Daddy Issues

by Dahlia Reign

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2026

About the author

I am a strong cup of coffee in a world where everyone is drunk on the cheap wine of shallow love.

Caffeine, crime shows, serial killers , wine and the written word. Those are my things. Forsake all others I have too many thoughts in this mind not to write them.

Reviews

[Fallon Story]

This was such an emotional twisty ride. It may be small but she was mighty. Def felt a lot of emotions throughout this book for our FMC Reese. She def has to overcome a lot of trauma and scars. MMC Maddox dropped sexiness and the definition of touch her and 💀 the chemistry and sexual tension between them was on point for sure. The little plot twist curve towards the end tying it all up was chefs kiss!! Damn good time.

[Sam]

ARC review, copy received from author.
This book hit all the right spots. It was a quick read, attention grabbing, and enough twists to keep you on your toes. I was immediately drawn in and didn't want to put it down! It wasn't a deeply dark or pitch black book which honestly is kind of refreshing, but definitely had multiple emotions brewing as well as the right amount of spice that allowed a plot to shine through. Many times I don't really enjoy the way the FMC is depicted but I really liked Reese. She was strong and brave and real, despite her demons. The way the story unfolded was actually quite beautiful and paced well. The writing style of this author is fantastic and I can't believe this is my 1st of hers, but will not be my last. Definitely recommend this read!

[Leah]

Don’t let the length fool you because this book packs an emotional punch from beginning to end. Dahlia Reign fit so much into such a short story, without it feeling rushed or that it was missing information. The FMC try to bury her trauma through reckless decisions was heartbreaking, you could feel how deeply the trauma shaped her.

The MMC may be completely unhinged and definitely has his own unconventional way of doing things, but underneath all that he is someone who makes her feel like she’s worthy of more than just surviving. He doesn’t try to erase what she’s been through he stands beside her, comforts her through it, and reminds her that she’s deserving of love and a happy life.

[Kelly Castillo]

​Dahlia Reign has completely shattered me with this book. From the very first lines, you are sucked into a dark, raw, and brutally honest portrayal of trauma, survival, and the coping mechanisms we build to keep the world at bay.
​Reese's pain is visceral, wearing her labels like armor and using self-destruction just to outrun her past. The writing captures that agonizing cycle of numbness perfectly.
​And Maddox, the chemistry is explosive, dangerous, and pure fire. The "I see all your broken pieces and I want them anyway" trope is executed to absolute perfection here.
​If you love your romance dark, deeply emotional, and packed with an angsty, protective alpha who refuses to let her drown, read this immediately. I’m still breathless.

[Bookish_Ashleigh]

I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting. It is raw and heartbreakingly beautiful as well as spicy and delicious. I couldn’t get enough of these characters. Her entire back story was detailed to the max and i definitely recommend reading triggers before reading this book, but Dahlia wrote it so well well. Everything made you feel the pain and trauma but also all of the strength behind her and the fight she held onto throughout the entire book. The spice is top notch as well and I loved every second of it !! Would highly recommend this book!

[Brittany Putzer]

So many emotions and steam packed into a beautifully dark story. When Daddy Issues released, I was surprised Reign penned a shorter book. I LOVE all of her books and this one is no different 😍. Another favorite has been added to my library.

I can't wait for Kane's book 🫣😈

[Christina]

✨✨✨ ARC Review✨✨✨
Daddy Issues (They Made Me This Way Book 1)
Dahlia Reign

‼️Check Trigger Warnings‼️
⚠️⚠️⚠️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

✨For the first time in a long time, I could finally breathe without feeling like I was drowning. I felt like he wasn’t there to take something from me. And God help me… I liked the feeling of someone seeing me and deciding not to look away. ✨ ~Reese

Wow, this was my first time reading a book by Dahlia Reign, and it was absolutely incredible. Don’t let the length fool you, it kicks off with a bang and doesn’t slow down until the very last page.

Reese, the FMC, tries to drown her trauma in alcohol and flings with strangers, giving them nicknames based on their looks. Maddox, the MMC, is on a completely different wavelength; unhinged but fiercely protective, claiming Reese as his before they’ve even officially met.

Both are walking red flags in their own ways, yet they balance each other perfectly. For the first time, Reese feels worthy of love and protection, and Maddox delivers just that.

If you’re after a quick, gripping read that keeps you hooked from start to finish, this one’s a must-read.

[D.3.b.0.r.a.h]

This one was such an emotional and beautiful read.

From the very beginning, you can feel how much Reese has been through. She hides behind sarcasm, alcohol, and the way she pushes people away, and Dahlia did a great job showing how much her past shaped who she became.

One detail I absolutely loved was how Reese referred to the men she brought home by nicknames instead of their actual names. Calling them things like "the banker" instead of using their names really showed how little they meant to her. It gave off this strong "I don't care" attitude and honestly fit her character so well.

I also really enjoyed the connection between Reese and Maddox. I loved seeing them interact and watching their relationship grow throughout the story. There was also an unexpected part of their connection that I honestly didn't see coming, and I really liked how it added another layer to their story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Reese and Maddox's story was emotional, unexpected, and I loved seeing how everything came together.

[Daphney]

This was a short read but it certainly hit in all the right spots!! I meant to write this review a while ago but life got in the way! I definitely enjoyed reading!! Man oh man!! Reese, the FMC really went through some tough things in her life! It was not pretty what she endured but she coped the way she knew how to. And Maddox, MMC, WOW!!! That man!! The way he would do anything for her to protect her…with his sexy self!! Had me drooling! Reese is chaos and Maddox calms the storm that is Reese. I love how they save each other and push through. Do mind your trigger warnings, because the topics in here are a little heavy. I highly recommend reading this! And the ending!! I need to know more about Kane! Cause that is one MF that I need to know about his story! Truly unhinged individual!! lol! I like it!! Thank you, Dahlia for allowing me to read this!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥🔥🔥🔥♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[Maria Franklin]

For this being a short Novella, wow, there was so much going on.
Reese is a hot mess of trauma, alcohol, bad decisions and self destruction. Then Maddox comes into the picture, and somehow this dangerous man starts looking like the safest person in her life. Maddox is drawn to Reese and genuinely cares about her and wants to protect her. This one is dark, heavy, messy and packed with spice. There’s trauma, secrets, murder and plenty of WTF moments along the way. After everything Reese has been through, she finally gets the chance to take back some of the power that was stolen from her and get her revenge. And somehow, in their own sick and twisted way she and Maddox find happiness with each other. Two damaged people a whole lot of chaos and their own version of happily ever after.

[Claire]

I absolutely devoured this, when my coworkers would leave me alone and let me. This book was absolutely delicious in all of the right ways as well as empowering. You have Reese who survived some absolutely horrid things and has found her own way to cope with things as well as survive, then you have Maddox who is an absolutely beastly brute with some amazing talent in the spicey area. This book is/was exactly what I needed right now to get me back in the headspace for reading!

This book does have some dark triggers, if you might have one please read them.

[dmariie_sinfulreads]

I loved this book!!! It was fast and right to the point. At first I wasn’t sure if 18 chapters were enough to hit all the great tropes and triggers that Dahlia gave us! But This book definitely packs a punch. The FMC & MMC are HOT ASF - they are both stubborn and just so right for each other. I definitely recommend this book if you love dark humor & dark dark themes in general. This book is full of triggers and warnings!!! My favorite!!! But before anyone picks this book up PLEASE check the triggers list!!!!

[Kathryn]

This was absolutely brilliant. I didn't realise I hadn't read this author before, and now I have a blacklist to explore. Unhinged characters, both of them. Their pasts are so messed up, but it only added to the drama of it all. And buried under an excellent dark plot full of spice, we have a few twists that I didn't see coming. Everything was beautifully intertwined. Highly recommend this super quick and spicy read.

[Renee Charles]

I was completely captivated by this book. It’s a masterful portrayal of the emotional consequences of trauma through the lens of sex and alcohol. The writing is beautiful, and it deeply affects the protagonist’s psyche. Max, the male protagonist, with his own struggles, delves into her mental state and helps her escape the hell she’s trapped in. It’s simply amazing.
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[Reading is escaping reality]

They are absolutely insane, but fit so good together! She buries her pain from the past with sec and alcohol, and alls he see is her. Together they kill the fear from her past, and the revenge is perfectly done!

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[valley_girl_36]

Whoa! Fast paced but packed with all the goodies. Hot one indeed, I wouldn’t change a thing and I can’t wait to read more from this author. The book is very entertaining and with a steady flow, filled with twists and turns I couldn’t predict.

[Melissa Thorpe]

This book will definitely keep you on your toes! Reese and Maddox make such a good couple and the things he will do for her! 🥵🥵 I already can’t wait for the next book in the series!!

[Mia Baxter]

I loved this dark and twisty book! My first dahlia reign book and she did not disappoint. I am so looking forward to the next book!

[Janet Guzman]

Deliciously unhinged in the best ways… lived Reese & Maddox

[Selina Nagy]

Wow little but mighty. Short read with a lot of emotions. Loved the spice and plot!! Can't wait for book 2