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Toxic Kiss: A Dark Rockstar Romance of Toxic Love, Obsession, and Forbidden Desire
I’m the voice that makes people scream. But I scream for her.
The world calls me Cyrus Vale. Rockstar. God of the stage. The man with a guitar in his hands and a crowd ready to bleed for one more song.
But Haven Gaillard knew me before the fame. Before the noise.
The night my mother married her father, I hated her on sight.
I wanted her pain. Dreamed about it. Lived for the way her eyes burned with anger as sweet tears fell down her cheeks.
Making her cry was the only thing that ever made me feel whole.
Until one day, I realized something worse.
I don’t want her pain anymore. I want her.
Her anger.
Her touch.
Her eyes on me like I’m the only thing in the room.
She tried to escape, but now my muse is back. And every song I write still sounds like my heart wailing her name.
The problem?
I don’t know how to want her without destroying her.
And I’ve never been good at letting go of things that I’m addicted to.
The world calls me Cyrus Vale. Rockstar. God of the stage. The man with a guitar in his hands and a crowd ready to bleed for one more song.
But Haven Gaillard knew me before the fame. Before the noise.
The night my mother married her father, I hated her on sight.
I wanted her pain. Dreamed about it. Lived for the way her eyes burned with anger as sweet tears fell down her cheeks.
Making her cry was the only thing that ever made me feel whole.
Until one day, I realized something worse.
I don’t want her pain anymore. I want her.
Her anger.
Her touch.
Her eyes on me like I’m the only thing in the room.
She tried to escape, but now my muse is back. And every song I write still sounds like my heart wailing her name.
The problem?
I don’t know how to want her without destroying her.
And I’ve never been good at letting go of things that I’m addicted to.
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2026
About the author
Brooklyn Cross
44 books2,254 followersBrooklyn Cross grew up loving stories in a world that never quite understood how her mind worked.
Severe dyslexia and short-term memory challenges made school a constant fight, and success was something she was told to expect for others, not herself. Instead of quitting, she taught herself how to keep going.
As a child, she found connection more easily with animals than people, which led her to the discipline and escape of competitive dressage riding. When personal circumstances forced her away from the arena, storytelling reclaimed its place and never let go.
Today, Brooklyn Cross writes dark romance for readers who don’t want safe love or perfect heroes. Expect morally grey men, fierce women, obsession, emotional chaos, and spice with consequences. If you like your romance messy, dangerous, and impossible to forget, you’re in the right place.
She has published multiple books and is relentlessly building worlds designed to ruin hearts, spark obsession, and stay with readers long after the final page.
Follow your dreams. Break the rules. Write anyway.
Severe dyslexia and short-term memory challenges made school a constant fight, and success was something she was told to expect for others, not herself. Instead of quitting, she taught herself how to keep going.
As a child, she found connection more easily with animals than people, which led her to the discipline and escape of competitive dressage riding. When personal circumstances forced her away from the arena, storytelling reclaimed its place and never let go.
Today, Brooklyn Cross writes dark romance for readers who don’t want safe love or perfect heroes. Expect morally grey men, fierce women, obsession, emotional chaos, and spice with consequences. If you like your romance messy, dangerous, and impossible to forget, you’re in the right place.
She has published multiple books and is relentlessly building worlds designed to ruin hearts, spark obsession, and stay with readers long after the final page.
Follow your dreams. Break the rules. Write anyway.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
July 30, 2026
4.5🌟, 3🌶️
Cyrus and Haven completely pulled me in.
Their relationship is messy, toxic, and full of emotional highs and lows, but I couldn’t stop rooting for them. Cyrus is deeply flawed, yet his journey toward redemption kept me invested, while Haven’s quiet strength gave the story its heart.
The standout for me was Cyrus’ health journey. The chronic illness representation added so much emotional weight, especially as he struggled to be believed because of his past. I loved that Haven didn’t try to fix him. She simply stood by him when he needed someone most, and that made their connection feel even more meaningful.
This was an emotional, angsty read that I absolutely devoured. The chemistry was intense, the redemption felt earned, and I finished wanting just a little more closure.
If you enjoy flawed characters, emotional second chances, and romances that make you feel everything, this is well worth picking up.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Brooklyn Cross and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
Cyrus and Haven completely pulled me in.
Their relationship is messy, toxic, and full of emotional highs and lows, but I couldn’t stop rooting for them. Cyrus is deeply flawed, yet his journey toward redemption kept me invested, while Haven’s quiet strength gave the story its heart.
The standout for me was Cyrus’ health journey. The chronic illness representation added so much emotional weight, especially as he struggled to be believed because of his past. I loved that Haven didn’t try to fix him. She simply stood by him when he needed someone most, and that made their connection feel even more meaningful.
This was an emotional, angsty read that I absolutely devoured. The chemistry was intense, the redemption felt earned, and I finished wanting just a little more closure.
If you enjoy flawed characters, emotional second chances, and romances that make you feel everything, this is well worth picking up.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Brooklyn Cross and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
July 23, 2026
Thank you to Brooklyn Cross and her team for providing me with an ARC of Toxic Kiss in exchange for an honest review.
"The most dangerous monsters aren't the ones we fear... they're the ones we can't stop loving. Cy is my monster..."
Sometimes a book promises a toxic romance, only to deliver a fairly safe relationship with a few dramatic arguments thrown in. Toxic Kiss does not make that mistake. This story is genuinely soaked in destructive attachment, obsession, jealousy, grief, and the kind of love that leaves burns long before it learns how to offer comfort.
Five years ago, Haven ran away from Cyrus Vale, her stepbrother, her first love, and the person who knew exactly how to turn every insecurity she had into a weapon. Now she is returning to California with a fiancé, ambitious career plans, and the belief that the past has finally lost its hold on her. Then her first major assignment at LG Records places her in charge of Venomous and, more specifically, its scandalous frontman, who can still drag every buried emotion out of her with a single look.
Cyrus is not the kind of hero who can be called a good man simply because we choose to ignore his worst behavior. He is cruel, manipulative, possessive, and occasionally so unbearable that I wanted to introduce his head to the nearest guitar. The author never tries to make him safer or gentler than he truly is. For a long time, his love resembles ownership more than devotion, while his rare moments of tenderness are constantly tangled with the instinct to hurt Haven before she has the chance to hurt him.
Yet beneath all that aggression is a man who has been drowning for years while everyone around him discusses how spectacularly he is falling apart. To the public, Cyrus is a spoiled rock star, an addict, and another celebrity losing control. To certain members of his family, he is a source of money, influence, and convenient headlines. Even medical professionals often see his history before they see the person in front of them, forcing every new symptom into an explanation they have already chosen.
The storyline surrounding Cyrus’s health became one of the most powerful parts of the book for me. It explores medical dismissal, the stigma attached to addiction, the fear of receiving a diagnosis, and the devastating loneliness of being repeatedly told that your pain is imagined, exaggerated, or deserved. His mental and physical suffering are treated as separate problems when, in reality, each one intensifies the other.
Most importantly, love is never presented as a magical cure. Haven does not save Cyrus with a kiss or heal him through one beautiful speech. She does something far more meaningful: she believes him, asks the questions no one else is asking, and keeps searching when everyone around him has already accepted the easiest explanation.
Haven won me over with her quiet, stubborn strength. She knows how to protect everyone except herself, and much of her journey is about learning that loving someone should not require betraying her own boundaries. Her return to Cyrus does not erase their history. There is an enormous distance between desire and trust, filled with humiliation, violated privacy, emotional cruelty, and words that cannot simply be taken back. I appreciated that Haven remains angry, cautious, and unwilling to let passion rewrite the past as though she was never hurt.
Patrick’s absence is another emotional core of this story. He is no longer physically present, yet his memory is louder than the crowds at every Venomous concert. Through him, the novel explores survivor’s guilt, unresolved grief, unspoken love, and the desperate need to find one person to blame because accepting the senselessness of loss feels even more terrifying. Cyrus and Haven cling to their guilt because letting it go feels dangerously close to letting Patrick go as well.
Music is only language Cyrus knows how to speak honestly. In ordinary life, he hides behind insults, threats, and arrogance, but onstage he tears himself open in front of thousands of people. His songs about Haven feel like confessions that have spent years disguised as anger, which makes the rock-star atmosphere feel vivid rather than decorative.
Toxic Kiss is a messy, painful, emotionally intense story about two people who know how to love each other far better through songs and memories than they do in real life. There are choices that cannot be excused, but there is also a genuine attempt to acknowledge the damage, accept responsibility, and understand that a second chance means nothing without change.
This is not a story claiming that love must be toxic to be real. It is about two damaged people who have spent years confusing love with pain and now have to learn the difference.
Cyrus and Haven’s story left me with the feeling of standing in an empty venue after an unforgettable concert. The music has already stopped, the lights have gone dark, but your heart is still beating to its rhythm.
Intense, scorching, and genuinely heartbreaking. Five stars.
"The most dangerous monsters aren't the ones we fear... they're the ones we can't stop loving. Cy is my monster..."
Sometimes a book promises a toxic romance, only to deliver a fairly safe relationship with a few dramatic arguments thrown in. Toxic Kiss does not make that mistake. This story is genuinely soaked in destructive attachment, obsession, jealousy, grief, and the kind of love that leaves burns long before it learns how to offer comfort.
Five years ago, Haven ran away from Cyrus Vale, her stepbrother, her first love, and the person who knew exactly how to turn every insecurity she had into a weapon. Now she is returning to California with a fiancé, ambitious career plans, and the belief that the past has finally lost its hold on her. Then her first major assignment at LG Records places her in charge of Venomous and, more specifically, its scandalous frontman, who can still drag every buried emotion out of her with a single look.
Cyrus is not the kind of hero who can be called a good man simply because we choose to ignore his worst behavior. He is cruel, manipulative, possessive, and occasionally so unbearable that I wanted to introduce his head to the nearest guitar. The author never tries to make him safer or gentler than he truly is. For a long time, his love resembles ownership more than devotion, while his rare moments of tenderness are constantly tangled with the instinct to hurt Haven before she has the chance to hurt him.
Yet beneath all that aggression is a man who has been drowning for years while everyone around him discusses how spectacularly he is falling apart. To the public, Cyrus is a spoiled rock star, an addict, and another celebrity losing control. To certain members of his family, he is a source of money, influence, and convenient headlines. Even medical professionals often see his history before they see the person in front of them, forcing every new symptom into an explanation they have already chosen.
The storyline surrounding Cyrus’s health became one of the most powerful parts of the book for me. It explores medical dismissal, the stigma attached to addiction, the fear of receiving a diagnosis, and the devastating loneliness of being repeatedly told that your pain is imagined, exaggerated, or deserved. His mental and physical suffering are treated as separate problems when, in reality, each one intensifies the other.
Most importantly, love is never presented as a magical cure. Haven does not save Cyrus with a kiss or heal him through one beautiful speech. She does something far more meaningful: she believes him, asks the questions no one else is asking, and keeps searching when everyone around him has already accepted the easiest explanation.
Haven won me over with her quiet, stubborn strength. She knows how to protect everyone except herself, and much of her journey is about learning that loving someone should not require betraying her own boundaries. Her return to Cyrus does not erase their history. There is an enormous distance between desire and trust, filled with humiliation, violated privacy, emotional cruelty, and words that cannot simply be taken back. I appreciated that Haven remains angry, cautious, and unwilling to let passion rewrite the past as though she was never hurt.
Patrick’s absence is another emotional core of this story. He is no longer physically present, yet his memory is louder than the crowds at every Venomous concert. Through him, the novel explores survivor’s guilt, unresolved grief, unspoken love, and the desperate need to find one person to blame because accepting the senselessness of loss feels even more terrifying. Cyrus and Haven cling to their guilt because letting it go feels dangerously close to letting Patrick go as well.
Music is only language Cyrus knows how to speak honestly. In ordinary life, he hides behind insults, threats, and arrogance, but onstage he tears himself open in front of thousands of people. His songs about Haven feel like confessions that have spent years disguised as anger, which makes the rock-star atmosphere feel vivid rather than decorative.
Toxic Kiss is a messy, painful, emotionally intense story about two people who know how to love each other far better through songs and memories than they do in real life. There are choices that cannot be excused, but there is also a genuine attempt to acknowledge the damage, accept responsibility, and understand that a second chance means nothing without change.
This is not a story claiming that love must be toxic to be real. It is about two damaged people who have spent years confusing love with pain and now have to learn the difference.
Cyrus and Haven’s story left me with the feeling of standing in an empty venue after an unforgettable concert. The music has already stopped, the lights have gone dark, but your heart is still beating to its rhythm.
Intense, scorching, and genuinely heartbreaking. Five stars.
Review of advance copy
4.5 ⭐️
Toxic and full of angst. Grab your tissues.
Cyrus and Haven are both wrecked in completely different ways. He’s loud, chaotic, and always seeking attention to quiet his guilt. She’s quiet, resilient, and just wants peace, even if it means forgiving people who definitely don’t deserve it.
These two are absolutely toxic and while they really hate each other, they are drawn together like magnets and deep down really care. Every time Haven thinks things have changed, she’s proven wrong. That push and pull, mixed with her garbage childhood and Cyrus’ intense bullying is what brings all the angst and tears.
Hang-Ups and Highpoints:
For most of the book, I was sure this was going to be a 5 star read. I loved the angst and emotional wreckage. It’s automatic bonus points when a book actually makes me cry! I loved the chronic illness representation and how it made Cyrus more sympathetic (it was definitely needed). The ending had some genuinely sweet and thoughtful moments which showed he had real character growth.
But a few things held me back, and they’re more personal hang‑ups than deal breakers. I don’t love lust hazed FMCs in bully romance. It weakens their anger and makes forgiveness feel too easy. Haven also forgives everyone (Cyrus, Patrick, her dad) way faster than they ever deserve, and I wanted her to rage. Still, I appreciated that her character was consistent, that’s just who she is. I also wish the ending had a bit more closure, but I’m hoping book two will fill that gap.
If you love a toxic bully romance with a tatted, pierced rockstar, a kind hearted FMC, and some chronic illness representation, then this one’s for you.
Thank you Smuthood and Brooklyn Cross, for this ARC.
Toxic and full of angst. Grab your tissues.
Cyrus and Haven are both wrecked in completely different ways. He’s loud, chaotic, and always seeking attention to quiet his guilt. She’s quiet, resilient, and just wants peace, even if it means forgiving people who definitely don’t deserve it.
These two are absolutely toxic and while they really hate each other, they are drawn together like magnets and deep down really care. Every time Haven thinks things have changed, she’s proven wrong. That push and pull, mixed with her garbage childhood and Cyrus’ intense bullying is what brings all the angst and tears.
Hang-Ups and Highpoints:
For most of the book, I was sure this was going to be a 5 star read. I loved the angst and emotional wreckage. It’s automatic bonus points when a book actually makes me cry! I loved the chronic illness representation and how it made Cyrus more sympathetic (it was definitely needed). The ending had some genuinely sweet and thoughtful moments which showed he had real character growth.
But a few things held me back, and they’re more personal hang‑ups than deal breakers. I don’t love lust hazed FMCs in bully romance. It weakens their anger and makes forgiveness feel too easy. Haven also forgives everyone (Cyrus, Patrick, her dad) way faster than they ever deserve, and I wanted her to rage. Still, I appreciated that her character was consistent, that’s just who she is. I also wish the ending had a bit more closure, but I’m hoping book two will fill that gap.
If you love a toxic bully romance with a tatted, pierced rockstar, a kind hearted FMC, and some chronic illness representation, then this one’s for you.
Thank you Smuthood and Brooklyn Cross, for this ARC.
July 26, 2026
💚🎸Toxic Kiss by: Brooklyn Cross🎸💚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
——————-
“I’ve bled in silence so long, I forgot what it feels like to be heard.”
Yeah this book was a wild read for sure… and I was here for every second of it😉
This is a forbidden romance book with lots of bullying, second chances, and chronic illness representation. Now I definitely enjoyed the romance…but the aspect of this book that really stood out to me was how it portrayed the experience of living with a chronic illness. It highlighted how often people struggling with an illness are overlooked or dismissed while trying to get a diagnosis and that felt so incredibly real. Seeing that represented in a romance novel was refreshing and it’s something that really stuck with me.
Now let’s talk about the romance… 👀 The chemistry, the tension and the spice were wild… It was twisted, toxic, possessive and lowkey completely unapologetic about it💀 If morally gray, obsessive and possessive love interests you than I think you’ll have a lot of fun with this one. Just be sure to check the content warnings before diving in.
Overall, as a first read from Brooklyn Cross I had a great time and I can’t wait for more! This was an arc read that I received so thank you to Brooklyn and thesmuthood for trusting me with this🫶
Tropes:
💚Rockstar
🖤Step-siblings
💚Hate-to-Enemies-to-Lovers
🖤Chronic Illness Rep
💚Workplace Romance
🖤OTT/JP, Alphahole
💚If I Can't Have Her No One Can,
🖤Pierced MMC
💚Angsty
🖤Slow Burn-to-Spicy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
——————-
“I’ve bled in silence so long, I forgot what it feels like to be heard.”
Yeah this book was a wild read for sure… and I was here for every second of it😉
This is a forbidden romance book with lots of bullying, second chances, and chronic illness representation. Now I definitely enjoyed the romance…but the aspect of this book that really stood out to me was how it portrayed the experience of living with a chronic illness. It highlighted how often people struggling with an illness are overlooked or dismissed while trying to get a diagnosis and that felt so incredibly real. Seeing that represented in a romance novel was refreshing and it’s something that really stuck with me.
Now let’s talk about the romance… 👀 The chemistry, the tension and the spice were wild… It was twisted, toxic, possessive and lowkey completely unapologetic about it💀 If morally gray, obsessive and possessive love interests you than I think you’ll have a lot of fun with this one. Just be sure to check the content warnings before diving in.
Overall, as a first read from Brooklyn Cross I had a great time and I can’t wait for more! This was an arc read that I received so thank you to Brooklyn and thesmuthood for trusting me with this🫶
Tropes:
💚Rockstar
🖤Step-siblings
💚Hate-to-Enemies-to-Lovers
🖤Chronic Illness Rep
💚Workplace Romance
🖤OTT/JP, Alphahole
💚If I Can't Have Her No One Can,
🖤Pierced MMC
💚Angsty
🖤Slow Burn-to-Spicy
July 19, 2026
What an emotional rollercoaster! Toxic Kiss by Brooklyn Cross had me completely hooked from start to finish. This book put me through every emotion possible, and I loved every second of it.
The MMC had me constantly torn between wanting to scream at him and wanting to root for him. One minute I hated him, the next I couldn't help but love him. He's flawed, frustrating, and utterly captivating the kind of character who gets under your skin and stays there.
The chemistry, angst, and emotional tension were off the charts, making it impossible to put the book down. Every twist had me desperate to know what would happen next.
If you love dark romance with morally grey characters, intense emotions, and a story that keeps your heart racing, Toxic Kiss is a must-read. Brooklyn Cross has delivered another unforgettable book that will stay with me for a long time.
Five stars without hesitation!
The MMC had me constantly torn between wanting to scream at him and wanting to root for him. One minute I hated him, the next I couldn't help but love him. He's flawed, frustrating, and utterly captivating the kind of character who gets under your skin and stays there.
The chemistry, angst, and emotional tension were off the charts, making it impossible to put the book down. Every twist had me desperate to know what would happen next.
If you love dark romance with morally grey characters, intense emotions, and a story that keeps your heart racing, Toxic Kiss is a must-read. Brooklyn Cross has delivered another unforgettable book that will stay with me for a long time.
Five stars without hesitation!
July 6, 2026
✨Received an ARC✨
Brooklyn did it again; this was another great book and I think one of her most emotional yet.
While I absolutely love her other books and series, this one felt the most real.
Haven and Cyrus go through so many ups and downs throughout the series. Themes of addiction, emotional abuse/neglect, death of parents and a friend, and more are constant throughout the book.
In addition to their tumultuous love story, one of the main plot drivers is what is ailing Cyrus. I think her portrayal of an unknown diagnosis and the unfortunate flaws of the healthcare system really hit. Cyrus was battling with something being wrong, but no one believing it was anything other than his past addictions.
This book is emotionally gripping and has you rooting for the redemption of the MMC. I absolutely enjoyed and devoured this book.
Brooklyn did it again; this was another great book and I think one of her most emotional yet.
While I absolutely love her other books and series, this one felt the most real.
Haven and Cyrus go through so many ups and downs throughout the series. Themes of addiction, emotional abuse/neglect, death of parents and a friend, and more are constant throughout the book.
In addition to their tumultuous love story, one of the main plot drivers is what is ailing Cyrus. I think her portrayal of an unknown diagnosis and the unfortunate flaws of the healthcare system really hit. Cyrus was battling with something being wrong, but no one believing it was anything other than his past addictions.
This book is emotionally gripping and has you rooting for the redemption of the MMC. I absolutely enjoyed and devoured this book.
July 25, 2026
Toxic Kiss was an unforgettable, emotional, spicy, and phenomenal read that wrecked me in the best way 💚 Haven and Cyrus have an electric relationship and their back and forth banter was hilarious, spicy, intimate, and both devastating and heartwarming. The plot was super gripping, and this book had to be pried from my hands because of how invested I was!! I really loved the writing style and well paced, nonstop plot, and the quotes at the beginning of each chapter and all of the song lyrics were powerful words that really stuck with me, as a lot of them hit hard 💚 The more sensitive topics in this book were explained well, and some of what Cyrus went through lined up closely with my own experiences, making this such a special read to me… Before I even started reading, the dedication alone had me in tears, and then add all of Cyrus, his words, and Haven and her support, and I’m just an ever flowing mess of tears from feeling seen 😭 This is a read that is definitely going to stay very close to my heart 💚
Haven is so strong for putting her foot down with Cyrus finally and doing what’s best for her, I was happy she made that choice because she needed it 💚 When she came back, she easily fell right back into things with Cyrus, but this time it was different, he was different… And she was the only one who saw who he really was and what he was—and wasn’t—struggling with. I loved her character so much for that and for how much she fought and stood up for him 🥹 She took her time in accepting that her and Cyrus were inevitable, but once she did the temperature started rising even more, and all of the emotions did too. Just as their relationship was scorching hot, there was also layers of emotional depth between them that were intense, intimate, and gut wrenching too because of their history and shared connection with Patrick. She fits in so easily to every part of Cyrus’s life and also with the band, and it was great and oh so satisfying seeing her *fiiiiiiiiinally!!!!* tell Anita tf off 😂 Her actions consistently show her deep love and care for Cyrus, even if she wants to try and deny it! I really loved her character; Every single person out there needs themselves a Haven in their life 💚
Cyrus has my entire heart, because this man is everything 💚 He is sweet and deliciously spicy, complex, protective, sensitive, and I absolutely refuse to believe he has a single red flag anymore, I won’t hear it 😤 His complexity made his character, and I appreciated how all of his feelings and actions past and present were explained in detail. His experiences with the medical system and also judgment from the ones in his life were sad to read, and my heart broke for him a lot 🥺 It hit close to home for me, so it was easy to connect to his character, as well as he really left an impact on me because of his melt worthy, reassuring, and supportive words within the dedication, the chapter quotes, and just throughout the whole dang book 💚 He goes through such a huge character development, and I loved seeing who he became and how he got there. He has a great redemption arc that he really earned 🥹 His friendships with Vex, Ash, Ledger, and Eren were funny, yet still supportive, even if they did have a few rough patches and doubt in Cyrus. Them working through things and staying close was as needed as him and Haven getting over their bumps in the road too! I adored everything there is to Cyrus and wish I could give him the biggest hug, for making me feel seen 💚
This was a very special and impactful read for me, as I really connected with Cyrus, and I also loved Haven and the Venomous guys 💚 Cyrus and Haven’s journey is filled with some hiccups, but seeing them get through every issue made every second worth it, it was nothing they couldn’t handle! Their spiciness was red hot, and yet they had such a softness to their relationship and really saw and understood one another, being supportive and on one another’s side 🥹 I loved every bit of Cyrus and Haven’s characters, their development, and them growing closer; not to mention all of the bits of Cyrus trying to get Haven to see how they are meant for each other was so yummy and mouthwatering 😍 From the hooking and interesting plot that I couldn’t look away from and had me in tears for like half the book, to the writing style, to Cyrus and Haven who I fell in love with, every single part of this book was amazing to me. I did not want their story to be over, but at least these two will be living in my head and heart 💚
Haven is so strong for putting her foot down with Cyrus finally and doing what’s best for her, I was happy she made that choice because she needed it 💚 When she came back, she easily fell right back into things with Cyrus, but this time it was different, he was different… And she was the only one who saw who he really was and what he was—and wasn’t—struggling with. I loved her character so much for that and for how much she fought and stood up for him 🥹 She took her time in accepting that her and Cyrus were inevitable, but once she did the temperature started rising even more, and all of the emotions did too. Just as their relationship was scorching hot, there was also layers of emotional depth between them that were intense, intimate, and gut wrenching too because of their history and shared connection with Patrick. She fits in so easily to every part of Cyrus’s life and also with the band, and it was great and oh so satisfying seeing her *fiiiiiiiiinally!!!!* tell Anita tf off 😂 Her actions consistently show her deep love and care for Cyrus, even if she wants to try and deny it! I really loved her character; Every single person out there needs themselves a Haven in their life 💚
Cyrus has my entire heart, because this man is everything 💚 He is sweet and deliciously spicy, complex, protective, sensitive, and I absolutely refuse to believe he has a single red flag anymore, I won’t hear it 😤 His complexity made his character, and I appreciated how all of his feelings and actions past and present were explained in detail. His experiences with the medical system and also judgment from the ones in his life were sad to read, and my heart broke for him a lot 🥺 It hit close to home for me, so it was easy to connect to his character, as well as he really left an impact on me because of his melt worthy, reassuring, and supportive words within the dedication, the chapter quotes, and just throughout the whole dang book 💚 He goes through such a huge character development, and I loved seeing who he became and how he got there. He has a great redemption arc that he really earned 🥹 His friendships with Vex, Ash, Ledger, and Eren were funny, yet still supportive, even if they did have a few rough patches and doubt in Cyrus. Them working through things and staying close was as needed as him and Haven getting over their bumps in the road too! I adored everything there is to Cyrus and wish I could give him the biggest hug, for making me feel seen 💚
This was a very special and impactful read for me, as I really connected with Cyrus, and I also loved Haven and the Venomous guys 💚 Cyrus and Haven’s journey is filled with some hiccups, but seeing them get through every issue made every second worth it, it was nothing they couldn’t handle! Their spiciness was red hot, and yet they had such a softness to their relationship and really saw and understood one another, being supportive and on one another’s side 🥹 I loved every bit of Cyrus and Haven’s characters, their development, and them growing closer; not to mention all of the bits of Cyrus trying to get Haven to see how they are meant for each other was so yummy and mouthwatering 😍 From the hooking and interesting plot that I couldn’t look away from and had me in tears for like half the book, to the writing style, to Cyrus and Haven who I fell in love with, every single part of this book was amazing to me. I did not want their story to be over, but at least these two will be living in my head and heart 💚
July 25, 2026
“She moved on, but I never stopped bleeding her name, and all the parts she broke are the ones I need to survive.”
Got me out of my current reading slump and couldn’t put this one down! 🤌🏻😘
This is probably my favorite book from Brooklyn Cross and there have been a handful of hers I have liked!
Toxic Kiss is about Haven and Cyrus and their toxic cycle that started when Havens dad married Cyrus’s mom after Havens mom passed away. Cyrus is a talented musician whose mom wanted him at the top and found Haven as someone who was basically in the way. Cyrus claimed Haven was a bad influence on Cyrus growing up when Cyrus straight up bullied Haven all through school and made her life hell. Behind closed doors though, Cyrus actually loved Haven. With the push and pull growing up and the trauma of their best friend passing away Haven moved away to New York for five years. While gone Cyrus spiraled while in the rockstar spotlight but Haven moved on and got engaged.
Haven gets a job offer from her dad as the band Venomous’s social media rep which throws her right back into Cyrus’s path. Can these two work peacefully together or will Cyrus’s bullying ways come back full swing?!
This book has so many good lines and quotes giving you all the feels! It’s a must read for sure!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Got me out of my current reading slump and couldn’t put this one down! 🤌🏻😘
This is probably my favorite book from Brooklyn Cross and there have been a handful of hers I have liked!
Toxic Kiss is about Haven and Cyrus and their toxic cycle that started when Havens dad married Cyrus’s mom after Havens mom passed away. Cyrus is a talented musician whose mom wanted him at the top and found Haven as someone who was basically in the way. Cyrus claimed Haven was a bad influence on Cyrus growing up when Cyrus straight up bullied Haven all through school and made her life hell. Behind closed doors though, Cyrus actually loved Haven. With the push and pull growing up and the trauma of their best friend passing away Haven moved away to New York for five years. While gone Cyrus spiraled while in the rockstar spotlight but Haven moved on and got engaged.
Haven gets a job offer from her dad as the band Venomous’s social media rep which throws her right back into Cyrus’s path. Can these two work peacefully together or will Cyrus’s bullying ways come back full swing?!
This book has so many good lines and quotes giving you all the feels! It’s a must read for sure!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
July 23, 2026
Cyrus & Haven
Toxic Kiss is going to take you on an emotional ride. These two have a lot to work out after the first chapters. We get glimpses of their past and it clicks. They both lost the same person but dealt with it in different ways. Cy turned to recreational habits and his music. Haven wrote in her journal and then escaped to NYC because she felt she didn't have anyone in her corner.
Cyrus not only used Haven as a verbal punching bag but treated his body like an afterthought. I really enjoyed seeing his progression as a character. The arc itself was beautiful to see. & it was also nice to see they forgave each other not to mention all of the chaos surrounding them both. Between the ex, their families and the people in their lives not related. By the end you see who you can trust and who you can't.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. I really hope the whole band gets books because the start of this series was a legit banger.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
Toxic Kiss is going to take you on an emotional ride. These two have a lot to work out after the first chapters. We get glimpses of their past and it clicks. They both lost the same person but dealt with it in different ways. Cy turned to recreational habits and his music. Haven wrote in her journal and then escaped to NYC because she felt she didn't have anyone in her corner.
Cyrus not only used Haven as a verbal punching bag but treated his body like an afterthought. I really enjoyed seeing his progression as a character. The arc itself was beautiful to see. & it was also nice to see they forgave each other not to mention all of the chaos surrounding them both. Between the ex, their families and the people in their lives not related. By the end you see who you can trust and who you can't.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. I really hope the whole band gets books because the start of this series was a legit banger.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
July 26, 2026
Okay….. I have said this many times before but…. There are books that entertain you… and then there are books that leave you emotionally wrung out long after you’ve turned the final page. Toxic Kiss was absolutely the latter.
This story consumed me from beginning to end. Every chapter pulled me deeper into a relationship built on pain, anger, longing, and undeniable chemistry. There were times where I wanted to fight Cy myself and other times where I wanted to wrap him up and give him a hug and honestly, that’s what made him such a compelling character. He’s deeply flawed, makes frustrating choices, and spends much of the story battling demons that feel painfully real.
It was so heartbreaking to read about how he hid his pain behind the abuse to Haven growing up. Going back and reading of all the horrible and humiliating things he did to her but loved her so much it scared him was gut wrenching.
Haven completely stole my heart. Her strength isn’t loud—it’s found in the way she refuses to let heartbreak, manipulation, or impossible circumstances define who she is. Watching her stand her ground and demand the respect she deserved made me root for her every step of the way.
This isn’t just a dark romance filled with angst and obsession. It also shines a light on grief, mental health, chronic illness, trauma, and the invisible battles people fight behind closed doors. Those themes added so much depth to the story and made the emotional moments hit even harder.
The tension between these two was magnetic. Every confrontation, every vulnerable moment, and every unexpected twist had me flying through the pages because I needed to know what would happen next. The emotional highs and lows were relentless in the best possible way.
By the time I reached the ending, I was completely wrecked—in the best sense of the word. My jaw was on the floor, my heart was in pieces, and I couldn’t stop thinking about these characters even after I finished.
If you enjoy dark, emotionally intense romances with morally gray characters, messy healing journeys, unforgettable chemistry, and a love story that fights its way through the darkness, Toxic Kiss deserves a spot on your TBR.
This was my first Brooklynn Cross book and I NEED MORE!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An unforgettable, emotionally charged read that will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you Smuthood and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. These are my honest thoughts.
This story consumed me from beginning to end. Every chapter pulled me deeper into a relationship built on pain, anger, longing, and undeniable chemistry. There were times where I wanted to fight Cy myself and other times where I wanted to wrap him up and give him a hug and honestly, that’s what made him such a compelling character. He’s deeply flawed, makes frustrating choices, and spends much of the story battling demons that feel painfully real.
It was so heartbreaking to read about how he hid his pain behind the abuse to Haven growing up. Going back and reading of all the horrible and humiliating things he did to her but loved her so much it scared him was gut wrenching.
Haven completely stole my heart. Her strength isn’t loud—it’s found in the way she refuses to let heartbreak, manipulation, or impossible circumstances define who she is. Watching her stand her ground and demand the respect she deserved made me root for her every step of the way.
This isn’t just a dark romance filled with angst and obsession. It also shines a light on grief, mental health, chronic illness, trauma, and the invisible battles people fight behind closed doors. Those themes added so much depth to the story and made the emotional moments hit even harder.
The tension between these two was magnetic. Every confrontation, every vulnerable moment, and every unexpected twist had me flying through the pages because I needed to know what would happen next. The emotional highs and lows were relentless in the best possible way.
By the time I reached the ending, I was completely wrecked—in the best sense of the word. My jaw was on the floor, my heart was in pieces, and I couldn’t stop thinking about these characters even after I finished.
If you enjoy dark, emotionally intense romances with morally gray characters, messy healing journeys, unforgettable chemistry, and a love story that fights its way through the darkness, Toxic Kiss deserves a spot on your TBR.
This was my first Brooklynn Cross book and I NEED MORE!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An unforgettable, emotionally charged read that will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you Smuthood and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. These are my honest thoughts.
July 26, 2026
Toxic Kiss, is one of those books that sinks its teeth into you and refuses to let go, even after you’ve turned the last page.
As a dark rockstar romance, it doesn’t hold back on the toxicity, obsession, or the raw, messy edges of forbidden desire, and I was completely hooked.
Cyrus Vale is the kind of anti hero who lives up to the “wrecked” in the series title. He’s magnetic on stage, worshipped by fans, but beneath the rock god persona is a man consumed by something far more dangerous….his fixation on Haven!
Their history as stepsiblings adds a sharp, taboo layer that makes every interaction crackle with tension.
What starts as hatred and a twisted pleasure in her pain slowly morphs into a deeper, all-consuming need. Cyrus doesn’t just want Haven, he needs her in a way that feels both romantic and terrifying. His internal monologue is intense, poetic in its darkness, and brutally honest about his inability to love without destruction.
Haven is a strong heroine who doesn’t crumble easily, which makes her dynamic with Cyrus even more compelling. She’s been burned by him before and knows exactly how dangerous he is, yet the pull between them is undeniable.
Their chemistry is scorching, laced with anger, longing, and that addictive push/pull that defines the best toxic romances.
The author does an excellent job showing how obsession can masquerade as love, and how two broken people can both heal and ruin each other at the same time.
The rockstar world feels authentic, gritty, loud, and seductive without falling into clichés. The music itself becomes another character, with Cyrus’s songs serving as raw confessions of everything he can’t say out loud.
The author’s writing is atmospheric and emotional, pulling you deep into the characters’ heads and hearts. There were moments that made me wince at the toxicity, moments that made my heart race, and moments that genuinely hurt in the best way.
This isn’t a light or fluffy read. It’s dark, possessive, and unapologetically intense, which is exactly what I was craving.
If you love rockstar romances that lean heavily into the “dark” side with obsession, emotional damage, and that delicious forbidden tension you’ll devour Toxic Kiss.
It left me eager for the rest of the Wrecked Encore series and still thinking about Cyrus and Haven days later.
A solid, addictive start to what promises to be a wild ride.
🦋
As a dark rockstar romance, it doesn’t hold back on the toxicity, obsession, or the raw, messy edges of forbidden desire, and I was completely hooked.
Cyrus Vale is the kind of anti hero who lives up to the “wrecked” in the series title. He’s magnetic on stage, worshipped by fans, but beneath the rock god persona is a man consumed by something far more dangerous….his fixation on Haven!
Their history as stepsiblings adds a sharp, taboo layer that makes every interaction crackle with tension.
What starts as hatred and a twisted pleasure in her pain slowly morphs into a deeper, all-consuming need. Cyrus doesn’t just want Haven, he needs her in a way that feels both romantic and terrifying. His internal monologue is intense, poetic in its darkness, and brutally honest about his inability to love without destruction.
Haven is a strong heroine who doesn’t crumble easily, which makes her dynamic with Cyrus even more compelling. She’s been burned by him before and knows exactly how dangerous he is, yet the pull between them is undeniable.
Their chemistry is scorching, laced with anger, longing, and that addictive push/pull that defines the best toxic romances.
The author does an excellent job showing how obsession can masquerade as love, and how two broken people can both heal and ruin each other at the same time.
The rockstar world feels authentic, gritty, loud, and seductive without falling into clichés. The music itself becomes another character, with Cyrus’s songs serving as raw confessions of everything he can’t say out loud.
The author’s writing is atmospheric and emotional, pulling you deep into the characters’ heads and hearts. There were moments that made me wince at the toxicity, moments that made my heart race, and moments that genuinely hurt in the best way.
This isn’t a light or fluffy read. It’s dark, possessive, and unapologetically intense, which is exactly what I was craving.
If you love rockstar romances that lean heavily into the “dark” side with obsession, emotional damage, and that delicious forbidden tension you’ll devour Toxic Kiss.
It left me eager for the rest of the Wrecked Encore series and still thinking about Cyrus and Haven days later.
A solid, addictive start to what promises to be a wild ride.
🦋
July 30, 2026
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my honest, voluntary review.
Bully romance indeed. The FMC, Haven, is pulled back into the rockstar world of her step-brother, Cyrus, after she escaped to New York to build a life for herself.
She survived her mother's passing, her father's neglect as a busy record producer, and a childhood spent under crippling bullying by her step-mother and step-brother. She has come back to LA to try and reclaim her promised place at her father's record company, only to be thrust back into Cyrus's cycle of torture. Pain from their past traumas, feelings unexpressed and regretful choices spiral into a fall that threatens everything they know to be true.
I typically enjoy a morally gray man, but for some reason i could not find it in myself to root for Cyrus. Some of the bullying scenes felt so reprehensible, I questioned Haven's mental state even considering any contact with Cyrus. I did not want to give him a pass or understanding about any of his actions, regardless of his own trials that may have pushed him to act that way. I truly did not know how Haven could allow or make excuses for things that were done to her. Also, Haven's father was presented as a relatively good man, but as the story developed I couldn't get over how annoying absent and blind he was to his daughter's plight. I know it's an all too common occurrence for a man to lose their wife and then remarry and act like the child no longer needs special attention since there is a mother figure fill in. It's been proven time and again this is the farthest thing from the truth. I guess this was written very realistically, but I hated reading it cause it hit too close to home.
What I did enjoy about the book:
I'm always impressed with song lyrics in books. I feel like writing songs is incredibly difficult so I liked that element added in.
Haven's character was likable, even if I couldn't fathom how she could ever give these people the benefit of the doubt after all that transported, especially the beach flashback, I mean come on!
The venomous bandmates were interesting supporting characters. I loved the found family and bonds those men shared and wished we'd have more in depth scenes showing those relationships.
Overall, I struggled to get through this book for some reason. I don't think it was bad, I just did not connect with it.
Bully romance indeed. The FMC, Haven, is pulled back into the rockstar world of her step-brother, Cyrus, after she escaped to New York to build a life for herself.
She survived her mother's passing, her father's neglect as a busy record producer, and a childhood spent under crippling bullying by her step-mother and step-brother. She has come back to LA to try and reclaim her promised place at her father's record company, only to be thrust back into Cyrus's cycle of torture. Pain from their past traumas, feelings unexpressed and regretful choices spiral into a fall that threatens everything they know to be true.
I typically enjoy a morally gray man, but for some reason i could not find it in myself to root for Cyrus. Some of the bullying scenes felt so reprehensible, I questioned Haven's mental state even considering any contact with Cyrus. I did not want to give him a pass or understanding about any of his actions, regardless of his own trials that may have pushed him to act that way. I truly did not know how Haven could allow or make excuses for things that were done to her. Also, Haven's father was presented as a relatively good man, but as the story developed I couldn't get over how annoying absent and blind he was to his daughter's plight. I know it's an all too common occurrence for a man to lose their wife and then remarry and act like the child no longer needs special attention since there is a mother figure fill in. It's been proven time and again this is the farthest thing from the truth. I guess this was written very realistically, but I hated reading it cause it hit too close to home.
What I did enjoy about the book:
I'm always impressed with song lyrics in books. I feel like writing songs is incredibly difficult so I liked that element added in.
Haven's character was likable, even if I couldn't fathom how she could ever give these people the benefit of the doubt after all that transported, especially the beach flashback, I mean come on!
The venomous bandmates were interesting supporting characters. I loved the found family and bonds those men shared and wished we'd have more in depth scenes showing those relationships.
Overall, I struggled to get through this book for some reason. I don't think it was bad, I just did not connect with it.
July 28, 2026
Toxic kiss is just like your favourite breakup song. It speaks to you on a soul crushing deeper level, it captivates you, draws you in and grips your heart, never letting go. Hauntingly beautiful, It rips you open, exposing all of the sharp and bloody edges, only to piece by piece stitch you back up. Remembering the scars, owning your trauma and healing you for the better.
Cy + Haven’s journey is tumultuous, chaotic and filled with deep seeded pain, trauma and sorrow.
Everyone deals with their grief differently. Cy used his pain and turned it into a weapon. Destroying everything in his path, targeting Haven for his complicated feelings for her and refusing to understand why.
Haven standing up for herself, standing up to Cy and his vindictive mother, refuses to let them break her. Even when they’ve turned everyone against her.
Toxic Kiss is such an emotional rollercoaster. I was instantly invested. A true bully enemies to lovers, I was hooked and devoured this read in one day. The mental wreckage each character goes through. Mental health and chronic illness get a spotlight throughout Toxic Kiss. The pain, the paranoia, always having to advocate for yourself when others are disbelieving, thinking the worst. If you’ve ever dealt with mental health or chronic illness, this book really helps to bring awareness and bring a level of clarity and understanding, validating the inner workings, symptoms and struggles of people who suffer.
A Butterfly being the perfect metaphor for transformative change, evolving and rejuvenation. Cy, chooses Haven. When everything around him, including his own mind and body, deceives him. She walks back into his life…He hones into the one feeling that never went away. Haven is home.
Breathing new life into their connection. Cy + Haven work uphill, against everyone and everything life throws at them…
Recalibrating how he sees Haven, his body and his illness.
Learning to take accountability, owning up to his mistakes, trying to be better.
It’s them against the world.
Anyone in their way better watch out,
Highly recommend 🫶🏻
Thank you Literally Yours PR + Brooklyn for this ARC!
Happy Reading
😊🎶💋
Cy + Haven’s journey is tumultuous, chaotic and filled with deep seeded pain, trauma and sorrow.
Everyone deals with their grief differently. Cy used his pain and turned it into a weapon. Destroying everything in his path, targeting Haven for his complicated feelings for her and refusing to understand why.
Haven standing up for herself, standing up to Cy and his vindictive mother, refuses to let them break her. Even when they’ve turned everyone against her.
Toxic Kiss is such an emotional rollercoaster. I was instantly invested. A true bully enemies to lovers, I was hooked and devoured this read in one day. The mental wreckage each character goes through. Mental health and chronic illness get a spotlight throughout Toxic Kiss. The pain, the paranoia, always having to advocate for yourself when others are disbelieving, thinking the worst. If you’ve ever dealt with mental health or chronic illness, this book really helps to bring awareness and bring a level of clarity and understanding, validating the inner workings, symptoms and struggles of people who suffer.
A Butterfly being the perfect metaphor for transformative change, evolving and rejuvenation. Cy, chooses Haven. When everything around him, including his own mind and body, deceives him. She walks back into his life…He hones into the one feeling that never went away. Haven is home.
Breathing new life into their connection. Cy + Haven work uphill, against everyone and everything life throws at them…
Recalibrating how he sees Haven, his body and his illness.
Learning to take accountability, owning up to his mistakes, trying to be better.
It’s them against the world.
Anyone in their way better watch out,
Highly recommend 🫶🏻
Thank you Literally Yours PR + Brooklyn for this ARC!
Happy Reading
😊🎶💋
July 24, 2026
Time and time again, Brooklyn Cross’s books hit emotionally deep and dark but Toxic Kiss takes us to a whole other level. Bully romance is one of my favorite kind of reads and boy this hits the mark. My goodness, Haven is put through some unfathomable traumatic experiences, from many angles, but her spirit is strong and she is a fighter. Somehow through it all, she remains true to herself, retaining her generosity, kindness, and beautiful soul. Once again, Brooklyn has given us a character in Cyrus that should be so hard to love and yet through his emotional and character evolution it’s impossible not to fall so hard for him. His struggles, while not enough to justify his horrendous behavior, gives understanding to who he is and how he became this way. His evolution is epic and an emotional heart scalding journey. Toxic is the perfect word to describe their relationship throughout the story. What is unwavering is the chemistry and undeniable pull Haven and Cyrus have towards one another. The tension is high, full of raw emotion and vulnerability. This road to redemption it’s perfectly written and takes us through the full gambit of feels. The members of Venomous are each charismatic in their own way and their devotion and loyalty to one another adds multiple layers to the story. This book is so much more than a rockstar romance. It is a true redemption story, showing what it means to know how you deserve to be loved and the willingness to do what’s necessary at all costs to make that happen for the one you love. I don’t have enough words to express my love for this book and I cannot recommend it enough.
July 29, 2026
This book is absolute perfection! I was completely hooked from page one, stayed up way too late, and physically could not bring myself to put it down. I had a feeling from the dedication page alone that I was going to love it, but it exceeded every single expectation I had.
Cyrus and Haven are the ultimate forbidden, enemies-to-lovers pair. High-school or college bullying storylines can sometimes turn me off, but Brooklyn handled it brilliantly here—it had enough edge to feel truly cruel without crossing into being over-the-top or irredeemable. Plus, I completely fell in love with all the band members and how much they cared for both Haven and Cyrus.
What impacted me the most, however, was the autoimmune disease representation. While I don't have an autoimmune condition myself, I live with chronic daily pain from a car accident, so I deeply relate to the frustration of not being believed just because you "look fine" on the outside. The way Brooklyn wrote about Cyrus’s pain, invisible struggles, and daily reality was so painfully accurate and deeply validating.
I literally ate this book up and left no crumbs! Easily a top read of the year.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶🌶🌶
Cyrus and Haven are the ultimate forbidden, enemies-to-lovers pair. High-school or college bullying storylines can sometimes turn me off, but Brooklyn handled it brilliantly here—it had enough edge to feel truly cruel without crossing into being over-the-top or irredeemable. Plus, I completely fell in love with all the band members and how much they cared for both Haven and Cyrus.
What impacted me the most, however, was the autoimmune disease representation. While I don't have an autoimmune condition myself, I live with chronic daily pain from a car accident, so I deeply relate to the frustration of not being believed just because you "look fine" on the outside. The way Brooklyn wrote about Cyrus’s pain, invisible struggles, and daily reality was so painfully accurate and deeply validating.
I literally ate this book up and left no crumbs! Easily a top read of the year.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶🌶🌶
July 29, 2026
I loved reading this forbidden, step-siblings, rockstar romance! Add in the bullying trope and it really was a perfect toxic combo!
Cyrus and Haven are red flags for each other but can’t seem to stay away. The story follows as their parents get married when they’re teenagers, Cyrus makes it in music and Haven moved away, and then eventually she comes back into the picture and how they try to coexist years later as adults. There is a lot of intense history between them and strong feelings on both sides that come to light… this was addicting! And really easy to get lost in. I flew through their love story, even though it was hard to read at times.
Thank you Smuthood for the ARC!
Cyrus and Haven are red flags for each other but can’t seem to stay away. The story follows as their parents get married when they’re teenagers, Cyrus makes it in music and Haven moved away, and then eventually she comes back into the picture and how they try to coexist years later as adults. There is a lot of intense history between them and strong feelings on both sides that come to light… this was addicting! And really easy to get lost in. I flew through their love story, even though it was hard to read at times.
Thank you Smuthood for the ARC!
July 24, 2026
The emotional damage that I received while reading this book is criminal. I wanted to hate Cyrus 80% of the book and then all of a sudden I was crying and falling in love with this poor man.
Also, like, don’t trust anyone or these characters, main and side. Every single one of them have shit to hide and the twists and rolls that occurred during the entirety of the books gave me whiplash, and my chiropractor can confirm it.
The amount of tears I shed deserves a medal. Literally. I feel like before starting this book I didn’t think I needed an emotional spiral, but Brooklyn said “nah crack it up” and I experienced so much sadness, and anger, and revelations that make the entire storyline come together flawlessly.
I thought that I’d read bully romances, but this one takes the cake. I’m pretty sure I have a new standard. And (shockingly!) this is my first step sibling relationship book. Ya know…. I thought I would hate both of these tropes and yet… Brooklyn kills it and makes me want soooo much more.
Thank you for accepting me on the arc team!!!
Also, like, don’t trust anyone or these characters, main and side. Every single one of them have shit to hide and the twists and rolls that occurred during the entirety of the books gave me whiplash, and my chiropractor can confirm it.
The amount of tears I shed deserves a medal. Literally. I feel like before starting this book I didn’t think I needed an emotional spiral, but Brooklyn said “nah crack it up” and I experienced so much sadness, and anger, and revelations that make the entire storyline come together flawlessly.
I thought that I’d read bully romances, but this one takes the cake. I’m pretty sure I have a new standard. And (shockingly!) this is my first step sibling relationship book. Ya know…. I thought I would hate both of these tropes and yet… Brooklyn kills it and makes me want soooo much more.
Thank you for accepting me on the arc team!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
It’s NO secret that I am a fan of Brooklyn Cross and that I love her writing style. I am saying this to make sure everyone understands that I am more familiar with her dark romances and her unhinged side. So this one was a little different for me because it’s is a contemporary romance, yes it is bully which I LOVE IT but it is after all a contemporary and ions lighter than her dark romances. Still I was captivated from the beginning. I am not going to sit here and lie to you guys and say amazing things just because I love the author and received an ARC. I am in fact not afraid to say when I like and when I don’t, regardless of the how I’ve read it and who it is from. Despite the fact that I had a little issue adjusting to the writing style because it isn’t dark and it’s completely different from other books I’ve read it from her , I still absolutely loved it. Everyone knows bully romance is my thing and everyone who reads my reviews are well aware that I absolutely DESPISE the doormat FMC, so again I was afraid to hated it as I started to see the FMC’s personality… So here we have a bully step siblings rockstar romance with a FMC who’s not a doormat but also she is not a fighter in the explicit way we are use to it , she is resilient, fair, honest, intelligent and caring, but she is also flawed and a lot times weak in the sense that she keeps falling for the awful things her stepmother, stepbrother and other people do to her. The whole time you keep seeing everyone turning their backs on her by cruelty or even by omission in the case of her best friend Patrick and her own father and I was LIVID !!!! She couldn’t even have a decent loving fiancé ! GOD DAMN IT this book brought some ugly emotions out of me, mostly anger towards everyone but her….. I was at one point thinking no one deserved her forgiveness, not even her father or her best friend…. But as the great author Brooklyn is , she slowly makes you start changing your mind, not that overnight I started loving everyone, noooooo. It’s just like those moments where you start to question if it’s worth to live life in hatred and unforgiving or if it’s better to take this weight out of chest and see things, live your best life from now on. And I LOVED that about this book. Plus Cyrus is really sexy and has a delicious dirty mouth so that helped 😂
I really liked the illness representation here and I adored how it makes you slowly understand and sympathize with Cyrus pain even though you don’t forgive his past actions and mistakes. So YES I did love it even when I thought I wasn’t going to like that much, I thought the lack of real reason in the beginning of why Cyrus was so cruel to her would make me not like the book as much, but I was wrong because the explanations come at the right time in the book and not a second earlier. So basically this author did it again for me ! It is worth and brings some ugly emotions from you 😂
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 “There’s no guide for how to suffer gracefully. Just scars where the rules used to be.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 “She moved on, but I never stopped bleeding her name, and all the parts she broke are the ones I need to survive.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 “There are moments that brand themselves into your heart. Not because you want to remember, but because your soul refuses to forget.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
“I don’t just want her. I want every version of her I’ve never deserved. And I know, with the kind of clarity that wrecks a man, that even if she set me ablaze, I’ll crawl through the flames just to hear her whisper my name.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 “I used to want your tears because I was cruel enough to think they proved I mattered. I wanted them because I hated that your smile made me feel something other than anger. I wanted them because in your pain, I found peace. I wasn’t alone with my dark thoughts.”
Now I hate every single one I caused. I hate how I hurt you, and no amount of time will ever erase that regret. But I never want to forget. It is only in remembering that I realize how blessed I am to have you standing here by my side. Because let’s face it. I don’t deserve it.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
I really liked the illness representation here and I adored how it makes you slowly understand and sympathize with Cyrus pain even though you don’t forgive his past actions and mistakes. So YES I did love it even when I thought I wasn’t going to like that much, I thought the lack of real reason in the beginning of why Cyrus was so cruel to her would make me not like the book as much, but I was wrong because the explanations come at the right time in the book and not a second earlier. So basically this author did it again for me ! It is worth and brings some ugly emotions from you 😂
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 “There’s no guide for how to suffer gracefully. Just scars where the rules used to be.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 “She moved on, but I never stopped bleeding her name, and all the parts she broke are the ones I need to survive.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 “There are moments that brand themselves into your heart. Not because you want to remember, but because your soul refuses to forget.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
“I don’t just want her. I want every version of her I’ve never deserved. And I know, with the kind of clarity that wrecks a man, that even if she set me ablaze, I’ll crawl through the flames just to hear her whisper my name.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 “I used to want your tears because I was cruel enough to think they proved I mattered. I wanted them because I hated that your smile made me feel something other than anger. I wanted them because in your pain, I found peace. I wasn’t alone with my dark thoughts.”
Now I hate every single one I caused. I hate how I hurt you, and no amount of time will ever erase that regret. But I never want to forget. It is only in remembering that I realize how blessed I am to have you standing here by my side. Because let’s face it. I don’t deserve it.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
July 15, 2026
4.5
The word Toxic in the title is a perfect representation of the books and its characters. I have read some of Brooklyn's darker more unhinged stories and I will say this one is not as dark as it is more in alignment with a dark romance than her horrormance/pitch black books and I liked it. As usual she does an amazing job writing MMCs that you will like and find charming all while questioning yourself because of the messed up shit they do. Like what we see Cyrus do in the flashbacks is really, really messed up at times but when we get to current times, we get a glimpse into feelings and thought processes and somehow you can't help liking him. At least for me. Now when it comes to Haven, I don't know who this girl pissed off in a previous life but damn she attracts some really toxic people. All of her relationships hold some degree of toxicity from her stepmother, stepbrother, past relationships we don't experience, her fiancé and in my opinion, her so called best friend. (yes, I said it). I think some people might struggle with her character thinking her a doormat but there is just something like with all of Brooklyn's characters you can't just help liking her and cheering her on because of how resilient, fiery and honestly just choosing to see the best in people who may or may not deserve it. Sometimes I think we need more people like than cynical ones like me.
When it comes to the story it is an emotional roller coaster dealing with a rockstar who is emotionally stunted to say the least trying to deal with his feelings for a girl he has bullied for years and him having to pay for his sins so to speak and earn her forgiveness but with all the panache of well an emotionally stunted rockstar. But at the same time, he is dealing with an illness that no one really wants to listen to him or work on actually diagnosing it writing it off due to his lifestyle and past drug use. It's so frustrating and heartbreaking to see him basically screaming for help and no one listening to him even those close to him (something many people deal with when it comes to invisible chronic illnesses) except for Haven. To have her be the one person who believe him when she is the person who should trust him least just proves to him how much they belong together and will do anything to keep her by his side.
Their chemistry was off the charts hot and toxic, and it was just a wild ride of a read and I had a blast.
----
This book is about Haven who suffered as a teenage at the hands of her stepbrother who did everything he could to isolate her and make her feel worthless. But still she would give him so many chances to be the good guy she could see that he was deep down, but it would always come back to bite her in the ass in a big way. Until she decides enough is enough and leaves for college on the other side of the country. Years later she is back engaged and confidant in who she is ready to take her place at her fathers at his company. But before she can do that her father has a job for her to prove she is ready for a job at their record label. She needs to go rein in an out-of-control rockstar who is of course none other than her stepbrother Cyrus Vale. Left with no other options she joins him on tour to find that he has not changed and the moment he sets eyes on her wants nothing more than to pick up where they left off where his every move is to break her down and make her cry. But what she doesn't know is the moment he set eyes on her again after all these years he decides that he is not letting her go and he will do whatever it takes to keep her by his side because she is his muse and he is addicted to her touch, tears and kisses. He will just have to learn how to keep her without destroying her.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The word Toxic in the title is a perfect representation of the books and its characters. I have read some of Brooklyn's darker more unhinged stories and I will say this one is not as dark as it is more in alignment with a dark romance than her horrormance/pitch black books and I liked it. As usual she does an amazing job writing MMCs that you will like and find charming all while questioning yourself because of the messed up shit they do. Like what we see Cyrus do in the flashbacks is really, really messed up at times but when we get to current times, we get a glimpse into feelings and thought processes and somehow you can't help liking him. At least for me. Now when it comes to Haven, I don't know who this girl pissed off in a previous life but damn she attracts some really toxic people. All of her relationships hold some degree of toxicity from her stepmother, stepbrother, past relationships we don't experience, her fiancé and in my opinion, her so called best friend. (yes, I said it). I think some people might struggle with her character thinking her a doormat but there is just something like with all of Brooklyn's characters you can't just help liking her and cheering her on because of how resilient, fiery and honestly just choosing to see the best in people who may or may not deserve it. Sometimes I think we need more people like than cynical ones like me.
When it comes to the story it is an emotional roller coaster dealing with a rockstar who is emotionally stunted to say the least trying to deal with his feelings for a girl he has bullied for years and him having to pay for his sins so to speak and earn her forgiveness but with all the panache of well an emotionally stunted rockstar. But at the same time, he is dealing with an illness that no one really wants to listen to him or work on actually diagnosing it writing it off due to his lifestyle and past drug use. It's so frustrating and heartbreaking to see him basically screaming for help and no one listening to him even those close to him (something many people deal with when it comes to invisible chronic illnesses) except for Haven. To have her be the one person who believe him when she is the person who should trust him least just proves to him how much they belong together and will do anything to keep her by his side.
Their chemistry was off the charts hot and toxic, and it was just a wild ride of a read and I had a blast.
----
This book is about Haven who suffered as a teenage at the hands of her stepbrother who did everything he could to isolate her and make her feel worthless. But still she would give him so many chances to be the good guy she could see that he was deep down, but it would always come back to bite her in the ass in a big way. Until she decides enough is enough and leaves for college on the other side of the country. Years later she is back engaged and confidant in who she is ready to take her place at her fathers at his company. But before she can do that her father has a job for her to prove she is ready for a job at their record label. She needs to go rein in an out-of-control rockstar who is of course none other than her stepbrother Cyrus Vale. Left with no other options she joins him on tour to find that he has not changed and the moment he sets eyes on her wants nothing more than to pick up where they left off where his every move is to break her down and make her cry. But what she doesn't know is the moment he set eyes on her again after all these years he decides that he is not letting her go and he will do whatever it takes to keep her by his side because she is his muse and he is addicted to her touch, tears and kisses. He will just have to learn how to keep her without destroying her.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2026
Wow, what an emotional rollercoaster of a read!
You know an author has done something special when they can take a character you completely despise and gradually make you understand, sympathize with, and even root for them. The character development in this book was incredible. Cyrus begins as someone whose trauma causes him to inflict pain on others, and there were moments when I genuinely didn't know how he could ever redeem himself. Yet watching his growth unfold felt authentic, hard-earned, and deeply emotional.
As someone who firmly believes that past trauma should never be used as an excuse to hurt others, I appreciated how the story handled accountability. Cyrus's experiences helped explain his actions, but they never erased the damage he caused. His redemption came through genuine change, self-awareness, and putting in the work to become a better person.
Haven was such a remarkable character. Despite everything she endured, her capacity for forgiveness and compassion never stopped amazing me. Whether it was Patrick, Cyrus, her father, or even Charles, she consistently chose grace when most would have wanted revenge. Her strength came not from being passive, but from knowing when to stand up for herself and when to walk away for her own well-being.
The relationship between Haven and Cyrus was the definition of complicated. Their connection felt like two people tied together by an invisible force—constantly pulled apart only to find themselves drawn back together. Their shared history wasn't pretty, but it was layered with grief, love, resentment, hope, and healing. I especially appreciated that this wasn't a "love fixes everything" story. Instead, it showed how believing in someone, asking questions, seeking answers, and offering support can help create a path toward healing.
The chronic illness representation was exceptionally well done and incredibly moving. The frustration of not being believed, of having symptoms dismissed or explained away rather than investigated, felt painfully realistic. Seeing that experience portrayed with such care added so much depth to the story.
One of my favorite aspects was how Haven saw what others couldn't. She looked beyond the surface and recognized both what Cyrus was struggling with and what he wasn't. Their relationship wasn't about erasing the past—it was about communicating, growing, and consciously choosing each other despite everything they had been through.
Cyrus's redemption arc ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book. His growth was substantial, believable, and fully earned. By the end, I found myself completely invested in his happiness and healing. His friendships, personal struggles, and emotional journey added so many layers to his character.
This was a deeply impactful read for me. Between the emotional depth, the powerful themes of accountability and forgiveness, the chronic illness representation, and the beautifully complex relationship between Haven and Cyrus, this story left a lasting impression. I laughed, cried, got frustrated, and ultimately fell in love with these characters.
You know an author has done something special when they can take a character you completely despise and gradually make you understand, sympathize with, and even root for them. The character development in this book was incredible. Cyrus begins as someone whose trauma causes him to inflict pain on others, and there were moments when I genuinely didn't know how he could ever redeem himself. Yet watching his growth unfold felt authentic, hard-earned, and deeply emotional.
As someone who firmly believes that past trauma should never be used as an excuse to hurt others, I appreciated how the story handled accountability. Cyrus's experiences helped explain his actions, but they never erased the damage he caused. His redemption came through genuine change, self-awareness, and putting in the work to become a better person.
Haven was such a remarkable character. Despite everything she endured, her capacity for forgiveness and compassion never stopped amazing me. Whether it was Patrick, Cyrus, her father, or even Charles, she consistently chose grace when most would have wanted revenge. Her strength came not from being passive, but from knowing when to stand up for herself and when to walk away for her own well-being.
The relationship between Haven and Cyrus was the definition of complicated. Their connection felt like two people tied together by an invisible force—constantly pulled apart only to find themselves drawn back together. Their shared history wasn't pretty, but it was layered with grief, love, resentment, hope, and healing. I especially appreciated that this wasn't a "love fixes everything" story. Instead, it showed how believing in someone, asking questions, seeking answers, and offering support can help create a path toward healing.
The chronic illness representation was exceptionally well done and incredibly moving. The frustration of not being believed, of having symptoms dismissed or explained away rather than investigated, felt painfully realistic. Seeing that experience portrayed with such care added so much depth to the story.
One of my favorite aspects was how Haven saw what others couldn't. She looked beyond the surface and recognized both what Cyrus was struggling with and what he wasn't. Their relationship wasn't about erasing the past—it was about communicating, growing, and consciously choosing each other despite everything they had been through.
Cyrus's redemption arc ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book. His growth was substantial, believable, and fully earned. By the end, I found myself completely invested in his happiness and healing. His friendships, personal struggles, and emotional journey added so many layers to his character.
This was a deeply impactful read for me. Between the emotional depth, the powerful themes of accountability and forgiveness, the chronic illness representation, and the beautifully complex relationship between Haven and Cyrus, this story left a lasting impression. I laughed, cried, got frustrated, and ultimately fell in love with these characters.
Review of advance copy
THIS BOOK BLEW MY MIND!! 🎸🖤
Brooklyn Cross… where do I even begin?!
From the very first page, I couldn’t put this book down. The tension was electric, the emotions were raw, the chemistry was explosive, and the spice? Holy Rock Gods. Every chapter had me completely hooked.
And Cyrus calling Haven “Butterfly”? It gave me butterflies every single time.
Then there was THAT scene… 🔥 I was fanning myself! Cyrus is so hopelessly obsessed with Haven that he literally can’t keep his hands off her. His possessiveness, his devotion and the way he loves Haven with every broken piece of himself made him impossible not to fall for.
But as much as I loved Cyrus, Haven completely stole my heart.
Her strength, determination, unwavering devotion and beautiful heart made her impossible not to admire.
She endured so much without ever losing the kindness that defined her and watching her reclaim her power, embrace her worth and finally realize she deserved to be loved fiercely, and unapologetically was one of the most beautiful journeys in the book.
She wasn’t just Cyrus’s muse…she was his anchor, his home and his equal in every way.
What makes this story unforgettable is the journey. Cyrus said and did things to Haven that felt unforgivable, yet Brooklyn Cross delivers one of the most compelling redemption stories I’ve read. She reminds us that love isn’t just about grand gestures…it’s about accountability, growth and choosing to become someone worthy of the person you love.
The Venomous bandmates were everything. Their loyalty to each other never wavered, even when Cyrus made it so incredibly hard to stand beside him. Through every mistake, every meltdown and every impossible situation, they remained his family, proving that true brotherhood doesn’t disappear when life gets messy.
And Haven finally standing up to her wicked stepmother? Perfection. Watching Cyrus finally see the years of emotional abuse the woman he loved had endured and choosing to put his mother in her place while standing beside the only woman he has ever truly loved -and the only woman who truly loved him, was one of the most emotional and satisfying moments in the book.
And can we talk about the songs? 🎶 The lyrics Brooklyn wrote throughout this story were phenomenal. They didn’t just complement the romance…they became its heartbeat. Every lyric hit straight to the heart and if those songs existed in real life, they’d be permanently on my replay list.
This was exhilarating, heartbreaking, heart-pounding, addictive, and everything I want in a rockstar forbidden second chance romance.
Cyrus Vale has officially earned a permanent place on my book boyfriend list.
Wrecked Encore?! Brooklyn, PLEASE tell me that’s the beginning of a series because I need more of this world, these characters, and this band.
This wasn’t just a five star read…it deserved a standing ovation. 🎸🦋💚
Brooklyn Cross… where do I even begin?!
From the very first page, I couldn’t put this book down. The tension was electric, the emotions were raw, the chemistry was explosive, and the spice? Holy Rock Gods. Every chapter had me completely hooked.
And Cyrus calling Haven “Butterfly”? It gave me butterflies every single time.
Then there was THAT scene… 🔥 I was fanning myself! Cyrus is so hopelessly obsessed with Haven that he literally can’t keep his hands off her. His possessiveness, his devotion and the way he loves Haven with every broken piece of himself made him impossible not to fall for.
But as much as I loved Cyrus, Haven completely stole my heart.
Her strength, determination, unwavering devotion and beautiful heart made her impossible not to admire.
She endured so much without ever losing the kindness that defined her and watching her reclaim her power, embrace her worth and finally realize she deserved to be loved fiercely, and unapologetically was one of the most beautiful journeys in the book.
She wasn’t just Cyrus’s muse…she was his anchor, his home and his equal in every way.
What makes this story unforgettable is the journey. Cyrus said and did things to Haven that felt unforgivable, yet Brooklyn Cross delivers one of the most compelling redemption stories I’ve read. She reminds us that love isn’t just about grand gestures…it’s about accountability, growth and choosing to become someone worthy of the person you love.
The Venomous bandmates were everything. Their loyalty to each other never wavered, even when Cyrus made it so incredibly hard to stand beside him. Through every mistake, every meltdown and every impossible situation, they remained his family, proving that true brotherhood doesn’t disappear when life gets messy.
And Haven finally standing up to her wicked stepmother? Perfection. Watching Cyrus finally see the years of emotional abuse the woman he loved had endured and choosing to put his mother in her place while standing beside the only woman he has ever truly loved -and the only woman who truly loved him, was one of the most emotional and satisfying moments in the book.
And can we talk about the songs? 🎶 The lyrics Brooklyn wrote throughout this story were phenomenal. They didn’t just complement the romance…they became its heartbeat. Every lyric hit straight to the heart and if those songs existed in real life, they’d be permanently on my replay list.
This was exhilarating, heartbreaking, heart-pounding, addictive, and everything I want in a rockstar forbidden second chance romance.
Cyrus Vale has officially earned a permanent place on my book boyfriend list.
Wrecked Encore?! Brooklyn, PLEASE tell me that’s the beginning of a series because I need more of this world, these characters, and this band.
This wasn’t just a five star read…it deserved a standing ovation. 🎸🦋💚
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Some people write love songs. Others bleed them.”
I can’t stop basking in Toxic Kiss, a heartfelt roller coaster of a rockstar meets stepbrother romance that stole my breath and tears. This was my first book by Brooklyn Cross, and oh mylanta did she craft an emotional masterpiece! From cover to cover, this story is stunning … smoldering … soulful … and oh so special. A storm I never saw coming, but one that wrecked my heart and soul in the most wonderful of ways. I read Toxic Kiss with tears in my eyes and so much love inside. This book blew me away! Beautifully broken, bold, and brilliantly told.
Spanning from high school to adulthood, Toxic Kiss is the captivating tale of a torn hero and heroine who battle demons and darkness to save each other. This story stars smart and stunning, Haven, and her troubled and unabashedly bold stepbrother, Cyrus, who’s full of complex layers and all alpha: deliciously dirty and dominant, a heady combination. Two kindred spirits with beautiful hearts fated together in a messy but meaningful way. Light and dark. Bold and brave. Fire and fate.
Cross weaves an unforgettable, heart-stealing, soul-searing story about falling in love and the sacrifices one will make to save the other. I fell hard for the hero who doesn’t think he’s worthy and the heroine willing to do whatever it takes to show him his worth. I felt Haven and Cyrus’ deep chemistry and connection through the pages. The undeniable chemistry … the palpable pull … the passionate and poetic prose … the love-hate vibes … I felt it all.
I lived for the lyrics and chapter quotes full of wisdom and emotion. Toxic Kiss is so special, one of strength and salvation that sparkles with love and light. I couldn’t help but applaud its valuable messages of finding the beauty in the broken. Flying after falling. Rising by lifting others. Daring to dream. And, most importantly: true love always prevailing.
This book brings battles to life and slays demons, the kind of heartfelt prose that takes and leaves pieces of the heart and soul inside. Days later, my emotions are still raging from this forbidden and fiery romance that’s messy but oh so meaningful. An epic, emotional, extraordinary masterpiece that touches everywhere. I can’t stop feeling Toxic Kiss that was my breath, my beauty, my hope, my heartbreak, and my everything.
“We were written in blood and unfinished goodbyes, but I’d choose you again in every tear I cry.”
I love stepbrother and rockstar romances and Toxic Kiss was chef’s kiss. Heart-hitting, angst-blessing, soul-slaying perfection. A top 2026 romance, Toxic Kiss will forever own a part of my heart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ but worth all the bleeding hearts and burning stars
➡️ https://amzn.to/3Rva3B2
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
I can’t stop basking in Toxic Kiss, a heartfelt roller coaster of a rockstar meets stepbrother romance that stole my breath and tears. This was my first book by Brooklyn Cross, and oh mylanta did she craft an emotional masterpiece! From cover to cover, this story is stunning … smoldering … soulful … and oh so special. A storm I never saw coming, but one that wrecked my heart and soul in the most wonderful of ways. I read Toxic Kiss with tears in my eyes and so much love inside. This book blew me away! Beautifully broken, bold, and brilliantly told.
Spanning from high school to adulthood, Toxic Kiss is the captivating tale of a torn hero and heroine who battle demons and darkness to save each other. This story stars smart and stunning, Haven, and her troubled and unabashedly bold stepbrother, Cyrus, who’s full of complex layers and all alpha: deliciously dirty and dominant, a heady combination. Two kindred spirits with beautiful hearts fated together in a messy but meaningful way. Light and dark. Bold and brave. Fire and fate.
Cross weaves an unforgettable, heart-stealing, soul-searing story about falling in love and the sacrifices one will make to save the other. I fell hard for the hero who doesn’t think he’s worthy and the heroine willing to do whatever it takes to show him his worth. I felt Haven and Cyrus’ deep chemistry and connection through the pages. The undeniable chemistry … the palpable pull … the passionate and poetic prose … the love-hate vibes … I felt it all.
I lived for the lyrics and chapter quotes full of wisdom and emotion. Toxic Kiss is so special, one of strength and salvation that sparkles with love and light. I couldn’t help but applaud its valuable messages of finding the beauty in the broken. Flying after falling. Rising by lifting others. Daring to dream. And, most importantly: true love always prevailing.
This book brings battles to life and slays demons, the kind of heartfelt prose that takes and leaves pieces of the heart and soul inside. Days later, my emotions are still raging from this forbidden and fiery romance that’s messy but oh so meaningful. An epic, emotional, extraordinary masterpiece that touches everywhere. I can’t stop feeling Toxic Kiss that was my breath, my beauty, my hope, my heartbreak, and my everything.
“We were written in blood and unfinished goodbyes, but I’d choose you again in every tear I cry.”
I love stepbrother and rockstar romances and Toxic Kiss was chef’s kiss. Heart-hitting, angst-blessing, soul-slaying perfection. A top 2026 romance, Toxic Kiss will forever own a part of my heart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ but worth all the bleeding hearts and burning stars
➡️ https://amzn.to/3Rva3B2
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
July 25, 2026
Toxic Kiss kicks off with a bully romance vibe when Cyrus Vale’s mother marries Haven Gaillard’s father when they were teenagers. From the very beginning, Cyrus was determined to make Haven’s life as miserable as possible, but now years later everything has changed. He is now a rockstar worshipped by millions, yet the only person whose opinion truly matters to him is Haven’s. Somewhere along the line, his hatred had transformed into an obsession, and she became his muse, every song written for her. Now Haven has returned and he’s determined he won’t let her go again.
While this isn’t as dark as the author’s previous books, I honestly didn’t miss it. Instead, Toxic Kiss leans more into emotional angst, slow-burning tension, and a romance packed with chemistry. Cyrus is exactly the kind of morally grey hero that most readers find irresistible - frustrating, deeply flawed, and constantly making you question whether you should be rooting for him - basically he’s someone you love to hate but want to see redeem himself. I spent most of my read wanting to shake him, but it was obvious there was more to his initial behaviour than met the eye so I also couldn’t stop turning the pages to find out what had made him the way he was and seeing Cyrus’s redemption arc unfold on the pages was one of my favourite parts of the story.
As the plot unfolds, it’s revealed that Cyrus is living with a chronic illness. However, because of his history of drug addiction, everyone around him dismiss his symptoms, assuming they’re simply the consequences of his past substance abuse. It does make you wonder if his obsession with Haven was just his latest addiction. Haven puts up with a lot in this book, and there were times I just wanted to give her a hug and other times shake some sense into her. She had endured relentless emotional abuse from her cruel stepmother, making it especially satisfying when she finally finds the strength to stand up to her with Cyrus’ help. Another standout element was the dynamic between Cyrus and his bandmates. Their friendship added some much-needed lighter moments and genuinely felt like the family he’d never had while adding some much-needed lighter moments
Overall, this was an emotional, addictive read that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you’re looking for a rockstar romance full of angst, obsession, and all the feels as a flawed hero earns his redemption, then Toxic Kiss definitely delivers. And after meeting the rest of the band, I’m really hoping this is just the beginning of the series and they’ll each get their own books too!
While this isn’t as dark as the author’s previous books, I honestly didn’t miss it. Instead, Toxic Kiss leans more into emotional angst, slow-burning tension, and a romance packed with chemistry. Cyrus is exactly the kind of morally grey hero that most readers find irresistible - frustrating, deeply flawed, and constantly making you question whether you should be rooting for him - basically he’s someone you love to hate but want to see redeem himself. I spent most of my read wanting to shake him, but it was obvious there was more to his initial behaviour than met the eye so I also couldn’t stop turning the pages to find out what had made him the way he was and seeing Cyrus’s redemption arc unfold on the pages was one of my favourite parts of the story.
As the plot unfolds, it’s revealed that Cyrus is living with a chronic illness. However, because of his history of drug addiction, everyone around him dismiss his symptoms, assuming they’re simply the consequences of his past substance abuse. It does make you wonder if his obsession with Haven was just his latest addiction. Haven puts up with a lot in this book, and there were times I just wanted to give her a hug and other times shake some sense into her. She had endured relentless emotional abuse from her cruel stepmother, making it especially satisfying when she finally finds the strength to stand up to her with Cyrus’ help. Another standout element was the dynamic between Cyrus and his bandmates. Their friendship added some much-needed lighter moments and genuinely felt like the family he’d never had while adding some much-needed lighter moments
Overall, this was an emotional, addictive read that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you’re looking for a rockstar romance full of angst, obsession, and all the feels as a flawed hero earns his redemption, then Toxic Kiss definitely delivers. And after meeting the rest of the band, I’m really hoping this is just the beginning of the series and they’ll each get their own books too!
July 27, 2026
It’s been a while since a book pulled me in from the very first chapter. Cyrus & Haven did exactly that.
Cyrus is a walking, talking collection of bad decisions, jealousy, hatred…and yes, love. As a stepbrother, he’s an absolute nightmare. The cruelty he inflicts on Haven is heartbreaking, and reading her journal was painful—not just for Cyrus, but for me as well.
Haven is beautiful, kind, sweet, and incredibly strong-willed. Cyrus is determined to break her, trying every cruel idea his twisted mind can come up with. He turns her teenage years into a lonely, heartbreaking experience filled with pain.
They’ve both suffered the devastating loss of a parent, but Haven handles her grief with so much more strength than Cyrus. His anger consumes him, and instead of admitting how deeply he loves her, he spends years pushing her away.
This is a true love story that spans years of heartbreak. The one night they finally spend together should have changed everything, but Haven overhears Cyrus on the phone saying terrible things about her. Heartbroken, she leaves for New York that very night. Cyrus never knows why she disappeared, and her absence only adds to his misery.
I loved seeing every terrible thing Cyrus put Haven through come back to haunt him as he secretly reads the journal he stole from her. Watching him finally understand the pain he caused made every page worth it.
I also loved every member of Venomous, Cyrus’s band, especially Vex. They each bring something unique to the group, and I can’t wait to read a book about every one of them.
This book is scorching hot. Every scene between Cyrus and Haven could practically set my Kindle on fire. Their chemistry is intense, fueled by years of denial, longing, and emotional conflict. I couldn’t put this book down. If I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it or trying to figure out when I could pick it back up.
The hardest part was wanting to race to the ending because I desperately needed answers about Cyrus’s condition and, of course, my happily-ever-after. At the same time, I didn’t want the story to end because I knew my next read would have a hard time living up to this one.
Some of Cyrus’s internal thoughts had me laughing out loud—the man has absolutely no filter. Haven’s inner dialogue was just as entertaining. Together, they created an unforgettable mix of humor, heartbreak, and undeniable chemistry.
I’m a sucker for a happy ending, and this one absolutely delivered. Every loose end is tied up beautifully, and I finished the book with a huge smile on my face.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five stars! I highly recommend this emotional, addictive, and unforgettable romance.
Cyrus is a walking, talking collection of bad decisions, jealousy, hatred…and yes, love. As a stepbrother, he’s an absolute nightmare. The cruelty he inflicts on Haven is heartbreaking, and reading her journal was painful—not just for Cyrus, but for me as well.
Haven is beautiful, kind, sweet, and incredibly strong-willed. Cyrus is determined to break her, trying every cruel idea his twisted mind can come up with. He turns her teenage years into a lonely, heartbreaking experience filled with pain.
They’ve both suffered the devastating loss of a parent, but Haven handles her grief with so much more strength than Cyrus. His anger consumes him, and instead of admitting how deeply he loves her, he spends years pushing her away.
This is a true love story that spans years of heartbreak. The one night they finally spend together should have changed everything, but Haven overhears Cyrus on the phone saying terrible things about her. Heartbroken, she leaves for New York that very night. Cyrus never knows why she disappeared, and her absence only adds to his misery.
I loved seeing every terrible thing Cyrus put Haven through come back to haunt him as he secretly reads the journal he stole from her. Watching him finally understand the pain he caused made every page worth it.
I also loved every member of Venomous, Cyrus’s band, especially Vex. They each bring something unique to the group, and I can’t wait to read a book about every one of them.
This book is scorching hot. Every scene between Cyrus and Haven could practically set my Kindle on fire. Their chemistry is intense, fueled by years of denial, longing, and emotional conflict. I couldn’t put this book down. If I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it or trying to figure out when I could pick it back up.
The hardest part was wanting to race to the ending because I desperately needed answers about Cyrus’s condition and, of course, my happily-ever-after. At the same time, I didn’t want the story to end because I knew my next read would have a hard time living up to this one.
Some of Cyrus’s internal thoughts had me laughing out loud—the man has absolutely no filter. Haven’s inner dialogue was just as entertaining. Together, they created an unforgettable mix of humor, heartbreak, and undeniable chemistry.
I’m a sucker for a happy ending, and this one absolutely delivered. Every loose end is tied up beautifully, and I finished the book with a huge smile on my face.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five stars! I highly recommend this emotional, addictive, and unforgettable romance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
MF Rockstar Romance
“Some love survives being dragged through hell. It crawls out of that fiery pit, bloody and furious, and stronger for it.”
Wow!! A must read!!!
I was so incredibly engrossed in this book that I had a hard time putting down, if I didn’t have to adult I would have read it in one sitting. It took me on such an emotional journey and had me feeling ALL the feels (yes I absolutely cried….multiple times)
The angst, tension and chemistry between these two was off the charts, the spice was absolutely delectable and their journey was full of ups, downs, and zigzags. Their past was hard to read but it was extremely vital to their story.
You will absolutely fall for Cyrus…..eventually. He was a bully, an asshole, a toxic POS.
But IMO he totally redeems himself…. In the end
He suffered in silence, no one believed he hadn’t relapsed (all because he’s a rockstar ) He kept his struggles from those closest to him, he was too scared/ embarrassed to admit something was wrong, he also had different doctors telling him different things.
Enter the only person in his life he might listened to……who also might be the only one to listen to him……to see through that rockstar exterior
“I was made of vice, not virtue, until your hands made the sinner in me kneel. Now every kiss of yours feels like worship, every breath a penance for wounds that never heal.”
No cheating, minimal OWD, no third act breakup with a hard earned HEA
* Bully to Enemies to Lovers
* Step siblings
* Tatted & Pierced 🍆
* Ex Addict
* OTT Jealous/ Possessive
* FMC with a Backbone
* Chronic Illness Rep
* Workplace
* It’s Always Been You
* Grovel & Redemption
* A Spoonful of What??? 😏
* 🍆 Warming
* Butterfly 🦋
‘Every time she walks into a room, something in my chest locks into place, like a chord resolving after years of dissonance. We’re two ruined melodies that are noise on their own… yet somehow become a perfect song when we collide. I suddenly remember how the world is supposed to sound.’
‘I’ve loved him in silence, in anger, and in pieces. And no matter how much I know this will destroy me… I don’t stop it. Not now. Maybe not ever. Because I’ve been craving the fall since the first time I tasted him.’
‘Deep down I already know… I became his long ago. One night. One toxic kiss was all it took for Cyrus Vale to capture my soul.’
“I’m a fucking prick. You know that. But I will sacrifice everything I care about for you. The only thing that matters to me is you. And—you’ll still be the only one after they put me in the ground.”
“Some love survives being dragged through hell. It crawls out of that fiery pit, bloody and furious, and stronger for it.”
Wow!! A must read!!!
I was so incredibly engrossed in this book that I had a hard time putting down, if I didn’t have to adult I would have read it in one sitting. It took me on such an emotional journey and had me feeling ALL the feels (yes I absolutely cried….multiple times)
The angst, tension and chemistry between these two was off the charts, the spice was absolutely delectable and their journey was full of ups, downs, and zigzags. Their past was hard to read but it was extremely vital to their story.
You will absolutely fall for Cyrus…..eventually. He was a bully, an asshole, a toxic POS.
But IMO he totally redeems himself…. In the end
He suffered in silence, no one believed he hadn’t relapsed (all because he’s a rockstar ) He kept his struggles from those closest to him, he was too scared/ embarrassed to admit something was wrong, he also had different doctors telling him different things.
Enter the only person in his life he might listened to……who also might be the only one to listen to him……to see through that rockstar exterior
“I was made of vice, not virtue, until your hands made the sinner in me kneel. Now every kiss of yours feels like worship, every breath a penance for wounds that never heal.”
No cheating, minimal OWD, no third act breakup with a hard earned HEA
* Bully to Enemies to Lovers
* Step siblings
* Tatted & Pierced 🍆
* Ex Addict
* OTT Jealous/ Possessive
* FMC with a Backbone
* Chronic Illness Rep
* Workplace
* It’s Always Been You
* Grovel & Redemption
* A Spoonful of What??? 😏
* 🍆 Warming
* Butterfly 🦋
‘Every time she walks into a room, something in my chest locks into place, like a chord resolving after years of dissonance. We’re two ruined melodies that are noise on their own… yet somehow become a perfect song when we collide. I suddenly remember how the world is supposed to sound.’
‘I’ve loved him in silence, in anger, and in pieces. And no matter how much I know this will destroy me… I don’t stop it. Not now. Maybe not ever. Because I’ve been craving the fall since the first time I tasted him.’
‘Deep down I already know… I became his long ago. One night. One toxic kiss was all it took for Cyrus Vale to capture my soul.’
“I’m a fucking prick. You know that. But I will sacrifice everything I care about for you. The only thing that matters to me is you. And—you’ll still be the only one after they put me in the ground.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you are looking for a story that will completely hijack your heart and leave you breathless, this is it. Brooklyn Cross has delivered an absolute masterpiece with this forbidden, secondchance rockstar romance. It is easily one of her most emotionally raw, grounded, and powerful books to date.
From the very first page, the magnetic pull between Cyrus Vale and Haven is undeniable. Their chemistry doesn't just sizzle it burns the pages down. Cyrus is the ultimate broody, arrogant rockstar dripping in red flags, but his absolute, borderline-obsessive devotion to Haven makes him utterly irresistible. He loves her with every shattered piece of his soul, and his signature nickname for her Butterfly will give you genuine butterflies every single time.
But while Cyrus is unforgettable, Haven is the true heartbeat of this book. She is a powerhouse of a heroine. Despite enduring years of emotional abuse and manipulation culminating in a deeply satisfying moment where she finally stands up to her wicked stepmother she never loses her soft, beautiful heart. Watching her reclaim her power, realize her worth, and stand as Cyrus’s fierce equal is nothing short of breathtaking.
Cyrus makes massive, seemingly unforgivable mistakes. Yet, the author beautifully demonstrates that true love requires accountability, growth, and the willingness to change.
The book tackles heavy themes like substance abuse, grief, and emotional neglect with incredible nuance. Cyrus’s mystery illness and the painful, realistic portrayal of a flawed healthcare system that dismisses his physical pain as mere addictionhits incredibly hard.
The unwavering brotherhood of the Venomous bandmates is beautiful. They stick by Cyrus through his darkest meltdowns and messiest moments, proving what true loyalty looks like.
The original lyrics woven throughout the text are phenomenal. They serve as the literal pulse of the romance, and you'll desperately wish these tracks existed on Spotify.
5/5 stars doesn't feel like enough. This book is an exhilarating, heart wrenching, spice filled emotional rollercoaster that I completely devoured. Cyrus Vale has officially claimed a permanent spot at the top of my book boyfriend list.
P.S. Brooklyn, that Wrecked Encore tease better mean we are getting a full series, because I am completely addicted to this band and never want to leave this world!
From the very first page, the magnetic pull between Cyrus Vale and Haven is undeniable. Their chemistry doesn't just sizzle it burns the pages down. Cyrus is the ultimate broody, arrogant rockstar dripping in red flags, but his absolute, borderline-obsessive devotion to Haven makes him utterly irresistible. He loves her with every shattered piece of his soul, and his signature nickname for her Butterfly will give you genuine butterflies every single time.
But while Cyrus is unforgettable, Haven is the true heartbeat of this book. She is a powerhouse of a heroine. Despite enduring years of emotional abuse and manipulation culminating in a deeply satisfying moment where she finally stands up to her wicked stepmother she never loses her soft, beautiful heart. Watching her reclaim her power, realize her worth, and stand as Cyrus’s fierce equal is nothing short of breathtaking.
Cyrus makes massive, seemingly unforgivable mistakes. Yet, the author beautifully demonstrates that true love requires accountability, growth, and the willingness to change.
The book tackles heavy themes like substance abuse, grief, and emotional neglect with incredible nuance. Cyrus’s mystery illness and the painful, realistic portrayal of a flawed healthcare system that dismisses his physical pain as mere addictionhits incredibly hard.
The unwavering brotherhood of the Venomous bandmates is beautiful. They stick by Cyrus through his darkest meltdowns and messiest moments, proving what true loyalty looks like.
The original lyrics woven throughout the text are phenomenal. They serve as the literal pulse of the romance, and you'll desperately wish these tracks existed on Spotify.
5/5 stars doesn't feel like enough. This book is an exhilarating, heart wrenching, spice filled emotional rollercoaster that I completely devoured. Cyrus Vale has officially claimed a permanent spot at the top of my book boyfriend list.
P.S. Brooklyn, that Wrecked Encore tease better mean we are getting a full series, because I am completely addicted to this band and never want to leave this world!
July 23, 2026
You had me at rockstar romance, but this book is so much more than that. Haven has been bullied by her rockstar stepbrother for as long as they’ve lived together. He became so vicious that she fled to another state, but five years later it’s time to come home and take her rightful place at LG Records alongside her dad. Five years should have been enough to get rid of the lingering feelings she once had for Cy. The only thing that remains is hate… right?
This book had me tearing up more times than I could count. The characters were so well-built that I felt every emotion and trauma they went through. I felt angry, devastated, helpless, relieved, and loved. Not necessarily in that order, but all of those emotions were definitely there. It made this an absolute five-star read for me. However, I would recommend only picking it up if you’re in a good place mentally. It touches on many difficult subjects that can be incredibly triggering, so please take care of yourself first.
I’m flabbergasted by how well written this book is. It’s well-paced, incredibly engaging, and it feels like Brooklyn Cross thoroughly researched everything she wrote about. She has a way of pulling you into the story and keeping you on the edge of your seat the entire time.
If you’re looking for a light romance, know that this isn’t it. It gets ugly, the trips down memory lane are heartbreaking, and there are moments when you’ll question yourself for rooting for Haven and Cy to end up together. But every one of those moments is necessary to fully capture the story the author wanted to tell.
Although there is far too little representation of chronic illnesses in books in general, I love that Brooklyn chose to portray this one in a way that differs from how we usually see them. It shows that these kinds of illnesses can affect anyone and aren’t limited to just one part of our population. It also highlights how self-destructive people can become when they don’t have family, friends, or healthcare professionals who believe them.
As a nurse, it makes me incredibly sad to see how narrow-minded people can be. Too often, they look at someone without truly seeing or listening to the person in front of them. Instead, they form opinions based on appearances, rumours, or public perception. So thank you, Brooklyn, for approaching this topic differently and for shining a light on such an important issue.
This book had me tearing up more times than I could count. The characters were so well-built that I felt every emotion and trauma they went through. I felt angry, devastated, helpless, relieved, and loved. Not necessarily in that order, but all of those emotions were definitely there. It made this an absolute five-star read for me. However, I would recommend only picking it up if you’re in a good place mentally. It touches on many difficult subjects that can be incredibly triggering, so please take care of yourself first.
I’m flabbergasted by how well written this book is. It’s well-paced, incredibly engaging, and it feels like Brooklyn Cross thoroughly researched everything she wrote about. She has a way of pulling you into the story and keeping you on the edge of your seat the entire time.
If you’re looking for a light romance, know that this isn’t it. It gets ugly, the trips down memory lane are heartbreaking, and there are moments when you’ll question yourself for rooting for Haven and Cy to end up together. But every one of those moments is necessary to fully capture the story the author wanted to tell.
Although there is far too little representation of chronic illnesses in books in general, I love that Brooklyn chose to portray this one in a way that differs from how we usually see them. It shows that these kinds of illnesses can affect anyone and aren’t limited to just one part of our population. It also highlights how self-destructive people can become when they don’t have family, friends, or healthcare professionals who believe them.
As a nurse, it makes me incredibly sad to see how narrow-minded people can be. Too often, they look at someone without truly seeing or listening to the person in front of them. Instead, they form opinions based on appearances, rumours, or public perception. So thank you, Brooklyn, for approaching this topic differently and for shining a light on such an important issue.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Toxic Kiss is thick with tropes—bully, alphahole, enemies‑to‑lovers, rockstar chaos, stepsibling taboo, obsession, touch‑her‑and‑die—and somehow every single one works. Beneath it all though, the author threads in heavy themes, so the trigger warnings matter; mental health is handled with care, and slight spoiler, autoimmune disease becomes a central struggle as Cyrus is repeatedly misdiagnosed and mis-medicated by a broken healthcare system that refuses to listen to the patient.
At the heart of the story is Haven, whose father remarries after her mother’s death, bringing Cyrus into her life—a boy determined to make her life miserable. He humiliates her publicly, sabotages her friendships, and slowly fractures her bond with her best friend, Patrick. After Patrick’s tragic death, Haven and Cyrus turn to each other for comfort and after giving him her v card, she hears him on the phone, trash talking her and what they’d just done together, shattering her heart and her trust and causing her to flee to New York. Five years later, she returns home, hired by her father to repair Cyrus’s reputation and save his band. Although his career has taken off, time has not been kind to Cy. Addiction, rage, and a mystery illness have left him spiraling—and their reunion is volatile.
What follows is a messy, but hot, redemption arc; Cyrus claws his way back into Haven’s life, although I do wish he had been forced to grovel more. Haven’s kindness has always been her greatest asset and her greatest downfall. But she’s no shrinking violet! Her strength and resilience show up time and again—she has always stood up to him, even when no one stood up for her. The one liners and insults in this book are epic. The novel is heartbreaking, angsty, unhinged, psychotic, yet unexpectedly tender and omg-hot! I loved Cyrus’s dominant side and I would say Haven did too!
This is my first book by this author, and certainly not my last. When I got to the end, I kept swiping my Kindle, even though it said I was at 100%. Surely there had to be more. Unfortunately, there was not “more”. I was thrilled to see that this is going to be part of a series. I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.
At the heart of the story is Haven, whose father remarries after her mother’s death, bringing Cyrus into her life—a boy determined to make her life miserable. He humiliates her publicly, sabotages her friendships, and slowly fractures her bond with her best friend, Patrick. After Patrick’s tragic death, Haven and Cyrus turn to each other for comfort and after giving him her v card, she hears him on the phone, trash talking her and what they’d just done together, shattering her heart and her trust and causing her to flee to New York. Five years later, she returns home, hired by her father to repair Cyrus’s reputation and save his band. Although his career has taken off, time has not been kind to Cy. Addiction, rage, and a mystery illness have left him spiraling—and their reunion is volatile.
What follows is a messy, but hot, redemption arc; Cyrus claws his way back into Haven’s life, although I do wish he had been forced to grovel more. Haven’s kindness has always been her greatest asset and her greatest downfall. But she’s no shrinking violet! Her strength and resilience show up time and again—she has always stood up to him, even when no one stood up for her. The one liners and insults in this book are epic. The novel is heartbreaking, angsty, unhinged, psychotic, yet unexpectedly tender and omg-hot! I loved Cyrus’s dominant side and I would say Haven did too!
This is my first book by this author, and certainly not my last. When I got to the end, I kept swiping my Kindle, even though it said I was at 100%. Surely there had to be more. Unfortunately, there was not “more”. I was thrilled to see that this is going to be part of a series. I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I expected toxic obsession and rockstar chaos. I didn’t expect to be quietly destroyed.
Well… I’m still recovering.
Brooklyn Cross didn’t just write a book… she emotionally mugged me, stole my sanity, and left me sobbing into my Kindle.
We’ve all been screaming about Toxic Kiss for months, and somehow it still exceeded every impossible expectation. There genuinely aren’t enough stars for this one.
Cyrus Vale is one of the most brutal, toxic bully characters I’ve ever read. I should have hated him… but I couldn’t. There were moments I wanted to shake him and others where I wanted to wrap him in a blanket. Emotional whiplash should come with this book.
Then Brooklyn revealed what was really happening beneath all that rage.
Having lived through the exhausting journey of an undiagnosed autoimmune disease myself, Cyrus’s struggle hit painfully close to home. The anger, the confusion, the feeling that your own body is betraying you… I wasn’t just reading those chapters, I was reliving them.
I cried for Cyrus.
I cried for Haven.
Somewhere along the way, I forgot they weren’t real.
Haven completely stole my heart. Watching her finally believe she deserved to be loved fiercely and unapologetically was beautiful.
And Cyrus calling her Butterfly?
My heart didn’t stand a chance.
The chemistry was explosive, the spice was 🔥, but what truly made this unforgettable was the redemption. Brooklyn Cross somehow takes a man who feels beyond forgiveness and earns every step of his journey back through accountability, growth and vulnerability. That’s incredibly rare.
The Venomous bandmates were everything, and don’t even get me started on the lyrics. If those songs ever appear on Spotify, I’ll personally keep them in the charts.
Toxic Kiss wrecked me. It made me laugh, ugly cry, fan myself, then ugly cry again. It reminded me that sometimes the people who hurt the most are carrying battles nobody else can see.
Cyrus and Haven have carved out a permanent place in my heart.
And Wrecked Encore… Brooklyn, I’m begging… please tell me this is only the beginning because I am absolutely not ready to leave this world behind.
Well… I’m still recovering.
Brooklyn Cross didn’t just write a book… she emotionally mugged me, stole my sanity, and left me sobbing into my Kindle.
We’ve all been screaming about Toxic Kiss for months, and somehow it still exceeded every impossible expectation. There genuinely aren’t enough stars for this one.
Cyrus Vale is one of the most brutal, toxic bully characters I’ve ever read. I should have hated him… but I couldn’t. There were moments I wanted to shake him and others where I wanted to wrap him in a blanket. Emotional whiplash should come with this book.
Then Brooklyn revealed what was really happening beneath all that rage.
Having lived through the exhausting journey of an undiagnosed autoimmune disease myself, Cyrus’s struggle hit painfully close to home. The anger, the confusion, the feeling that your own body is betraying you… I wasn’t just reading those chapters, I was reliving them.
I cried for Cyrus.
I cried for Haven.
Somewhere along the way, I forgot they weren’t real.
Haven completely stole my heart. Watching her finally believe she deserved to be loved fiercely and unapologetically was beautiful.
And Cyrus calling her Butterfly?
My heart didn’t stand a chance.
The chemistry was explosive, the spice was 🔥, but what truly made this unforgettable was the redemption. Brooklyn Cross somehow takes a man who feels beyond forgiveness and earns every step of his journey back through accountability, growth and vulnerability. That’s incredibly rare.
The Venomous bandmates were everything, and don’t even get me started on the lyrics. If those songs ever appear on Spotify, I’ll personally keep them in the charts.
Toxic Kiss wrecked me. It made me laugh, ugly cry, fan myself, then ugly cry again. It reminded me that sometimes the people who hurt the most are carrying battles nobody else can see.
Cyrus and Haven have carved out a permanent place in my heart.
And Wrecked Encore… Brooklyn, I’m begging… please tell me this is only the beginning because I am absolutely not ready to leave this world behind.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cyrus is intense. It is easy to see how he became a rock star, because even as a character he has a magnetism you can't look away from. Add in Haven, the stepsister he can't help himself from torturing, and it makes for a book you can't put down.
Fair warning, this is a bully romance. Cyrus definitely takes it too far, both in the past and the present. He uses Haven as a punching bag for all his emotions, and it gets pretty hard to read.
Haven, is both a badass and a doormat as well. She clearly has issues with boundaries, and I think lets it go too far before she gets herself out of the situation. However, I am sure anyone who has been in such a situation with someone they love might do the same.
In Cyrus' over the top way, he is obsessed to the point of finally getting his act together and facing his problems. I loved watching him start to take care of his issues- it is very satisfying and somehow hopeful too.
This book deals with a lot of different types of abuse and degradation. It also deals with infidelity in a few relationships. There is a lot of grief- Haven and Cyrus lost some very important people early in their lives, and it shaped their entire futures.
I enjoyed the way Cyrus' journey to get his diagnosis is portrayed. It is clear the author has experience with chronic illness. It is so realistic the way he is frequently misdiagnosed, and straight up not believed that he is having the symptoms he claims to.
I also loved the way Haven blooms once she is able to trust Cyrus. The chaos of their lives is still there, but they have found a way to steady each other and make each other better.
This book has a lot of grit and hard truths for the characters to face, but the payoff is so worth it. I recommend it if you like rockstars, over the top MMCs, a little bit of the forbidden and a lot of bullying that turns into an epic love story. It doesn't seem like it would be healthy in real life, but it makes for a story I couldn't put down.
Thanks to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Fair warning, this is a bully romance. Cyrus definitely takes it too far, both in the past and the present. He uses Haven as a punching bag for all his emotions, and it gets pretty hard to read.
Haven, is both a badass and a doormat as well. She clearly has issues with boundaries, and I think lets it go too far before she gets herself out of the situation. However, I am sure anyone who has been in such a situation with someone they love might do the same.
In Cyrus' over the top way, he is obsessed to the point of finally getting his act together and facing his problems. I loved watching him start to take care of his issues- it is very satisfying and somehow hopeful too.
This book deals with a lot of different types of abuse and degradation. It also deals with infidelity in a few relationships. There is a lot of grief- Haven and Cyrus lost some very important people early in their lives, and it shaped their entire futures.
I enjoyed the way Cyrus' journey to get his diagnosis is portrayed. It is clear the author has experience with chronic illness. It is so realistic the way he is frequently misdiagnosed, and straight up not believed that he is having the symptoms he claims to.
I also loved the way Haven blooms once she is able to trust Cyrus. The chaos of their lives is still there, but they have found a way to steady each other and make each other better.
This book has a lot of grit and hard truths for the characters to face, but the payoff is so worth it. I recommend it if you like rockstars, over the top MMCs, a little bit of the forbidden and a lot of bullying that turns into an epic love story. It doesn't seem like it would be healthy in real life, but it makes for a story I couldn't put down.
Thanks to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
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