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Two Wrongs: A Dark Romance
492 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2026
About the author
Sam Mariano
45 books5,003 followersFollow Sam Mariano on Facebook, Instagram (@sammarianobooks), or check out her Blog! If you need to email her, she can be reached at sammarianoauthor@gmail.com (but she is sometimes tardy about checking email. Mateo is very demanding).
Sign up for Sam's mailing list (to stay up to date on current projects--she won't spam you! Only for notification of new releases or book sales.)
All of Sam's books are available on Amazon! (And don't forget to follow Sam's Amazon Author page to get notified about the newest releases.)
Sam Mariano has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She lives in Ohio and has a sweet and wonderful daughter.
Because of You was her first finished story (she started writing it when she was 18) and due to a full-time work and college schedule, it took her years to finish. She has also been telling people for years that there would never be a sequel (sorry, guys!)…which turned out to be a lie.
Sam Mariano is currently working on Dante’s book (if you’re a Morelli reader) and some other WIP.
Feel free to find her on Facebook, Goodreads, or her blog—she loves hearing from readers!
Sign up for Sam's mailing list (to stay up to date on current projects--she won't spam you! Only for notification of new releases or book sales.)
All of Sam's books are available on Amazon! (And don't forget to follow Sam's Amazon Author page to get notified about the newest releases.)
Sam Mariano has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She lives in Ohio and has a sweet and wonderful daughter.
Because of You was her first finished story (she started writing it when she was 18) and due to a full-time work and college schedule, it took her years to finish. She has also been telling people for years that there would never be a sequel (sorry, guys!)…which turned out to be a lie.
Sam Mariano is currently working on Dante’s book (if you’re a Morelli reader) and some other WIP.
Feel free to find her on Facebook, Goodreads, or her blog—she loves hearing from readers!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 1, 2026
Before I get into my review, I had a few people who were wanting to know if this book was "safe" as far as fidelity and other people drama goes.
While this book may be one of Sam's darkest as far as content, as far as fidelity goes, this book is, in my opinion, "safe."
No sharing, no on-page sex scenes with other people, and neither main character has sex with anyone else during the course of their relationship. There is very minimal other-man drama at the very beginning from the FMC's ex-boyfriend, but it was nothing romantic or even really sexual—just jealousy on his part. There is some small wannabe other-woman drama; the H does take a picture of her topless, but only as blackmail. He does flirt with her a tiny bit out of manipulation, but that's it.
Okay, now on to my actual review. There will be spoilers, so if you're not interested in those, be forewarned!
I needed a couple of hours of sleep and some time to process the book before I wrote a review. In the beginning, I was really enjoying the story! It's a classic Sam setup: a mastermind hero and a gullible, self-righteous heroine. I love watching an MMC completely throw a naive heroine off her game. I think a lot of my excitement came from knowing how she's handled her previous books and wondering how she was going to manage to wrap this total villain of a hero into a nice, seemingly palatable bow. For me, it never really landed, especially around the 80% mark when we have the big "twist" reveal, which looking back now, I'm not sure if it was initially obvious or if I just read a lot of dark romance so it seemed obvious to me. Either way, if it was supposed to be a shocking twist, it failed for anyone who's ever read a Sam book or dark romance in general; if it was meant to be dramatic irony, where the reader sees what's coming before the heroine does, then we wait most of the book for the reveal, only to have it rushed and none of the usual psychological masterminding happen. I kept waiting for Tor to have this big "Morelli Trap" or elaborately laid machination, but instead, page space was wasted on an incredibly poor misdirect that he is instead just going to give her up and sleep with the other woman. At that point I don't think anyone was really fooled by it, so it just seemed like wasted drama that didn't serve to build that psychological planning element that was desperately needed.
However, kudos to Sam for not pulling her punches or sanitizing her hero like so many before her have done. She definitely understood the assignment.
I could see where this was going almost from the opening scene where Cassie shoots Tim and comments on always being able to tell them apart. It didn't really matter to me, though, because it seems to intentionally give you the breadcrumbs to know what was really going on before the heroine does. About the time Tor tells her the only way to prove their alibi is for him to WEAR a condom and penetrate her with it, but it "isn't real sex," and she's just like, "Yeah... okay, that makes sense," I realized realism was out the door and Sam logic was in full play—and I was LOVING it! Tor has Cassie so off her game from the very beginning that she's left kind of mindlessly stumbling around trying to see which way is up. When she tells Tor about her interaction with her ex and is SO sure they're going to prison based on his testimony, and then we watch Tor obviously setting himself up with an alibi while she remains mind-numbingly oblivious to what he's going to do, I was definitely cackling over it.
Where it started to lose me a bit was pages after page of tedium dealing with the heroine. Now, I know everybody has differing opinions about Sam's FMCs, but normally I enjoy them! Yes, they're usually a bit (or quite a bit) naive and malleable, but they fit with the story Sam is telling. However, Cassie... while at first I legitimately felt for her situation and her struggle, she's such a continual angry ball of hostility, bitterness, and unrealistic expectations that, no matter how justified it is, you're just exhausted from her long-winded, self-righteous sermonizing. You start to see why everyone was annoyed with her. I don't know if that was intentional or not, but regardless, at some point, you're just over it and kind of can't help but think she was being overly dramatic and unrealistic about everything, especially considering how wrong she turned out to be. I think maybe Sam was trying to make a more unhinged FMC with a whole lot of feminine rage, but because of the execution, she just seemed ENORMOUSLY hypocritical.
Part of what has always made Sam's hero/heroine combo work is that the MMC seems to effectively gaslight and manipulate the heroine into seeing the reality he creates. Unfortunately, here... it just didn't work at ALL. The FMC supposedly saw right through his last manipulation with the OW and just... went with it? I just can't imagine, with all the anger and hate she had and all the nightmares over her rape to the point she was willing to kill a man over it, that she was like, "Well, the rape isn't so bad now that I know it was you." What? That makes less than zero sense, especially since Tim was the one she was actually more into and wasn't even paying attention to Tor. But now that she knows the whole situation was 10x worse than she first suspected, she's just okay with it? Not likely!
This may be an unpopular opinion, but am I the only one who feels bad for Tim and Russell? I mean, say what you will about them as people, but Tim definitely didn't deserve being killed in cold blood and I don't think Russell was wrong for being angry with her for immediately having sex with the brother of the guy who she thought raped her! Sure, she has no obligation to have sex with him, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a right to be salty about the fact that he loved her and was patient with her for a year and she ends up giving it up to someone she hates in a matter of days! He even gave her the benefit of the doubt and didn't immediately share her involvement with the police and wanted to hear what she had to say. He DID stick by her after the rape and trying to pretend that he shouldn't have any sort of feelings about it is trying to deny reality. I also didn't see what was so wrong about what he said to his friends. He didn't laugh at her or say anything mean, he said "Don't be a dick" which may not have been the huge screaming confrontation she wanted, but it was far from unsupportive. That was the first real hint I had that her expectations for what she wanted were far and above what was realistic.
Furthermore, it was really glossed over, but with how much Cassie HATED Nina, to the point she sent a bitchy, insecure message to Tor DURING his brother's memorial, the brother she killed, about a picture of him hugging someone, do we really think she'd have just been okay with him lying to her about sleeping with Nina, even if it was before they dated? That would have been way too big of a deal for her to overlook. But she maybe didn't believe her, which also doesn't make sense? That whole thing is a head scratcher and I don't really get how she came to the conclusions she did.
There is a certain amount of Sam's books where you have to just go with the flow, and normally that isn't a huge issue for me because, as wild as it is, it still all makes sense by its own world logic. But here, the transitions were too quick and jarring to suspend my disbelief, kinda like a "Frankensam" of her other books. It felt like she cut and pasted the shock value of the MMC raping the FMC at the beginning of "Descent", the callous sociopathic behavior of "Dare" and a twist on the popular highschool football player element from "Untouchable" into one book and then without any of the usual finesse said "Well, here you go!" Maybe that was why I was so upset by Tim's death. It was like she killed Carter!! 😂
Another thing that I felt was really missing was the night of the rape itself! We get bits and pieces, but we never get to see the actual scene, which would have added so much context. The whole book was basically about that night, and yet we never get to experience it! That may be specifically to avoid being banned by Amazon, so I can understand the reasoning if that's the case, but it was such a crucial scene that we really needed more of a play-by-play of what went down to get a true feel for the situation. Not even necessarily the rape itself, but how she went from flirting with Tim to laying down tired in his bed or what was going through Tor's head or what he was thinking or what happened afterwards. Again, we got bits and pieces, but we needed one cohesive flashback to shed light on a lot of the mystery about that night.
At the end of the day, I just didn't really like either MC like I normally do. Cassie was way too outspoken and abrasive, while Tor just wasn't that great of a mastermind (though I did really appreciate that he planned to be an architect—that was funny). He was the cause of all that for a YEAR, and he couldn't come up with something to make it all work; he wouldn't have made any moves if Cassie hadn't done what she did.
There were a lot of elements here that could have made for a really good story, and overall, I still think it's worth a read and better than most of the books being pumped out in the last few years. But compared to a lot of Sam's other books, I just didn't feel as into it. That might just be a me thing, too—I have historically been known to not originally vibe with her books and then end up loving them on a reread, so maybe that will happen here if I decide to pick it up again.
While this book may be one of Sam's darkest as far as content, as far as fidelity goes, this book is, in my opinion, "safe."
No sharing, no on-page sex scenes with other people, and neither main character has sex with anyone else during the course of their relationship. There is very minimal other-man drama at the very beginning from the FMC's ex-boyfriend, but it was nothing romantic or even really sexual—just jealousy on his part. There is some small wannabe other-woman drama; the H does take a picture of her topless, but only as blackmail. He does flirt with her a tiny bit out of manipulation, but that's it.
Okay, now on to my actual review. There will be spoilers, so if you're not interested in those, be forewarned!
I needed a couple of hours of sleep and some time to process the book before I wrote a review. In the beginning, I was really enjoying the story! It's a classic Sam setup: a mastermind hero and a gullible, self-righteous heroine. I love watching an MMC completely throw a naive heroine off her game. I think a lot of my excitement came from knowing how she's handled her previous books and wondering how she was going to manage to wrap this total villain of a hero into a nice, seemingly palatable bow. For me, it never really landed, especially around the 80% mark when we have the big "twist" reveal, which looking back now, I'm not sure if it was initially obvious or if I just read a lot of dark romance so it seemed obvious to me. Either way, if it was supposed to be a shocking twist, it failed for anyone who's ever read a Sam book or dark romance in general; if it was meant to be dramatic irony, where the reader sees what's coming before the heroine does, then we wait most of the book for the reveal, only to have it rushed and none of the usual psychological masterminding happen. I kept waiting for Tor to have this big "Morelli Trap" or elaborately laid machination, but instead, page space was wasted on an incredibly poor misdirect that he is instead just going to give her up and sleep with the other woman. At that point I don't think anyone was really fooled by it, so it just seemed like wasted drama that didn't serve to build that psychological planning element that was desperately needed.
However, kudos to Sam for not pulling her punches or sanitizing her hero like so many before her have done. She definitely understood the assignment.
I could see where this was going almost from the opening scene where Cassie shoots Tim and comments on always being able to tell them apart. It didn't really matter to me, though, because it seems to intentionally give you the breadcrumbs to know what was really going on before the heroine does. About the time Tor tells her the only way to prove their alibi is for him to WEAR a condom and penetrate her with it, but it "isn't real sex," and she's just like, "Yeah... okay, that makes sense," I realized realism was out the door and Sam logic was in full play—and I was LOVING it! Tor has Cassie so off her game from the very beginning that she's left kind of mindlessly stumbling around trying to see which way is up. When she tells Tor about her interaction with her ex and is SO sure they're going to prison based on his testimony, and then we watch Tor obviously setting himself up with an alibi while she remains mind-numbingly oblivious to what he's going to do, I was definitely cackling over it.
Where it started to lose me a bit was pages after page of tedium dealing with the heroine. Now, I know everybody has differing opinions about Sam's FMCs, but normally I enjoy them! Yes, they're usually a bit (or quite a bit) naive and malleable, but they fit with the story Sam is telling. However, Cassie... while at first I legitimately felt for her situation and her struggle, she's such a continual angry ball of hostility, bitterness, and unrealistic expectations that, no matter how justified it is, you're just exhausted from her long-winded, self-righteous sermonizing. You start to see why everyone was annoyed with her. I don't know if that was intentional or not, but regardless, at some point, you're just over it and kind of can't help but think she was being overly dramatic and unrealistic about everything, especially considering how wrong she turned out to be. I think maybe Sam was trying to make a more unhinged FMC with a whole lot of feminine rage, but because of the execution, she just seemed ENORMOUSLY hypocritical.
Part of what has always made Sam's hero/heroine combo work is that the MMC seems to effectively gaslight and manipulate the heroine into seeing the reality he creates. Unfortunately, here... it just didn't work at ALL. The FMC supposedly saw right through his last manipulation with the OW and just... went with it? I just can't imagine, with all the anger and hate she had and all the nightmares over her rape to the point she was willing to kill a man over it, that she was like, "Well, the rape isn't so bad now that I know it was you." What? That makes less than zero sense, especially since Tim was the one she was actually more into and wasn't even paying attention to Tor. But now that she knows the whole situation was 10x worse than she first suspected, she's just okay with it? Not likely!
This may be an unpopular opinion, but am I the only one who feels bad for Tim and Russell? I mean, say what you will about them as people, but Tim definitely didn't deserve being killed in cold blood and I don't think Russell was wrong for being angry with her for immediately having sex with the brother of the guy who she thought raped her! Sure, she has no obligation to have sex with him, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a right to be salty about the fact that he loved her and was patient with her for a year and she ends up giving it up to someone she hates in a matter of days! He even gave her the benefit of the doubt and didn't immediately share her involvement with the police and wanted to hear what she had to say. He DID stick by her after the rape and trying to pretend that he shouldn't have any sort of feelings about it is trying to deny reality. I also didn't see what was so wrong about what he said to his friends. He didn't laugh at her or say anything mean, he said "Don't be a dick" which may not have been the huge screaming confrontation she wanted, but it was far from unsupportive. That was the first real hint I had that her expectations for what she wanted were far and above what was realistic.
Furthermore, it was really glossed over, but with how much Cassie HATED Nina, to the point she sent a bitchy, insecure message to Tor DURING his brother's memorial, the brother she killed, about a picture of him hugging someone, do we really think she'd have just been okay with him lying to her about sleeping with Nina, even if it was before they dated? That would have been way too big of a deal for her to overlook. But she maybe didn't believe her, which also doesn't make sense? That whole thing is a head scratcher and I don't really get how she came to the conclusions she did.
There is a certain amount of Sam's books where you have to just go with the flow, and normally that isn't a huge issue for me because, as wild as it is, it still all makes sense by its own world logic. But here, the transitions were too quick and jarring to suspend my disbelief, kinda like a "Frankensam" of her other books. It felt like she cut and pasted the shock value of the MMC raping the FMC at the beginning of "Descent", the callous sociopathic behavior of "Dare" and a twist on the popular highschool football player element from "Untouchable" into one book and then without any of the usual finesse said "Well, here you go!" Maybe that was why I was so upset by Tim's death. It was like she killed Carter!! 😂
Another thing that I felt was really missing was the night of the rape itself! We get bits and pieces, but we never get to see the actual scene, which would have added so much context. The whole book was basically about that night, and yet we never get to experience it! That may be specifically to avoid being banned by Amazon, so I can understand the reasoning if that's the case, but it was such a crucial scene that we really needed more of a play-by-play of what went down to get a true feel for the situation. Not even necessarily the rape itself, but how she went from flirting with Tim to laying down tired in his bed or what was going through Tor's head or what he was thinking or what happened afterwards. Again, we got bits and pieces, but we needed one cohesive flashback to shed light on a lot of the mystery about that night.
At the end of the day, I just didn't really like either MC like I normally do. Cassie was way too outspoken and abrasive, while Tor just wasn't that great of a mastermind (though I did really appreciate that he planned to be an architect—that was funny). He was the cause of all that for a YEAR, and he couldn't come up with something to make it all work; he wouldn't have made any moves if Cassie hadn't done what she did.
There were a lot of elements here that could have made for a really good story, and overall, I still think it's worth a read and better than most of the books being pumped out in the last few years. But compared to a lot of Sam's other books, I just didn't feel as into it. That might just be a me thing, too—I have historically been known to not originally vibe with her books and then end up loving them on a reread, so maybe that will happen here if I decide to pick it up again.
August 1, 2026
Classic Sam Marino is back!
🎉🤩👍🏼❤️
4,5 stars rounded up
No notes, no spoilers, no sanity left. Only thing I say, I think this FMC is the most unique of Sam's out there 🤷🏼♀️😹
Also, this IS a standalone, but epilogue #2 showcases a number of her characters/couples from previous books, so be warned.
4,5 stars rounded up
No notes, no spoilers, no sanity left. Only thing I say, I think this FMC is the most unique of Sam's out there 🤷🏼♀️😹
Also, this IS a standalone, but epilogue #2 showcases a number of her characters/couples from previous books, so be warned.
July 31, 2026
Well, what the fuck do I do NOW?!
Ahhhhhhh!!!!!
I vlogged this, to ingest it first. But then I will review.
Lots to like and going in blind was definitely the way to go.
4 Stars
4 on the spice scale
Ahhhhhhh!!!!!
I vlogged this, to ingest it first. But then I will review.
Lots to like and going in blind was definitely the way to go.
4 Stars
4 on the spice scale
July 31, 2026
Gotta say I wasn't impressed with this. Untouchable will always be my fav Sam Mariano book. And I'm glad this was a standalone because I don't trust her series. I'm still waiting for the book that will destroy Dare and Audrey's HEA. But I digress. I think what had me disliking this book was the FMC Cassie. I just could not feel any kind of emotion for her. Nor did I feel sorry for her. And considering the plot, I should have. So these stars are for Tor. The author's note said this was dark, but for me it wasn't at all. I could see what was coming miles away as well. I like my psychopaths in books, but for the life of me I couldn't even understand his obsession with Cassie. At the 60% mark I was bored to tears. Once it started picking back up at 80% I wasn't feeling it anymore. And once all was revealed I had already figured that out for myself. Overall it was weak I'm sorry to say.
Safety: as far as cheating goes this is safe. He blackmails one of his brother's hookups, but nothing happens between them. He's all for Cassie. Again don't understand why. There are mentions of rape throughout with it on page as well.
Safety: as far as cheating goes this is safe. He blackmails one of his brother's hookups, but nothing happens between them. He's all for Cassie. Again don't understand why. There are mentions of rape throughout with it on page as well.
July 31, 2026
I love Sam Mariano and her toxic, "needs jail time" heroes. Carter is the original blueprint for me. But Tor was just... lacking.
Obviously, he raped her, and then he hid behind his twin. He's clearly not a good person, but what bothered me most is that he wasn't even honest enough to admit how sick he really was. Dare is completely fucked up too, but at least he never pretends to be the good guy. He knows exactly what he is, and so does everyone else.
This book definitely feels different from Sam Mariano's usual work, but it still has that signature Sam Mariano touch. I'm not even that mad about the ending because, at the end of the day, I'm glad the heroine found happiness.
One thing I really appreciated is that the book never tried to romanticize what happened to her. A lot of dark romances try to turn rape into something sexy or romantic (Haunting Adeline immediately comes to mind), and I hate that. Here, the heroine struggles with what happened to her. She carries the trauma, she fights for justice, and the story never suggests that what Tor did was okay. Even Tor knows she was always right and that she deserved justice.
It was sad because what happened to her reflects what happens to so many real-life victims. They're often the ones who suffer the most, while their rapists get away with it because they're attractive, popular, wealthy, or simply protected by the people around them. That part felt painfully real.
Prereview
Is it safe ? 🥹🥹🥺 Sam mariano is my girl but her latest releases were a little bit too crowded hhhh and quite questionable
Obviously, he raped her, and then he hid behind his twin. He's clearly not a good person, but what bothered me most is that he wasn't even honest enough to admit how sick he really was. Dare is completely fucked up too, but at least he never pretends to be the good guy. He knows exactly what he is, and so does everyone else.
This book definitely feels different from Sam Mariano's usual work, but it still has that signature Sam Mariano touch. I'm not even that mad about the ending because, at the end of the day, I'm glad the heroine found happiness.
One thing I really appreciated is that the book never tried to romanticize what happened to her. A lot of dark romances try to turn rape into something sexy or romantic (Haunting Adeline immediately comes to mind), and I hate that. Here, the heroine struggles with what happened to her. She carries the trauma, she fights for justice, and the story never suggests that what Tor did was okay. Even Tor knows she was always right and that she deserved justice.
It was sad because what happened to her reflects what happens to so many real-life victims. They're often the ones who suffer the most, while their rapists get away with it because they're attractive, popular, wealthy, or simply protected by the people around them. That part felt painfully real.
Prereview
Is it safe ? 🥹🥹🥺 Sam mariano is my girl but her latest releases were a little bit too crowded hhhh and quite questionable
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
maybe
August 1, 2026Ugh I know I can’t trust this author ( in terms of keeping characters who’ve had an hea IN THAT HEA) but something about her writing sometimes calls to me 😩 when her books are good for me they’re great 😭
Conflicted
Conflicted
August 1, 2026
I stopped my life to read this book. Any book Sam writes I stop and read here first and foremost.
It started off like where is this going? Which for the record I like. I don’t like predictable books and this was far from it.
Tor and Cassie. Spicy was spicing and wasn’t over the top at all.
I’m a huge Untouchable Fan (if you haven’t read it, you should!
So I went in, wondering if Tor would measure up to Carter. Carter is my #1 Book Boyfriend and nobody has compared to him yet. Tor is close though, lol.
I love how Sam writes the female characters with so much passion and how they analyze from every angle like it is real life. It’s probably one of my favorite things to read as I’m reading her thoughts.
They had lots of similarities- Carter and Tor but Carter was definitely more aggressive in other ways and did lie. Tor was set and ready and was about Cassie.
I really enjoyed it and devoured the book in last of 24 hours. I read it every second I could. I’m going with a 4 but just cause
Untouchable is still a 5 + for me.
Great work Sam! 🫶🏽
If you do have any triggers might wanna check them but if not go in blind, I did! 😍
It started off like where is this going? Which for the record I like. I don’t like predictable books and this was far from it.
Tor and Cassie. Spicy was spicing and wasn’t over the top at all.
I’m a huge Untouchable Fan (if you haven’t read it, you should!
So I went in, wondering if Tor would measure up to Carter. Carter is my #1 Book Boyfriend and nobody has compared to him yet. Tor is close though, lol.
I love how Sam writes the female characters with so much passion and how they analyze from every angle like it is real life. It’s probably one of my favorite things to read as I’m reading her thoughts.
They had lots of similarities- Carter and Tor but Carter was definitely more aggressive in other ways and did lie. Tor was set and ready and was about Cassie.
I really enjoyed it and devoured the book in last of 24 hours. I read it every second I could. I’m going with a 4 but just cause
Untouchable is still a 5 + for me.
Great work Sam! 🫶🏽
If you do have any triggers might wanna check them but if not go in blind, I did! 😍
August 1, 2026
DNF 25%
I’m not sure about ya’ll, but when I pick up a Sam Mariano book I’m picking it up for the MMC. I want a Carter, a Calvin, a Jasper or a Killian. I love them and they’re some of my all-time favorite characters.
I’m not sure if Tor would have fallen in to that category or not, because at 100 pages in, he’s barely been in the story. This is the Cassie show.
This book is so full of filler…all in the form of Cassie’s inner-monologue. The problem is…I don’t like her. I don’t feel empathy towards her. Therefore, I’m not enjoying reading a book that is essentially about HER.
I was so excited to get a new book from Sam, as I really thought she redeemed herself with Brutal Ambition, but this just didn’t work for me. The pacing is too slow and hyper-focused on one character. I needed things to move along and get to the actual plot. With some editing, this may have worked, but as it stands, I’m just not interested in reading another 300+ pages of Cassie’s drama.
Very disappointing.
I’m not sure about ya’ll, but when I pick up a Sam Mariano book I’m picking it up for the MMC. I want a Carter, a Calvin, a Jasper or a Killian. I love them and they’re some of my all-time favorite characters.
I’m not sure if Tor would have fallen in to that category or not, because at 100 pages in, he’s barely been in the story. This is the Cassie show.
This book is so full of filler…all in the form of Cassie’s inner-monologue. The problem is…I don’t like her. I don’t feel empathy towards her. Therefore, I’m not enjoying reading a book that is essentially about HER.
I was so excited to get a new book from Sam, as I really thought she redeemed herself with Brutal Ambition, but this just didn’t work for me. The pacing is too slow and hyper-focused on one character. I needed things to move along and get to the actual plot. With some editing, this may have worked, but as it stands, I’m just not interested in reading another 300+ pages of Cassie’s drama.
Very disappointing.
July 31, 2026
I finished reading this book, but I’m not sure if I finished reading it or if the book finished me. I don’t even want to reveal the book’s plot because I believe it’s best to experience it firsthand. However, Sam Mariano’s ability to delve into the psyche of her characters is unparalleled. In all of Sam’s books, we follow a truly antihero who makes unquestionable decisions and uses manipulation as a tool to get the heroin to comply with his desires. These actions push the boundaries of what we consider acceptable, making us question our ability to like him. But once Sam gets us into the minds of her heroes, we’re left grappling with the complexities of their twisted actions. The heroine becomes ensnared in his mind games, forced to comply with his demands because he never offers her the option of refusing. She’s just trying to survive being this psychopath obsessed with her.
July 30, 2026
Another 5 Star Sam Mariano Classic
This book went exactly where I thought it would and I loved every second of it. And the end with those familiar faces....perfection.
Sam is forever at the top of my list of favorite authors.
This book went exactly where I thought it would and I loved every second of it. And the end with those familiar faces....perfection.
Sam is forever at the top of my list of favorite authors.
July 31, 2026
I have been waiting for one of my fav authors to drop a new story n holy smokes wow just wtf n yes n wow! The first chapter just did not expect that! I love everything Sam writes
Review of advance copy received from Author
Legit obsessed. Everything I love about Sam’s storytelling but also fresh and different too. I could not put this down! I have officially been SAM'ED... AGAIN. 🚨
How does Sam Mariano keep convincing me to fall hopelessly in love with the most manipulative, morally bankrupt, walking-red-flag men on the planet?! Her particular brand of toxic possession and manipulation is just CATNIP to me every time.
Except... this time she gives us a little different anti-hero. Because Tor looks like the greenest flag she's ever written. In fact, in many ways he’s the swooniest. He’s a dreamboat…and that may make him the most dangerous. Love Carter? Better hang on ,TOR IS HERE.
No spoilers here, but as always I recommend going in blind (if you have triggers at all, this won’t be for you), and go along for the ride. Let’s just say you spend a lot of this book with a heroine recovering from some really messed up stuff, and you just keep wondering when the other shoe is gonna drop. All while you’re falling hard for Tor’s brand of commitment and protection and delicious obsession. And then when it comes…too late, cause we’re obsessed.
TOR. TOR. TOR. Tor is absolutely unhinged, but he might also be one of Sam's swooniest heroes because beneath all the manipulation is the same thing I always fall for in her books: a man who would literally destroy the entire world for the woman he loves. Healthy? Absolutely not. Am I obsessed and already rereading? YUP.
How am I this obsessed with this man? I honestly think I need a psychological evaluation because every rational part of my brain knows I should not be this in love with, or this turned on by, this man's behavior. But he owns me. Like... dangerously close to Mateo levels of owns me. Don't get me wrong. Tor does objectively awful things. Things that are wrong in the real world and, for plenty of readers, wrong even in fiction. But Sam has this unmatched ability to balance her heroes' immoral, boundary-shattering behavior with my ultimate catnip trait. They would do absolutely anything to possess, protect, and care for the heroine.
Anything. Well... anything except protect her from themselves. This is a man who would not simply rearrange the world to keep the woman he loves. He would happily burn the entire thing down, and everyone standing in his way, if that's what it took. And I FLOVE him for it.
That, to me, is where Sam's writing becomes so fascinating. Like us, her heroines don't just acknowledge the darkness. They're drawn to it. Not because they're weak. Not because they've been fooled. But because something about it speaks to them in a way they can't fully explain.
Nobody else can make me understand, sympathize with, and genuinely root for people who, in any other context, I would think belonged behind bars. She has this incredible ability to make toxic relationships feel emotionally authentic because she creates couples whose broken pieces actually fit together. She never pretends these people are healthy. She simply shows us why they're perfect for each other. That psychological nuance is what keeps me coming back every single time.
She gets us so deep inside these warped little minds that before we realize what's happening, we're accepting things we'd normally reject, cheering for people we'd normally condemn, and somehow finding ourselves convinced that these two deeply damaged souls genuinely belong together.
That is endlessly fascinating to me.
What made Two Wrongs feel so fresh is that it somehow has a completely different vibe while still delivering everything I love about her books. It felt dreamier. Sweeter. More romance-forward and gentle. The wooing here isn’t coerced or dark, it’s sweet…even if they have a dark secret.I was lie…is this Sam's softest dark romance?! Can’t say much without spoiling, but I loved the flip. And, Cassie, our heroine, too felt a little different than our usual Sam softie. Oh she’s still vulnerable and soft, but she’s also fallen more off the edge. She’s more aware, yet still in it.
Then. Sam’ed. I've never been so happy to be psychologically manipulated. It is such a delicious little mind game, and honestly, that's what Sam does better than anyone. She doesn't just write toxic characters. She gets you so deep inside their heads that somehow you're rooting for them before you even realize what's happening. We’re charmed by them.....Exactly the kind of crazy I live for.
Thank you, Sam Mariano, for once again knowing exactly what I like... and for once again making me question my own sanity. I binged this in one sleepless night and so happy to be mind f’ed by you yet again lol.
How does Sam Mariano keep convincing me to fall hopelessly in love with the most manipulative, morally bankrupt, walking-red-flag men on the planet?! Her particular brand of toxic possession and manipulation is just CATNIP to me every time.
Except... this time she gives us a little different anti-hero. Because Tor looks like the greenest flag she's ever written. In fact, in many ways he’s the swooniest. He’s a dreamboat…and that may make him the most dangerous. Love Carter? Better hang on ,TOR IS HERE.
No spoilers here, but as always I recommend going in blind (if you have triggers at all, this won’t be for you), and go along for the ride. Let’s just say you spend a lot of this book with a heroine recovering from some really messed up stuff, and you just keep wondering when the other shoe is gonna drop. All while you’re falling hard for Tor’s brand of commitment and protection and delicious obsession. And then when it comes…too late, cause we’re obsessed.
TOR. TOR. TOR. Tor is absolutely unhinged, but he might also be one of Sam's swooniest heroes because beneath all the manipulation is the same thing I always fall for in her books: a man who would literally destroy the entire world for the woman he loves. Healthy? Absolutely not. Am I obsessed and already rereading? YUP.
How am I this obsessed with this man? I honestly think I need a psychological evaluation because every rational part of my brain knows I should not be this in love with, or this turned on by, this man's behavior. But he owns me. Like... dangerously close to Mateo levels of owns me. Don't get me wrong. Tor does objectively awful things. Things that are wrong in the real world and, for plenty of readers, wrong even in fiction. But Sam has this unmatched ability to balance her heroes' immoral, boundary-shattering behavior with my ultimate catnip trait. They would do absolutely anything to possess, protect, and care for the heroine.
Anything. Well... anything except protect her from themselves. This is a man who would not simply rearrange the world to keep the woman he loves. He would happily burn the entire thing down, and everyone standing in his way, if that's what it took. And I FLOVE him for it.
That, to me, is where Sam's writing becomes so fascinating. Like us, her heroines don't just acknowledge the darkness. They're drawn to it. Not because they're weak. Not because they've been fooled. But because something about it speaks to them in a way they can't fully explain.
Nobody else can make me understand, sympathize with, and genuinely root for people who, in any other context, I would think belonged behind bars. She has this incredible ability to make toxic relationships feel emotionally authentic because she creates couples whose broken pieces actually fit together. She never pretends these people are healthy. She simply shows us why they're perfect for each other. That psychological nuance is what keeps me coming back every single time.
She gets us so deep inside these warped little minds that before we realize what's happening, we're accepting things we'd normally reject, cheering for people we'd normally condemn, and somehow finding ourselves convinced that these two deeply damaged souls genuinely belong together.
That is endlessly fascinating to me.
What made Two Wrongs feel so fresh is that it somehow has a completely different vibe while still delivering everything I love about her books. It felt dreamier. Sweeter. More romance-forward and gentle. The wooing here isn’t coerced or dark, it’s sweet…even if they have a dark secret.I was lie…is this Sam's softest dark romance?! Can’t say much without spoiling, but I loved the flip. And, Cassie, our heroine, too felt a little different than our usual Sam softie. Oh she’s still vulnerable and soft, but she’s also fallen more off the edge. She’s more aware, yet still in it.
Then. Sam’ed. I've never been so happy to be psychologically manipulated. It is such a delicious little mind game, and honestly, that's what Sam does better than anyone. She doesn't just write toxic characters. She gets you so deep inside their heads that somehow you're rooting for them before you even realize what's happening. We’re charmed by them.....Exactly the kind of crazy I live for.
Thank you, Sam Mariano, for once again knowing exactly what I like... and for once again making me question my own sanity. I binged this in one sleepless night and so happy to be mind f’ed by you yet again lol.
July 31, 2026
Romance Reader Report Card
❤️ Chemistry: 5/5
🔥 Tension: 5/5
🌶️ Spice: 5/5
😭 Emotional Impact: 5/5
👨 Book Boyfriend Status: Yes. Someone Please Take Away My Bad Decisions.
📚 Reread Worthy? Immediately. I am literally going back in.
Tropes
* Dark Romance
* Morally Gray Hero
* Obsession
* Found Family
* Forced Proximity
* Protective Hero
* Psychological Warfare (honestly, just put it on the list)
* Twisty Plot
* “He Would Do Anything For Her” (and I mean ANYTHING)
What I Loved
I genuinely do not know how Sam Mariano managed to write the most charming dark romance about a murder cover-up I’ve ever read.
That sentence should not make sense.
And yet here we are.
Tor Walters is one of the most fascinating MMCs I’ve ever read because he is simultaneously the most emotionally intelligent, devoted, completely unhinged person I’ve encountered in romance. He is not a “fix him” hero. He is not a man who needs someone to teach him how to love.
He knows exactly who he loves.
The problem is that Tor’s definition of protecting someone is… a little unconventional.
A lot unconventional.
Like “someone should probably take notes for a psychology textbook” unconventional.
And somehow, Sam Mariano makes you understand why Cassie loves him.
That is the magic trick of this book.
I loved that we experience Tor almost entirely through Cassie’s eyes for the majority of the story. If we had gotten inside his head immediately, I don’t think he would have been nearly as compelling. Instead, we get to fall for him the same way Cassie does: through the charm, the devotion, the humor, the caretaking, and the feeling that this man would move mountains for her.
Then we get the full picture.
And the picture is… a lot.
But it works because the foundation was already there.
Also, the writing in this book is on another level. This feels like Sam Mariano fully settled into her craft. The pacing, the tension, the character work, the way every detail comes back around—it’s easily my favorite book of hers.
Favorite quote:
“I own your loyalty. I paid for it in blood.”
Absolutely unhinged.
Absolutely terrifying.
Absolutely the most Tor Walters sentence possible.
What Didn’t Work for Me
My biggest complaint is that I wish the ex-boyfriend thread had gotten a little more attention at the end.
Cassie’s fear and anger were completely justified, and the aftermath of that situation felt like it deserved more exploration. It felt like we moved through that resolution a little quickly considering how much emotional weight it carried.
That said, this is a very small complaint in a book that otherwise completely consumed me.
Favorite Moment
Honestly?
The entire evolution of Tor and Cassie’s relationship.
But if I had to choose one moment, it would be the realization that Tor’s feelings for Cassie were not something that appeared overnight. They were rooted in who she had always been.
That added an entirely different layer to their story.
This man didn’t just fall in love with Cassie.
He built his entire idea of home around her.
Final Thoughts
I went into this book expecting a dark romance.
I did not expect to find one of the most memorable MMCs I’ve ever read.
Tor Walters is a walking contradiction.
He is terrifying.
He is obsessive.
He is morally questionable at best.
And yet somehow, he is also funny, vulnerable, devoted, and completely unforgettable.
Is he healthy? Absolutely not.
Would I want him anywhere near my real life? Also absolutely not.
Would I read 500 more pages about him? Immediately.
This book had me questioning my own judgment, yelling at my Kindle, and somehow ending up with another book boyfriend I absolutely did not need.
If You Like…
* Morally gray heroes
* Dark romance with a twist
* Obsessive devotion
* Unpredictable plots
* MMCs who are completely gone for their heroine
* Characters who make you say “this is terrible” while continuing to turn pages
Recommended For
Readers who enjoy dark romance that makes you uncomfortable, makes you think, and somehow still makes you root for the couple.
Go in blind.
Trust me.
❤️ Chemistry: 5/5
🔥 Tension: 5/5
🌶️ Spice: 5/5
😭 Emotional Impact: 5/5
👨 Book Boyfriend Status: Yes. Someone Please Take Away My Bad Decisions.
📚 Reread Worthy? Immediately. I am literally going back in.
Tropes
* Dark Romance
* Morally Gray Hero
* Obsession
* Found Family
* Forced Proximity
* Protective Hero
* Psychological Warfare (honestly, just put it on the list)
* Twisty Plot
* “He Would Do Anything For Her” (and I mean ANYTHING)
What I Loved
I genuinely do not know how Sam Mariano managed to write the most charming dark romance about a murder cover-up I’ve ever read.
That sentence should not make sense.
And yet here we are.
Tor Walters is one of the most fascinating MMCs I’ve ever read because he is simultaneously the most emotionally intelligent, devoted, completely unhinged person I’ve encountered in romance. He is not a “fix him” hero. He is not a man who needs someone to teach him how to love.
He knows exactly who he loves.
The problem is that Tor’s definition of protecting someone is… a little unconventional.
A lot unconventional.
Like “someone should probably take notes for a psychology textbook” unconventional.
And somehow, Sam Mariano makes you understand why Cassie loves him.
That is the magic trick of this book.
I loved that we experience Tor almost entirely through Cassie’s eyes for the majority of the story. If we had gotten inside his head immediately, I don’t think he would have been nearly as compelling. Instead, we get to fall for him the same way Cassie does: through the charm, the devotion, the humor, the caretaking, and the feeling that this man would move mountains for her.
Then we get the full picture.
And the picture is… a lot.
But it works because the foundation was already there.
Also, the writing in this book is on another level. This feels like Sam Mariano fully settled into her craft. The pacing, the tension, the character work, the way every detail comes back around—it’s easily my favorite book of hers.
Favorite quote:
“I own your loyalty. I paid for it in blood.”
Absolutely unhinged.
Absolutely terrifying.
Absolutely the most Tor Walters sentence possible.
What Didn’t Work for Me
My biggest complaint is that I wish the ex-boyfriend thread had gotten a little more attention at the end.
Cassie’s fear and anger were completely justified, and the aftermath of that situation felt like it deserved more exploration. It felt like we moved through that resolution a little quickly considering how much emotional weight it carried.
That said, this is a very small complaint in a book that otherwise completely consumed me.
Favorite Moment
Honestly?
The entire evolution of Tor and Cassie’s relationship.
But if I had to choose one moment, it would be the realization that Tor’s feelings for Cassie were not something that appeared overnight. They were rooted in who she had always been.
That added an entirely different layer to their story.
This man didn’t just fall in love with Cassie.
He built his entire idea of home around her.
Final Thoughts
I went into this book expecting a dark romance.
I did not expect to find one of the most memorable MMCs I’ve ever read.
Tor Walters is a walking contradiction.
He is terrifying.
He is obsessive.
He is morally questionable at best.
And yet somehow, he is also funny, vulnerable, devoted, and completely unforgettable.
Is he healthy? Absolutely not.
Would I want him anywhere near my real life? Also absolutely not.
Would I read 500 more pages about him? Immediately.
This book had me questioning my own judgment, yelling at my Kindle, and somehow ending up with another book boyfriend I absolutely did not need.
If You Like…
* Morally gray heroes
* Dark romance with a twist
* Obsessive devotion
* Unpredictable plots
* MMCs who are completely gone for their heroine
* Characters who make you say “this is terrible” while continuing to turn pages
Recommended For
Readers who enjoy dark romance that makes you uncomfortable, makes you think, and somehow still makes you root for the couple.
Go in blind.
Trust me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Sam Mariano for an ARC
WOW.
There are few authors who engage me from the first page to the last. IYKYK with me, Sam is my favorite.
I am eternally grateful to have received an ARC of Two Wrongs 🖤🙏 Thank you, @sammarianobooks
I knew from reading Untouchable back in 2019 that I had stumbled across a gem of an author.
With every book I’ve read from her, I can tell she’s writing the kind of book she’d want to read. There’s some addictive formula in her writing that creates the most psychologically dark characters — the kind that have me literally hanging off the page. Sam’s MMCs might pull some crazy antics, but at the end of the day, it all comes back to the dark corridors in their mind. The psychological warfare in her books is what makes me feral. There’s a powerful force layered into her antiheroes, one the heroine dismantles one tactic at a time. The obsession and manipulation are top tier.
Oh…Tor and Cassie.
There isn’t much I can say without spoiling this book. Everyone deserves to go into a Sam Mariano book with an open mind and a fresh set of nerves 💀 I encourage you to take in her author’s note at the beginning. If you know her books, you know what you’re getting yourself into.
When Sam asks me to trust her, I do.
This story is absolutely wild. Sam is the queen of leaving a red herring trail that eventually detonates. She pushes every boundary - and always takes care of us in the end.
Here’s to an evening at the lake. Stay a while and enjoy the fireworks 🎆
No question….5 ⭐️
WOW.
There are few authors who engage me from the first page to the last. IYKYK with me, Sam is my favorite.
I am eternally grateful to have received an ARC of Two Wrongs 🖤🙏 Thank you, @sammarianobooks
I knew from reading Untouchable back in 2019 that I had stumbled across a gem of an author.
With every book I’ve read from her, I can tell she’s writing the kind of book she’d want to read. There’s some addictive formula in her writing that creates the most psychologically dark characters — the kind that have me literally hanging off the page. Sam’s MMCs might pull some crazy antics, but at the end of the day, it all comes back to the dark corridors in their mind. The psychological warfare in her books is what makes me feral. There’s a powerful force layered into her antiheroes, one the heroine dismantles one tactic at a time. The obsession and manipulation are top tier.
Oh…Tor and Cassie.
There isn’t much I can say without spoiling this book. Everyone deserves to go into a Sam Mariano book with an open mind and a fresh set of nerves 💀 I encourage you to take in her author’s note at the beginning. If you know her books, you know what you’re getting yourself into.
When Sam asks me to trust her, I do.
This story is absolutely wild. Sam is the queen of leaving a red herring trail that eventually detonates. She pushes every boundary - and always takes care of us in the end.
Here’s to an evening at the lake. Stay a while and enjoy the fireworks 🎆
No question….5 ⭐️
July 30, 2026
Long time Sam Mariano reader here who has been so disappointed with her past Coastal Elite books, (the exception for that is Brutal Ambition which was classic Sam Mariano book and everyone should read it even if you've never read her previous Coastal Elite books). I need to be put out of my misery for whatever weird relationship combo she comes up with for Hannah & Aubrey or Hannah/Aubrey/Dare! I will die on the hill that Hannah deserves to have her own love interest whether that's a girlfriend or boyfriend or both and not just be used for more Dare/Aubrey drama.
That being said if you felt the same way as I have with her Coastal Elite world you will NOT BE DISAPPOINTED with Two Wrongs!!! It was everything I love about Sam Mariano writings!!! Tor & Cassie are ranked high up there with my favorite Sam Mariano couples and Tor might be the most romantic Sam Mariano MC! Without spoiling anything my favorite character from Brutal Ambition also makes an appearance in this book and I literally started kicking my feet with joy, that man deserves his own book asap! If you're in the mood for a really good dark romance with a great twist you need to run and buy this book you will not be disappointed!
That being said if you felt the same way as I have with her Coastal Elite world you will NOT BE DISAPPOINTED with Two Wrongs!!! It was everything I love about Sam Mariano writings!!! Tor & Cassie are ranked high up there with my favorite Sam Mariano couples and Tor might be the most romantic Sam Mariano MC! Without spoiling anything my favorite character from Brutal Ambition also makes an appearance in this book and I literally started kicking my feet with joy, that man deserves his own book asap! If you're in the mood for a really good dark romance with a great twist you need to run and buy this book you will not be disappointed!
Did Not Finish
August 1, 2026DNF at chapter two.
The blurb didn't grab me in the first place, but I decided to give it a shot anyway. At this point, Sam Mariano honestly feels like one of the very few authors who isn't afraid to write actual dark romance, with male leads who don't end up feeling like cartoon characters or walking clichés (looking at you, Rina Kent).
Unfortunately, it only took a couple of chapters for me to realize this book just isn't for me. The writing, the characters, the overall vibe... none of it clicked, and I had zero interest in forcing myself through the rest.
I'm also extra annoyed because we've been waiting over two years for Sam's next release, and this is what we got instead of finally getting the continuation of Dare, Aubrey, and Hannah's story. That disappointment probably didn't help my enjoyment, but it is what it is.
Maybe it'll work for other readers, but I knew almost immediately that this wasn't worth any more of my time.
The blurb didn't grab me in the first place, but I decided to give it a shot anyway. At this point, Sam Mariano honestly feels like one of the very few authors who isn't afraid to write actual dark romance, with male leads who don't end up feeling like cartoon characters or walking clichés (looking at you, Rina Kent).
Unfortunately, it only took a couple of chapters for me to realize this book just isn't for me. The writing, the characters, the overall vibe... none of it clicked, and I had zero interest in forcing myself through the rest.
I'm also extra annoyed because we've been waiting over two years for Sam's next release, and this is what we got instead of finally getting the continuation of Dare, Aubrey, and Hannah's story. That disappointment probably didn't help my enjoyment, but it is what it is.
Maybe it'll work for other readers, but I knew almost immediately that this wasn't worth any more of my time.
August 1, 2026
I have mixed feelings
It felt rushed not everything was cleared between the mcs
I didn’t like that tor liked the h but did nothing all his life and was having meaningless sex with other girls , all of this could have been avoided If just Did something before like anything else to get her to not look at Tim ever again
He could have done anything else to get her to hate Tim and htf did he not realise that r&ping her would hurt her
I like my men unhinged , manipulative but not if it hurts the h this killed her
Why the fuck did she not confront him about it , and just went with it like it’s okay if it was him 🤯
I feel like this should have been a duet 💁🏻♀️
Tim might be an asshole but he was innocent so was Russell
Also I wanted to know If the H had been with anyone less without the cdnms like this shit is important
It felt rushed not everything was cleared between the mcs
I didn’t like that tor liked the h but did nothing all his life and was having meaningless sex with other girls , all of this could have been avoided If just Did something before like anything else to get her to not look at Tim ever again
He could have done anything else to get her to hate Tim and htf did he not realise that r&ping her would hurt her
I like my men unhinged , manipulative but not if it hurts the h this killed her
Why the fuck did she not confront him about it , and just went with it like it’s okay if it was him 🤯
I feel like this should have been a duet 💁🏻♀️
Tim might be an asshole but he was innocent so was Russell
Also I wanted to know If the H had been with anyone less without the cdnms like this shit is important
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2026
edge of my seat! wow!!
Sam Mariano did it again!
I love her style of writing and characters. Always the (very very) grey moral MMC and the emotionally and intellectually intelligent, FMC’s which still get manipulated to fall for the MMC.
I think the genius of these books that it’s very easy to like the FMC’s and yet you still watch the bad guys win them over.
This book is no different, with the MMC being an utterly bad guy, reminding me of Dare in her Coastal Elite series, and yet the dysfunctional HEA still works.
I think it is impossible to write about this book without ruining it, so I will only say this - this is built like a psychological thriller. You are constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I loved this book!!!!
Cannot wait for the next one, maybe HEX?
Sam Mariano did it again!
I love her style of writing and characters. Always the (very very) grey moral MMC and the emotionally and intellectually intelligent, FMC’s which still get manipulated to fall for the MMC.
I think the genius of these books that it’s very easy to like the FMC’s and yet you still watch the bad guys win them over.
This book is no different, with the MMC being an utterly bad guy, reminding me of Dare in her Coastal Elite series, and yet the dysfunctional HEA still works.
I think it is impossible to write about this book without ruining it, so I will only say this - this is built like a psychological thriller. You are constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I loved this book!!!!
Cannot wait for the next one, maybe HEX?
July 31, 2026
She’s back and I’m so happy!
I’ve been missing Sam Mariano’s words, she is hands down one of my favorite authors and I gobbled this book up in one sitting (I haven’t done that in a while!). Tor and Cassie’s story did not disappoint. I don’t want to say too much and spoil, the wild, crazy, dark twisted story they have, so I’ll just say I loved Cassie and Tor individually and as a couple. Tor’s level of devotion (while scary in real life) is just perfection *chef’s kiss*, and I really enjoyed Cassie. I rooted for her, felt her pain and liked that she had a bit of a backbone but also sweetness to her. I think I related to her on a level I don’t usually with FMCs (i’m not sure what that says about me) and I really wanted her to just be happy. Sam Mariano did it again!
I’ve been missing Sam Mariano’s words, she is hands down one of my favorite authors and I gobbled this book up in one sitting (I haven’t done that in a while!). Tor and Cassie’s story did not disappoint. I don’t want to say too much and spoil, the wild, crazy, dark twisted story they have, so I’ll just say I loved Cassie and Tor individually and as a couple. Tor’s level of devotion (while scary in real life) is just perfection *chef’s kiss*, and I really enjoyed Cassie. I rooted for her, felt her pain and liked that she had a bit of a backbone but also sweetness to her. I think I related to her on a level I don’t usually with FMCs (i’m not sure what that says about me) and I really wanted her to just be happy. Sam Mariano did it again!
August 1, 2026
Trust me and let me take you on this journey.
Timothy and Torrance Walters are identical twins. They come from a rich family and basically are loved and respected by their town.
Cassie Pritchard has a tough relationship with her Mom and has had a horrible year after being SA and the perpetrator getting away with it.
They have all just graduated from high school. Cassie takes some drastic steps for justice which actually plays right into Tor’s hands who likes her.
I love Tor as he is manipulative, dominant and goes after what he wants. My perfect villain to love! It took longer for me to like Cassie as she felt annoying at times.
I enjoyed the spice, romance and overall plot as this couple gets together.
Then the cameos in the Epilogue had me screaming!!
Timothy and Torrance Walters are identical twins. They come from a rich family and basically are loved and respected by their town.
Cassie Pritchard has a tough relationship with her Mom and has had a horrible year after being SA and the perpetrator getting away with it.
They have all just graduated from high school. Cassie takes some drastic steps for justice which actually plays right into Tor’s hands who likes her.
I love Tor as he is manipulative, dominant and goes after what he wants. My perfect villain to love! It took longer for me to like Cassie as she felt annoying at times.
I enjoyed the spice, romance and overall plot as this couple gets together.
Then the cameos in the Epilogue had me screaming!!
July 31, 2026
I’ve read enough Sam Mariano to know she doesn’t write cinnamon-roll heroes.
So I clocked Tor almost immediately. The fun wasn’t figuring out whether he was guilty—it was waiting for the reveal and seeing if I was right. I spent half the book yelling at Cassie because every red flag was practically on fire, and she kept walking toward it anyway.
When she finally figured everything out, I was READY for her revenge arc. I wanted her to let Tor think he’d won, play the perfect girlfriend, and then absolutely ruin him. Instead… she fell in love. I physically recoiled. 🤮🤣
Absolutely devoured this book! I laughed way too much, Tor is such a treat.
So I clocked Tor almost immediately. The fun wasn’t figuring out whether he was guilty—it was waiting for the reveal and seeing if I was right. I spent half the book yelling at Cassie because every red flag was practically on fire, and she kept walking toward it anyway.
When she finally figured everything out, I was READY for her revenge arc. I wanted her to let Tor think he’d won, play the perfect girlfriend, and then absolutely ruin him. Instead… she fell in love. I physically recoiled. 🤮🤣
Absolutely devoured this book! I laughed way too much, Tor is such a treat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2026
I do so love an unhinged Sam Mariano book. I'm not going to pretend the twist was a huge shock, because right the way through you're feeling like you're waiting for the other shoe to drop, but it never disappoints!
Tor was crazy and hot and mutually assured destruction never misses.
They still don't touch Dare and Aubrey, who set the standard and I suspect will always hold top spot for me, but Tor and Cassie definitely had their moments and I had a lot of fun with this one.
Tor was crazy and hot and mutually assured destruction never misses.
They still don't touch Dare and Aubrey, who set the standard and I suspect will always hold top spot for me, but Tor and Cassie definitely had their moments and I had a lot of fun with this one.
July 31, 2026
I don't even no what to say, this book is a total banger. It made me pull an all nighter to finish it because I just couldn't stop reading. As of yesterday Killian and Brynn were my favorite couple of hers but Tor and Cassie have dethroned them. I won't even want to discuss the plot because this is definitely one of those instances where going in blind is way better. Seriously I was 50 percent into the story all ready mourning that I was about to finish 🤪
July 31, 2026
Worth the wait! ♥️♥️♥️
Stop what you’re doing and read this book right now! I’ve been jonesing for a Sam release for so long, and this did not disappoint. I could not put it down.
The characters were so well done and I loved all the twists and turns. It gave me Morelli flashbacks with all the emotions I went through (IYKYK).
Best dark romance author ever. Please never stop sharing your gift with us. 🤗
Stop what you’re doing and read this book right now! I’ve been jonesing for a Sam release for so long, and this did not disappoint. I could not put it down.
The characters were so well done and I loved all the twists and turns. It gave me Morelli flashbacks with all the emotions I went through (IYKYK).
Best dark romance author ever. Please never stop sharing your gift with us. 🤗
August 1, 2026
insane!
This was a crazy book the way this man manipulated and gaslit this girl but we still believed they’re romance and HEA is brilliant writing. Cassie was definitely naive but not very likable which was why this didn’t get a full five stars from me and Tore was a red flag the way he drew her in to his web making it impossible for her to leave was diabolical this was a good book by Sam Mariano 4 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a crazy book the way this man manipulated and gaslit this girl but we still believed they’re romance and HEA is brilliant writing. Cassie was definitely naive but not very likable which was why this didn’t get a full five stars from me and Tore was a red flag the way he drew her in to his web making it impossible for her to leave was diabolical this was a good book by Sam Mariano 4 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 1, 2026
So this is the story of Tor and Cassie, the girl that seems to be a typical Good Samaritan and it’s so bizarre she’s dating a psycho? I think it’s a standalone but is better read with the others in Coastal elites series, especially Brutal ambition. I must say it’s more interesting than the other books with the twin swap, though I find some inconsistency in character development. After the others, though, I can just chalk it up as a psycho couple and leave it at that.
August 1, 2026
Decent story but....
I think I would have connected more with this story if we had more knowledge and description of what Tor and Cassie were actually like and their histories. We really only got descriptions of Tim, until the end.
While I liked the storyline, I would have liked more of the actual story during like the midle third of the book than pretty much just sex for most of that time.
It was not a favorite but still a decent read.
I think I would have connected more with this story if we had more knowledge and description of what Tor and Cassie were actually like and their histories. We really only got descriptions of Tim, until the end.
While I liked the storyline, I would have liked more of the actual story during like the midle third of the book than pretty much just sex for most of that time.
It was not a favorite but still a decent read.
August 1, 2026
twisted
Sam is the queen of dark, twisted romance. Surrender is on of my top five favorite books and Tor gave me Silvan vibes. This book was un-put-downable and I love it. I hope it comes to audio so I can listen to it. Basically, I want it in all the formats for consumption. So good.
Sam is the queen of dark, twisted romance. Surrender is on of my top five favorite books and Tor gave me Silvan vibes. This book was un-put-downable and I love it. I hope it comes to audio so I can listen to it. Basically, I want it in all the formats for consumption. So good.
August 1, 2026
Tor is diabolical and it was fascinating to see the way his mind works. Tor & Tim are twins, rich and virtually untouchable. Cassie is the opposite in every way. She is firmly middle class, an only child and life shows her just how hard it can F*CK her. Two wrongs was a mind-f in the best way. One night her life collides with the twins and nothing will ever be the same.
August 1, 2026
I’m not sure what I just read. I really wanted to like this book, but there was essentially no plot. I kept scrolling, hoping for a twist or some payoff, only to be disappointed when I realized how destructive and messed-up the story actually was. This is not dark romance.
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