Revved Up: A Dark MM Romance

by Blane Bellamy

Felix (21 years old)
My father is the Mayor of Belmont, and if he finds out I’m working at a diner in the rough part of town, he’ll have me committed. He’d rather I hide in my bedroom than stoop so low as to be a server.
Well, I’d rather be a server than a lying, two-faced politician.
This is so much more than just a job; it’s the first step on the road to independence—discovering who I am, rather than what others want me to be. Plus, I have another mission to accomplish.
I want Torren.
Talking to Torren felt wonderful. Effortless. We bantered—I made him laugh. He has a nice laugh.
Then, he turned into such a jerk...
And I loved it.
I dreamt of him—his strong, calloused hands wrapped around my throat. Do I have a fear fetish, or is it the combination of attraction mixed with the carnal intensity of his anger?
The human mind is wild.
Something clicked on inside me when we started fighting. The fog of despair I’ve lived in since Mother died lifted, and I felt alive again. My body thrummed with adrenaline. Blood rushed through my veins, and I was more aroused than I’ve been in ages.
I don’t want to lose that feeling


Torren (25 years old)
I stare at the blood dripping down my finger, remembering the jubilation I felt when I ended those sick perverts. That moment marked the beginning of my descent into darkness. I let the wicked rage that consumed me morph into something violent and wrong, and I’ve been trying to keep it locked up ever since.
I never wanted to be violent. I never wanted to be a criminal.
I left the Hellcats to end all of that!
All I ever wanted was a family—to be loved.
Instead, the Kays broke my heart and turned me into this. That’s what happens when you put your heart on the line. I thought I’d succeeded in leaving it all behind me.
Until I saw him.
He made me feel those same urges again.
Felix Hargrove doesn’t know it, but he’s in danger. Something inside me isn’t right, and I don’t want him anywhere near it.
I wish I could have him, but I can’t.
It’s not safe for him.

Revved Up is a BDSM dark mm romance. This book is for mature (18+) audiences only. Please read the trigger warnings before deciding to read this book.

Genres: M M Romance, Dark Romance, Dark, BDSM, Romance, Erotica, Gay

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 14, 2026

Reviews

[Alisia alis_reads_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ and 3 🌶️
He wears fishnet stockings
Hand cuffs
Hurt/comfort
Spitting 🫠
Things that vibrate
Stalking
Rich/poor dynamic



This is Blanes best work!!
And by the time the MMC spit in his mouth I thought yep I’m going to give this book a 5 stars and that’s exactly what happened.
It’s a dark romance with a bratty MMC who’s just obsessed with the rough bad boy that rides a bike. Do I smell a red flag!??. Rich poor dynamic! Dark humor that will have you giggling at topics you shouldn’t be giggling over but at this point you and the MMC’s are already besties!

Cancel your plans because when you start this you will not be able to out this book down. I’m telling you I fell for these characters. Typically in mm books I have a favorite but I couldn’t pick one because they both stood on their own two feet and I loved them both. Don’t make mommy pick favorites

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc


Blane did it again! 😮‍💨❤️‍🔥


This story follows Felix, the mayor’s son, who is trying to escape his abusive and oppressive father while also grieving the loss of his mother. One day, when it all becomes too much, he finds himself in the poorer part of Belmont.

Torren, one half of the Kay brothers who’s a retired motorcycle gang member who also happens to own a shop on that same rough side of town and who’s haunted by his own demons from his past.

From the moment they meet, there are sparks, explosive tension, banter, and angst that had me swooning. 🫠 No matter how hard they try, they can’t stay away from each other.

This is a dark romance, so check your triggers. These boys go through a lot to earn their hard fought HEA, but it’s so worth it in the end. 🥹


Tropes
Hurt/comfort
Brat x grump
Mental health / trauma rep
Touch him & 💀

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felix + Torren

-dark mm romance
-ex mc gang leader
-mayors son
-brat x grump
-obsession/stalking
-hurt/comfort
-touch him & d!e

ohhhh blane doing a dark mc type gang universe is gonna slap SO HARDDDD yall!! felix is such a dirty little hoeeee too for torren & we love that for us😌😌

[Kiandra 🦋 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not gonna lie.. the public flirting or whatever the hell you wanna call it had me cringing a ton.

[Dasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fucking devoured this book!!!
Caution: is is ver very dark in comparison to other dark mm books, but so worth it. The feels…. Wow.

I was rewarded oneof the arc copies of this book by the author Blane Bellamy and I am so happy to be part of this world.

You feel the pain, the longing and the hurt of the characters in every sentence of the book.

As I said to the author: this is Nutella with salted butter on a Brezel 🥨, scrumptious and painful at the same time.

Love it. ❤️

[readingwithmiaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
4🌶️


Beta Review

Y’all, Blane Has Done It Again. And Yes I Read It Fast Cause I Couldn’t Put It Down And It Was Short. He Never Misses With His Books And I’m Just So In Love With Them. Torren And Felix Were Such A Interesting Yet A Really Fun Couple To Read About. I’m Saying The Slow Burn And Pinning Are 100% Worth The Wait For Sure. Now Blane Told Me What The Next Book Will Be About And OMG!!!!! I Need That Book Like Air. Like GIMME!!!!! Definitely Read This Book When It Coles On April 14th If Y’all Love Dark Romance That Gets Crazy And Spicy At The Same Time. I Just Need More Blane Books Y’all I Cannot Get Enough 💕

[Mikaela (risqué.romance) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revved Up - Blane Bellamy
4.25/5✨🌟

* SPOILERS *

I really liked this book, especially it being my first book by Blane. He definitely knows what he’s doing to catch your attention.

I laughed quite a few times, especially with Felix’s shenanigans when he was playing with Torren’s food order. The salt one had to be the one that took the cake.

These broken boys definitely needed each other. I was so proud of Torren when he told Felix what happened to him and his brother.

Also, I need Tobias’s story because I just loved Tobias and Torren’s brotherly bond. The found family in this book was everything I didn’t need I needed.

Torren’s protectiveness over Felix was so beautiful. Felix finally had someone that cared about him.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[ML · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time reading this author. It was a very fast read a had a good pace but definitely would not categorize it as erotica. There’s really not that much sex in it and it takes us awhile to even get to sex which is fine. The connection between these 2 characters was better for it… the delay.

Felix and Torren both have serious baggage. They really were perfect for each other. The chemistry was hot and believable.

The end was a bit rushed which is why I gave 3 stars ⭐️

[Misty's Book Space · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. Last year a friend of mine recommended me a book by this author called Step in the Zone. It's the first book in the Heart of a Viper series. I got it from KU and read it on my own time. I ended up loving that book so much like it was a favorite of last year. I immediately reached out to the author asking what I needed to do to be considered for an ARC of the second book in that series called Break the Ice. From then on, I've been on his ARC team and his street team. This doesn't sway my thoughts on the book. If I love a book I will tell and I would do the same if I ended up hating the book. The first 2 books I read by Blane were hockey romances. Revved Up is a Dark MM Romance and it's the first dark romance he has written. I was very interested to see what Blane would do with a dark romance. This book follows Felix and Torren. Felix is the mayor's son, and Torren is and ex motorcycle gang leader with a dark past. When these two first meet there's an immediate attraction that just builds and builds until it explodes. The chemistry between these two jumps off the page at you, the banter is top tier and the angst, OMG!! As much as Torren tries to stay away Felix isn't having it. Did I mention Felix is a bit of a brat. These two were just meant to be together. This book definitely deals with some heavy topics like the loss of a loved one, abuse both physical and sexual abuse and the mental toll all of that can have on someone among other things so please be mindful of that going in. Blane knows how to write a romance that leaves you feeling giddy even if it is a dark romance. I'm still trying to decide if this one is my new favorite book by Blane or if Step in the Zone still holds that role.

[Daje1968 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy this book. The only reason I finished it is that the writer has shown up on my instagram reels which made it feel personal enough that I wanted him to get his Kindle Unlimited payout. Don’t say I don’t have a big heart.

[Aly Guz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hooooooot! It felt like it went by so quick! I almost wish it would have gone slower and taken its time more so we could have relished in these two more.

[Olivia Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

🖤DARK MM ROMANCE
🖤 EX-MOTORCYLE GANG LEADER
🖤 MAYOR'S SON
🖤 STALKING

I’m absolutely obsessed with this book!!! This is definitely my favorite book from Blane!! I finished this book in one sitting that how good it was!! I loved the forbidden relationship between Felix and Torren the tension was everything!!!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 ⭐
I ate this book up in a couple of hours, this was everything I needed at the moment. The spice was peeeerfect 👌🥵 Can't wait to read more from this universe!

[Gems · Rating 2 out of 5]

A damn mess.

[AB · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 61%. I thought it would get better, but it never did. It made absolutely no sense for these two to even talk/run into each other. The tropes got me to pick up the book, but the plot and writing was awful. This book has some fake reviews.

[theshadyivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🫦🫦🫦🫦

I have to admit — Blane's social media presence and his teasing, playful way of promoting his work hooked me immediately 📱✨. The way he builds anticipation is an art form in itself, and combined with my favourite tropes, I didn't stand a chance.

And let me tell you, this story did not disappoint. Not even a little 🩷.

Felix and Torren caught my attention from the very first page and simply refused to let me go. These are characters that live — complex, layered, and so deeply human that you forget you're reading fiction. When I turned the last page, I felt that bittersweet mix of happiness and sadness that only the best stories leave behind 🥺. Happy because of where they ended up. Sad because I wasn't ready to leave their world yet. I wanted to stay just a little while longer.

I won't spoil anything — but I will say this: both Felix and Torren carry a lot of pain, from their past and their present, and the way the story handles that is raw and honest. There were moments where I was absolutely furious at certain side characters 😤. The audacity. You'll know exactly which ones I mean when you get there.

I genuinely hope the next story comes soon, because I need to return to this world 🙏.
Go read this — you will love it just as much as I did 💙.

🏍️ Rich x poor
🏍️ Past trauma
🏍️ Healing & Comfort
🏍️ Kidnapping
🏍️ Banter & Sass
🏍️ BDSM, kinky, rimming, choking

84/26

[Kazzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ still tossing whether this is a 3 rounded up or 4 down.
I was hooked after the first few chapters, thinking this is a 5⭐️ read.
Loved both characters, Felix the mayors son, a total brat and Torren the bad boy from the rough side of town. From their first meet there is a connection but Torren has inner demons and keeps Felix at arms length.
I liked their banter and how Felix helped bring down Torren’s walls - Torren’s childhood was horrific!
Overall I enjoyed this book, I liked the plot, the second half let me down a little hence my rating, I would have liked a longer ending, hell maybe I wanted more angst, drama and or touch him and die vibes more …

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so hot 🥵 I loved Felix and Torren!! This book is very fast-paced and I almost wish there were more pages so we could've dragged out some scenes and spend more time with these characters. I enjoyed the writing, the book has a good plot that kept me entertained, some hot spice and like I said; I loved the MMC's! Can't wait for the next book!!

[Lori Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved Felix and Torren so much but of there stories were so heartbreaking, especially Torren's. I thought Felix was pretty funny and he had quite the fashion style. I loved Torren's brother, even if it wasn't by birth. And Torren's friend group and I can't wait for more stories with the rest of the guys. I really hated Felix's dad, with 1000 million suns.

[Honey · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf 55%
good gods, torren is insufferable. make up your stupid mind

[Ali · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just no.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read! I like complicated characters and Torren def. Was one of

I really hope there’s a book coming for Tobias

[Nikki]

this book was a fucking trainwreck. it was cringey, pacing was awful and the plot was just oh my god. to whoever rated this shit 4+ stars i’ll never trust a review on your page 😭

[Teigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I love you, babe. So, so much.”
“I love you, too, stud.”
^ Page 294.

I enjoyed this book but it also felt a bit cringe/corny in some areas and that ruined the vibe. I'm not going to go into too much detail but that ending?! It was one thing after another. However, finding out about the mother, I can't say I'm the slightest bit surprised and saw that coming from a mile away.

Side note: might want to go over this and check out punctuation as there were random and missing quotation marks where they should/shouldn't be.

Also the daddy kink? I'm not tagging this book as that on my profile because Felix calling Torren Daddy every so many chapters out of the blue just didn't feel right?

[Michael Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been thinking of this book ever since I read it. Seeing it a lot on Tiktok has made me realize it was absolutely a 5 star read for my taste. Had to up it from 4.5

[Ashley H · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review:

My god 😮‍💨🥵🫠 Lingerie in a book will literally get me sat so fast and Blane let me tell you knows how to write it.
The banter and the sexual tension between Torren & Fleix was absolute 🔥 I had moments where i was sweating. But these two grew so much as people with the help of each other it was BEAUTIFUL to read.
Ughh 5 ⭐️ no notes just LOVE 🖤

[Sara Husser · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤I can't fall into Felix's trap. He's the Prince of Belmont,and I'm the villain in this fairytale☠️

"Because, without my routines, the devil inside me might wake up. When my hands remember things my mind tries to forget, like the feel of the blade in my hand or the blood on the walls, I latch onto my routines. Because I can't let that happen again."

"Torren sounds made up. Like the word torn, but with extra letters."
"Says the guy who's named after a cartoon cat."
"I'd meow, but we only just met."

"Felix Hargrove doesn't know it, but he's in danger. Something inside me isn't right, and I don't want him anywhere near it. I wish I could have him, but I can't. It's not safe for him."

"Yes. Treat me like the dirty little s*** I am."
"And what would daddy think of you being my little s***?"
"You're my daddy now, so you tell me."

"I can't fall into Felix's trap. He's the Prince of Belmont,and I'm the villain in this fairytale."

"All I know is I don't have it in me to keep fighting. I don't have it in me to keep hoping. I'm just too sad and tired. I'll make it easy on everyone and be what Father wants me to be. Invisible."

"Here lies Torren Kay. Slain by Felix Hargrove's a** in leather booty shorts."

"Felix took my broken heart and put it back together, and I'll slaughter anyone who stands between him and me."

"Dirty little rich boy likes it when the bad boy treats him like trash, huh?"
"Yes. Treat me like the dirty little s*** I am."

"When things get hot with Felix, it's all consuming. It's a combination of reverence and possessiveness. The walls I've built to protect myself come crashing down."

"When he met me, my heart was broken. But this sassy, beautiful man is putting it back together, and I'm so grateful that he's back in my life--that I didn't push him away for good."

"I don't want to be medicated into something I'm not. I want to be me. I want to feel alive. I wasn't put on this earth to conform--I was put here to find my own way. And that's exactly what I'm going to do."

OMG, this was such a phenomenal and amazing book by Blane. I have loved everything by this author, and now this might be my favorite. I was so happy to read a darker romance by him, and wow, he knocked it out of the park. There was so much going on in this story that my emotions were everywhere. One minute, I'm cackling hard. The next, I'm bawling my eyes out sad, then I'm turned on 🤣🤣. The plot kept me engaged until the very end, and boy did that ending make me grip the edge of my seat. This had some great troupes like: Broken Men, Loads of Hurt/Comfort, Rich/Poor, Opposites Attract, Found Family, Soulmates, and Mayor's Son/Former MC Member. The spice in this was delicious and spicing hard 🥵🥵🔥🔥🔥. This author did an incredible job dealing with the sensitive topics in this story as well.

This story follows Torren and Felix. Torren is running from a heap of demons from his traumatic past. He decided to leave his MC Club and get more out of life. Felix is the Mayor's son who is also harboring many dark demons and a traumatic past. These two meet at a diner on the poor side of town. Once their eyes connect, Felix is obsessed and wants Torren. He is so obsessed that he gets a job at the same diner 😅. Torren is drawn to Felix and it's making his demons hard to contain. Felix keeps taunting Torren until Torren snaps. Things end up getting heated and Torren hurts Felix by accident. Torren now refuses to even see him. Felix falls into a bad depression, starts to take his meds again, and life is dull/numb. Torren sees this and decides to be friends with him. Can these two really remain friends? What will Felix's father do when he finds out what Felix has been up to? Many demons come out to play and secrets start to unravel.

This couple was everything. My heart and soul broke for both of these men 😭. They both have endured so much trauma and pain. I loved the dynamics in this relationship, especially in the bedroom. I loved how both of these men could switch it up. Torren was such a grump but also such a sensitive sweetheart 🥹. He just wants a family and to be loved. Felix was such a sassy, fiesty brat. He was also so understanding and loving. These two had the best banter and the humor had me cackling hard 🤣🤣. The chemistry and tension was chef's kiss 🥵🥵. The spicy and kinky scenes were amazing 🔥🔥🔥. I loved how vulnerable these men got with each other. They both healed the broken pieces of one another. I loved how cute and nervous Tor got with Felix 🥹🤣. This two deserved this hard fought HEA. I was nervous towards the end but God it was so worth it!

I hate Felix's dad more than any villain OMG. I wanted to throw and break my kindle. That man was a disgusting, horrible pos. I loved Felix's mother. The premonition and hallucinations were everything and brought this story to the next level. They also made me tear up 😭. I loved both Gabe and Tobias. I really hope we get stories for them both. I highly recommend this book and anything by Blane. I can't see what this author does next. 🖤🏍🥯☕️💊🩸☠️😈🔪

[Danielle Hendrikse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revved Up is a dark MM romance that builds its tension around psychological instability, emotional awakening, and the dangerous pull between self-control and desire.

At its core, the story is structured around two opposing forms of instability. Felix Hargrove is defined by a search for autonomy—stepping out from under the suffocating control of his father, the Mayor of Belmont, and trying to construct an identity outside of political expectation and emotional repression. His decision to work in a rough-area diner is more than rebellion; it’s an attempt to reclaim agency in a life that has been tightly managed. That need for self-definition becomes intertwined with his fascination with Torren, blurring the line between attraction and emotional awakening.

Felix’s psychological state is particularly complex in how it connects intensity with clarity. His grief, following his mother’s death, has left him emotionally muted, and his interactions with Torren appear to trigger a return of sensation—adrenaline, anger, desire, and arousal. The story frames this not simply as romance, but as a reactivation of feeling itself, which complicates how the relationship develops. His attraction is tied to volatility, raising questions about whether he is drawn to Torren or to the emotional intensity Torren evokes in him.

Torren, meanwhile, is written as someone actively resisting his own violent capacity. His past with the Hellcats and his experience with betrayal have created a deep internal conflict between the desire for connection and fear of what he becomes under emotional pressure. His self-awareness is a defining trait: he recognizes the danger he represents and attempts to contain it, particularly in relation to Felix. This creates a classic push-pull dynamic where attraction is immediately accompanied by withdrawal and self-imposed distance.

The relationship between them is defined by contradiction. Felix is drawn toward the very emotional intensity Torren is trying to suppress, while Torren sees Felix as a trigger for precisely the behaviors he fears. This creates a dynamic of mutual danger—Felix seeking aliveness through intensity, and Torren trying to prevent harm by avoiding closeness altogether.

The BDSM framing, as indicated, is part of the broader exploration of control, trust, and emotional extremity. However, it is embedded within a darker psychological context where control is not just erotic but also tied to containment of violent impulse and emotional instability. That layering gives the relationship a constant undercurrent of risk.

Tonally, Revved Up is built on tension rather than stability. Both characters are navigating internal fractures, and the romance emerges in the space between repression and release. The story is less about whether they are compatible in a traditional sense, and more about whether connection will stabilize or destabilize them further.

Overall, this is a high-intensity dark romance that blends psychological struggle, emotional reawakening, and dangerous attraction. It focuses on characters who are both trying—and failing in different ways—to control what they feel, and what those feelings might turn them into.

[kilmosnaps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was astonishing. I honestly couldn’t put this down once started.

This book was wild! The tone was totally different from Blane’s other books. This was honestly so funny, and yet heartfelt, and then incredibly filthy. I was clutching my pearls at certain points.

Felix and Torren felt like two distinct characters who were working through their inner/outer demons. I fully bought into their instant attraction/can’t stay away from each other despite being bad for you. Usually the “STAY AWAY I’M SO BROKEN” declarations irks me, but this worked and was actually thoroughly explored and resulted in great communication.

Usually modern “TOUCH HIM AND DIE” moments can feel out of place, and like calm down, but this worked and stemmed from the resulting ‘I was kinda mean, how do I fix this.’ There was some resulting light stalking (on both sides) to say sorry which was amazing. You could feel the heat off the both of them. Their witty banter was fantastic.

I loved the small town of Belmont created. It felt like a real place.

I know why Torren left the Hellcats, but they seem like such a nice group of men in a motorcycle gang! They like gay people, are nice to their sex workers who work at their BDSM club. They rally to find their kidnapped’s ex leader’s bf. I need all those guys to get a book:
1. Gabriel - selective mute, who works at Torren’s shop
2. Tobias, Torren’s brother, leader of the gang
3. Lars the Swedish hacker - what’s his deal?
4. Mac the bouncer - hilarious comic relief

@blanebellamy how dare you keep doing this to me! This was so good.

He looks down, his finger trailing over the counter, then suddenly looks up and asks, “You gonna ask me my name or just stare at me all day?” I’m stunned. Speechless. And I like it. “I don’t know. Rich boys like you don’t usually introduce themselves to guys like me.” “And how do you know I’m rich?” he asks. I huff a laugh. “Everyone in this diner knows you’re rich. You exude it.”

His black hair blows in the breeze, and the sun shimmers off his skin, making him look golden. He’s weathered in the most perfect way. The wrinkles in the skin around his eyes and his scruff make me tingle all over, and that leather jacket looks almost obscene on his perfect body.

He has a nice laugh. Then, he turned into such a prick. And I loved it. Do I have a fear fetish, or is it the combination of attraction mixed with the carnal intensity of his anger? The human mind is wild.

“I’ve never been more attracted to anyone in my life.” That little statement is met with a wicked chuckle. “You’ve got a thing for the bad boys? Then you’ll fit right in. All the girls in the Patch want a piece of the Kays. A lot of boys, too, and I hear they don’t really discriminate, if you know what I mean.” Jesus, that makes him even hotter!

“You like him.” It isn’t a question. Tobias knows me too well.

Focus. Push him away. “Why are you doing this?” I finally ask. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if it’ll make you stop. Why are you doing this?” He stutters but can’t form a coherent sentence. “Use your words, Felix.” His eyes close, his breathing rapid now. “Because I want to taste you,” he whispers.

I let him pull away and grab his throat. “I could kill you right now. I should, but I want you to deliver a message to your friends. If you or any of them ever bother Felix Hargrove again, I’ll bury you where no one will ever find you.”

I lean in and kiss him. It’s not a collision of sexual frustration like it was in the sex club. We’re feeling. Discovering.

This is what I wanted. To show him he can control it. We can be kinky and loving.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the kind of book that gets under your skin and stays there.

Felix Hargrove is the mayor's son with porcelain skin, sharp tongue, and absolutely zero self-preservation instinct. He walks into a rundown diner in the wrong part of town, gets told off by the most dangerous man in the room, and instead of leaving like a sensible person applies for a job there the same day just to see him again. I love him unreservedly and without shame.

Torren Kay is a former gang leader who walked away from a criminal empire because he recognised the monster inside himself and wanted something better. He keeps himself on a leash with routines. Coffee and an old-fashioned donut at Maggie's every morning. Work. Structure. Distance. And then Felix shows up behind the counter and starts deliberately giving him the wrong donut just to watch him lose his mind.

You don't want me to be your daddy. I don't play nice.
Try me.

I mean. Come on.

What I didn't expect was how much Torren's backstory would gut me. He didn't want to be violent. He didn't want to be a criminal. He just wanted a family. He just wanted to be loved. And the Kays broke him and turned him into something else entirely and he's been trying to claw his way back ever since. Every time he pulls away from Felix it comes from a place of genuine terror, not cruelty. That distinction matters enormously.

Felix is grieving his mother, being quietly poisoned by his own father, and still finding time to be the most charismatic person in every room he walks into. The scene where he refuses to back down from Torren at the diner counter Is that a threat or a promise? is one of my favourite character moments in recent memory.

The slow burn is genuinely painful. Torren couldn't say I love you for most of the book...and then when it finally comes, in the worst possible circumstances, in the dark, with Felix barely conscious, it arrives like something that was always true and just needed the right moment to surface.

My heart beats for you.

The villain is one of the most genuinely vile characters I've read in a long time. The BDSM is written with real care and attention. The role reversal dynamic between these two MCs is something I haven't seen done quite like this before. And the ghost mother subplot, which should not work, works perfectly.

Blane Bellamy writes darkness like someone who understands it from the inside. This is not shock value. This is a story about two broken people choosing each other anyway.

Tropes:
· worlds apart
· slow burn
· dark past
· BDSM
· role reversal
· found family
· grumpy/sunshine

CW:
· child abuse,
· domestic violence,
· pharmacological poisoning,
· suicidal ideation,
· breath play,
· explicit sexual content