The Circle

I love Maggie Sunseri’s vampire duets so when her new book popped up, I knew I wanted to read it ASAP. While this book is marketed as a dark rom com, I would describe it as more of a romantic suspense/thriller novel set against the backdrop of NYC, giving us glimpses of a dark underworld and at other times a bright hopefulness of found family among roommates, neighbors, and close knit communities.

In this book, our FMC Nova is a 20-something indie romance author, who left home with her best friend Lorelei at 18 to escape their families’ religious abuse. Nova approaches a kink club with strong woo-woo cult vibes in pursuit of Lorelei, who has cut off contact with Nova. What ensues is a winding mystery: where is Lorelei, what are the motives of this club, who can Nova trust? Along the way, she allies with Wes who is also investigating the club. Wes is a former dom with his own trauma. Together they embark on an unsettling journey and intense attraction.

I loved the found family banter with Nova’s roommates and the burn between Wes and Nova. There’s some interesting meta commentary on the hustle of an indie romance author. Overall, if you enjoy mid-dark suspense romance, I think you’ll enjoy this book. Thank you to the author for the opportunity to review this book in advance.

arcs dark-romance

Magg

423 reviews3 followers

July 19, 2026

4.25⭐️ 3🌶️
Anyone who is bored of traditional rom coms or people who want to broaden their reading horizons to dive into some kink, this feels like a GREAT book to pick up! It was the perfect balance of light romance and some comedy with fun spice and kink and a TINY bit of darkness. Dark romance readers will love the kink, and light romance readers will be happy to find a less predictable story. So I feel like any romance reader will like this one!
Contemporary romance and rom coms are SUCH a hit or miss for me, but I took a chance on this one because I LOVE Sunseri’s other books and this one did not disappoint!
Typical rom coms feel like a super predictable Hallmark movie, with the same vanilla spice and a plot that I can predict from the first chapter. This was not that at ALL! It wasn’t super predictable, and at times I was on the edge of my seat with the tension. It was hard to tell what the plot would be like with the Circle, and I loved that. Then of course, it was kinky and fun and included spice that wasn’t what is usually in a rom-com. And throughout all of it, I was laughing at jokes and quips. The entire story was SO refreshing for the genre - I wish more rom coms were like this!

TROPES
Contemporary Romance with Kink
Secret Society
Allies to Lovers
Age Gap (10 Years)
Love Letter to NYC
Overcoming Religious Trauma

THE WORLD
This was set in New York City, and I definitely felt some of the magic that people feel with the city. It romanticized the city in a way that highlighted community and art.
The author included a lot of great takes on the current system in the US, so there’s a nice touch of political rage in here. I connected to this a lot and found it really fitting for today’s society. It made it feel realistic.
Some things were references to real life, like Amazon, pop culture references, and music, while others weren’t, most notably PicWave and the other Wave company social medias. So it did make it feel a little disjointed to me in that sense. But by the end, it worked for me in a weird way? It did feel a lot like real life and like a real love story which I liked.

THE CHARACTERS
Nova and Wes both had a lot of character development as they overcame trauma and found healing and self love. While they both had comprehensive backstories showing their pasts and what in their lives had influenced their goals and actions, I was especially drawn to Nova’s story. She had an interesting past and I liked how it impacted not only her confidence and self-love, but her relationships with others. And the way she used humor as both a shield and a weapon was really enjoyable.
As a Scorpio moon, I related a LOT to Wes and his hesitancy to connect with people and share his struggles. I think the author used his Scorpio stellium to develop his character in a way that came across really clearly. I loved it and also felt seen at the same time, which was nice!
The side characters could have used more backstories and more personality, but I enjoyed them for the most part.

THE ROMANCE
To me, this was an allies to lovers with a medium burn. For a pretty kinky book, there wasn’t a lot of spice scenes between the MCs. Most of the kink was witnessed through the Circle and the members there. So it was like a great entry to kinkier stories for people who are looking to broaden their reading horizons!
Something that I LOVED was that Wes and Nova wanted to take time to know one another before developing anything serious. I would say this has a medium burn, because there is fun banter and flirting but they also do have a pretty quick attachment to eachother that is held off while they built a friendship and foundation for more.
Their attraction clearly wasn’t just physical. It was mostly an emotional attraction.

QUOTES:
*quotes are from an Advanced Readers Copy. Please refer to the final publication for official quotes!*

“what was womanhood if not becoming blind to one's own suffering?”

“It's not your job to rescue her, and you can't fix her. She has to figure it out herself."

"Show that little girl who prayed for God to make her normal-who prayed for him to make her anything else but her true self—that she is perfect just the way she is."

"You're not you because of your trauma, Nova. You're you in spite of it."

"All of this use of the word play makes domination and sadism sound like a cute, fun little hobby."
Wes shrugged. "I think tormenting and playing with you would make for a fun and cute little hobby."

lizface

264 reviews7 followers

August 1, 2026

This was PERFECT!
The amount of darkness within the story was excellently balanced out with light and humor from our MCs.
The plot was great, the amount of detail and how real it all could possibly be made some scenes feel very intense.

The dom//sub dynamic between our MCs was my favorite. And how obsessed they secretly were about each other was intoxicating
“Seeing her covered in my clothes and bite marks soothed the possessiveness that was only growing more dangerously intense by the hour.”

But my absolute favorite part is how they made each other feel safe enough to be their softest selves 🥹
They deserve it all and more!
“After crushing Nova mercilessly in Mario Party, I finally got my wish. She was sleeping in my bed, still wearing my shirt, her body perfectly curled against mine.”

The Circle follows Nova who immerses herself into a s3x cult to find her best friend, and save her from going down the wrong road. But while Nova is playing “Nancy Drew” she learns more about herself as well. After meeting Wes there one day they find they have the same interests of infiltrating The Circle. And thus begins our journey of finding acceptance of one’s self, the good and the bad, as well as one of the deepest love connections 😭

P.S. make sure you read the bonus epilogue!! ❤️‍🔥🪢

Thank you Maggie for my eARC 🫶🏼
I absolutely adore these two and ate their story up like there was no tomorrow!

lemmespoilyou.books

171 reviews4 followers

4.5⭐/5
This story had heart, tension, culty cults, action, kink, shock, concern, doubt, sweetness, dom/sub, spice, and connection all rolled into one and I had a really great time from start to finish! Maggie Sunseri's love for New York truly shines here and I felt the city all around me as I read these pages.
The way Nova had to control her daily struggle and survival was impressive yet stressful, and seeing her fall blissfully into the quiet place of submission when she was properly and competently taken care of by Wes was glorious. Also seeing Wes be contemplative and painstakingly real and present with every part of his life definitely showed his redeeming qualities in a bright light.
The kink space and proper dom/sub dynamics with the importance of aftercare and consent were fun to read and enlightening. There's such power in a dynamic that fulfills one's true desires and still enables the parties to truly care for and be cared for by the other(s). It was great to read and the spice was deliciously spicy!
And that love letter...meeeep! That's when I got tears :)

Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy, this review was given voluntarily.

cozybetweenpages

9 reviews4 followers

July 31, 2026

This book took my breath, heart and soul away from me! I loved every second of this story! I loved the inner discovery, the realization, the slow burn, the safety, and don’t get me started on the BANTER! OMG THIS BANTER IS AMAZING! If you love a dark romance this is the one for you! Maggie Sunseri is climbing her way to the spot of one of my favorite authors with this book alone! I have bought the paperback off amazon and that video will be coming soon but I also preordered the book from Grump & Sunshine Bookshop! MUST READ FOR 2026!

marika

62 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy received from Author

I hardly ever pick up contemporary romance, but after absolutely loving Maggie’s duologies, I had to give this one a go… and oh Lord, what a wild ride it was! I absolutely devoured this book and have already recommended it more than once!

We follow Nova, a struggling indie romance author who moves to New York City with her childhood best friend, Lorelei. But when Lorelei suddenly moves out halfway through their lease, Nova discovers she’s become entangled in an underground BDSM community full of woo-woo spiritualists, trad wives, and crypto bros that looks suspiciously like a cult.

Unable to simply let her friend go, Nova infiltrates the group with one goal: find Lorelei and bring her home. It’s there that she meets Wes, a deliciously tattooed, troubled older man she can’t seem to stay away from. The chemistry between them is instant and undeniable. As Nova gets closer to uncovering the truth behind her friend’s disappearance, her relationship with Wes deepens. But the further she sinks into the Circle, the harder it becomes to tell friend from foe. Can Nova trust Wes? And can she save her friend without losing herself in the process?

I honestly loved this story. While there was plenty of comic relief and laugh-out-loud moments, the emotional depth completely caught me off guard.

Both Nova and Wes carry heavy scars from their pasts, and each of them is searching for redemption and acceptance in their own way.

Nova is deeply traumatised by her religious upbringing. She’s trapped in a cycle of shame, convinced that her desires make her broken, constantly denying parts of herself because she believes they’re wrong. Wes, on the other hand, has lived a life of excess and now finds himself desperately trying to rebalance the scales. Beneath the gruff exterior is a man carrying an incredible amount of guilt. Seeing him slowly open himself up while she gradually learned to accept herself felt incredibly healing.

It’s rare for a book to make me shy these days, but this one had me blushing and kicking my feet more than once. Wes and Nova’s dynamic is absolutely adorable. They fight their attraction with everything they have, but the longer they’re together, the more impossible it becomes to resist. Wes is fiercely protective, while Nova is stubborn enough to ignore every warning he gives her. Their Dom/brat dynamic is incredibly fun, but underneath it all is a man who is so hopelessly in love that it’s impossible not to fall in love with him too. Every time he left the page, I found myself impatiently waiting for him to come back.

I genuinely think there’s something here for everyone. If you enjoy rom-coms, there’s plenty of humour and banter to keep you entertained. If you prefer darker romances, the heavier themes, emotional depth, and suspense deliver just as well. On top of that, there were several twists that completely blindsided me, and I loved never quite knowing who could be trusted.

Overall, this story was so much more than I expected it to be. Yes, there’s plenty of spice and kink, but beneath all of that it’s a story about self-discovery, acceptance, healing, and love. It’s about confronting your past, learning to forgive yourself, and realising that no matter what you’ve been through, you are worthy of being saved, worthy of being loved, and worthy of forgiveness.

I honestly cannot recommend this book highly enough, and I’m convinced I’ll continue reading everything Maggie writes because she simply never disappoints.

Jeni M.

84 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

This was an odd read for me. I am not really a fan of things with cults. When the cult leaders of The Circle, Jayne and Archer, were spewing their monologues before parties, it was cringy. I found myself skipping over those. This had a lot about addiction, the aftermath of being in an abusive relationship, and the mental hardship a life in a cult-like religious community causes.

Nova and her friend, Lorelei, ran away from an abusive religious community at the age of 18.
Lorelei moves out after saying things to Nova that hurt her badly. Nova has no idea where she went or with whom, so she uses a burner to stalk her online presence. When Nova discovers Lorelei has joined The Circle, she decides she will go to the next event (which happens to be in a repurposed church). Nova meets Wes at the church, and they speak, even though she is wary of him. It is never really stated as to why Wes was there in the first place, but this starts their relationship.

After leaving a religious community, why she decided to go anywhere near The Circle is odd. Self-preservation is not here for her. Jayne almost immediately attempts to get her into the club. Things Jayne and the members do are so far from what anyone would want in the realm of privacy that it was anxiety-inducing. There is a lot of build-up that makes you feel anxious and wary – will Nova be attacked or kidnapped? Was she really safe with the people of the Circle or with Wes? He was keeping things from her – was he actually a part of the Circle before meeting her? There are just a few things that are left in the air.

If you like your romance with a bit of kink, there is plenty of it in here. The harshest stuff is done in passing, not to Nova or by Wes, but check your trigger warnings. The kink between Wes and Nova was written tastefully, definitely done on the lower end of the scale with a taste of how intense it could get via others engaging at the events put on by the Circle.

This is billed as a romantic comedy – it really is not. While Nova was sassy at times, that is not comedy. Her going to comedy shows to unwind does not give it that designation. The subject matter was more serious, even depressing at times. I was horrified when a reformed alcoholic was forced to drink liquor as torture. That’s just not okay. I did not love the book, but I also did not hate it. It was a fast read, just not really my cup of tea. I thank the author for the opportunity to read the arc early.

arc dark-romance

Jess *lovetolovebooks*

735 reviews148 followers

Nova has known Lorelei her whole life. The two have shared religious trauma from childhood from which they escaped and made new lives for themselves in New York City. So when Lorelei up and leaves to be with some guy and essentially cuts Nova out of her life, Nova is hurt and confused. That confusion soon grows into panic and worry when she notices Lorelei posting very odd photos and captions. She sounds like she’s in a cult and considering what they escaped from in their past Nova feels like she needs to find Lorelei to make sure she is ok. The way to do that? Time to infiltrate The Circle aka a very kinky cult with some very suspicious vibes. There Nova meets Wes: a past Dom who refused to Dom again. Wes is also doing some investigating of his own so he offers his friendship to Nova but of course it’s gonna slow burn into something they can never walk away from.
This is so different from my past Maggie Sunseri reads and I quite liked it. I am intrigued by anything cult related so of course I had to sign up for this arc. The Circle deals with some heavy topics like religious trauma, grief and guilt, addiction, and shame when it comes to pleasure, fantasies, desires, etc and it also deals with coming out on the other side of those things, letting go, and healing. It was done well and with care in my opinion.
One of my favorite parts was the unease I felt that grew with each meeting or party. There was this buildup that was impossible to ignore and it had me on edge. I also was pleased as punch that the romance was of the slower burn variety (which is a wild contrast to all the kinky fuckery happening all around). Time was taken to let the chemistry brew for a while and genuine trust/connection to form and you know what? I dig it very much.

4⭐️
4🔥

What to expect:
Going inside a kinky cult
Struggling indie author FMC
Tattooed southern gentleman MMC
Meetings in an old gothic church
Hypnotism
Slower burn
Dom/sub
BDSM
Knife play
Primal
Rope play
“Good girl”
He uses a flip phone
10 year age gap
Aftercare in the form of Mario Party and pizza

TW/CW:
Mentions/discussions of religious trauma and abuse (to include different religions, not overly graphic, not on page), alcoholism/addiction and 12 step meetings for it, mention of parent who died from cancer, guns, past childhood abuse (SA, verbal, physical, religious/discussions of this but no on page flashbacks), mention of suicide & self harm (off page), mention of SA happening (off page), threats of violence and torture, forcing someone to break their sobriety

Cheyanne Lee

30 reviews1 follower

What this book has:
Contemporary romance with kink
Secret society
Allies to Lovers ❤️‍🔥
Overcoming Religious Trauma
Love letter to NYC
Found family
Dual POV

I almost DNF’d this book at the 15% mark and oh my gosh am I so glad I didn’t. Whilst I personally found the start a tiny bit slow after having read the story I understood the necessity for the slow start.

The Circle by Maggie Sunseri is a dark romantic comedy that blends mystery, romance, and self-discovery against the backdrop of an exclusive New York City kink society. While the BDSM elements are definitely part of the story, this book is about so much more than that.

Nova is a struggling romance author carrying the weight of a traumatic past and crippling self-doubt.
When her best friend Lorelei disappears into what appears to be a cult-like secret society, Nova throws herself into finding her-despite having every reason to walk away. Along the way, she meets Wes: older, mysterious, tattooed, and hiding plenty of secrets of his own. Their slow-burn connection is filled with tension, witty banter, and emotional depth as they navigate a world where nothing-and no one-is quite what they seem.

I loved that this story wrapped a genuine mystery inside a BDSM lifestyle setting. It explores trauma, healing, found family, and learning to embrace every part of yourself, even the parts you've spent years trying to bury.

The story is told from both of Nova and Wes’s POV’s, however, Wes’s POV’s don’t start until the last 50% of the book, my only negative criticism is that I would have loved to have had both POV’s from the start and have divided deeper in Wes’s story, that being said I am satisfied with the storyline he was provided.

If you’re looking for a different type of romance book, with some exploration of kink, wrapped up in a mystery that will keep you guessing chapter after chapter this is the book for you!!

Tressa Heigel

67 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

arc chosen-family dark-romance

I had the best time ARC-reading The Circle by Maggie Sunseri. It has to be one of my top reads this year for sure. It is sexy and alluring, with fresh, modern humor. But behind the kink, the comedy, and the mystery are powerful themes of acceptance, self-expression, and the strength in owning your desires.

What I liked:

❤️ The positive focus on embracing desire and accepting your true self. Having been raised in a patriarchal, religious cult, Nova’s sense of self-worth and attitude towards sexuality have been completely skewed. Though she didn’t buy into the extremism preached by The Circle, she was open-minded enough to recognize that being true to one’s self ultimately empowered members to achieve their dreams.

🔌 A reminder to unplug and connect with people. Though their methods of execution were on opposite ends of the spectrum, both Jayne and Wes agreed on one thing – the way to fight back against the onslaught of digital evolution is to remove yourself from the screens and return to the most fundamental aspect of society: human connection. They both valued tangible, tactile relationships, and I definitely appreciated the reminder to go touch grass.

💪 That perseverance was rewarded. One thing I admired about our girl Nova, was that she never gave up. Whether it was her mission to find Lorelei or working towards success as an indie author, she fought tooth-and-nail for every step forward she took. She overcame tremendous odds in order to live her dream life, and you could tell it was ingrained in her very being to never back down. It was a quieter strength than I’m used to in an FMC, but I found it refreshing, especially in contrast to her inner desires and the heavier culture of The Circle.

While this contemporary romance delves into the NYC kink scene (which is inherently seductive), it doesn’t distract from the deeper messaging. I think readers who appreciate plot-over-spice would still really love this book! If you’re like me and love a spicy read: Maggie did a great job shining a light on a ton of different types of kink – I feel like I learned a lot!

Tayler

14 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

July 21, 2026

ARC Review:

This book was so much more than a dark romance. Beneath the danger, tension, and undeniable chemistry was a story about healing, identity, and learning that your past doesn't have to define your future.

Nova's journey of finding herself was the heart of the story. Watching her confront childhood trauma, challenge the beliefs her family left her with, and slowly discover her own strength made every emotional moment hit even harder. Her growth felt earned, not rushed, and it was impossible not to root for her.

Wes completely stole my heart. His attraction to Nova is instant, but it's the way that attraction transforms into unwavering love that makes their relationship unforgettable. He falls first, falls hard, and never looks back. Watching him become her safe place while still allowing her to fight her own battles was everything I wanted from a romance hero.

I also loved that this story emphasized the importance of true friendship. The found-family dynamic brought warmth to an otherwise dark world, proving that healing often comes from the people who choose to stand beside you when your own family has failed.

The exploration of generational trauma, forgiveness, resilience, and personal growth gave this book so much emotional depth. Yes, it's dark. Yes, the romance is intense and addictive. But at its core, it's about breaking cycles, choosing who you want to become, and realizing that love doesn't erase your scars, it helps you learn to live with them.

If you're looking for a dark romance that delivers emotional weight alongside sizzling chemistry, with a hero who falls first and loves fiercely, Wes and Nova's story is one I won't be forgetting anytime soon.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Kenz✨

364 reviews31 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

July 22, 2026

If you're looking for a fast paced, unique twist on dark rom coms, The Circle is for you. This story follows Nova and Wes, two New Yorkers who meet at an exclusive secret society kink club/cult. There is mystery and intrigue woven into the storyline as Nova only joins the cult to rescue her childhood best friend. As Maggie advertised, this is a love letter to NYC, and almost feels if NYC is the third main character. This was definitely unlike anything else I have read with the trope combination, frequent comedic relief, and discussion around difficult topics (like addiction, overcoming religious trauma, and socioeconomic challenges).

I loved how Wes and Nova were multilayered and complex. Both have tragic backstories and they are slowly revealed over time. I enjoyed their relationship, which was built on trust and loyalty, and had emotional depth. Their relationship was adorable and I was rooting for them from the start. I was actually surprised at how little spice was between them considering how this is marketed, and I would say this is more of an introduction to these kinks for sure. I greatly appreciated the conversations surrounding loving yourself, and not feeling shame around things that bring you joy and happiness.

Some of the supporting characters were intriguing, but I would have loved to know more about their backstories. I actually would love a novella or even a second book solely revolving around Jayne's past or future with The Circle. I enjoyed the slow burn reveal of The Circle's details and how it was founded. I was on the edge of my seat wondering how Lorelei played a role, but I felt the reveal was a bit underwhelming and the ending as a whole felt a bit disjointed.

Thank you to Maggie for this eARC in exchange for an honest review 🖤

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Katie

14 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

July 28, 2026

★★★★★ 5/5 Stars

A Gripping, Thought-Provoking Read

"The Circle" by Maggie Sunseri completely exceeded my expectations. From the very first page, I was pulled into a story that felt both immersive and deeply resonant. Sunseri has a gift for pacing, weaving together tension and emotional depth in a way that kept me turning pages late into the night.

The characters feel genuinely real, flawed, complicated, and easy to root for. Their growth throughout the story is handled with a level of nuance that made every twist feel earned rather than forced. Sunseri doesn't shy away from difficult themes, and the way she explores them adds a layer of depth that lingers with you long after you finish the last chapter.

And that plot twist? I did not see it coming at all. My jaw was on the floor. I actually had to put the book down for a second just to process what I'd read. Sunseri plants all the clues so subtly that once the reveal hits, you immediately want to go back and reread earlier chapters with fresh eyes. It's the kind of twist that completely recontextualizes everything that came before it, and it's executed masterfully.

The writing style itself is beautifully balanced, descriptive without being overwrought, and every scene serves a purpose in moving the story forward. I also appreciated how the plot built steadily toward a conclusion that felt satisfying and true to the characters' journeys.

Overall, "The Circle" is a beautifully crafted story that showcases Maggie Sunseri's talent as a storyteller. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling, character-driven read, especially if you love a twist that actually delivers. I'll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Lena

540 reviews105 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

July 25, 2026

Thank you Maggie Sunseri for the gifted arc! The Circle is a dark rom com, and when I say dark, I mean the situations around them are dark, not the relationship itself. There’s kink between Nova and Wes, but I think it’s explored very responsibly in their dynamic.
Both Nova and Wes are complex, multi-faceted characters with their own tragic backstories, which we learn about in bits and pieces throughout the book before we have the entire picture. I really enjoyed their banter and overall dynamic—especially the Gen Z/millennial age gap jokes.
The plot in this had me hooked!! Nova’s childhood best friend has gone MIA and seems to be involved in some weird kinky sex cult for the elite, the Circle. So naturally, Nova infiltrates it to find out what happened to Lorelei, all while unlocking a side of herself she kept buried. At the first party, she meets Wes, who’s there for his own unknown reasons. As Nova and Wes dive deeper into the glamor and excess of the Circle, things start to look a lot more sinister than they appeared from the outside.
I think this book really shines because it has so much emotional depth and explores themes of generational trauma, self-discovery, forgiveness, and addiction that really make the characters feel like real people. This definitely wasn’t surface-level.
All of this is set to a backdrop of NYC, and the author described it as a love letter to NYC which I can absolutely see. This was a great standalone contemporary that I think will really appeal to a large audience, offering a great mix of plot, spice, and romance.

arc

J. L. Linn

208 reviews28 followers

July 28, 2026

Thank you to the author for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.

I went into The Circle expecting a dark romance, but what I found was something a little different. At its heart, this is a story about healing, self-discovery, and learning to embrace the parts of yourself you’ve been taught to hide. Wrapped around that is a mystery set within an exclusive kink community in New York City.

One thing I really appreciated was how thoughtfully the BDSM elements were handled. Rather than feeling like shock value, they became part of Nova’s journey toward understanding herself. Wes was easily my favorite character—protective, patient, and exactly the kind of hero I tend to enjoy. I also loved the found-family dynamic and the emphasis on overcoming shame, religious trauma, and learning to define yourself on your own terms.

The New York setting almost became its own character, and Maggie’s writing has an easy, conversational style that made the pages fly by.

My biggest struggle was the pacing. I kept waiting for the mystery surrounding The Circle to fully kick into gear, and while there are reveals throughout, I found myself wanting a little more momentum and higher stakes. By the time everything came together, I wished more had happened along the way.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with The Circle. If you’re looking for a character-driven contemporary romance with mystery, emotional healing, found family, slow-burn chemistry, and an introduction to the BDSM lifestyle without it overwhelming the story, I think this one will find its audience.

dark-romance

Natalie

32 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

Lexi || The Fabled Daughter

Oh, this was absolute tip-top! 👌
If you're in the mood for a dark, kinky romance, this is your book. I completely binged this!

It's equal parts funny and naughty... and somehow even manages to feel cozy at times.
It's heavy on the kink, but it never crosses into cringey territory.
The plot is solid. It wasn't what I was expecting and I genuinely didn't know where it was headed. I thought the way AI and all that stuff we know is getting a bit too creepy in real life, worked well in the story as it touches close to home for all of us.

Nova is written beautifully. All of her past trauma is handled respectfully and with just the right amount of depth to help us understand her without changing the tone of the book. There were so many moments where I felt truly proud of her. She's a really inspiring character.

But so is the MMC. I loved how he is a big softie at heart. It's so fun to read a book where stereotypes are questioned and muddled up so well.

The Gen Z versus Millennial age-gap teasing is also genuinely hilarious and done so well!

The balance of kink is spot on. It is just excellent, respectful kink positivity all around.

As an added brucey bonus, I now have two films on my watchlist. In fact, I haven't even checked if they are actual, real movies yet... hold my beer, I've got some research to do.

Thank you so much to the author for the ARC! ❤️‍🔥 I'm fully looking forward to getting my shelf trophy.

75 reviews1 follower

July 29, 2026

If I could sum up The Circle in Maggie’s own words, it would be: “‘Slay.’ ‘Slay,’ I echoed mournfully.”

The Circle is a dark romantic comedy set inside an exclusive NYC kink society frequented by the mega wealthy and powerful, and the people who wish to rub elbows with them.

This book was a freaking TRIP. It was SO funny—I actually had a spit take moment—and so relatable to the experience of being a twenty something living in NYC. It was also a deeply emotional, dark, and mysterious story. Throughout the book, we follow Nova as she attempts to infiltrate the Circle to save her friend from what appears to be a freaky cult full of billionaires, crypto bros, and trad-wife spiritual gurus.

The balance of the romantic and mysterious tension was excellent. Plus, the social commentary was a surprising highlight for me. I really enjoyed Maggie’s exploration of the Tik Tok buzz word psycho babble around being in one’s “masculine” and “feminine” energy, the insane trad wife and red pill epidemics, and the sociopolitical implications of domination, submission, and kink. (As Nova says, “And the thought of obeying a man? In this sociopolitical climate? That’s crazy.”) It felt plucked straight from the timeline and was handled so well, both as part of Nova’s internal story and as part of her experience in the Circle.

Really recommend this read, especially if you’re looking for a clever, gritty, and emotional romantic suspense with a ton of witty humor and sexy banter throughout.

EleftheriaK

147 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

This was so good, which was no surprise at all considering Maggie was behind it! I’ve read similar themes multiple times before, but the way this was crafted earned a spot right at the top of my list from the very beginning. The mystery aspect with New York as the backdrop made it all the more believable. You can really tell that the author loves the city, as the descriptions were so authentic. It was the perfect place for such a club to thrive.

I was on the verge of being brainwashed an alarming number of times by the Circle myself. I know they say that anyone, no matter how strong minded or logical they are, can be tempted to join a cult, and this book was proof of it. The organization was well thought out and disturbingly close to actual events. I don’t even know the last time I had to Google a kinky device or a kink in general. It truly was packed with everything!

The FMC was effortlessly funny, sweet, and so relatable. She felt like a fully fleshed out person. Her roommates were a highlight, and I felt disgustingly envious of their little gang. The Gen Z/Millennial references were also on point.

Ahh, if only I had a Wes to hypnotize me. Their connection was intense, and he embodied the perfect balance of a fun and laid back yet mysterious and impenetrable character. The dominant air this man radiates! 🥵 You definitely won’t want to miss the bonus chapter!

Thank you to the author for the ARC.

2026 arcs

Tara Nelson

88 reviews8 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

July 18, 2026

To be fair, I looooove Maggie’s writing. Both of the obsession/possession duologies are in my faves of all times lists.

When she posted that she’d written a dark rom-com set within the mysterious world of a culty sex club, knowing how well she writes both spice and banter, I was in.

Nova is a struggling indie romance novelist trying to make a name for herself in NYC while escaping a traumatic childhood. When she learns that her ex-best friend has been sucked into mysterious sex cult, she endeavors to join in an attempt to find and save her.

Enter Wes. A devastatingly handsome former dom that just wants to keep her safe. Full of mystery and secrets.

What follows is a really beautiful journey for Nova learning to let her repressed desires go, that religious childhood trauma and shame getting in the way of her being true to herself. The banter is fantastic, I chuckled a LOT, teared up a couple of times, and genuinely celebrated the relationship between these two main characters.

That said, MY ENTIRE BODY WAS CLENCHED FROM START TO FINISH, both from the never ending tension on the page between the MCs, and also the WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN plot wise as I waited for all the third act shoes to drop.

If you enjoy a sex-positive well-written definitely chuckle worthy dark romance, I urge you to read this book when it comes out at the end of July. You won’t be disappointed.

Erin

14 reviews

July 19, 2026

“Ask me for what you need, and I will give it to you.”

When Nova’s estranged BFF seems to have gotten herself into a culty BDSM organization, she goes looking for answers. What she finds is much more than just a wild goose chase. Through self discovery and healing, we follow Nova’s journey of overcoming her childhood trauma of being in a religious cult, and finding self love, acceptance, and peace. (In addition to a HEA with a hottie MMC that is mature and not just a grumpy one dimensional character as so often the genre gives us).

Maggie writes beautifully about trauma and the dark themes that surround it, and though her previous works had fantasy elements, The Circle is a straight up banger of a standalone dark romance, no fantasy elements necessary.
The MMC is complex and has a depth that you wouldn’t expect at first glance. And the relationship is very well written in a tone and light that brings the reader closer to the ideals of how a Dom-Sub relationship ought to be instead of the vast majority of media portrays it to be.

I’ve loved all of her previous books, especially her vampire duets Eternal Obsession and Everlasting Possession so I’m honored to have received the ARC for The Circle shortly before its release. Thank you Maggie, and I’m excited to keep following your journey!

Tabytha

45 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

July 23, 2026

I was lucky enough to be chosen to read this book early, and I’m OBSESSED. I’ve loved all of Maggie Sunseri’s books, so my reaction shouldn’t be a surprise, except for one thing. I haven’t read anything outside of fantasy or sci‑fi in almost a decade. I haven’t been able to get into a story without magic or out-of-this-world technology in a very long time. But this book hooked me instantly. The funny part is that I never once doubted I’d enjoy it. Maggie Sunseri is one of my absolute favorite authors, and I knew I’d love her work no matter what. 🖤

Saying I loved this book feels like an understatement. I saw myself in these pages and in Nova. Who I used to be, who I am, and who I’m trying to become. Nova’s journey is beautifully written. Watching anxiety, shame, and fear slowly transform into confidence and self‑love was incredible.

And Wes?! 🔥 I love me a sad boy, and Wes is one of the hottest sad boys around! The exploration of kink was handled with so much care, respect, and tenderness. I could have easily read another 500 pages of Wes and Nova exploring her interests together.

This book is a beautiful love letter to New York, to writing, to connection, and to the world of kink. I already can’t wait for Maggie Sunseri’s next release. Thank you for this amazing, addictive story! 🖤🔥🖤

Jennifer

55 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

July 26, 2026

4.25⭐
I first want to thank the author, Maggie Sunseri, for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication. Having been a big fan of both the Eternal Obsession duet and the Everlasting Possession duet, I was excited to see that the author had a new book on the way. I was surprised to see that not only was it a contemporary romance, but it was considered a dark rom-com. I was a little hesitant when I saw the page count, but I devoured this book in 24 hours. I loved the fact that the main character was a struggling writer in New York City, and enjoyed the descriptions of locations and all the things the characters loved and hated about the city. Most of the story is told from the POV of this writer, Nova, but I enjoyed the few (about 8) chapters that we got from MMC Wes’s POV. I probably would characterize this book as a dark romance, not so much a rom-com, but I did enjoy the humor that Nova and her friends added to it, as well as the banter between Nova and Wes. The subject matter is definitely not for your regular romance reader, but I thought it had a good mix of plot and romance. The action picked up a lot near the end and it was a page-turner to find out how it was going to be resolved when I only had 10% left to go. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I hope the author writes more along these lines.
**spice rating 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5**

Aleta Meeker

54 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

🔥🌶️🌶️🌶️❤️💕
I have been reading Maggie’s work since the beginning, and it just keeps getting better! I truly love being a part of her ARC community and social media groups. Did you say The Circle would be a Dark Romcom? Yes, please, sign me up! Add spice and kink along with complex and believable main characters and you have the perfect book. Maggie brings humor and light to some heavy subjects and addresses them beautifully through these characters.
New to Maggie’s books? This is a great place to start; they are all amazing in different ways.
Nova had a traumatic childhood she shared with her BFF, that they managed to escape but not without a great deal of baggage. When said BFF goes missing, Nova must enter the kinky, underground world of The Circle. Enter Wes, a strong and tattooed man with his own trauma and baggage.
There is tension, humor, suspense, kink, addiction, and so much character growth. The supporting characters are wonderful. Millennial to Gen Z spin is pure genius. This is a wonderful, unpredictable read that has you routing for Nova and Wes and hanging on the edge of your seat as the truth about The Circle and its hold on the characters. The community and friendship dynamic along with healing from addiction and trauma made these characters more believable, real, and multifaceted.

Marie C

36 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Auteur

Thank you so much to Maggie and her team for having me as an ARC reader 😍

I loved the circle!! It's a spicy standalone taking place in New York.

For some reasons, despite the blurb announcing a kinky cult, I expected a rather light (and spicy) read. And that's what happened at the beginning! However I didn't expect the story to become this deep. And si loved it!

Both FMC and MMC deal with trauma, and I absolutely loved how they were able to open to each other, discuss their trauma, be accepted by the other regardless of said trauma. The chapter where they finally open to each other (yes, "finally", because it's also a kind of slow burn, with yearning and tension 😍) made me cry so much!!

I was completely swept into the word of Nova and Wes, everything was so well depicted, from everyday New York's details to the believes of The Circle's member. I also loved Nova and Wes love story! And bonus points to Hudson, I love him!!

This book made me kick my feet, laugh, cry, be anxious, be happy....it made me feel everything! Don't hesitate to add it to your TBR!!

Here is a quote that made me laugh, and summarise a good part of the book 😂:

"In Hindsight, this had perhaps not been the best idea."

Cassandra Western

79 reviews6 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

July 22, 2026

Thank you, Maggie Sunseri for the eARC.

Nova is a romance indie author, struggling to make a living in NYC and make a name for herself. She learns her ex-best friend has been sucked into an elite sex cult-The Circle; she makes a decision to enter into the mysterious world and attempt to save her. As she enters the into the hidden world, she meets Wes, a dark, mysterious man full of his own secrets.

This story is written beautifully, all the elements are woven so naturally together, the kink, the BDSM cult, Nova and Wes's trauma/healing, but it is done with poise. The Circle is more than just the kink, it is about the relationship between Nova and Wes, the trauma they both have endured in their past, how they have dealt with it, opened up to each other about it and worked together as a team to become stronger.

The relationship they build is a slow-burn connection, starting off as friends and allies, working together so Nova can her repressed desires, let go of her shame and to become the person she deserves to finally be.

This is a perfect dark romance standalone for those who are looking for a tastefully written spicy book full of tension, yearning, mystery and banter that will have you hooked from the moment you pick it up.

Julia

107 reviews10 followers

July 24, 2026

ARC REVIEW

I loved this book so much, I was literally thinking about Nova and Wes all the time, every day and I literally couldn’t stop reading it!!!

I didn’t know what to expect from this book as it follows a kink cult, but it was actually so much fun!!! (with some psychopaths as well tho which is understandable). the entire book was so refreshing, I loved the romance between nova and wes, that even though the circle was full of kinky, smutty scenes, they were going slowly while learning about each other, building trust and it was kinda like allies to lovers. i loved possessive wes and when I’ve learned why he was like that, I felt it in my heart. they bonded with trauma as well, and I just loved them honestly, their banter, flirting, it was everything

I’ve predicted some things, some surprised me and the ending had me on the edge of the seat, it was stressful and disturbing.

I will totally reread this book, nova and wes in my heart 🫶🏼

ps I love that nova was a writer and that wes was anti social media/new technology and he was also obsessed with literature and music (love his vinyl collection)

Amanda Palmer

14 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

Thank you for the ARC Maggie.

The Circle was best described as a roller coaster, the initial slow build up had me guessing where the book was headed, a slow climbing to a peak, the eventual crest with a free fall into all sorts of things I didn’t anticipate.

Keep pushing into the first third of the book to be blessed with some great banter, mysteries, kink exploration and a gentle awakening into BDSM and sub/dom dynamics.

The side characters were great and would be interesting to hear more about especially Hudson and Delilah.

Wes the MMC is brooding and intense with a surrounding air of mystery. When you get privy to his POV from chapter 29 onwards it’s well worth the build up.

Nova’s internal journey and exploration of character was interesting, I’ve not read many books before with religious trauma before so was a new spin for me personally.

Tastefully done spice, felt a little milder then some of Maggie’s other books but was well written and done in a way that is tasteful to BDSM kink communities.

Carina

83 reviews4 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author