Now he’s inside, where power shifts fast, loyalty means nothing, and weakness could get him killed. His reputation might keep men at bay, but it won’t save him from the enemies closing in. Especially not the ones who know exactly how to use his biggest vulnerability against him.
Tristan Hale-Fitzroy.
The barrister who should have been his escape. The man who became his undoing.
Newly qualified and finally standing on his own, Tristan has everything he’s worked for within reach. Until Razor’s case lands back in his orbit. What should be simple isn’t. The deeper he digs, the more the cracks begin to show. And the more dangerous it becomes to keep looking.
Because someone powerful wants Razor buried.
Taking the case could cost Tristan his career. His future. Everything.
But walking away would cost him Richie.
As the pressure builds inside and outside the prison walls, lines blur between justice and control, loyalty and survival. And when the truth finally surfaces, it won’t just be Razor’s fate on the line...
It'll be whether either of them are brave enough to claim the other.
Claim is the final book in the Pretty Poison Trilogy—a dark MM romance packed with obsession, dangerous devotion, prison tension, courtroom warfare, rich/poor conflict, morally grey men, and a fiercely earned happily ever after.
Claim is the final book in the Pretty Poison Trilogy—a dark MM romance where loyalty is tested, lines are drawn, and some men are worth everything it costs to keep them.
Brought up in a relatively small town in Hertfordshire, C F White managed to do what most other residents try to do and fail—leave.
She eventually settled for pie and mash, cockles and winkles and a bit of Knees Up Mother Brown to live in the East End of London; securing a job and creating a life, a home and a family.
She writes gritty British based stories about imperfect men falling in love against the odds and has been accused of sprinkling a bit of humour into them from time to time too.
I was provided with an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review. These are my real sentiments about the story and everything written here is respectful, without meaning to harm anyone, but to offer my opinion as constructive criticism/compliments. Thank you, C.F. White, for the opportunity!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5 🔥🔥🔥🔥.5 / 5
Couple: Razor/Richie and Tristan.
Structure: Dual POV, first person, past tense. Second book of a trilogy that follows the same couple and a continuous background story.
Oof, I needed some time before writing this review. This series was SO intense. I fell for Tristan and Razor as quickly as they fell for each other. And I honestly had no idea where this story would take them, how they would be able to actually be together in the best scenario possible, by the end.
Corrupt, the second book in the series left my heart shattered, and I knew Claim was going to make me suffer a lot before getting to their HEA. And man, did it deliver. I half expected their fight to be but the way it all happened was really the best way to give them everything they deserved. As always, C.F. did a brilliant job of piecing together all the very complex information she gives us throught the trilogy. I don't understand almost anything about the justice system, especially in England, but the way she must study to write her books is amazing. So many details, painting the world perfectly for us readers.
Tristan and Richie. Oh, my boys. Watching them falling in love was a roller coaster. And seeing them remain together, choosing each other no matter how hard the path was... it was beautiful. Their love is feral, all-consuming. If there are soulmates, it's them. Not in the sense that they're doomed to be together forever, but because they found each other against all odds and against all odds, remained together. They chose to build the life they wanted even when it seemed impossible. They just... I don't know, they make me feel all sorts of things.
Seeing Richie also finally getting the life and family he should've had all along made me especially emotional. The epilogue was so sweet. I got to love every character that appeared there, even if at times I came to dislike and get mad at some of them. But just like every human, they laid out their flaws and grew together. It all came to the sort of love all families should share. It really was so special.
I'm going to miss them. I really hope we'll get something else; a novella, a special short-story, another book? 🤭I don't feel ready to say goodbye to them. There's still so much more I wanna see.
If you're already a C.F. fan, or love stories that go outside the box in the most wonderful way, depicting humanly flawed and beautiful characters that love intensely, that will burn the whole world down to be together and protect each other... There's no way you won't like this series 💕
I loved this series. Thoughtful, well-written and surprisingly deep—a mystery romance with a HEA that feels believable despite the train wreck of adversity that Richie and Tristan have to go through to get there. My social worker heart and my romance reader’s both got their needs met with the heavy central theme of social and economic inequity that CF White chose to build this series around. The poorer the neighborhood, the higher the proximity to illegal substance due to the desperation to escape—both from trauma and the trap of poverty. But it’s another trap, one that is enforced by a system upheld by the Lord Wolfes of world, as well as families like Tristan’s, who benefit from keeping it just so and protecting their way of life and the social order as it is. I love that White spent just as much time detailing that as she did Richie and Tristan’s story.
Speaking of that story…The way they came together smelled more than a bit of insta-lust, but how they kept coming back and deepened their relationship and learned who they were through each other…🥰🥹. Richie, though…that guy stole the show. Tristan is sweet and tenacious, but how Razor takes himself apart and rebuilds a Richie that doesn’t fall into a cycle of self-sabotage and blame—that was so lovely, and done in a way where I’m not left wondering where the therapist was or expecting him to fall apart when the curtain drops.
It’s funny—in a way, this felt almost like a romance reworking of “the Wire”, which I would be so here for. Let’s give all those folks healing, justice, systemic reparations, true love and a HEA, please. Stringer Bell, here’s your second chance.
Can’t wait for White’s next one. Take your time, though! Quality over quantity, though I know us romance addicts burn through them. Also, this cover doesn’t do the book justice in the slightest. I feel like I have idea who bathe people on the cover are supposed to be, and it’s misleading. There’s a spice content, but it’s pretty darn low.
We come to the conclusion of what I call an incredible series. Tristan is now done with law school & is a junior barista for legal aid. Richie/Razor is in jail on various charges with no bail hearing, due to the lack of an honest justice system . Tristan although not with Richie has been following his case & decides to speak with his boss & see if she can help get the wheels turning. New obstacles are in the way for Tristan & Richie. Low to medium angst, well written. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Explosive, dark, intense, and utterly unforgettable finale.
We dive straight in after the shocking cliffhanger of Corrupt, with Razor now behind bars. From the very first page, the stakes are sky-high, and they never let up, Claim doesn’t just conclude the story, it owns it.
Razor is a force of nature, but here we see him at his most vulnerable, trapped in a world where power is fragile and survival is never guaranteed. The prison setting is gritty and suffocating, adding a constant undercurrent of danger that kept me on edge the entire time. Every interaction feels loaded, every decision carries weight.
Tristan Hale-Fitzroy, brilliant, determined, and completely undone by the one man he should walk away from. Watching him navigate the legal world while being pulled deeper into Razor’s orbit was both thrilling and heartbreaking. The courtroom tension paired with the emotional stakes made this impossible to put down. The dynamic between Razor and Tristan is everything: raw, obsessive, messy, and fiercely real. Their connection burns through every page, blurring the lines between love, control, and survival. This isn’t an easy romance, it’s hard-won, deeply emotional, and all the more powerful because of it.
The themes of privilege, corruption, loyalty, and sacrifice are woven seamlessly into the story, creating a narrative that feels both brutal and meaningful. And that ending? Completely satisfying, hard-earned, and perfect for these characters.
If you love dark MM romance with high stakes, morally grey men, and a relationship that fights tooth and nail for its happily ever after, Claim delivers on every level. A stunning, unforgettable conclusion.
Part of the Pretty Poison Series, a dark MM romance set in London’s criminal underworld, and must be read in order:
Eviscerating. And healing. Love the conclusion to this trilogy. Yes…stays safe for me too. All the focus is on our MCs and their feelings and struggles, no diminishing OP side-tours. 5 stars for these guys and their devotion and staying true, despite a couple SC elements feeling kinda unfinished. I believed in them despite it seeming impossible to reconcile their backgrounds and life-trained expectations…they were a match both physically and complementary-wise emotionally. Really.
Book 2 ended with devastation. Book 3 opens with Tristan stepping into the barrister role he seems born to succeed in, fighting for civil rights. And Richie/Razor…in prison. In limbo…because someone wants him to stay there, waiting for trial, rotting…and, we can tell they hope, being murdered. He gets not one break, not one thing going right.
But happily, and still not feeling contrived, Richie’s case is exactly the kind of situation Tristan has been studying to fight for, and Tristan’s mentor is focused on taking on.
Ooooh that first face to face after months of separation in a prison meeting room…
The road to HEA is rocky, filled with potholes, antagonists who are mostly off page but included here and there with chilling encounters, a fleshed out world that contrasts Tristan’s family cages and expectations with Razor’s real cage and inevitable challenges…so well done.
Kinda makes you feel/hope there are still people out there on both sides of what we assume are good and evil, fighting for justice, holding to a moral code even in the most immoral situations. Razor’s choice at the bleakest, most gut-wrenching of grim moments, his desperate, hail Mary actions…fuuuuuuck.
The noose tightens, the net shrinks, and our two heroes are the prey caught in a trap. But what our antagonists never seem to realize is that love gives you strength and resolve to keep fighting even when winning seems impossible, and these two never give up.
I wish we had more insight on what happens to Tyler, he interested me throughout and I kind of expected him to step up even more at the end rather than being conscripted. I also didn’t feel we got enough resolution with Wolfe, despite finding out his situation, the confrontation with Cormac wasn’t enough to also replace one with him as well. That slimy bastard will probably come back to haunt them, because loss of reputation/status doesn’t necessarily take away money and power behind the scenes in the end. And I wasn't sure exactly how they were connected. I also wanted to see more of Henry and Zara and how that all worked out! Was she really dating that other guy??? Please no??? Argh. Henry was a favorite, what a great friend.
Whether they’re Tricky and Razor or Tris and Richie, these two are going to make it and their life will never be dull. Love the solution for Richie to claim a future, love Lennon and family becoming part of their lives, love it all for them. Terrific trilogy.
HEA, hard fought. Trilogy following the same two MCs, one a rich privileged law student/barrister, the other a seeming lowlife drug dealer but with a moral code stronger than any villain can break. No OM action; OM drama from the slimeball, totally uninvited, and the entire trilogy stays focused on these two, totally safe for me. And they get their Moment of realizing they’re only with each other all this time here, and yes, I was kicking my feet with giddy happiness for them. So sweet. Highly recommended.
My thanks to BookSirens for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.
📙Like Law & Order only gayer! 📘Great characters! Complex and exciting 📗Satisfying ending to an engaging plot 📕Passion and spice in all the right amounts
Pretty Poison is the most recent series from a favourite author of mine: C.F. White. Crave and Corrupt were the first two books in this series. In those books I got to know Razor and Tristan … Two men who have literally crossed paths and become instantly hooked on one another.
And by hooked, I mean obsessed. Both men are battling with who they are and yet they come from completely different backgrounds. They are on opposite sides of the law… Razor breaks it for a living and Tristan is a lawyer.
By book 3, Claim – Tristan and Razor (Richie when he’s himself with Tristan) are further apart than ever. Razor has been set up by his boss and because he is the man he is he’s in jail. When Tristan finds out what is happening, how unfair the process is he doubles down and talks his boss into taking the case. The payment for this is steep; Tristan must reveal up front that he was in a relationship with Richie and that isn’t over. It is over… isn’t it? Richie is in jail and they’ve not seen one another since the night he was arrested.
The writing in this series is nothing short of brilliant. This story has all the best attributes of a crime story, the most sizzling features of a romance and so much intrigue and tension. Every character has a purpose in this story, every moment is important and I was absolutely absorbed by the battle raging inside Richie.
This is a hard-hitting story. There is violence and the main characters are messy and complex in the most satisfying way. I don’t know much about the British legal system but I didn’t have to – White has nailed the world building so that it’s easy to slip into the story and set up residence as Tristan and Richie struggle to survive.
If you like dark MM romance, the kind that comes from a much more visceral place then I highly recommend this. White’s writing is exquisite. The pain is sharp, the emotions are intense and the plot is well crafted! Great new series!
After the first two storming books, CF delivers the final reckoning in style. Tristan and Razor have each come a long way from the two strangers meeting in a dark alley to the absolutely committed couple they've become. By necessity, they spend most of this story apart but that doesn't lessen the strength of their emotions or their bond. I'm sure other readers would have preferred to see them together but I relished their separation. It lent truth to their story, rather than glossing over all they had to overcome in the pursuit of justice and love. Seeing Razor in prison wasn't an easy read, his time there obviously not good. It's prison so it's as you would expect but there are internal scores to be settled and external forces playing puppetmaster too. He's alone, not allowing visitors for their own protection, and has no way of knowing what's happening with Tristan. I felt his bleakness and his isolation in every paragraph. On the outside, Tristan is in his element. Everything he believes in and has studied, how the justice system is biased against the have nots of the world, gives him a head start and an extra edge when it comes to trying to saving Richie. I loved watching him use the law against the shadowy figures behind the scenes who orchestrated Razor's arrest and imprisonment. Tris' mentor, Imogen, was wonderful throughout the series and especially here. Without any spoilers, how CF managed to give Tris and Richie the seemingly impossible was a masterclass in patience, well-deserved reckonings and a glorious HEA. I adored how good this trilogy was from start to finish and I can't praise it highly enough.
What an ending! I honestly was scared to start this book, because I wasn't sure how Tristan and Richie would ever get together. This is the third book in this series and not meant to be read as a stand alone.
Tristan needs to try every trick of the law in his possession to make sure Richie is getting an honest trial. Meanwhile, Richie needs to survive. Without knowing if Tristan is still waiting for him, he nearly makes choices he can't ever recover from. And while Tristan is trying to get the law on his side, there can be no feelings between the two men. Not if they both want to make sure nothing else goes wrong. Of course, there's also pressure from Tristan's family, and old foes come for both of them.
This was a though read. Well worth it, don't get me wrong! It had just so much anxiety, pining, star-crossed lovers, all the angst... I'm just glad the author promised us a HEA, and that is what we got. After all the headache, the sorrow, the worry, we finally get to see Tristan and Richie being together.
My only wish would be a more Razor style like ending for a certain someone who has abused his high position for far too long ;)
I also can't believe this is the last book in the series. I really enjoyed this one. I think it's a real treat if an author can make you feel conflicted about someone on the other side of the law. On making them feel real and seeing the trap they are in. Or being trapped because of the position you are born in. Both men have their own struggles, but I love reading how they found each other and build a future together. I'm going to miss Tricky and Richie!
There are hard fight HEAs that put you through the emotional wringer, and then there’s Claim, the conclusion of the Pretty Poison trilogy. Razor and Tristan go through a lot. A. LOT. Corrupt,book 2 ended (spoiler alert) with Razor is prison and Tristan at a loss what to do. How we get from there to an ending that feels true to these wonderfully complex and complicated characters is honest and real. I loved how the posh boy and morally gray criminal found common ground over the weight of family expectations and societal perceptions. Beneath the tough guy persona Razor is a caring son and brother, who made a series of bad decisions when he was young just to protect his family. Razor’s time behind bars is a harrowing gut punch. The tension doesn’t let up, and for a while it feels hopeless. When we first met Tristan he was ambivalent about the law. Thank goodness he changed his mind. His quick legal mind was evident when a prison guard tries to block him from seeing Razor, quickly accessing the situation and use it as a reason to revisit bail. Razor reclaiming the name Richie was one of my favorite moments. And the secondary characters are fantastic. Razor’s sister and Tristan’s sister-in-law have a nice connection, Henry Redmayne and Zara’s star-crossed relationship. And then there’s Lord Adrian Wolfe, a truly heinous, and powerful, man who had me praying for karmic justice. Claim is gritty, raw, and emotional with moments of surprising tenderness. It’s a beautiful story of forgiveness, found family, and redemption. Book and series ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
God, I thought CF White left Tristan and Razor in an impossible situation in book two but lord I was not prepared for the absolutely impossible series of choices these men face… honestly my mind was ringing and I was reading as fast as could as a chant in my mind rang - how will this ever work out!!
This is an unbelievably gripping conclusion to a 3 book world CF White has sucked us into. A world rife with danger and agendas paying out by old puppet masters and our MCs are battling it out in legal corridors now that are riddled with unethical men who will stop at nothing to protect the power they have claimed
Fear not, the author has a very satisfying comeuppance planned for them but before that the MCs will stop your heart for multiple reasons. Rich and Tris are all kinds of swoon, Razor and Tricky are fire.. this so a slow burn as an individual book but honestly you wouldn’t want it any other way trust me! Rich and Tris also have a habit of running int danger head first as they make those tough choices and choose each other - the conclusion nearly killed ME and I wasn’t th one in danger 🤣
It’s also full of sweet moments as Rich realises his worth and Tris really comes into his power.
Found family (and even family) is a very strong theme here. It’s beautifully depicted
This book will have your heart racing, giving you deep satisfaction, a shot of adrenaline and tonnes of dopamine as you face all odds with Tristan and Razor on this epic conclusion
This is the 3rd book in a trilogy and it is the longest one of the series. You have to read the previous 2 books before you start this one. I went into this series not knowing what to expect because I’d never really read anything by this author but boy was I hooked on these books and these men.
The first book introduces us to Tristan and Razor who come from completely different worlds (one a barrister and one with a little more sketchier title)and whose words collide in a particularly memorable encounter. I loved the way these 2 men were fleshed out and I especially liked the way these author built their connection so it wasn’t insta-love or insta-obsession but rather a gradual building on these emotions. This is why I love it when authors take their time to build a connection. It makes it so much more believable and it keeps us invested in the story.
I loved Razor and his possessiveness. I loved his gentle soul that he kept hidden way way wayyy down. I would’t mind having a Razor in my corner every day of my life.
This book was my favourite of the 3 and it was the longest, which is needed for the crap these men go through before finding their happily ever after. I definitely recommend this series. Couldn’t have loved it more.
* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily*
Make sure you have long nails before you read this book, because they’ll be gone by the end! This is beautiful. It is heartbreaking, and nerve wracking, but beautiful. I love how CF White presents the characters with choices, and what it means to choose. Each option has its pros and cons, and they’re all hard choices, but for the first time in forever, Razor finally gets to choose, and Tristan has the strength and smarts to also make choices that he never even dreamed of making. I also love how the author writes the most perfect scenes ever, and how she paints an incredible picture of their feelings. Like this: “ Those words from him, this hard, unyielding, brutal man, were the most precious thing I had ever been given. More than any inheritance, any comfort, any protection my world had ever offered. They were the most powerful thing I had ever been trusted to hold. I wouldn’t ever crawl away from them. As they’d just rewritten the ground under my feet.” That right there is beautiful, is fantastic, is amazing, and the whole book is full of things like this, making it 100 times more enjoyable for me, because the beauty that is portrayed is done by using beautiful words, like icing on the cake, wrapped in a beautiful box. Beautiful all around.
Look inside at the triggers. I'm going to put some, but if you want to know them all, go to the author's website.
M/M Romance Morally Grey Mc Thriller Prison Dark Romance
I have been very lucky to have had the chance to read this series. I love well-written thrillers with dark romance on top of it. These are the first books I have read by this author, but they won't be the only ones I read, that's for sure. The way CF White wrote this twisty story was so well done that I just fell into the story and didn't want to come back out lol. I wanted so much for these MCs and just couldn't put any of the books down because I had to see what would happen next. My partner is new to leaving me alone so I could read till I found out what happened lol. He is a good man, that's for sure. I loved the way Razor was written, the info about the man he was and is. There are power shifts along with loyalty. He needs to stay strong and show no weakness because others are watching to see if he shows any weaknesses. Tristan, a barrister, is the man who makes him feel weakness the longer he is in his life. I loved the way these two MC ups and downs unfolded. The intrigue in this story was red hot. I couldn't put it down till the last word. I just know I have to read more by this author.
WOW! What an amazing conclusion to the trilogy that follows as Tristan and Razor/Ritchie manage to get their heartfelft and very hard earned HEA. The entire trilogy has a lot of violence and dark themes and must be read in order. It is absolutely worth it if you don't mind delving into harsh environments, drugs, corruption, and morally grey characters because it also includes intense emotions, grit and determination, and a love that defies absolutely everything. Tristan and Razor/Ritchie have had a long and brutal journey, and in this final book, it shows just how much the power of true, genuine love can propel someone to do the seemingly impossible. These men will steal your heart and keep you gripped to the pages as you follow their intense story. I would absolutely recommend this entire trilogy as it is engaging and entertaining, full of intense emotions, and has two vastly different characters who have a genuinely deep connection. There are also many secondary characters that add so much depth to the story. The only tiny negative, and it is just my personal feelings, it that there is one character that I wish had gotten a better comeuppance.
I received an ARC, this review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Claim The third and final book in the Pretty Poison series is another heart pounding, rollercoaster of a brilliant read. Razor(Rich) now in prison on remand after being set up by his boss Cormac is in constant danger of being seriously injured or murdered and with no sign of his court case taking place it looks as if he’s there to stay. Tristan is now a fully fledged Kings Barrister desperate to have Razor released so is quietly working behind the scenes to have Razors case heard in court to show that the charges are false and there is no evidence to back them up. Unfortunately he has a mountain to climb with very rich powerful men doing all they can to prevent him from successfully helping Razor. With violence, heartbreaking emotional scenes and a cast of well described characters some wonderful others downright evil this book is an absolute page turner. What really stands out is the deep steadfast love Razor and Tristan have for each other despite coming from entirely different backgrounds they are the very definition of soul mates. They have their deserved happy ending but not without travelling a tortuous road that will leave you breathless and till wanting more. I love this author’s work but this series….pure magic.
Wow. What an amazing conclusion to this trilogy. I loved it, all three books make such a wonderful reading experience and each work alone - even with cliffhangers. The intensity remains high throughout.
Prison is so hard on Richie. Razor wasn't supposed to survive this long, and it's amazing he did, really - though with a guaranteed happy ending of course he did. It does take them a lot to get there.
It felt like it would play out in court, with Tristan defending Richie. That was part of it, but not how it ended up being the big fight for them. There was so much more. The love they have for each other is passionate and all consuming, but it had to be for them to survive everything else against them, and their difference in class is almost the least of it. Almost, because that is the thing that is in most ways the easiest to negotiate, and there are so many more issues for them to work through.
I especially love how Tristan's family finds a way to accept Richie. That is the most lovely part of it all.
I would have enjoyed hearing more of Lord Wolfe's downfall, but what we got works.
I really enjoyed Tristan's father and Richie's scenes, and Lennon's everything.
So glad Richie's sister got a happy ending as well.
I genuinely didn’t know how this was going to work out after book two. The situation felt completely impossible, and I was flying through pages like… how are they getting out of this?!
This picks up right where things left off, with Razor in jail and Tristan doing everything he can to get him out. The tension is constant...legal battles, dangerous enemies, and so many moments where it feels like everything could fall apart.
The angst in this? Unreal. There’s so much pining, so much pressure, and so many impossible choices. Tristan and Richie had my heart the entire time. Watching Richie struggle and feel like he doesn’t deserve anything, while Tristan would give him the world… yeah, that hurt.
But it’s not all pain. There are some really beautiful moments too—especially seeing Richie start to realise his worth and Tristan fully step into his power. And the found family element throughout this series continues to be such a strong highlight.
Also… the villains? Infuriating. But the payoff? Very satisfying.
This is such a gripping, emotional conclusion to the series. It’s dark, intense, and honestly stressful at times—but completely worth it. And that ending? After everything they go through, it felt so deserved.
Claim is the third and last book on the Pretty Poison Series,it's been a roller coaster of emotions.
It picks up pretty much where the second book left off.
With Razor in jail, stuck in limbo because he hadn't been formally charged with anything, with no chance of posting bail, and at the mercy of his old enemies. Tristan , oh Tristan, trying to do everything possible to get him out of there.
I mean, this trilogy is really good, and the ending lived up to my expectations. It has dark elements and violence, but that’s inherent to the story. We don’t just see violence from Razor or Richie, but also from Tristan, even if it’s very subtle, and the verbal threats are there from a character I despise deeply.
It broke my heart to see Richie asking Tristan for certain things as if he were begging him, when Tristan would give anything for him. It’s as if Richie didn’t deserve anything,on the contrary, he deserves the whole world.
I'm delighted with the ending, and this trilogy deserves all the love readers can give it.
Third and finale in trilogy (Pretty Poison), must be read in order. Established couple. Forbidden/secret relationship. Found family. Dual POV. Heed content warnings.
Weeks have passed while Razor is in prison, and Tristan has purposefully stayed away until he finds a possible way to help. Razor has to keep his head on a swivel in order to survive, he’s been left on his own and is realizing that prison may be his long term future.
This is the conclusion to Razor and Tristan’s story, and really emphasizes their yearning for a forever but not seeing a way to make that happen. Razor is shown even more as a survivor and Tristan’s righteousness enables him to fight for Razor’s freedom and innocence. Unfortunately, they spend a majority of this book apart which made the romance not as strong as the first two books, but I was glad to see their story resolve in an uncomplicated way that allowed them to have a future together. I enjoyed this series immensely and luckily the author released these books quickly so you don’t have to wait to see their HEA. 4.25
What a tense, emotionally heavy finale, and honestly, I went into it a little nervous about how everything would play out but it definitely delivered.
This book doesn’t pull its punches. There’s constant pressure on both sides, with Tristan fighting through the legal system while Richie is just trying to survive long enough for any of it to matter. The separation between them, both physical and emotional, adds so much to the story. You can feel the strain of everything they can’t say or do, even when it matters most.
What really stood out to me was how layered both characters feel by this point in the series. Tristan is stuck between his ambitions, his family expectations, and what he knows is right, while Richie is navigating a world where one wrong move could cost him everything. Neither of them has it easy, and that makes the payoff feel earned.
It’s definitely an angsty read with lots of tension, longing, and moments where it feels like things could go very wrong but that just makes the ending hit harder. And after everything they go through, getting that HEA felt completely worth it.
Overall, a gripping and satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Dark, intense, and full of complicated emotions, but ultimately rewarding if you’ve been invested as much as I have in their journey. Outstanding! I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
CLAIM is the third and final book in the Pretty Poison series. The series should be read in order that the author intended. Reading out of order will hurt your reading experience with this trilogy.
What to expect: 🔥Obsession 🔥Dangerous Devotion 🔥Prison Tension 🔥Courtroom Warfare 🔥Rich/Poor Conflict 🔥Morally Grey Men 🔥Fiercely Earned Happily Ever After
Claim picks up where Corrupt left us, Razor's in prison. Tristian's a lawyer and get's his boss to take Razor's case its what Tristian was made to fight for. The tension, angst, obsession of this series is outstanding. Richie and Tristian are messy and complicated in the best ways possible. They are from two completely different worlds but those world collide it's a fight only the best can survive. The HEA was so satisfying because of how much they had to go through to get it. White writes in such a way that I was obsessed with these characters and couldn't put these books down!!
I can't wait to see where this author goes next!
I was given a free copy of this book to read and review for GRR.
An outstanding read Firstly, let me say I got this book from gay romance reviews and this is me leaving my honest review. The most important thing that I can say is please read this books in order. This is the final part of the trilogy and it is an outstanding series. I don’t wanna give too much away because I don’t want to ruin your experience of this series. All I will say is I have got a deep admiration for Tristan and Richie. They dug in deep to get the ending that they needed, that they wanted and that they deserved. And it wasn’t an easy road to take when you have got people trying to destroy you at every time. This is dark, this is gritty and my OMG is it intense. I am going to miss the people from this Book series. I would easily say it is in my top three of the series that I have read and I am so excited to see what CF white has for us next. And I’ve got to say as a London, I too am a big fan of the pie & mash.
CF White does not disappoint in the third and final installment of the Pretty Poison series.
Concluding the story of Razor and Tristan, Claim concludes the trilogy following on from Crave and Corrupt.
The story is dark and gritty, following organised crime and corruption through the East end and leafy suburbs of London.
Two men who's lives become entwined, who should have walked away, whose backgrounds tried to hold onto them and subsequently try to destroy them.
CF White never fails to create characters that build a place in your head and heart, and no matter what path they have found themselves on you are desperately seeking that HEA for them.
Fans of CF White will not be disappointed and if new to the writer fans of hard hitting, hard fought MM HEA will love this series also.
I was given an ARC to review by the author, this review is my own and freely given.
Saying I enjoyed this final book in the Pretty poison trilogy would be the understatement of the century. I got my ARC and happily proceeded to mostly ignore my family over the long Easter weekend because Tris and Richie deserved all my attention. If possible, the final boog is even grittier and more gut-wrenching than the first two (which is saying a lot!) and their happily ever after is so hard-fought-for that I honestly couldn’t see how it could happen for a good portion of my reading time. But in the end, it happens; not picture-perfect, not fuzzy and cozy, because that’s not what these two men are; but so very Tristan and Richie that my heart settled at the thought of their happiness. This book, this trilogy, are clear examples of why CF White has become one of my favourite authors.
I absolutely LOVE Tristan and Richie. The whole "Prince & the Pauper" vibe was well done throughout without being overbearing. Getting to see more into the mind of Razor vs. Richie was probably one of my favorite parts of this third book. Tristan fighting through the legal system - within the law - to free Richie from remand and then through the beginnings of his trial. Richie trying to become a better man but also being placed into situations where Razor was needed in order to keep the people he cared about safe. All of it was exactly what the story needed. I appreciated that Tristan didn't fall into the "morally grey" trope even when he could have but stayed true to the letter of the law as a barrister - you don't see that much in these types of romances and it was really refreshing. Overall, a satisfying ending to this trilogy.
Wow what an amazing way to end the Pretty Poison series. Book three and the final, and what a ride it has been. There couldn’t be two more opposites than Tristan and Richie, but somehow they were exactly what the other needed. They went through so much to finally get their happy ending, and I was rooting for them. Richie (Raze) has been trapped in the drug organization since he was just fifteen years old, and finally fighting for a way out and for a better life. Seeing how hard he worked to turn his life around made me love him even more. And Tristan, he never stopped fighting for Richie, doing everything in his power to help him and prove that he was worthy of love and a second chance.
I’m so happy they got their HEA, but I’m honestly sad to see this series come to an end.
Now I’m curious what happened to Taylor and will we get his story. Because I would absolutely love to read it.
This one was a doozy! But in the best way possible The author promised us a hea but damn did it hurt getting here! Seeing Richie in jail beaten on edge was alot to read but seeing his tricky helping him was just what he needed I really didn’t know how they were going to end up together with everything against them but against it all thank goodness we got to see the hea These boys are so special to see how their relationship was in book 1 to book 3 they earned it Richie got to be normal I think that is the best part of the book for me I love them as a couple but to get to see him be Richie not razor for his happiness it was just perfect Oh and all those who made it difficult for them in all the books they for their karma! I really enjoyed this series
Anything I write won’t do justice to this fantastic conclusion to CF White’s Pretty Poison series. This book just about broke me in places but by the end I was put back together again. CF White warned readers that Tristan and Richie/Razor would go through some tough things before they get their HEA and boy did they. I was on the edge of my seat, holding my breath for much of this one but in the end, it was worth every tear I shed while reading this book/series.
Note: this isn’t a standalone and you need to read the books in this series in publication order.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
Every single minute with this book is a roller coaster ride. The author did not only write a series finale, she essentially rewrote both the characters and everything I thought I knew about them into circumstances beyond anything I expected. I won’t spoil the story, but brace yourself. The writing style throughout this whole series is so amazingly poetic in a way I haven’t expected to work for this type of a story. The whole narration is emotion-driven and truly deep rooted in both MCs. I loved every word, every twist and turn, every challenge and every tender moment. I really hope we get to see how Richie and Tristan live their hard won HEA futher into the future. Not sure I’m ready to let them go.
Wow. I couldn’t put this down. Razor and Tristan definitely worked hard for their HEA, with the bad guys upping the ante even more in this book. A highly recommended series that needs to be read in order.
I loved how Tristan comes into his own, and stakes his claim on Razor, determined to get him justice. It felt like full circle from the first book, and shows how far he’s come. I loved the part his family play in this, and the developments with Razor and his family, Lennon included. Henry still rocks.
I loved how just as I thought things couldn’t get worse, they did, and I trusted the author to give them the satisfying HEA they well and truly deserved, although it wasn’t looking good at one point.