villain and the spice in this book was 👌🏼

The story was quite eye opening for me, I don't want to give any spoilers but to hear a father tell his young daughter to 'get used to and prepare for racism because it's gonna happen for the rest of their lives' broke my heart

100% recommend this book

Another amazing book from CJ

[Ana Ferreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

To start I don't even know where to begin!

This book is a masterpiece, I was hooked from the beginning.

You can see Lani's and Kia's story while they are growing, and all their life events, you get invested to the point you can't stop!

I don't want to spoil this for any reader, I went blind knowing only it was a horror story, it is disturbing and gory at times, the spice is top level🔥, the plot twists had my jaw on the floor to the point I was texting CJ Riggs 🤣

Please check your Trigger Warnings because it's extremely dark.

if you like this vibes run to this book, I honestly wish I could read this book again for the first time, I loved it so so much!

infinite stars⭐️

[Rourkietattoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all in honoured to receive this book as an Arc so thank you …..

I devoured this book in a day I couldn’t put it down it was an emotional rollercoaster it’s spicy dark gory and the way it covers mental heath was amazing it covers the twins kiah and lani at first it’s revenge it’s love it’s pain I got so invested in Lani’s story and you can’t help but cheer her on Riggs has done it again she is the most talented writers there is 5 star read for one of the best books I’ve read this year I would recommend to everyone who s enjoys the genre.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, a massive thank you to CJ Riggs for the arc of Flowers In The Wind - you’re the best!✨

I absolutely devoured this, it was so gripping and entertaining because of the sweet revenge we got to read about and see Lani let herself be exactly who she is.

I was not expecting the lil plot twist/ending at all which made the book even more entertaining!!

The plot, the spice and the gore were just unmatched as usual as CJ Riggs writes some of the best erotic horror books ever!

This is a pitch black erotic horror, so check your triggers!!!

[Jess_feelzinsane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I give this book a 10 star rating!!?

Woow..one thing I want to say about this author is her writing will have you as a reader feel like youre inside the book and being that character youre reading about! I hope that makes sense!! This book is full of tragic betrayal and revenge!! I loved every page! My heart hurts for Lani and each step of the way in her journey to get revenge for her sister..each one had me smiling and cheering her on!! Yall need to read all of c.j. riggs books! They are amazingly dark..deep and youll never forget them!

[Cane (FeelinNoCane) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in a complete chokehold, I loved every bit of it. Without giving anything away, the story centers on twin sisters who are polar opposites. It follows their lives from childhood all the way through college, and let me tell you, it is not a smooth ride.

This is a heavy story, so please check trigger warnings. That said, it is such a compelling read. The plot is so gripping you won’t be able to put it down, and the ending is so, so satisfying. Ad this to TBR. !00% recommend.

[Jeyshaslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

arc review:

This book was EMOTIONAL and a half. A pitch dark erotic horror where the fmc gets her well deserved revenge. I could tell the author went to great lengths to do her research for this book and it wad greatly executed.
This book is in the darker category and it is not for the faint of heart, so PLEASE do not take the trigger warnings lightly and prioritize your mental health.

[Harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good

So this is my first time reading something from this author and I actually enjoyed it.

I felt bad he lost his sister and I know that had to be hard on him. And I hate what happened to her.

But in a way he was getting revenge for her. But I feel like I need more. Like I feel like there’s more to be told

Def recommend

[Amz reads📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a highly anticipated read for me .
I was so excited to read this and let me tell you it did its job
From start to finish i was sucked into the pages highly recommended this read

Also that trigger warning list just *chefs kiss*

[sophia valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riggs never disappoints!
Lani is on a mission for revenge and damn does she get it.
saphic book but this is more about bloody murder than sex.
riggs does know how to write a girl scene though.

[Jennie Theobald · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Amber Qizilbash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a gore filled exciting twist of a book! Can never go wrong with CJs books! Mindblown!!
My heart ached for these two sisters, and the revenge plot that took place!! My soul ached 💔
Loved loved loved