Unleashed by Eden: A Brother's Best Friend, Rockstar Romance

by Jade May

Carter + Violet's story... blurb coming soon!

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Second Chance

442 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2026

About the author

Jade May is an international bestselling author of angst-filled, high-heat romances laced with kink—where the tension runs deep, the chemistry runs hot, and happily ever after is always guaranteed.

Jade is also a passionate advocate for people with disabilities and those suffering from chronic illnesses. She has been featured in several major Australian media outlets speaking about the power of romance fiction to help people with disabilities awaken their sexuality and cope with chronic pain. Inspiring others to embrace their desires and live their best lives through her fiction is a dream come true for Jade.

She lives in sunny Sydney with her two favorite humans: her husband and son.

Reviews

[Nikita · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to start my rockstar romance journey! Wow. I’m honestly blown away, it was so fucking sexy and funny and lovey and sexy and cute and did I mention sexy? 😮‍💨💦

Read it in one sitting today 💃🏼 ate it up and left ZERO CRUMBS.

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75🌟 | 3🌶️

This was a fun, angsty second-chance romance.

Violet and Carter’s history, secret relationship, and undeniable chemistry had me hooked, and I loved watching all those years of unresolved feelings finally come back to the surface. Carter’s vulnerability and Violet’s growth also gave their relationship more depth than I expected.

The rockstar tour setting was such a good backdrop, and the spice and kink between these two were easily some of my favorite parts. I also really enjoyed the band’s dynamic and the way the story explored trauma, mental health, addiction, and finding the right support system. There were a few choices in their past that didn’t completely work for me, but I appreciated how messy and complicated their journey was.

Overall, this was an addictive and emotional read with great chemistry, plenty of angst, and characters who felt like they had something real to work through.

Violet and Carter definitely kept me invested, and I had a really good time watching them find their way back to each other.

~~~~

A huge thank you to Jade May and The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m going to be dreaming about Carter ‘Kneel’ Ashford and his words for a VERY LONG TIME…. Specially that scene on the way to Lake Como! 😮‍💨🫠

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Violet + Carter

-rockstar romance
-second chance
-brother’s best friend
-secret relationship
-angst/slow burn
-free use

the kinks & dynamic between these two were some of my absolute favorites but i just could not get over the mentality of the fmc blaming carter for his "rejection" reaction to her literally sa-ing him being the most ultimate betrayal leading her to a sex club that THEN made her realize she had crossed a line?....yet still calling it a rejection of her...uhhhh idk i just didn't like that aspect of any "dubcon" at all.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one more because Vi and Carter had some genuinely cute moments, and there was definitely no shortage of spice. But unfortunately, I just could not get into the story, and the longer it went on, the more drawn out it felt.

My biggest issue was Vi’s entire adult life seemingly revolving around Carter rejecting her when they were teenagers. And honestly, the way that situation was handled really bothered me. Vi took advantage of Carter while he was passed out drunk and asleep, knowing full well he wasn't awake or consenting. He wakes up in the middle of it and is understandably horrified and disgusted.

What made it worse for me was the lack of real accountability afterward. Vi spends so much time being hurt over his rejection, but there wasn't nearly enough focus on what *she* did to him. I kept waiting for genuine remorse or an apology, especially once she realized how wrong her actions were, and it never really came. Instead, Carter somehow ends up apologizing, which made absolutely no sense to me.

I could probably have moved past the teenage mistake if the story had treated it with the seriousness it deserved. She was young and clearly didn't understand the gravity of what she was doing, but being young doesn't erase the fact that Carter was violated. The double standard would be glaring if the genders were reversed.

There were also a few moments where Vi’s decisions had me questioning everything—like leaving her work laptop open for anyone to use while she was around someone who had bullied her growing up. 😅

There were things I enjoyed, especially the chemistry and spicy moments, but the way the central conflict was handled completely changed my feelings about the book. Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me.

[Rachael Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

My love for Carter and Violet will never end and I’m not even sure which one I loved more!? 🫦

I managed to eat this up in 24 hours. The best kind of push and pull between plot and spice.
There’s also something so so exhilarating about being on a characters development journey to who they truly are. I could have read another 500 pages of these characters, EASILY 😭
This was everything.. and I highly recommend adding to your TBR!

[Jade May]

It's release day!! Thank you all so much for your kind reviews so far. I really hope you enjoy the last book in the Eden series. x

[Sneha R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished Unleashed by Eden with that bittersweet feeling you get when a story completely consumes you and then suddenly ends. What I expected was a sexy rockstar romance. What I got was an emotional, addictive story about two people carrying years of unresolved hurt, longing, and love who finally find their way back to each other.

Violet and Carter's story grabbed me from the very first chapter. Violet has spent years building a life for herself after having her heart broken by her brother's best friend, Carter. When a photography opportunity lands her on Carter's world tour, she's forced back into the orbit of the man she never truly got over. The tension between them is immediate and impossible to ignore. Every conversation feels loaded with history, every glance carries years of things left unsaid, and I found myself completely invested in whether they could overcome the past.

One thing I loved about this book was that Carter wasn't just a stereotypical rockstar. Yes, he's talented, famous, and undeniably charismatic, but beneath the public persona is a man struggling with anxiety, pressure, and emotional wounds he has spent years trying to outrun. Jade May gives him depth and vulnerability that made him feel authentic rather than idealized. Watching him slowly let down his guard around Violet was one of my favorite parts of the story.

Violet was equally compelling. She isn't the kind of heroine who immediately falls back into old patterns simply because the hero shows up and says the right things. She carries her scars, protects her heart, and forces Carter to confront the damage he caused. At the same time, she has her own insecurities and fears to overcome. I appreciated that she had ambitions, a successful career, and an identity beyond the romance. Her growth throughout the story felt just as important as the relationship itself.

The chemistry between these two is absolutely electric. The attraction never disappeared despite the years apart, and once they finally stop fighting their feelings, the sparks fly. The romance is undeniably steamy, but what made it work for me was the emotional connection underneath it. Every intimate moment felt tied to their history, their healing, and the deep affection they had never fully let go of.

Beyond the romance, I was pleasantly surprised by how much substance this story had. It explores themes of mental health, self-worth, addiction, childhood trauma, and the emotional cost of fame. These topics aren't used simply to create drama; they're woven naturally into the characters' journeys and add genuine weight to the story. There were moments that made me laugh, moments that made me swoon, and a few that genuinely broke my heart.

The tour setting was another highlight. Jade May captures both the glamour and chaos of life on the road. From backstage moments to the exhausting realities behind the performances, the world felt immersive and believable. It added an extra layer of intensity to Carter and Violet's relationship because they were constantly surrounded by pressure, scrutiny, and temptation.

What stood out most to me, though, was the emotional payoff. The years of pining, misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and unresolved feelings eventually build into a romance that feels truly earned. I found myself rooting for Carter and Violet every step of the way because their journey wasn't easy. Their happily-ever-after felt like something they had fought for.

Overall, Unleashed by Eden is everything I want in a rockstar romance: emotional depth, unforgettable chemistry, meaningful character growth, and just the right amount of angst. It's sexy, heartfelt, and surprisingly moving. Even if you're not normally drawn to celebrity romances, the emotional core of this story makes it worth picking up.

If you love brother's best friend romances, second chances, mutual pining, tour life drama, and characters who have to heal before they can truly love each other, Unleashed by Eden is a book I'd highly recommend. Carter and Violet's story stayed with me long after I turned the final page, and honestly, that's the mark of a great romance.

Thankyou Jade and The Author Agency for the ARC copy!!

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazon

Violet just landed her dream job, unfortunately that job will have her in very close proximity to her once maybe almost guy, her brother's friend, world famous rockstar, Carter. They haven't spoken in years, thanks to Carter's rejection of her, but Carter's going to use the time to get her to forgive him and give him a second chance.



The chemistry between Violet and Carter is beyond hot, and they did the work to achieve the second chance they both ended up wanting. But, and I couldn't get past it, the whole rejection thing in the past was far more serious than it was written. It was actually Violet taking advantage of an unconscious person who wasn't able to give consent. We all know what that means, and it was brushed off, and that is in no way OK or acceptable. Because of this, I couldn't completely get behind this story. The chemistry is intense, the storyline is good, but the crux of their whole wish for a second chance is just not good.



ARC provided by The Author Agency for an honest review.

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[Breanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐ but rounding up because So there were some parts of this book I really liked, and a lot of parts that I really... didn't. lol. Carter and Vi's chemistry was good and I really enjoyed their hate-to-love-you back and forth. But the backstory of them going their separate ways was... not what I expected. While yes, Carter had harbored feelings for Vi when they were younger, she essentially SA'ed him while he was intoxicated and passed out on the couch because she heard him say her name. And when he woke up and was like WTF, she ran off and totally blamed him for ruining her entire life. 🫠 Did I mention she was a minor at the time and he was probably also scared shitless of being accused of something. Anyway, after that they stopped talking and Carter ran off to become a huge rockstar, while Vi started working at a sex club (which she also blamed Carter for)

10 years later he sees her out at a club with some guy who was taking her out on a "private date" after meeting her at her job, and is all of a sudden like "Oh look it's Vi, let me choose this moment to show my face after 10yrs and provoke her" Shocker, it doesn't go well. He then decides to show up to her job to talk to her, which also doesn't go well. When they both show up to kick off the bands 10 month long tour, which he didn't know she would be on, he is DELIGHTED and vows to "win her back". Which leads us into the next 10 months where he relentlessly pursues her and she half-heartedly resists him (despite being angry for the last 10yrs about him ruining her life) and they fall in love.

There were just a lot of things that I didn't vibe with, like him having vowed to win her back (even though she SA'ed him and blamed him for it) but also literally getting it on with two other girls in front of her while they stared at each other. Her blaming him for how her life turned out. There were multiple scenes where they had sex in front of their friends while they watched (not knocking the book for this, I just wasn't expecting it) or where them and their friends all kind of went at it together. But also just the general idea of, he cut her out of his life completely for 10yrs while he screwed anything with a pulse, and then he sees her once and is like "I'm not letting her get away again" Bruh what was the point of the last 10yrs then 😩 There were several plot points that reminded me much too closely of The Words and I felt meh about it. All that being said, this is very much a typical rockstar on tour turns reformed playboy read, and if you're into that you'll probably enjoy this one if you're ok with all of the above. Thank you so much to The Author Agency and the author for allowing me to read and review!!

[Sal’s life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another amazing, emotionally raw and spicy book by Jade May. Unleashed by Eden leaves you feeling like you were on tour with Carter and Violet, that you got to witness the highs and lows with them.
I went into this book expecting one thing and ended up with something else. I shouldn't have been surprised as this is typically how I feel after each of the Eden books.

Violet and Carter's story had me from the start. Violet has spent years building a better life for herself. After a hard and lonely childhood and feeling heartbroken over her childhood crush and brother’s best friend, Carter, she pursued a career in photography under a pseudonym. Life starts to get better for her, especially financially when she starts working at Eden. One day she gets the opportunity of a lifetime, to follow the world’s biggest band and photograph them for 10 months on their world tour. The only problem is the frontman of the band is Carter.

The tension and chemistry between the two is impossible to ignore. Every look, every word carries multiple meanings and I was completely invested in whether they would be able to get over their past.

Carter wasn't a stereotypical rockstar. Yes, he was all the things you would expect, but he was also someone struggling with the constant pressure, still being haunted from a traumatic childhood where the wounds still felt raw. He was able to be vulnerable with Violet which helped make him feel real to me as the reader.

Violet was exactly what I want in an FMC . She refused to fall back into her insecurities, she had fought hard to overcome them in the first place. Even when faced with her childhood bullies, she faced it with a calm confrontation to show she was in fact in a better place, and she could feel proud of herself.

The sexual chemistry between these two was off the charts, but it was more than the spice, it was their connection on an emotional level, the understanding of each other's childhoods and the ties that connect them.

This story explores themes that some readers may struggle with such as mental health difficulties, addiction, childhood trauma. These topics weren't used simply to create drama; they were woven throughout the characters' lives and individual stories.

For me the moment that made me hold my breath was the newspaper at the airport. I felt that in my gut and how Violet must have felt at that moment. Well, I almost didn’t want to read it, but I’m glad I did, there was a HEA after all.

[Cerberus Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Penguin Aus for the E-arc on Netgalley for this kinky rockstar romance.

A Carter is a world famous rockstar who is part of Pulse. He's also Violet's older brothers best friend. Violet and Carter had a falling out and have not spoken in years. While violet works at Eden the seductive club for gentlemen as a Goddess, however her main work is as a photographer. When she gets asked to go on tour to photograph Pulse, she refuses to pass this opportunity up. Carter and Violet's world collide once more and they reconnect and rekindle their relationship.

Carter is HOTTT the tattoos, a pierced peen, and a cocky personality (smash next question).
The sneaking around and taboo fucks with free use and being in a utility closet was delicious.

I really liked how Jade this could be read as an interconnected standalone, however I think it benefits more with Easter eggs and references to other characters if you read the first 3 books.

I also appreciated that she highlighted the fear people have with illnesses and how substance abuse can cause damage but the difference between having a good support network can mean the world. I also liked that she emphasized that sex work is a way to become more confident in your skin and explore what you're into and it's not a taboo thing.

The brotherly vibes I got from the band were actually so sweet and I really loved their dynamics. I'd love to see a spin off or side story about each band member.

Now, do I think some parts were predictable? yes. But that was fine.

My biggest problem was with initial falling out between Violet and Carter.
This would have been alright to me except I didn't see any trigger warnings in the book that clearly stated what occurred (which would be classified as SA). The TW I could see when I started this was "past bullying, substance abuse, abusive/neglectful parenting (referenced), free-use kink, and characters making messy choices while dealing with trauma."
No where does it acknowledge in the book that SA occurred. I just really wish that this was acknowledged in the TW as I could have better prepared myself for it.

*Edit* This has now been resolved and will be included in the TW.

Like Carter who's older than violet is crashed out on the couch having a dirty dream about Violet. Then Violet walks past and hears this and tries goes to "make his dream a reality" and unzips his pants and starts to give a blowjob. Carter wakes up to this and gives her a disgusted look and tells her not to touch him again. Violet gets upset about this. (Like have you not been told to not give an unconscious person tea) While Violet is 17 at that age she should know what is right and wrong.

Besides this problem (which I'm hoping can be fixed before final print). It's a hot, heavy, kinky rockstar romance and feels energetic.

[Sarah - Get Booked with Sez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to jump into my first Jade May book, she has been on my tbr for a while. And the end result? I devoured this rockstar romance! And I cannot wait to go back and read more of her backlist, especially the books previously in this series. This book is part of the Eden universe however can be read as a standalone easily.

- Rockstar Romance
- Second Chance
- Brother's Best Friend
- Unrequited Love
- Instant Reconnection
- Trauma Bonding

4.5/5 stars with 4/5 spice.

Violet, or Vi, has crushed on her brother's best friend since her early teens. Growing up in foster care, her brother was not just her best friend but her protector. And along with that, his best friend also became one of the few people in the world she trusted. He may have been 2-3 years older than her, but that didn't stop her crushing on him. And when she gets the opportunity at 17YO - She makes a move. Only to be rejected on the spot.

A decade later and Carter is a successful rockstar. He has bandmates he considers brothers, and even better - His best friend is now his manager. About to break out on a 10 month tour, he finds himself worrying that his health may not make another tour however doesn't seem to have the care he knows he should when looking after himself. Until an angel steps in as the new photographer for the tour - His little Storm.

Vi didn't realise she would be working along side Carter when she took the job. But is a break out job for her career and she will try her hardest to not let herself fall back into Carter's orbit. But when she sees him not caring about himself - She not only realises she still cares heavily for him, but also wants to show him how to care for himself. They start a secret relationship that quickly heads into something more than just a fling. But with enemies all around them, they have to always ensure they trust each other and not listen to the noise. Then there is Vi's brother who they know won't approve of their love.....

If you enjoy rockstar romance with a side of brother's best friend - This one is for you. I did have a few people ask if this is a dark romance - I would say "mild dark" as it is definitely not contemporary - And that is why I loved it.

[Heids_in_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

💜His approval isn’t something I need—that victory was mine—but the way he’s looking at me now … I soak in every second of it.

💜Plus, I’ve got my Swiss Army knife in my boot, and I’m not afraid to cut a bitch if need be. I might not win, but I’d definitely leave a mark.


HOT DAMN! Talk about chemistry.

I’m such a sucker for a second chance romance where both characters have clearly spent years trying and failing to move on.
The whole “it’s always been you” theme came through so strongly with Violet and Carter. Even after all that time apart, it never felt like their feelings had disappeared. They had just been buried underneath years of hurt, anger and things that had been left unsaid.

Carter had the confidence and presence you would expect from a rock star, but underneath all of that, he was still just a hurt and anxious guy, with so much emotional trauma and baggage that he had never dealt with. His persona with his fans, and even his band mates was so different to what he had with Violet, and what he chose to let her see.

Violet was strong, independent and emotionally closed off to protect herself. She didn’t just forgive Carter, she made him face the pain he had caused, while also having to work through her own fears about trusting him again. I also loved that she owned her own part in it, and that what she had done, was not ok.

Their chemistry was still very much alive, and once they finally gave in to it, things only got hotter from there. Jade writes fantastic spice and she definitely did not hold back on it this book. There was still plenty of emotion behind their physical connection. It wasn’t only about wanting each other, it was about finally getting back the person they had never really stopped loving.

Lastly, seeing the characters from the other book was fantastic and I love when they have their group scenes! I did have my fingers crossed there was another yacht scene, but the beach and plane will do ;)

Unleashed by Eden was emotional, spicy and full of years of unresolved tension. Violet and Carter had a lot to work through, but their story really did feel like two people finally finding their way back to where they had always belonged. With each other.

An incredible conclusion to an amazing series.

Thank you Jade and Penguin for my physical AND eARC!

5⭐️
4🌶️

[Kate Lauder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am SO surprised by this book. I honestly devoured it with absolutely no regrets😮‍💨🔥💜🎸🌶️

I went into this expecting a dark romance, but this was so much more than that. It was deeper, more emotional and so much more layered than I expected!!!!

At its heart, this is a love story about two people who have deeply felt for each other for years. Even after being separated by an event that changed everything, those feelings never really disappeared. They were buried under hurt, anger, guilt and years of things left unsaid.

The childhood friends to lovers trope was EVERYTHING. 🥹 And Carter has officially made me obsessed with the rockstar romance trope!!!!!! He had the confident, magnetic rockstar persona, but underneath was someone carrying so much emotional baggage and unresolved trauma.

Violet was such a strong FMC. She didn’t just forgive and forget. She made Carter confront the hurt he caused while also working through her own fears about trusting him again. I also loved that she acknowledged her own mistakes and took responsibility for them. Also, holy talented with a camera (she’s such a cool photographer)!

And the chemistry??? 🥵HOT DAMN. Jade May absolutely did not hold back. The spice was FIRE, but what I loved most was the emotion behind it. It wasn’t just about wanting each other - it was about two people finding their way back to someone they had never really stopped loving.

I also loved the deeper themes around trauma, healing and relationships. It made this feel like so much more than just a spicy romance.

Unleashed by Eden was emotional, angsty, spicy and completely addictive. Violet and Carter had so much to work through, but watching them finally find their way back to each other was SO worth it. An incredible conclusion to an amazing series!!!!💜👏🏼

Tropes:
-Rockstar romance
-Childhood friends to lovers
-Second chance
-Brother’s best friend
-Angst & unresolved feelings

Out 25th August!
Thank you to Jade May and PenguinAU for the physical arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Novellaworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

When chapter one starts with…

“Today can get fucked. Preferably sideways, without lube.”

Jade… did you read my mind for the last 20 years before I retired?! 😂 Because SAME. 🙌🏻

After being introduced to Jade May through my ALC of Tempted by Eden, I knew I had to sign up for this ARC. And now, having read Unleashed by Eden, I can already tell you I cannot wait to get this one into my headphones too. 🎧

Violet and Carter’s story was such a brilliant way to finish the Eden series. I went in expecting a spicy rockstar romance with the brother’s-best-friend trope, but Jade gave me so much more. This was emotional, angsty, messy and completely addictive, with years of hurt, unresolved feelings and baggage standing between two people who never really stopped caring about each other.

Violet was everything I wanted in an FMC. Strong, determined and absolutely nobody’s doormat. And Carter? Well… rockstar swagger, protective energy and enough emotional baggage to fill a tour bus. 😂 Watching these two find their way back to each other was one hell of a ride.

And the chemistry? HOT DAMN. 🔥 Jade absolutely understood the assignment.

But it was the emotion underneath the spice that really got me. This wasn’t just about wanting each other. It was about trust, healing, forgiveness and finally confronting all the things that had kept them apart for years.

And that opening chapter had me laughing because apparently Jade May has been living inside my head. 😂

I loved Tempted by Eden, which was my introduction to Jade, but Unleashed has firmly cemented the fact that I need to keep reading her books. And after experiencing how good the audiobook was with Sofia Lette and Aaron Shedlock in Tempted by Eden, I cannot wait to hear Violet and Carter brought to life too.

A spicy, emotional, angsty and utterly addictive finale to the Eden series. 💋🎸🔥

ARC read. Audiobook… already mentally reserved for my headphones. 😂🎧

[Samantha Steel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Once I'm inside you, there's no going back. You hear me? This pussy is mine. Your stubborn little heart is mine. Your soul, every dark corner of you, mine."

What am I going to do now that Unleashed By Eden, the final book to one of my most favourite book series has arrived, taken control of my mind, and now left me in a sense of still needing more?

I have been waiting for Carters story since he was first introduced in Tempted by Eden, I am an absolute sucker on her knees for a dirty rockstar romance, and THIS DELIVERED.

My opinion on Carter changed in the other books leading up to Unleashed and even throughout this book too- he's an arrogant rockstar, he's alluring, magnetic, successful and he knows it. Violet, is strong, she's fierce, and she developed herself in all aspects in this book which is apparent in the dual timeline flicking to her as a teenager and her as an adult. She deserved better throughout, but she got her HEA, unique for her and what she wanted, and she got it how she wanted.

Now, I know how spicy the books in this series are, sharing is something I was not used to but I grew to love when it was apart of the other books. But this book was different to the others, still on the high spice level, but free use k!nk was new to me as well, and I very much enjoyed understanding it and seeing how it played out between Carter and Vi, especially when trying to be rather secretive. But- This is definitely a read for your TBR, if you need and love and spicy romance- you won't be disappointed.

Their chemistry was alight from their childhood, it was a slow ember, which was snuffed out but avoidance could only last for so long, before the universe shoved them together and created a very angsty and intense burning between them that neither of them could fight or deny.

Now if we could get a Christmas novella with all 4 couples, I would be very happy to have them all together one last time, or forever 💖

[Kate Bellamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

(arc review)
rating 5/5

spice
5/5

Out of all the books in the series, I do have to say this was my favorite one. If you are looking for a book with a second chance and a secret relationship with a rockstar, then this is the book for you. Unleashed by Eden is book 4 in the Eden series by Jade May. Firstly, I would like to thank Penguin Random House and Jade May for giving me this ARC. Importantly, please check the trigger warning before reading; this book may contain triggering content for some.

This series is an interconnected standalone series; you don't have to read the other books in the series to understand. I do have to say I read the full series on a road trip, and I read the whole series in 3 days. In this series, it mainly has a setting in the sex club; this one changes it up, focusing on Carter + Violet's relationship while they are on tour. The flashbacks that had occurred were really smooth and flowed with the story. The tension between these two was so good; there were so many parts I loved about these two. The plot to this story also added so much depth to these characters and their story. When certain events unfolded, I was shocked, and I could not put this book down. Trust me, this book won't disappoint!

From the start, you could feel the tension between these two, and when they finally got together, it had me screaming. The dynamic between these two is so good; I loved so many scenes of these two. Carter is your stereotypical bad boy who is now a rockstar, while Violet is your good girl who now works at Eden while also being a photographer. I did love how we got to see more of these characters outside of the club compared to the other books in the series. We got to see another side to these two, especially because they are stuck working together. Hehe, who doesn’t love forced proximity with second chance and so much tension? I think I might end the review here, so I don't spoil it for you. It is available now. Happy reading.

[Char · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Penguin and Jade May for sending me an advanced proof. These are my honest Thoughts & Feels
I would give this book a million stars if I could.
I absolutely ATE this up!!
A rockstar romance featuring a brother’s best friend. GIRL SIGN ME THE F UP.
Something about the Eden series is just so easy to get completely sucked into!
Violet - honestly a hot bad ass bitch and I want to be like her when I grow up!
Carter - love him! Angsty rockstar !!!!!! Obsessed. 😍 honestly bless his cotton socks.
This romance was TOP TIER, I completely and utterly fell in love with Violet & Carter and their relationship.
I mean Jade May basically ripped my heart out and made me hold my breath until I got to Carter’s chapter in that third act. Honest to the rock gods I was having palpitations.
Jade May never fails to write hot, steamy, sexy romance with the most perfect sprinkling of smut, yearning & passion.
I love knowing that every Jade May book leaves me feeling a roller coaster of emotions. I am guaranteed to smile, giggle, shake my head, cry, and inevitably fan myself because oh man is it HOT IN HERE 🥵
I honestly need about 15 more books in the Eden series because I never want to leave.
Thank you so much Jade May for providing a space that celebrates women, sex, and disability without shying away from the nitty gritty and uncomfortable. Thank you for giving a platform to such important things that society shies away from and doing it in such a beautiful and empowering way.

💜 He’s magnetic up there. Annoyingly so. Almost godlike, if I could believe in gods who wear sweat-soaked tees and curse into microphones.
💜 “Hurt people hurt people, right?” I say. “But that does make it okay. It just makes it sad.”

[Booked.withb · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Unleashed by Eden” Jade May 🎸✨

Thank you to Penguin Publishing Australia for the gifted arc copy! This was my first dark rockstar romance read and by 55% through I genuinely thought this would be a 5 star read…unfortunately this book wasn’t for me.

Summary: A photographer working at the exclusive gentlemen’s club Eden is hired to document rock star Carter Ashford’s world tour—forcing her to confront the man who broke her heart at seventeen. Despite their intense attraction and her rule to never touch a rock star, their old feelings reignite but when a tabloid scandal paints her as the betrayer, they must decide whether their love can survive the lies.

Tropes:
Rock star romance 🎸
Brother’s best friend
Second chance romance
Forbidden romance
Forced proximity
Childhood/teenage crush
He broke her heart
Spicy romance

Thoughts: Both characters had great levels of self growth, red flags that were toxic which they had identified and were actively working on…BUT I just could not get around the idea that the MC’s had SA n their past which was directly involving each other, I feel like that’s enough said but I’ll continue 🫠

The multiple scenes which focused on bringing in other parties to witness their *cough* interactions were SOOO unnecessary and felt icky…literally WHY are you all in the same room and watching each other??? Why is this not a trope or listed (maybe it is in the finished version)?? SOOO Yes the overly unnecessary sexual nature / scene inclusions that ramped up towards the end of the book honestly took away COMPLETELY from the plot which was strong and that resulted in a loss of stars.

[MN Book Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

The roundabout way these two went through to get together was astounding!

Violet and Carter knew each other as children, and Violet had the biggest crush on Carter for all that he did to stick up for her. That all changed when he turned her down. It's now ten years later, and she's been selected to be the photographer for his world tour that will also be a documentary, and the hard feelings are still there. Something Carter wants to put behind them, especially after seeing her again before the tour in the most unusual place. Things go so well for them for most of the tour, but when Carter tries to make things better by bringing Violet's old bully around to show her how much better Violet's life is now, things get dicey. So what happens when things explode right before the last stop, and it looks like Violet sold Carter out?

Carter and Violet get their happy ending in this standalone book in a series.

These two were so great together. I loved how Carter owned what he did as a young man but also explained why he was like that then, and then worked to be better now. I do wonder how the conversation would have gone with Violet's brother, who is Carter's friend as well, if he hadn't found out about them on the internet with the rest of the world. I would have loved to have seen a little of what Carter and Liam, Violet's brother, had done to the actual person who outed their relationship and the 'tell-all,' just to see how vicious they could get over someone they loved.

I received an advance review copy from The Author Agency, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Morgan Combs · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been a hot minute since I read a rockstar romance. But pairing that with the brother’s bestie trope
made for a really hot read.
I had not read any of the other books in this series, but that didn’t seem to impact my reading of this
story. Though after reading Unleashed by Eden, I am definitely adding them to my tbr!
Thrown together in a professional capacity without realizing it, Violet & Carter are at odds from the get go
due to an incident that happened years prior - an incident that actually made me super angry at Violet for
a bit. Don’t worry…she redeemed herself pretty quickly.
Their story was told against a backdrop of bullying, retribution, fast paced tour life, secret relationships,
kink explorations, and addiction - all under the lens of a world that thinks they’re owed access to every
moment of a celebrity’s life.
The banter between Violet & Carter was sharp, endearing, and witty. The spice was ah-mazing. And the
HEA is fought hard for and well deserved!
If you haven’t grabbed this book yet (it is available on KU and paperback) you definitely should! And if
you’re like me and haven’t read the previous 3 books in the Eden series just go ahead and add those to
your tbr as well!
Grab your copy here: https://books2read.com/unleashedbyeden
Unleashed by Eden by @authorjademay is a spicy brother’s-best-friend/rockstar romance with a full HEA
and no cliffhangers. It is the fourth and final book in the international bestselling ‘Eden’ series of
interconnected standalones.
#rockstarromance #readallthewords #jademay #bookish #romancereader @theauthor.agency

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

👀 Brother’s best friend
💔 Second chance romance
🚐 Forced proximity
❤️‍🩹 Mental health rep

Let me preface this by saying I am an unapologetic Jade May simp. I have inhaled this series with absolutely no dignity, and every new book in the series becomes my new favourite.

Unleashed by Eden is a spicy brother’s-best-friend rock star romance packed with tension, emotional damage, and healing. Violet lives a double life of sorts. At Eden, she catches eyes and turns heads, but behind the camera she is Vega Wolfe, a gifted photographer chasing her big break. That break comes in the form of shooting Carter Ashford’s world tour documentary. The only issue, Carter is her brother’s best friend. Also the boy who broke her heart. So, you know, just a casual little emotional inconvenience.

Honestly, Jade had me from Violet’s first line:

“Today can get fucked. Preferably sideways, without lube.”

A heroine with that energy? Immediately yes. Can relate.

This book is so much more than kink and chemistry. It is messy and raw and painfully human in that way Jade May does so well. She writes characters who feel bruised in places they don’t always know how to name, and somehow makes their healing feel both devastating and hopeful.

The way she handled chronic illness in Devoured by Eden absolutely wrecked me, and she has done it again here with mental health and substance abuse. It is not glossy or romanticised, but it also never feels tokenistic or thrown in for drama. It is handled with care, depth and honesty. These struggles don't feel like background traits; they feel like living, breathing parts of the story.

“Most of the time, you can treat a failing organ. Cut it out, replace it, patch it up. But how do you undo the slow kind of rot that starts when you’re a kid and just keeps spreading, because no one ever taught you how to stop it?”

That one lodged itself directly in my chest and refused to leave.

I went in expecting rock star heat and brother’s-best-friend tension, and I absolutely got that, but what stayed with me was the ache. The way this book explores love, damage, addiction, mental health and healing felt so raw without ever losing the romance or the fun. Five stars for making me blush, hurt and swoon all at once.

[Bookswithambs · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

“There is absolutely nothing I can do to fix any of it. It's out of my control. Out of his control, and all we can do is hold on and hope for the best. So I hold on, and I don't let go.”

And just like that we have said goodbye to the world of Eden and I was not prepared 😭… even though I absolutely inhaled this book like a dṟüg 👀. Honestly where do I start? I completely and utterly loved these characters, their story, and their development. The spice, the pacing, the tension, the angst, and the pining?! Completely and utterly obsessed. The scenes with the characters from the first 3 books? I fucking ate that shit up, I loved their little group moments… and yes besties there were spicy scenes with the whole group around 🥵. Finally getting Violet’s and Carter’s story was everything I could’ve asked for and more, and an absolute bonus that Carter wasn’t a complete idiot there (iykyk, and if you don’t.. you will find out 😉).

If I had to sum up the vibe of the fmc in this book in one line, it most definitely would be this: “Today can get fucked. Preferably sideways, without lube." And yes we absolutely say fuck yes to this energy!

🎸 Rockstar Romance
💜 Brother’s Best Friend
🎸 Second Chance
💜 Secret Relationship
🎸 Tour Life
💜 Mutual Pining
🎸 Strong, Guarded fmc
💜 Angsty, Messy, Hard-Earned HEA

[Kerry-Anne Nabb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect way to end a series.
I’m obsessed with Carter & Violet, separating and together.

Having detailed backstory of each of them while they grew up, made their story 10x better.

Carter had a traumatic childhood, leaving him with so much trauma that the only way he could deal with it all, was to push his body, pumping anything and everything he can into his system.

The way Carter gravitated towards Violet, ohhhh my heart. Turning up at her door 🥹 confessing things he was too scared to admit.

Carter, opening Violet up to kinks, oh boyyyyyy.
He’s like ‘I’m into this and that’ and she’s like ‘Let’s do it’
Their little sneaking around to grab little moments between them, 🥹.

I would have loved to of seen them within Eden, other than Violet sneaking out before he seen here then their little show at the end of their book.

I didn’t like the way Chris treated Violet, I wanted to shake him and ask what his problem is.
Was it because of who she is? That she’s Liam’s’ sister and it could blow their dynamics up with the band?
Was he jealous? Secretly wanting Carter?

Do I secretly want the rest of the band to have a story? Yes, I would love to see them fall head of heels and what type of women could tame them.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unleashed by Eden is a brother's-best-friend rock star romance packed with tension, angst and a whole lotta heat. It is the fourth and final book in the Eden series, but it is my first time reading this author.

Violet and Carter have history. They’ve known each other since she was a pre teen, she always harboured a crush on him, her brother best friend. Something happens between them that scars her and they e not seen each other since. He’s now a big rockstar, and she’s a photographer trying to make it big. She gets her break as a photographer on the world tour of Carters band.

The raw chemistry and heat between these two was palpable, as was the pain and vulnerability. I enjoyed the way the author explored substance abuse, and the image of a rockstar. The storyline pumped along as did the steaming passion and kink between Vi and Cater.

Overall a damn good read. I’m certainly going to circle back to the previous books in the series.

Thank you NetGalley, the team at Penguin Random House Australia and Jade May for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this story. It was a rockin good read.

[Emily Johnston (Booked.Up.With.Emily) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so I loved loved LOVED this book!!! Omg I loved it and seriously could not put it down! This book is SPICYYYYYYY. There is one scene that involves four couples that will live rent free in my mind for a long time.

🩶Brother’s best friend
🩶Rockstar romance
🩶It was always you
🩶Forced proximity
🩶Free use k!nk
🩶Public play

Violet had always had a crush on her brother’s best friend growing up. And one night she takes matter into her own hands and it back fires. Now here we are a decade later and there is so much bad blood between these two.

Carter is a quintessential rockstar bad boy. He works hard, but plays harder. His life is a revolving door of s3x, drugs, and rock and roll. And now that Violet is back in his life, things seem to change for him.

Violet and Carter’s relationship is toxic and rocky at first, but once they take the plunge, they go all in.

The free use in this book is some of the best I’ve ever read. Usually free use is not completely free use anywhere. But in this one, this man would do it in front of anyone and everyone and you know what, I’m here for it!!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet + Carter

Unleashed by Eden is the last installment of the Eden series and I am sad to say goodbye to the ladies and men of this series. Jade really outdid herself with this one. I couldn't stop turning the pages. I gobbled this up in one sitting.

Violet and Carter have known each other since they were kids. One night she went for it and he told her to never touch him again. That is very important to this story. They haven't really spoken since then. Violet is now a Goddess at Eden & a photographer. Carter is a famous lead singer. These two have an intertwined destiny I feel. The chemistry was undeniable between these two and honestly, I could feel the tension through the pages. & while this was the last book in the series it packed a punch.

The character arcs were so beautifully done and the character's evolving through each page turn was great to see. The supporting characters and even the villain in this story were well rounded.

I can't say enough good things about this book and series. Go dive in, now.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.

[Cindy Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unleashed by Eden is the fourth story in the Eden series. It has wonderful characters and a great story.

Violet and Carter have a past. She has loved him for a long time but her broke her heart. He is her brother's best friend so they are forbidden. Now she is a photographer and he is a rockstar. She is given the opportunity to work with him on his concert tour. This is a big deal because his band is very popular. From the beginning when they see each other again you can feel the tension on each page. They are explosive.

Carter is struggling with the pressure of being a famous rockstar. He is having mental issues that few people know about. He is keeping things hidden from the band and from Violet. Once she finds out about his issues, she is there for him and helps him through it.

I loved how Violet was so strong even after what she had been through. She was tough and could face her issues. I loved how she and Carter had such a connection and could help work out his issues. They were a wonderful team. I loved the emotions and vulnerabilities in their story. I look forward to the next one from this talented author.

[Phoebe Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

A fun and sexy brothers best friends, rockstar romance. Unleashed by Eden by Jade May is the final book in the Eden series and follows rockstar Carter and photographer Violet. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I loved the development of Carter and Violet throughout the story, from hardly being able to talk to each other, to having an incredible working and romantic relationship. It was incredibly well paced and written and the raw chemistry, angst, pining and tension were also amazing. I enjoyed how Jade explored heavier topics in the book, they weren't brushed over or just there because it's a rockstar romance. Overall, I really enjoyed the final book in the Eden series, Unleashed by Eden by Jade May. This was my first Jade May book, and I'll definitely be going back and reading the rest of the books in this series.

Thank you so much to Penguin Books Australia and Jade May for the gifted review copy in exchange for my honest review. Unleashed by Eden is hitting shelves August 25th and is most definitely worth your time.