The Locked Duet: A Dark Stepbrother Bully Romance

by C. Hallman

614 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2026

About the author

C. Hallman is a USA Today Bestselling Author who wrote her debut novel in 2018 and has since published over 100 books in various romance subgenres. Her works have been on numerous bestseller lists and have been translated into 8 languages around the world.
When she doesn't write her next novel, she publishes spicy novellas under the pen name Darcy Rose.

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Reviews

[Gaynor Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ummmm

Well written, intense, haunting, diabolical, cruel, abusive, misleading, and more. All is not as it seems and these characters for me were hard to like for various reasons. But the story telling is very well done!

[Femke Brouwers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diving into a book by C. Hallman feels like stepping onto a roller coaster—it’s thrilling, intense, and leaves you breathless. Her latest work didn’t just meet my expectations; it surpassed them, plunging me into a world darker and deeper than I could have imagined. It’s the kind of story that grips you with its angst and shadows, drawing you into its intricate web.

As I turned each page, I could feel the tension weaving through the narrative like a taut string, ready to snap. The emotional depth was palpable, resonating with an intensity that was both captivating and, at times, challenging to bear. Some scenes were tough to read, I found myself admitting. There were moments when the storyline veered into territory that required a pause, a reminder to check the trigger warnings is a wise suggestion for potential readers.

Yet, even with its darker tones, there was something undeniably intriguing about the journey. I was grateful to have devoured both books back-to-back, sidestepping the agony of waiting for that elusive Happily Ever After (HEA). Who enjoys waiting when the heart is already invested, yearning for resolution?

C. Hallman crafts a tale rich with angst, suspense, and spice. Her characters, especially the possessive male main characters, leap off the page, each grappling with their own arcs of growth and redemption. It's a dance of emotions, where raw vulnerability meets fierce passion, culminating in a satisfying HEA that makes the tumultuous journey worth every moment.

So, if you're ready to embark on a story that challenges and captivates, this might just be the next book for you. Just remember, it’s not for the faint of heart, but for those who seek a reading experience that leaves a lasting imprint on the soul.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lock Me Inside is a twisted, trigger filled, dark, bully novel, so if you trigger easily, this book isn't for you. From the crazy and intense storyline to the non-con and bullying, this book takes the reader to some wicked places. Although I didn't like reading everything in this story, that's what I love about this author she writes an intriguing story that pulls me in and makes this a captivating read despite some of the hard stuff. I am so glad it ended the way it did.
Lock Me Out is book two in The Locked Duet and a great ending to Nix, Leni, and Colt's dark and steamy journey of love. Before starting this book, I recommend you read book one, Lock Me Inside, to get the full story. This duet has triggers, so if you trigger easily, this duet might not be for you. Overall, it was a captivating and steamy read with well developed characters and a good ending.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[ajscenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leni drew the shirt straw in life. Once second she is living her dreams and the next she is friendless, alone and being severely bullied.
Her mother is awful. She is cold, calculating and will stamp on her own daughter to get ahead in life. Her decisions force Leni to live with her bullies, her new stepbrothers Colt and Nix, but the worst person is their father, who is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
It took me a lot to accept that Colt and Nix earned her trust and could go from being the worst bullies to being her protectors.
This story is full or twists, turns, agony, and life and death situations. I feel like I held my breath in some places. This duet is a great read, but it will be a bit much for some people so please read the triggers first, but if you are happy to go ahead, enjoy this rollercoaster of a read!

[Brenda Orozco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dark bully romance was significantly darker than my previous reads. At times, it was overwhelming, and I had to put it down to take a breather due to its intense nature. Leni never received a break; all she desired was love and care. My heart ached for her at times because she endured such immense suffering. Nic and Colt, however, were something else. They still showed some semblance of sympathy and felt sorry for her. This duet was truly remarkable, but be mindful of the trigger warnings; it may not be suitable for everyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Locked Duet

The Locked Duet contains the two books Lock Me Inside and Lock Me Out. The story is about Leni and the two boys who become her stepbrothers, Colt and Nix. This story is dark and at times I found it disturbing, which meant there were times where I skimmed over some material that turned my stomach. Be warned as there are a number of possible triggers and the story is dark, dark and darker at times. I really did not like Colt and Nix, their friends or their father. I did like Leni but she was as sheep being led to slaughter when she went to live with the boys after her mother and their father are engaged and then married.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark romance
Forbidden secret romance
Stepbrother
Bully romance
Enemies to lovers
Why choose
Reverse harem
MFM
St@lker/sensation of being watched! (The suspense!)
Forced proximity
Somno
Masked
Cnc

Please be mindful to check the TW page! There are some heavy topics in here and dark themes.

What a read! I devoured this! As soon as I finished book one I jumped immediately into the 2nd part!
I really felt for Leni!
And Nic and Colt! Loved how they’d show sympathy for her!
Such an intense read I was on the edge of my seat with anticipation. And that surprise twist at the end!!
When I saw the tropes and the blurb I had to jump on this as I loved this authors book hate to love! She writes a good dark bully romance and again, she didn’t disappoint me!!
I enjoy this authors writing and look forward to more!!

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lock Me Inside and Lock Me Out
Dark romance, enimies, bullying, stepbrothers, and more.
This duet follows Leni, Colt, and Nix.
It was filled with suspense, drama, secrets, and a bit of mystery. It was also emotional and filled with so much steam.
Despite the darkness, depravity, and twists throughout Leni and her men still managed to get their ending.
Overall, I enjoyed the duet. Do mind the trigger warnings, because it is dark.

[Sammye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beware of triggers! This is two books under one cover, Lock Me Inside and Lock Me Out. It’s a stepbrothers, bully story that was hard to read. Nix and Colt are aweful people and Leni endures more than she should have to! It’s dark and filled with drama, depravity and steam. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leni's mother marries the father of her two biggest bullies, Nix and Colt. A very dark and stormy read, confronting at times, downright sinful at others, check your triggers first. The boys are her new stepbrothers, her enemies and in her nightmares... prepare yourself for a heck of a ride...

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable book. After I read book one, I hurried to read the second book of the duet.

Has a few of my favorite tropes: stepbrothers, bullies, somnophilia.

Surprise twist in the end - at least for me.

🤯CNC
🫢Secret Relationship
😷Masked
😴Somnophilia.

[MandaC86 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense

This was intense I look like the first book better then the second one that was more slow then the first one and I didn't like it a much but still a good read

[Syd Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please be mindful on triggers. This was a really good duet. this offers a little bit of everything darkness can provided. Nix and Colt were something else and they gang up on Leni, not only now, after their parents get married but also when they were kids. Leni took so much and a child but she is still standing. There is more darkness in this book than romance and still really good books.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.