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Cruel Bloodline #2
Papercuts: Rune & Dorian
A dark, haunting romance of control, obsession, and the woman who dared to walk away.
Rune knew exactly what she was doing when she entered Dorian Albury's world. He was ice-cold, brilliant, and untouchable-a man who didn't believe in love, only contracts. She accepted the role he loyal secretary by day, occasional lover at night-a silent shadow in his life. Her life was bound by rules and defined by limits he had drawn up right from the start. But when her usefulness runs out, Dorian discards her like a toy that no longer amused him. Only this time,
Rune walks away carrying something he never planned for and a truth she's kept hidden for years. Now, as she prepares to rebuild a life where she had given up her hopes for a life with him, Dorian is forced to confront what he thought he controlled. Because in his rulebook, Rune was never meant to matter. She was supposed to leave his life untouched. But some bonds go deeper than desire and some memories don't stay down.
A slow-burn tale of longing, betrayal, and the quiet strength it takes to choose yourself.
Rune knew exactly what she was doing when she entered Dorian Albury's world. He was ice-cold, brilliant, and untouchable-a man who didn't believe in love, only contracts. She accepted the role he loyal secretary by day, occasional lover at night-a silent shadow in his life. Her life was bound by rules and defined by limits he had drawn up right from the start. But when her usefulness runs out, Dorian discards her like a toy that no longer amused him. Only this time,
Rune walks away carrying something he never planned for and a truth she's kept hidden for years. Now, as she prepares to rebuild a life where she had given up her hopes for a life with him, Dorian is forced to confront what he thought he controlled. Because in his rulebook, Rune was never meant to matter. She was supposed to leave his life untouched. But some bonds go deeper than desire and some memories don't stay down.
A slow-burn tale of longing, betrayal, and the quiet strength it takes to choose yourself.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2026
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 4, 2026
In the fashion world, there’s a saying about how you know when a designer loves women. Especially if the designer is a man.
In this instance, it’s the opposite. You know when a female author hates women.
Raegan Salander, may very well hate women.
Because there is no way in this fucking world, do you have a woman who is this pathetic, pine after a man for over 5 years, who treats her like complete fucking shit and yet all it takes is a few nice words from him and some chores around the farm for her to start softening. I am appalled, I’m disgusted and I’m so disheartened that this has become the norm for the reading community. Dorian deserved to suffer. His past isn’t an excuse for him to be the cunt that he is. I can’t even finish this review properly, I’m that mad.
I’d have a serious reflection session with myself if I were you and maybe consider writing male/male stories, seeing as you love to punish your heroines in favour of your heroes.
In this instance, it’s the opposite. You know when a female author hates women.
Raegan Salander, may very well hate women.
Because there is no way in this fucking world, do you have a woman who is this pathetic, pine after a man for over 5 years, who treats her like complete fucking shit and yet all it takes is a few nice words from him and some chores around the farm for her to start softening. I am appalled, I’m disgusted and I’m so disheartened that this has become the norm for the reading community. Dorian deserved to suffer. His past isn’t an excuse for him to be the cunt that he is. I can’t even finish this review properly, I’m that mad.
I’d have a serious reflection session with myself if I were you and maybe consider writing male/male stories, seeing as you love to punish your heroines in favour of your heroes.
February 5, 2026
Papercuts is one of those stories you go into believing and feeling one way, but by the end you are feeling quite differently. My biggest advice to readers for this story is to stick with it. What you see from Dorian in the first 10 chapters is not what you get by the end.
Dorian Albury was first introduced to us in the book Unravveling. Dorian is not likable, not in the least. He is morally grey, cruel, and has control issues. Rune initially comes off as a doormat, but she knew what she was signing up for. I think the key thing to remember is that she willingly entered the relationship with Dorian. In fact she sought him out(unbeknownst to him at the time). She had built him up to be someone he wasn’t and when the truth smacked her in the face, she found her spine, and reinserted it. There is more to their story than what we first see, and it is revealed in the first 10 chapters.
Rune has been working as Dorian’s personal assistant for years. Part of her duties included being his assistant in every way. It was agreed upon so they enter a somewhat twisted dom/sub relationship. Rune is his dirty secret. She doesn’t get to go to parties or dinners with him, that is reserved for women of a greater social standing. He doesn’t do relationships. And contrary to what you may think, he is not a player. He has certain “hang ups” that preclude him from engaging in mindless couplings. Dorian starts to sense that Rune has caught feelings for him. Since that “love” feeling is not in his wheelhouse, unflinchingly, unemotionally he chooses to terminate their “contract” and even instructs her to line up the next “candidate” to take over her position.
However, he was not counting on his own “feelings”, or the ramifications of getting rid of Rune. He tries to play mind games and manipulate her more, but he has gone too far, and Rune has to think more about her future(huge hint here!). Before she leaves him, she drops a couple of bombshells at his feet. Then, she takes herself out of the city and heads to the country where her farming parents and grandparents live. Unlike some heroines, she has a very good support system back home. She has a new lease on life, and as far as she is concerned there is no room for Dorian and his “trauma”, or at least the Dorian she has been given for the last few years.
You see our Dorian has some neurodivergent tendencies. However, that pit in his stomach that won’t go away doesn’t come from eating Taco Bell, and so he decides to seek Rune out hoping she is the remedy. This is where Raegan gives us some of our lighter moments. Dorian is out of his element in the country. Put him in a farm situation and you can only imagine how super regimented, control freak, germaphobe Dorian gets out of sorts.
Rune doesn’t make it easy for him. She put in her time with him and she is not going to play assistant anymore. Meanwhile, her grandparents and parents put Dorian through his paces as well, but they also start to see the parts of him(the human parts) that he so artfully buried for so many years!
What unfolds ends up being a sweet love story despite its rather grim beginnings. I feel like Dorian becomes the star of this book. We get to see the possessive Dorian, the protective Dorian, and the Dorian who basically puts it all out there. It took her leaving him to free him to love her!
We are given an epilogue 4 years in the future and it is rather fun to watch a domesticated Dorian visiting with his friend Crispin.
Am I leaving out a lot of details? Yes I suppose I am, not wanting to spoil it for others. I think Dorian and Rune’s journey will surprise some people. Despite Dorian’s major shortcomings, he is a man on a mission and his mission is Rune. However, Rune has more at stake than ever before, so she does not make it easy. Dorian ends up winning over her family first, but rest assured he wins his Rune over in the end!
Dorian Albury was first introduced to us in the book Unravveling. Dorian is not likable, not in the least. He is morally grey, cruel, and has control issues. Rune initially comes off as a doormat, but she knew what she was signing up for. I think the key thing to remember is that she willingly entered the relationship with Dorian. In fact she sought him out(unbeknownst to him at the time). She had built him up to be someone he wasn’t and when the truth smacked her in the face, she found her spine, and reinserted it. There is more to their story than what we first see, and it is revealed in the first 10 chapters.
Rune has been working as Dorian’s personal assistant for years. Part of her duties included being his assistant in every way. It was agreed upon so they enter a somewhat twisted dom/sub relationship. Rune is his dirty secret. She doesn’t get to go to parties or dinners with him, that is reserved for women of a greater social standing. He doesn’t do relationships. And contrary to what you may think, he is not a player. He has certain “hang ups” that preclude him from engaging in mindless couplings. Dorian starts to sense that Rune has caught feelings for him. Since that “love” feeling is not in his wheelhouse, unflinchingly, unemotionally he chooses to terminate their “contract” and even instructs her to line up the next “candidate” to take over her position.
However, he was not counting on his own “feelings”, or the ramifications of getting rid of Rune. He tries to play mind games and manipulate her more, but he has gone too far, and Rune has to think more about her future(huge hint here!). Before she leaves him, she drops a couple of bombshells at his feet. Then, she takes herself out of the city and heads to the country where her farming parents and grandparents live. Unlike some heroines, she has a very good support system back home. She has a new lease on life, and as far as she is concerned there is no room for Dorian and his “trauma”, or at least the Dorian she has been given for the last few years.
You see our Dorian has some neurodivergent tendencies. However, that pit in his stomach that won’t go away doesn’t come from eating Taco Bell, and so he decides to seek Rune out hoping she is the remedy. This is where Raegan gives us some of our lighter moments. Dorian is out of his element in the country. Put him in a farm situation and you can only imagine how super regimented, control freak, germaphobe Dorian gets out of sorts.
Rune doesn’t make it easy for him. She put in her time with him and she is not going to play assistant anymore. Meanwhile, her grandparents and parents put Dorian through his paces as well, but they also start to see the parts of him(the human parts) that he so artfully buried for so many years!
What unfolds ends up being a sweet love story despite its rather grim beginnings. I feel like Dorian becomes the star of this book. We get to see the possessive Dorian, the protective Dorian, and the Dorian who basically puts it all out there. It took her leaving him to free him to love her!
We are given an epilogue 4 years in the future and it is rather fun to watch a domesticated Dorian visiting with his friend Crispin.
Am I leaving out a lot of details? Yes I suppose I am, not wanting to spoil it for others. I think Dorian and Rune’s journey will surprise some people. Despite Dorian’s major shortcomings, he is a man on a mission and his mission is Rune. However, Rune has more at stake than ever before, so she does not make it easy. Dorian ends up winning over her family first, but rest assured he wins his Rune over in the end!
February 5, 2026
The first 9 chapters will really make you dislike the MMC but hang in there because we need our betrayal before the story totally flips and takes a new direction. There are reasons why Rune sought him out and put him on a pedestal, accepting his treatment with the hope of love developing which we learn later in the story. He really was her childhood hero, a distant crush while growing up and then her goal as she sought him out as an adult finally working as his personal assistant for the last 5 years. Keep that in mind in the early chapters because it will help explain her decisions and why she stayed through so much.
Dorian was raised in a dysfunctional family and while brilliant would be considered neurodivergent. His lack of emotions and need for control have created a lifestyle he enjoys and plans to maintain with Rune existing in a limited role for a limited time. For many, including myself I didn’t think Reagan could save Dorian, but she did. She will twist your emotions (in a good way) and then remake your opinion on things before the story ends. We like our painful love stories and the first part of the book supplies that in spades.
There are so many great secondary characters in the story who I also love. They are such a joy to read as they support Rune, at first tease or punish Dorian and then help him to find his way to understand and show the love he feels for her. As usual humor will also be dispersed throughout the story with Dorian’s germaphobia, city boy meets farm life and her family, friends and the hometown’s antics.
Once Dorian opens up to Rune and shares his backstory you will hurt for him too and understand what helped to create so many of his misguided beliefs. His redemption arc is one of personal growth, making himself vulnerable, sharing his emotions, and doing whatever is needed to be there for Rune no matter the cost. He wants Rune, has always wanted Rune but expected her to fit into a controllable little box he used to create his compartmentalized life. Now he has to live in her world, with her rules, because she is never going back to what they had.
Rune is stronger than you think from the first chapters. She chose to put herself there and agreed to the terms Dorian placed on their relationship because she wanted to be with him. She also moved forward and left him in the dust when the time was right. There was no easy fix for Dorian when he showed up at her village. She had made up her mind to do things on her own with her family’s support and he was not needed or wanted. We get to watch him earn his place in her life and heart again which ended up being a warm and loving story.
Dorian was raised in a dysfunctional family and while brilliant would be considered neurodivergent. His lack of emotions and need for control have created a lifestyle he enjoys and plans to maintain with Rune existing in a limited role for a limited time. For many, including myself I didn’t think Reagan could save Dorian, but she did. She will twist your emotions (in a good way) and then remake your opinion on things before the story ends. We like our painful love stories and the first part of the book supplies that in spades.
There are so many great secondary characters in the story who I also love. They are such a joy to read as they support Rune, at first tease or punish Dorian and then help him to find his way to understand and show the love he feels for her. As usual humor will also be dispersed throughout the story with Dorian’s germaphobia, city boy meets farm life and her family, friends and the hometown’s antics.
Once Dorian opens up to Rune and shares his backstory you will hurt for him too and understand what helped to create so many of his misguided beliefs. His redemption arc is one of personal growth, making himself vulnerable, sharing his emotions, and doing whatever is needed to be there for Rune no matter the cost. He wants Rune, has always wanted Rune but expected her to fit into a controllable little box he used to create his compartmentalized life. Now he has to live in her world, with her rules, because she is never going back to what they had.
Rune is stronger than you think from the first chapters. She chose to put herself there and agreed to the terms Dorian placed on their relationship because she wanted to be with him. She also moved forward and left him in the dust when the time was right. There was no easy fix for Dorian when he showed up at her village. She had made up her mind to do things on her own with her family’s support and he was not needed or wanted. We get to watch him earn his place in her life and heart again which ended up being a warm and loving story.
February 5, 2026
I just finished this and after reading some of the earlier harsh reviews, I felt I should leave a review, as well.
Dorian is a broken alphahole. Some of the reviews belittled his childhood trauma bc I guess we’re holding the Trauma Olympics and only certain traumas can cause someone to become a broken person. 🙄
ANYWAY, his trauma was pretty freaking bad. I understood why he was the way he was. The man was an absolute jerk. But, he does change. It’s more redemption, than groveling. I feel that his redemption was true to his character.
The way he treated Rune in the first half of the book, was abysmal. She deserved so much better. And he realizes that, and changes. And Rune WAS NOT a doormat. She stood up to him and said that enough was enough. As for Dorian, I always remind myself that:
🗣️HURT PEOPLE, HURT PEOPLE.
It’s unfortunate, but it’s true. That doesn’t justify his behavior, but it does explain it. And I can empathize. Is he still a bit of a jerk? A self proclaimed “ruthless bastard”? Sure. But he’s a self aware ruthless bastard, who loves Rune.
And hey, some of us like our men to be a bit mean 💁🏽♀️. Don’t yuck my yum 🤷🏽♀️😂. I, myself, love an alphahole MMC who grows and redeems himself. And I feel that Dorian did. I believed his remorse and I believed he and Rune’s HEA.
ALSO, I loved the way her hometown rallied around her. I laughed quite a bit every time they refused to tell Dorian where she was. Rune, her family, the town, even his driver/friend… they all gave him a hard time. It wasn’t easy and they all called him on his bs behavior. This man worked for his HEA!
I can definitely say that I enjoyed their story so much that I can see myself rereading this one again, in the future. This author has yet to disappoint me with their stories. So, I’m glad I went ahead and read this, despite feeling hesitant because of those harsh reviews.
Dorian is a broken alphahole. Some of the reviews belittled his childhood trauma bc I guess we’re holding the Trauma Olympics and only certain traumas can cause someone to become a broken person. 🙄
ANYWAY, his trauma was pretty freaking bad. I understood why he was the way he was. The man was an absolute jerk. But, he does change. It’s more redemption, than groveling. I feel that his redemption was true to his character.
The way he treated Rune in the first half of the book, was abysmal. She deserved so much better. And he realizes that, and changes. And Rune WAS NOT a doormat. She stood up to him and said that enough was enough. As for Dorian, I always remind myself that:
🗣️HURT PEOPLE, HURT PEOPLE.
It’s unfortunate, but it’s true. That doesn’t justify his behavior, but it does explain it. And I can empathize. Is he still a bit of a jerk? A self proclaimed “ruthless bastard”? Sure. But he’s a self aware ruthless bastard, who loves Rune.
And hey, some of us like our men to be a bit mean 💁🏽♀️. Don’t yuck my yum 🤷🏽♀️😂. I, myself, love an alphahole MMC who grows and redeems himself. And I feel that Dorian did. I believed his remorse and I believed he and Rune’s HEA.
ALSO, I loved the way her hometown rallied around her. I laughed quite a bit every time they refused to tell Dorian where she was. Rune, her family, the town, even his driver/friend… they all gave him a hard time. It wasn’t easy and they all called him on his bs behavior. This man worked for his HEA!
I can definitely say that I enjoyed their story so much that I can see myself rereading this one again, in the future. This author has yet to disappoint me with their stories. So, I’m glad I went ahead and read this, despite feeling hesitant because of those harsh reviews.
February 5, 2026
Disappointed. Disillusioned.
What is happening to this author and other authors who think romance is about abusive men who used and abused women, and even sexually manipulate and control them and treat them like shit, like trash, like disposable holes for years,YEARS!
And where is the grovel for those years Dorian inhumanely treated Rune? WHERE IS THE GROVEL???
I liked this author's books before, I adore her book about Anna and Byron.
But this book is so disheartening to read and just makes you question how the author thought this is romantic?
The reasoning behind the abusive male lead's behaviour is weak and a cop out. The years of using and abusing the female lead is disgusting. The grovel is almost non existent, rather the author just excused and justified it by using Dorian's past.
Then Rune has become so spineless, and a prime example of a virgin being used by Dorian and conditioned to become his sex slave, a hole/holes to be used anytime and anywhere regardless of how Rune felt. She was even sexually assaulted in the first pages-but yes the author has written that it's part of their NDA that he can treat her like that. She even has to disassociate at times when Dorian is using (violating) her body.
Rune is an example of this author's version of a woman in love that she becomes a person with a BATTERED WIFE SYNDROME, BODY BETRAYAL SYNDROME, and zero individual identity hence no backbone at all.
Dorian is digusting AF and he makes me sick. Rune deserves him cause she let him treat her like that.
And this author is such a disappointment now.
Also, there are so many plot holes that went unanswered.
What is happening to this author and other authors who think romance is about abusive men who used and abused women, and even sexually manipulate and control them and treat them like shit, like trash, like disposable holes for years,YEARS!
And where is the grovel for those years Dorian inhumanely treated Rune? WHERE IS THE GROVEL???
I liked this author's books before, I adore her book about Anna and Byron.
But this book is so disheartening to read and just makes you question how the author thought this is romantic?
The reasoning behind the abusive male lead's behaviour is weak and a cop out. The years of using and abusing the female lead is disgusting. The grovel is almost non existent, rather the author just excused and justified it by using Dorian's past.
Then Rune has become so spineless, and a prime example of a virgin being used by Dorian and conditioned to become his sex slave, a hole/holes to be used anytime and anywhere regardless of how Rune felt. She was even sexually assaulted in the first pages-but yes the author has written that it's part of their NDA that he can treat her like that. She even has to disassociate at times when Dorian is using (violating) her body.
Rune is an example of this author's version of a woman in love that she becomes a person with a BATTERED WIFE SYNDROME, BODY BETRAYAL SYNDROME, and zero individual identity hence no backbone at all.
Dorian is digusting AF and he makes me sick. Rune deserves him cause she let him treat her like that.
And this author is such a disappointment now.
Also, there are so many plot holes that went unanswered.
February 5, 2026
I first read this book through Wattpad. I really love this author and I eagerly followed each chapter.
I know that some people felt that Rune was a bit of a doormat. I didn’t.
The backstory of her brother’s illness ( to me) explained how Rune viewed Dorian.
Yes Dorian was a jerk.. he was a jerk in “ Unraveling “.. Aria and Crispin’s story.
When Rune was finally done with Dorian… she was done and she returned to her hometown . I adored her parents and grandparents and all the citizens of the small town.
I love a story with a great gut-punch and to me, this one had it.
And yes Dorian groveled and I loved reading how miserable he was.
I loved the epilogue.
Well done Raegan Salander for another great book!
I know that some people felt that Rune was a bit of a doormat. I didn’t.
The backstory of her brother’s illness ( to me) explained how Rune viewed Dorian.
Yes Dorian was a jerk.. he was a jerk in “ Unraveling “.. Aria and Crispin’s story.
When Rune was finally done with Dorian… she was done and she returned to her hometown . I adored her parents and grandparents and all the citizens of the small town.
I love a story with a great gut-punch and to me, this one had it.
And yes Dorian groveled and I loved reading how miserable he was.
I loved the epilogue.
Well done Raegan Salander for another great book!
February 5, 2026
must read
This is such a well-written book, the characters have depth and the author develops them extremely well, they aren’t black and white and it’s engrossing to see them evolve as the story progresses.
This is such a well-written book, the characters have depth and the author develops them extremely well, they aren’t black and white and it’s engrossing to see them evolve as the story progresses.
February 5, 2026
loved it!
Great second book in this series! I look forward to reading more stories by this author. Glad to see Crispy again too
Great second book in this series! I look forward to reading more stories by this author. Glad to see Crispy again too
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