Amazon Top 100, USA Today bestselling, and #1 bestselling author in multiple Amazon categories, Loki Renard writes sizzling hot, occasionally dark and twisted stories of dominance, submission and discipline.
I actually loved the first 20%, it reminded me of other smut I was reading (Krystal Clark, Jordan Silver), but it was low-key funny, going with the absurdism.
I put it down because I wanted to save the story. When I went back to it, I don’t know what happened but I completely lost interest. I think there wasn’t enough stalker smut, and I didn’t think the professor who was also some sort of hit man for the government worked. He should have just been a professor who was a stalker 😭😭😭
Also thought there would be more breeding and CNC. I finished the story just to see what happens. Loki Renard is not my favourite author, and I really wonder if they have a ghostwriter because I have tried so many samples from them and stopped. I keep trying because one of their stories, Wild Beast, was so good to read. It was loose, a little whacky, but good smut and delivered a satisfying ending in terms of plot and character development. I just haven’t been able to find that vibe, although this book was probably the closest.
Not going to lie, I did end up skimming after a bit, I didn’t connect with the MCs or the writing in general at all. There’s not enough of the teacher and student trope if that’s what you’re looking for and the stalking trope was meh, the MMC gave me an ick.
The start of the book was great, you kind of figure out right away who the stalker is. By the end though, it started to feel rushed and there were a lot of in-answered questions. Not to mention the ending felt lacking as well.
Laura is a college student just trying to pass her courses. Dr. Sam Rollins is her professor. He makes her weak in the knees but she needs to pass his class to keep her GPA up. Sam offers to help her through his class. Things take a turn when an unknown man enters her home. He isn’t there to kill her but teach her to be his one and only. You pretty much know it has to be Rollins. The only thing is how is he a professor and a psychopath. That is the kind of class he is teaching. Think Dexter for this one. Sam seems to have major control but when it comes to Laura, he just losses it. She tempts him at every turn. But there is more to the story. I have to say I was shocked. I don’t want to give it away. Laura does realize that she wants more to life. She has always been taking care of the family. And let me say, we find out about her stepdad too. This takes a crazy turn. Sam is definitely obsessed with Laura. For Laura, she has been crushing on him from the beginning. The story is interesting and crazy at the same time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Only Dark takes the reader on a wild steamy ride with MFC Laura Brown who has approached college professor Sam Rollins about her grade on a recent assignment because its too low for maintaining her GPA which will kill her scholarship. Thinking he made a mistake she broaches the issue with him after class and he offers his help to bring the grade up. I think I might know where this is going and knowing author Loki Renard it will be a scary good adventure. For Laura who has been crushing on Sam he’s just handed her a gift. But HOW is he going to enlighten her further on the subject in question so she can write a better paper? Holy Moly does he ever… by example. Loved this mess with your mind story that was well written, with great characters, lots of stalker smut, breeding kink, surprises, understated humor, family dynamics, and passion. A good story which I enjoyed all the way to it’s delectable HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
DNF at 74% - I know, true definition of a quitter. I really couldn't make it the last 1/4 of the book. This story started out great. Loved the breeding kink trope and there was one seriously unhinged scene with her ex-bf that had me thinking - wtaf??? - but loving it all the same. However the second half of the book felt like it was written by someone totally different. The flow felt different, the language use felt different and the plot didn't feel as smooth and connected. It read like the author was throwing in plot twists just for the sake of a plot twist. The writing felt more simplistic and lacked a complexity that I personally look for. One minor issue that's a "me" thing - the setting of this book is in the United States. Somewhere along the line we learn that the MMC is British - I think, and then all of a sudden British colloquialisms are being used - like calling a cart a trolley or a baby carriage a pram. For whatever reason this bothers me. I want lingo and expressions that are common to the setting. Again - probably just a me thing.
H: Dr. Samuel Rollins (aka Sam)- Psychology Professor (38yrs old) h: Laura Brown- College Student (20yrs old) Laura , the oldest of 7 siblings, tries to help her mother the best way she cans while attending school. Breaking up with her boyfriend who is still harassing her and now she has a stalker who has made her feel more alive than ever. In an attempt to save her from being robbed in the street, he shot the attacker and kidnaps her to his house. There she finds out exactly who he is. He makes her do stuff she doesn't want at that moment but eventually she gives in to his and her desires. I read this book and I honestly don't know how I feel about it. I like how protected and obsessed he was with Laura BUT at the same time he never told her he loves her, even in his POV he never mentions that he loves her, he called her his f**k toy which is really not endearing at all. The more I write about this book the harder is to say something good about it. It was just "whatever" type of book where the main male character gets whatever he wants like a spoiled brat.
A very dark comic romance. There are many triggers and Dr Sam is the antithesis of boyfriend material. Be warned.
That said, this story is so over the top that I wonder if Ms. R is making fun of or mocking the romance/kink genre. After reading hundreds of kinky romance books-many by this author-I LOVED this story. I laughed out loud several times.
Sam is perfect as the stalker and fits in Laura’s family: ‘Then it occurs to me. The little kids. She must have sent them out to get the keys out of my jacket... She deployed them like a couple of tiny commandos. I chuckle to myself. How absolutely adorable.
“What’s the matter?” John comes out onto the porch. “She’s stolen my car,” I tell him. “She’s really mad at you,” John laughs.’
Laura is almost as cool as him., ““It’s going to suck wearing a balaclava in your own home.”
★ ”I am his to protect, but I am also his property.” ★
Laura Brown doesn’t realize what will happen to her when she confronts her professor about an unsatisfactory mark for her psych assignment, opening the door for Dr. Sam Rollins to interact with her. Because he has been very interested in her, indeed. And now he can move forward with his plan to make her his. Many intriguing challenges will occur before he has her exactly where he wants her, but the fight will be well, well worth it. Entertaining with author’s signature steamy moments, pushback with attitude, and twists I didn’t see coming kept me turning the pages with this story!
💝🫶🏼 Please mind your triggers before diving in 🫶🏼💝
This had an intriguing premise, but the execution left me with way too many questions.
Laura knows she’s being watched—stalked, even—yet somehow still lets an unseen man into her life. When his identity is finally revealed after he literally imprisons her, you’d expect that to be the breaking point… but it’s not. Even after being dragged back into the real world and *kidnapped as leverage*, she still wants to be with him.
The logic just didn’t fully land for me.
It’s not a terrible story, and there are moments that work, but it needed more depth—especially when it came to character motivation and emotional development. A little more exploration could have made this far more compelling.
A special kind of stalker romance! I feel Laura’s pain when she gets a lower than expected project grade from her hot professor, Sam as she needs to keep her grades up for her scholarship. Later when Laura succumbs to a masked stranger in her bedroom, it’s everything of her fantasy, despite feeling overwhelmed for giving in to the stranger. Yet when the stranger finds her on campus, she still fulfills her fantasies. While her family life intrudes on her studies, it’s surprising to see the professor help out with that. And when Laura tries to hide at home, her father brings a whole other dimension to the story that Sam never expected. How will it all end? You have to read to find out!
I LOVED THIS BOOK!! It’s my new favorite. I love how the author writes casually and comfortably familiar with it all. The dialect just flows naturally and smoothly. Then there is the actual story. Wow, make me blush. The stalking, the dominance and the mystery of the MMC is seductive and alluring, meanwhile Laura is an exceptionally well developed character… but where’s Dave? This book had me laughing out loud. It dealt with dark matters and still I felt lighthearted and pleased. Go figure. I’d seriously recommend this book for a feel good stalker story.
Loki Renard takes you on a wild ride with this page turner. It's definitely a dark stalker romance. Laura, has a crush on her professor Dr Sam Rollins. He’s an accomplished professor at the local college, a famous psychology consultant and author. He’s stalking Laura, finding his way into her home in the middle of the night assaulting her. This is definitely a non-con steamy not safe for work with plenty on open door sex. It reaches out and pulls you into the story, one that you can't put down until the very end.
I figured out straight away who the stalker was, i think it was a given. but the twists in the story really did surprise me. Some aspects of the story I didn't like. I get her not going to the police, but why was she not smart enough to take some contraception. She wanted him and she gave into that for the most part.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'By the time I knew his name, I belonged to him already.' Check your triggers.
The plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. The characters drove the storyline and they were very compelling and complex and dark and obsessive and perfectly steamy together. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This page turner is definitely not a fairytale romance… Laura, a psychology student has a crush on her professor Dr Sam Rollins. He’s an accomplished, internationally famous FBI forensic psychology consultant and author. He’s also hiding a dangerous secret; but then again so is she… I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
3.5 🌟 The breeding kink & dubcon elements were hot but the bratty windmill heroine & her doormat mom (you got pregnant at 16 yourself and couldn't do everything to teach your daughter that it sucks?) + infernal younger siblings drove me batty. I actually felt kinship with other secondary characters: Awesome Step Dad & Doctor Black. Silent blokes that get shit done are more my speed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book was definitely something else. It was twisted and dark, that’s for sure. I found it to be funny and mind twisting all at once. It was definitely something I couldn’t put down once I started because this is the type that you have to key reading because you have to know what’s going to happen next. Both these two had some dark chit going on lol
Destined Darkness Laura has school and work plus helping with her younger siblings. And now, she has a stalker too. This one is a dark one, with semi-senseless violence, both overt and assumed, and various degrees of dubious consent. That said, I was gripped by this story; it’s a wild and convoluted ride.
More heat than the Sahara desert! A great little twist at the end and our heroine is not a giant brat or too bitchy. The HEA is good and not expected entirely. Next book please!
This book was a very interesting story and it was very psychologically thrilling too. It kinda catches you off guard at points. But it is very difficult read at times, but it all comes together in a good love story also... Good read!!!
Loki Renard is one of my favorite authors. I love everything she’s written and know I’ll like the next one. So funny. Just a hair darker than a lot of her other books and I liked that as I enjoy the dark romances. Again, so fricken funny.
An intense and gripping storyline of stalking, seduction, obsession, mental manipulation, alternative personalities, age gaps, lust, love and two souls finding each other!!!
This story was hot and funny and I loved the characters and how they interacted with each other and the girls crazy family. There was some violence but only one part. Really loved the sassy and hilarious female in this book who gave her psycho love interest the run around.
It took me a while to get into this book ,it was fairly fast paced but just seemed to lack something, even the sex scenes were fairly boring ,bit repetitive tbh but it was worth a read
Una historia como esta definitivamente no me esperaba. Disfrute mucho leer este libro! Muchas gracias a la autora y a todo su equipo por este libro fenomenal!
dnf at 27% - she’s annoying as hell. how do you write a terrible paper and expect an A…? weird that she can’t stand up for herself with anyone but mmc. and saying “yessir” together like that, yuck.