Eat Your Heart Out : A Pitch Black Horror Romance

by J.N. Bamforth

Wanna know the best way to a man's heart?
It's a knife, straight through the chest.

My name is Cherry, and three years ago the life I had ended, but it didn't kill me.
Instead, it turned me into the woman I am now. A hellhound on a revenge path to find the man, and those just like him, who ruined my life.

But the one thing I never expected to find was love.

Genres: Dark Romance, Horror, Novella, Dark, Romance

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2026

Reviews

[Shelbi Reads 🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filthy, disgusting, absolutely deplorable! LOVED THIS LITTLE NOVELLA! 🖤🌶️💋

[Kenia Coronado · Rating 4 out of 5]

very very smutty

This was good for the mood, it does have a plot but towards the end there was more smut than plot. Still enjoyable and its a quick read! These two characters were made for eachother.

[Brogan Elouise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, sharp novella brimming with feminine rage, revenge, and a romance that really shouldn’t work… but somehow does.

A female serial killer and a crime scene cleaner isn’t exactly your standard pairing, but their insta-lust worked for me despite Kincaid’s umm… niche proclivities 😅

Both characters come with their own trauma, and what stood out to me was the way that plays into their dynamic. There’s no clean, polished version of healing here. It’s unconventional, and a little bit unhinged… but there’s still this thread of understanding between them. They don’t fix each other, but they see each other, and in their own way, they offer support that feels real within the chaos of who they are.

It’s quick, unsettling, and just a little bit absurd in places… which honestly adds to the charm.

Also, I will never look at mac and cheese the same way again.

[Torylee Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️ 4/5🌶

𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓, 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏. 𝑨 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏, 𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅.

𝓕𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓼𝓽 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮, 𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓪𝓬𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓼 𝓪 𝓶𝓪𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓱𝓪𝓼𝓷’𝓽 𝓶𝓪𝓭𝓮 𝓶𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓷 𝓱𝓲𝓶 𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓸 𝓪 𝓹𝓲𝓮. 𝓗𝓸𝔀 𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮..

As soon as I saw the tropes I knew I immediately needed to read this. This is a first read of mine from J.N. Bamforth and it won’t be my last. I fucking devoured this. Pun intended. When I say I want horror romance this is what I’m talking about. Fanfuckingtastic. The spice? Incredible. A spicy good time. The horror and gore? Fucking perfect. The story and plot? Important but also so much fun. Eat Your Heart Out has immaculate banter and this was honestly such a fucking blast.

ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪs ɪᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ɢᴜʏs ᴄᴀʟʟɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴄʀᴀᴢʏ? ʟɪᴋᴇ ʙᴀʙᴇ, ɪ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ sᴀɪᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴡᴀsɴ’ᴛ. ᴅɪᴄᴋʜᴇᴀᴅ.

Brynne, our FMC, the fucking woman that you are. You want feminine rage? You’re getting it. A bad ass bitch.
Kincaid, the mouth on that man. As soon as he opened up his mouth I was in loveeee.. the way they just immediately understood each other despite their extracurricular activities🤭 this was so much fun. I loved it and definitely will be revisiting this again!

𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐’𝘮 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰. 𝘞𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘴, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳.

🔪𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐌𝐂
💀𝐍𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐜 𝐌𝐌𝐂
🩸𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬
❤️‍🔥𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠
⚰️𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐞𝐫/𝐇𝐢𝐦 & 𝐃𝐢𝐞
🔪𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞
💀𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮?
🩸𝐇𝐞’𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩
❤️‍🔥𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬
⚰️”𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞” 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝
🔪𝐒𝐦𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥

[Emilee Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: 5 🌟
𝙒𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙄 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙙? YES - CHECK TW!!!
𝙃𝙤𝙬'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚? 5/5

In our street team chat someone said this was an erotic horror rom com and I’d have to say that spot on! JN Bamforth just has a way with making you NEVER look at certain foods the same way again! Lol. That said if you want something that screams feminine rage but is also disgustingly shocking with smut galore and some love thrown in then this is the book for you!!

Brynne aka Cherry our female serial k!ller and her necroph!lliac “cleaner” Kincaid are quite the match! It was insta love for both of them and at the heart (see what I did there?) of this story was the simple fact that there’s always someone out there that matches your freak, gives you what you need and loves you for you. And I can’t see anything more beautiful than that!

Please listen to me when I say check the triggers!!! And if you have a favorite food chances are JN is going to ruin it for you but you’ll still eat up her writing (again…see what I did there?)

**GIGANTIC thank you to JN Bamforth for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

“So break it,” My brows crease in confusion. “What?”

“Break it. Crack it in two, shatter it to pieces because the thought of not having you in my life, of not having you like this in my arms, of not knowing you is already breaking my heart so I doubt you could do anymore damage.”

“And if you’re going to run, then take this with you,” he jabs his finger into the solid muscle of his chest, right where his heart lies behind its ivory cage. “Because I don’t want it if it doesn’t belong to you. I have no use for it.”

The way they both understood trauma. Both of them meeting each other right where they were. Taking the others trauma and just accepting them. It was a Hannibal vibes meet cute. And I ate it up. No crumbs left.
This is my first book by this author and definitely won’t be my last.

[Beesbooks02 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eat your heart out by J.N Bamforth
Release date: 14th February
Please check Trigger warnings ⚠️


J.N bamforth has a way of writing disgustingly disturbing books that you just can't put down, they draw you in and in the next moment you realise: 'oh shit I've finished it'

I’ll never allow a man to get away with this again. I’ll become the very thing that they all fear, deep down. A fucking woman, scorned.

I loved Brynne, in my books she's the definition of a woman scorned and nothing is worse. After a traumatic event, she doesn’t let the monster get away with what he did, instead she finds creative ways to make him pay. Let's just say I'm never looking at a cherry pie the same way or trusting one ever again.

[Jessi .K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the sweetest love story!! Seriously just a smutty, murdery, gorey, giggley, love story. About two people who others broke apart in disgusting ways, but they saw the beauty in the shambles!
First off good for you Cherry, I love when women find their power and fuck up (cook) men who deserve it! This was sooo damn creative, in a cringey feet kicking way. J.N has yet provide another fabulously gorey fun time. And Kin, glad he got his revenge and found someone who said "I'll play dead for you"......swoon. Yes I am aware I like wierd shit.
The inner monolog of these characters had me out right snort laughing. I do believe that Brynne and Kincaid are officially on my top couples ever list! Seriously who doesn't want someone to love their darkness in the light.

[Carly Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are into pitch black erotic horror, this author NEVER disappoints. Her writing is top tier and I always eat it up. This story follows “Cherry” Brynne as she gets her revenge on terrible disgusting men. She meets Kincaid who had a terrible childhood, eventually taking his life into his hands at a young age. Even though she doesn’t trust men she trusts him. This story is dark; please check the triggers there are a lot of them. However; this is a beautiful love story and it plays out like a lovely dark trauma infused tale of the heart. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys dark twisted tales.

[Lace☀️🍂🌻🌼 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a ride…. Check your trigger warnings on this one folks, I repeat Check. Your. Trigger. Warnings. I’m not even sure how to describe what I just read, but at the very heart of it is two people who find love and acceptance for exactly who they are… and that’s just beautiful. I love the way J.N. writes, it pulls you in, puts you in a chokehold and you’re on one crazy ride and you want to say thank you for it!

[Angela Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to arc read this book. This was a well written, fast paced read, but overall it was a bit much for me. I enjoy dark rom coms and thrillers, but gore I think is a bit past my comfort level. If you enjoy gruesome reads with a little romance, this would be a good read for you. What do you get when you cross a rapist killing cannibal with a necrophiliac? This book. It’s very detailed, definitely check ALL the triggers.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT! DID! I! READ! Holy moly this was dark and intense and I freaking LOVED it!

I love Brynne!! She’s a badass FMC. Her “cooking skills” are revenge worthy.
And Kincaid….. wow!!

But for real, I’ll probably never eat cherry pie again.

[Sarah Lavely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to JN Bamforth for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.



Is it too early to call my favorite book of 2026?
Good… because Eat Your Heart Out by JN Bamforth already claimed the throne.

Check your triggers. This one is dark. Gritty. Unapologetic.

By 20% I knew it was a 5 star read.

She’s trauma-forged, pie-baking, full of feminine-rage.
Yes… she’s a serial unaliver who keeps body parts for her recipes.
We’re not focusing on that.

He’s a walking red flag who prefers his women cold.
Again… we’re not focusing on that.

What we are focusing on?

Two damaged souls who let their darkness breathe… and somehow find safety, softness, and peace in each other.

Unhinged. Romantic. Twisted.
And somehow… tender.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read this author, and I loved her writing. This book is erotic horror, very graphic and with a lot of blood—too much. Brynne and Kincaid are two broken souls who find solace together. This story was fun and a crazy read; I loved the instant connection they had.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don't think Jordan has it in her to write anything other than 5⭐ books.
Wow. And as usual with her style of writing it's absolutely disgusting, makes you genuinely think oh shit what am I reading. But my god you are hooked immediately.
Read this in a couple of hours. Couldn't put it down.
So many trigger warnings folks so read them if you need to 😏
Brynne is a bad ass that you do not want to mess with unless you wanna be made in to a meal 👀
And Kincaid is a lovely sick puppy that dotes on her perfectly 🖤
Thanks for the arc ❤️

[Gabby Wentworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

these two were insane i LOVED IT 🤩🤭🔥

[Teneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

Eat Your Heart Out by J.N. Bamforth was an absolute five-star read for me.

Dark, intense, and completely addictive, this novella delivers pitch-black horror romance with relentless spice and a surprisingly compelling emotional core. The characters are morally gone in the best way, and the dynamic between a fierce, dangerous FMC and a MMC who supports her darkness instead of trying to tame it was genuinely one of my favourite parts.

The pacing is fast, the intensity never lets up, and the spice is easily 5/5.

If you enjoy erotic horror romance with unhinged devotion, extreme themes, and a story that’s both brutal and oddly tender, this one is unforgettable.

Highly recommend for the right reader — check content warnings.

[Kayla (Kayuhlareads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming Soon!

[darkreadswithnalieee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wrecked me in ways I wasn’t prepared for.
Eat Your Heart Out is not just a dark romance — it’s an emotional battlefield where love and violence collide in the most brutal, intimate way possible.
Brynne believes she’s a monster. She truly thinks the only way to protect Kincaid is to push him away. When she tells him to go, to forget her, to let her break his heart — it feels like she’s poisoning herself with every word. And then Kincaid says, “So break it.”
That scene alone? Devastating.
He doesn’t care about her secrets. He doesn’t care about the darkness she thinks lives inside her. He wants it. He wants all of it. When he tells her that whatever monster she believes is inside her, the thing inside him wants to love it — I lost it. The vulnerability in that moment is raw and aching and so deeply intimate.
But this book doesn’t let you sit in softness for long.

Eat Your Heart Out doesn’t romanticize broken people — it forces you to sit inside their damage. And Kincaid? His trauma gutted me. The glimpses into his childhood, the abuse he endured, the way it still claws at him when he looks in the mirror and sees a “monster” staring back — it explains so much about the man he became. The fear of vulnerability. The desperation to protect Brynne from himself. The way he believes he’s beyond saving.
And then there’s Brynne — chaotic, sharp, dangerous in her own right. She’s not some fragile heroine waiting to be rescued. She walks into danger with a knife in her bag and a plan in her head. When Leroy attacks, she doesn’t freeze. She fights. She stabs. She survives. I loved that about her.
The Leroy confrontation scene had my heart pounding. One second Kincaid is baring his soul, telling Brynne to break his heart if she must — the next he’s taking a baseball bat to the face while shielding her with his body. The bone-cracking impact. The blood. Him still trying to hold the bat back while telling her to run. It was brutal and terrifying in the best way.
The tension is suffocating. The fear feels real. The brutality isn’t glamorized — it’s desperate.
And what makes it even more powerful is Brynne’s internal shift. She refuses to die like this. She refuses to let another man like Leroy — like Chris — control her ever again. This isn’t just a fight scene. It’s reclamation.
Then there’s the dynamic between Brynne and Kincaid outside the violence.
The power exchange?
The kneeling?
The “Good boy”?
Absolutely feral.
When Kincaid gets on his knees for her — willingly, eagerly — it’s not just hot (and yes, the smut is SPICY spicy), it’s layered. Because this is a man who is powerful, dangerous, dominant in so many spaces… and he chooses to submit to her. The praise. The control. The intensity. It’s intoxicating.
“Good boy.”
AHH.
The chemistry between them burns. The sex scenes aren’t just explicit — they’re emotionally charged. Every touch feels like a collision of trauma and desire. The author balances filthy dialogue with vulnerability in a way that makes it impossible to look away.
What I loved most is how the book moves between tenderness and brutality without losing its emotional core. One minute Kincaid is offering his heart like it’s hers to destroy, the next he’s bleeding in front of her trying to protect her. One minute Brynne is pushing him away to save him, the next she’s fighting beside him.
They don’t just love each other.
They choose each other.
Over and over.
This story is dark. It’s violent. It’s erotic. It’s emotionally heavy. But beneath all of that is two broken people desperately trying to believe they deserve to be loved — monsters and all.
The smut was hot.
The emotional moments were devastating.
The action had me holding my breath.
This book was amazing to read — intense, addictive, and impossible to forget.
And Kincaid?
On his knees?
Good boy, indeed.

[Aga Slonina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of the year that I actually enjoyed, I actually bought a physical signed copy before reading the book lol, good job I enjoyed it😂I also have some highlights that I think are worth sharing, tried to keep this review quite vague as I didn't want to spoil anything💕

As short as it was I don't think it missed much out apart from maybe some more background details of the main characters and how they began doing what they do but that would definitely require the book to be much longer, either way those details didn't have much effect on the book but it's just something I would have liked to know.🤷‍♀️There weren't any holes in the story though that I noticed anyway which to me means that it covered everything that was necessary.

The plot was pretty easy to follow, it wasn't complicated, it did still have some suspense and mystery and a lot of tension between the main characters, and I feel like that's quite difficult to do in a short book but this definitely did the job, a great job at that❣️ We did of course still get the necessary details needed to understand WHY the characters do what they do just not the HOW it all started I guess, how they got to do what they do. Although it was short and easy to follow it wasn't boring in any way, it kept me interested and very much entertained, it's exactly what I needed🩷

I loved both of the characters, especially the FMC Brynne, I absolutely love reading about an FMC on a revenge path😌I loved how she was feared and feisty but sill had her soft moments when needed and showed the MMC her vulnerable side as well which definitely made their connection seem stronger, she was just a baddie to simply put it. I really felt for her when we got to read what happened to her and later found out what issues it caused her in the future, I'm not surprised she wanted to get revenge, and I honestly loved the way she did it, and I loved how when the MMC found out what she actually does he was not phased one bit, I mean that's probably because his hobbies weren't very normal either. Perfect match if you ask me🤩

The MMC Kincaid was also amazing, he fell first and HARD, literally was ready to drop to his knees at the mere sight of her, which as he should🤭even though he was a little weirded out by his attraction to her for many reasons, he still decided to pursue her and he was very upfront as to why he thought his attraction was odd, not that Brynne minded. He was literally INSTANTLY obsessed with her which 🤌 I loved how he let her do her own thing but was also there to protect her and defend her when needed because he didn't want to loose her, and the times that he was gentle with her were adorable, I loved him💞

The spice was also really good, it wasn't repetitive and it didn't really overpower the plot or the book, I know some stories can have great spice but it may feel like that's starting to become the whole plot, not with this one, this one we still had a little bit of a slow burn as it wasn't straight to the spice, it tied in nicely with the story🌶️🌶️🌶️

the only thing that I may have changed or rather why it wasn't 5 stars is simply because it felt TOO instant love for me, I understand it's a short book and they need to fall for each other quick but the instant mention of love just wasn't for me, lust I could get but it was pretty instant when falling in love was being mentioned, I would have liked to be maybe further on in the book or even in the epilogue.

But either way I loved the book and if you fancy an unhinged FMC and MMC, who are just as crazy as each other, and amazing spice then this is the one for you!🌶️❣️

[Gabi Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where do I start, this book was short, spicy and unhinged. If you’re in the mood for something with dark themes and two crazy characters that are made for each other, then this book is for you. I initially picked this book up because the blurb caught my eye and I had already bought the physical copy… not my brightest moment but I’m so glad I enjoyed the book lol 🫣. I will try to keep this short but I have a lot to say and this book definitely deserves the time it takes to write this review.

Plot:
This was a new one for me, now I have read books where the FMC is a baddie but some themes in this book were new to me. I love my books dark and my character even darker so this book vibed well with me but I do want to warn anyone that this isn’t a book for anyone who is just starting off with dark romance, the themes can be triggering and the MC’s backstory’s can be too graphic for some. Now if you’re a dark romance veteran then this is for you, dark, spicy and thrilling. 😌 The plot gave and had me on the edge of my seat despite how short the book is. The story was well developed, the writing easy to follow and there were no gaps that had me confused or wondering.

Brynne:
What can I say, she’s hot. The hair? 🧎‍♀️ Took me by surprise but as a red haired girly myself I loved it, she was no push over, she knew what she wanted and she loved what she did. We love a girl boss with a hobby and cute hair, I loved that she held her own and honestly I was heart broken for her, her doubt about love, her worries and insecurities that were completely valid for the experience she had been through but she kept her head held high and turned ugly men into beautiful snacks, she’s a bad bitch and she has a revenge plan, what more can you ask for? Maybe the fact that she’s feared by men who clean dodgy crime scenes for a living? She’s spicy when she needs to be and she won’t let anyone underestimate her, she has the power and she knows it. To sum it up, Brynne was a strong character with strong feelings and a big personality and despite everything she found her match.

Kincaid:
Again… HOT, as I said these characters were made for each other. Traumatised and hurt as a child I think he grew to become a stronger man than he gives himself credit, he has weird hobbies but hey… at least it’s not drugs? Maybe drugs would’ve been better but I digress! And the way he fell fast and hard for the woman he was only meant to see once in his life, he was intrigued and I don’t blame him, I loved how quickly this man became protective over someone he chose to love, how he opened up to her, showed her scars that he never revealed to anyone else. That despite his strange… preferences, he still wanted her alive, he NEEDED her alive and honestly? A man that years, earns and oh did he earn hehe. ANYWAY, I loved Kincaid, our cutie little necro with his dark past and protective tendencies he still made sure his girl was safe, he risked his life for her and he gave her space even when he didn’t want to. Men are we writing this down…?

Opinion:
Now this is just my personal opinion so take it with a pinch of salt, I loved this book for how short it was, the spicy was HOT and the characters were great, now despite the fact that I KNOW it’s supposed to be short I wish there was more development between the characters love story, it was very insta love and as much as it kinda worked for these characters I do wish we got a longer journey between them, another thing that I wish we got more of it their story in general, look I’m just nosy and I feel like I need a part two already. Now despite how short this book was it was still soooo good, the plot was amazing, characters were insane but so cute together and the spicy gave everything it needed to without overwhelming the story. I think if you’re looking for a short spicy dark romance then this is for you but please check the trigger warnings because this book definitely covers some very traumatising experiences in detail. The first chapter was definitely hard to read but again, this is just my personal opinion and some people may not be as affected, enjoy your smut and stay safe out there xx

[TheBookishGothGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS A PITCH BLACK HORROR ROMANCE WITH A WONDERFULLY LONG LIST OF TRIGGERS YOU MUST READ BEFORE GOING ANY FURTHER

Also, pre-warning, it is advised not to eat just before or during your reading of this book, unless you have a particularly strong stomach or are just unhinged (like myself).

What did I just read? A fucking masterpiece of darkness, humour and emotional depth, that's what!

This is my second ARC for J.N Bamforth (I read Slay Bells in December) and I will read anything this woman puts in front of me. (bring on the 3 other books of hers I have on my Kindle TBR)

J.N has given us a new darkness to love. This book is a pitch black romance with the HEA you didn't know you needed.

The characters are gorgeously written and the exploration of their dark sides is not only wonderful to read but creates the instant intimate bond between them.
Brynne is Dexter meets Nigella Lawson, wrapped in a curvy body with Cherry Red hair. She was destroyed mentally, physically and emotionally by a man who didn't take no for an answer but she rebuilds herself, stronger, sharper, deadly and determined to seek revenge and never feel that way again.

And boy, howdy, her revenge is graphic, brutal but completely fucking justified and you will find yourself cheering her on (even through any disgust you have for her methods).

Kincaid, sweet, devoted, simp that he is. God damn, my heart hurt for this man. His backstory just as devastatingly heart breaking as Brynne's and you can see why they are drawn to each other instantly. The way he becomes completely besotted and when she opens up to him fully and he swears "Never Again!", fuckin glorious!

This book is smut, no other way around it, it is fantastically filthy and I loved every second of it, definitely a solid 4 on the spicy scale. I was a little concerned for Kincaid's Mustang but he assures me it's not damaged, lol. There are some kinks in this book that may disturb other readers, so I reiterate, read the trigger warnings!

I devoured this book and refused to put it down until it was done, I would love to read more about Brynne and Kincaid's future adventures so if J.N wants to put that out into the world, I am all over it.

Total 5 star read for me. Brilliant!

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

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

🖤 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼🖤
Brynne (Cherry) & Kincaid

🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤
📕forced cannibalism
📕potato peeler
📕genital mutilation
📕man meat
📕unhinged main characters

🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤
As a first time read from the author, I can guarantee this won't be mine or your last time either. The level of brutality combined with the level of straight smut was absolutely perfect. Two unhinged characters brought together by a morbid occupation sets the scene perfectly for fans of Butcher & Blackbird and other dark romcoms. The beginning is a straight trigger warning which projects the symbolism of women regaining their power throughout the story, giving it a central theme that any victim can resonate with. Absolutely a great read for the lovely dovey holiday.

*spoilers*

Brynne was just minding her business after a night of drinking when a bastard decides to take it upon himself to take what doesn't belong to him. Well, years later, that incident has created Brynne into this badass cannibalistic chef who has learned how to retake her power. After proceeding to take revenge on the man who made her life hell, she dials a friend to help discard the body.

In doing so, she meets Kincaid who is part of the clean up crew who has his own skeletons hidden in his own closet. Some he might like to bone himself. But those things that makes them feel like monsters causes them to come closer together. Brynne, who goes by the name Cherry, is a luscious sight of beauty who chops up men and places their parts into jars and creates exquisite pies with their bodily fluids.

From the moment they meet to where the story ends, you are just absolutely rooting for both of them. Both with worrisome pasts that haunt them. The chemistry was absolutely banging. The spice, once it started did not let down and the flames did not let up a bit. My mouth was dropped during some intimate moments. The gore was enticing. Excruciatingly fun. A well-paced story that will have you seated! I was so thrilled, I finished it in one sitting. Looking forward for the authors next release because this one was absolutely bonkers!

[Courts · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first: please check the trigger warnings. This book is dark, graphic and absolutely not for everyone.

I knew by the first 10% that this was going to be a five star read. I finished it in just a couple of hours because I genuinely couldn’t put it down. It’s intense, shocking and completely addictive. It was so so easy to read.

Eat Your Heart Out is gritty and gruesome but underneath all of that, it’s also a love story.

Brynne is a force of an FMC. She’s strong, smart and driven by trauma and pure feminine rage. She takes revenge in the most creative ways possible and she does not apologise for it. She’s the kind of FMC you don’t mess with unless you’re prepared to become part of the menu 👀

Kincaid is just as morally questionable but in a way that somehow works perfectly for her. He doesn’t try to change Brynne or tame her darkness, he embraces it. He’s intense, a walking red flag at times but completely devoted to her. Together, they’re chaotic, unhinged and strangely perfect. What surprised me most was how tender their relationship felt beneath all the gore. Two damaged people finding comfort and safety in each other without pretending to be anything other than who they are. It was raw and natural.

Jordan’s writing style is vivid and shocking as you know by my reviews. There were moments where I genuinely thought, what am I reading? But yet I still continued and loved every second of it. I laughed, I gagged and I kept turning the pages.

Eat Your Heart Out has already risen to one of my favourite books so far of this year and I cannot wait for Jordan’s next pieces. I am so beyond lucky and grateful to be apart of her street team so I get to read these masterpieces before everyone else 🤌🏻🤌🏻

This was an arc in and exchange for an honest review.

[Kye | Dark Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lengthy TW list in a novella - packs a punch.

This starts off with a bang, but in a traumatic way and it opens the door to why Brynne does was she does. What does she do exactly? Well, in short and to use her own words:

“I kill rapist, pickle their bits and then turn them into food to feed to other rapist, before going on to killing those rapist.”

Yes, you read that right! It comes full circle really. She’s really a master chef, but her specialty is Cherry Pie. Lucky for us, we get her recipe at the very beginning! I wouldn’t eat it, but that’s just me.

Enter Kincaid - clean up guy. Instant infatuation, instant lust, and instant love immediately follows. I expected nothing less in a novella, so the lack of relationship did not bug me. But Kincaid also has a very specific kink that would normally turn sane people off - he likes them dead if you catch my drift. Lucky for him, Brynne is not sane and doesn’t even bat an eye with this news. She’s actually very accommodating if anything. Nothing a little chloroform can’t help with to scratch an itch.

Anyways - this is unhinged, kinda sweet, partly gross, and ends in HEA. What more could I want?! Don’t go into this looking for a super serious read, with character growth because you won’t get it but I still found it highly entertaining. Plus, when I described the rolling pin scene with dear ole’ Chris to my husband he turned a little green so I got a good cackle with that.

Side note: I couldn’t help but feel a bit of nostalgia because the FMC is Brynne and the MMC was Kincaid so they instantly made me think of 2 of my favorite authors Brynne Weaver and Kinsley Kincaid. Both who I feel would appreciate the FMC’s coping mechanism.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved Dexter, Sweeney Todd and you loved Rose from Scythe and Sparrow but you want it even darker and spicier, then this novella is for you. And when I say spicier 🥵🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ I mean it!

Please be warned that if you really like cherry pie and mac & cheese, this may not be for you. Please check your triggers 🫣

I really enjoy Jordan’s writing style and how in every book of hers that I’ve read, she has a way of weaving in deep emotional connections with her readers and her characters, even only over a novella length of book. This book is no exception.

Our FMC, Cherry aka Brynne, is filled with rage and hellbent on revenge for what happened to her. She has spent 3 years honing her skills and perfecting certain “recipes”. Her victims are selected very carefully, hence the Dexter vibes. All this has made her an independent and powerful badass serial killer who will never let a man control her again…unless she lets them.

In comes Kincaid. Our MMC who has his own very dark secrets. He is morally black, covered in tats and scars, tall and rides a motorbike. Never thought I’d find myself hot for someone with his tastes but 🤷🏻‍♀️👀❤️‍🔥he knows that Cherry doesn’t need him but he wants to be there for her anyway.

Both have very traumatic pasts. Will this help them spot the darkness in each other? Will they be who each other deserve to have after the abuse they’ve endured? Never thought I’d find myself hot 🥵, emotional 🥹 and queasy all at once.

“ For the first time in my life, I’ve come across a man that hasn’t made me want to turn him into a pie”

“Slowly her chest rises and falls as she sleeps, her lips parted slightly, eyes rolling around behind her eyelids. I know she can sense me, she always can. We’re two halves of a whole, destined to always find each other.”

[MorallyDarkReadz · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 out of 5 spice

I fear JN Bamforth has done it again and by again I mean she crawled into my brain, set up camp, and refused to leave.

This book is dark. Like actually dark. Feminine rage, revenge, morally questionable choices, and a plot that had me staring at the wall after certain chapters going ma’am??? MA’AM???

Brynne is not your sweet girl next door. She is trauma forged, unhinged, and fully committed to making men regret their life choices. And honestly I support women’s rights and women’s wrongs. The creativity in this book is insane. Every time I thought I knew where it was going, JN said no babe try again.

And then we have our walking red flag man who absolutely prefers his women cold and complicated. I should be concerned. I am not. The dynamic between them is chaotic in the most addictive way. Two damaged people finding something that looks suspiciously like love in the middle of blood and bad decisions. I ate it up.

The horror elements are shocking, the romance is twisted, and the spice is there and very loud but it does not completely take over the plot. It hits, it shocks, it moves on, and then you are back to questioning your morals.

Also please check trigger warnings because this book does not hold your hand. It shoves you into the deep end and says swim.

Five stars without hesitation. Four out of five spice. I will never look at certain foods the same again and yet I would still read anything this author writes immediately.

[Casanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received from Author

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spiciness: 🌶🌶
Darkness: 🔪🔪🔪.5
POV: 👩👨

✏️ Genre: Erotic Horror
🚩 Triggers: Sexual Assault, Blood, Degradation, Murder, Food Play, Graphic Threats among other things (theres only so much I can add here without spoiling the story or get a review banned lol)

So I want to start this review of by saying all thoughts and feelings are my own. I want to thank JN Bamforth for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book before release.

" What's worse than the Devil himself? A woman and her morally black golden retriever. "

Before we even get into the story we have a bomb playlist. I will always mention a playlist if there is one cause its a weakness of mine. Such a good playlist too. Then we have like 3 pages of content warnings, not one put me off this book.


Now on to the actual story, I loved this...it's going to be hard to pick my top book of the month this month. Brynne was psycho but in the best way possible, won't tryst her to cook for me but that's for a whole other reason. Kincaid is a new book boyfriend, he's so cute and damaged I love him to pieces. There was the perfect mix of scenes that made me go awwww and ewwwww. THIS BOOK MADE ME PHYSICALLY REACT, I NEVER DO THAT. The connection between Brynne and Kincaid is so cute, loved it right from the start. The fact that immediately they was drawn to each other and then it developed was just *chefs kiss*.

I beg of you to go and read this novella, it was perfect. Just know JN may (probably will) put you off some of your favourite foods.

"Break it. Crack it in two, shatter it to pieces."

[Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well....the list of foods I can't eat anymore just got longer...again 😅

Eat your heart out is a female rage revenge story and we love that!
Although this might not be your typical er0tic horr0r with lots of gore, the body horr0r enthusiasts will not be disappointed...I mean...rolling pin 🍆 sleeve.....yikes! 👀

Leave it to JN Bamforth to come up with creative ways to use kitchen utensils and create recipes with unusual ingredients.

This novella turned out to be more romantic than I thought it would be but I'm definitely not mad at it!
Kincaid is all about consent, trust and respecting boundaries, kind of 😏 (tracker), and we love a consent king.
Brynne is a bratty baddie but also very caring when it comes to Kincaid.
Their relationship develops at lightning speed and I love that for them, after everything they went through they deserve this HEA.

“I think I fell for you the moment I first laid eyes on you, and I knew then that you’d be the one for me. My other half that I never thought I deserved, yet here you are, completely and wholly mine.”

The banter and the inner monologue in this book is really funny and the schmexy scenes will get you all hot and bothered. Eat your heart out is the total package 🍒

[Kate’s Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

JN smashed it with this one!! 👏🏼 Short, smutty, unhinged, downright disturbing romcom erotic horror with a bad ass FMC on a revenge mission and a dark depraved necro MMC who also gives off golden retriever vibes … I mean what more could you want?? 😏
I absolutely ate this book up! - Like I literally could not put this down! - Be warned though in true JN.Bamforth style it may put you off certain foods for life! 🤮 And it has got very dark themes and scenes in it - SO CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS ‼️‼️
I absolutely love these 2 characters their banter was brilliant, The plot/smut ratio was bang on! 🤌🏼 THE TENSION 🥵🔥
I love a FMC who gives off pure feminine rage and Cherry/ Brynne was just that! - Something really shitty happened to her ❤️‍🩹 and she’s on a revenge war path taking out every “bad” guy in her own special ways 😉 - No spoilers here! 🤫
Then you’ve got Kincaid! 🤤 Ohhh i’m an absolute ho for Kincaid!! - He’s your typical touch her and die obsessed kind of MMC with a filthy mouth😍 but he has a dark past which makes him only attracted to - cold women 👀 Until he meets Brynne! … Throw in that he’s a complete praise slut with golden retriever vibes and he’s my perfect MMC! 🤌🏼🥵
I will 100000% be adding this beauty to my shelf asap! 😏