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From Sea and Skye #1
The Face of My Killer
A breakup followed by a blackout.
After his boyfriend dumped him and a night of terror, Theo left England without looking back. He tries to ignore the nightmares that have plagued him for twelve years, pushing everything down, pretending he’s okay. All he wants is a quiet life in his little village on the Isle of Skye.
But then the last person he would have expected turns up to his cousin’s wedding. Bailey is suddenly back in his life, acting as though he doesn’t remember the night that left a permanent scar on Theo.
~
Theo is not the same boy Bailey fell in love with. He’s full of anger and resentment that seems to have come from nowhere. However much he tries, Bailey can’t remember the night Theo ran away. Now that they’re stuck in close proximity for a month, Bailey pushes Theo to tell him what happened. But when Theo finally fills in the gaps, Bailey’s whole world shatters.
~
This is an angsty second chance MM romance that is book 1 in the From Sea and Skye series. The book is a standalone in an interconnected series, and ends with a HEA. (The book is written in 1st person present tense)
After his boyfriend dumped him and a night of terror, Theo left England without looking back. He tries to ignore the nightmares that have plagued him for twelve years, pushing everything down, pretending he’s okay. All he wants is a quiet life in his little village on the Isle of Skye.
But then the last person he would have expected turns up to his cousin’s wedding. Bailey is suddenly back in his life, acting as though he doesn’t remember the night that left a permanent scar on Theo.
~
Theo is not the same boy Bailey fell in love with. He’s full of anger and resentment that seems to have come from nowhere. However much he tries, Bailey can’t remember the night Theo ran away. Now that they’re stuck in close proximity for a month, Bailey pushes Theo to tell him what happened. But when Theo finally fills in the gaps, Bailey’s whole world shatters.
~
This is an angsty second chance MM romance that is book 1 in the From Sea and Skye series. The book is a standalone in an interconnected series, and ends with a HEA. (The book is written in 1st person present tense)
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2026
About the author
Jordan Victoria
1 book22 followersJordan Victoria is an English queer author who loves to write passionate queer romance that explores mental health and tackling trauma.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
May 9, 2026
HOLY SH*TBALLS!!!
5⭐️
✨BUCKLE UP B!TCH THIS ONE COMES IN FAST AND HARD… SOOOOO GOOD, 100% a MUST READ!!!!✨
OHHH GIRL IM IN A CHOKEHOLD… JUST KEEP DRAGGING ME FARTHER I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK LIKE WHAT THE F^CK IS HAPPENING (respectfully like its so good but like im so anxious and nervous but i love every second of it)
The cover for the face of my killer really drew me in and I knew I was gonna get myself into some spooky fun but lord it was way more of twisting your mind and I loved the psychological aspects it had and the wild ride it made me go on cause I for sure felt like I was getting psychologically unstable with reading and I loved it even if it was subtle at times like it still got you thinking crazy in a way.
Bay my baby this man has gone through so much with being apart of an unstable household that really messed with him mentally and emotionally really bad and it caused so much and his brother …. Really messed him up. And bay just wanted to be with Teddy his person, his home but Shane never wanted to share bay and that broke my heart. And how we saw bay grow and fall hard it broke my heart no matter what he just needed a safe space and I’m glad he finally got that even though he had it all along but he just needed a clearer mindset.
Teddy omgggg the way he fell hard for bay it really was so cute I loved it but then we saw pieces of their relationship and then what happened why that 12 year break happened and all the miss interpretations of what happened and hearing both sides it broke my heart. My babies really loved each other but in the mindset of someone being there to mess your life up it tore them apart and when we found out everything I sobbed like my poor babies they really loved each other and would’ve been each others person sooner but someone got in the way.
“I think if I were given a choice to do that again, I’d run after you every single time” FUCKKK MY HEART LIKE OMGGGGG
“I’m finally home” “you are my home” - these quotes really broke my Soul I sobbed so hard because how much I loved Bailey and Theo like I love my babies so much and they were so each others person even from afar they were always connected in some sort of way and the way they still got thrown together and how their lives clashed again and memories fluttered in like a raging waterfall like after that they were never going to not be together they just needed to find themselves within each other and they did and my soul feels complete knowing they are okay in some sort of way they have each other.
I really didn’t want this story to End I was so emotionally invested with both baileys and Theo’s story but just the whole plot and aspects of suspense/thriller it very felt like I was on the edge of my seat I was so anxious cause I needed to know what tf was gonna happen next and BOY DID I FIND OUT LIKE GIRLL THIS IS STRAIGHT UP A FREAKING MASTERPIECE LIKE I NEED MORE !!!
I’m so excited for the world to see and read Bailey and theo’s story and fall in love and more with them like I did and enjoy this wild, beautiful, emotional, and so many more, ride BUCKLE UP THIS WAS A WILD RIDE AND I LOVED IT CALL ME OBSESSED.
5⭐️
✨BUCKLE UP B!TCH THIS ONE COMES IN FAST AND HARD… SOOOOO GOOD, 100% a MUST READ!!!!✨
OHHH GIRL IM IN A CHOKEHOLD… JUST KEEP DRAGGING ME FARTHER I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK LIKE WHAT THE F^CK IS HAPPENING (respectfully like its so good but like im so anxious and nervous but i love every second of it)
The cover for the face of my killer really drew me in and I knew I was gonna get myself into some spooky fun but lord it was way more of twisting your mind and I loved the psychological aspects it had and the wild ride it made me go on cause I for sure felt like I was getting psychologically unstable with reading and I loved it even if it was subtle at times like it still got you thinking crazy in a way.
Bay my baby this man has gone through so much with being apart of an unstable household that really messed with him mentally and emotionally really bad and it caused so much and his brother …. Really messed him up. And bay just wanted to be with Teddy his person, his home but Shane never wanted to share bay and that broke my heart. And how we saw bay grow and fall hard it broke my heart no matter what he just needed a safe space and I’m glad he finally got that even though he had it all along but he just needed a clearer mindset.
Teddy omgggg the way he fell hard for bay it really was so cute I loved it but then we saw pieces of their relationship and then what happened why that 12 year break happened and all the miss interpretations of what happened and hearing both sides it broke my heart. My babies really loved each other but in the mindset of someone being there to mess your life up it tore them apart and when we found out everything I sobbed like my poor babies they really loved each other and would’ve been each others person sooner but someone got in the way.
“I think if I were given a choice to do that again, I’d run after you every single time” FUCKKK MY HEART LIKE OMGGGGG
“I’m finally home” “you are my home” - these quotes really broke my Soul I sobbed so hard because how much I loved Bailey and Theo like I love my babies so much and they were so each others person even from afar they were always connected in some sort of way and the way they still got thrown together and how their lives clashed again and memories fluttered in like a raging waterfall like after that they were never going to not be together they just needed to find themselves within each other and they did and my soul feels complete knowing they are okay in some sort of way they have each other.
I really didn’t want this story to End I was so emotionally invested with both baileys and Theo’s story but just the whole plot and aspects of suspense/thriller it very felt like I was on the edge of my seat I was so anxious cause I needed to know what tf was gonna happen next and BOY DID I FIND OUT LIKE GIRLL THIS IS STRAIGHT UP A FREAKING MASTERPIECE LIKE I NEED MORE !!!
I’m so excited for the world to see and read Bailey and theo’s story and fall in love and more with them like I did and enjoy this wild, beautiful, emotional, and so many more, ride BUCKLE UP THIS WAS A WILD RIDE AND I LOVED IT CALL ME OBSESSED.
May 4, 2026
I feel like these new book releases just aren't doing it for me 😩 This was one of those books I was really looking forward to, but sadly it ended up being a bit of a letdown.
I’m not saying that the book is bad, and especially for a debut it’s good. Also the story, characters and plot are interesting and different. Because of that, I ended up giving 3⭐️, but the overall execution just didn't quite work for me personally.
My biggest issues were the predictability, the fact that the events and characters frustrated me, and the lack of chemistry or connection between the main couple -an attempt was there to build it through flashbacks, but I just couldn't feel it.
With some books, if the story and the writing pulls me in, I can just go with the vibes and ignore any inconsistencies, but with this one, I had a hard time buying into it.
So yeah, it’s not hard to guess right from the start what’s going on with Shane and Bailey. As soon as his twin brother is mentioned and we learn a little about Bailey, it’s clear what’s going on in the background. But I was like whatever, it's still interesting, let's continue.
But then, around the 50% mark, I started getting really frustrated, and usually if that happens, the book loses me.
I just can't get over the fact that Bailey never even considered the possibility that he didn't do those things himself. Yeah, he’s clearly (and understandably) extremely traumatized, and this started when they were 10(?), but still. Especially since Shane treated him so badly from the beginning and a lot of the things just didn’t make any sense. Didn’t he ever doubt, wonder, or consider that, hmm, could there be some other explanation for this? And then the fact that he just constantly accepts the punishments and that he needs to be “fixed” by being hurt by Shane. The way all of this was written, it didn't convince me.
And then there’s also the fact that Bailey just moved in with Theo’s parents for two years, and nobody questioned that either—that too just happened. A lot of things in this book just happen. So they lived together for two years and were very close, and Theo didn’t notice or suspect anything at any point? He didn’t question B's family life or home situation? Yeah, they were young, but I’d think that by age 18, for example, you’d have some common sense—and didn’t the parents notice or question anything at all either?
And precisely because they were so close and knew each other so well, didn't Theo even consider that it might have been Shane (since he knew about the twin brother and how he behaved) or never question what happened in the shed? Yeah, he was drugged at the moment, but he still seemed to remember what happened and what it looked like pretty well, and at any point over the years? 🤨
And even later on, Bailey is already (if I understood correctly) 30 years old and he’s been in therapy for years, so hasn’t he still questioned his past or his and Shane’s role in all this? I just couldn’t buy this story, and it and the characters frustrated me too much!😂
Yeah there was this:
”Once I moved in with you, I started to see things a little clearer, and when my mum found animals in the treehouse, I knew I hadn’t done it. But I’ve never been able to trust myself, not when Shane was always so quick to defend me, or tell me he was hurting me for my own good.”
BUT this sentence too just doesn’t make any sense to me!?
Another thing that frustrated me was how they interacted when they started sorting things out. Theo knows at this point that it was Shane, and he tells Bailey the story, so why does he let him assume it was still B??! Why doesn't he just say right away, "Hey, this is what happened, but it was actually Shane"? Of course, because he doesn't make it clear, B then has a meltdown and runs away. Somehow there’s this unnecessary dramatic arc thrown in here again. Then after that, they just keep arguing and blaming each other for the past and for leaving each other.
I didn't like the way their relationship processed at this point.
And did I somehow miss why they had to go back to Cumbria—yeah, because of B's work, but what was the point? Couldn’t this scene have just happened there in Skye? Then they just went back to Skye right away anyway?
Then there was this somewhat random chain of events where they leave the wedding and head to Theo’s place; things escalate physically, but then B has a traumatic reaction, and gets mad at Theo and blames him for the past, then suddenly they’d taken a 3-hour nap while everyone else was at the wedding, and when they wake up they go out for a moment to look at the cows until they come back inside and end up having sex. (??)
And then... THAT IG PHOTO. First of all, why would one of Theo’s random past dates take a photo of them for her own IG and then tag him? And it’s as if we don’t know right away what’s going to happen next? Was this done on purpose to be so easily predictable?🤔 It could have been written in a more sneaky way/revealed later.
Then there’s suddenly this pile of smut scenes, which I actually skipped entirely because I hadn’t found any chemistry between these characters yet, so I just couldn't be bothered.
However, the ending was good and interesting because Shane tells his side of the story—the reason why he started bullying Bailey—and the action scene was pretty good. And I do want to give the next one a chance!
I’m not saying that the book is bad, and especially for a debut it’s good. Also the story, characters and plot are interesting and different. Because of that, I ended up giving 3⭐️, but the overall execution just didn't quite work for me personally.
My biggest issues were the predictability, the fact that the events and characters frustrated me, and the lack of chemistry or connection between the main couple -an attempt was there to build it through flashbacks, but I just couldn't feel it.
With some books, if the story and the writing pulls me in, I can just go with the vibes and ignore any inconsistencies, but with this one, I had a hard time buying into it.
So yeah, it’s not hard to guess right from the start what’s going on with Shane and Bailey. As soon as his twin brother is mentioned and we learn a little about Bailey, it’s clear what’s going on in the background. But I was like whatever, it's still interesting, let's continue.
But then, around the 50% mark, I started getting really frustrated, and usually if that happens, the book loses me.
I just can't get over the fact that Bailey never even considered the possibility that he didn't do those things himself. Yeah, he’s clearly (and understandably) extremely traumatized, and this started when they were 10(?), but still. Especially since Shane treated him so badly from the beginning and a lot of the things just didn’t make any sense. Didn’t he ever doubt, wonder, or consider that, hmm, could there be some other explanation for this? And then the fact that he just constantly accepts the punishments and that he needs to be “fixed” by being hurt by Shane. The way all of this was written, it didn't convince me.
And then there’s also the fact that Bailey just moved in with Theo’s parents for two years, and nobody questioned that either—that too just happened. A lot of things in this book just happen. So they lived together for two years and were very close, and Theo didn’t notice or suspect anything at any point? He didn’t question B's family life or home situation? Yeah, they were young, but I’d think that by age 18, for example, you’d have some common sense—and didn’t the parents notice or question anything at all either?
And precisely because they were so close and knew each other so well, didn't Theo even consider that it might have been Shane (since he knew about the twin brother and how he behaved) or never question what happened in the shed? Yeah, he was drugged at the moment, but he still seemed to remember what happened and what it looked like pretty well, and at any point over the years? 🤨
And even later on, Bailey is already (if I understood correctly) 30 years old and he’s been in therapy for years, so hasn’t he still questioned his past or his and Shane’s role in all this? I just couldn’t buy this story, and it and the characters frustrated me too much!😂
Yeah there was this:
”Once I moved in with you, I started to see things a little clearer, and when my mum found animals in the treehouse, I knew I hadn’t done it. But I’ve never been able to trust myself, not when Shane was always so quick to defend me, or tell me he was hurting me for my own good.”
BUT this sentence too just doesn’t make any sense to me!?
Another thing that frustrated me was how they interacted when they started sorting things out. Theo knows at this point that it was Shane, and he tells Bailey the story, so why does he let him assume it was still B??! Why doesn't he just say right away, "Hey, this is what happened, but it was actually Shane"? Of course, because he doesn't make it clear, B then has a meltdown and runs away. Somehow there’s this unnecessary dramatic arc thrown in here again. Then after that, they just keep arguing and blaming each other for the past and for leaving each other.
I didn't like the way their relationship processed at this point.
And did I somehow miss why they had to go back to Cumbria—yeah, because of B's work, but what was the point? Couldn’t this scene have just happened there in Skye? Then they just went back to Skye right away anyway?
Then there was this somewhat random chain of events where they leave the wedding and head to Theo’s place; things escalate physically, but then B has a traumatic reaction, and gets mad at Theo and blames him for the past, then suddenly they’d taken a 3-hour nap while everyone else was at the wedding, and when they wake up they go out for a moment to look at the cows until they come back inside and end up having sex. (??)
And then... THAT IG PHOTO. First of all, why would one of Theo’s random past dates take a photo of them for her own IG and then tag him? And it’s as if we don’t know right away what’s going to happen next? Was this done on purpose to be so easily predictable?🤔 It could have been written in a more sneaky way/revealed later.
Then there’s suddenly this pile of smut scenes, which I actually skipped entirely because I hadn’t found any chemistry between these characters yet, so I just couldn't be bothered.
However, the ending was good and interesting because Shane tells his side of the story—the reason why he started bullying Bailey—and the action scene was pretty good. And I do want to give the next one a chance!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Face of My Killer started out a tad confusing and iffy for me, but DANG did it pick up and suck me in quick! I'm obsessed with these boys and I cannot wait to see what happens next. I did call exactly what was going on at all the turns, which is why this is getting 4 instead of 5 stars, but I still had a great time reading this book.
May 3, 2026
A solid 4.5 stars for me!
This story is like a snowball that starts at the top of the mountain, very tiny, but as it rolls down and picks up the pace, it grows into something gigantic and horrifying. That’s how I’d describe this book 😂
It started off insanely slow for me, but once I locked in at around 20% where we started getting into the meat of the story, I couldn’t put it down!
The love story is ::chefs kiss::
The plot itself. Insane.
I really enjoyed it and look forward to more from this author!
Thank you for an ARC from Jordan Victoria and their team in exchange for an honest review!
This story is like a snowball that starts at the top of the mountain, very tiny, but as it rolls down and picks up the pace, it grows into something gigantic and horrifying. That’s how I’d describe this book 😂
It started off insanely slow for me, but once I locked in at around 20% where we started getting into the meat of the story, I couldn’t put it down!
The love story is ::chefs kiss::
The plot itself. Insane.
I really enjoyed it and look forward to more from this author!
Thank you for an ARC from Jordan Victoria and their team in exchange for an honest review!
Read
May 5, 2026arc review
The Face of My Killer was a solid debut from Jordan Victoria. I enjoyed this overall and found the premise really interesting. The writing was good, and there were definitely moments that kept me stuck to my kindle. That said, it took me longer than expected to finish because some chapters started to feel repetitive, and the pacing felt a bit drawn out for my personal taste.
Give this one a chance if you're up to:
🖤Hurt x Comfort
🖤Second Chance
🖤Best Friends to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
🖤Trauma and Healing
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Dark Themes
🖤English MC x Scottish MC
🖤Dual POV
🖤Dual timeline
The Face of My Killer was a solid debut from Jordan Victoria. I enjoyed this overall and found the premise really interesting. The writing was good, and there were definitely moments that kept me stuck to my kindle. That said, it took me longer than expected to finish because some chapters started to feel repetitive, and the pacing felt a bit drawn out for my personal taste.
Give this one a chance if you're up to:
🖤Hurt x Comfort
🖤Second Chance
🖤Best Friends to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
🖤Trauma and Healing
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Dark Themes
🖤English MC x Scottish MC
🖤Dual POV
🖤Dual timeline
May 4, 2026
Emotional Damage 5 🌟
This is the first book in the From Sea And Skye series. Available May 4, 2026
When I started this book, I didn’t know what to expect. I was so drawn into the story and the characters. Theo and Bailey’s story was heartbreaking as it was heartwarming. The emotions conveyed in the story really came through and I felt all the hurt and happiness that the characters were feeling while I was reading it. This is a dark romance, emphasis on the dark, so I would advise reading the trigger warnings beforehand. That being said it was like watching a horror movie and I couldn’t look away, once I started reading I didn’t want to stop because I absolutely had to know what happened next. Surprisingly to me there were some unexpected events that I did not predict which I was very happy about because I usually guess ahead of time. Despite the horrors, our boys do get a hard earned happy ending. This was an excellently written story with well developed characters and emotional depth. My compliments to the author and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
This is the first book in the From Sea And Skye series. Available May 4, 2026
When I started this book, I didn’t know what to expect. I was so drawn into the story and the characters. Theo and Bailey’s story was heartbreaking as it was heartwarming. The emotions conveyed in the story really came through and I felt all the hurt and happiness that the characters were feeling while I was reading it. This is a dark romance, emphasis on the dark, so I would advise reading the trigger warnings beforehand. That being said it was like watching a horror movie and I couldn’t look away, once I started reading I didn’t want to stop because I absolutely had to know what happened next. Surprisingly to me there were some unexpected events that I did not predict which I was very happy about because I usually guess ahead of time. Despite the horrors, our boys do get a hard earned happy ending. This was an excellently written story with well developed characters and emotional depth. My compliments to the author and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
April 6, 2026
Wow! I really enjoyed this one.
This is a suspense/mystery wrapped in a second chance romance.
Theo is just trying to get through life with his job and meddling friends and family in his romantic life. When his cousin reminds him that he agreed to let her finances family stay at Theo’s farm before her wedding, he comes face to face with someone he’s tried to forget for over 10 years.
When Bailey arrives as his friend’s fiancés family farm to help prep their barn for the wedding, he has no idea that the man who left him years ago is the owner of the cottage he’s staying in. As he’s fixing things around the barn Theo approaches him with such violent hostility and punches him square in the face. This anger comes as a shock to Bailey because the last time they saw each other it was nothing that should have spiked these feelings in Theo. Now he’s worried about what he might have done. Did he make a mistake during a blackout? What did he do to deserve to have the man who he once loved hate him so much.
As the days go on and details don’t add up, Theo questions everything he thought he true. He is in search of the truth in hopes of making everything right again but not before the past comes to try and wreck everything both men have worked so hard for.
This story was paced so well and I think the transitions from past to present to explain the story and what happened were nicely spaced out. I was rooting for these guys the moment I realized what actually happened! I will say that it was sort of obvious from early on what the truth was to you as the reader. I didn’t necessarily guess all the details though. That didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story because I don’t think it was meant to be a full on mystery. I think you were meant to suspect what was wrong all along.
The spice was mild and more toward the second half of the book. It was still good and was filled with passion and devotion and caretaking. 3/5 🌶️
Please read the TW because there are a lot of things that could be triggering for some. There is SA (nothing on page but the lead up is), abuse (mental, physical, and emotional), and a good chunk of violence especially toward the climax of the book. Your mental health is more important than any book!
I can’t wait for the next book because I’m so curious 👀 of some side characters stories.
Thank you to the author for the ARC! all thoughts are my own.
This is a suspense/mystery wrapped in a second chance romance.
Theo is just trying to get through life with his job and meddling friends and family in his romantic life. When his cousin reminds him that he agreed to let her finances family stay at Theo’s farm before her wedding, he comes face to face with someone he’s tried to forget for over 10 years.
When Bailey arrives as his friend’s fiancés family farm to help prep their barn for the wedding, he has no idea that the man who left him years ago is the owner of the cottage he’s staying in. As he’s fixing things around the barn Theo approaches him with such violent hostility and punches him square in the face. This anger comes as a shock to Bailey because the last time they saw each other it was nothing that should have spiked these feelings in Theo. Now he’s worried about what he might have done. Did he make a mistake during a blackout? What did he do to deserve to have the man who he once loved hate him so much.
As the days go on and details don’t add up, Theo questions everything he thought he true. He is in search of the truth in hopes of making everything right again but not before the past comes to try and wreck everything both men have worked so hard for.
This story was paced so well and I think the transitions from past to present to explain the story and what happened were nicely spaced out. I was rooting for these guys the moment I realized what actually happened! I will say that it was sort of obvious from early on what the truth was to you as the reader. I didn’t necessarily guess all the details though. That didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story because I don’t think it was meant to be a full on mystery. I think you were meant to suspect what was wrong all along.
The spice was mild and more toward the second half of the book. It was still good and was filled with passion and devotion and caretaking. 3/5 🌶️
Please read the TW because there are a lot of things that could be triggering for some. There is SA (nothing on page but the lead up is), abuse (mental, physical, and emotional), and a good chunk of violence especially toward the climax of the book. Your mental health is more important than any book!
I can’t wait for the next book because I’m so curious 👀 of some side characters stories.
Thank you to the author for the ARC! all thoughts are my own.
May 17, 2026
I don't even know where to begin. This story pulled me in before I had even started it. I was so debating whether to sign up for the ARC or not because honestly, I didn't have time for another one. But I wanted to read this one so badly, so I signed up anyway. And yeah, I ended up late with my review. Life got in the way and I couldn't read it as fast as I wanted to, but oh was it worth the wait.
I loved it from the first chapter. I instantly fell for Theo and when Bailey first showed up again in his life my first wish was for him to leave again so Theo didn't have to face him.
But. Then we started to get to know Bailey, and soon I knew I'd die for him.
Precious, sweet, Bailey. Who thought he was so bad. Who couldn't believe there was anything good in him. Who had gone through so much pain and fear and ugh. I love him so much. And I love how soft Theo was with him, and how we got to follow both timelines to find out what had really happened.
I usually don't enjoy dual timeline books, but this one did it so well. It was the perfect way to tell the story, and each chapter telling us more about their past had my heart aching even more.
This whole book was brilliant. So painful, so sweet, so deliciously stunning. I've cried so many tears and cursed the author so, so many times. The way the characters found their way back together was beautiful, and even though it was a rough ride and all I wished for was their happy ending, I'm really sad the book is over.
I already miss them. They will stay with me for a long time. And I hope we'll get to see more of them in the rest of the series, even if it'll be about other characters.
Absolutely fantastic read. If you're still thinking of picking it up, I highly recommend you do so!
I loved it from the first chapter. I instantly fell for Theo and when Bailey first showed up again in his life my first wish was for him to leave again so Theo didn't have to face him.
But. Then we started to get to know Bailey, and soon I knew I'd die for him.
Precious, sweet, Bailey. Who thought he was so bad. Who couldn't believe there was anything good in him. Who had gone through so much pain and fear and ugh. I love him so much. And I love how soft Theo was with him, and how we got to follow both timelines to find out what had really happened.
I usually don't enjoy dual timeline books, but this one did it so well. It was the perfect way to tell the story, and each chapter telling us more about their past had my heart aching even more.
This whole book was brilliant. So painful, so sweet, so deliciously stunning. I've cried so many tears and cursed the author so, so many times. The way the characters found their way back together was beautiful, and even though it was a rough ride and all I wished for was their happy ending, I'm really sad the book is over.
I already miss them. They will stay with me for a long time. And I hope we'll get to see more of them in the rest of the series, even if it'll be about other characters.
Absolutely fantastic read. If you're still thinking of picking it up, I highly recommend you do so!
May 16, 2026
The Face of My Killer - Jordan Victoria
🌟 4.25/5 🌟
* SPOILERS *
When I started this book, I completely went in blind. I didn’t even know what it was about. I feel like those are the best books that really capture you because man, this book alone surprised me at every turn that I was not expecting.
I will say to please read the trigger warnings because your mental health is very important. Even though some parts weren’t too much, I still recommend taking care of yourself.
Theo and Bailey had my heart from beginning to end. What Bailey went through was rough and I knew without a doubt this man was stronger than he let on. The things that he went through just made me want to coddle him so nothing harmful could ever touch him.
I don’t want to give too much away but man, Bailey’s home was so toxic that I’m surprised how strong he came on top. When Shane finds him, I was crawling in my skin because all I could think of was “not again, hasn’t he been through enough?” I never knew I needed a HEA until these two got what they deserved.
When Theo found out what happened, ugh, my heart broke for him because he had no idea! Jesus…. My god. My heart broke for these two so much, especially their time apart. If anyone deserves a life full of joy and happiness, it’s these two.
If you want a story that keeps you on your toes and surprises you with every turn of the page, read this book because wow… just wow! I cannot wait to read the next book because yep, I’m all in for this series.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
🌟 4.25/5 🌟
* SPOILERS *
When I started this book, I completely went in blind. I didn’t even know what it was about. I feel like those are the best books that really capture you because man, this book alone surprised me at every turn that I was not expecting.
I will say to please read the trigger warnings because your mental health is very important. Even though some parts weren’t too much, I still recommend taking care of yourself.
Theo and Bailey had my heart from beginning to end. What Bailey went through was rough and I knew without a doubt this man was stronger than he let on. The things that he went through just made me want to coddle him so nothing harmful could ever touch him.
I don’t want to give too much away but man, Bailey’s home was so toxic that I’m surprised how strong he came on top. When Shane finds him, I was crawling in my skin because all I could think of was “not again, hasn’t he been through enough?” I never knew I needed a HEA until these two got what they deserved.
When Theo found out what happened, ugh, my heart broke for him because he had no idea! Jesus…. My god. My heart broke for these two so much, especially their time apart. If anyone deserves a life full of joy and happiness, it’s these two.
If you want a story that keeps you on your toes and surprises you with every turn of the page, read this book because wow… just wow! I cannot wait to read the next book because yep, I’m all in for this series.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
May 4, 2026
The Face of My Killer by Jordan Victoria had me hooked from the start and honestly a little (A LOT) stressed the entire time and binged the entire book in one day!
Second chance romance mixed with trauma, memory loss, and unresolved pain? Yeah… this one pulls you in quick. Page turning, chapter endings when you don’t want them to but then getting pulled in another direction when you least expect them to.
Theo’s character hit hard. You can feel the anger, the hurt, and everything he’s been carrying for years. The way he shut himself off and tried to just survive instead of actually live made so much sense, even when it hurt to watch.
And then Bailey, oh my sweet, sweet Bailey, comes back into his life like nothing happened… not remembering the one thing that changed everything. That alone had me on edge the whole time. The tension between them was constant. You could feel how much history was there, even when it wasn’t fully said out loud.
Watching everything slowly unravel and the truth come out was intense. When it finally does, it hits. HARD. The kind of moment where everything shifts and you just sit there processing it. And you just… Can. Not. Put. The. Book. Down.
What I really liked was how emotional this story felt without losing that suspense. You’re not just reading for the romance, you’re trying to piece everything together right along with them.
Heavy, emotional, and definitely one that keeps you
thinking.
Second chance romance mixed with trauma, memory loss, and unresolved pain? Yeah… this one pulls you in quick. Page turning, chapter endings when you don’t want them to but then getting pulled in another direction when you least expect them to.
Theo’s character hit hard. You can feel the anger, the hurt, and everything he’s been carrying for years. The way he shut himself off and tried to just survive instead of actually live made so much sense, even when it hurt to watch.
And then Bailey, oh my sweet, sweet Bailey, comes back into his life like nothing happened… not remembering the one thing that changed everything. That alone had me on edge the whole time. The tension between them was constant. You could feel how much history was there, even when it wasn’t fully said out loud.
Watching everything slowly unravel and the truth come out was intense. When it finally does, it hits. HARD. The kind of moment where everything shifts and you just sit there processing it. And you just… Can. Not. Put. The. Book. Down.
What I really liked was how emotional this story felt without losing that suspense. You’re not just reading for the romance, you’re trying to piece everything together right along with them.
Heavy, emotional, and definitely one that keeps you
thinking.
May 4, 2026
Omg, this was such a good book and so well written! I love a good mystery/suspense romance. Theo and Bailey’s relationship starts so freaking soft and sweet. It was painful to see how they started after seeing where they are at now. Tensions are so incredibly high and rightfully so because both boys have immense trauma from the same situation. Except both of them have wildly different stories of the same thing. Getting to see the flashbacks of both of their sides was so emotionally heavy and my heart just hurt for them. The fact that everything Bailey went through altered his whole life and perspective, I just couldn’t imagine. I loved that unlike other books within the romance genre, when Theo and Bailey figure out what happened, things don’t just magically get better. They have to work for it and its hard and painful but oh so worth it! I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rtc
Review of advance copy received from Author
It did take me a few chapters to get into this one, but once I did, I zoomed through it. This second chance romance wasn’t what I was expecting, but I did become fully committed in the truly painful story of Bailey and Theo/Teddy.
Pre-warning, this is dark, so make sure you read the TWs before you start.
I was pretty much ready to go to war for Bailey! Jeez, the cruelty that man had to endure *sobs* There’s so much I want to say about Bailey and how much emotion I felt for him, but to avoid spoilers, I won’t. I’ll just say that Bailey had my whole heart and then some. I hurt so badly for him.
These broken boys are both recovering from traumatic experiences, and the pain, anger and heartbreak that came with it. I so wish the universe hadn’t made them wait quite so many years before they were reunited. But maybe they needed that time to begin to heal in their own ways before they came back together and faced things that they’d rather forget, confronting their past in the most heart-wrenching of ways.
The dual timelines were done so well to ensure that we felt every bit of what happened to these boys. There were some good twists along the way, and while I did guess most of what was to come, it didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the book. I certainly felt the suspense of where the book’s taking us.
----
Some of my favourite quotes
“Yeah, I’ll go wherever you go, Teddy.”
“You need to have more faith in us, Bay. More faith in yourself. Because I do. I think you’re the best thing that ever happened to me, and I want you to stay.”
“I know you can’t get your words out right now, but I’m ready to listen whenever you can.”
“Just you and me, we’ll go somewhere. I’ll make sure you’re safe, and you’ll never have to worry again. You belong with me, Bailey.”
“But I’m not going anywhere. You have to believe me, mo leannan, I’m not leaving you again.”
“It took a long time, but you found me, and I never needed to be free of you. I don’t want to be free of you, ever.”
“Your home is with me. It has been from the moment I met you, and I never should have let you go.”
“I’ve always loved you, Teddy. Even when I couldn’t say it out loud.” “You never left my heart, mo ghráidh,”
“Stay with me, mo ghráidh. I’ll show you every day who you are.”
Pre-warning, this is dark, so make sure you read the TWs before you start.
I was pretty much ready to go to war for Bailey! Jeez, the cruelty that man had to endure *sobs* There’s so much I want to say about Bailey and how much emotion I felt for him, but to avoid spoilers, I won’t. I’ll just say that Bailey had my whole heart and then some. I hurt so badly for him.
These broken boys are both recovering from traumatic experiences, and the pain, anger and heartbreak that came with it. I so wish the universe hadn’t made them wait quite so many years before they were reunited. But maybe they needed that time to begin to heal in their own ways before they came back together and faced things that they’d rather forget, confronting their past in the most heart-wrenching of ways.
The dual timelines were done so well to ensure that we felt every bit of what happened to these boys. There were some good twists along the way, and while I did guess most of what was to come, it didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the book. I certainly felt the suspense of where the book’s taking us.
----
Some of my favourite quotes
“Yeah, I’ll go wherever you go, Teddy.”
“You need to have more faith in us, Bay. More faith in yourself. Because I do. I think you’re the best thing that ever happened to me, and I want you to stay.”
“I know you can’t get your words out right now, but I’m ready to listen whenever you can.”
“Just you and me, we’ll go somewhere. I’ll make sure you’re safe, and you’ll never have to worry again. You belong with me, Bailey.”
“But I’m not going anywhere. You have to believe me, mo leannan, I’m not leaving you again.”
“It took a long time, but you found me, and I never needed to be free of you. I don’t want to be free of you, ever.”
“Your home is with me. It has been from the moment I met you, and I never should have let you go.”
“I’ve always loved you, Teddy. Even when I couldn’t say it out loud.” “You never left my heart, mo ghráidh,”
“Stay with me, mo ghráidh. I’ll show you every day who you are.”
May 19, 2026
The Face of My Killer by Jordan Victoria
From Sea and Skye Book 1
Length: 290 pages
Source: Author-direct
Publication date: May 4, 2026
5 ⭐
2.5 🌶️
WHAT TO EXPECT
MM dark romance
Hurt/comfort
Second chance
Best friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Mental-health rep
MC with situational mutism
Emotional and angsty
AUTHOR'S BLURB
A breakup followed by a blackout.
Bailey wakes up to find that Theo has moved to Scotland without him, when the plan had always been to leave together. He tries to remember the night before, but there’s just darkness. Twelve years later, they find one another again on the Isle of Skye. Theo isn’t the boy Bailey remembers—he’s full of anger and resentment. When Bailey pushes for answers, Theo tells him what he remembers about the night he ran away, and Bailey’s world shatters. As the past catches up with them, Bailey and Theo need to trust one another again as they discover the whole truth of what happened that night.
MY THOUGHTS
This is a debut! A debut?! Yes, a debut! And I loved it. One of my most anticipated reads of the year!
The danger, confusion, and angst are visceral. The dual timeline: past & present converge on the MCs like a train wreck that can’t be stopped. I found myself anxious and panicky reading along with both Bailey and Theo, even though I knew they were going to end up together. There were so many questions about how we were going to get from where the book starts to an HEA, and Jordan keeps you wondering for most of the book. Just be prepared: they have not had easy childhoods, easy lives.
BOTTOM LINE
Yes! Going on my must-read author list. I already can't wait for book 2.
CONTENT WARNINGS
(Some of these may be spoilers; full list in the front of the book) Include PTSD and cPTSD, depression, panic attacks, anxiety, blackouts, parental abuse, on-page violence, on-page murder, sexual abuse and grooming (not by MCs), emotional abuse (not between MCs), arson, dead animals (details on-page), explicit sexual content
–A🩷
Thanks to Jordan Victoria for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews posted regularly on StoryGraph, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, BlueSky, BookBub, and Fable.
From Sea and Skye Book 1
Length: 290 pages
Source: Author-direct
Publication date: May 4, 2026
5 ⭐
2.5 🌶️
WHAT TO EXPECT
MM dark romance
Hurt/comfort
Second chance
Best friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Mental-health rep
MC with situational mutism
Emotional and angsty
AUTHOR'S BLURB
A breakup followed by a blackout.
Bailey wakes up to find that Theo has moved to Scotland without him, when the plan had always been to leave together. He tries to remember the night before, but there’s just darkness. Twelve years later, they find one another again on the Isle of Skye. Theo isn’t the boy Bailey remembers—he’s full of anger and resentment. When Bailey pushes for answers, Theo tells him what he remembers about the night he ran away, and Bailey’s world shatters. As the past catches up with them, Bailey and Theo need to trust one another again as they discover the whole truth of what happened that night.
MY THOUGHTS
This is a debut! A debut?! Yes, a debut! And I loved it. One of my most anticipated reads of the year!
The danger, confusion, and angst are visceral. The dual timeline: past & present converge on the MCs like a train wreck that can’t be stopped. I found myself anxious and panicky reading along with both Bailey and Theo, even though I knew they were going to end up together. There were so many questions about how we were going to get from where the book starts to an HEA, and Jordan keeps you wondering for most of the book. Just be prepared: they have not had easy childhoods, easy lives.
BOTTOM LINE
Yes! Going on my must-read author list. I already can't wait for book 2.
CONTENT WARNINGS
(Some of these may be spoilers; full list in the front of the book) Include PTSD and cPTSD, depression, panic attacks, anxiety, blackouts, parental abuse, on-page violence, on-page murder, sexual abuse and grooming (not by MCs), emotional abuse (not between MCs), arson, dead animals (details on-page), explicit sexual content
–A🩷
Thanks to Jordan Victoria for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews posted regularly on StoryGraph, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, BlueSky, BookBub, and Fable.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m suddenly eighteen again. Teddy’s lips are on mine, and they’re hauntingly familiar— soft as they move slowly against mine. It feels like no time has passed.
I am honored to have received an ARC for this book because I could not put it down!! And it was perfect, not a single negative thought. The story pacing and character development was consistent throughout. And the plot itself gripping the entire time.
Little by little the details of the night they lost each other are revealed throughout the whole story. But in-between there are subplots that are equally as gripping. If you had a high school romance, then Bailey and Teddy getting together is adorably nostalgic. If you're into hurt/comfort, then learning more and more about Bailey's childhood is for you. At the same time in the present, Bailey and Teddy are learning to trust each other again and rekindle what they had.
I pretty much figured what was going on from the beginning, but even still I was on edge with anticipation for Bailey and Teddy to really talk to each other and put the pieces together.
This wasn't a smut heavy book per se, but man can Jordan write a scene 💦 And I am in love with the sex rep, from two teens figuring things out at a realistic pace to two trauma riddled adults that more than once start and do not finish and it's OKAY.
The exploration of trauma and recovery is full of angst. And the perceived larger and tougher guy has more/stronger trauma reactions, which I really appreciate the subversion of tropes. Healing is non linear and not something you can do alone and is wonderfully portrayed with both Bailey and Teddy.
The only downside is I read it so quickly! I don't want more plot with them, it felt complete in that way, but I also wish I was still reading it 😫 Looking forward to the other pairings that were hinted at and whatever angsty trauma they have going on.
I know I don’t deserve this… don’t deserve him, but I push the thoughts away, chasing his tongue, and nipping at his lips. I thread my fingers through his dark curls, holding on tight, as though he were a lifeline.
I am honored to have received an ARC for this book because I could not put it down!! And it was perfect, not a single negative thought. The story pacing and character development was consistent throughout. And the plot itself gripping the entire time.
Little by little the details of the night they lost each other are revealed throughout the whole story. But in-between there are subplots that are equally as gripping. If you had a high school romance, then Bailey and Teddy getting together is adorably nostalgic. If you're into hurt/comfort, then learning more and more about Bailey's childhood is for you. At the same time in the present, Bailey and Teddy are learning to trust each other again and rekindle what they had.
I pretty much figured what was going on from the beginning, but even still I was on edge with anticipation for Bailey and Teddy to really talk to each other and put the pieces together.
This wasn't a smut heavy book per se, but man can Jordan write a scene 💦 And I am in love with the sex rep, from two teens figuring things out at a realistic pace to two trauma riddled adults that more than once start and do not finish and it's OKAY.
The exploration of trauma and recovery is full of angst. And the perceived larger and tougher guy has more/stronger trauma reactions, which I really appreciate the subversion of tropes. Healing is non linear and not something you can do alone and is wonderfully portrayed with both Bailey and Teddy.
The only downside is I read it so quickly! I don't want more plot with them, it felt complete in that way, but I also wish I was still reading it 😫 Looking forward to the other pairings that were hinted at and whatever angsty trauma they have going on.
I know I don’t deserve this… don’t deserve him, but I push the thoughts away, chasing his tongue, and nipping at his lips. I thread my fingers through his dark curls, holding on tight, as though he were a lifeline.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC <3
“The Face of My Killer” really toys with our emotions! Theo is a shell of a man, after the worst night of his life, where his boyfriend left him and a horrible thing happened to him, he is but a shell of himself. After years of therapy, Theo still isn’t the same person he was before, but he has started to heal slowly. That’s when Bailey appears. He does not understand why Theo is so mad at him. Years ago, Bailey left Theo because it was the best thing to do, even if it teared his soul apart. Years later, Bailey still adores Theo. Theo, on the other hand, doesn’t want to see Bailey’s face anymore. But the truth of what happened all those years ago is far darker than they could have expected. And now it’s their chance to finally heal together and be happy.
“The Face of My Killer” is Jordan’s debut novel and damn! Theo and Bailey are absolutely beautiful! There’s so much hurt! Theo’s heartbreak over Bailey’s decision all those years ago, and poor Bailey! He’s the one who really goes through it all. His family is terrible, and his only comfort is Theo. Bailey feels at home and himself best when he’s with his friend Theo, so it’s not really that complicated to see the two friends falling in love with each other. They can never go back to where they were, and that’s for the best. Theo needed to find all the darkness in Bailey’s life to fully accept him. There were too many walls when they first fell in love. Now, Theo wants to know why Bailey erected those walls and why Bailey hid so many things from Theo.
Bailey is adorable! It’s really cute how still so much in love he is with Theo, mainly because Theo cared for him. He was the only person who made Bailey’s life pleasant, like he had a chance of happiness forever. It broke my heart how Bailey didn’t believe he deserved Theo and deserved to be happy and love.
“The Face of My Killer” is a book that will make you feel a lot of things: anger, sadness, but most of all hope that two people who have suffered will find each other and never give up on their love. It’s adorable, cruel, and I loved every second of it!
“The Face of My Killer” really toys with our emotions! Theo is a shell of a man, after the worst night of his life, where his boyfriend left him and a horrible thing happened to him, he is but a shell of himself. After years of therapy, Theo still isn’t the same person he was before, but he has started to heal slowly. That’s when Bailey appears. He does not understand why Theo is so mad at him. Years ago, Bailey left Theo because it was the best thing to do, even if it teared his soul apart. Years later, Bailey still adores Theo. Theo, on the other hand, doesn’t want to see Bailey’s face anymore. But the truth of what happened all those years ago is far darker than they could have expected. And now it’s their chance to finally heal together and be happy.
“The Face of My Killer” is Jordan’s debut novel and damn! Theo and Bailey are absolutely beautiful! There’s so much hurt! Theo’s heartbreak over Bailey’s decision all those years ago, and poor Bailey! He’s the one who really goes through it all. His family is terrible, and his only comfort is Theo. Bailey feels at home and himself best when he’s with his friend Theo, so it’s not really that complicated to see the two friends falling in love with each other. They can never go back to where they were, and that’s for the best. Theo needed to find all the darkness in Bailey’s life to fully accept him. There were too many walls when they first fell in love. Now, Theo wants to know why Bailey erected those walls and why Bailey hid so many things from Theo.
Bailey is adorable! It’s really cute how still so much in love he is with Theo, mainly because Theo cared for him. He was the only person who made Bailey’s life pleasant, like he had a chance of happiness forever. It broke my heart how Bailey didn’t believe he deserved Theo and deserved to be happy and love.
“The Face of My Killer” is a book that will make you feel a lot of things: anger, sadness, but most of all hope that two people who have suffered will find each other and never give up on their love. It’s adorable, cruel, and I loved every second of it!
May 1, 2026
ARC Review | Spoiler Alert ⤵️
Initial thoughts: I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
Theo? My favorite. I love a morally gray king, and he delivers. The way he talks about Bailey is actually painfully adorable—soft, a little bashful, completely genuine. Their first meeting is so tense in the best way, and the forced proximity is the cherry on top of the cake for me. You can feel the chemistry building instead of it just being told to you.
Going back in time to see how our two MMC’s met held some of my favorite scenes in the whole novel. Getting to go back and see where everything started made the relationship hit so much harder. I was genuinely sitting there like… my chest hurts a little. They’re that cute. The first kiss felt earned, which is rare, and I love that the author lets you get fully attached to them before things start unraveling.
Because they do unravel. Quickly.
The emotional whiplash in this book is insane. One second it’s soft and romantic—very “The Notebook in the rain” energy—and the next it’s like… oh. Oh no. Bailey’s backstory especially adds a lot of weight, but also pushes the story into some really heavy territory, including PTSD and violence that can get pretty graphic at times.
I do wish there had been more time between certain major relationship shifts—especially between them meeting and reconnecting—because it felt slightly rushed compared to how deeply we’re meant to feel their connection. The beginning threw me off a bit. The scene transitions are fast—like, blink and we’re somewhere else—and when the story isn’t focused on Theo and Bailey, the pacing feels especially rushed. It made it harder to settle into the world at first. But even with that, the connection between the mains is strong enough that you eventually lean into it.
Overall, this book is chaotic, emotional, and it keeps getting better the deeper you go. It’s the kind of story that makes you feel everything all at once: warmth, dread, love, and then just… devastation. Pure devastation.
I really great read!! 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Initial thoughts: I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
Theo? My favorite. I love a morally gray king, and he delivers. The way he talks about Bailey is actually painfully adorable—soft, a little bashful, completely genuine. Their first meeting is so tense in the best way, and the forced proximity is the cherry on top of the cake for me. You can feel the chemistry building instead of it just being told to you.
Going back in time to see how our two MMC’s met held some of my favorite scenes in the whole novel. Getting to go back and see where everything started made the relationship hit so much harder. I was genuinely sitting there like… my chest hurts a little. They’re that cute. The first kiss felt earned, which is rare, and I love that the author lets you get fully attached to them before things start unraveling.
Because they do unravel. Quickly.
The emotional whiplash in this book is insane. One second it’s soft and romantic—very “The Notebook in the rain” energy—and the next it’s like… oh. Oh no. Bailey’s backstory especially adds a lot of weight, but also pushes the story into some really heavy territory, including PTSD and violence that can get pretty graphic at times.
I do wish there had been more time between certain major relationship shifts—especially between them meeting and reconnecting—because it felt slightly rushed compared to how deeply we’re meant to feel their connection. The beginning threw me off a bit. The scene transitions are fast—like, blink and we’re somewhere else—and when the story isn’t focused on Theo and Bailey, the pacing feels especially rushed. It made it harder to settle into the world at first. But even with that, the connection between the mains is strong enough that you eventually lean into it.
Overall, this book is chaotic, emotional, and it keeps getting better the deeper you go. It’s the kind of story that makes you feel everything all at once: warmth, dread, love, and then just… devastation. Pure devastation.
I really great read!! 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don't even know where to begin. I feel like I've just been emotionally dragged through glass and somehow I'm grateful for it.
This story is so damn heavy. It's raw, painful, and at times genuinely hard to read.
The kind of story that doesn't just tell you about trauma, it forces you to sit with it, think about it, to understand it, to feel every fractured piece of it.
Theo and Bailey broke me.
The way their relationship was built the first time around - soft, tentative, and so full of quiet love, made everything that followed hurt even more. Watching that innocence get twisted into something unrecognizable…and then realizing they both carried completely different versions of the same past? That was just...devastating.
What stood out to me was how deeply this book explores identity and perception. How one lie - one manipulation - can reshape an entire life. Theo believed Bailey destroyed him. Bailey believed he was the monster. Neither of them had the full truth. And they both lived with this for 12 long years.
Unraveling that truth was intense, absolutely heartbreaking, and honestly hard to put down for even a second.
When they start to see each other clearly again with the truth of everything out there. It doesn't magically fix everything, but it feels real. Messy, complicated, and earned.
This book doesn't hold your hand. It pushes you into the dark and makes you find your way out alongside Theo and Bailey.
And somehow, despite everything…there's still love at the center of it all.
I’m genuinely in awe. And a little emotionally wrecked(both by the book itself, and it being finished, because I wasn't ready to say goodbye yet).
Final verdict:
Traumatized? Yes.
Obsessed? Also yes.
Would I read it again knowing full well it would emotionally ruin me? Without a doubt.
This story is so damn heavy. It's raw, painful, and at times genuinely hard to read.
The kind of story that doesn't just tell you about trauma, it forces you to sit with it, think about it, to understand it, to feel every fractured piece of it.
Theo and Bailey broke me.
The way their relationship was built the first time around - soft, tentative, and so full of quiet love, made everything that followed hurt even more. Watching that innocence get twisted into something unrecognizable…and then realizing they both carried completely different versions of the same past? That was just...devastating.
What stood out to me was how deeply this book explores identity and perception. How one lie - one manipulation - can reshape an entire life. Theo believed Bailey destroyed him. Bailey believed he was the monster. Neither of them had the full truth. And they both lived with this for 12 long years.
Unraveling that truth was intense, absolutely heartbreaking, and honestly hard to put down for even a second.
When they start to see each other clearly again with the truth of everything out there. It doesn't magically fix everything, but it feels real. Messy, complicated, and earned.
This book doesn't hold your hand. It pushes you into the dark and makes you find your way out alongside Theo and Bailey.
And somehow, despite everything…there's still love at the center of it all.
I’m genuinely in awe. And a little emotionally wrecked(both by the book itself, and it being finished, because I wasn't ready to say goodbye yet).
Final verdict:
Traumatized? Yes.
Obsessed? Also yes.
Would I read it again knowing full well it would emotionally ruin me? Without a doubt.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*ARC Review* Thank you for the copy!
Intro:
This is an MM romance between Theo, a scallop diver still reeling from his past and Bailey, Theo's ex who unknowingly caused him trauma
Tropes/Highlights:
-Dual POV
-MM
-Open Door
-Found Family
-Second Chance
-Best Friends to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Hurt/Comfort
-High Angst
-Demisexual Rep
-HEA
Likes:
-Character development
-Dual timeline
-Great pacing
-Scottish elements/kilt
-Emotional support Highland cows
-Side characters/Theo's family
-Bailey's struggle with words/how Theo deals with it
-Bailey's resilience, that poor baby has so much trauma
-Panic attack rep
-Vulnerability
Quotes:
-"However much I hate him now, I know I loved him once"
-"I know you can't get your words out right now, but i'm ready to listen whenever you can"
-"I love him. More than I thought possible, and I'd choose his safety over mine, every damn time"
-"You never needed fixing, Bay"
-"It took a long time, but you found me, and I never needed to be free of you"
-"He walked into my life, grabbed hold of me, and unlike everyone else in my life, never let go"
-"If you can't say it, then I'll say it for you. I'll tell you every day how good you are"
This is the first book I have read from this author and I can't wait to read more from them! Bailey's background made me so sad and I love how sweet and protective Theo is. These two are perfect for each other and it was beautiful watching them fight for their HEA. This book has angst, suspense, world shattering revelations, caretaking, rekindling old love and defying death. I recommend this book if you love darker romances with wonderful, hurt characters who come back together by chance to discover the past didn't stay buried and neither did their love for each other.
Intro:
This is an MM romance between Theo, a scallop diver still reeling from his past and Bailey, Theo's ex who unknowingly caused him trauma
Tropes/Highlights:
-Dual POV
-MM
-Open Door
-Found Family
-Second Chance
-Best Friends to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Hurt/Comfort
-High Angst
-Demisexual Rep
-HEA
Likes:
-Character development
-Dual timeline
-Great pacing
-Scottish elements/kilt
-Emotional support Highland cows
-Side characters/Theo's family
-Bailey's struggle with words/how Theo deals with it
-Bailey's resilience, that poor baby has so much trauma
-Panic attack rep
-Vulnerability
Quotes:
-"However much I hate him now, I know I loved him once"
-"I know you can't get your words out right now, but i'm ready to listen whenever you can"
-"I love him. More than I thought possible, and I'd choose his safety over mine, every damn time"
-"You never needed fixing, Bay"
-"It took a long time, but you found me, and I never needed to be free of you"
-"He walked into my life, grabbed hold of me, and unlike everyone else in my life, never let go"
-"If you can't say it, then I'll say it for you. I'll tell you every day how good you are"
This is the first book I have read from this author and I can't wait to read more from them! Bailey's background made me so sad and I love how sweet and protective Theo is. These two are perfect for each other and it was beautiful watching them fight for their HEA. This book has angst, suspense, world shattering revelations, caretaking, rekindling old love and defying death. I recommend this book if you love darker romances with wonderful, hurt characters who come back together by chance to discover the past didn't stay buried and neither did their love for each other.
May 22, 2026
Before I get into the review properly, I have to talk about the setting. The number of books with Scottish characters or based in Scotland, written by non-Scottish authors, that I’ve had to DNF because the author has made them into caricatures of Scottish stereotypes is plentiful, so I always approach with a little caution, or avoid completely.
I am so glad I didn’t avoid this one! Jordan Victoria has captured the essence of modern, rural Scotland so well I felt at home reading this, it was comforting and familiar in all the best ways.
The story itself is 4 stars on premise and vibes, but at times there was a lack of character development (or maybe too many characters) that, for me, let the book down. I loved Bailey and Teddy, and the side characters did add to the story, but I think for so many side characters, and the setting up of more books, it maybe needed to be a little longer to flesh everything out fully? There were times things felt glossed over or moving too fast, and that was disappointing.
While I thought the “twist” was really obvious early on, I still enjoyed the way it all played out. There was however two occasions I didn’t think were well executed and they were too important to overlook.
Spoilers below.
The first was when Teddy & Bailey went to Cumbria. I can’t really explain what was off here other than it moved too fast? It was all too convenient and didn’t align to either of their traumas.
The second was the final confrontation. It made no sense that the police came because Noah had seen the news that they were searching for Shane, because they didn’t know about Shane’s existence? Also, what happened to the step dad? He was just never mentioned again.
I am so glad I didn’t avoid this one! Jordan Victoria has captured the essence of modern, rural Scotland so well I felt at home reading this, it was comforting and familiar in all the best ways.
The story itself is 4 stars on premise and vibes, but at times there was a lack of character development (or maybe too many characters) that, for me, let the book down. I loved Bailey and Teddy, and the side characters did add to the story, but I think for so many side characters, and the setting up of more books, it maybe needed to be a little longer to flesh everything out fully? There were times things felt glossed over or moving too fast, and that was disappointing.
While I thought the “twist” was really obvious early on, I still enjoyed the way it all played out. There was however two occasions I didn’t think were well executed and they were too important to overlook.
Spoilers below.
The first was when Teddy & Bailey went to Cumbria. I can’t really explain what was off here other than it moved too fast? It was all too convenient and didn’t align to either of their traumas.
The second was the final confrontation. It made no sense that the police came because Noah had seen the news that they were searching for Shane, because they didn’t know about Shane’s existence? Also, what happened to the step dad? He was just never mentioned again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tropes: Suspense Romance, Second Chance, Best Friends to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Dark Themes, Dual Timeline
Rating: 5/5
I'm going to come right out and say it - I'm not a fan of thrillers or suspense. Well. WASN'T a fan. I have been SO anxiously awaiting this book and getting approved for an ARC? AHHHH. I counted the SECONDS until this beautiful book was in my hot little hands. I discovered Jordan's promo for this on a late night doom scroll and consumed my thoughts. The blurb gave nothing away and that drove me crazy. I had to know what was going on. I needed to understand what the title meant, and what the teasers were teasing. I devoured every post, and every reveal and then - THE ARC. IT WAS HERE. I told the House Spouse "No sir, I am non contactable, you're on your own" closed the door and DOVE IN. And I was totally blindsided. This book was nothing like I was expecting and still FAR exceeded what I'd hoped for and more. I was shocked, and sad, and happy, and overjoyed, and furious, and it was all within the 4 hours I sat and read this start to finish, sobbing halfway through. I emerged from this book a different person. My opinions on thrillers? Completely altered. My love for Theo and Bailey? Endless. My adoration for Jordan's writing? You could fill the sun. Maybe twice.
I won't say anything about the plot, because if I did, it would being doing you a disservice. Stop reading reviews and just take the plunge and go in blind, because it's worth every page.
Rating: 5/5
I'm going to come right out and say it - I'm not a fan of thrillers or suspense. Well. WASN'T a fan. I have been SO anxiously awaiting this book and getting approved for an ARC? AHHHH. I counted the SECONDS until this beautiful book was in my hot little hands. I discovered Jordan's promo for this on a late night doom scroll and consumed my thoughts. The blurb gave nothing away and that drove me crazy. I had to know what was going on. I needed to understand what the title meant, and what the teasers were teasing. I devoured every post, and every reveal and then - THE ARC. IT WAS HERE. I told the House Spouse "No sir, I am non contactable, you're on your own" closed the door and DOVE IN. And I was totally blindsided. This book was nothing like I was expecting and still FAR exceeded what I'd hoped for and more. I was shocked, and sad, and happy, and overjoyed, and furious, and it was all within the 4 hours I sat and read this start to finish, sobbing halfway through. I emerged from this book a different person. My opinions on thrillers? Completely altered. My love for Theo and Bailey? Endless. My adoration for Jordan's writing? You could fill the sun. Maybe twice.
I won't say anything about the plot, because if I did, it would being doing you a disservice. Stop reading reviews and just take the plunge and go in blind, because it's worth every page.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Face of My Killer by Jordan Victoria is a dark MM romance that follows Theo and Bailey on their journey of rediscovery and healing. Their story is filled with so much mystery, pain, and heartache, but luckily, they are able to find their peace within each other. Please make sure to check trigger warnings, as this book touches on very real and disturbing topics. I loved pretty much everything about this story. I just wanted to take Theo and Bailey away from all the horrible things they had to go through. They were both just such sweethearts. If you're looking for something with mystery, heartbreak, and healing, then this is the one for you!
I adored Theo and Bailey, especially Theo. He was definitely my favorite character. He was very relatable in how he expressed his trauma through anger, also with how he struggled to accept help and to talk about the things that had happened to him. And poor sweet Bailey, he deserted so much better. Everyone who hurt him definitely deserved worse than what they got. I loved the side characters as well, specifically Robbie. He was so funny but also so caring and loyal to Theo.
The pacing was great. I feel like everything happened exactly when it needed to. The writing was super smooth. Also, I loved how short the chapters were! I'm a big fan of short chapters, especially when it comes to a book that has those tense moments like this one. The plot really did have me guessing in the beginning. Overall, just a fantastic story.
I wanna say thank you so much for the opportunity to read the ARC of this amazing story!
I adored Theo and Bailey, especially Theo. He was definitely my favorite character. He was very relatable in how he expressed his trauma through anger, also with how he struggled to accept help and to talk about the things that had happened to him. And poor sweet Bailey, he deserted so much better. Everyone who hurt him definitely deserved worse than what they got. I loved the side characters as well, specifically Robbie. He was so funny but also so caring and loyal to Theo.
The pacing was great. I feel like everything happened exactly when it needed to. The writing was super smooth. Also, I loved how short the chapters were! I'm a big fan of short chapters, especially when it comes to a book that has those tense moments like this one. The plot really did have me guessing in the beginning. Overall, just a fantastic story.
I wanna say thank you so much for the opportunity to read the ARC of this amazing story!
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ARC Review✨
⭐️ 4.75/5
🌶️ 3/5
Main characters: Bailey & Theo
Side characters: Robbie, Isla, Noah, Jake
Page count: 290
First person, dual POV.
Excellent debut from Jordan Victoria, and one I was really looking forward to reading. I found it to be really well written and thoughtfully crafted. This book deals with some really heavy and difficult topics. It very was hard to see our main characters go through the traumatic things they experienced, but at the core there is also a really beautiful and tender love story.
The first half-ish of the book was told in dual timelines. This is not always my favorite thing but it worked really well here and was perfect for how the story needed to unfold. There was a lot of mystery and intensity surrounding what happened between Bailey and Theo when they were teenagers. I was on the edge of my seat trying to unravel what was going on and what really happened. I will say the truth of everything was really devastating and disturbing. But Bailey and Theo have such a wonderful and deep connection that even 12 years of separation and lots of trauma wasn’t able to diminish. They are both really great characters and were surrounded by a very entertaining and interesting group of supporting characters. I am excited to see subsequent books focusing on other characters that were introduced here. Overall, really loved this one. Check your triggers for sure, but I highly recommend.
⭐️ 4.75/5
🌶️ 3/5
Main characters: Bailey & Theo
Side characters: Robbie, Isla, Noah, Jake
Page count: 290
First person, dual POV.
Excellent debut from Jordan Victoria, and one I was really looking forward to reading. I found it to be really well written and thoughtfully crafted. This book deals with some really heavy and difficult topics. It very was hard to see our main characters go through the traumatic things they experienced, but at the core there is also a really beautiful and tender love story.
The first half-ish of the book was told in dual timelines. This is not always my favorite thing but it worked really well here and was perfect for how the story needed to unfold. There was a lot of mystery and intensity surrounding what happened between Bailey and Theo when they were teenagers. I was on the edge of my seat trying to unravel what was going on and what really happened. I will say the truth of everything was really devastating and disturbing. But Bailey and Theo have such a wonderful and deep connection that even 12 years of separation and lots of trauma wasn’t able to diminish. They are both really great characters and were surrounded by a very entertaining and interesting group of supporting characters. I am excited to see subsequent books focusing on other characters that were introduced here. Overall, really loved this one. Check your triggers for sure, but I highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the chance to read this as an ARC, and I’m so happy to be sharing my review on release day!!
This book?? Yeah I’m going to be thinking about it for a LONG time. I picked it up thinking I’d read a few chapters and suddenly it was 2AM, then 5AM, and I was just sitting there like… what did I just experience. This isn’t just a romance, it’s an emotional ambush. The kind that slowly pulls you in and then absolutely wrecks you.
The tension, the confusion, the constant feeling that something isn’t quite right???
It had me completely locked in. The entire time I wanted to scream like OPEN YOUR EYES!!!
It felt like I was watching a thriller unfold and I’m yelling at the screen while everything keeps spiraling anyway. And the emotional payoff?? DEVASTATING in the best way. These characters don’t just hurt, they linger. You feel everything with them. The longing. The anger. The softness underneath all of it. It’s messy and intense and so, so real.
And Teddy and Bay… I cannot. The amount of times I wanted to reach into the pages and just hold them?? Unreasonable. They own a piece of my soul now. Their connection, even when everything is broken and complicated, just hits.
Also, I have to say it: you NEED to listen to the Spotify playlist while reading. It genuinely made the whole experience feel bigger, heavier, more immersive. Like I was living inside the story instead of just reading it.
5 stars, no notes. I stayed up all night, emotionally unraveled, and I would do it again without question.
This book?? Yeah I’m going to be thinking about it for a LONG time. I picked it up thinking I’d read a few chapters and suddenly it was 2AM, then 5AM, and I was just sitting there like… what did I just experience. This isn’t just a romance, it’s an emotional ambush. The kind that slowly pulls you in and then absolutely wrecks you.
The tension, the confusion, the constant feeling that something isn’t quite right???
It had me completely locked in. The entire time I wanted to scream like OPEN YOUR EYES!!!
It felt like I was watching a thriller unfold and I’m yelling at the screen while everything keeps spiraling anyway. And the emotional payoff?? DEVASTATING in the best way. These characters don’t just hurt, they linger. You feel everything with them. The longing. The anger. The softness underneath all of it. It’s messy and intense and so, so real.
And Teddy and Bay… I cannot. The amount of times I wanted to reach into the pages and just hold them?? Unreasonable. They own a piece of my soul now. Their connection, even when everything is broken and complicated, just hits.
Also, I have to say it: you NEED to listen to the Spotify playlist while reading. It genuinely made the whole experience feel bigger, heavier, more immersive. Like I was living inside the story instead of just reading it.
5 stars, no notes. I stayed up all night, emotionally unraveled, and I would do it again without question.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
5 absolutely devastating stars 😭✨
Honestly, this book had me from the second I saw the cover because LOOK AT IT. But I was not prepared for the emotional damage waiting inside these pages.
This is a dark romantic suspense that had me completely locked in from start to finish. Equal parts emotional wreckage and edge-of-your-seat tension, this story had me constantly needing to know what really happened and where everything was going next.
Bailey and Theo absolutely wrecked me in the most painful, beautiful way. These are two people carrying years of trauma, guilt, anger, grief, and misunderstanding. Watching the truth slowly unravel between them was heartbreaking. The dual timeline worked SO well here, slowly revealing the past while the present timeline kept the tension high the entire time.
What really stood out to me was how raw and messy the healing felt. Nothing is magically fixed overnight. These two have to confront painful truths, relearn each other, and untangle years of hurt and manipulation. Their younger relationship felt so soft and genuine that it made everything that followed hurt even more.
And Bailey… god, Bailey had my whole heart. I wanted to protect him at all costs.
This book is heavy, emotional, and genuinely hard to read at times, so definitely check content warnings beforehand. But if you love angst, hurt/comfort, second chance romance, and suspense that keeps you glued to the page, this one absolutely delivers.
Honestly, this book had me from the second I saw the cover because LOOK AT IT. But I was not prepared for the emotional damage waiting inside these pages.
This is a dark romantic suspense that had me completely locked in from start to finish. Equal parts emotional wreckage and edge-of-your-seat tension, this story had me constantly needing to know what really happened and where everything was going next.
Bailey and Theo absolutely wrecked me in the most painful, beautiful way. These are two people carrying years of trauma, guilt, anger, grief, and misunderstanding. Watching the truth slowly unravel between them was heartbreaking. The dual timeline worked SO well here, slowly revealing the past while the present timeline kept the tension high the entire time.
What really stood out to me was how raw and messy the healing felt. Nothing is magically fixed overnight. These two have to confront painful truths, relearn each other, and untangle years of hurt and manipulation. Their younger relationship felt so soft and genuine that it made everything that followed hurt even more.
And Bailey… god, Bailey had my whole heart. I wanted to protect him at all costs.
This book is heavy, emotional, and genuinely hard to read at times, so definitely check content warnings beforehand. But if you love angst, hurt/comfort, second chance romance, and suspense that keeps you glued to the page, this one absolutely delivers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Face of My Killer by Jordan Victoria
4.5⭐️ 3🌶
Jordan's debut is an angsty, suspenseful, thrilling, second-chance romance between two old lovers reunited by chance 12 years after they broke up and one of them ran away to the island of Skye.
Theo has worked tirelessly to forget the past for the last 12 years. When things ended badly between him and Bailey, Theo took off running. He's adapted to life alone, no lasting relationships, trying to keep the nightmares of their last night together away.
Bailey shows up for Theo's cousin's wedding, and everything that happens during their reunion is unexpected for him. Sure things didn't end *great* between them, but Theo looks at him like he wants to kill him. Bailey has so many of his own secrets, things he never told Theo when they were together. And worst of all he can't even fully remember the last night they saw each other.
Theo and Bailey struggle to navigate their unsettled business with one another, there are so many unanswered questions between them. And although they've both changed over the years, the obvious tension and yearning for one another hasn't gone away. Overall a fast paced book, the spice will make you swoon, and the suspense will have you on the edge of your seat. I'm looking forward to what will happen in the future books!
4.5⭐️ 3🌶
Jordan's debut is an angsty, suspenseful, thrilling, second-chance romance between two old lovers reunited by chance 12 years after they broke up and one of them ran away to the island of Skye.
Theo has worked tirelessly to forget the past for the last 12 years. When things ended badly between him and Bailey, Theo took off running. He's adapted to life alone, no lasting relationships, trying to keep the nightmares of their last night together away.
Bailey shows up for Theo's cousin's wedding, and everything that happens during their reunion is unexpected for him. Sure things didn't end *great* between them, but Theo looks at him like he wants to kill him. Bailey has so many of his own secrets, things he never told Theo when they were together. And worst of all he can't even fully remember the last night they saw each other.
Theo and Bailey struggle to navigate their unsettled business with one another, there are so many unanswered questions between them. And although they've both changed over the years, the obvious tension and yearning for one another hasn't gone away. Overall a fast paced book, the spice will make you swoon, and the suspense will have you on the edge of your seat. I'm looking forward to what will happen in the future books!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*4.5
This story unfolds across dual timelines, following Theo and Bailey in their early 30s, twelve years after a breakup that left them with completely different versions of the truth and left both with PTSD. In the present, a chance encounter ahead of an upcoming wedding throws them back into each other’s orbit, where tension, resentment, and deep mistrust simmer, and they can barely stand being in the same space. Then we’re pulled into the past, watching how it all began: their first meeting, their first kiss, and the slow build into a love that felt all-consuming. The constant shifts between timelines creates an intense emotional whiplash, one moment they’re throwing punches in the present, the next, in the past, they’re tangled up in bed, with soft “I love yous”. Bailey’s backstory is especially devastating, my gawd, the way I was wound up tight because of all that was happening & then watching them navigate the secrets, the trauma & to find out what tore them apart *whew*, I was anxious through out this whole book.
There were, though, a few moments that felt rushed, particularly their reconnection and parts of the ending, but even still, this was such a great emotional read.
This story unfolds across dual timelines, following Theo and Bailey in their early 30s, twelve years after a breakup that left them with completely different versions of the truth and left both with PTSD. In the present, a chance encounter ahead of an upcoming wedding throws them back into each other’s orbit, where tension, resentment, and deep mistrust simmer, and they can barely stand being in the same space. Then we’re pulled into the past, watching how it all began: their first meeting, their first kiss, and the slow build into a love that felt all-consuming. The constant shifts between timelines creates an intense emotional whiplash, one moment they’re throwing punches in the present, the next, in the past, they’re tangled up in bed, with soft “I love yous”. Bailey’s backstory is especially devastating, my gawd, the way I was wound up tight because of all that was happening & then watching them navigate the secrets, the trauma & to find out what tore them apart *whew*, I was anxious through out this whole book.
There were, though, a few moments that felt rushed, particularly their reconnection and parts of the ending, but even still, this was such a great emotional read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Face of My Killer
Theo & Bailey
Suspense romance
Second chance
Best friends to lovers
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Hurt/ comfort
Dark themes
Dual timelines
Oh wow, my heart. This was so good. Good good.
Unique and refreshing as a reader to read something so different from the usual. The plot was plotting, wanting me to throw my Kindle and at times grab tissues to wipe my tears while also cheering for their eventual HEA.
I really enjoyed this. I read this in 2 days, and flew through it. What a wildly fantastic plot, it literally kept me on my toes flipping those pages quick.
Also, my heart, eeek. I just wanted to hug these two men as well.
Just wow. This was written so well. From how the dual timelines are set up and the snippets we get I could not put this down.
I think everyone should go in blind to this and just trust the process and author.
My heart actually broke for Bailey. This had me in my feelings big time. I went through so many emotions while reading this. Just wow.
This is one of those books that can be challenging to review without giving away the plot or spoilers.
I feel like I'm not doing the book justice, you just have to read it, and experience it to understand.
I cannot wait to read more from this world and other characters.
So thankful for this arc
Theo & Bailey
Suspense romance
Second chance
Best friends to lovers
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Hurt/ comfort
Dark themes
Dual timelines
Oh wow, my heart. This was so good. Good good.
Unique and refreshing as a reader to read something so different from the usual. The plot was plotting, wanting me to throw my Kindle and at times grab tissues to wipe my tears while also cheering for their eventual HEA.
I really enjoyed this. I read this in 2 days, and flew through it. What a wildly fantastic plot, it literally kept me on my toes flipping those pages quick.
Also, my heart, eeek. I just wanted to hug these two men as well.
Just wow. This was written so well. From how the dual timelines are set up and the snippets we get I could not put this down.
I think everyone should go in blind to this and just trust the process and author.
My heart actually broke for Bailey. This had me in my feelings big time. I went through so many emotions while reading this. Just wow.
This is one of those books that can be challenging to review without giving away the plot or spoilers.
I feel like I'm not doing the book justice, you just have to read it, and experience it to understand.
I cannot wait to read more from this world and other characters.
So thankful for this arc
Review of advance copy received from Author
THANKYOU @jordanvictoriaauthor for the ARC and for ruining kilts for me. Love that.
My brother in christ, what a journey this one was. I haven’t read that many thrillers lately, so I was excited to sink my teeth into this one, plus who doesn’t love second chances?
I was not prepared to be reemed by the full expanse of human emotions available to me, but here we are. We had everything; intrigue, disgust, soft sadness, aching, revulsion, anger, kicking my feet and screaming, having my heart wrenched out of my body, sitting on the edge of my chair, trembling. I genuinely think I stopped breathing for a whole chapter in this book!!
I think the best way to go into this is blind, because the blurb doesn’t give a whole lot away, and you’re going to get blind sided anyway. You’ll think you’re prepared. You ain’t, son. Sit down, stay humble.
There was one point in this book where the whiplash was horrendous I was reacting in real time in Jordan’s inbox hahaha.
I’m so freaking happy this is going to be a series. Incredible debut!!!
My brother in christ, what a journey this one was. I haven’t read that many thrillers lately, so I was excited to sink my teeth into this one, plus who doesn’t love second chances?
I was not prepared to be reemed by the full expanse of human emotions available to me, but here we are. We had everything; intrigue, disgust, soft sadness, aching, revulsion, anger, kicking my feet and screaming, having my heart wrenched out of my body, sitting on the edge of my chair, trembling. I genuinely think I stopped breathing for a whole chapter in this book!!
I think the best way to go into this is blind, because the blurb doesn’t give a whole lot away, and you’re going to get blind sided anyway. You’ll think you’re prepared. You ain’t, son. Sit down, stay humble.
There was one point in this book where the whiplash was horrendous I was reacting in real time in Jordan’s inbox hahaha.
I’m so freaking happy this is going to be a series. Incredible debut!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
**ARC READER REVIEW**
TLDR: LOVED IT!
This was a fantastic story. Romance, suspense and thrills that had me hooked the whole way through. The pacing was perfect and dragged out moments and details just right enough to keep you invested and desperate to find out what happened in the past and what’s happening next.
Bailey and Teddy are brilliantly fleshed out characters with their own flaws and faults that aren’t just glossed over. I was so glad their second chance together didn’t come early in the book—we really had time to get to know them both individually before they reconcile.
I loved that they both had different views and recollections of what happened when they broke up and it made their reconciliation all the more beautiful.
I absolutely balled my eyes out when we find out the full truth about Baileys childhood and his family. I wanted to reach inside the book and just cuddle him! And the twist at the end I did not see coming!
All in all a wonderful story, with well thought out characters and plot and who doesn’t love a man in a kilt??!!
TLDR: LOVED IT!
This was a fantastic story. Romance, suspense and thrills that had me hooked the whole way through. The pacing was perfect and dragged out moments and details just right enough to keep you invested and desperate to find out what happened in the past and what’s happening next.
Bailey and Teddy are brilliantly fleshed out characters with their own flaws and faults that aren’t just glossed over. I was so glad their second chance together didn’t come early in the book—we really had time to get to know them both individually before they reconcile.
I loved that they both had different views and recollections of what happened when they broke up and it made their reconciliation all the more beautiful.
I absolutely balled my eyes out when we find out the full truth about Baileys childhood and his family. I wanted to reach inside the book and just cuddle him! And the twist at the end I did not see coming!
All in all a wonderful story, with well thought out characters and plot and who doesn’t love a man in a kilt??!!
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