Sometimes the truth doesn’t set you free—it destroys everything.
Masks have fallen, inside and out of the House of Night. New secrets have surfaced. Blood has been spilled. And trust?
It no longer exists when you can’t tell who lurks in the shadows.
Now the Barons must step up and prove their loyalty— to the House, to Forsyth, and most of all to the girl who slipped into their beds, their minds, and carved herself into their hearts.
The House of Night concludes with the final book in their series, Barons of Torment, coming fall 2026.
Forsyth has never been short on secrets, chaos, morally questionable men, and plenty of reasons to question everyone’s sanity. And apparently, the House of Night has saved some of its darkest moments for last.
With loyalties being tested, secrets coming to light, and the Barons facing their final chapter, this is one conclusion longtime Royals of Forsyth readers won’t want to miss.
Angel Lawson knows how to build a dark, twisted world, and I loved seeing how their story came to an end.
After all that build up, we finally get the big reveal of who the Guardian is. I actually guessed it, but that wasn't even the problem. The problem was that this supposedly terrifying villain who tormented so many girls, was shrouded in so much mystery and did all these unspeakable things, after being hyped up for SO long, was taken down by… a dog. YOU HEARD ME. A DOG. 😭
I'm genuinely sitting here wondering if I actually just read that correctly. Everything was going down, and I was waiting for Ari to have her moment. GIRL, THIS IS IT. FIGHT! DO SOMETHING! And then the dog breaks through the doors and bites the Guardian. And that's it. That's how our big, terrifying villain goes down. I cannot. 😂
And then we find Stella. Great! But does this mean we're getting another trilogy of copy pasted Arianette? Because she seems to be going down the exact same path, with trauma that mirrors Ari's almost beat for beat.
I am LOST.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
What a pile of hot garbàge. Tried to give the barons a chance til the end of the trilogy to redeem itself but don’t waste your time. The quality of the writing, artwork, covers and just about everything else has gone downhill and hit rock bottom. Sad because this series had so much potential.
Has the past come back to play? Knock, knock, knock... Just *how* many secrets are about to be discovered/revealed in this epic final act? The rot runs deep, and the twisted vines run throughout Forsyth. It looks like it may take ALL the royals working together to unmask the "Guardian" and all the twisted secrets it's hiding. The mystery deepens and *major* shocking revelations come to light. Secrets have always been the name of the game within the Courts and Forsyth, but this is one secret that none of them are playing around with. They ALL are determined to find the answers. Plus reach the missing women.
I absolutely LOVED these characters... especially Arianette. Strong, resilient, loyal, and all around awesome! These all describe our amazing FMC, the Baroness, Arianette. She is truly roaring to life like a glorious Phoenix. She is coming to life from all that pain and tragedy, and just starting to blossom into who she is meant to be. Growing into her strength once more- it's a joy to see how much she's grown from when the reader first met her...by absolute leaps and bounds. So have her men. Get ready for all kind of intrigue, action, spice, oodles of adrenaline, trauma, PTSD, and a whole lot more packed within these pages. The world building never ever gets old. It continues to prove how rich and layered it is. Not to mention full of surprises!! These characters will keep you glued until the very last word. I truly didn't want to say goodbye. Welcome to Forsyth everyone...enjoy your stay! Two thumbs way up!!!! Here's hoping we see our friends again down the line. This final read was one AMAZING ride! So buckle up. I love how far Arianette has come from when we first met her in the series.
What a satisfying and utterly thrilling ending to the Barons triology! Everything was plotted perfectly to give us the tasty conclusion we yearned for. This discordant group becomes cohesive, then functional, then loving and, finally, irresistible. And, as I knew he would be, Maddox becomes the swoon-worthy daddy we wanted. The mysteries that have plagued our minds the last several books wrap up the way they should, even better than I expected. As soon as I closed the book, as usual with all of the Royals of Forsyth series, I was longing for the next set. Bring on the Counts!
I have been waiting to see Timothy Maddox brought to his knees for a while now and he is finally there. Watching DK and Hunter step up and run the Barons with a mature and level headed manner is probably one of my favorite things about this book. The Barons have been my favorite of the Forsyth books for a while, but this just cemented it. The twists and turns that you do not see coming, the rituals and most of all the growth with the characters has been amazing to see and I am sad that this journey is coming to an end. Though, I still think Ballsy needs his own HEA!
I think most of my reviews this year mention how much I am struggling with reading this year -and worse, not enjoying what I am reading when I know I would have previously. Due to this pervasive issue, I am finding it easier to re-read old books then read new ones.
Luckily, this is a new book, the finale of a trilogy set in an established world of interconnected trilogies, so it kind of straddled that line and I was able to read it much easier than any of the new books I have tried this year. For new readers, I recommend you go back and start at the beginning because by this many books in, characters and stories are too interwoven to try to read trilogies separately like you maybe could more toward the beginning of the overall series.
In this finale we get all of the hallmarks of the Forsyth trilogies: resolution of any outstanding romantic issues between the FMC and her three MMCs, answers on an overarching series mystery, cameos from prior series favorites and of course, steamy kinkiness!
A last book in a series is never my favorite in terms of the romance - I prefer the antagonistic beginnings - but there were enough lingering challenges between Ari and a couple of her guys to maintain that interest for me (over the completely lovey-dovey you sometimes get in a final book in a series for a couple/group). There were quite a few steamy moments quantitywise and though we never got the full-on Daddy kink I originally dreamed of for Timothy, I did enjoy most of the kinks this group ended up exploring. I'm not sure I ever felt the strong romantic love between them, but I have been struggling with that aspect of romance books (especially polyamorous ones) for a few years now, so at least part of that is me, and what was there was just enough for me and still better than most RHs I have read over the last decade or so.
Told in first person, multi-POV like the entire series, a few times I felt like there was repetitive phrasing used in their thoughts, leading me to be unsure whose chapter it was and having to go back to double check, and just having a feeling throughout like their character voices were too similar, something that can happen fairly frequently in first person, multi POV by one author, in my experience. Overall, this was a relatively minor issue since I do enjoy the author's voice and this world and characters so much.
Speaking of, always a delight to have scenes featuring former main characters, and there is ample opportunity for that this many books and interwoven stories in. It was nice to see them working together (still with snark) and some of the best scenes were addressing Timothy's estranged relationship with fan favorite character Remy. Getting more of the Maddox history to explain (but not excuse) some of the choices that got them where they were was a treat. We already saw Remy get his HEA, but steps to repair their relationship and Timothy getting his HEA with Arianette (and Hunter/DK) was wonderful. So much was wrapped up it feels like an ending, but there were seeds laid and interesting character relationships hinted at that create new excitement for what the decimated and mysterious Counts can bring to Forsyth. And Ballsack! We need to see him get his day in the light!
The author's note at the end says there will be a break before we get to the Counts, and honestly, I need one too! Forsyth is a beloved series/world for me, but life has been lifeing and between that and my aforementioned reading issues, I am happy for the author to give ME some time so when we can return to Forysth I am at my best to enjoy the final frat.
An absolutely splendid resolution for my beautiful Barons and their stunning Baroness.
The tension, the angst and the character development were impeccable and not to mention the spicy times - sharing really is caring this time round 🥵🔥🌶. But most of all, I'm glad Arianette found her ride-or-dies in the other royal women; it hit me straight in the feels.
Gasps were gasped, yelps of "I knew it" were yelped, and at 73(ish) per cent I almost perished with a certain reveal; I was initially reading lying down but threw myself upright with such force I almost threw myself out of bed. My gosh, the excitement I felt is not normal 🤦🏼♀️🤣. (Does this now mean we get more of The OG 👀 in the Counts trilogy? Please, Angel, please 🙏).
Whilst I'm sad to say goodbye, I don't think it's the last we'll hear from the Barons, especially their Baroness (I might also be delulu), but I honestly can't wait for what's coming next...so many questions!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 🌶🌶🌶🌶
“We’re not like the women that came before us. We’re royal women who stand with our men, but also with each other. We don’t get lost in this city. Not if we stay connected...When one of us is falling, the rest pull her up. When one of us is fighting, the rest fight with her. That’s the deal.”
Barons Of Torment ( Royals Of Forsyth U : Royals Of Forsyth University Book 12 ) 🖤Why Choose 🖤Dark Romance 🖤Forced Proximity 🖤Enemies to lovers. The most amazing world and characters that will without a doubt own your heart. I seriously cannot believe we are already on the 12th book . What an unbelievable ending to the Barons . Arianette , and her men have not had it easy , the things they’ve had to go through to work for their happy ending well to say it’s been quite the journey would without a doubt be a huge understatement. I’m not going to go into specifics about how everything plays out because trust me when I say you really need to experience it all first hand . What I will say is that I’m so sad to say goodbye to the Barons , yet so excited to see what comes next .
This final installment of the Barons Trilogy (from the Forsyth U series) is a thrilling, excellent and satisfying ending to the three hero’s of the series. Each of them got a nice ARC over the three books and the trilogy fits well into the rest of the series. Familiar characters return and we get a nice pre-idea for what’s to come. The spicy scenes were nicely gothic. Definitely NOT a mere repetition of the other why-choose”couples”. Reading Barons of Torment really showed the author’s strengths in storytelling and I felt like that this final part was written with great confidence. If readers loved the first three trilogy I can promise that they will enjoy this new one and should definitely continue this skillful and ambitious series.
First of all, I am SO happy that the Barons finally decided to rule as ONE! After everything that went down, this was exactly what needed to happen!
And can we talk about Timothy Maddox?! Somehow, this man managed to survive to see another day while the rest of the kings weren’t so lucky. I wasn’t expecting that, but here we are! 😂
Mrs. Crane is, has always been, and will FOREVER be a GANGSTA! That woman is in a league of her own, and I absolutely love her for it!
Now, the Counts association?! BABY!!! I did NOT see that coming! That revelation caught me completely off guard, and I cannot wait to see how that storyline unfolds!
And BALLSY!!! I’m so glad you’re back, but SIR!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?! I have so many questions, and I need answers ASAP!
Last, but CERTAINLY not least, can we all celebrate the fact that Wicker and Remy’s raggedy mama is FINALLY out of the picture. GOOD RIDDANCE! That woman has been getting on my last nerve!
Angel Lawson really knows how to keep me invested in these characters and their messy, chaotic lives. Between the unexpected twists, shifting alliances, and unfinished business, I’m already ready for whatever comes next!
We have the finale of the Barons Trilogy, book twelve of the interconnected series Royals of Forsyth. I have been hooked on these books since the very beginning five years ago. With each trilogy the story unfolds but we get a handful more secrets. Just when one finally gets answered you get one or two more in its place. This series will grip your heart and take you for a ride.
After Ari is saved by the king, and his identity is out when the mask falls off he runs. In hiding DK and Hunter step up and help Ari through everything. But they are not complete without Timothy. While Ari is solving the mystery and putting out fires can she also get her happy ending? Will she be able to have all her men together? This last book answeres all and so much more.
I loved seeing everyone from previous books. Seeing them all together is amazing and makes me happy. Now for the Counts!! Im ready to see Stella amd Ballsack, together or not?? Cash!! Omg what is his malfunction and what is going on with the agents? I need the answers and I am ready to dive back into the world.
What can I say the Forsyth U series is a 5/5 for me. An insta buy. This group was a harder read for me but so worth it. I didn't quite connect with the group as much as others but it had some real depth to it. Things are starting to conclude and come together from the entire series and it makes me so happy to read. The spice is spicy 3-4 but it's no longer the main reason I read these books. I love the depth of the relationships. Can't wait to read the Counts saga when it comes out.
This was a really great read that no matter what needed to be done, I could not put it down. This book moves along at a pace that is perfect for the way the story flows making for an easy read. These characters are so real that you feel as though you know them and no matter what you cannot help but love them, even if you hate them, a piece of you will love them. This book needs to be read, there is no doubt about it. It is a must read.
Barons of Torment was the final book in the Forsyth U Barons series. I absolutely devoured this book. This was the best book of the three. There was a lot of relationship exploring in this book which crossed over many of the other fraternities and of course with the future fraternity of KNT. So many different emotions were felt while navigating the storyline. I don't want to give spoilers. There where tons of spicy scenes as Ari worked out her relationships with her three men. But you also have the suspense and the wonder of what the guardian was going to do next and who it was. There was a lot of closure in this book for many characters. It was satisfying. I think Angel has finally gotten into her groove with picking up these stories in the absence of Sam Rue. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with for the counts even though I know there's going to be a lengthy delay before they are released.
I can’t believe the Barons are over. It is so bittersweet to come to the end of the 4th trilogy. Seeing Timothy & Remy’s relationship come full circle from the Dukes was so healing. While I do love every single character, the best part of this whole series is watching the royal women blossom into who they are meant to be. Bad ass bitches. Their sisterhood & bond is so beautiful. So many questions finally answered, but I still have so many more & I can’t wait for the Counts.
Got to read this early as a ARC. Omg I loved this book the spice the storyline everything was perfect. I dont want to spoil anything for anyone. But this book was amazing 👏
I’m not even sure where to start with this review. I had so many questions answered, and yet somehow I have even more questions now!
I’m so happy Ari got her happily ever after. She absolutely deserves it, and honestly, so do her men. After everything they’ve been through, seeing things finally come together was incredibly satisfying.
We finally find out who the Guardian is, and suddenly so many pieces from the past fall into place. I honestly feel like I need to go back and read everything again, knowing what I know now. I was completely gobsmacked by the reveal and did NOT see it coming at all. But looking back? It makes so much sense when you know what you’re looking for. 😂 Those are my favorite kinds of twists, the ones that shock you but don’t feel like they came out of nowhere.
What I loved most was realizing just how much had been hiding in plain sight. The payoff made me rethink things that happened books ago. I couldn’t put this one down. Every time I thought I was going to get an answer, something else happened that had me questioning everything I thought I knew.
There is so much packed into this story. The relationships, the unanswered questions, the twists, and all those little details that you don’t realize are important until suddenly THEY ARE. I kept thinking I had things figured out, only to realize I absolutely did not.
If you’ve been invested in Ari and her men, this is one you don’t want to miss. And if you’re like me, don’t be surprised if finishing it makes you want to immediately go back and reread the earlier books just to see all the clues you missed the first time around.
Absolutely worth the read, and now I need answers to all my NEW questions!
Angel Lawson said, “You thought you were safe?” and proceeded to throw us straight back into the darkness that is the House of Night. The secrets, the tension, the obsession, and the absolute chaos had me glued to the pages. Just when you think you have everything figured out, Forsyth reminds you that nobody is safe and nobody is getting out of this world unscathed.
The Barons’ story has been a dark, twisted ride filled with complicated relationships, dangerous loyalties, and enough emotional damage to keep my therapist employed for years. And this finale? What a way to close out their trilogy! The tension and stakes make this a fitting conclusion to a world that has kept me coming back for more.
I’m not ready to say goodbye to the House of Night, but I am ready to lie down, stare at the ceiling, and question every fictional man I’ve ever found attractive. 😂🖤
If you love dark romance, morally questionable men, obsessive love, and characters who make red flags look like decorations, Forsyth is calling your name.
Angel, respectfully, what the hell did you just put us through? And why am I already missing them? 🥀🔥
Another Forsyth trilogy down...and now we wait for the Counts!
I really enjoyed Barons of Torment, and I think it was a good ending to the Barons trilogy. The Barons haven't been my favorite house in the Royals of Forsyth University series, but I've still enjoyed their story and was happy with how everything wrapped up.
Honestly, one of the things I was MOST excited about was FINALLY getting some answers about the missing girls and all the secrets that have been hanging over Forsyth for what feels like forever. We've been waiting through multiple trilogies for some of these answers, and I was so glad to finally get them!
I also loved getting to see characters from the other houses again. That's one of my favorite things about this series. Even when we move on to a new house, the characters and stories are still connected.
The Barons were good, and I'm glad I read their trilogy, but the Lords and Dukes still have my heart. I don't think anyone is knocking them out of my top spots anytime soon. 😂
Now I'm just excited to see what kind of absolute chaos the Counts are going to bring to Forsyth next!
I really enjoyed reading Barons of Torment and finally uncovering the mystery of who was taking the girls of Forsyth and why. I won’t reveal any spoilers, but I will say I DID NOT see that coming! The answer was literally right under our noses the entire time.
There was plenty of angst in this book as the characters struggled to find their way back to themselves and each other after the major revelations in Barons of Sorrow. Angel Lawson did a fantastic job bringing in characters from the other series to help the Barons and Ari navigate their complicated relationship and figure out what comes next.
In the end, just as the Princes chose their own path when it came to leadership, the Barons also found a way to change the rules and create a dynamic that worked for their relationship. Sometimes, breaking away from what’s expected is exactly what you need to find your happily ever after!
Timothy: I risked everything–my identity, my power, my life–to save her. I loved how Ari stood up for and beside her husband. I feel like Timothy has had to be the strong one protecting/managing Remy and Amber that it’s nice to see someone stand up for him. Also the connection with Chi Gong, the colors and Remy, I love they have that connection and finally realize jt! “I’m the one that taught you colors have a connection to the body–to energy.”
So many scenes I didn’t know I needed like Timothy and Nick going at it! I think we all remember that scene in his book.
Not going to lie, I didn’t see the Guardian’s identity coming but it was just the perfect twist‼️
These Barons and their Arianette received the ending they deserved and as a reader I was hoping for.
I truly hope we get more about the Counts and all the little seeds that have been planted!
Romance and Relationship: MFMM, female focused, it wasn’t an easy relationship between any of them, they had to make it work and when when clicked it it all fell into place. It wasn’t rushed and it fit the book just right. Each guy worked so well with Arianette, and she was such a cool character to read, but DK was my absolute favorite and had the most growth.
Suspense and Drama, this particular trilogy was my favorite, it was like reading or watching a puzzle unfold and not knowing what it was going to look like in the end and it was such a joy to read. I want to go back and listen to this trilogy when this books audio comes out. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the Counts!