C. Hallman is a USA Today Bestselling Author who wrote her debut novel in 2018 and has since published over 100 books in various romance subgenres. Her works have been on numerous bestseller lists and have been translated into 8 languages around the world. When she doesn't write her next novel, she publishes spicy novellas under the pen name Darcy Rose.
I received an ARC for my honest review. This book contains 4 dark romance books with each being different from each other. Each book has those morally grey men is dark romance readers love! I will definitely be reading the rest of those that are part of a series!
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to read and review it.
Hate to Love is a dark romance that feels more like reading an entire series in one book. It combines multiple parts into one long, immersive story, and once I started reading, I found it very hard to stop. I became emotionally invested in the characters and their journey, which says a lot considering the length of the book.
The story follows Briggs and Wren, whose relationship begins in a very toxic, hate-filled way and slowly evolves into something deeper and more meaningful. Briggs is a deeply flawed, emotionally damaged character with a lot of anger and unresolved pain. Wren, on the other hand, grows so much throughout the story and proves to be far stronger than she first appears. Watching her find her voice and strength was one of my favorite parts.
What really stood out to me is how realistic and layered the characters feel. They aren’t perfect, and they don’t always make the right choices. Their relationship is messy, complicated, and sometimes uncomfortable — but that is exactly what makes it feel real within the dark romance genre. Side characters like Carter, Tucker, Kellen, Maya, and Lacy also added depth and made the story world feel complete.
Because this book contains multiple volumes, the pacing changes throughout. Some parts are very intense and emotional, while others focus more on healing, growth, and character development. At times it does feel long, but I personally appreciated that nothing was rushed. The relationship develops slowly and naturally instead of changing overnight, which made it more believable and satisfying.
The writing style is easy to follow and very engaging. Despite the length, I never felt bored. The emotional tension, inner struggles, and power dynamics between Briggs and Wren kept pulling me back in, and I often found myself saying, “just one more chapter.”
This is definitely not a light romance. It includes dark themes, toxic behavior, and heavy emotions, so readers should be aware of that before starting. If you enjoy slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers stories with morally gray characters and emotional depth, this book will likely be a great fit.
Overall, Hate to Love is a powerful and emotional dark romance with complex characters and a long, immersive storyline that truly feels like multiple books in one. It made me feel connected to the characters, invested in their journey, and satisfied by the way everything unfolded.
⭐ Rating: 4/5 stars Highly recommended for fans of dark, emotional romance.
The Hate Vow-Penny though all she wanted was to excel at everything, and hold the attention of her foster father, until new arrival Ryder came along and she finds her self telling a lie that will change both Penny and Ryders life forever. After years in jail for a crime he didn't commit Ryder now VP to an MC that Penny owes money too. When Penny walks in with a debt she cant repay its Ryder who comes up with a new payment plan, but Ryder finds Pennys not the same girl he left behind shes a shell of her former self and he vows to find out why. is there a future for Penny an Ryder even through the lies and hurt? well written with dark themes, an engaging story that is brought to life with detailed descriptions and emotional dialogue between these two chemistry pulled characters.
Hell- Lucian and Rowens story will keep you on your toes with heartbreak desires and more! Purgatory the club that swallows you whole with need and wanting, every desire is its command but watch out. Needing to pay back her debt Rowen finds her self working at Purgatory's Hell - a place where no doesnt exist. Lucian knew there was something different about Rowen something that drew him in and made him crave her more, but shes his employee and he has rules, but she owes him a debt one he will have repayed in anyway he desires. well written filled with hot steamy scenes, desires, and more. the characters draw you in and hold your attention throughout.
Hateful vows -Wren is use to being clubbed with the reputation of her mother, and turning up to wicked falls university she finds herself as a target of Briggs who has a vendetta against her, but will things change between them when feelings get blurred? Well written steamy bully, lovers, revenge, angst drama and more!.
Protect me- when Kieras brother dies she has only one person to turn to for protection, his friend and mafia boss Damien, he runs a strip club and does a lot more, he should turn her away but finds himself drawn to her, but what of his enemies engaging story.
A nice fast paced enemies to lovers story, with a biker gang twist. I really enjoyed it, the tension between the mmc/fmc Ryder and Penny had me hooked from the start, the conflict they were both trying to over come with their past encounters. The side plot of the deciet in the MC was a nice touch, with the member being jealous of Ryder's success in the MC, and what he attempts to do to get what he think is owed to him.
Plus a nice little HEA ending!!!
2.Hell……
Another fast paced story, this one is more gansters style, well an owner of a high end bdsm club.
I wasn't enamored with this one i felt there could have been more to the plot. I didnt feel any connection or bond forming between the fmc and mmc Rowan and Lucien. Maybe if the story was longer and more to the plot it felt way to rushed. One minute they were in a contract, and no real interaction, then ending with then being deeply in love. I felt i missed a big part of the story.
Sorry for what seems a bad review, but i will say the spice was spicing, just not the overall plot.
3.Hateful Vows
This one i really enjoyed, not as fast paced as the other two. I loved the bully to lovers plot, but wasnt fussed on the non-con at the start. It did make me a bit uncomfortable, other than that the story between Wren and Briggs was quite sweet. Especially as they were both dealing with the fallout of their parents affair (even though different reactions)
And the twist of who was threatening Wren, i did not expect that.
4.Vengful Sin Now this one i loved.... Talk about saving the best for last!!!! Mafia romance, intense feelings, urgency, denial, innocence... It had it all. What makes it even better is finding out there are more books on the rossi family. Off to amazon i go lol.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Hate and Love: A Dark Romance Collection and it has 4 unrelated books. This gives you a sample of what this author writes and I loved it!
First up is…..
The Hate Vow is Ryder Briggs & Penny Jenkin’s story.
Ryder can be such a jerk, hiding his true feelings. It’s been more than a rough few years for Penny. In fact, it was a bad, very bad time. And Ryder doesn’t make it any easier with his gruff and rough ways. And YES, I loved their story!
This next book is Hell. It was originally a part of the Heaven & Hell series with various authors.
Hell is the second book in the Heaven & Hell series in the Hate and Love Collection. This is Lucian & Rowan’s story.
Lucian is pretty kinky! Rowan owes him a lot of money. He sends Rowan into Hell for her to work it off. Hell is kinky, twisted and depraved! There are no safe words. But Lucian does save her and decides he will save her for his own kinks. Another story I loved but this one is especially dark and twisted!
Hateful Vows is the third book in this Dark Romance Collection. It is also the first book in the Wicked Falls Elite series. This is Briggs Weston and Wren Delaney’s story. Both Briggs and Wren attend Wicked Falls Elite University. Briggs hates Wren. He is especially cruel to Wren, and this book shows that there is a thin line between love and hate. I enjoyed reading Hateful Vows.
Protect Me is the fourth book and is Damon Rossi and Keira’s story. Kiera’s brother is dead. He had told Kiera that if something ever happened to him she was to go to Damon and he would protect her. I loved reading this book too!
All these books can be read as standalones. All have HEA’s. It is important that if you have any TW's/CW's that you check them out! These are pretty dark and kinky reads.
C. Hallman’s Hate to Love series—The Hate Vow, Hell, Hateful Vows, and Protect Me—is a wild, darkly romantic ride from start to finish. Each story is unique, packed with enemies-to-lovers tension, high-stakes drama, and insanely spicy chemistry 🌶️🌶️🌶️. The characters are complex and flawed, the emotional stakes are real, and the writing pulls you in with vivid detail and engaging dialogue that makes you feel every heartbreak, desire, and betrayal.
The Hate Vow hooked me immediately with Penny and Ryder’s dark, tension-filled dynamic, and a biker gang twist that kept the pages turning. Hell is more fast-paced and intense, set in a high-end BDSM club, with Lucien and Rowen navigating lust, power, and rules—but I wanted a bit more depth to their connection. Hateful Vows hit all the right notes with bully-to-lovers, revenge, and angst, featuring Wren and Briggs in a slow-burn that kept me invested. And Protect Me saved the best for last—mafia romance, intense denial, urgency, and protection with Kiera and Damien had me hooked, and I’m desperate for more of their story.
What makes this series so addictive is how Hallman balances the spice with real emotional weight. Every book builds on the last, and even though they’re quick reads, the characters and stories stick with you. From heartbreak to lust to genuine connection, these books deliver it all.
Highly recommend if you love dark, spicy, emotionally charged romances that keep you reading long past your bedtime. I can’t wait to see what Hallman writes next.
Book 1- The Hate Vow Meet Penny and Ryder. She is just trying to survive. He is the VP of a motorcycle club. The have an interesting history. The banter between these two is amazing. The flow of the story is fantastic. I could read this again and again..and the ending!!! Read it and find out! Spice is 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and stars are 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Book 2- Hell Meet Lucian and Rowan. He’s the owner of an exclusive club, yep, that kind of club. She borrowed money from the wrong guy and couldn’t pay. Choices were made- by both of them. The bank and forth is top-notch. I got pulled in from the first lines. Spice is 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and stars are 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Book 3- Hateful Vows Meet Briggs and Wren. He’s untouchable in town- thanks to his family name. She’s a girl from the wrong side of town- and her mother’s reputation hanging over her. Love the interplay between these two. Love how they evolve and the story is well written. Spice is 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and stars are 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Book 4- Protect Me Meet Kiera and Damon. She was told to find him if she ever needed help. He is a boss of the dark and was supposed to protect her and keep his hands off. These pull between these two is explosive. Love the interplay. Love the story. Spice is 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and stars are 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Hate to Love by C. Hallman (The Hate Vow, Hell, Hateful Vows & Protect Me) was an absolute experience. Every single book delivered insane spice levels 🌶️🌶️🌶️, with descriptions so vivid they had me blushing and clutching my Kindle. But what really sold me was the storytelling—each book had gripping, emotional, beautifully twisted storylines that kept getting better as the series went on. I had literal goosebumps more times than I can count, and these books made me feel everything—anger, heartbreak, desire, hope, all of it. I didn’t want a single one to end because I felt genuinely connected to the characters, which makes choosing a favourite impossible. My only small heartbreak is at the end of Protect Me, where it’s mentioned that it’s the end of Keira and Damon’s story—because after what we learn at the end, I truly feel like there’s so much more of their lives we could dive into. Still, this series was addictive, emotional, and unforgettable, and I will 100% be inhaling more of C. Hallman’s work. Highly recommend if you like your romance dark, spicy, and emotionally unhinged in the best way.
This is a collection of four books. The first book in this collection is The Hate Vow (5 Stars) This is a MC Romance. I got totally pulled into this book from the first page, and I did not want to put this book down. I really loved this book. I really enjoyed reading this book. The second book in this collection is Hell (DNF-1 Star). I found this book to be something I just could not make myself reading. I read a lot of dark romance, but this book was out there. The third book in this series is Hateful Vow (1 Star-I did finish reading this one). This is a Dark College Romance, and this is the first book in the Wicked Falls Elite series. I have read a lot of Dark Romance, and they have a lot of things in them. I just think this book went too far. The fourth book is Hate to Love (4 Stars). I really enjoyed this book, and I got into it. I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this series. I enjoyed all the craziness in this book. This book is a great start to a series. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
This is a collection of four books by C. Hallman : The Hate Vow, Hell, Hateful Vows and Protect Me. Each one of these books is a book within a series. There are so many different tropes such as: a dark bully romance, stepbrother, enemies to lovers, forbidden romance at a sex club, mafia and best friend’s sister. Each story will entertain you and make you eager to read the remaining books in the series. My favorite was the stepbrother romance because Penny was a mess. This is a very angsty book and you will find yourself cheering for this couple who have to occur so many odds in order to be together. You will either love or hate Penny when you realize the things she has done but you will be engrossed in the story. Such a great collection of books.
I picked up Hate to Love: A Dark Romance Collection because I wanted chaos, obsession, and enemies-to-lovers doing the absolute most and yep, it delivered. The Hate Vow owned me. Ryder is peak broody MC VP menace, Penny is drowning-in-debt and done-with-his-shit, and the tension between them was feral. Real hate, real obsession, zero chill. The spice hit hard without going off the rails.
The rest of the collection keeps that C. Hallman madness rolling possessive, unhinged MMCs, FMCs who bite back, danger everywhere, and vibes that scream “this is probably a bad idea but I’m into it.” Each story had its own flavour
I really enjoyed this book. The collection includes four unique stories, each built around a different trope, yet all sharing that addictive enemies‑to‑lovers energy. Even though the stories are quick reads, it’s incredibly easy to slip into each world and get invested in the characters right away. The pacing feels smooth, the chemistry is fun, and every story leaves you wanting just a little bit more. It’s the perfect pick if you love short, engaging romances that still manage to deliver depth and charm.
HATE VOW Penny and Ryder' story. HELL Lucien and Rowan's story. HATEFUL VOWS Briggs and Wren's story. PROTECT ME Damon and Keira
4 books in 1 collection! I feel like we get a little bit of everything within the stories. Tropes like.... dark romance, bully, enemies to lovers, MC, boss. The plots were intriguing and the main characters fit perfectly. We got action, danger, secrets, drama, emotional moments, tension, spice, and much more! This was definitely a must read collection!!
Being a fan of Hallman, Thai story did not disappoint! It’s a pretty quick and fluid book, especially with all the tension and drama that unfolds. I did question the MC, being “different” from the loyalties and priorities usually put on the old ladies, but eventually just chopped it up to them just being different. Book did not disappoint! Characters were complex but still relatable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is was nice collection of four dark romance books. Definitely a great read, but check your trigger warnings! I typically don't have any, but in book three, Hateful Vows, there are a lot of forced sexual scenes that bothered me. You definitely go through all the emotions with all the FMC go through.
I didn't realize when I started reading that this was multiple stories. If you like the darker spicy romance then you will like this book. I do not understand how the author can write and describe so in depth to how the characters feel and act. This book had me so into reading that I didn't want to anything else other then finish the story
Four short hate to lovers romances. Each one is unique but all have a FMC who despises the MMC. All the MMCs are completely unhinged. Would have loved to have a little extra at the end of every book. Felt like they just kind of ended with no real closure to them. However all of them were a good time!
This is a wonderful box set of four separate books set in the same modern world, realistic but a fictional place. It's also an excellent sample of C. Hallman's writing style. Each story is captivating with relatable characters, action filled, spicy with happy endings.
This is four book collection of enemies to lovers, very broody and biker type with strong MC All four stories had different MC but my favorite was Ryder and Penny but I loved all the stories! This was a great anthology to read and I’m glad I received this as an ARC!