What do you think?
Rate this book
A Gilded Game
It's all just a game to them.
But I'm playing for keeps.
The badger. The bear. The bull.
Like we're pieces on a chessboard, they play with us. Like we're not human. Like we're inconsequential. Like they can do whatever they want.
Their wealth and privilege make them think they can get away with it. But it's a long fall from the ivory tower.
They ruined lives, locked us in cages, and took what they wanted.
The game they played was gilded.
The game I'm playing is carnal.
But I'm playing for keeps.
The badger. The bear. The bull.
Like we're pieces on a chessboard, they play with us. Like we're not human. Like we're inconsequential. Like they can do whatever they want.
Their wealth and privilege make them think they can get away with it. But it's a long fall from the ivory tower.
They ruined lives, locked us in cages, and took what they wanted.
The game they played was gilded.
The game I'm playing is carnal.
- GenresDarkDark Romance
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2026
25 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
April 23, 2026
⭐️ 5/5
This was an amazing and well written pitch black, dark romance. I went into this with a vague understanding of what it would be about, but it did not disappoint.
Cal is a man who has demons, and he tries to satiate those thoughts and feelings when Amber comes into his life. He is enamored by her and their relationship progresses as they oddly find comfort in each other. Amber also has a traumatic past, but can’t seem to process the feelings she’s going through. There was a bit of a twist near the ending, but thankfully ends in a HEA.
I couldn’t put this down and I’m so excited to check out this author’s other books. Thank you Carly Claire for providing this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
#AGildedGame #CarlyClaire #ARC
This was an amazing and well written pitch black, dark romance. I went into this with a vague understanding of what it would be about, but it did not disappoint.
Cal is a man who has demons, and he tries to satiate those thoughts and feelings when Amber comes into his life. He is enamored by her and their relationship progresses as they oddly find comfort in each other. Amber also has a traumatic past, but can’t seem to process the feelings she’s going through. There was a bit of a twist near the ending, but thankfully ends in a HEA.
I couldn’t put this down and I’m so excited to check out this author’s other books. Thank you Carly Claire for providing this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
#AGildedGame #CarlyClaire #ARC
June 9, 2025
4.25⭐️
I got an arc, but my rating/review are my own!
omg this was so damm good!!!🫣🫣🫣
the beginning was so dark that I was not sure i was going to be avail to continue👀👀 but talking about the book to friends made me so excited to go back🫣🫣 i don't know what that says about me👀👀🫣🫣 do read the tw before going into this!!!
quotes:
••
𝕴 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖐 𝕴 𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖓 𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖌𝖊𝖙 𝖞𝖔 𝖇𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍 𝖎𝖓 𝖒𝖞 𝖊𝖝𝖈𝖎𝖙𝖊𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙.
𝕾𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖉𝖎𝖛𝖎𝖓𝖊
••
"𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓼𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓼 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓼𝓸 𝓭𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓬𝓲𝓸𝓾𝓼. 𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝓸 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓘 𝓬𝓪𝓷'𝓽 𝔀𝓪𝓲𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓰𝓮𝓽 𝓪 𝓽𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽'𝓼 𝓫𝓮𝓽𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓵𝓮𝓰𝓼."
"𝓘'𝓵𝓵 𝓵𝓮𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓶𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓘 𝓴𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓘'𝓵𝓵 𝓵𝓮𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓮𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓰𝓸 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓷𝓮𝔁𝓽 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓸𝔀𝓷𝓮𝓻... 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓰𝓸𝓭."
••
"𝕾𝖚𝖈𝖍 𝖆 𝖕𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖙𝖞 𝖘𝖑𝖚𝖙 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖒𝖊."
"𝕲𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑. 𝕾𝖊𝖊? 𝕴𝖙'𝖘 𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖘𝖔 𝖇𝖆𝖉. 𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖒𝖆𝖉𝖊 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖒𝖊.... 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖘"
••
"𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮'𝓼 𝓶𝔂 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓬𝓲𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓰𝓲𝓻𝓵."
"𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓪 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓹𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓾𝓻𝓮, 𝓛𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓭𝓸𝓵𝓵? 𝓘 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷'𝓽 𝓪𝓷𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓻 𝓶𝓮, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓫𝓸𝓭𝔂 𝓲𝓼 𝓽𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓻 𝓲𝓼 𝔂𝓮𝓼."
••
"𝖄𝖔𝖚'𝖗𝖊 𝖘𝖔 𝖋𝖚𝖈𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖆𝖉𝖉𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖛𝖊"
••
"𝓦𝓱𝔂? 𝓐𝓻𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓻𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓰𝓮𝓽 𝓶𝓮 𝓭𝓻𝓾𝓷𝓴 𝓼𝓸 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓪𝓭𝓿𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓰𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓶𝓮?"
"𝓘𝓯 𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓪𝓭𝓿𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓰𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓭𝓸𝓵𝓵, 𝓘'𝓭 𝓼𝓲𝓶𝓹𝓵𝔂 𝓻𝓸𝓵𝓵 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓲𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓼𝓵𝓮𝓮𝓹. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓵𝓮𝓮𝓹 𝓺𝓾𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓵𝔂."👀👀
••
tropes:
☆🍁dark romance
☆🍁killer
☆🍁he falls first & harder
☆🍁revenge
☆🍁medical play
☆🍁somnophilia 🫣
☆🍁🍇/noncon/dubcon
....
I got an arc, but my rating/review are my own!
omg this was so damm good!!!🫣🫣🫣
the beginning was so dark that I was not sure i was going to be avail to continue👀👀 but talking about the book to friends made me so excited to go back🫣🫣 i don't know what that says about me👀👀🫣🫣 do read the tw before going into this!!!
quotes:
••
𝕴 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖐 𝕴 𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖓 𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖌𝖊𝖙 𝖞𝖔 𝖇𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍 𝖎𝖓 𝖒𝖞 𝖊𝖝𝖈𝖎𝖙𝖊𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙.
𝕾𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖉𝖎𝖛𝖎𝖓𝖊
••
"𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓼𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓼 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓼𝓸 𝓭𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓬𝓲𝓸𝓾𝓼. 𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝓸 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓘 𝓬𝓪𝓷'𝓽 𝔀𝓪𝓲𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓰𝓮𝓽 𝓪 𝓽𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽'𝓼 𝓫𝓮𝓽𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓵𝓮𝓰𝓼."
"𝓘'𝓵𝓵 𝓵𝓮𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓶𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓘 𝓴𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓘'𝓵𝓵 𝓵𝓮𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓮𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓰𝓸 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓷𝓮𝔁𝓽 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓸𝔀𝓷𝓮𝓻... 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓰𝓸𝓭."
••
"𝕾𝖚𝖈𝖍 𝖆 𝖕𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖙𝖞 𝖘𝖑𝖚𝖙 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖒𝖊."
"𝕲𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑. 𝕾𝖊𝖊? 𝕴𝖙'𝖘 𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖘𝖔 𝖇𝖆𝖉. 𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖒𝖆𝖉𝖊 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖒𝖊.... 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖘"
••
"𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮'𝓼 𝓶𝔂 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓬𝓲𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓰𝓲𝓻𝓵."
"𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓪 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓹𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓾𝓻𝓮, 𝓛𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓭𝓸𝓵𝓵? 𝓘 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷'𝓽 𝓪𝓷𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓻 𝓶𝓮, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓫𝓸𝓭𝔂 𝓲𝓼 𝓽𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓻 𝓲𝓼 𝔂𝓮𝓼."
••
"𝖄𝖔𝖚'𝖗𝖊 𝖘𝖔 𝖋𝖚𝖈𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖆𝖉𝖉𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖛𝖊"
••
"𝓦𝓱𝔂? 𝓐𝓻𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓻𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓰𝓮𝓽 𝓶𝓮 𝓭𝓻𝓾𝓷𝓴 𝓼𝓸 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓪𝓭𝓿𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓰𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓶𝓮?"
"𝓘𝓯 𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓪𝓭𝓿𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓰𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓭𝓸𝓵𝓵, 𝓘'𝓭 𝓼𝓲𝓶𝓹𝓵𝔂 𝓻𝓸𝓵𝓵 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓲𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓼𝓵𝓮𝓮𝓹. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓵𝓮𝓮𝓹 𝓺𝓾𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓵𝔂."👀👀
••
tropes:
☆🍁dark romance
☆🍁killer
☆🍁he falls first & harder
☆🍁revenge
☆🍁medical play
☆🍁somnophilia 🫣
☆🍁🍇/noncon/dubcon
....
June 2, 2025
As someone who’s mind is always seeking unhinged an depraved with a HEA this is EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for.
Cal and Amber’s story is unconventional but beautiful. This book really made me question myself, broke my heart and pieced it back together.
This was my first Carly Claire book and it will definitely not be the last.
PLEASE read your triggers
Cal and Amber’s story is unconventional but beautiful. This book really made me question myself, broke my heart and pieced it back together.
This was my first Carly Claire book and it will definitely not be the last.
PLEASE read your triggers
May 31, 2025
A Gilded Game by Carly Claire – A Dark, Unflinching Tale of Resilience
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A Gilded Game” is a haunting and unrelenting exploration of power, survival, and the indomitable strength of the human spirit. Carly Claire crafts a world where darkness isn't just a backdrop—it's a force that shapes every character and every choice.
The protagonist is a woman forged in the crucible of adversity. Her journey is not one of passive endurance but of active resistance. She faces betrayal, manipulation, and cruelty, yet she refuses to be broken. Instead of succumbing to the oppressive forces around her, she fights back with intelligence, courage, and an unwavering will to reclaim her agency.
The narrative is steeped in tension, with each chapter tightening the grip of suspense. The author's prose is sharp and evocative, capturing the grim realities of the world while highlighting the flickers of hope that emerge from the protagonist's defiance.
What stands out most is the emotional depth of the story. It's a tale that doesn't shy away from the harshness of its world but also celebrates the resilience of its characters. The protagonist's struggle is both heartbreaking and inspiring, making her victories all the more poignant.
In conclusion, A Gilded Game is a must-read for those who appreciate stories of strength in the face of darkness. Carly Claire has delivered a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is gripping, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A Gilded Game” is a haunting and unrelenting exploration of power, survival, and the indomitable strength of the human spirit. Carly Claire crafts a world where darkness isn't just a backdrop—it's a force that shapes every character and every choice.
The protagonist is a woman forged in the crucible of adversity. Her journey is not one of passive endurance but of active resistance. She faces betrayal, manipulation, and cruelty, yet she refuses to be broken. Instead of succumbing to the oppressive forces around her, she fights back with intelligence, courage, and an unwavering will to reclaim her agency.
The narrative is steeped in tension, with each chapter tightening the grip of suspense. The author's prose is sharp and evocative, capturing the grim realities of the world while highlighting the flickers of hope that emerge from the protagonist's defiance.
What stands out most is the emotional depth of the story. It's a tale that doesn't shy away from the harshness of its world but also celebrates the resilience of its characters. The protagonist's struggle is both heartbreaking and inspiring, making her victories all the more poignant.
In conclusion, A Gilded Game is a must-read for those who appreciate stories of strength in the face of darkness. Carly Claire has delivered a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is gripping, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
June 10, 2025
Thank you Carly for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of your book. Here is my review.
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️.5
This was my first book by Carly and it’s in 1st person with different povs.
Please please check trigger warnings. This book has a lot of serial unaliving, noncon/dubcon , and mentally unwell characters.
Review:
What the heck was that!! I don’t think I have ever read a book like this one. The description leaves a lot of the book a secret. It’s dark and intense. We follow our MC Cal on his journey of fighting his beast who wants death to be satisfied, and loves having a human doll. FMC Amber is captured and becomes said doll, her trauma is so intense but provides for a great character building. Ugh I don’t want to say to much to give things away. Let’s just say it’s a must read to find out what happens. Ultimately Cals best friend Dex ( god that man is a saint for putting up with everything lol) helps him confront that what he is doing isn’t right and this is where Cal and Ambers story really picks up. Let’s just say it’s a book of revenge, healing, and finding that person to match your crazy.
I felt heartache, anger, maybe even cried some tears during this book. It really sucked me in towards the end. I did not see this book ending the way It did but thank-goodness It did!
Highly recommend for those who want dark and intense.
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️.5
This was my first book by Carly and it’s in 1st person with different povs.
Please please check trigger warnings. This book has a lot of serial unaliving, noncon/dubcon , and mentally unwell characters.
Review:
What the heck was that!! I don’t think I have ever read a book like this one. The description leaves a lot of the book a secret. It’s dark and intense. We follow our MC Cal on his journey of fighting his beast who wants death to be satisfied, and loves having a human doll. FMC Amber is captured and becomes said doll, her trauma is so intense but provides for a great character building. Ugh I don’t want to say to much to give things away. Let’s just say it’s a must read to find out what happens. Ultimately Cals best friend Dex ( god that man is a saint for putting up with everything lol) helps him confront that what he is doing isn’t right and this is where Cal and Ambers story really picks up. Let’s just say it’s a book of revenge, healing, and finding that person to match your crazy.
I felt heartache, anger, maybe even cried some tears during this book. It really sucked me in towards the end. I did not see this book ending the way It did but thank-goodness It did!
Highly recommend for those who want dark and intense.
June 2, 2025
I could not put this book down! Definitely a must read. This book is DARK and not for the faint of heart! It is raw and twisted! Read the trigger warnings and take them to heart.
April 1, 2026
Please please please check trigger warnings!
This book was insane and easily one of the darkest I’ve read. I did end up liking it but I was not prepared for how intense and heavy the beginning was going to be.
This was my first book by Carly Claire but I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from her.
ARC review
This book was insane and easily one of the darkest I’ve read. I did end up liking it but I was not prepared for how intense and heavy the beginning was going to be.
This was my first book by Carly Claire but I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from her.
ARC review
June 4, 2025
Dark, twisted, depraved… Check trigger warnings!!! And if they don’t bother you, dive in! Keep in mind, this is not for the weak hearted. Up, down, round and round. This book kept me on my toes. It kept me intrigued and glued to the pages. If you use trigger lists as a shopping list like I do, then dive in. But you have been warned 💜
April 5, 2026
ARC review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gilded Game is not a love story wrapped in softness it’s a war dressed up in silk and gold, and every move feels sharp enough to draw blood.
From the jump, there’s this heavy, suffocating sense of power imbalance. The elite treat people like pawns like animals, even and the symbolism of the badger, the bear, and the bull hits hard. It’s dehumanizing, intentional, and honestly a little chilling. You feel the injustice, and it builds this simmering rage that fuels the entire story.
But what makes this book addictive is the shift in control.
Because while their game is polished, calculated, and protected by wealth. Hers? It’s raw. It’s personal. It’s fueled by something much deeper than strategy it’s survival, vengeance, and hunger for control in a world that tried to strip it away.
The tone stays dark throughout, with a constant edge of danger. There’s no safety net here, no guarantee that things will turn out clean or fair. And that’s what makes every interaction feel so intense especially as lines blur between hatred, attraction, and power.
The characters aren’t easy to love, and that’s the point. They’re flawed, brutal, and shaped by a system that rewards cruelty. But watching the heroine step into the game not as a victim, but as a player is incredibly satisfying.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gilded Game is not a love story wrapped in softness it’s a war dressed up in silk and gold, and every move feels sharp enough to draw blood.
From the jump, there’s this heavy, suffocating sense of power imbalance. The elite treat people like pawns like animals, even and the symbolism of the badger, the bear, and the bull hits hard. It’s dehumanizing, intentional, and honestly a little chilling. You feel the injustice, and it builds this simmering rage that fuels the entire story.
But what makes this book addictive is the shift in control.
Because while their game is polished, calculated, and protected by wealth. Hers? It’s raw. It’s personal. It’s fueled by something much deeper than strategy it’s survival, vengeance, and hunger for control in a world that tried to strip it away.
The tone stays dark throughout, with a constant edge of danger. There’s no safety net here, no guarantee that things will turn out clean or fair. And that’s what makes every interaction feel so intense especially as lines blur between hatred, attraction, and power.
The characters aren’t easy to love, and that’s the point. They’re flawed, brutal, and shaped by a system that rewards cruelty. But watching the heroine step into the game not as a victim, but as a player is incredibly satisfying.
April 22, 2026
Another one of those books, I started had to leave for ARC reads, work, life ya know all those annoyances that infiltrate reading time 🙄
It starts off with Amber being snatched a subject of trafficking, she finds herself locked away with others. Some of these girls are taken away to never return. Our MMC Callum, has a beast inside him one who controls his hunger, his need for control, his need for bl00d but still he needs more…
ᴄᴀʟ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ʜᴇ'ꜱ ᴏʙʟɪᴠɪᴏᴜꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇʟʟ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ʙʀɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ.
From the start this story is fast paced, throwing us from one page to another securing us within their individual lives until they become dependent on one another in the darkest of ways 😬 Once behind this point the story starts to flatten to a steady pace but still with angst and emotions you’re not sure you want. As we progress we realise they both have trauma that needs to be addressed for them to build themselves back up. Be prepared for erotic horror, living doll situations, violence, spice, 🍇, CNC, somno and the rest; it is dark so be sure to check your triggers. I really enjoyed the storyline and the inclusion of other characters for me gave it a sense of a realism that draws you into their psyche.
It starts off with Amber being snatched a subject of trafficking, she finds herself locked away with others. Some of these girls are taken away to never return. Our MMC Callum, has a beast inside him one who controls his hunger, his need for control, his need for bl00d but still he needs more…
ᴄᴀʟ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ʜᴇ'ꜱ ᴏʙʟɪᴠɪᴏᴜꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇʟʟ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ʙʀɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ.
From the start this story is fast paced, throwing us from one page to another securing us within their individual lives until they become dependent on one another in the darkest of ways 😬 Once behind this point the story starts to flatten to a steady pace but still with angst and emotions you’re not sure you want. As we progress we realise they both have trauma that needs to be addressed for them to build themselves back up. Be prepared for erotic horror, living doll situations, violence, spice, 🍇, CNC, somno and the rest; it is dark so be sure to check your triggers. I really enjoyed the storyline and the inclusion of other characters for me gave it a sense of a realism that draws you into their psyche.
June 3, 2025
Oh Nelly! Read your trigger warnings! This book starts off strong with some whoa wtf moments but then you get to the psyche of Cal and Amber. She is strong but only when Cal bring that fierceness out and makes her see her strength. There is strength in healing, is how they met conventional, absolutely not, but the healing is true. Healing is not the same for everyone. So many good things that stood out one being “I think you have to be a little crazy to survive this world. If you aren’t, the world will bend you and break you until you are.” So true! Amber kept saying that two broken people couldn’t be together but their broken pieces seemed to fit and heal each other. Loved this book. I just had to get through the first part. Life is real and it is not all sunshine roses, it’s messy and it’s ugly. This first part does show the ugly parts but it does shine light on the beauty in the underbelly of crime. Find your little piece of light and heal.
June 19, 2025
Carly Claire you did it again!
*A Gilded Game is a DARK romance. It is not for the faint of heart and you should absolutely do your due diligence before diving it regarding your triggers.*
Amber and Cal… what can I even say without giving too much away.
The way Carly can weave her twisted web with these dark and spicy tales is otherworldly.
The twists and turns throughout this book really take you by surprise in the most deliciously depraved way. I 100% did not anticipate the major twist near the end.
I will be reading everything Carly has written because my depraved and unhinged mind recognizes her darkness in my own.
*A Gilded Game is a DARK romance. It is not for the faint of heart and you should absolutely do your due diligence before diving it regarding your triggers.*
Amber and Cal… what can I even say without giving too much away.
The way Carly can weave her twisted web with these dark and spicy tales is otherworldly.
The twists and turns throughout this book really take you by surprise in the most deliciously depraved way. I 100% did not anticipate the major twist near the end.
I will be reading everything Carly has written because my depraved and unhinged mind recognizes her darkness in my own.
June 4, 2025
PLEASE READ YOUR TRIGGERS AND REMEMBER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT!
As someone who absolutely loves books that are unhinged an depraved with or without a HEA, this is EXACTLY what l've been looking for! The MC’s story is unconventional but beautiful. I questioned my sanity more times than not with this book but it was oh so worth it! This was my first Carly Claire book and it will definitely not be the last.
As someone who absolutely loves books that are unhinged an depraved with or without a HEA, this is EXACTLY what l've been looking for! The MC’s story is unconventional but beautiful. I questioned my sanity more times than not with this book but it was oh so worth it! This was my first Carly Claire book and it will definitely not be the last.
June 3, 2025
Wow, this book is amazing! A dark & twisted romance that will have you on the edge of your seat more than once.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
They played a gilded game, using their privilege and wealth to destroy, to take, and to serve their greed.
I played a carnal game, one of blood and flesh, skin and sin. And I played it better.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
They played a gilded game, using their privilege and wealth to destroy, to take, and to serve their greed.
I played a carnal game, one of blood and flesh, skin and sin. And I played it better.
June 5, 2025
okay. It was daaaark but I absolutely loved it. The writing was *chef's kiss* and the characters were horrifically wonderful. Skipped right over morally grey into morally black. This is not for the faint of heart but apparently I have zero triggers.
May 9, 2025
Honestly, I think it’s very well written. It’s visceral. So DARK. In parts it is absolutely heartbreaking. I think it touches and encapsulates a monsters mind so well. It really read so realistically. I was ensnared. I was shaken. I had my breath taken multiple times. It was a real look at Kink, mental health after tragedy, and love.
I adored it. Truly it’s not the easiest read if you haven’t read a dark read before but i do HIGHLY recommend it. Claire NEVER misses with her writing.🙏🏽
I adored it. Truly it’s not the easiest read if you haven’t read a dark read before but i do HIGHLY recommend it. Claire NEVER misses with her writing.🙏🏽
June 4, 2025
Lemme just say that this was a RIDE..and if you have triggers and are not ok with mental health themes this is not for you.
The characters both have trauma and I like that it’s represented differently, because not everyone deals or shows it the same and I liked that it was represented the way it was.
I fell in love with both main characters, I relate to a lot of trauma characters so it was no surprise to me, the spice was amazing I don’t want to say too much I don’t want to spoil anything. ;)
One of my favorite parts was the dedication:
““For every fucking bitch who’s ever been told she cusses too much. The word ‘fuck’ appears some 482 times in approximately 300 pages. Here’s one more: You’re fucking welcome.””
It’s absolutely perfect
The characters both have trauma and I like that it’s represented differently, because not everyone deals or shows it the same and I liked that it was represented the way it was.
I fell in love with both main characters, I relate to a lot of trauma characters so it was no surprise to me, the spice was amazing I don’t want to say too much I don’t want to spoil anything. ;)
One of my favorite parts was the dedication:
““For every fucking bitch who’s ever been told she cusses too much. The word ‘fuck’ appears some 482 times in approximately 300 pages. Here’s one more: You’re fucking welcome.””
It’s absolutely perfect
March 17, 2026
RATINGS:
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ending ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶🌶🌶.5 [the spice was spice'n in this book 🥵🥵]
📚Genre📚
Horror Erotica
Dark romance
✨️Tropes✨️
Touch her and 💀
🖤 Morally Black MMC 🖤
Obsessive/JP MMC
Dual POV’s (first person)
Captor/Captive
Predator/Prey
No active sharing
FMC not vīŕĝîṅ
Found family
He falls first
Serial Unaliver
Villain Redemption
Marriage of Convenience
MINE
HEA
⚠️Trigger Warnings⚠️
Child abuse
Child déăth [flashback from MMC]
Dëāth
Gore
Infertility
Mental illness
Pêɗópĥiliā [flashback from FMC's past, minor]
Physical abűse
🍇
Self harm
Séxůăl assault
Séxůăl content
Séxůăl violence
Slâvéŕy
Sŭîćïđal thoughts
Sŭîćïđe
Törtůŕe [including rats & a snake pit]
Toxic relationship
Violence
🩸
Trâfficking [male & female]
Kíďnâppîng
Medical trauma
Stâľƙïńģ
Sŭîćïđe attempt
Mùrdéř
Toxic friendship
Séxůăl harassment
Injury/Injury detail
Ableism
Snakes [mentioned several times]
Drůĝĝîng/Sedation
Néĉőphilia [minor]
Sômnópĥilia
Drowning [Asphyxiation by MMC - not FMC, though]
Dollification
🍆 warming
Handcuff play
Stockholm Syndrome
💫Book Summary💫
Rich, CEO-of-his-company serial unaliver MMC decides to buy ťřâffîĉƙêđ women as a way to "calm" the beast inside him, who wants to ƙïĺĺ & múŕďéř. Up until now, he'd been using random targets. The second woman he búỳ§ is our FMC. Upon her arriving at his house [in a box, dŕúĝģéɗ & heavily §eďãțéď, with snakes inside], he starts fúĉƙïng her with the intent to 💀 her. Somnophilia is very prevalent in the first half of the book because the MMC hates "human interaction" & doesn't want it to run his "fun", per se. After several weeks of keeping FMC incapacitated, he starts decreasing her meds [connected via IV, which the MMC placed] & she comes out of her stupor. And..... maybe they find out they're not so different after all. 😉
✅️What I liked✅️
- The writing, for the most part, wasn't an issue. I found a few things along the way, but.... it wasn't really anything to warrant a DNF.
- All the somnophilia [huge fan! 👋]
- Cal. I loved everything about him, even his mind games & darkness. He could point a 🔪 to my throat & I'd say "yes, please!"
- Dex... what's his story? I need more info about him🤔
🗨My favorite quote🗨
"Unfortunately, what's gorgeous on the surface is sometimes just a carefully constructed cover to conceal rot and decay and a void where humanity should be." - Amber, FMC [page 201]
❌️What I didn't like❌️
- Parts of this book were really ooey gooey & felt like a rom-com, not a dark romance.
- The FMC buys costumes to wear in lieu of regular clothing [I found this odd?? 🤨😐]
My feelings about this book:
👉 I've read better ones 🤷♀️ [this is a neutral rating]
Would I read this again?
👉 No...
📢Review📢
Overall, not a terrible read. This is my first book by this author. While I may not *seek out* another book by her or quickly add her to my auto-buy list, I didn't hate it enough to never read another book by her, either. It was a decent-enough book to keep me interested [for the most part] & lately, that's been a task.
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ending ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶🌶🌶.5 [the spice was spice'n in this book 🥵🥵]
📚Genre📚
Horror Erotica
Dark romance
✨️Tropes✨️
Touch her and 💀
🖤 Morally Black MMC 🖤
Obsessive/JP MMC
Dual POV’s (first person)
Captor/Captive
Predator/Prey
No active sharing
FMC not vīŕĝîṅ
Found family
He falls first
Serial Unaliver
Villain Redemption
Marriage of Convenience
MINE
HEA
⚠️Trigger Warnings⚠️
Child abuse
Child déăth [flashback from MMC]
Dëāth
Gore
Infertility
Mental illness
Pêɗópĥiliā [flashback from FMC's past, minor]
Physical abűse
🍇
Self harm
Séxůăl assault
Séxůăl content
Séxůăl violence
Slâvéŕy
Sŭîćïđal thoughts
Sŭîćïđe
Törtůŕe [including rats & a snake pit]
Toxic relationship
Violence
🩸
Trâfficking [male & female]
Kíďnâppîng
Medical trauma
Stâľƙïńģ
Sŭîćïđe attempt
Mùrdéř
Toxic friendship
Séxůăl harassment
Injury/Injury detail
Ableism
Snakes [mentioned several times]
Drůĝĝîng/Sedation
Néĉőphilia [minor]
Sômnópĥilia
Drowning [Asphyxiation by MMC - not FMC, though]
Dollification
🍆 warming
Handcuff play
Stockholm Syndrome
💫Book Summary💫
Rich, CEO-of-his-company serial unaliver MMC decides to buy ťřâffîĉƙêđ women as a way to "calm" the beast inside him, who wants to ƙïĺĺ & múŕďéř. Up until now, he'd been using random targets. The second woman he búỳ§ is our FMC. Upon her arriving at his house [in a box, dŕúĝģéɗ & heavily §eďãțéď, with snakes inside], he starts fúĉƙïng her with the intent to 💀 her. Somnophilia is very prevalent in the first half of the book because the MMC hates "human interaction" & doesn't want it to run his "fun", per se. After several weeks of keeping FMC incapacitated, he starts decreasing her meds [connected via IV, which the MMC placed] & she comes out of her stupor. And..... maybe they find out they're not so different after all. 😉
✅️What I liked✅️
- The writing, for the most part, wasn't an issue. I found a few things along the way, but.... it wasn't really anything to warrant a DNF.
- All the somnophilia [huge fan! 👋]
- Cal. I loved everything about him, even his mind games & darkness. He could point a 🔪 to my throat & I'd say "yes, please!"
- Dex... what's his story? I need more info about him🤔
🗨My favorite quote🗨
"Unfortunately, what's gorgeous on the surface is sometimes just a carefully constructed cover to conceal rot and decay and a void where humanity should be." - Amber, FMC [page 201]
❌️What I didn't like❌️
- Parts of this book were really ooey gooey & felt like a rom-com, not a dark romance.
- The FMC buys costumes to wear in lieu of regular clothing [I found this odd?? 🤨😐]
My feelings about this book:
👉 I've read better ones 🤷♀️ [this is a neutral rating]
Would I read this again?
👉 No...
📢Review📢
Overall, not a terrible read. This is my first book by this author. While I may not *seek out* another book by her or quickly add her to my auto-buy list, I didn't hate it enough to never read another book by her, either. It was a decent-enough book to keep me interested [for the most part] & lately, that's been a task.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 24, 2026There’s nothing soft about A Gilded Game. It doesn’t ease you in, it doesn’t give you space to breathe. It throws you straight into something sharp, controlled, and deeply uncomfortable… and then just lets it sit there.
From the start, the tone feels cold. Calculated. Like everything is already in motion and you’re just stepping into a game that’s been playing long before you got there. And that tension? It doesn’t let up. Not for a second. There’s this constant awareness that nothing about this world is fair, and definitely not safe.
The characters are where this really takes hold.
Cal is… difficult to sit with. Not in a way that feels exaggerated or overdone, but in a way that feels too controlled, too deliberate. Everything about him is measured, like he’s constantly holding something back just beneath the surface. And that restraint? It makes him more unsettling, not less. There’s a disconnect in the way he views the world, and the people in it that creates this constant, underlying tension in every scene he’s in.
Amber, on the other hand, brings a completely different kind of intensity. Hers is quieter, more internal, but no less powerful. There’s this sense of her holding onto something… something that refuses to fully break, even when everything around her is trying to strip that away. The way her presence shifts the dynamic is subtle at first, but it builds in a way that you can feel, even in the smallest moments.
And then there’s the dynamic between them… which is not easy to define, and definitely not easy to read.
It’s not romantic in the traditional sense, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s tension built on control, resistance, perception, and something much darker underneath. Every interaction feels like it’s balancing on the edge of something, power shifting, control tightening, something unspoken constantly moving between them. It’s the kind of dynamic that makes you hyper-aware of every glance, every word, every pause.
What really stands out is how the book leans into discomfort without trying to soften it. It doesn’t give you easy moments to hold onto. Even the quieter scenes feel heavy, like something is always just beneath the surface waiting to shift. That atmosphere carries through the entire story, creating this almost suffocating feeling that keeps you locked in.
There’s also this underlying theme of power, who has it, who thinks they have it, and how quickly that balance can change. It’s woven into everything, from the characters themselves to the environment they exist in. Nothing feels stable, and that instability is what keeps the tension so high.
Emotionally, this isn’t a light read. It sits in that darker space where control, survival, and identity blur together, and it doesn’t offer easy answers or clean lines. Instead, it leans into the mess of it all… the parts that are uncomfortable, complicated, and hard to look at directly.
If you’re drawn to darker romances that push boundaries, explore power dynamics in a more intense way, and aren’t afraid to sit in that unsettling, morally gray space, this is one that will absolutely stay with you.
As always be mindful of any trigger warnings, what I like you may not.
Happy Reading! ✨📚
From the start, the tone feels cold. Calculated. Like everything is already in motion and you’re just stepping into a game that’s been playing long before you got there. And that tension? It doesn’t let up. Not for a second. There’s this constant awareness that nothing about this world is fair, and definitely not safe.
The characters are where this really takes hold.
Cal is… difficult to sit with. Not in a way that feels exaggerated or overdone, but in a way that feels too controlled, too deliberate. Everything about him is measured, like he’s constantly holding something back just beneath the surface. And that restraint? It makes him more unsettling, not less. There’s a disconnect in the way he views the world, and the people in it that creates this constant, underlying tension in every scene he’s in.
Amber, on the other hand, brings a completely different kind of intensity. Hers is quieter, more internal, but no less powerful. There’s this sense of her holding onto something… something that refuses to fully break, even when everything around her is trying to strip that away. The way her presence shifts the dynamic is subtle at first, but it builds in a way that you can feel, even in the smallest moments.
And then there’s the dynamic between them… which is not easy to define, and definitely not easy to read.
It’s not romantic in the traditional sense, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s tension built on control, resistance, perception, and something much darker underneath. Every interaction feels like it’s balancing on the edge of something, power shifting, control tightening, something unspoken constantly moving between them. It’s the kind of dynamic that makes you hyper-aware of every glance, every word, every pause.
What really stands out is how the book leans into discomfort without trying to soften it. It doesn’t give you easy moments to hold onto. Even the quieter scenes feel heavy, like something is always just beneath the surface waiting to shift. That atmosphere carries through the entire story, creating this almost suffocating feeling that keeps you locked in.
There’s also this underlying theme of power, who has it, who thinks they have it, and how quickly that balance can change. It’s woven into everything, from the characters themselves to the environment they exist in. Nothing feels stable, and that instability is what keeps the tension so high.
Emotionally, this isn’t a light read. It sits in that darker space where control, survival, and identity blur together, and it doesn’t offer easy answers or clean lines. Instead, it leans into the mess of it all… the parts that are uncomfortable, complicated, and hard to look at directly.
If you’re drawn to darker romances that push boundaries, explore power dynamics in a more intense way, and aren’t afraid to sit in that unsettling, morally gray space, this is one that will absolutely stay with you.
As always be mindful of any trigger warnings, what I like you may not.
Happy Reading! ✨📚
June 28, 2025
Carly Claire has to have crack im her books, I'm convinced. Because there is no way her books are consistently amazing! Cal and Amber were everything and I ate this up!
This is told from dual POV and follows Cal and Amber. Both are mentally unstable in different ways and have both experienced heavy trauma throughout their lives. Cal is a wealthy man who's mental state is consistently declining and his darkness is starting to take over. He has some dark desires and finds a way to release them. Amber is a kidnapped and trafficked victim and is bought by Cal. He uses her to tame the beast but as they get to know each other more they start to realize their demons match. But its not easy as they deal with their darkness and their conflicting morals and emotions.
Even when you want to hate Cal, you can't. He's been through a lot and I put a few guesses to his mental illness but because he's dealing with it undiagnosed it's hard to pinpoint but he's not doing what he does for the enjoyment of the fallout. In his POVs it's obvious he's trying to control his impulses the best he can. But his dedication to Amber is so beautiful I was swooning with every page. I think my heart may have had arrhythmias throughout.
Amber is a badass. She's a fighter and a hard-core one at that. I loved her need to keep fighting and to fight back. She thought she was weak but in reality she's so strong to go through everything she did and come out on top. I sympathize with her mind the most. So even when her actions didn't seem logical, I understood that when your mind is pitted against you even when you know it makes no sense its a hard battle to win.
I absolutely loved the small crossover between this book and the Embrace the Darkness books. I almost choked when that caller called at the end because I miss those characters in that series!
The side characters; Dex, Katrina, and even the small amount of Parker were amazing. In such a dark world light can shine.
This book was amazing. Dark yes, but still absolutely captivating. Im convinced Carly writes nothing short of perfection!
Thank you Carly Claire for the ARC! I loved it!
This is told from dual POV and follows Cal and Amber. Both are mentally unstable in different ways and have both experienced heavy trauma throughout their lives. Cal is a wealthy man who's mental state is consistently declining and his darkness is starting to take over. He has some dark desires and finds a way to release them. Amber is a kidnapped and trafficked victim and is bought by Cal. He uses her to tame the beast but as they get to know each other more they start to realize their demons match. But its not easy as they deal with their darkness and their conflicting morals and emotions.
Even when you want to hate Cal, you can't. He's been through a lot and I put a few guesses to his mental illness but because he's dealing with it undiagnosed it's hard to pinpoint but he's not doing what he does for the enjoyment of the fallout. In his POVs it's obvious he's trying to control his impulses the best he can. But his dedication to Amber is so beautiful I was swooning with every page. I think my heart may have had arrhythmias throughout.
Amber is a badass. She's a fighter and a hard-core one at that. I loved her need to keep fighting and to fight back. She thought she was weak but in reality she's so strong to go through everything she did and come out on top. I sympathize with her mind the most. So even when her actions didn't seem logical, I understood that when your mind is pitted against you even when you know it makes no sense its a hard battle to win.
I absolutely loved the small crossover between this book and the Embrace the Darkness books. I almost choked when that caller called at the end because I miss those characters in that series!
The side characters; Dex, Katrina, and even the small amount of Parker were amazing. In such a dark world light can shine.
This book was amazing. Dark yes, but still absolutely captivating. Im convinced Carly writes nothing short of perfection!
Thank you Carly Claire for the ARC! I loved it!
July 7, 2025
3.5
I struggle with rating this because it felt like two different books.
Even being categorized as dark romance, the first half was more on the side of horror erotica, which I was absolutely in the mood for. The premise was good and the level on which the story built up with the two POVs hit exactly like I wanted them to. So far, this was, without question, a five star story for me.
Then, however, it sort of morphed into a slightly softer kind of dark romance. Which I don’t mind, generally speaking, and usually even like. Somehow, though, for me at least that transition didn’t work so well with A Gilded Game.
I loved the MMC’s POV in particular. The way he almost felt like a victim, contrasted harshly by the reality of the FMC’s experiences, was an amazing build up to the inevitable clash. The escalation he approaches is as intriguing as it is daunting and left me with just the right level of conflict with my own supportive feelings.
I think the author did an amazing job with Cal, the intricacy of his psyche and her grasp on it really felt like he let her in and showed her his truth.
The FMC is the perfect counterpart. Amber’s journey is complicated (to say the least) in its own right and the pain and trauma she holds are the simultaneously the mirror and the fuel Cal needs and vice versa. I understood the stages she went through, saw the slow and sometimes inconspicuous journey she was unknowingly on.
I very much enjoyed their dynamic in a sense that I liked how they shaped each other, even if some aspects of the outcome weren't for me.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a dark romance that works through the healing journey and I can enjoy a plot twist like that last one. But again, it felt a bit off and I had to push myself to a large part of it. I think, however, that this is a very individual experience and I probably just had the wrong expectation after how the book started.
All that being said, I love Carly Claire’s writing and she is an amazing dark romance author in my opinion (Poisoning Ivy is still a book I love to recommend). And A Gilded Game is everything a really dark romance should be - Heavy on the trauma, pitch black in setting and mood, beyond any socially accepted concept of morals. On top of that, it’s perfectly spicy and will undoubtedly be loved by many dark romance readers.
Thank you to Booksirens and Carly Claire for an ARC of this book.
I struggle with rating this because it felt like two different books.
Even being categorized as dark romance, the first half was more on the side of horror erotica, which I was absolutely in the mood for. The premise was good and the level on which the story built up with the two POVs hit exactly like I wanted them to. So far, this was, without question, a five star story for me.
Then, however, it sort of morphed into a slightly softer kind of dark romance. Which I don’t mind, generally speaking, and usually even like. Somehow, though, for me at least that transition didn’t work so well with A Gilded Game.
I loved the MMC’s POV in particular. The way he almost felt like a victim, contrasted harshly by the reality of the FMC’s experiences, was an amazing build up to the inevitable clash. The escalation he approaches is as intriguing as it is daunting and left me with just the right level of conflict with my own supportive feelings.
I think the author did an amazing job with Cal, the intricacy of his psyche and her grasp on it really felt like he let her in and showed her his truth.
The FMC is the perfect counterpart. Amber’s journey is complicated (to say the least) in its own right and the pain and trauma she holds are the simultaneously the mirror and the fuel Cal needs and vice versa. I understood the stages she went through, saw the slow and sometimes inconspicuous journey she was unknowingly on.
I very much enjoyed their dynamic in a sense that I liked how they shaped each other, even if some aspects of the outcome weren't for me.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a dark romance that works through the healing journey and I can enjoy a plot twist like that last one. But again, it felt a bit off and I had to push myself to a large part of it. I think, however, that this is a very individual experience and I probably just had the wrong expectation after how the book started.
All that being said, I love Carly Claire’s writing and she is an amazing dark romance author in my opinion (Poisoning Ivy is still a book I love to recommend). And A Gilded Game is everything a really dark romance should be - Heavy on the trauma, pitch black in setting and mood, beyond any socially accepted concept of morals. On top of that, it’s perfectly spicy and will undoubtedly be loved by many dark romance readers.
Thank you to Booksirens and Carly Claire for an ARC of this book.
April 2, 2026
What a dark, psychological, erotic horror experience this book was.
This story dives into some extremely dark themes that could be very triggering, and it was definitely not what I expected—but I loved it. The way it explores mental health is intense and confronting. Every character carries deep trauma, leaving them broken and unsure how to process the emotions they’re dealing with.
I’ll admit, this was a difficult read at times. In the beginning, I wasn’t even sure how I felt about certain events—or about Cal. He is a deeply messed up man who copes with his mental health in very unhealthy ways. He is not a hero. He is not someone who hesitates or questions his actions. He does things that are undeniably wrong… and yet somehow, I still found myself drawn to him. By the end, I was in tears for him, genuinely scared for what would happen next. Some chapters absolutely destroyed me.
Amber is just as broken, but in a completely different way. As a survivor of brutal trauma, her pain and struggles with depression feel very real. Watching her navigate her emotions and her past was heartbreaking, but also incredibly powerful.
Their relationship is undeniably toxic, but there’s also something about the way they connect that makes it compelling. In their own twisted way, they bring out parts of each other that no one else can—she softens him, and he helps her confront her darkness.
This is a deeply confronting story that doesn’t shy away from the realities of mental health and the different, sometimes destructive ways people try to cope with it.
What to expect:
🖤 MF
🏥 Medical Play
🔪 Serial Killers
🌙 Somnophilia
⚠️ Noncon
⚠️ Dubcon
🔥 Revenge
🖤 Erotic Horror
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This story dives into some extremely dark themes that could be very triggering, and it was definitely not what I expected—but I loved it. The way it explores mental health is intense and confronting. Every character carries deep trauma, leaving them broken and unsure how to process the emotions they’re dealing with.
I’ll admit, this was a difficult read at times. In the beginning, I wasn’t even sure how I felt about certain events—or about Cal. He is a deeply messed up man who copes with his mental health in very unhealthy ways. He is not a hero. He is not someone who hesitates or questions his actions. He does things that are undeniably wrong… and yet somehow, I still found myself drawn to him. By the end, I was in tears for him, genuinely scared for what would happen next. Some chapters absolutely destroyed me.
Amber is just as broken, but in a completely different way. As a survivor of brutal trauma, her pain and struggles with depression feel very real. Watching her navigate her emotions and her past was heartbreaking, but also incredibly powerful.
Their relationship is undeniably toxic, but there’s also something about the way they connect that makes it compelling. In their own twisted way, they bring out parts of each other that no one else can—she softens him, and he helps her confront her darkness.
This is a deeply confronting story that doesn’t shy away from the realities of mental health and the different, sometimes destructive ways people try to cope with it.
What to expect:
🖤 MF
🏥 Medical Play
🔪 Serial Killers
🌙 Somnophilia
⚠️ Noncon
⚠️ Dubcon
🔥 Revenge
🖤 Erotic Horror
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 11, 2025
First of all, thank you so much for the ARC, this book was a spicy, bloody rollercoaster, and I was completely in for the ride.
The beginning had me like, okay wow… this is dark. And then there was this one moment where I actually said out loud, “Wait, are you serious right now?” I genuinely thought I have no idea what is happening and where we are going from there, and then Carly threw in a twist and I was like, ohhh okay, you almost got me there. I was stressed, intrigued, and fully hooked.
I’m not going to spoil anything, because honestly, if you're already on this page thinking about it, just read it. It’s one of those books that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. It's intense, emotional, and yes, it goes there.
This story is about getting your power back, battling your inner demons, finding forgiveness (even when it’s hard), and learning when to give it. It’s messy, powerful, and full of those moments where you just sit back and think, did that really just happen?
Amber, our FMC, has been through absolute hell, but she’s still standing and fighting. I adored her. She’s fierce, complicated, and refuses to be broken. Cal is completely unhinged in the best/worst way possessive, obsessive, and honestly a walking red flag wrapped in a big, irresistible black bow. And Dex? I need more Dex in my life. His loyalty and friendship, especially given the chaos around him, made him one of my favorite side characters.
The pacing is sharp, the tension stays high the entire time, and emotionally, it hits hard. I devoured this book.
One note: if you have triggers, please read the warnings first. This one dives deep into dark territory and doesn’t hold back.
The beginning had me like, okay wow… this is dark. And then there was this one moment where I actually said out loud, “Wait, are you serious right now?” I genuinely thought I have no idea what is happening and where we are going from there, and then Carly threw in a twist and I was like, ohhh okay, you almost got me there. I was stressed, intrigued, and fully hooked.
I’m not going to spoil anything, because honestly, if you're already on this page thinking about it, just read it. It’s one of those books that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. It's intense, emotional, and yes, it goes there.
This story is about getting your power back, battling your inner demons, finding forgiveness (even when it’s hard), and learning when to give it. It’s messy, powerful, and full of those moments where you just sit back and think, did that really just happen?
Amber, our FMC, has been through absolute hell, but she’s still standing and fighting. I adored her. She’s fierce, complicated, and refuses to be broken. Cal is completely unhinged in the best/worst way possessive, obsessive, and honestly a walking red flag wrapped in a big, irresistible black bow. And Dex? I need more Dex in my life. His loyalty and friendship, especially given the chaos around him, made him one of my favorite side characters.
The pacing is sharp, the tension stays high the entire time, and emotionally, it hits hard. I devoured this book.
One note: if you have triggers, please read the warnings first. This one dives deep into dark territory and doesn’t hold back.
June 18, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
🔥🔥🔥.5
I could not put this book down! Fair warning, this story is dark dark, and I devoured every bit of it.
We’re introduced to Amber, our fierce FMC, and Cal, the deeply twisted MMC. Cal constantly wrestles with the beast inside him, one that craves violence, not just through killing, but through torturing women he’s drawn to. While he's targeted men before, they were easy, uncomplicated. Women, however, spark something darker. To satisfy the monster within while staying under the radar, he turns to the dark web, ordering captive women to do with as he pleases. That’s how he finds Amber, his perfect little doll.
Amber was already kidnapped, waiting to be sold like property. But make no mistake, this is not for the faint of heart. She was seen as nothing more than a body to be used, tormented, and auctioned to the highest bidder. She has her own trauma, growing up bouncing between foster homes, hardened by a life that gave her no softness. But despite it all, she never stopped fighting. She often questioned whether life was worth living, but she refused to let anyone else decide that for her. She’s fiery, stubborn, and brave to the core.
Their story is as dark as it gets, it’s not sweet or romantic in the traditional sense. Cal does deeply disturbing things (check the trigger warnings), but in his own warped way, he loves her. She calms his beast. He tells her she’ll never be hurt again. That he’ll protect her. That she never needs to be afraid. But what happens when she starts wanting everything he promises, and even more?
This book had me in a chokehold. I fell hard for both characters, flaws and all. Are they broken? Absolutely. But together, they make sense in the most beautifully twisted way.
Highly recommend for readers who can handle intense darkness (think Phantom Black-level MMCs) and want to fall headfirst into an unhinged, obsessive romance.
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ 🖤 Morally Black MMC 🖤
✅ Obsessive/JP MMC
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Captor/Captive
✅ No active sharing
✅ FMC not Virgin 😢
✅ Found Family
✅ He falls first
✅ Serial Unaliver
✅ MINE
✅ HEA
***I was given this as an ARC for free and writing a review voluntary. All opinions are my own.***
🌶🌶🌶🌶
🔥🔥🔥.5
I could not put this book down! Fair warning, this story is dark dark, and I devoured every bit of it.
We’re introduced to Amber, our fierce FMC, and Cal, the deeply twisted MMC. Cal constantly wrestles with the beast inside him, one that craves violence, not just through killing, but through torturing women he’s drawn to. While he's targeted men before, they were easy, uncomplicated. Women, however, spark something darker. To satisfy the monster within while staying under the radar, he turns to the dark web, ordering captive women to do with as he pleases. That’s how he finds Amber, his perfect little doll.
Amber was already kidnapped, waiting to be sold like property. But make no mistake, this is not for the faint of heart. She was seen as nothing more than a body to be used, tormented, and auctioned to the highest bidder. She has her own trauma, growing up bouncing between foster homes, hardened by a life that gave her no softness. But despite it all, she never stopped fighting. She often questioned whether life was worth living, but she refused to let anyone else decide that for her. She’s fiery, stubborn, and brave to the core.
Their story is as dark as it gets, it’s not sweet or romantic in the traditional sense. Cal does deeply disturbing things (check the trigger warnings), but in his own warped way, he loves her. She calms his beast. He tells her she’ll never be hurt again. That he’ll protect her. That she never needs to be afraid. But what happens when she starts wanting everything he promises, and even more?
This book had me in a chokehold. I fell hard for both characters, flaws and all. Are they broken? Absolutely. But together, they make sense in the most beautifully twisted way.
Highly recommend for readers who can handle intense darkness (think Phantom Black-level MMCs) and want to fall headfirst into an unhinged, obsessive romance.
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ 🖤 Morally Black MMC 🖤
✅ Obsessive/JP MMC
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Captor/Captive
✅ No active sharing
✅ FMC not Virgin 😢
✅ Found Family
✅ He falls first
✅ Serial Unaliver
✅ MINE
✅ HEA
***I was given this as an ARC for free and writing a review voluntary. All opinions are my own.***
July 2, 2025
I went into A Gilded Game, expecting high-stakes tension and morally complex characters, but what I got was so much darker and more intense than I anticipated.
This book is psychologically gripping, pulling you into a world where power is a weapon, trust is a liability, and survival is never guaranteed.There were moments when I had to pause and process, because the emotional weight of certain scenes hit hard.
A Gilded Game is a psychological thriller with dark romance elements, weaving a tale of power, deception, and survival. The writing is visceral, the tension unrelenting, and the characters morally complex, making this book a gripping but intense read.
A Gilded Game explores the psychology of control, trauma, and resilience. It is both haunting and deeply immersive. If you enjoy dark, thought-provoking narratives with high emotional stakes, this book will keep you hooked.
Gilded Game is not for the faint of heart. This book is deeply unsettling, psychologically intense, and unapologetically dark. It explores power, manipulation, and survival in a world where trust is a dangerous game.
The tension is palpable, the characters are flawed and unpredictable, and the emotional weight is heavy.
⚠️ Trigger Warnings: (I can not claim to know all trigger warnings, so please make sure you ensure you consider your own trugger warnings before you start this book:
💫Manipulation & Psychological Abuse
🔪Non-consensual/Dubious Consent & Power Imbalance
🗡 Violence & Dark Themes
🧠 Mental Health Struggles
🔥 A must-read for fans of dark, intense storytelling—but approach with caution if sensitive to heavy themes. 🔥
This book is psychologically gripping, pulling you into a world where power is a weapon, trust is a liability, and survival is never guaranteed.There were moments when I had to pause and process, because the emotional weight of certain scenes hit hard.
A Gilded Game is a psychological thriller with dark romance elements, weaving a tale of power, deception, and survival. The writing is visceral, the tension unrelenting, and the characters morally complex, making this book a gripping but intense read.
A Gilded Game explores the psychology of control, trauma, and resilience. It is both haunting and deeply immersive. If you enjoy dark, thought-provoking narratives with high emotional stakes, this book will keep you hooked.
Gilded Game is not for the faint of heart. This book is deeply unsettling, psychologically intense, and unapologetically dark. It explores power, manipulation, and survival in a world where trust is a dangerous game.
The tension is palpable, the characters are flawed and unpredictable, and the emotional weight is heavy.
⚠️ Trigger Warnings: (I can not claim to know all trigger warnings, so please make sure you ensure you consider your own trugger warnings before you start this book:
💫Manipulation & Psychological Abuse
🔪Non-consensual/Dubious Consent & Power Imbalance
🗡 Violence & Dark Themes
🧠 Mental Health Struggles
🔥 A must-read for fans of dark, intense storytelling—but approach with caution if sensitive to heavy themes. 🔥
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2025
Oh Carly Claire did not come to play with this one.
I devoured my physical ARC of A Gilded Game and let me tell you—if you like your fiction morally bankrupt with a splash of feral romance, this book is your new best friend.
'𝚈𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎.'
Mentally unwell? Babe, they’re practically unhinged. Cal isn’t just battling his inner beast—he feeds it with death, devotion, and a human doll obsession that’ll make your spine tingle. Amber, his captured FMC, is trauma-wrapped and terrifyingly beautiful in her unraveling. The way she’s torn down and rebuilt? Chef’s kiss. Her strength doesn’t roar—it simmers, and it’s Cal who fans the flame until she burns.
'𝙶𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕. 𝚂𝚎𝚎? 𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚘 𝚋𝚊𝚍. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎.... 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜.'
It's a bloodstained love letter to revenge and ruin. Healing here is jagged and raw, not inspirational quotes and soft music. It’s the kind that claws its way through darkness and finds madness that matches.
'𝙸𝚏 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚕𝚕, 𝙸'𝚍 𝚜𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚢 𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚒����𝚢.'
I had a full-blown meltdown nearing the end—rage, heartache, and then the ending I did not see coming. Thank the twisted gods it went there.
✨ Tropes:
- Killer MMC
- He falls first and he falls hard
- 🍇/noncon/dubcon that’ll have you clutching your pearls and rereading the page
- Revenge served cold
- Medical play
- Somnophilia with a side of “should I be into this?” 🫣
This isn't healing wrapped in sunshine—it's healing in chains, whispers, and cracked mirrors. If you want something depraved but still romantic, messy but meant, this one’s got its claws in you.
I devoured my physical ARC of A Gilded Game and let me tell you—if you like your fiction morally bankrupt with a splash of feral romance, this book is your new best friend.
'𝚈𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎.'
Mentally unwell? Babe, they’re practically unhinged. Cal isn’t just battling his inner beast—he feeds it with death, devotion, and a human doll obsession that’ll make your spine tingle. Amber, his captured FMC, is trauma-wrapped and terrifyingly beautiful in her unraveling. The way she’s torn down and rebuilt? Chef’s kiss. Her strength doesn’t roar—it simmers, and it’s Cal who fans the flame until she burns.
'𝙶𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕. 𝚂𝚎𝚎? 𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚘 𝚋𝚊𝚍. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎.... 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜.'
It's a bloodstained love letter to revenge and ruin. Healing here is jagged and raw, not inspirational quotes and soft music. It’s the kind that claws its way through darkness and finds madness that matches.
'𝙸𝚏 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚕𝚕, 𝙸'𝚍 𝚜𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚢 𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚒����𝚢.'
I had a full-blown meltdown nearing the end—rage, heartache, and then the ending I did not see coming. Thank the twisted gods it went there.
✨ Tropes:
- Killer MMC
- He falls first and he falls hard
- 🍇/noncon/dubcon that’ll have you clutching your pearls and rereading the page
- Revenge served cold
- Medical play
- Somnophilia with a side of “should I be into this?” 🫣
This isn't healing wrapped in sunshine—it's healing in chains, whispers, and cracked mirrors. If you want something depraved but still romantic, messy but meant, this one’s got its claws in you.
June 5, 2025
Oh my lordy. Cal and Amber are delicious.
Before I get into this, let me start by saying thank you so much to Carly Claire for letting me get my hands on this early to read. I loved your writing and the way you keep the readers attention without knowing what is going to happen next.
Now, onto the review of the book...this is a bit of a dark themed romance that starts very much a bit alarming (Cal is is little crazy but we can forgive him because Amber is a little crazy too). Cal bought Amber to *delete* her and satiate his beast but little does he know just how much he will grow obsessed with keeping her and claiming her. He had 2 others before her that he..you know...but 3rd times the charm right?
Chapter 28 will have you like 🥵
The power exchange? 😫
The shift in dynamic? 🥺🩷
The last few chapters will have you like 😭
5/5 star read for me. Read smoothly, kept my attention, and had the perfect blend of spice and violent revenge.
Want an idea of that power dynamic? Keep reading.
"Show me your duality, Cal, and I'll show you all my scars. در
"But still, the fact she hasn't even screamed for help... Is she trying to reverse Stockholm syndrome me? Because I think it may be working."
"I want you to fuck me harder. If this is what your hate feels like, baby, you're not a monster. You're nothing but a coat hanging in the closet, shadows in the night..."
"I need you to be clothed for this, or I'm not going to be able to focus. All that blood on you... fuck. You're so goddamn gorgeous."
Before I get into this, let me start by saying thank you so much to Carly Claire for letting me get my hands on this early to read. I loved your writing and the way you keep the readers attention without knowing what is going to happen next.
Now, onto the review of the book...this is a bit of a dark themed romance that starts very much a bit alarming (Cal is is little crazy but we can forgive him because Amber is a little crazy too). Cal bought Amber to *delete* her and satiate his beast but little does he know just how much he will grow obsessed with keeping her and claiming her. He had 2 others before her that he..you know...but 3rd times the charm right?
Chapter 28 will have you like 🥵
The power exchange? 😫
The shift in dynamic? 🥺🩷
The last few chapters will have you like 😭
5/5 star read for me. Read smoothly, kept my attention, and had the perfect blend of spice and violent revenge.
Want an idea of that power dynamic? Keep reading.
"Show me your duality, Cal, and I'll show you all my scars. در
"But still, the fact she hasn't even screamed for help... Is she trying to reverse Stockholm syndrome me? Because I think it may be working."
"I want you to fuck me harder. If this is what your hate feels like, baby, you're not a monster. You're nothing but a coat hanging in the closet, shadows in the night..."
"I need you to be clothed for this, or I'm not going to be able to focus. All that blood on you... fuck. You're so goddamn gorgeous."
April 13, 2026
Two damaged people. Cal...rich, a reluctant killer, a sexual abuser and he hates that aspect of her personality. He watched his brother die from a fall from the second story of their house and his mother die from an attack in their home.
Amber, product of sexual abuse in the foster child system, kidnapped for sexual trafficking, watched her foster brother be killed while trying to help her.
Cal buys Amber from a dark web site to sexually use, abuse and eventually kill. It's the only way to keep the Beast in his head from going on a complete rampage. He hopes this one lasts much longer than the two hours the first one lasted. He has an idea that if he keeps her sedated and fed through tubes, he will be able to control the Beast longer. But when she develops an infection, he must bring her out of the sedation in order for her to eat real food and recover.
Amber wakes to find herself sore everywhere and tied down. She pretends to be asleep for 3 more days and then refuses to talk with Cal or his friend, Dex. Eventually, this unlikely pair starts to communicate and Cal finds he is fascinated by Amber's responses to him. She is so broken that she figures life will never give her choices of her own so she will just go with the flow. Watching these two find out they like each other, even if they don't know why or even if they should, was interesting.
One day Amber has an idea which just might tame the Beast while protecting the innocent. Will it work? Read the book.
Amber, product of sexual abuse in the foster child system, kidnapped for sexual trafficking, watched her foster brother be killed while trying to help her.
Cal buys Amber from a dark web site to sexually use, abuse and eventually kill. It's the only way to keep the Beast in his head from going on a complete rampage. He hopes this one lasts much longer than the two hours the first one lasted. He has an idea that if he keeps her sedated and fed through tubes, he will be able to control the Beast longer. But when she develops an infection, he must bring her out of the sedation in order for her to eat real food and recover.
Amber wakes to find herself sore everywhere and tied down. She pretends to be asleep for 3 more days and then refuses to talk with Cal or his friend, Dex. Eventually, this unlikely pair starts to communicate and Cal finds he is fascinated by Amber's responses to him. She is so broken that she figures life will never give her choices of her own so she will just go with the flow. Watching these two find out they like each other, even if they don't know why or even if they should, was interesting.
One day Amber has an idea which just might tame the Beast while protecting the innocent. Will it work? Read the book.
June 3, 2025
I had the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book and I am so glad that I was!
Dark romance is something I’ve only recently dipped my toe into and have been experimenting with. Some books I’ve loved, others I’ve had to DNF or put in the “not reading that again” category; some were either too triggering for my trauma or the writing/characters just weren’t it for me.
All that to say that I LOVED this book. If you keep reading, you may see some spoilers but I’ll try to keep it as vague as possible. First off, definitely pay attention to the trigger warnings for this book. Some of it is pretty brutal and dark and definitely hit on some of my triggers, however, for me personally, I was able to still enjoy the book and keep reading.
One of my favorite parts of this book is that despite the brutal parts of it, it’s also HONEST. I feel like I’ve read quite a few dark romances where the MMC does awful things and it just gets glossed over or he’s treated like it’s no big deal or because he’s hot/rich/whatever he can do all these awful things and it just doesn’t matter. Reading this book wasn’t like that for me though. The MMC recognizes his wrongs and the FMC recognizes them too. It’s not glossed over, it’s addressed. Despite his wrongs, the MMC still ends up being a character that I like and that’s because of how well the author wrote him. I look forward to reading all of her books.
Dark romance is something I’ve only recently dipped my toe into and have been experimenting with. Some books I’ve loved, others I’ve had to DNF or put in the “not reading that again” category; some were either too triggering for my trauma or the writing/characters just weren’t it for me.
All that to say that I LOVED this book. If you keep reading, you may see some spoilers but I’ll try to keep it as vague as possible. First off, definitely pay attention to the trigger warnings for this book. Some of it is pretty brutal and dark and definitely hit on some of my triggers, however, for me personally, I was able to still enjoy the book and keep reading.
One of my favorite parts of this book is that despite the brutal parts of it, it’s also HONEST. I feel like I’ve read quite a few dark romances where the MMC does awful things and it just gets glossed over or he’s treated like it’s no big deal or because he’s hot/rich/whatever he can do all these awful things and it just doesn’t matter. Reading this book wasn’t like that for me though. The MMC recognizes his wrongs and the FMC recognizes them too. It’s not glossed over, it’s addressed. Despite his wrongs, the MMC still ends up being a character that I like and that’s because of how well the author wrote him. I look forward to reading all of her books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2026
This is my zillionth Carly Claire book because I love her - but this might be my new favorite!
Look, this is super, super dark. If you're at all concerned, please check triggers before reading. My twisted little mind loved it, but it's dark at the beginning, middle, and end. If you're not in that place right now - tag it in Goodreads and come back later. If you're not sure about some darker tropes - captivity, drugging/somno - you will probably want to skip this one.
We start our story with Cal, a serial killer with a traumatic past who tends to lose control of his inner "beast." Cal thinks he's found a way to get his fix and avoid turning on someone he loves - but his plan for finding new victims (which is SUPER twisted btw) brings him Amber, who turns his whole world upside down. Their traumatic pasts bring them together in a way that not much else could, given the circumstances.
It's hard to write about much without spoilers, but we go from captivity, betrayal, and fear to the most tender emotional connection, all while not trying to fully redeem our morally gray/black MCs. This is about embracing the darkness and building resilience by being there for each other.
The spice was great - even when we were in questionable circumstances (what does that say about me?). The tension and chemistry were great. I loved it all the way through. Another great book by this author.
Look, this is super, super dark. If you're at all concerned, please check triggers before reading. My twisted little mind loved it, but it's dark at the beginning, middle, and end. If you're not in that place right now - tag it in Goodreads and come back later. If you're not sure about some darker tropes - captivity, drugging/somno - you will probably want to skip this one.
We start our story with Cal, a serial killer with a traumatic past who tends to lose control of his inner "beast." Cal thinks he's found a way to get his fix and avoid turning on someone he loves - but his plan for finding new victims (which is SUPER twisted btw) brings him Amber, who turns his whole world upside down. Their traumatic pasts bring them together in a way that not much else could, given the circumstances.
It's hard to write about much without spoilers, but we go from captivity, betrayal, and fear to the most tender emotional connection, all while not trying to fully redeem our morally gray/black MCs. This is about embracing the darkness and building resilience by being there for each other.
The spice was great - even when we were in questionable circumstances (what does that say about me?). The tension and chemistry were great. I loved it all the way through. Another great book by this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews