The Scent of Crazy

Red Flags #1

by D.A. Valerian

She set the trap. He walked in smiling, convinced he was the hunter.

SUMMER

I manipulate.

I deceive.

I seduce.

I steal.

I kill.

I'm not a bad person!

And I’m definitely not a stalker, though some could argue that shadowing Atlas Holt and his friends for months, casing his business, or measuring him in his sleep out of boredom is the definition of stalking. I call it preparation.

I need Atlas’s love as a means to a blood-soaked end. But playing carefully curated, sick and twisted games with this delusional psycho is pushing me dangerously close to the trap I set.

Simple plans rarely stay simple.

ATLAS

Summer Night is like a rollercoaster: exhilarating, unpredictable, and every once in a while, it leaves me wondering if it’s passed the routine maintenance and I’d be getting off alive. That only makes me want her more.

Whether her ways of flirting would land me in a straitjacket or a grave is not the real question.

Who is she, and how many body bags does her real name drag behind it?

Hopefully, fewer than mine does.

I have a feeling the truth won’t just hurt.

It will kill.

The Scent of Crazy is D.A. Valerian’s debut novel and the first book in the Red Flags series—a collection of interconnected dark romance standalones with a sharp edge of wicked humor.

This dark romantic comedy features dual POV, a guaranteed HEA, and morally gray characters locked in unhinged power games where obsession, manipulation, and revenge-fueled murderous intent collide with killer banter and twisted humor. While each book in the Red Flags series can be read as a standalone dark rom-com, an overarching story unfolds across the installments, making the journey even more rewarding when read in order, as all the red flags begin to align.

Tropes:

- Morally gray FMC and MMC
- Mutual stalking
- Strong, vengeance-driven FMC
- Obsessed and unhinged MMC
- Predator-vs-Predator power games
- Organized crime
- Secret identity
- He falls first & falls harder
- Dark humor & unhinged banter

Neither the “romantic” nor the “comedy” labels should fool you into thinking there isn’t plenty of darkness bleeding from the pages of The Scent of Crazy in the form of graphic themes, morally corrupt characters, and adult content throughout. You can find a comprehensive list of content warnings on my website. Please read responsibly!

Each book in the Red Flags series features a different couple.

Genres: Dark Romance, Stalker, Enemies To Lovers, He Falls First, Romance, M F Romance, Found Family

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2026

Reviews

[bookrat_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

So addictive! I devoured this book. I did not want to put it down. Just the right kind of book to hook me. You can never go wrong with morally gray main characters, yes both! Stalking from both ✔️
Crazy friends ✔️
Revenge plot ✔️
He falls first ✔️
Dark humor ✔️
It had me kicking my feet, giggling. 💜

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review


Holy Mother of dark romance Gods what have I just read?! Be ware this book is very addictive! I ate it up like there is no tomorrow!
I cannot believe this was a debut novel! It was extremely funny and unhinged and I loved every second of it!
It kept me up all night, it made me read while I was walking to work and very literally nearly head butted a tree as I was not aware of what was happening around me! This book won’t let you keep your attention on anything else!
The main characters are pure gold. Their banter was perfect, the tension between them so hot it nearly put my kindle on fire! I loved the dark humour in the book, it made me laugh so much!

I definitely need more dark romance in my life especially if it’s written by D.A.Valerian! She instantly made a spot on my list of “if she writes it I buy it”!
I had the best time reading this book, I honestly can’t praise it enough!
If you love dark romance, excellent dark humour, intriguing side characters (their stories will unfold in the upcoming books), delicious tension and unforgettable main characters then you must read this book!
Just be aware of the trees appearing out of nowhere while you read and walk at the same time!

Thank you very much for the author for sending me her book before its release date! I cannot wait for book2!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

They are all a little crazy in this one! 😂

This book is great for fans of stalking, spy vs spy vibes, ride or die, Mafia family drama, intense spice, and found family.

When I say this book is intense, I mean it starts intense and stays intense all throughout. Our MFC is an orphan who is just "minding her business" and our MMC is obsessed the moment he sees her, not realizing that their meeting wasn't an accident after all. Their romance is explosive and feral, and the banter and games are strong!

There are quite a few triggers and I would recommend reading those before grabbing this one. Even though it starts off cutesy, it gets wild fast and contains a lot of darker themes too. Definitely a four pepper book (maybe 4.5).

I received an ARC from Greys Promotion and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Ashly · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
📚 Standalone in the interconnected Series
🗣️ Dual POV
🖤 M/F
😵 Mutual Stalking

Listen...if you're looking for a sane MMC, keep scrolling because this man is absolutely DELUSIONAL...and I loved every second of it 😂

This book fully embraces the "obsession isn't a red flag, it's a personality trait" mindset, and somehow it just works. Atlas is completely unhinged, wildly possessive, and has the most questionable logic imaginable, but the way his internal monologue tries to justify every insane thing he does had me laughing more than once.

Summer wasn't just there to react to his chaos either. She had MORE than enough personality to hold her own, which made their dynamic so much more entertaining. Every interaction had me wondering what ridiculous thing was going to happen next.

I also loved that this book didn't try to make the obsession seem normal or healthy. It knew exactly what kind of story it was telling and leaned all the way into the dark humor and absolute madness of it all.

The pacing was super fast, the chemistry was chemistry-ing, and before I knew it I had flown through the entire book wondering how I ended up rooting for two people who probably...NO, DEFIANTLY need several therapists 😂

**Tropes:**
🖤 Dark Romance
😵 Stalker Romance
🖤 Obsessive MMC
😵 Morally Gray MMC
🖤 Touch Her & Die
😵 Possessive MMC
🖤 Dark Humor
😵 Forced Proximity
🖤 "He's Absolutely Delulu" Energy
😵 Questionable Life Choices 😂

[Megan Cowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautifully unhinged… I loved every second of it.

Just when I thought I could decide who was crazier… SURPRISE - crazy hit the fan again. Atlas was so effing sexy. Summer was too though.

I honestly don’t even know what to say lol. This was just SO good, so deliciously written, incredibly unhinged - and worth every single second I spent on it!

[Robin Primo · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐️.5

I don’t think I have ever disliked a book as much as this one, while continuously wanting to know how it ended. I don’t want to waste a lot of time and energy on this book. So I will just say a few things:
- He saw women as property that he could take….
- He did things to her while she was sleeping, but he thought it was okay, because she didn’t say no….
- It felt like the book started at chapter 10 because it felt like I missed an introduction to some things.

The ending is the only reason I’m giving this book any stars. The ending was fun, unexpected, and full of things happening. That was fun. So don’t get me wrong: the 1.5 stars are ONLY for the last 5 chapters.

[Sarah Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review - 4.5 ⭐️

First, thank you, D.A. Valerian for the opportunity to read and review The Scent of Crazy. I had so much fun reading this book, and can’t wait for part 2!

If you’re a fan of enemies to lovers, stalking, and enjoyed the banter between the main characters in books like Butcher and Blackbird or Leather and Lark, this book is definitely for you.
Underneath the tough exterior, Atlas (MMC) is a giant cinnamon roll, and Summer (FMC) is a sharp tongued, quick witted badass. The banter between the two of them had me cracking up throughout the entire book.
I also really enjoyed the side characters. Raven and Link’s story is going to be interesting, for sure, but I can’t wait to read more about Dean, Conner and Carter, as well.

This was my first time reading D.A. Valerian’s work, and I’m looking forward to reading more.

[Nate Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

#ScentOfCrazy by @d.a.valerian.author
Y'all..if you want unhinged stalker dynamics, sleuthing, knife play, sex craze, revenge motives, and oh. Did I say sex craze???

Read 👏 This 👏 NOW!

The pacing is there, the spice is heavy 🥵

Summer is out for revenge against those who killed her family..she sets her sights on Atlas. A connection to the mastermind of her family's unaliving.

She reels him in...but all of a sudden she's reeling for him. The back and forth banter, the dark playfulness between these two is unparalleled. They see each other's fucked up flaws and accept them.

Can Summer continue her revenge plot if it involves Atlas and hurting him?

Every chapter had me begging for more (not unlike our two main characters).

Atlas's friend group is just as nutty and protective as he is.
The found family dynamic has ball-busting humor and they're all ready to jump into action if any of them are in trouble.

This was a great change of pace for me, and I can't wait to see what kind of hijinks our characters get up to next!

[Marija Unkind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was entertained through the whole book. I really enjoyed the story about two crazy young people who matched each other so well. Their dynamic was fun to follow.

At times it felt a little juvenile and the story stayed a bit too surface level. I found myself wanting more depth, both in the characters and their relationship, because I think it would have made me connect with everything on a much stronger level.

That said, I still had a really good time reading it. It was an enjoyable, easy read and the side characters were wonderful. I honestly wouldn’t mind reading more about some of them in the future.

Thank you to D.A. Valerian and Grey’s Promotions for providing me with an ARC 🖤
All opinions are my own.

[Melissa Sleeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh I need book 2 NOW! I was addicted and didn't want it to end. It kind of gave me Butcher and Blackbird vibes? 🙃 Idk could be just me. The banter throughout was excellent and the spice was 🌶🌶🌶

Dark humor ✅️
Tension ✅️
An unhinged romance ✅️

If this outstanding debut is any indication, D. A. Valerian has an exciting career ahead of her!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Courtney Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Im a bit late with my arc review due to circumstances and it took me a while to read due to this . But this book was really good the latness of the review and time length of this book had nothing to do with the book its self

. It's a dark Ron com and personally i loved it . The fmc was fiesty and fierce and a great fmc . The MMC you cant help but fall for him . There was a few things in the book which made me not rate it 5 stars .with out giving spoilers i feel like some parts were brushed aside which I think was needed in the book and the ending I wanted the FMC to finish a certain character as i felt like it was needed.

All in all this book is great , it makes you feel all the emotions and has you eating the chapters up

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review: 2 crazies being crazy together, what more could you ask for?

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m going to need book 2 asap! This is a series starter right?

[Toy · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️‍🔥 The Scent of Crazy: Red Flags Book 1 by D.A. Valerian Book review❤️‍🔥


❤️‍🔥 CHILLS. ABSOLUTE CHILLS. ❤️‍🔥

Move over, seasoned charts-toppers—there is a new queen of dark romance on the scene! For a debut novel, The Scent of Crazy (Red Flags Book 1) by D.A. Valerian doesn’t just walk into the genre; it burns the whole house down and builds a throne on the ashes. 👑🔥 If you love your romance pitch-black, intoxicating, and utterly unhinged, eeny, meeny, miny, moe...this is a tantalizing book for shore! ✨

😴I started in the evening and read until 7am, while drinking coffee off and on. I could not put “The Scent of Crazy” down even when my finger cramped from swiping pages. I mean, how many people can say they had to call out of work sick because they were up all night reading. It’s that good! 😴

🚨 THE DISCLAIMER IS WILD 🚨

Can we just pause and talk about that content warning?! Going in, I was a little nervous. But then that deliciously twisted, dark romance-loving part of my brain took over and whispered, “Hell yeah, let’s do this!” 😈 From page one, I was completely snared. What makes D.A. Valerian a master-tier storyteller right out of the gate is that the intense themes aren't just there for shock value; every single boundary-pushing reference is eloquently executed and fits the narrative flawlessly. 💯



🎵 THE AUDIO ATMOSPHERE IS A MUST 🎵

Do yourself a massive favor: download the playlist before you start! 📲 I manually added every single track to my library so it was queued up and ready to go. Reading while wrapped in that specific, curated musical vibe creates an incredibly hypnotic, immersive audio atmosphere. It completely entrances you from the very first note! If you’re interested you can do it too with any music streaming service and/or free on YouTube 🎶🙌



👑 THE POV GAME: TIT FOR TAT 👑
Nothing satisfies a reader more than getting deep inside the minds of both characters. Valerian gives us a flawless, alternating dual POV format—going chapter-for-chapter between Summer/Maeve and Atlas. The tension? Electric. ⚡ The dynamic? Absolute fire. 🔥




👥 CHARACTER BREAKDOWN 👥


• Summer / Maeve 💎
o The Vibe: The ultimate “I’d rather die than tap out” heroine.
o The Verdict: Forged in steel with an iron will, she is a survivor who does not need a protector. Her dark past haunts her, serving as her ultimate driving force as she steps onto the campus of Veridian University seeking revenge. 🎓🖤



• Atlas Holt ⛓️
o The Vibe: The quintessential possessive, alphahole bad boy dialed up to a solid 100/10.
o The Verdict: He takes your typical criminal mafioso archetype and cranks the obsession to the absolute maximum. Once his sights are locked on Summer, her plotting and scheming don't stand a chance. He will own her. 🐺🖤


• The Sinful Inner Circle 🤫
o Dean Malik: The sole heir to a ruthless blood diamond empire. 💎
o Lincoln Cavanagh: A lethal hacker who is entirely consumed by a girl named Raven. 💻
o Connor & Carter Heyes: The twin playboys of the group who are maxed out on charm and trouble. 👥


• Raven 💥
o Summer’s fierce best friend. Even though they only cross paths briefly a couple of times due to the sheer chaos in their lives, her side arc is tantalizing! It heavily hints that she and Lincoln are either getting their own standalone or taking over major real estate in Book 2. I need it now! 🔎



⛓️ EVERYTHING YOU PROMISED & MORE ⛓️
This twisted tale delivers on every single promise with absolute perfection:

• Darkness bleeding through the pages ✅
• Morally corrupt characters ✅
• Psycho, crazy killers & and infatuated stalkers ✅
• Evil villains & explicit violence ✅
• Scintillating sex, blood, and sweet revenge ✅




📚 THE BRILLIANCE IS IN THE DETAILS 📚

• The Vocabulary: Huge kudos to the author for sprinkling in gorgeous, sophisticated vocabulary words! It never felt pretentious; instead, it completely elevated the prose. I absolutely love when a book challenges me to look up a word. It’s an elite experience for us readers! 🧠✨

• The Pizza Upgrade: Side note... I will literally never call it "four-cheese pizza" again. It is officially Pizza Quattro Formaggi (Mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Fontina, Parmesan) for the win! 🍕🇮🇹


🏁 THE VERDICT: 5/5 RED FLAGS 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

The book wraps up on a mild cliffhanger. While you won't be dying of cardiac arrest waiting for the next drop, the anticipation is so real. We are definitely going to need Raven’s POV next, and I am already front row, center, waiting for the sequel.


If you want a debut that reads like a veteran dark-romance masterpiece, ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR IMMEDIATELY! 🖤✍️

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Proceed with curiosity…and caution.” {D.A. Valerian}

Well holy shit! I just felt like I was on a rollercoaster straight out of a psychopaths mind! But like a really hilarious, unhinged and deranged psychopath! I fucking LOVED these characters, this story! Give me all of the absolute batshit crazy dialogue and interactions—because I was dying of laughter, my heart was racing but also SWOONING. Does that mean I’m crazy?! Most likely. I won’t deny it. Nor am I ashamed.

This story had me ENTRAPPED from the very first page. This book didn’t just meet my expectations—it devoured them. Summer is, without a doubt, an absolute chaotic, meticulous, fierce and unpredictable woman. But she’s also breathtaking, hilarious and determined—and she will do whatever it takes to get revenge for her family. That includes vetting and getting close to the son of the culprit. Atlas Holt, a man that you wouldn’t dare cross, is almost (just almost) as unhinged as Summer. His thoughts and his actions are manic. He sets his sights on Summer and realizes she’s not as innocent as she looks. That they are the same—disturbed, demented, feral and their actions are fueled by the past. And he will stop at nothing to make her “his”.

I CANNOT get over these two. The amount of times I was crying from laughter, blushing and processing their absolute unhinged behavior is obsessive. The back and forth between them was flawless and that dynamic has me loving the story and characters even more. They matched each other’s energy and seeing who could out-do the other was incredibly entertaining and satisfying. When the not-so-normal romance happened—it was everything. None of it was conventional, it was madness, but for them, it worked. And when that spice finally hit—IT HIT HARD. Don’t let that fool you though, the growth between the two was incredible. Not only do we continue to see their psychotic tendencies, but we see the kindness, compassion, respect and love that they keep buried deep down inside. It had my heart exploding with pure, unadulterated tenderness. I am absolutely obsessed with these two and I’m perfectly happy with them living rent free in my mind.

The supporting characters throughout, you couldn’t help but love and hate them at the same time. Atlas’ friends (Dean, Carter, Connor, Link) brought even more craziness and it made me even more intrigued. Each one had made their way into my heart and I truly hope in the future we get more of them. I’m so curious about all of them and how they got to where they are—and where they end up. Summer’s friend Raven, even though we only saw a little bit of her, I knew I was going to adore her.

The plot throughout was intense, unique and even touching at times. It had me in a chokehold. The way it continued to get better and better, page after page—I couldn’t stop. I simply just didn’t want to stop reading, nor did I want it to end. I could continue reading about these characters forever. There’s just something about the craziness of them that keeps me wanting more—and thankfully, I’ll get it. D.A. Valerian is gracing us with another story from a couple of the characters and I cannot wait to read it. I’m absolutely getting my hands on a physical copy for a shelf trophy. It deserves to be displayed like the masterpiece it is.

I cannot thank D.A. Valerian and Grey’s Promotions enough for allowing me to read a copy early.

Mind you, when I love a book, I have A LOT of highlights. And by a lot—I mean 268–and that’s with restraint. I have no regrets.

[Tracy Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never love two completely unhinged characters more than these two. I would rate this book 20 stars if I could.


Some books entertain you. Some books consume you. And then there are the ones that drag you into absolute chaos, make you laugh until you can't breathe, rip your heart out just enough to keep you addicted, and leave you staring at the final page wondering how you're supposed to survive until the sequel. This was that book.
From page one, I was completely hooked. The writing is effortlessly sharp, the banter is wickedly funny, the chemistry is electric, and every chapter somehow pulls you deeper into the madness. It's dark, hilarious, romantic, and completely impossible to put down.
Atlas and Summer are walking disasters in the most beautiful way imaginable.
Atlas? Consider my heart officially stolen. This man is dangerously attractive, hopelessly obsessed, morally questionable, and waving every red flag like it's a victory parade... yet somehow he still radiates golden retriever energy. Watching him fall harder every time Summer revealed another piece of her beautifully chaotic soul was honestly one of my favourite parts of the entire book. He's protective, completely gone for her, and absolutely delusional in the best possible way.
And Summer? She's everything. Fierce, resilient, vulnerable, chaotic, sarcastic, and unapologetically herself. She refuses to shrink for anyone, and that's exactly what makes her so compelling. She's the kind of heroine who makes reckless decisions, owns every one of them, and somehow makes you cheer her on anyway.
Together, they're pure anarchy.
Their relationship never relies on unnecessary toxicity to create tension. Instead, it's built on relentless teasing, razor-sharp banter, mutual chaos, and an undeniable connection that makes every interaction feel alive. They challenge each other, drive each other insane, and somehow fit together like two beautifully broken puzzle pieces.
Can we talk about the humour for a second? Because I genuinely laughed from beginning to end. Summer's very first strike against Atlas had me absolutely wheezing, and somehow the comedy never took away from the darker moments—it made them hit even harder. The balance between humour, romance, and emotional depth is executed so well that every scene feels effortless.
The spice sits comfortably around 🌶️ 3.5/5, but what I loved most is that it actually serves the story. It's passionate, playful, emotional, filthy when it needs to be, and perfectly reflects who Atlas and Summer are. It never feels forced—it simply deepens their connection.
Beneath all the flirting, chaos, and sizzling chemistry is a darker thread that kept me completely invested: the mystery surrounding Summer's family's murder and her relentless pursuit of revenge. While romance remains the heart of the story, the suspense adds just enough danger to keep you constantly turning the pages... and that cliffhanger? Absolutely criminal.
This book gave me everything I wanted: dark romance, addictive banter, laugh-out-loud moments, emotional depth, obsessive love, mystery, and two gloriously unhinged characters I never wanted to leave.
⭐ Rating: 5/5 🖤 If your favourite love language is "touch her and you'll disappear," morally grey men with puppy-dog devotion, chaotic heroines, razor-sharp banter, dark secrets, and couples who match each other's madness perfectly... prepare to become completely obsessed.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scent of Crazy by D. A. Valerian
Book 1 in the Red Flags Series
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 stars

What to Expect:
Revenge Plot
Mutual Stalking
Both Are Morally Gray
Secret Identity
Organized Crime
He Falls First
Dark Humor

ARC Review
This book is unhinged in the best way possible.

From the very beginning, you know you’re not getting a typical romance, and it delivers on that promise. Summer and Atlas are both chaotic, dangerous, and completely morally gray, which made their dynamic so damn good. The mutual stalking, the tension, the twisted games…. I ate it up!

One of my favourite things about the book was the banter. It’s genuinely funny, and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times. Their back-and-forth felt natural and unhinged at the same time, in a way that fits their personalities perfectly.

Summer
Her grief over her twin’s death is so powerful that it hits you right in your chest. Struggling to look at herself because she sees himself in her made me break a little. It honestly hit a bit close to home. When my mom passed, people had a hard time looking at me because I look just like her, so I can understand the emotional toll that takes on a person, and I could resonate with Summer in that moment. The bond she describes, how losing him feels like losing half of herself, adds an emotional toll to her story. It’s not just her revenge; it’s love, loss, and a grief that never truly heals.

Atlas
He’s possessive, intense, slightly unhinged (okay, very unhinged), but what I loved was how quickly he became gone for her. The “he falls first” trope is STRONG here, and watching him go from control to complete obsession was very entertaining.

Link
I needed to shout Link out; he quickly became one of my favourite characters. He stood out to me because he’s someone who actually tried to be the voice of reason and protect Summer in his own way, which added an interesting layer to the group dynamic.

Overall
Dark, chaotic, and completely addictive–this book had me hooked from start to finish. The mix of twisted romance, emotional depth, and unhinged characters made it impossible to put down. If you love morally gray characters, tension, and a little bit of “this is so wrong, but I’m obsessed,” this one absolutely delivers.

I’m 100% continuing this series, and I can’t wait for the next book.


Quotes:

"Fuck... She's the kind of woman wars get started over."

"Death only likes to bang me, but it never keeps me."

"Where others see your destructive side, I recognize a woman strong enough to fight for what she wants, not letting anyone push her around. You are a force of nature nothing compares to. Don't let anyone tell you the darkness you possess is something bad. It's the best part of you. A unique kind of darkness that brings light to me every time I think of you."

“Choke on your blood as I choked on my tears.”

“But the bottom line is, you took my brother from me, and for that… I’ll drown your fucking world in blood.”

[Elif Hazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴄᴇɴᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴄʀᴀᴢʏ || ᴀʀᴄ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ

“𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓲𝓽 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓻, 𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝓼𝓱𝓮’𝓼 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱.”

✨4/5
🌶️4/5

Summer, “THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE.” I’m absolutely smitten with you,
Too bad for you.Death only likes to bang me, but it never keeps me.
My girl – your plan for revenge and the way you’re playing with Atlas like a dog. Oh, and Atlas, my darling, thinks he’s the one luring Summer into his own game. Little does he know, the game’s already been set up.

𝘏𝘦’𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴.

Atlas uses one to summon Summer to the bar and, whilst intent on killing anyone who approaches her, slips up behind his girl and joins her in her dance—but he’s so taken with Summer that he’s going mad for her skin, especially those lips of hers. He’s literally writhing with the urge to kiss her. “I want to kiss the creature in my possession more than I’ve ever wanted a fuck.” And of course, he can’t resist – but it’s not just his inability to resist; Summer’s response makes for such a kiss that, oh my God. The bar – and we – are ablaze.

𝐼𝑡’𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑟…
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚.

𝑆ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒…
𝑆𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒. 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑜 𝑔𝑜𝑑𝑑𝑎𝑚𝑛 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒, 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛’𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑝 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑟.𝐻𝑒’𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛’𝑡 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠.

Summer’s love for her brother and the path of vengeance she has embarked upon for his sake move me so deeply; it is the sweetest bond of sibling love in the world. She has even given up on herself for his sake. Clinging to her dreams, even though it causes her pain, just to see Milo…

“𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘰 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.”
𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘧 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮.

My goodness, what a scene it was when Atlas walked into Summer’s room and tied her up. Even though Summer was captivated by Atlas and his skilful hands and lips, she acted as if she hated him, yet Atlas, realising just how much he relished her faintest moans and every little expression, carried on teasing her.

“𝑂𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒.”
“𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒.”
“𝐼 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝐺𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒.”“𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑝𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑦 𝑡𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑝 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑠𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒.”
“𝑀𝑦 𝑝𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝑂𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑟.”
“𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑙, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑘 𝑂𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝑆𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑐ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑.”

And then there’s Summer’s revenge scene!! Girl, you’re brilliant. Just look at Atlas, left standing there begging you. She toyed with him so much that Atlas—who thought he was the big bad wolf—ended up as nothing more than a puppy at Summer’s feet. A puppy, at that, desperate for Summer and the slightest touch from her.

“𝐼’𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒. 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑎 𝑑𝑜𝑔 𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠ℎ, 𝑢𝑛𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑗𝑒𝑟𝑘 𝑜𝑓𝑓, 𝑢𝑛𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑚𝑒…”

🔥Dark Romance
💥Possessive MMC
😜Dark Humor
🖇️Forced Proximity

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure chaos with a scent of crazy. 😏 I loved the game of cat and mouse, but which character is the cat and which is the mouse? Honestly it depended on who had the upper hand at any given time because it was always switching and that was the attraction that kept me reading this book. 

Summer Night was formally known as Maeve, lost everything and now has a new name given by...witness protection, FBI, CIA...honestly, I wasn't entirely sure, but she had someone on the inside who had not only helped her change her identity, but had helped her chase down the information to seek vengeance on Mason Holt and his crime enterprise. The man who was responsible for taking away her former life and family. Summer is doing this through Atlas Holt, Mason's son, by driving him mad with her demon ways. At least according to Atlas.😏

Atlas is transfixed by Summer. He can't stop thinking about her from the first moment he meets her and that isn't like Atlas at all. Summer has him wrapped around her little finger, but in a dangerous game of who will survive to see the next day. She isn't like any woman he knows and that is all part of her allure. He can't stay away and that's exactly what she's counting on.😏

This book is unhinged, chaotic and yet compassionate in all of the best ways, especially when the moment calls for it. Both Summer and Atlas are what I would deem burnt black marshmallows and only for each other. Their craziness was a total draw for the other and the more they let their insanity out the more their chemistry levels rose. The dark crazy cycle continues until it was inevitable for them to be consumed by each other in a vortex of passion. That part of the story was completely addictive and I was there for it.

I will admit, the rest of the plot I was much more hazy on, but it didn't exactly stop my reading. I loved Summer and Atlas as a total red-flagged couple because his crazy matched hers and vice versa. While the book began as a game of vengeance, somewhere along the way Summer's views shifted and the man she was watching, the in she thought she needed to use to get her revenge, suddenly began to slip away. It's crazy, goes beyond the gray, and was quite the wild ride. As a dark romance, a total yes!!

While I appreciated the rest of the plot that the author was trying to weave into the book, multiple times the pacing felt a bit uneven and that could simply be due to this being a debut novel. I still enjoyed this couple and their intense chemistry, especially their off-the-wall banter. Atlas' inner thoughts constantly made me chuckle and I'm always a sucker for a dark hero that has a sense of humor. So overall, this was a solid 4.5 star read.

[Jennifer English · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you ever go into a book, knowing its red flag city? Like, not 1 or 2 but like, a whole field of them? Yeah, that was this book. I knew it was not going to be a light read, I knew there were going to be red flags. I just didn't know I would enjoy the red flags, just like our main characters, heck, even side characters do. Please, please, check the trigger warning before reading this book.

Summer is on a vengeance quest. Atlas is her target. Well, the target to help her get to her real targets. She stalks, I mean, watches him for a good while to learn what it is he like but also what will keep his attention. She even breaks into his room while he sleeps at night. Then she puts her plan in motion. And Atlas doesnt know what hit him.

He thinks he's perusing her, not knowing that she's made herself be the thing that he wants. Except, her true side keeps peeking through and thats the side that he's desperate for. I cannot even begin to list the things that he did that were major red flags, that would make any sane person run the other way. The things he does, the things he says, the way he treats her - just think of the dude running in the video with the massive red flag. Yeah, thats Atlas. Except, Summer is a bit that herself, so it only makes sense that they're explosive together.

His friends, that he considers his brothers, knows that theres more to her than what she shows, they try to tell Atlas, but he doesn't care. He knows she's hiding things and he's ok with it. As long as they end up together, he just does not care. When her back story comes fully to light, my heart absolutely breaks for her. I know this is a book but I also know things like that happen in real life, and it just isn't right. Thankfully, Atlas and his friends agree. Even if they still dont know everything, they want to help. When it all comes to a head, each of the guys try to protect Summer in their own way, but by now they should know she can handle herself. And she does, so spectacularly.

Oh! Y'all, the spice between 2 walking red flags is out of this world. Like straight up 🥵🥵🥵 I didn't want y'all to think there was none of that, because theres a lot more then you would expect in a vengeance quest story.

I think this is going to be one of those stories that will stay with me, like makes me think back on it, over the years. I read a lot, so a lot of stories kinda blend together. But there's a few, like this one, that stand out, that I'm going to have no trouble remembering, because it was written so well, and it was so good, not just the bad but the good as well.

Thank you so much Grey's Promotions for allowing me to ARC read this! It was definitely one of the stand out books for 2026!

[Meissa Visser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Het boek wordt verteld vanuit een dubbel perspectief (dual POV), wat perfect werkt voor de psychologische spelletjes die de hoofdpersonages met elkaar spelen.

​Summer Night manipuleert, bedriegt en stalkt. Ze is geobsedeerd door Atlas Holt, maar niet uit pure liefde; ze heeft hem en zijn invloedrijke vriendengroep nodig om een bloederige familierewraak te voltooien. Ze heeft haar valstrik minutieus opgezet, maar heeft buiten de onvoorspelbaarheid van haar doelwit gerekend. ​Atlas Holt is een charmante, maar volkomen onhinged en geobsedeerde man die al snel doorheeft dat Summer een gevaarlijk spel speelt. In plaats van weg te rennen, windt het hem alleen maar meer op. Hij valt als eerste (he falls first) en is bereid om met haar de afgrond in te springen, zolang ze maar van hem is.

​Wat volgt is een dynamiek van wederzijdse stalking en vlijmscherpe dialogen (killer banter). Terwijl Summer probeert haar geheime identiteit te beschermen, probeert Atlas te ontrafelen hoeveel lijken er werkelijk in haar kast liggen.

​Wat maakt dit boek zo goed? ​1. De ultieme 'Morally Grey' dynamiek

​Zowel Summer als Atlas zijn verre van traditionele helden. Ze zijn moreel grijs, berekenend en gedijen op chaos. De aantrekkingskracht tussen hen is elektrisch en destructief. Juist omdat ze aan elkaar gewaagd zijn, blijft het machtsspel tot de laatste pagina boeiend. Atlas heeft de perfecte bad-boy vibe, maar transformeert in een absolute 'cinnamon roll' zodra het op de veiligheid en bezitterigheid van Summer aankomt.

​2. IJzersterke humor en scherpe dialogen

​Hoewel de thema's (wraak, stalking, moorddadige neigingen) behoorlijk duister zijn, houdt de schrijfstijl van Valerian het tempo er flink in met een flinke dosis zwarte humor. De interacties en dialogen tussen de twee zijn adembenemend scherp en vaak erg grappig.

​3. Intrigerende bijfiguren

​Naast de intense chemie tussen Atlas en Summer, legt het boek een sterke basis voor de rest van de serie. De chemie die op de achtergrond broeit tussen personages als Raven en Link, en de introductie van Dean, Connor en Carter, zorgen ervoor dat je direct door wilt lezen in het volgende deel.

​Eindoordeel

​The Scent of Crazy is een heerlijke, wilde rit voor liefhebbers van het genre. Het balanceert op een dunne lijn tussen romantiek en pure psychologische oorlogsvoering. Hoewel het boek een afgerond verhaal heeft met een gegarandeerde Happily Ever After (HEA), laat de subtiele opzet naar het volgende deel je hongerig achter naar meer rode vlaggen.

[Christina Volavka · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: The Scent of Crazy (Red Flags Book 1) by D.A. Valerian

​Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Red Flags)
​If you are a fan of dark romance that is pitch-black, utterly unhinged, and beautifully toxic, stop what you are doing and add D.A. Valerian’s debut novel to your TBR immediately. The Scent of Crazy doesn't just enter the dark romance arena; it burns the whole house down and builds a throne from the ashes.

​🖤 The Vibe & Pacing
​This book is a masterclass in tension and pacing. It is an "all-nighter" kind of read—the type of story that will have you flipping pages until 7:00 AM completely captivated. Valerian delivers an intensely hypnotic atmosphere, which is elevated even further if you listen along to the author's curated playlist. From page one, the narrative tightly grips you and refuses to let go.

​🎭 Flawless Dual POV & Character Dynamics
​The story thrives on a brilliant, alternating chapter-by-chapter dual POV format that maximizes the electric tension between the two leads:

​Summer / Maeve: A fierce, "rather die than tap out" heroine. Forged in an iron will, she is a survivor driven by a dark past, seeking ultimate revenge on the campus of Veridian University.

​Atlas Holt: The quintessential possessive, alpha-hole criminal mastermind dialed up to a solid 100/10. Once his obsessive sights are locked onto Summer, all her plotting and scheming face the ultimate match.

​The supporting cast—The Sinful Inner Circle (Dean, Lincoln, and the Hayes twins) and Summer's fierce best friend, Raven—adds incredible layers of chaos, charm, and setup for future books.

​🩸 What to Expect
​The wild content disclaimer is not just for show; the author flawlessly executes every single boundary-pushing theme with purpose and narrative necessity:
​Darkness bleeding through every page
​Morally corrupt characters, psychos, and infatuated stalkers
​Explicit violence and scintillating, high-stakes spice
​Sophisticated, elevated vocabulary that beautifully enhances the prose.

​🏛️ The Verdict
​The Scent of Crazy wraps up on a perfect, mild cliffhanger that will leave you front-row, center, and desperately waiting for Book 2. For a debut novel, this reads like the work of a seasoned veteran dark-romance masterpiece.

​Thank you to the author/publisher for providing an advanced copy. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Fury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the very first chapter.

I love when a story drops you straight into the action instead of spending chapters warming up, and The Scent of Crazy did exactly that. The opening immediately grabbed my attention, and from there I couldn't put it down. I spent my workday thinking about getting home so I could keep reading, and when I finally had a quiet day to myself, all I wanted to do was finish this book.

Atlas and Summer's chemistry is phenomenal. Their banter builds tension naturally, the emotional moments hit just as hard as the spicy ones, and the relationship never felt rushed. One of my favorite aspects was how the romance developed alongside learning who these characters really are. Summer's backstory completely pulled me in, and Atlas' unwavering devotion to her made me melt more than once.

The dialogue is another standout. There are so many lines that made me stop and reread them because they were just that good. The possessive, protective energy without sacrificing emotional vulnerability was exactly my kind of romance. Once I realized the dynamic between Atlas and Summer, everything clicked into place in the best way.

I also loved Atlas' crew. They're distinct, entertaining, and left me genuinely excited to read the rest of the series. That's something I don't say often. Usually side characters blend together… but this group made me want more of every one of them.

The pacing felt great throughout. The first intimate scene arrives at exactly the right time, rewarding the buildup without making readers wait forever, and the emotional stakes continue to escalate from there. By the time I reached the ending, I was completely invested. And that cliffhanger? Cruel in the best possible way. I immediately wanted Book 2.

If you enjoy dark romance with obsessive devotion, sharp banter, emotional depth, memorable side characters, and a healthy dose of "touch her and die" energy, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.

Thank you to D.A. Valerian and Grey Promotions for the ARC. All opinions are my own, and I'll absolutely be continuing this series.

[Elly Ando · Rating 5 out of 5]

I inhaled this in two days just to be rewarded with a cliffhanger and no Book 2. Rude. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is one of those books that’s impossible to put down because it gets everything right. The writing is sharp, the humour lands every single time, the chemistry is addictive, and underneath all the flirting and chaos is a story that keeps you invested.

Atlas and Summer are absolute maniacs… and somehow they’re perfect together.

Atlas completely stole my heart. He’s hot, completely smitten, a walking red flag, and somehow still has major puppy energy. Watching him fall harder and harder as Summer lets her true self shine was one of my favourite parts of the book.

Summer is just as unhinged in the best way. She’s resilient, vulnerable, hilarious, and never apologises for who she is. Their relationship never felt toxic for the sake of shock value—they tease each other constantly, push each other’s buttons, and every interaction feels playful, honest and ridiculously entertaining.

The humour deserves its own mention because I was laughing the entire way through. Summer’s first strike on Atlas had me absolutely losing it, and the comedy never took away from the romance—it made it even better.

The spice sits around 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5, but what I loved most is that it wasn’t just there to be spicy. It was funny, emotional, filthy and completely matched their personalities.

There’s also a mystery running beneath the romance surrounding Summer’s family’s murder and her quest for revenge. While not the main focus, it adds just enough suspense before ending on a cliffhanger that has me desperate for the next book.

If you love:

* ❤️ Mutual obsession
* 🖤 Psycho x psycho
* 😂 Banter that actually makes you laugh
* 🐶 He falls first… and then somehow falls even harder
* 🚩 Fictional red flag book boyfriends
* 🤭 The “he comes in his pants” microtrope

…then this absolutely needs to be on your TBR.

[Camryn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

۶ৎ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴄᴇɴᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴄʀᴀᴢʏ ʙʏ ᴅ.ᴀ. ᴠᴀʟᴇʀɪᴀɴ

#arcreview

ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★★

𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩 - mutual stalking, dark college romance, found family, secret identity, organized crime, dark humor, revenge plot, Manipulative, vengence-driven FMC, Obsessed and way too optimistic MMC

—

Absolutely freaking book idc, was hooked from the first chapter! The dynamics, secrets, and plot was just chef kiss and I can’t wait for more of this unhinged group and how the storyline is going to continue throughout the series. I love me a good revenge plot book and this one was done so well and I loved seeing how everything unfolded.

Summer is living under an different identity than what she was before her entire family was killed right in front of her while she watched and she may have been saved at the last minute but she won’t stop until the ring leader is gone who is also Atlas dad. Summer is such an amazing and hilarious fmc lol I love her so much she’s crazy but in a good way hehe and so unapologetic herself

Summer begins stalking Atlas and after a while he also stalks her cause she made such an impression on him. These two are so freaking perfect for each other it makes so much sense their love language is literally kidnapping each other lol. I love them so much and I had quite a time reading this I couldn’t get enough of their relationship and the side characters!

Hot, a red flag, and morally gray!? You already know I fell for Atlas and basically his whole friend group lol I love them down they made me laugh cause their dynamic was something so good and I can’t wait for more of them. Can Atlas be an idiot sometimes? Yes but idc cause he still don’t play about his girl

Atlas and Summer’s chemistry and intense energy was something so special the kidnapping, stalking, pranks and crazy ways of flirting with each other was so satisfying because I was eating it up! I love these two and this was such a great start to this series especially with some of the information we were getting and I did freaking sob about bear my shaylaaa

Thank You So Much for giving me this incredible arc !💐🖤

[Jinane Abou Hassan zahran · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This was one wild, chaotic ride. Dark, funny, addictive, and completely unhinged. I was actually fooled by the "romantic comedy" genre description despite the author's warning: "Don't let the 'romantic' or 'comedy' labels fool you." And they weren't kidding: there's plenty of darkness bleeding through these pages. So, indeed, "proceed with curiosity... and caution".

Summer and Atlas are the definition of two walking red flags. Their predator-versus-predator dynamic and their banter were so much fun to read. They gave as much as they took, along with the constant push and pull between them... She's a total badass! Strong and on a mission. She's in it for revenge; he's in it out of curiosity... at first. Atlas is immediately intrigued by Summer, while she's determined to use him as a means to avenge her family. Hiding her true identity, she sets her plan in motion, never expecting things to become so complicated or for her heart to change everything... and to find in him the support and healing she needs. He's the best, the sweetest...

They stalk each other, constantly try to outsmart one another, and create plenty of tension, laughs, and unforgettable spicy moments along the way. Atlas has already lost so much, and once he falls for Summer/Maeve, he refuses to lose her too, even after the truth comes out. Their chemistry only grows stronger.

I also loved the group of friends/brothers/associates, and I can't wait to read their books. The author did a great job blending dark romance with humor. This was an impressive debut. There were a few moments where the pacing felt a little uneven and repetitive, but the story was very well written. The scenes were so vivid that it was easy to picture everything unfolding as I read. This is a twisted toxic romance between two beautifully unhinged people who are somehow perfect for each other and impossible not to love.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review: Totally Normal Dating Habits and Other Lies I Tell Myself

If your reading list is currently missing that specific brand of "unhinged" passion that makes you want to lock your doors and simultaneously throw them wide open, you need to clear your schedule for The Scent of Crazy by D.A. Valerian.

Let’s be honest: we all love a "dating" story where the lines between adoration and absolute obsession are blurred so much they basically don't exist. Enter Summer and Atlas.

The chemistry here? Electric. Volatile. Absolutely unhinged in the best way possible. Watching the dance between these two is like watching a beautiful, chaotic car crash that you cannot—under any circumstances—look away from.

Why you’ll be addicted:

Dual POV Excellence: Getting inside both of their heads throughout their "courtship" (or, let’s be real, their masterclass in stalking) is pure gold. It’s fascinating, slightly terrifying, and entirely addictive to see how they justify their... enthusiasm for one another.

The Spice: If you loved Navessa Allen’s Into Darkness series, consider this your new obsession. It’s that same addictive, high-stakes, "I-might-lose-my-mind-but-I-don’t-care" energy. You will crave it.

The Vibe: It’s spicy, it’s dark, and it’s quirkier than your average romance. It’s the kind of book you read in one sitting, heart hammering, wondering exactly how far these two are going to go.

The Scent of Crazy is not just a book. It is an experience. It is the literary equivalent of a dangerous perfume. You know you should probably stay away, but the scent is just too intoxicating to ignore. Grab your copy and prepare to be obsessed. Just make sure you hide your stash of chocolate bars before you start reading, or the Handsome Chocolate Bar Thief might sneak in and steal them all while you are distracted by the drama.

#DarkRomance #DarkRomCom #MorallyGray #Revenge #HeFallsFirst @greyspromo

[dontbthrmeimreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars! This is an absolute must read debut novel from D.A. Valerian.
The FMC, Summer, is an absolutely feral and tough as nails girl with one thing on her mind and that is revenge. However, after meeting Atlas, who doesn't know how to take a hint well (lol), Summer is conflicted.
The backstory for Summer gets dropped on us throughout the book in small pieces and we never get the full picture until almost the end. It is heartbreaking and makes you realize why she is as tough as she is.
Atlas has dark side to him but with Summer you rarely get to see it, and I think I laughed though this book more than anything. Their banter, quips, and ways that they would needle under each other's skin was the most entertaining. His disbelief at her audacity to pull some of the things was hilarious! I honestly loved so many little things like Cindy and Mindy, the snakes and "Who the f*ck needs a pinky, anyway?"
The beautiful moments were something else too and had me crying at one point.
"Where others see your destructive side, I recognize a woman strong enough to fight for what she ants, not letting anyone push her around. You are a force of nature nothing compares to. Don't let anyone tell you the darkness you possess is something bad. It's the best part of you. A unique kind of darkness that brings light to me every time I think of you."
It would have been 5 stars, however, there were a few things for me. There was an overuse of exclamation points and seemed to be in the wrong places. Also, character introduction or not explaining certain things. There is Gabriel and he is important to the story, but it was not explained really who he was until the end.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

The Scent of Crazy by D.A. Valerian was a wildly unhinged, darkly funny, and addictive ride from beginning to end. This is definitely not a romance for readers looking for soft, sweet, emotionally stable characters, and honestly, that is part of the fun. Summer and Atlas are walking red flags, but they are written with so much chaos, chemistry, and sharp-edged humor that I could not look away.

I really enjoyed the predator-versus-predator energy between them. Their dynamic was messy, obsessive, manipulative, dangerous, and completely entertaining. Instead of one character being the obvious hunter and the other the prey, the power kept shifting back and forth, making their relationship feel unpredictable in the best way. Summer is not your typical heroine, and I appreciated how bold, twisted, and unapologetically morally gray she was. Atlas matched her energy beautifully, which made their banter and tension even more fun.

The humor was one of my favorite parts. For such a dark romance, there were so many moments that made me laugh or shake my head at just how ridiculous and chaotic these two were. The book knows exactly what it is, and it fully commits to the madness. I also liked the dual POV because getting inside both of their heads made the obsession, secrets, and emotional games even more entertaining.

Overall, The Scent of Crazy is dark, funny, spicy, twisted, and completely committed to its red-flag romance energy. Summer and Atlas are toxic, entertaining, and strangely perfect for each other. This was a strong debut, and I am definitely curious to see where the Red Flags series goes next.

Thanks to D.A. Valerian for gifting me an eARC of The Scent of Crazy. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection! This book was awesome! I love it from the first page to the very last. I’ve been in a big book slump for a while now, and this book brought me out of it. It’s intense, dark, hilarious, super spicy, and so much fun.

Summer (Meave) lost her family and is out for revenge. She enrolls in the same school as her family's killer's son, Atlas, just to get closer to his dad so she can kill him. As their stalker games begin, it turns into something more than just a cat-and-mouse chase. Summer is one of my favorite FMCs. I just love her. She is cute, sexy, and beautiful, but she is also dangerous, unhinged, and badass to the bone. She’s intelligent and strategic. All the right formulas in what I look for in my FMC.

Atlas is Summer’s perfect match. He’s literally the Yin to her Yang. He’s just as unhinged as she is. He’s possessive, intelligent, hot, and craves her attention just as much as he stalks her. Summer played him so well that she got Atlas chasing after her from the first time they bumped into each other, turning playboy Atlas into wanting only Summer and no one else.

The plot, side characters, and chemistry for each character flow perfectly. How D.A. built up Summer and Atlas’s chemistry works for me. I get to feel their emotions, heartbreaks, sparks, and love. We get both POVs, so I get to bond with both characters, which is a plus. We get to know Atlas’s friends who are like brothers to him and Raven, Summer’s bff. The guys are hilarious when they banter and bicker with each other. There’s a lot of humor, which made me lol a lot. I really can’t wait for book 2! This was such a good read that I was kind of bum when it was over. This book is definitely worth it.