Trust

by Hayden Kay

Grief has hollowed her out, anger has taken its place.
After her mother’s accident, Sara makes one reckless decision after another, as if daring the world to finally take notice of her. But no one reacts—not even her father, who is so consumed by his election campaign that he views her merely as a prop, no longer as his daughter.
Just before Sara can sabotage his biggest rally, she is kidnapped and dragged into the wilderness.
The two men holding her captive expected a spoiled brat but find a young woman with a shattered heart. As the walls between them slowly crumble, they stop trying to control her and start fighting for her instead.
The truth behind her mother's death is darker than anyone imagined, and trusting the wrong person could cost Sara far more than her freedom.

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2026

Reviews

[Britt DS]

First and foremost: WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT IS HOW THE BOOK ENDS?!

That being said: let’s talk about the book.

Sara is a rebellious teenager who lost her mom a couple of years before the start of the story in a tragic accident - though Sara believes it wasn’t just an accident.
To make sure she doesn’t ruin his chances of getting elected as governor by acting out, her father gets in touch with ex-navy seal Stix who kidnaps her. That way, she’ll stay out of the public eye until the elections are over.
Sara ends up in a cottage in the woods with Stix, whose real name is Chris, and his buddy Cash - also an ex-navy seal.

While the book deals mostly with the relationship between the characters, the storyline about Sara’s mother’s death stays present in the background… until it’s suddenly no longer in the background.
In the last 50-ish pages, shit really hits the fan and we’re treated to a very juicy cliffhanger.

I really liked the writing style and the characters, all three of them have their own distinctive character.
The tension and the buildup between the characters was amazing, though the spice itself was a bit underwhelming.

3,5 stars, but rounded up.

(I received this book as an ARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[Vanessa Amelya]

I was intrigued from the beginning. I really enjoyed the plot and the characters individually. This is a Why Choose, and I liked that things weren’t rushed. Trust was important… 😉 It’s very low spice and not so dark. I enjoyed Sarah’s journey and growth.

One thing that bothered me was the disagreement between Chris & Cash toward the end. To me, it felt out of character considering their friendship since childhood and their time in the service.

I’m definitely looking forward to the second book because I NEED to know what happens next, especially after that cliffhanger! 👀

I received this complimentary ARC from the author, providing me with the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts and opinions.

[Suellynn Keil]

Wait. There’s no way it actually ending like that😅

[TinyBunnyReads]

Honestly, trust completely pulled me in from the very first chapter and did not let go.

The FMC is this rebellious redhead with a slight emo vibe who gets tangled up in a dark web of betrayal, corruption, and mystery surrounding her father. Her character development is so good, but the dynamic between her, Chris, and Cash is what really sold it for me. Chris brings that dominant, scarred, dangerous energy, while Cash is the muscular, blue-eyed, tattooed best friend. The tension between the three of them is electric, and I loved that the author actually took time to build their relationship instead of rushing straight into sex scenes.

Fair warning on the spice: if you’re picking this up expecting heavy, constant steam, you might be disappointed. It honestly reads more like a dark romantic suspense/why-choose than a pure dark romance, but the plot, pacing, and emotional depth completely hooked me.

And that ending?! Absolute insanity. I am on my knees praying we get Book 2 as soon as humanly possible because that cliffhanger, I need answers immediately. If you like dark suspense with complex characters and insane tension, put this at the top of your TBR right now!

[Nicole Tribble]

I received this book as an ARC read and I am so happy to be able to be a part of Hayden’s journey!
With a lot of new authors, I feel like things can get rushed, editing can be messy, and maybe ideas don’t seem original BUT NONE OF THAT WAS MY EXPERIENCE W THIS BOOK! I didn’t feel rushed to the finish line or find major plot points that contradicted the others- BUT THAT ENDING?! Are we serious?! I love a good why choose and a great cliff hanger but not when I have to wait so long for the next book!
I love mystery plots I love why choose I love darker elements. This book hit all my sweet spots! And the emotion!! Oh my fucking god.
Honestly I find it hard to believe this is her first book, but I guess that’s just even more of a compliment to how amazing she is!

[A Midnight Chapter]

I absolutely loved this one. The characters were easily one of my favorite parts, especially the contrast between the two MMCs. They were so different from each other, with their own distinct personalities and dynamics, and I loved what each of them brought to the story.

The plot was genuinely thrilling and kept me invested the entire time. I also really appreciated that there was so much more to the story than just the relationship. The romance is obviously a big part of it, but there’s an actual plot unfolding around these characters, with plenty of tension, mystery, and intrigue to keep things moving.

And the spice was SO good. Sexy without feeling forced, excessive, or like it was just thrown in for the sake of being spicy. It fit naturally with the characters and their relationships, which made it that much better.

Then there’s that ending… excuse me?! It definitely did its job because now I NEED more. I’m completely invested in these characters and where this story is going next.

[Spicy Book Confessions]

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️½
Panty Meter: 💦💦💦½
Emotional Damage: 💔💔💔💔

I discovered Hayden Kay through TikTok, so I really didn’t know much about this book going in. But when she said dark, why choose, ex-military… I was IN! 😂 And as an added bonus, the FMC’s name is Sara (even with no H!), so I was absolutely thrilled to finally have a FMC with my name and not just a side character! 😂

And yeah… I really enjoyed this one!

Sara is the daughter of a politician, but she is definitely not the spoiled, snobby princess everyone expects her to be. After her mom dies in a car accident, Sara can’t shake the feeling that something about her death wasn’t right. Her relationship with her father is terrible, she’s rebellious, and she definitely isn’t afraid to push back—which ultimately puts her in a dangerous position.

She gets kidnapped, and this book definitely starts out feeling more like a thriller/mystery than a romance. Since I knew this was a why choose, I was sitting there thinking, Okay… when are the men going to show up?! 😂

One of her kidnappers is Chris, and logically I immediately thought, Okay, he HAS to be one of the guys. 😂 But the attraction between them isn’t instant or obvious, which actually made sense considering the circumstances. She was kidnapped, after all! Sara is feisty as hell, and Chris definitely wasn’t expecting that. He thought he was getting some rich, spoiled politician’s daughter, and Sara quickly proves she is anything but that.

Then she manages to escape and gets picked up by Cash… who just happens to be Chris’s best friend. 👀 And Cash’s attraction to her is much more immediate, so I’m over here like, Okay, there’s guy number two! 😂

As Sara starts opening up about her family and what she suspects really happened to her mother, the story takes on a deeper emotional element. She doesn’t want to be weak or helpless again, especially after being kidnapped, and she asks them to train her so she can become stronger and better able to protect herself.

I really liked that aspect of her character development. She doesn’t just accept being protected—she wants to learn how to protect herself.

Eventually, Sara discovers that her kidnapping wasn’t exactly what she thought it was. She was essentially taken off the board because her rebelliousness was putting her father’s political campaign at risk. The campaign hired them to keep her out of the way and safe, not to actually hurt her.

Obviously… things get complicated from there. 😂

I also really enjoyed the dynamic between Chris and Cash. They’ve shared partners before, so there isn’t that typical jealousy or possessiveness between them. That was definitely an adjustment for Sara—and honestly, probably for some readers too—but I liked how naturally it was incorporated into the story.

And yes, I enjoyed the spice! 🌶️ It definitely takes a while to get there because this is a slow burn, but I thought the buildup worked well for the story and the circumstances.

The plot really starts picking up toward the end, and then we get hit with that cliffhanger. 😩 And of course, now I NEED to know what happens with Sara, Chris, and Cash!

There were also some hints about Chris and Cash being comfortable sharing a partner at the same time, and I’m definitely hoping we get more of THAT in the next book. 👀🌶️

Overall, this was a really fun read with a strong, feisty FMC, a mystery/thriller element, a slow-burn why choose romance, and two men I absolutely need more of.

[Siobhan]

Arc Review - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ suspense thriller with romance entwined


If you love psychological thrillers AND a good romance, this one gives you both and that’s what I loved about it. 🖤

I read the first 80% of this in a day, and then… I had a ridiculously slow reading week 😂 So that definitely affected how quickly I finished it, but even when I was taking my sweet time, I was still really enjoying the book.

I was hooked from the prologue. I’m nosey, I love trying to work things out as I read, and I love a book that gives me questions from the very beginning. I was immediately desperate to know what had happened and kept forming theories as I went.

The story then became much more character-driven, and I found myself getting lost in the characters, in the cosy cabin in the woods. The wider thriller plot almost faded into the background for a while but there was a bigger story was quietly building underneath everything.

I love the MMCs. They do bad things, but they’re gentlemen, and I really enjoyed how different personalities complement each other. I’m especially interested to see how the dynamic between the three develops in the next book.

The FMC is feisty, determined, controlled and misunderstood, and I liked her almost immediately with her rebellious streak. The virgin FMC trope isn’t usually a favourite of mine, but thankfully it didn’t feel icky or overdone here. It was simply part of her character.

The writing was probably one of my biggest highlights, though. As someone whose brain finds patterns in absolutely everything, I really notice repetitive writing, and I didn’t get that here. There wasn’t an obvious overuse of certain phrases, sentences or words, and the descriptions never felt like I’d already read them five times. The descriptive language, detail and creativity made this genuinely a joy to read. I feel a lot of Indie authors are good story tellers and not writers but Hayden is a writer!

For me, this sits on the light side of Dark Romance. There are definitely dark elements, kidnapping, contract killers and danger but the relationship itself isn’t particularly dark. Because we understand the MMCs’ intentions, it takes away some of the suspense and makes the story feel much safer and lighter than some of the darker romances I’ve read.

And, being completely honest, the spice was a little underwhelming for me. It comes fairly late and felt very vanilla compared with the dark romances I’ve been reading lately. 😂 but that’s just me and doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the book.

And then the thriller side finally kicks back in…

BOOM. 💀

The hunt begins, the wider story comes rushing back, and suddenly we’re right in the middle of everything again. And then it ends. THAT ENDING. 😭

A seriously exciting cliffhanger that has left me desperate for Book 2. I need to know what happens, especially with the story surrounding the Board still unresolved. After spending so much of the book getting lost in these characters, I’m absolutely invested in finding out where the three of them go next.

Overall, this felt like a psychological thriller with a lovely romance blooming in the middle, and I really enjoyed that combination.

[Z’s Readz!]

I read this ARC as blindly as I could. The only thing I knew is what Hayden herself told me in my DMs with the elevator pitch asking if I would be interested in reading the ARC - which, needless to say, I was.

Here’s where it gets interesting because I knew basically nothing going in. I knew it was why-choose and a couple of characterization traits, and that’s pretty much it. I love that for me as that is pretty much what I would look for in the wild trying to find a book to read. I don’t give a rat’s ass what publishing or marketing says a book is. I don’t look for the tropes to hook. I allow the book hook me. And oh my gods did this one hook me.

Now that we all understand the mechanisms of what I had going into this book, let me take you on a little journey.

I followed the narrative and understood enough of the architecture that I absolutely HATED a character early on, and I was already summoning Montana Fyre for comparison because I had strong feelings about the characters and where I could see the story developing. Like I legit said in my TT/Insta stories that Hayden’s Trust could take Montana on a run for her money, which if y’all know me, y’all know that is strong praise.

I wasn’t live bombing Hayden with my theories or reactions because I didn’t need to, like I do with Britta - WHO ENCOURAGES IT! 😈

Did I have them? YES. However, the book resolved or corrected my theories very quickly. Although, I had one major question pretty much from the word go and I thought I knew how this reveal would land because I could see the architecture until Hayden diverged off of the path. I LOVED that, I love that I was able to be discombobulated. I love that I had an honest-to-gods Banshee Screech that I’m sending Hayden a sticker going “I have been slightly bamboozled” because yes that’s what it is. That’s what this did to me and now I need book 2 when Hayden is ready because the way this cliffhanger lands I’m gonna need those answers.

Like I need y’all to appreciate what the actual fuck Hayden has managed to do with her debut novel it is ironic as fuck that this novel is called Trust, which do not get me wrong - there’s a narrative reason for that, but I’m calling it ironic as hell because as a debut novel, Hayden is asking for the readers to trust so much…

AND. SHE. FUCKING. DELIVERS.

Oh my gods, the architecture, the emotions that I feel coming off of the page are so visceral. At one point I had to stop reading because I was hyperventilating along with the FMC. I am pretty much devoid of safe ways to express what this book did to me and where my expectations were from the book itself and then what the book did to those expectations - not because I don’t have the words, but because I refuse (yeah I know I sound like a broken record) to ruin this reader discovery for somebody else.

I’m gonna need y’all to trust me when I say that Hayden earns the trust.

[Dalila Corovic]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Trust, and overall, I really enjoyed the story.

At the beginning, I struggled a little with some of the scene transitions. A few of them felt quite sudden, and there were moments when I needed a second to understand where we were or whose perspective I was following. As the story progressed, though, this improved a lot, and I found myself becoming much more invested in what was happening.

Something else I noticed quite early was that the two male characters aren’t described in great detail when it comes to their physical appearance. At first, I actually thought that was a bit of a shame because I usually love having a clear picture of the characters in my head. But the more I read, the more I realised how much I liked this approach. It gave me the freedom to create my own version of Chris and Cash in my imagination instead of being given every little detail. I found that surprisingly interesting and actually really enjoyed having my own completely personal image of them while reading.

One thing I personally would have loved to see more of was the characters’ facial expressions and physical reactions during emotional or intense moments. I think a little more of that “showing” would have made it even easier to connect with their emotions.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Sarah, Chris and Cash, especially how different Chris and Cash are. Cash brings this flirty, more playful energy, while Chris is much more serious and controlled. That contrast made their interactions with Sarah really entertaining to read, and I loved seeing how differently the two men affected the atmosphere whenever they were around her.

And then there was the ending… I genuinely did not expect that plot twist! It completely caught me off guard, and it was definitely one of my favourite parts of the story.

Despite the few things that took me a little time to get used to in the beginning, the story became more and more engaging as it went on, and by the end I was completely invested. I’m really glad I got the chance to read Trust before its release. 🤍

[Jade]

Whilst this is a slow-burn why choose, there’s still an element of mystery running throughout,but overall, this book really is one hell of a slow burn.

The dynamic between Sara and Chris, and Sara and Cash, is tortuously slow. But really, it’s exactly what the title tells us it is: this story is about trust. Building it, earning it, giving it… but is it ever fully given?

Cash is the cheeky, charismatic one, while Chris is wound tight, controlled and much harder to read. Then there’s Sara, who is learning herself in more ways than one. She’s been living in survival mode since her mother died, and I really enjoyed watching those walls slowly start to come down.

There’s undeniable chemistry between Sara and both men, but I’ll admit, I wanted more spice. With such a long, torturous build-up, I expected the eventual payoff to hit a lot harder than it did. When they finally crossed that line, it just didn’t feel quite as big or as intimate as I’d been anticipating.

Emotionally though? There’s a lot here. The vulnerability felt raw, and I loved watching Sara grow throughout the story. The woman we see towards the end feels so different from the one we meet at the beginning. She grows up, finds some of her strength and becomes FIERCE and I loved that for her.

I also had my suspicions about a certain character from pretty much the beginning. I just did not get good vibes from him, so the satisfaction I felt when I realised I was right? IMMENSE.

Her dad, though… I’m conflicted. I genuinely don’t know how I feel about that man.

And then THAT CLIFFHANGER?!

Excuse me?!

It’s left me right on the edge and genuinely itching for more. Despite wanting a little more from the romance physically, I’m completely invested in the overall story and need to know where it goes next.

Now I’m just hoping book two turns that slow-burn chemistry into a little more because after all that tension… I need the payoff!

[Ida]

I got a message from the beautiful Hayden telling me she is going to publish her first book and would be thrilled for me to read it due to it fitting my vibe. This is my first ever early access ARC read and I can say with the hand on my heart I feel so honored to have been chosen.
The book was pitched as a dark romance but me myself would not catagorize it as that. It does have some draker elements but is not a pure dark romance. The book still lives up to the hype.

🌶/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This story followes the newly 18 y/old Sara with attitude problems while her whole world is shattering left and rigth for different reasons. The one thing that Sara knew was that being kidnapped wasnt safe, but it turnes out that is the safest she has ever been. She falls in love and you get to see different sides of the two different mmc in this book. You have the caring strict Chris and the playful intriguing Cash.
I myself liked Chris more but it's all personal prefrence.

The plot twists in this book has me in a chokehold. As a slow reader I usually use weeks on a book but I had already read half the book in a day. If i sat on the bus I was reading. If i was eating i was reading. This book will have you forget about your responsebilites because you just want one more chapter..
Hayden Kay have truly outdid their debut and I am so thrilled about her writing. I will from now on always read a Hayden Kay book!

What you can expecxt from the book:
-Darker elements
-Forced proximity
-Why choose
-Slow burn
-Plot twist
-Age gap
-Fragile girl + experienced male
-Death mentioned

If you pick up this book to read some spice and smut you will be diassappointed. There are little to no spice scenes but the plot is thick and will carry the story.
Thank you so much to Hayden Kay for trusting me with their work and I am looking forward to seeing everyone else getting their hands on it too<3

[Ellen Tomlinson]

I am going to preface this review by stating that I have read this before release due to being given an ARC copy.

This book is beautifully written considering it is the authors debut novel.

The tropes of this book are
•Why choose MMF
•Ex Navy seals MMC
•Fiery/rebellious FMC
•Captor/protector
•MMC’s fall first

Sara is riddled with grief and loss after her mothers car accident, her way of dealing with it is by being rebellious. Much to her father’s dismay against his political image, something has to be done so she doesn’t show him up during his race for the seat of power.
In step our MMC’s, it starts with them just trying to keep her out of sight, until the tables turn.

Who should Sara trust?
Her father that has shown no interest in her since her mother’s death?
Or the men that she has been held captive with for a short period of time?

This is book 1 of the blurred lines series.
It held me captive from the very first page.

I found Sara captivating, just trying to find somewhere she belongs after going through the trauma of losing the only person she felt loved her in the world. She has so much fire in her belly and desire to be free from the shadow that is her father’s unrealistic expectation of behaviour.

Our MMC’s expect her to be a bratty princess that just doesn’t know how to behave, but they soon realise that there is much more going on underneath the surface and are faced with a decision!

Rated at a 4.75 only due to the cliffhanger ending.
I found this book endearing and captivating. There are undertones of dark romance, so if you do have triggers, please check the warnings, personally I thought it was more morally grey, but this doesn’t detract from the writing.

[Amy Castle]

I was fortunate enough to be an ARC reader for this author, and again I am beyond humbled that they reached out and gave me the opportunity read their book!

So this book 1 in a series, and after the huge cliffhanger ending, I need book 2 in my life immediately 😂

The story centres around our FMC, Sara, and our 2 lethally gorgeous MMC's, Chris and Cash. There is not only the grumpy/sunshine demographic covered with Chris, but we also get golden retriever vibes from Cash...*chef's kiss*

Sara is a 17-turning-18 year old, who lost her mum in a car crash when she was 12, and has hit her grief fuelled rebellious phase, skipping school, causing trouble...the usual (we've all been there right), however her father is running for governor and is focused on how his election campaign is running. Before Sara gets to fulfil her biggest act of rebellion yet, she is kidnapped and taken to a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Her captors...Chris and Cash.

Our MMC's are both former military, and let's just say they didn't leave that life by choice, so now they dabble in their own version of conflict resolution, which often results in unaliving people. This job is different though, effectively they're babysitting until the election campaign is over.

After a while though, the lines between being the captor and protector become blurred as both our men find themselves drawn to Sara in ways they shouldn't be, and things get heated.

I enjoyed this book, and I'm not usually a slow-burn lover (I like to get straight to the nitty gritty 😂)! I would definitely recommend it 🖤

[Lyda Rosé]

📖 Masterfully written, but not for me.


✍️I'll start by saying Hayden Kay is an AUTHOR. This book, although it was not to my preference, was very well written, and in the future, I will be picking up more books by her, because I trust her to write a plot worth reading.

❌️What didn't work for me:
I almost always DNF books about high school students. I'm so far out of that age bracket now that reading about characters going to classes, getting into petty arguments with classmates, and doing homework just makes them seem extremely young to me. Since we were first introduced to Sara skipping school, acting out, and being rebellious, she just felt like a bratty teenager to me rather than a young woman. Since she didn't resonate with me as an adult character, the relationships rubbed me the wrong way a bit. I generally don't have a problem with age gaps, but considering her maturity level and the forced proximity, this one just didn't land for me, personally.

✅️What did work for me:
The underlying plot was excellent and had me turning pages. I read this whole book in one night, eager to see what would happen. Pacing is a huge thing for me, and this book did it right. The thriller and mystery plotline was well laid out and never rushed; it really let the plot unfold slowly and was full of twists all the way to the end.

👍This wasn't for me, but I would recommend it to friends who like forced proximity and don't mind age gaps.

❤️I will definitely be following the author for future books more suited to my tastes, because she is worth reading!

[Jenny]

Review of advanced reader copy sent by author.

Omg this book was perfect this was the perfect timing to ask me to read it because I was currently in a book slump and did not know what to read lol and I am so grateful the author asked me if I wanted to join the there ARC team because this book got me out my book slump.

This was a slow burn enimies to lovers ex navy seals dark romance it was easy to read an addictive, and why choose what more can I say I am absolutely obsessed with why choose, the Chemistry between the main characters kept me guessing throughout my read, I couldn’t decided weather I wanted to hate or love the characters which made me very glued to my screen. And it made the book more compelling.

And the ending what a cliffhanger I was not expecting it to end the way it did and I really need the second book ASAP but I can imagine the wait will be a long but I am all here for it!! I will sit and wait because oh my god I loved the first book and most likely read it over and over again

This was the most fantastic read and it had me glued to my screen and hooked I will be recommending it to everyone I know who will enjoy it the same way I did.

And people who love dark romance suspense and why choose because who does not like a good why choose book, and complicated characters, and slow burn to keep you wanting to read more and plenty of tension.

The spice for me would be 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you so much to the author/publisher for the ARC 💗

[Auriel.writes]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 — TRUST by Hayden Kay
Another really good indie read!
Eighteen-year-old Sara is grieving the death of her mum and spiralling. Her father is wrapped up in his election campaign, and Sara's increasingly reckless behaviour is the last thing he needs becoming public.
Enter Chris and Cash.
Sara is taken away from the public eye, with everyone being told she's in rehab, but keeping this girl under control isn't exactly easy. 😂 She's angry, grieving, impulsive and absolutely determined not to make their lives simple.
And then things start getting complicated.
Sara develops feelings for Chris and Cash individually, while the relationship between the three of them begins changing into something none of them expected. And let's just say Chris and Cash aren't exactly strangers to sharing. 👀🔥
I really liked Sara. Underneath the wild behaviour is an eighteen-year-old girl dealing with grief, anger and a father who seems more concerned with his campaign than what is actually happening to his daughter.
There's also more going on underneath the romance than I initially expected, particularly surrounding Sara's mum and what really happened to her.
Why 4.75 rather than 5?
There wasn't anything majorly wrong with it — it just didn't quite give me that final something I need for a full five stars. But 4.75 is still a bloody good book in my world. 😂
And then it ends on a CLIFFHANGER.
Thanks for that, Hayden. 🤣
Now I need the next one.
⭐️ 4.75/5

[Cassie Couchman]

ARC Review

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book and I am so happy I got to this book is amazing.

We follow Sara a hollowed out teen who doesn't care about anything after losing her mother in an accident. Her father on the other hand is horrible person who only cares about his image as he is running for governor. He has his daughter kidnapped so she doesnt cause any issues or scandal coming up to the election. When she is taken is where we met Chris who was hired to kidnap Sara where proceeds to throw her into a van and taken out to a secluded cabin in the woods where she is kept until the election. She escapes and runs into another man named Cash who takes her back to the cabin as Him and Chris are friends. Eventually Chris and Sara come to an agreement and she starts to learn defense and then Cash starts coming around and helping. They end up sleeping with each other.

This is a dark romance why-choose share the girl slow burn its highly emotional story I cried during one particular part of the book and I hated everyone one in Sara's life cause everyone let her down. The fact she started feeling safe with the guys who are ex navy seals. The book ended on a major cliff hanger and I need the second book desperately cause the plot twists in the book are 360

Would recommend if this is something you enjoy reading about

[Brandi]

Before I get into anything else.... HAYDENNNNNNNN what was that ending? We're just going to leave the book there?

The trio in this book is everything. You have Sara, who is feisty and rebellious. You can try to tell her what to do but it is not going to go well. She is going to fight you, mentally and physically. When it comes to Chris and Cash where do you even start? Chris tries to run a strict program, and Cash gives off go with the flow vibes. Chris is very dom and daddy coded. Cash gives me golden retriever. Both guys want what is best for Sara, even when they disagree on what they think that is.

While there are points of spice that is not the whole story. I feel like there is a lot of time getting to know the characters. The title of the book is exactly what happens over time in the story. Sara learns to trust Chris and Cash. She follows their lessons, learns about herself, and grows. She tries to fall back into moments of hiding, but Cash calls her out on it and doesn't allow it.

When you get to the spice you learn that there have been moments that Chris and Cash have shared partners. You have to remember how innocent Sara is when it comes to things like that. They don't push her into anything and remind her that she is allowed to feel whatever she wants.

I really enjoyed this book, and I cannot wait to see where the series goes.

[Sarahsbooknook♡]

ARC;



Book Review – Trust by Hayden Kay ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Well... what can I say?! 🤭
Sara is trying to cope with the heartbreaking loss of her mum, but her father, a man determined to become governor, makes a shocking decision... he pays ex-Navy man Chris to kidnap his own daughter in the hope it'll help his political ambitions. 😳
Of course, Chris doesn't do it alone. Enter Cash, who's there to help, and together they find themselves in a situation that's far more complicated than they ever expected.
What starts as an unbelievable plan soon becomes a story full of emotion, healing, laughter, and unexpected connections. Sara's grief felt so real, and watching her slowly begin to trust again had me completely invested. Chris and Cash were protective, caring, and impossible not to love, and the bond between all three of them was beautifully written.
And the romance... 👀 Let's just say the slow-burn tension, the lingering glances, and the chemistry had me kicking my feet and desperate to keep turning the pages. No spoilers from me—but it's definitely worth the wait! ❤️
This book is packed with heart, found family, healing, and unforgettable characters. I loved every single minute of it. Gabe I dont like though 😐
Who wouldn't fall in love with this story? I certainly did! 📚💕

[Rosie]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 5/5 STARS

​Hayden Kay delivered an absolute masterpiece with Trust, and I am officially ruined.

​From the very first chapter, this book pulled me into a dark, atmospheric grip and refused to let go. The tension is palpable, the chemistry is electric, and the emotional stakes keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Every boundary is tested, every line is blurred, and the pacing never falters. It is raw, intense, beautifully written, and impossible to put down.

​The characters have completely taken over my mind. Their dynamic is layered with so much tension and complexity that you can't help but become completely consumed by their story. Just when you think you have your footing, Hayden throws another twist that leaves your heart in your throat.

​That ending left me breathless. I am on my knees praying we get Book Two as soon as humanly possible because I need answers, I need more of these characters, and I am not ready to leave this world.

​If you love dark romance with unrelenting tension, complex characters, and emotional depth, put Blurred Lines Book 1 at the very top of your TBR immediately.

​An unforgettable five-star read!

[GiorgianaBooks]

Let’s start with Sara. At the beginning of the book, she was a total pain in the ass, and honestly? I loved her for it.😏

Her chaotic, reckless energy was a vibe. But watching her character arc was the absolute best part. She goes from a stubborn brat making questionable life choices to a girl who knows how to protect herself. 🔪

Enter Cash and Chris. 🥵Please sign me up for whatever therapy program they are running, because the patience and gentleness these two men have for Sara is unmatched.🥵

They knew exactly what she needed, and instead of trying to fix her, they gave her the tools to fix herself. 🤭

Also, can we talk about the chemistry? It’s not just hot, it is a hazardous fire risk ✨️✨️. The sparks between the three of them practically melted my screen.✨️✨️

Her dad was out here doing his absolute best to protect her in his own complicated way. 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

But Gabe?😡 Oh, I hate Gabe with the burning passion of a thousand suns. If I could jump into the book just to throw hands with him, I would.👊👊

[Abbie]

Thankyou to Hayden Kay for your generous offer of letting me read Trust!!

What a wildddddd ride!!
Sara was your stereotypical girl who has been through so much s**t that she now pretty much hates the world, which doesn't work when daddy dearest is in the running to become Governor!

In steps Chris! Our broody MMC ordered to keep Sara in line and out of sight, which only ignites the fight in Sara who is determined to get away.... In steps Cash, Chris' BFF!

Captivity turns into bootcamp as Sara doesn't want to ever end up in this position again. She soon finds herself drawn to both MMCs - but who does she choose?! (Hint: we have a why choose trope)!!!

It was a nice change to read a why choose that wasn't heavily focused on smut. Romance written in teaching her to be strong, making her coffee ... even washing her hair!

And THAT ending... wowowowow

Not quite 5 stars for me, but I can't put my finger yet on what it was missing (for me personally!) But still a great read with short chapters to make for easy reading!

And nowwwww begins the wait for book 2! UGH

[Jamachia Marshall]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ WHO TO TRUST?

Trust by Hayden Kay was such an enjoyable read, and I’m already looking forward to seeing where this series goes next.

If you’re looking for a romance filled with intense yearning, two incredibly compelling MMCs, and a heroine who learns to find her own strength, this is definitely one to pick up. The chemistry between the characters kept me invested, and I loved watching the FMC grow into someone who could truly stand on her own while still leaning on the two who cared about her.

I also really appreciated the political intrigue. It added plenty of twists to keep the story interesting without becoming so complicated that it distracted from the characters or the romance. It struck a great balance, giving the plot enough depth while still letting the relationships take center stage.

And that ending! The cliffhanger was done so well that it left me desperate to know what happens next. I closed the book with more questions than answers—in the best possible way—and I’m excited to see where Hayden Kay takes these characters from here.

[Jaclyn Zappulla]

Trust was such an emotional and addictive read! From the beginning, I was pulled into the story and invested in the characters and everything they were going through. The chemistry, tension, and emotional moments kept me turning the pages because I needed to know how everything was going to unfold.

What I really enjoyed was the way the story explored trust, vulnerability, and the difficulty of letting someone into your life. The characters felt flawed and real, which made their struggles and relationships even more compelling.

There were definitely moments that had me frustrated, emotional, and completely hooked. I loved watching the relationship develop and seeing the characters work through everything standing between them.

Overall, Trust was a captivating read with plenty of emotion, romance, and moments that kept me invested until the very end. Definitely one I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys a story with strong chemistry and an emotional journey. ❤️📖

[Shana]

Holy Molyyy I was not expecting that ending! When I first started reading this story I wasn't sure I was gonna like it but the further I got into the story the more hooked I became.

Sara is stuck trying to find answers to horrible things that have happened in her life and it looks like the only way she is going to get answers is by putting her trust in the one man that was hired to kidnap & hold her hostage. Chris takes his job of watching sara very seriously and the more time him & sara spend together the harder it is to not blur the lines. It takes his buddy Cash being around them to break through and make everything feel less like a job and more like a friendship.

All the plot twists in this story were so good...I definitely did not see the ending coming...so good.... I really hope there is more because this story is by no means complete!!

My favorite qoute: "I’d burn my entire world to ashes if it meant building a new one where she’d be happy."

[Kitty &#x1f48b;]

This read was so intriguing, I was reeled in from the start.

This book is filled with tension and complex characters and dark suspense.

The characters each had brilliant character development. I loved the FMC in this read, she is a fiery red head who gets tangled up in a complex web of mystery and betrayal surrounding her father.
The tension between her and the two MMC’s, Cash and Chris is *chef’s kiss* if felt that the author took time to build the relationship between them without rushing to the spicy scenes.

This is more of a dark romance/suspense and why-choose rather than heavy spice, so if you prefer your reads extra spicy, this one may be disappointing, although a very good read nonetheless.

The ending does involve a cliffhanger, so prepare yourself for that. Hoping we dont have to wait long to find out what happens next.
I’d highly suggest if you prefer romances filled with tension and complex characters, then add this to the top of your TBR

[Michelle Williams]

I received this as an ARC read and I will say that I really liked it!!! Every chapter was an absolute page turner. Sara struggles day to day after losing her mom at 12 and becomes rebellious against her very controlling and absent father. She’s almost 18 and is ready to just leave, but when her father announces that he’s runs for office, Sara needs to be out of the way so it doesn’t hurt his chances of losing. He send her away to a remote location where she is being looked after by two ex- military young men. She rebels at first, but eventually accepts it. In time she started to fall for them and they also train her in self defense. What they don’t tell her is that find out how her mom died. When it comes out it doesn’t go well. This book leaves off on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read book2!!!

[Sasha]

Haydn very kindly reached out to me about her upcoming release of a why choose dark romance book, and once you say why choose to me you know you got my attention😜

We have our FMC Sara who is the mayors daughter who’s running for governor, but there has been a strain on their relationship since her mother was in an accident which has caused Sara to be rebellious.
With her father’s upcoming election approaching Sara ends up being kidnapped, you think you know why until you don’t👀

Now I know what you’re thinking bad right? Well this is where we meet our MMCs Chris and Cash👀 we have Chris who is the brooding responsible one, and we have Cash who is the charming one with a dark side😈

Chris and Cash have been friends since they were kids, and served in the navy together since they were teenagers. They are really close, and let’s just say they were brought up to always share their toys😉

Whilst Sara is being held captive, her fears and emotions are at a high and doubting everything she thought was true, but being in forced proximity is heightening emotions and as much as they all try to fight it feelings start to develop, but will this make or break them when truths start spilling😬 you’ll have to get your copy soon to find out!

This story was such a fun read, it’s not too dark and it’s not super spicy so this book is ideal for people who are new or starting their dark romance journey🖤

The tension keeps building with the slow burn and keeps you on edge, the characters are very likeable and we are left on a cliffhanger! Things do start getting more intense towards the end, so I need to know what happens next like as soon as please?!

[whatmrsdobbsreads]

What a start! This book opens with tragedy and immediately pulls you into a journey of discovery alongside the FMC. As she begins to uncover the truth and piece together what is really going on, I found myself completely invested in the story.

For me, the underlying plot was what really kept me gripped. There were twists, tension, mystery and plenty of moments that kept me wanting to know what would happen next.

And let's talk about the why choose element 👀🔥 Because this added another layer to the story and made the journey even more interesting.

This book has everything – tragedy, suspense, mystery, discovery, romance and spice. If you're looking for a why choose thriller that will keep you hooked while taking you on an unexpected journey, then definitely add this one to your TBR!

Thank you to Hayden Kay for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.