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When The Bough Breaks
Have you ever felt like you're being watched?
That, ironically, is the least of my problems.
Stuck in a dead-end relationship with an emotionally unavailable fiancé and little to no support system, I'm just trying to make the best of the hand I've been dealt. But that all changes when my masked stalker shows me just what my would-be spouse has been up to, convincing me that I deserve far more than the contempt and abuse I've been accepting.
It's time that I start living for myself and finally release the rage that's burning straight through my soul.
That, ironically, is the least of my problems.
Stuck in a dead-end relationship with an emotionally unavailable fiancé and little to no support system, I'm just trying to make the best of the hand I've been dealt. But that all changes when my masked stalker shows me just what my would-be spouse has been up to, convincing me that I deserve far more than the contempt and abuse I've been accepting.
It's time that I start living for myself and finally release the rage that's burning straight through my soul.
352 pages, Paperback
Published February 10, 2026
About the author
O'Junea Brown
4 books102 followersO'Junea Brown is an emerging author of Romantasy. A Fate of Onyx and Ivory is her first published novel with many more to come. She was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.
She loves her books, comics, video games, sports (go Cubs!), and anything fitness related. O'Junea has a bit too much dark humor and somewhat of a sailor's mouth, but her husband loves her the way that she is and that's all that matters.
Her baby boy Phoenix and dog Khloe are her only babies.
Follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @fit.and.fiction
She loves her books, comics, video games, sports (go Cubs!), and anything fitness related. O'Junea has a bit too much dark humor and somewhat of a sailor's mouth, but her husband loves her the way that she is and that's all that matters.
Her baby boy Phoenix and dog Khloe are her only babies.
Follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @fit.and.fiction
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 6, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ RTC!
February 6, 2026
Once this ride starts… yeah y’all better hang onnn🙂↔️
The darkness, the REPRESENTATION?! So many things to praise in this book honestly. Maevis is so sure of where she should go in life, and what she should do. She has this goal to climb the ladders however she can, and she was definitely on her way. In comes her stalker who consumes her entire being. Vane had me eating up everything he was putting down lmao! There was just something so intriguing about the way he handles Maevis. He gave her that rush in life she was searching for🖤✨
The darkness, the REPRESENTATION?! So many things to praise in this book honestly. Maevis is so sure of where she should go in life, and what she should do. She has this goal to climb the ladders however she can, and she was definitely on her way. In comes her stalker who consumes her entire being. Vane had me eating up everything he was putting down lmao! There was just something so intriguing about the way he handles Maevis. He gave her that rush in life she was searching for🖤✨
February 18, 2026
Met her at the Nook!!! Omg I could not put this book down. Finished in two days. You know that water slide that is pitch black and you don’t know which way it is going to go, your stomach drops, twists, but you try to hold on…..
February 10, 2026
With this being the first dark romance book for the author, O’Junea nailed it! There was equal parts drama, dark comedy, and romance 🔥
Chapters weren’t too long and the story is multi perspective, which made it easier to stay engaged and to know what each MC is feeling with their POV in the situation. Also, there’s actually a story! You know how some romance books reads as if the “romance scenes” were written first and the author trys to write a story around them? This is definitely not that. When the Bough Breaks was well written with an important story being told.
I loved how the FMC, after some guidance from her stalker, became this fierce independent woman. Also, the MMC treats Maevis like the Duchess all women should be treated, and helps her out of a horrible abusive relationship. There were some side characters that I really hope the author gives their own MC moment in future books!
Overall, if you can’t tell, I really enjoyed When the Bough Breaks. Love the MCs and the story that was told. Can’t wait to read more from this author and see what she comes up with next.
Chapters weren’t too long and the story is multi perspective, which made it easier to stay engaged and to know what each MC is feeling with their POV in the situation. Also, there’s actually a story! You know how some romance books reads as if the “romance scenes” were written first and the author trys to write a story around them? This is definitely not that. When the Bough Breaks was well written with an important story being told.
I loved how the FMC, after some guidance from her stalker, became this fierce independent woman. Also, the MMC treats Maevis like the Duchess all women should be treated, and helps her out of a horrible abusive relationship. There were some side characters that I really hope the author gives their own MC moment in future books!
Overall, if you can’t tell, I really enjoyed When the Bough Breaks. Love the MCs and the story that was told. Can’t wait to read more from this author and see what she comes up with next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW: When The Bough Breaks
by O'Junea Brown
Thank you Meg Opalescent for the ARC copy!
Welcome to Maevis's ride! We hope you have read the trigger warnings, as it's about to be quite the experience. Please keep all hands and feet tucked safely inside at all times and safely enjoy the ride. Please read responsibly!
3.5 - 4 ⭐️: From page 1, this book had me hooked and running through the chapters real quick. Good thing, the story moves just as quick, as well. Had a great storyline, but I just wished, there was a bit more in depth about her past with Vane. I also found, some gaps with the story lines with Maevis's parents and the background story around that. While Vane had me swooning, Ross most certainly had me cussing. LOL! This book gave me mini Haunting Adeline vibes.....
I really did thoroughly enjoy this story!
Well done O'Junea. Well done!
by O'Junea Brown
Thank you Meg Opalescent for the ARC copy!
Welcome to Maevis's ride! We hope you have read the trigger warnings, as it's about to be quite the experience. Please keep all hands and feet tucked safely inside at all times and safely enjoy the ride. Please read responsibly!
3.5 - 4 ⭐️: From page 1, this book had me hooked and running through the chapters real quick. Good thing, the story moves just as quick, as well. Had a great storyline, but I just wished, there was a bit more in depth about her past with Vane. I also found, some gaps with the story lines with Maevis's parents and the background story around that. While Vane had me swooning, Ross most certainly had me cussing. LOL! This book gave me mini Haunting Adeline vibes.....
I really did thoroughly enjoy this story!
Well done O'Junea. Well done!
June 9, 2026
Okay! Definitely a 4.4⭐️. I’m going to need a second book about Rose and Blondie!
I would have rated it higher if Maevis had gotten better revenge on her “parents.” I think there was a little too much focus on the torture involving Ross’s parents. Which don’t get me wrong, they totally deserved (especially Ross).
I also didn’t fully understand their motivation. Was it really all just about money and property? It seems like they could have gotten what they wanted if they had simply treated her with kindness instead of putting her through everything they did.
Overall, I enjoyed the book but I wanted a more satisfying payoff regarding Maevis and her parents.
I would have rated it higher if Maevis had gotten better revenge on her “parents.” I think there was a little too much focus on the torture involving Ross’s parents. Which don’t get me wrong, they totally deserved (especially Ross).
I also didn’t fully understand their motivation. Was it really all just about money and property? It seems like they could have gotten what they wanted if they had simply treated her with kindness instead of putting her through everything they did.
Overall, I enjoyed the book but I wanted a more satisfying payoff regarding Maevis and her parents.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2026
It was repetitive circular storytelling that the sex couldn’t force me to endure any longer.
Did Not Finish
July 10, 2026Okay I need to vent…
I went into this book with SUCH high hopes because of all the good reviews. And I wanted to like this book so much but I could not get past how INSUFFERABLE the FMC was. Omg. She was a literal doormat. Now, we’re not new to the FMC is a doormat trope. She just usually has a valid reason for why she’s like that and then she eventually evolves beyond that. But Maevis being a doormat made NO sense with the rest of her characteristics and her supposed “fire.” Additionally, she continued to be a doormat even AFTER the big event that would usually be the moment when the character finally has had enough and realizes she needs to stand her ground.
She just flip flops all over the place the whole book and it’s not believable nor are you able to have sympathy for her because there is not a SINGLE redeemable quality about her fiancé or any of the people that she allows to demean her.
Even the MMC was giving me whiplash. He was a walking contradiction. I don’t mind a demanding, bossy, aggressive MMC in a dark romance, but it’s hard to write that character when he’s supposed to be in direct contest with the other male in our FMC’s life who is being vilified for the same behaviors? The difference only being that the MMC actually likes our FMC and isn’t mean to her but it just felt like he was constantly switching between soft and sweet and being the typical dark romance male lead. Idk. The main characters personalities and their motivations just felt really disjointed.
I NEVER DNF, but the minute the FMC unfairly turned her anger against the MMC and blamed him for the actions of her fck a** fiancé and then WENT TO MEET WITH HIM AND ALL THE OTHER CHARACTERS IN THE BOOK WHO ARE NOT ONLY VERBALLY AND EMOTIONALLY ABUSIVE BUT ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY ABUSIVE I checked out. I simply could not stay invested after that. It was such a ridiculous chapter and it made ZERO sense. It was literally just thrown in there for more drama and it actually took me out of the book. I couldn’t believe the world or the story anymore and unfortunately had to put it down. 😭
I went into this book with SUCH high hopes because of all the good reviews. And I wanted to like this book so much but I could not get past how INSUFFERABLE the FMC was. Omg. She was a literal doormat. Now, we’re not new to the FMC is a doormat trope. She just usually has a valid reason for why she’s like that and then she eventually evolves beyond that. But Maevis being a doormat made NO sense with the rest of her characteristics and her supposed “fire.” Additionally, she continued to be a doormat even AFTER the big event that would usually be the moment when the character finally has had enough and realizes she needs to stand her ground.
She just flip flops all over the place the whole book and it’s not believable nor are you able to have sympathy for her because there is not a SINGLE redeemable quality about her fiancé or any of the people that she allows to demean her.
Even the MMC was giving me whiplash. He was a walking contradiction. I don’t mind a demanding, bossy, aggressive MMC in a dark romance, but it’s hard to write that character when he’s supposed to be in direct contest with the other male in our FMC’s life who is being vilified for the same behaviors? The difference only being that the MMC actually likes our FMC and isn’t mean to her but it just felt like he was constantly switching between soft and sweet and being the typical dark romance male lead. Idk. The main characters personalities and their motivations just felt really disjointed.
I NEVER DNF, but the minute the FMC unfairly turned her anger against the MMC and blamed him for the actions of her fck a** fiancé and then WENT TO MEET WITH HIM AND ALL THE OTHER CHARACTERS IN THE BOOK WHO ARE NOT ONLY VERBALLY AND EMOTIONALLY ABUSIVE BUT ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY ABUSIVE I checked out. I simply could not stay invested after that. It was such a ridiculous chapter and it made ZERO sense. It was literally just thrown in there for more drama and it actually took me out of the book. I couldn’t believe the world or the story anymore and unfortunately had to put it down. 😭
February 14, 2026
This was a good book! This helped me get out of my reading slump. The story line was good with some interesting twists. This is considered a darker book. There is some physical abuse but I think there is much more emotional. I personally have read a lot of dark romance and prefer to go in blind. I would consider this book to be on the lighter side but if you have triggers you should definitely check the trigger warning list. I loved the MMC. Overall I enjoyed the FMC but there was something about her that kept rubbing me the wrong way. The FMC is a badass in her own right though! While I am very glad this book does not end on a cliffhanger. I am very curious if any of the side characters are going to be getting their own book. I think the author set it up so this could potentially be a series with connected standalone.
September 12, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay, FIVE STARS. I ate this up.
Let me start with Mavis because GIRL. 😭 I’m not going to lie, she worked my nerves for a little while. There were so many moments where I was basically screaming at my book, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” You have a whole masked stalker out here reminding you of your worth, and you are still going back to this absolute A-hole Ross?!
But then I had to check myself.
Mavis grew up in an incredibly toxic and abusive environment. She went from being abused and manipulated by her parents to being abused by her fiancé. That kind of trauma shapes the way someone sees themselves, what they believe they deserve, and even what they recognize as “normal.” Since that isn’t my lived experience, it was easy for me to sit on the outside looking in and get frustrated with her decisions. Once I really considered what she had survived, though, her choices made a lot more sense. And ultimately, watching her find her voice and grow into herself was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Now, did she STILL have me saying, “Girl, why would you do that?” Absolutely. 😂 But the character development was THERE.
And when she killed Brian?! MA’AM.
I was not expecting that at that point in the story. I literally had an “oh, well that escalated quickly” moment, followed immediately by, “You know what? Carry on.” After everything that had been done to her, watching Mavis finally start taking back her power was so satisfying.
Ross and his little crew were absolutely DISGUSTING. What Mavis endured at their hands was deplorable, and while I thoroughly enjoyed watching people get what was coming to them, I’m just saying… some of these punishments could have lasted a little longer. 😂 Ross especially. I needed a little more suffering, sir.
And those PARENTS?! Mavis’s parents were horrible. Ross’s parents were horrible. Margaret was VILE. Even facing death, that woman simply could not shut up. I kept thinking, “Oh, we’re done already?” because personally, I felt several people deserved the extended package. But I digress.
Now let’s talk about the side characters because they were EVERYTHING.
Blondie/Ryatt and Rose?! GIVE ME MORE.
Their banter had me cracking up. Ryatt was such a great best-friend/brother character. He was hilarious, loyal, dangerous when necessary, and fiercely protective. Then he meets Rose, who is basically his match.
And ROSE?!
That woman was entirely too calm. 😂 Vane and Ryatt would be doing the most unhinged things imaginable and Rose would basically be standing there like, “Anyway…” Girl, WHO ARE YOU?! Either you have done some things, you know some things, or you are not exactly who you say you are because nobody is THAT unfazed.
Unless you’re sick and twisted like me, but that’s neither here nor there.
Then there’s Anika, bless her heart. 😂 She just KEPT TALKING. Every time the characters were like, “Anika…” I felt it in my soul because I was saying the exact same thing. Girl. Focus!
I actually loved that each woman had such a distinct personality, and I really enjoyed the friendships and side relationships throughout the book. I would absolutely read a novella or bonus chapters about Ryatt and Rose, and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Anika and Coach either. There are relationships here that deserve more page time.
And of course, Vane. A masked, obsessive, morally questionable man reminding his woman of her worth while simultaneously being completely unhinged?
You already know why I’m here. 😂
Overall, this book gave me romance, trauma, revenge, female rage, friendship, humor, violence, spice, some genuinely despicable villains, and plot twists that actually did their plot twisting. There were a few sections I thought could have moved a little faster, and ironically, while some things dragged, I wanted MORE time spent making certain terrible people suffer. Balance! 😂 But none of that took away from how much I enjoyed the story.
Five stars. Absolutely would read O’Junea Brown again.
And if we ever get more Ryatt and Rose?
I WILL BE SEATED. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay, FIVE STARS. I ate this up.
Let me start with Mavis because GIRL. 😭 I’m not going to lie, she worked my nerves for a little while. There were so many moments where I was basically screaming at my book, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” You have a whole masked stalker out here reminding you of your worth, and you are still going back to this absolute A-hole Ross?!
But then I had to check myself.
Mavis grew up in an incredibly toxic and abusive environment. She went from being abused and manipulated by her parents to being abused by her fiancé. That kind of trauma shapes the way someone sees themselves, what they believe they deserve, and even what they recognize as “normal.” Since that isn’t my lived experience, it was easy for me to sit on the outside looking in and get frustrated with her decisions. Once I really considered what she had survived, though, her choices made a lot more sense. And ultimately, watching her find her voice and grow into herself was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Now, did she STILL have me saying, “Girl, why would you do that?” Absolutely. 😂 But the character development was THERE.
And when she killed Brian?! MA’AM.
I was not expecting that at that point in the story. I literally had an “oh, well that escalated quickly” moment, followed immediately by, “You know what? Carry on.” After everything that had been done to her, watching Mavis finally start taking back her power was so satisfying.
Ross and his little crew were absolutely DISGUSTING. What Mavis endured at their hands was deplorable, and while I thoroughly enjoyed watching people get what was coming to them, I’m just saying… some of these punishments could have lasted a little longer. 😂 Ross especially. I needed a little more suffering, sir.
And those PARENTS?! Mavis’s parents were horrible. Ross’s parents were horrible. Margaret was VILE. Even facing death, that woman simply could not shut up. I kept thinking, “Oh, we’re done already?” because personally, I felt several people deserved the extended package. But I digress.
Now let’s talk about the side characters because they were EVERYTHING.
Blondie/Ryatt and Rose?! GIVE ME MORE.
Their banter had me cracking up. Ryatt was such a great best-friend/brother character. He was hilarious, loyal, dangerous when necessary, and fiercely protective. Then he meets Rose, who is basically his match.
And ROSE?!
That woman was entirely too calm. 😂 Vane and Ryatt would be doing the most unhinged things imaginable and Rose would basically be standing there like, “Anyway…” Girl, WHO ARE YOU?! Either you have done some things, you know some things, or you are not exactly who you say you are because nobody is THAT unfazed.
Unless you’re sick and twisted like me, but that’s neither here nor there.
Then there’s Anika, bless her heart. 😂 She just KEPT TALKING. Every time the characters were like, “Anika…” I felt it in my soul because I was saying the exact same thing. Girl. Focus!
I actually loved that each woman had such a distinct personality, and I really enjoyed the friendships and side relationships throughout the book. I would absolutely read a novella or bonus chapters about Ryatt and Rose, and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Anika and Coach either. There are relationships here that deserve more page time.
And of course, Vane. A masked, obsessive, morally questionable man reminding his woman of her worth while simultaneously being completely unhinged?
You already know why I’m here. 😂
Overall, this book gave me romance, trauma, revenge, female rage, friendship, humor, violence, spice, some genuinely despicable villains, and plot twists that actually did their plot twisting. There were a few sections I thought could have moved a little faster, and ironically, while some things dragged, I wanted MORE time spent making certain terrible people suffer. Balance! 😂 But none of that took away from how much I enjoyed the story.
Five stars. Absolutely would read O’Junea Brown again.
And if we ever get more Ryatt and Rose?
I WILL BE SEATED. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 29, 2026
Okay, I’m going to do my best to review this as if I’ve never read another dark romance before but first, I have to address the elephant in the room.
If you’re someone who reads a lot of dark romance, you’ve probably met this MMC about a hundred times already. Mysterious stalker? Check. Wears a mask? Check. Millionaire hacker? Check. Kills people for the better good? Obviously. At this point I swear these men are being mass produced in a factory somewhere. It definitely follows the same formula we’ve seen over and over again.
BUT…
If I take all of that out of the equation and judge this book for what it is, I actually had a really good time with it.
The story grabbed my attention pretty early, but the last quarter of the book is where it really took off. Once I hit about the 75% mark, I could not put it down. I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter,” and before I knew it, it was 3 a.m. and I had finished the entire thing. Sleep was sacrificed, but honestly, worth it.
The chemistry between the characters worked for me, and while the plot wasn’t wildly original, it was entertaining enough that I genuinely wanted to see how everything played out.
And let’s talk about the spice…
It was SPICY. Like, spicy, spicy. But what I appreciated most was that it wasn’t repetitive. The author explored different kinks and dynamics instead of giving us the exact same scene over and over, and it all felt like it fit the characters instead of being thrown in just for shock value.
Overall, is this the most unique dark romance I’ve ever read? No. Not even close. But was it fun? Absolutely. It was addictive, entertaining, and had me glued to my Kindle until the very end.
I’m already wondering if the author is planning a spin off for some of the other characters because it definitely feels like the door was left open. If that happens, I’ll be first in line to read it.
If you’re someone who reads a lot of dark romance, you’ve probably met this MMC about a hundred times already. Mysterious stalker? Check. Wears a mask? Check. Millionaire hacker? Check. Kills people for the better good? Obviously. At this point I swear these men are being mass produced in a factory somewhere. It definitely follows the same formula we’ve seen over and over again.
BUT…
If I take all of that out of the equation and judge this book for what it is, I actually had a really good time with it.
The story grabbed my attention pretty early, but the last quarter of the book is where it really took off. Once I hit about the 75% mark, I could not put it down. I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter,” and before I knew it, it was 3 a.m. and I had finished the entire thing. Sleep was sacrificed, but honestly, worth it.
The chemistry between the characters worked for me, and while the plot wasn’t wildly original, it was entertaining enough that I genuinely wanted to see how everything played out.
And let’s talk about the spice…
It was SPICY. Like, spicy, spicy. But what I appreciated most was that it wasn’t repetitive. The author explored different kinks and dynamics instead of giving us the exact same scene over and over, and it all felt like it fit the characters instead of being thrown in just for shock value.
Overall, is this the most unique dark romance I’ve ever read? No. Not even close. But was it fun? Absolutely. It was addictive, entertaining, and had me glued to my Kindle until the very end.
I’m already wondering if the author is planning a spin off for some of the other characters because it definitely feels like the door was left open. If that happens, I’ll be first in line to read it.
February 11, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
This book had me questioning a lot during the first half of it not going to lie. I loved Maevis but that girl gave me whiplash with her emotions and her attitudes haha. One minute she was a boss a** b*tch in the best possible way at work dealing with entitled men. Next it felt like she lost her spark but the further I got into the book the more I loved her and understood her actions. I loved seeing how she progressed through the book and how much stronger she became.
Some truly traumatic things happened to Maevis and it took a delicious stalker coming into her life for her eyes to be fully open.
Speaking of her stalker.......VANE CAN GET IT!!!! I loved that man so freaking much!! He was absolutely perfect. Stalked her. Loved her. Made her see her worth. Gave her courage and an outlet. Not to mention he truly was a touch her and die man because loooooooooordy did he. No one messed with his Dutchess.
O'Junea has a special way of making me hate characters and she did that with Ross and his family. If I could have reached into that book and dragged him out by his collar and beat him senseless I would have. There is a special place in the fire pit for him.
I am so ready for the second that follows the best friends because I know it is going to be insane in the best possible way.
I'm not going to lie, I was left with a few questions. One what happened with the secretary and two what happened with the business because I need to know lol
This book had me questioning a lot during the first half of it not going to lie. I loved Maevis but that girl gave me whiplash with her emotions and her attitudes haha. One minute she was a boss a** b*tch in the best possible way at work dealing with entitled men. Next it felt like she lost her spark but the further I got into the book the more I loved her and understood her actions. I loved seeing how she progressed through the book and how much stronger she became.
Some truly traumatic things happened to Maevis and it took a delicious stalker coming into her life for her eyes to be fully open.
Speaking of her stalker.......VANE CAN GET IT!!!! I loved that man so freaking much!! He was absolutely perfect. Stalked her. Loved her. Made her see her worth. Gave her courage and an outlet. Not to mention he truly was a touch her and die man because loooooooooordy did he. No one messed with his Dutchess.
O'Junea has a special way of making me hate characters and she did that with Ross and his family. If I could have reached into that book and dragged him out by his collar and beat him senseless I would have. There is a special place in the fire pit for him.
I am so ready for the second that follows the best friends because I know it is going to be insane in the best possible way.
I'm not going to lie, I was left with a few questions. One what happened with the secretary and two what happened with the business because I need to know lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2026
💜“I may have waited far too long to pry my way back into your life, but there was never a moment I wasn’t going to make you mine.”
✨Yall!! To say my heart is in love with these two, please!! I had the absolute pleasure of reading When The Bough Breaks and I loved every single moment of their story!
💜O’Junea Brown continues to captivate my heart with her stories and her debut into dark romance was exactly what I needed! Many big feels and gut wrenching moments for these MC’s, their HEA was so deserved!!
✨These characters had depth, complexity, and incredible growth throughout. Both having endured traumas, heartbreak, and unimaginable betrayals. There were moments I felt absolutely rage!!!
💜When The Bough Breaks felt like a brutal, beautiful, and powerful reclaiming in so many ways. My heart ached for our FMC, and the perfect pairing of our dominant yet tender MMC was everything.
✨And the found family, please!! It was not just our MC’s who I fell in love with in When The Bough Breaks 📖👀
💜Dark Romance
✨Revenge
💜Mafia | Billionaire Vibes
✨Found Family
💜Masked Stlkr
✨Please, add this to your TBR!! When The Bough Break is available NOW and on KU
💜My most sincere and genuine thank you to for their incredible story, these beautiful stickers | bookmark, and for this gorgeous copy to When The Bough Breaks
“I promised myself the next time I made you ….I was going to drink in what you look like while I did it”
“Open for me, Duchess.”
✨Yall!! To say my heart is in love with these two, please!! I had the absolute pleasure of reading When The Bough Breaks and I loved every single moment of their story!
💜O’Junea Brown continues to captivate my heart with her stories and her debut into dark romance was exactly what I needed! Many big feels and gut wrenching moments for these MC’s, their HEA was so deserved!!
✨These characters had depth, complexity, and incredible growth throughout. Both having endured traumas, heartbreak, and unimaginable betrayals. There were moments I felt absolutely rage!!!
💜When The Bough Breaks felt like a brutal, beautiful, and powerful reclaiming in so many ways. My heart ached for our FMC, and the perfect pairing of our dominant yet tender MMC was everything.
✨And the found family, please!! It was not just our MC’s who I fell in love with in When The Bough Breaks 📖👀
💜Dark Romance
✨Revenge
💜Mafia | Billionaire Vibes
✨Found Family
💜Masked Stlkr
✨Please, add this to your TBR!! When The Bough Break is available NOW and on KU
💜My most sincere and genuine thank you to for their incredible story, these beautiful stickers | bookmark, and for this gorgeous copy to When The Bough Breaks
“I promised myself the next time I made you ….I was going to drink in what you look like while I did it”
“Open for me, Duchess.”
February 11, 2026
I did enjoyed When The Bough Breaks but Maevis got on my last nerves a lot of the time. She came off weak at critical times. When she did grow a spine, blood always followed. Vane was chef’s kiss, his patience and love for her was amazing to see. They were friends in college, until Maevis 's parents made her switch colleges so she was away from him. The sneaky way, Vane comes back into her life was clever. Ross, Maevis’s fiancé was a sick bastard but I’ll let you figure out why. The secondary characters Anika, Rose (Maevis’s bffs) and Ryratt (Vane bff) added lightheartedness and loyalty to the story. I would love to know the backstory on Rose. There was something dark and intriguing going with her. Anika was just hilarious (“She talks a lot”). Ryratt aka Blondie gave smart, dangerous and protective. He was so loyal to Vane and watched his back excellently.
There some small detail issues:
1. First chapter, person that was helping Mae, Author used they/them so I was thinking the person was non-binary. However, that never came up again.
2. Character names were switched so it made it difficult to know what was happening time. Ex. Coach Smith and Coach River.
3 ⭐️ on spicy scale. Check triggers.
Overall, I would definitely recommend When The Bough Breaks. I received a free ARC copy of When The Bough Breaks for my honest opinion.
There some small detail issues:
1. First chapter, person that was helping Mae, Author used they/them so I was thinking the person was non-binary. However, that never came up again.
2. Character names were switched so it made it difficult to know what was happening time. Ex. Coach Smith and Coach River.
3 ⭐️ on spicy scale. Check triggers.
Overall, I would definitely recommend When The Bough Breaks. I received a free ARC copy of When The Bough Breaks for my honest opinion.
September 15, 2026
Ever pick up a book for an event… only to find out the author isn’t attending after you finish reading it? 😅📚
🎫 I set out to read this one because the author was scheduled for the Booked Eau Claire event this weekend near me — and of course I discovered after finishing that she’s no longer attending.
📌 This book was a little all over the place for me, but it definitely kept my attention. I’ve read more established authors in this genre whose writing feels more polished, but this story still had all the core elements you expect from a dark, twisty romance.
📹 The premise: Maevis is engaged to a total douchecanoe who is abusive in every possible way — physically, emotionally, mentally — and you’re left wondering why she’s still with him. She’s a successful businesswoman with two fiercely loyal BFFs, but her parents are controlling and verbally abusive too.
🎭 Then a masked man starts stalking her… except he’s familiar, protective, and pushing her to finally stand up for herself. As secrets unravel, Maevis faces choices she’s never had the strength to make before — and the masked man is there to support, not control, her.
⭐⭐⭐I love a strong FMC, and this one delivered for the most part. Some moments felt a little over‑the‑top for someone who’s never stood up for herself, but overall I’d give this a solid 3 out of 5 stars.
🎫 I set out to read this one because the author was scheduled for the Booked Eau Claire event this weekend near me — and of course I discovered after finishing that she’s no longer attending.
📌 This book was a little all over the place for me, but it definitely kept my attention. I’ve read more established authors in this genre whose writing feels more polished, but this story still had all the core elements you expect from a dark, twisty romance.
📹 The premise: Maevis is engaged to a total douchecanoe who is abusive in every possible way — physically, emotionally, mentally — and you’re left wondering why she’s still with him. She’s a successful businesswoman with two fiercely loyal BFFs, but her parents are controlling and verbally abusive too.
🎭 Then a masked man starts stalking her… except he’s familiar, protective, and pushing her to finally stand up for herself. As secrets unravel, Maevis faces choices she’s never had the strength to make before — and the masked man is there to support, not control, her.
⭐⭐⭐I love a strong FMC, and this one delivered for the most part. Some moments felt a little over‑the‑top for someone who’s never stood up for herself, but overall I’d give this a solid 3 out of 5 stars.
August 11, 2026
After reading these reviews I feel like I read a different than everyone else. This book was all over the place, it felt like the author wanted to put everything into this book and unfortunately it didn’t work. At one point Vanes friend who’s watching Maevis says something about the underboss being upset with him, so I’m thinking MOB no mention of Vane being an underboss again. Now when Maevis finds out who the stalker is and he reveals his true name. She’s says something about his family having casinos and he’s like yeah then proceeds to tell us/her how the casinos are a front for vigilante group he runs/works for. I didn’t get why in one scene Maevis would be so scared then in the next she’s killing folks! I also didn’t understand anyone’s motivations! Why was Vane’s dad a trafficker why were Maevis’ bio parents helping people? None of her family looked for her since she was kidnapped! What about vanes mom and his siblings that were mentioned but he never said anything about them. Why did Rose and Ryatt hide their relationship? Just why why why! I wanted better for this book and honestly for myself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2026
The dynamic between Maevis and Vance is an absolute masterclass in tension. Vance is the ultimate dark, possessive protector. The way he steps out of the shadows to shield her, stand up for her, and show her what she truly deserves completely stole my heart. He raises the bar for the "touch her and die" trope to a whole new level. 🥵🔥
But what truly made this an unforgettable read for me was Maevis's circle. Her relationship with her two best friends is the ultimate ride-or-die sisterhood. In a world full of chaos, betrayal, and manipulation, their fierce loyalty and unwavering support became her absolute backbone. I love a dark romance that gives just as much energy to female friendship as it does to the spice!
But what truly made this an unforgettable read for me was Maevis's circle. Her relationship with her two best friends is the ultimate ride-or-die sisterhood. In a world full of chaos, betrayal, and manipulation, their fierce loyalty and unwavering support became her absolute backbone. I love a dark romance that gives just as much energy to female friendship as it does to the spice!
March 23, 2026
This took me by surprise in many ways, and it made me question certain things that get me going LOL. I love a second chance romance, and I love how dark this got in the mafia sense.
I recommend this one to those who loved Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan and Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver. I just adore stories about mutually fucked up people, I love when a woman learns her worth, and I love when mfs get what they deserve. I don't love a specific thing in epilogues, which this had, but overall I had such a fun time meeting these characters, and I'm manifesting a second book following a certain couple please & thank you :)
I recommend this one to those who loved Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan and Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver. I just adore stories about mutually fucked up people, I love when a woman learns her worth, and I love when mfs get what they deserve. I don't love a specific thing in epilogues, which this had, but overall I had such a fun time meeting these characters, and I'm manifesting a second book following a certain couple please & thank you :)
June 27, 2026
This book was such a fun read! I enjoyed how well each character was introduced to the reader. Her bestfriends , the fiance, her in laws and her parents. The most fun of course was our mysterious MMC. You think you know where the story is going but there's a switch up and I really enjoyed the reveal. It was definitely a dark romance but the level of darkness wasnt something that was super intense for ME. However, there IS murder and mayhem lol so it all depends on your own tolerance.
I would recommend this dark romance to anyone that enjoys the genere beginners or experts. This was a fun ride 🥰🥰🥰
I would recommend this dark romance to anyone that enjoys the genere beginners or experts. This was a fun ride 🥰🥰🥰
February 5, 2026
It’s hard to say you loved a book that was written from the darkest moments of the authors life but it was such an inspiring story of fighting your way out of the dark and learning your true worth. This book definitely is dark and the trigger warning cannot be overlooked. Both of the main characters suffered a dark childhood and continue to live through the trauma and new traumas. It was so good and horrifying and heartbreaking all at the same time. If you have read Rina Kent’s books and enjoyed them then this book is worth reading. Thank you so much to the author for this ARC.
April 2, 2026
I loved this read! It was dark and steamy and the plot twists I was not totally expecting. I feel like we can all find a little of ourselves in Maevis. Moments when you felt less than, where you were gaslit, or had to be what others expected you to be. Our girl is going through it in this book and yet she’s still strong and keeps her humor. The end was so satisfying with certain people getting their karma. I really enjoyed reading this
Stalker? Check!
Girlhood? Check!
Stalker? Check!
Girlhood? Check!
April 10, 2026
Pretty good first half, but the second was all over the place
This went so over the top so quickly I got whiplash. Yes, it’s a dark stalker romance, but I still need to emotionally connect to the plot and stakes, and that fell off when the conflicts started going zero to soap opera in five seconds. I did enjoy the early stages when Maevis had a hot stalker and a fiancé she needed to ditch and not a whole crowd of psychos doing unhinged things but mostly offscreen.
This went so over the top so quickly I got whiplash. Yes, it’s a dark stalker romance, but I still need to emotionally connect to the plot and stakes, and that fell off when the conflicts started going zero to soap opera in five seconds. I did enjoy the early stages when Maevis had a hot stalker and a fiancé she needed to ditch and not a whole crowd of psychos doing unhinged things but mostly offscreen.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The romance is spicy and the revenge is sweet.
This dark romance checks so many boxes and I couldn't put it down! Doesn't every woman want to be swept off her feet by a masked stalker who will encourage her to burn the world down?
I am so excited to read more dark romance from this author and will happily beg that the next installment be about Rose and Ryatt!
This dark romance checks so many boxes and I couldn't put it down! Doesn't every woman want to be swept off her feet by a masked stalker who will encourage her to burn the world down?
I am so excited to read more dark romance from this author and will happily beg that the next installment be about Rose and Ryatt!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I could not put this book down!!
Maevis is trying to live the best life she can with controlling parents and a distant fiancee. Until a masked stalker starts showing her who she is under all the doubt.
This is a dark story (so check those TWs), but it is about healing each other.
Thank you for taking the emotional journey and writing this story.
Maevis is trying to live the best life she can with controlling parents and a distant fiancee. Until a masked stalker starts showing her who she is under all the doubt.
This is a dark story (so check those TWs), but it is about healing each other.
Thank you for taking the emotional journey and writing this story.
September 30, 2026
Yeah this one got DARK lol. Stalker, toxic relationship, revenge and alot of messed up stuff happening behind closed doors. I liked the main character actually fighting back instead of just sitting around waiting for someone to save her. Got pretty intense in places, but thats kinda the point. Definitely not a light read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book waxed and waned for me. There were strong parts where I was engrossed in the plot. There were other parts that were stiff and felt like there was a lack of fluidity. There was a lot going on!! A lot, with multiple sub plots.
I loved Vane, Maevis, not so much. And Ross, he deserved so much more, and not in a good way!
I loved Vane, Maevis, not so much. And Ross, he deserved so much more, and not in a good way!
February 14, 2026
Crazy Is The Theme!
This was a good book. A crazy ex-fiance, a crazy stalker, crazy parents a crazy set of friends. To find out your whole life was a lie is enough to make anyone crazy. Well Done Ms. Brown!
This was a good book. A crazy ex-fiance, a crazy stalker, crazy parents a crazy set of friends. To find out your whole life was a lie is enough to make anyone crazy. Well Done Ms. Brown!
July 6, 2026
deliciously dark romance
honestly? i want a man like vale: unhinged, obsessed, and ready to impress
morally dark grey this one, darker than lights out but no where NEAR insatiable.
very enjoyable
honestly? i want a man like vale: unhinged, obsessed, and ready to impress
morally dark grey this one, darker than lights out but no where NEAR insatiable.
very enjoyable
July 31, 2026
Ok I don't know why I haven't reviewed this yet. I love O'Juneas fantasy so of course I had to read this one too. This one just wasn't for me. I don't know what it was but I think maybe the instalust? It was still a fun read, just wasn't my favorite!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Pretty dark!!!
Death
Blood
Steam
Action
The works!
Very edge of my seat type of story line
Death
Blood
Steam
Action
The works!
Very edge of my seat type of story line
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