Toxic Kiss: A Dark Rockstar Romance of Toxic Love, Obsession, and Forbidden Desire

by Brooklyn Cross, Audrey Obyen (Narrator), Brandon Francis (Narrator)

I’m the voice that makes people scream. But I scream for her.The world calls me Cyrus Vale. Rockstar. God of the stage. The man with a guitar in his hands and a crowd ready to bleed for one more song.But Haven Gaillard knew me before the fame. Before the noise.The night my mother married her father, I hated her on sight.I wanted her pain. Dreamed about it. Lived for the way her eyes burned with anger as sweet tears fell down her cheeks.Making her cry was the only thing that ever made me feel whole.Until one day, I realized something worse.I don’t want her pain anymore. I want her.Her anger.Her touch.Her eyes on me like I’m the only thing in the room.She tried to escape, but now my muse is back. And every song I write still sounds like my heart wailing her name.The problem?I don’t know how to want her without destroying her.And I’ve never been good at letting go of things that I’m addicted to.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Audiobook, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Forbidden Romance

Audible Audio

Published October 27, 2026

About the author

Brooklyn's Social Media Links:

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Brooklyn Cross grew up loving stories in a world that never quite understood how her mind worked.

Severe dyslexia and short-term memory challenges made school a constant fight, and success was something she was told to expect for others, not herself. Instead of quitting, she taught herself how to keep going.

Today, Brooklyn Cross writes dark romance for readers who don’t want safe love or perfect heroes. Expect morally grey men, fierce women, obsession, emotional chaos, and spice with consequences. If you like your romance messy, dangerous, and impossible to forget, you’re in the right place.

She has published multiple books and is relentlessly building worlds designed to ruin hearts, spark obsession, and stay with readers long after the final page.
Follow your dreams. Break the rules. Write anyway.

Reviews

[Momma Eureka · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s NO secret that I am a fan of Brooklyn Cross and that I love her writing style. I am saying this to make sure everyone understands that I am more familiar with her dark romances and her unhinged side. So this one was a little different for me because it’s is a contemporary romance, yes it is bully which I LOVE IT but it is after all a contemporary and ions lighter than her dark romances. Still I was captivated from the beginning. I am not going to sit here and lie to you guys and say amazing things just because I love the author and received an ARC. I am in fact not afraid to say when I like and when I don’t, regardless of the how I’ve read it and who it is from. Despite the fact that I had a little issue adjusting to the writing style because it isn’t dark and it’s completely different from other books I’ve read it from her , I still absolutely loved it. Everyone knows bully romance is my thing and everyone who reads my reviews are well aware that I absolutely DESPISE the doormat FMC, so again I was afraid to hated it as I started to see the FMC’s personality… So here we have a bully step siblings rockstar romance with a FMC who’s not a doormat but also she is not a fighter in the explicit way we are use to it , she is resilient, fair, honest, intelligent and caring, but she is also flawed and a lot times weak in the sense that she keeps falling for the awful things her stepmother, stepbrother and other people do to her. The whole time you keep seeing everyone turning their backs on her by cruelty or even by omission in the case of her best friend Patrick and her own father and I was LIVID !!!! She couldn’t even have a decent loving fiancé ! GOD DAMN IT this book brought some ugly emotions out of me, mostly anger towards everyone but her….. I was at one point thinking no one deserved her forgiveness, not even her father or her best friend…. But as the great author Brooklyn is , she slowly makes you start changing your mind, not that overnight I started loving everyone, noooooo. It’s just like those moments where you start to question if it’s worth to live life in hatred and unforgiving or if it’s better to take this weight out of chest and see things, live your best life from now on. And I LOVED that about this book. Plus Cyrus is really sexy and has a delicious dirty mouth so that helped 😂
I really liked the illness representation here and I adored how it makes you slowly understand and sympathize with Cyrus pain even though you don’t forgive his past actions and mistakes. So YES I did love it even when I thought I wasn’t going to like that much, I thought the lack of real reason in the beginning of why Cyrus was so cruel to her would make me not like the book as much, but I was wrong because the explanations come at the right time in the book and not a second earlier. So basically this author did it again for me ! It is worth and brings some ugly emotions from you 😂

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 “There’s no guide for how to suffer gracefully. Just scars where the rules used to be.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 “She moved on, but I never stopped bleeding her name, and all the parts she broke are the ones I need to survive.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 “There are moments that brand themselves into your heart. Not because you want to remember, but because your soul refuses to forget.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
“I don’t just want her. I want every version of her I’ve never deserved. And I know, with the kind of clarity that wrecks a man, that even if she set me ablaze, I’ll crawl through the flames just to hear her whisper my name.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 “I used to want your tears because I was cruel enough to think they proved I mattered. I wanted them because I hated that your smile made me feel something other than anger. I wanted them because in your pain, I found peace. I wasn’t alone with my dark thoughts.”
Now I hate every single one I caused. I hate how I hurt you, and no amount of time will ever erase that regret. But I never want to forget. It is only in remembering that I realize how blessed I am to have you standing here by my side. Because let’s face it. I don’t deserve it.”
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[Bookishness · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

“There’s no guide for how to suffer gracefully. Just scars where the rules used to be.”

A bully, stepsibling, rockstar romance and an emotional roller coaster!

“She moved on, but I never stopped bleeding her name, and all the parts she broke are the ones I need to survive.”

This story follows Cyrus and Haven, stepsiblings whose relationship is filled with rivalry and cruelty. After haven endured emotional abuse from Cyrus and his mother, Haven finally has enough. She leaves California for New York to focus on college and build a life away from the people who hurt her and found herself a successful lawyer!!

Then there’s Patrick, Haven’s best friend, who then became Cyrus's best friend. His tragic death leaves scars and wounds that never heal and we watch Cyrus try to work through that grief. His struggles with substance use, rehab, and depression all alone broke my heart.

What I especially appreciated was the illness representation: Cyrus is struggling with a real health issue, yet the people around him keep thinking his symptoms are due to drugs. I was getting so frustrated, but loved how Haven saw through it and believed him and helped him get the help he was struggling to get. I also loved that we got more of Cyrus’s POV... And can we take a moment and appreciate the audiobook? So well done! I was completely hooked and binged the whole thing.

“I used to want your tears because I was cruel enough to think they proved I mattered. I wanted them because I hated that your smile made me feel something other than anger. I wanted them because in your pain, I found peace. I wasn’t alone with my dark thoughts.”

Brooklyn Cross had me hating a character one minute, then feeling sympathy for them the next. She lets you understand the pain behind their actions without making those actions any less hurtful. And Haven was no doormat. She stood up for herself. Yes, queen!

Messy, heartbreaking, and packed with complicated emotions!!! pick this up!

[Smutty Little Books · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

The rockstar we love to hate.

I loved this one! Cyrus and Haven's story is messy, heartbreaking, cruel, and soooo good. Cyrus is the messy rockstar we all love to hate, and Haven is the FMC who doesn't back down with a heart of gold. I love when an author can make me hate a character and then flip you opinion the farther into the story you go.

I'm a sucker for a rockstar romance and this one is being added as one of my favs. The storyline was fantastic and had my interest the entire time. The relationship between Cyrus and Haven was messy, infuriating, and also so good at the same time. I love when you have an FMC who stands up for herself and doesn't back down and Haven was that.

If you are someone who struggles with undiagnosed illness, this book is also going to hit hard. I loved the representation and how it played out within the storyline. There were also little surprise nuggets sprinkled into the story that I didn't expect and absolutely loved. Definitely worth a read in my opinion!

"I don't just want her, I want every version of her I never deserved. And I know, with the kind of clarity that wrecks a man, that even if she sets me ablaze, I'll crawl through the flames just to hear her whisper my name."

- Bully Romance
- Rockstar
- Stepsibling
- Illness representation

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

4.5🌟, 3🌶️

Cyrus and Haven completely pulled me in.

Their relationship is messy, toxic, and full of emotional highs and lows, but I couldn’t stop rooting for them. Cyrus is deeply flawed, yet his journey toward redemption kept me invested, while Haven’s quiet strength gave the story its heart.

The standout for me was Cyrus’ health journey. The chronic illness representation added so much emotional weight, especially as he struggled to be believed because of his past. I loved that Haven didn’t try to fix him. She simply stood by him when he needed someone most, and that made their connection feel even more meaningful.

This was an emotional, angsty read that I absolutely devoured. The chemistry was intense, the redemption felt earned, and I finished wanting just a little more closure.

If you enjoy flawed characters, emotional second chances, and romances that make you feel everything, this is well worth picking up.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Brooklyn Cross and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[bookworm haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Brooklyn Cross and her team for providing me with an ARC of Toxic Kiss in exchange for an honest review.

"The most dangerous monsters aren't the ones we fear... they're the ones we can't stop loving. Cy is my monster..."

Sometimes a book promises a toxic romance, only to deliver a fairly safe relationship with a few dramatic arguments thrown in. Toxic Kiss does not make that mistake. This story is genuinely soaked in destructive attachment, obsession, jealousy, grief, and the kind of love that leaves burns long before it learns how to offer comfort.

Five years ago, Haven ran away from Cyrus Vale, her stepbrother, her first love, and the person who knew exactly how to turn every insecurity she had into a weapon. Now she is returning to California with a fiancé, ambitious career plans, and the belief that the past has finally lost its hold on her. Then her first major assignment at LG Records places her in charge of Venomous and, more specifically, its scandalous frontman, who can still drag every buried emotion out of her with a single look.

Cyrus is not the kind of hero who can be called a good man simply because we choose to ignore his worst behavior. He is cruel, manipulative, possessive, and occasionally so unbearable that I wanted to introduce his head to the nearest guitar. The author never tries to make him safer or gentler than he truly is. For a long time, his love resembles ownership more than devotion, while his rare moments of tenderness are constantly tangled with the instinct to hurt Haven before she has the chance to hurt him.

Yet beneath all that aggression is a man who has been drowning for years while everyone around him discusses how spectacularly he is falling apart. To the public, Cyrus is a spoiled rock star, an addict, and another celebrity losing control. To certain members of his family, he is a source of money, influence, and convenient headlines. Even medical professionals often see his history before they see the person in front of them, forcing every new symptom into an explanation they have already chosen.

The storyline surrounding Cyrus’s health became one of the most powerful parts of the book for me. It explores medical dismissal, the stigma attached to addiction, the fear of receiving a diagnosis, and the devastating loneliness of being repeatedly told that your pain is imagined, exaggerated, or deserved. His mental and physical suffering are treated as separate problems when, in reality, each one intensifies the other.

Most importantly, love is never presented as a magical cure. Haven does not save Cyrus with a kiss or heal him through one beautiful speech. She does something far more meaningful: she believes him, asks the questions no one else is asking, and keeps searching when everyone around him has already accepted the easiest explanation.

Haven won me over with her quiet, stubborn strength. She knows how to protect everyone except herself, and much of her journey is about learning that loving someone should not require betraying her own boundaries. Her return to Cyrus does not erase their history. There is an enormous distance between desire and trust, filled with humiliation, violated privacy, emotional cruelty, and words that cannot simply be taken back. I appreciated that Haven remains angry, cautious, and unwilling to let passion rewrite the past as though she was never hurt.

Patrick’s absence is another emotional core of this story. He is no longer physically present, yet his memory is louder than the crowds at every Venomous concert. Through him, the novel explores survivor’s guilt, unresolved grief, unspoken love, and the desperate need to find one person to blame because accepting the senselessness of loss feels even more terrifying. Cyrus and Haven cling to their guilt because letting it go feels dangerously close to letting Patrick go as well.

Music is only language Cyrus knows how to speak honestly. In ordinary life, he hides behind insults, threats, and arrogance, but onstage he tears himself open in front of thousands of people. His songs about Haven feel like confessions that have spent years disguised as anger, which makes the rock-star atmosphere feel vivid rather than decorative.

Toxic Kiss is a messy, painful, emotionally intense story about two people who know how to love each other far better through songs and memories than they do in real life. There are choices that cannot be excused, but there is also a genuine attempt to acknowledge the damage, accept responsibility, and understand that a second chance means nothing without change.

This is not a story claiming that love must be toxic to be real. It is about two damaged people who have spent years confusing love with pain and now have to learn the difference.

Cyrus and Haven’s story left me with the feeling of standing in an empty venue after an unforgettable concert. The music has already stopped, the lights have gone dark, but your heart is still beating to its rhythm.

Intense, scorching, and genuinely heartbreaking. Five stars.

[Chloé · Rating 4 out of 5]

💚🎸Toxic Kiss by: Brooklyn Cross🎸💚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
——————-
“I’ve bled in silence so long, I forgot what it feels like to be heard.”

Yeah this book was a wild read for sure… and I was here for every second of it😉

This is a forbidden romance book with lots of bullying, second chances, and chronic illness representation. Now I definitely enjoyed the romance…but the aspect of this book that really stood out to me was how it portrayed the experience of living with a chronic illness. It highlighted how often people struggling with an illness are overlooked or dismissed while trying to get a diagnosis and that felt so incredibly real. Seeing that represented in a romance novel was refreshing and it’s something that really stuck with me.

Now let’s talk about the romance… 👀 The chemistry, the tension and the spice were wild… It was twisted, toxic, possessive and lowkey completely unapologetic about it💀 If morally gray, obsessive and possessive love interests you than I think you’ll have a lot of fun with this one. Just be sure to check the content warnings before diving in.

Overall, as a first read from Brooklyn Cross I had a great time and I can’t wait for more! This was an arc read that I received so thank you to Brooklyn and thesmuthood for trusting me with this🫶

Tropes:
💚Rockstar
🖤Step-siblings
💚Hate-to-Enemies-to-Lovers
🖤Chronic Illness Rep
💚Workplace Romance
🖤OTT/JP, Alphahole
💚If I Can't Have Her No One Can,
🖤Pierced MMC
💚Angsty
🖤Slow Burn-to-Spicy

[angelictaleslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an emotional rollercoaster! Toxic Kiss by Brooklyn Cross had me completely hooked from start to finish. This book put me through every emotion possible, and I loved every second of it.
The MMC had me constantly torn between wanting to scream at him and wanting to root for him. One minute I hated him, the next I couldn't help but love him. He's flawed, frustrating, and utterly captivating the kind of character who gets under your skin and stays there.
The chemistry, angst, and emotional tension were off the charts, making it impossible to put the book down. Every twist had me desperate to know what would happen next.
If you love dark romance with morally grey characters, intense emotions, and a story that keeps your heart racing, Toxic Kiss is a must-read. Brooklyn Cross has delivered another unforgettable book that will stay with me for a long time.
Five stars without hesitation!

[Unhinged Readers Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotional damage that I received while reading this book is criminal. I wanted to hate Cyrus 80% of the book and then all of a sudden I was crying and falling in love with this poor man.

Also, like, don’t trust anyone or these characters, main and side. Every single one of them have shit to hide and the twists and rolls that occurred during the entirety of the books gave me whiplash, and my chiropractor can confirm it.

The amount of tears I shed deserves a medal. Literally. I feel like before starting this book I didn’t think I needed an emotional spiral, but Brooklyn said “nah crack it up” and I experienced so much sadness, and anger, and revelations that make the entire storyline come together flawlessly.

I thought that I’d read bully romances, but this one takes the cake. I’m pretty sure I have a new standard. And (shockingly!) this is my first step sibling relationship book. Ya know…. I thought I would hate both of these tropes and yet… Brooklyn kills it and makes me want soooo much more.

Thank you for accepting me on the arc team!!!

[Brina's Emotional Borrow · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Toxic and full of angst. Grab your tissues.

Cyrus and Haven are both wrecked in completely different ways. He’s loud, chaotic, and always seeking attention to quiet his guilt. She’s quiet, resilient, and just wants peace, even if it means forgiving people who definitely don’t deserve it.

These two are absolutely toxic and while they really hate each other, they are drawn together like magnets and deep down really care. Every time Haven thinks things have changed, she’s proven wrong. That push and pull, mixed with her garbage childhood and Cyrus’ intense bullying is what brings all the angst and tears.

Hang-Ups and Highpoints:
For most of the book, I was sure this was going to be a 5 star read. I loved the angst and emotional wreckage. It’s automatic bonus points when a book actually makes me cry! I loved the chronic illness representation and how it made Cyrus more sympathetic (it was definitely needed). The ending had some genuinely sweet and thoughtful moments which showed he had real character growth.

But a few things held me back, and they’re more personal hang‑ups than deal breakers. I don’t love lust hazed FMCs in bully romance. It weakens their anger and makes forgiveness feel too easy. Haven also forgives everyone (Cyrus, Patrick, her dad) way faster than they ever deserve, and I wanted her to rage. Still, I appreciated that her character was consistent, that’s just who she is. I also wish the ending had a bit more closure, but I’m hoping book two will fill that gap.

If you love a toxic bully romance with a tatted, pierced rockstar, a kind hearted FMC, and some chronic illness representation, then this one’s for you.

Thank you Smuthood and Brooklyn Cross, for this ARC.

[Vivien R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Cyrus in Haven’s story. So, bluntly, Cyrus is a j3rk. When their parents marry, he relishes in h@ting his new stepsister Haven. But later on when he decides that she is going to be his, how does he redeem himself from the awful past behavior? If you love bully romance, then don’t pass this one up. It is really well written, the storyline is addictive. I enjoy this type of dark bully story and this is one of my favorites.

[Ariel Bermudez · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Received an ARC✨

Brooklyn did it again; this was another great book and I think one of her most emotional yet.

While I absolutely love her other books and series, this one felt the most real.

Haven and Cyrus go through so many ups and downs throughout the series. Themes of addiction, emotional abuse/neglect, death of parents and a friend, and more are constant throughout the book.

In addition to their tumultuous love story, one of the main plot drivers is what is ailing Cyrus. I think her portrayal of an unknown diagnosis and the unfortunate flaws of the healthcare system really hit. Cyrus was battling with something being wrong, but no one believing it was anything other than his past addictions.

This book is emotionally gripping and has you rooting for the redemption of the MMC. I absolutely enjoyed and devoured this book.

[🖤 alyssa 🩶 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toxic Kiss was an unforgettable, emotional, spicy, and phenomenal read that wrecked me in the best way 💚 Haven and Cyrus have an electric relationship and their back and forth banter was hilarious, spicy, intimate, and both devastating and heartwarming. The plot was super gripping, and this book had to be pried from my hands because of how invested I was!! I really loved the writing style and well paced, nonstop plot, and the quotes at the beginning of each chapter and all of the song lyrics were powerful words that really stuck with me, as a lot of them hit hard 💚 The more sensitive topics in this book were explained well, and some of what Cyrus went through lined up closely with my own experiences, making this such a special read to me… Before I even started reading, the dedication alone had me in tears, and then add all of Cyrus, his words, and Haven and her support, and I’m just an ever flowing mess of tears from feeling seen 😭 This is a read that is definitely going to stay very close to my heart 💚

Haven is so strong for putting her foot down with Cyrus finally and doing what’s best for her, I was happy she made that choice because she needed it 💚 When she came back, she easily fell right back into things with Cyrus, but this time it was different, he was different… And she was the only one who saw who he really was and what he was—and wasn’t—struggling with. I loved her character so much for that and for how much she fought and stood up for him 🥹 She took her time in accepting that her and Cyrus were inevitable, but once she did the temperature started rising even more, and all of the emotions did too. Just as their relationship was scorching hot, there was also layers of emotional depth between them that were intense, intimate, and gut wrenching too because of their history and shared connection with Patrick. She fits in so easily to every part of Cyrus’s life and also with the band, and it was great and oh so satisfying seeing her *fiiiiiiiiinally!!!!* tell Anita tf off 😂 Her actions consistently show her deep love and care for Cyrus, even if she wants to try and deny it! I really loved her character; Every single person out there needs themselves a Haven in their life 💚

Cyrus has my entire heart, because this man is everything 💚 He is sweet and deliciously spicy, complex, protective, sensitive, and I absolutely refuse to believe he has a single red flag anymore, I won’t hear it 😤 His complexity made his character, and I appreciated how all of his feelings and actions past and present were explained in detail. His experiences with the medical system and also judgment from the ones in his life were sad to read, and my heart broke for him a lot 🥺 It hit close to home for me, so it was easy to connect to his character, as well as he really left an impact on me because of his melt worthy, reassuring, and supportive words within the dedication, the chapter quotes, and just throughout the whole dang book 💚 He goes through such a huge character development, and I loved seeing who he became and how he got there. He has a great redemption arc that he really earned 🥹 His friendships with Vex, Ash, Ledger, and Eren were funny, yet still supportive, even if they did have a few rough patches and doubt in Cyrus. Them working through things and staying close was as needed as him and Haven getting over their bumps in the road too! I adored everything there is to Cyrus and wish I could give him the biggest hug, for making me feel seen 💚

This was a very special and impactful read for me, as I really connected with Cyrus, and I also loved Haven and the Venomous guys 💚 Cyrus and Haven’s journey is filled with some hiccups, but seeing them get through every issue made every second worth it, it was nothing they couldn’t handle! Their spiciness was red hot, and yet they had such a softness to their relationship and really saw and understood one another, being supportive and on one another’s side 🥹 I loved every bit of Cyrus and Haven’s characters, their development, and them growing closer; not to mention all of the bits of Cyrus trying to get Haven to see how they are meant for each other was so yummy and mouthwatering 😍 From the hooking and interesting plot that I couldn’t look away from and had me in tears for like half the book, to the writing style, to Cyrus and Haven who I fell in love with, every single part of this book was amazing to me. I did not want their story to be over, but at least these two will be living in my head and heart 💚

[Kimberly · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

A Toxic Love, a Hard-Earned Redemption, and One Hell of an Emotional Hangover! 💚🎶

Some authors and narrators just have a way of getting under your skin, and Brooklyn Cross is definitely one of them. I first discovered her in the audiobook Unhinged Cain, and I was more than happy to dive into another audiobook featuring her. And then there's Brandon Francis. Now, I have to admit, he's usually a bit of a hit-or-miss narrator for me (sometimes more miss than hit), but this time? He brought his A-game. In fact, this is the first book with him that I can genuinely say I absolutely loved! 🔥

And what an emotional rollercoaster this turned out to be! 🎢 We're talking toxic, messy, complicated, and downright destructive relationship dynamics, wrapped up in a whole lot of angst, hurt, and unresolved feelings. Cyrus is the kind of character who will have you questioning your sanity because one minute I hated him with every fibre of my being, and the next I couldn't help but find myself falling for him. He's flawed, infuriating, and impossible to look away from — the kind of character who gets beneath your skin and lingers long after the story ends.

This isn't an easy love story, and redemption certainly doesn't come cheap. It's hard-earned, messy, and comes with plenty of emotional baggage along the way. But that's exactly what made this story so compelling. Add in the fantastic audiobook production, the musical elements, and those beautifully delivered performances, and you've got yourself one hell of an immersive listening experience.

Let's just say I finished this one with a serious emotional hangover. And honestly? I'm still not quite over it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

WHO IS WHO:
🚺 Audrey Obeyn as Haven, the reluctant rockstar babysitter PR manager
🚹 Brandon Francis as Cyrus, the struggling rockstar
🚹 Jake McAskill as Patrick, their best friend

WHAT I LOVED:

💚 This book really puts the B in Bully. His torment techniques were on a whole other level.
💚 The toxic dynamic they’ve always had, fuelled by his manipulation and bullying, as well as his mother’s bitchy behaviour.
💚 The flashbacks to the past, whether through her memories or him reading her stolen diary.
💚 The tragic story of Patrick, their best friend
💚 How they both remember the past differently, each carrying their own hurt over what the other did (or didn’t do).
💚 All the lies and secrets that are gradually exposed as the story unfolds.
💚 How she is not (or no longer) a doormat. She leaves for college and comes back not only stronger but also engaged.
💚 The side characters, especially the wicked-witch stepmom and the neglectful dad.
💚 The sound design and musical elements, especially the singing. Such a great addition to the audiobook experience!
💚 Loved the chapter quotes, especially: "Everyone wants a piece of the chaos, until they choke on the blood underneath." and "She moved on, but I never stopped bleeding her name. And all the parts she broke, are the ones I need to survive."

SOME OF MY FAVORITE MOMENTS:

💚 when she blurts out “I’m his wife” 😂🤣
💚 when he spoons her out and eats their combined taste 👀
💚 when he sleeps with his 🍆 inside her

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
• standalone
• dual POV, 1st person
• duet narration, multi-cast
• dark rockstar romance
• bully romance
• forbidden romance (step-siblings AND she is engaged)
• enemies-to-lovers
• slow burn to high spice
• spiralling musician MMC x PR manager
• he was her first kiss (and… 👀)
• pierced MMC
• he has been pining for her
• he calls her butterfly
• she has a butterfly tattoo 🦋
• hurt and grief
• mental health/chronic illness rep
• HEA

[Tropes_and_Taboo · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Toxic Kiss (Wrecked Encore, Book 1) by Brooklyn Cross
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5🌶️🌶️🌶️
Interconnected Standalone * Dark Romance * Rockstar * Chronic Illness Portrayal * Toxic Family * Forbidden Romance * Taboo (Step-siblings) * Bullying * Enemies to Lovers * Forced Proximity * Second Chance * Exhibitionism
📖422 pages 🎧15h51
🎙️Narrated by Audrey Obyen, Brandon Francis & Jake McAskill (Immersive Multicast Duet Audio)

Holy emotional, spicy, and immersive audio experience this book was. Yes, it's a rockstar romance, but it's also a fantastic portrayal of toxic love. And while the story is emotional and, at times, beautiful, not much of what happens here is healthy. There's toxicity everywhere: parents, friends, step-family, and so on. But alongside all of that, we get a glimpse into the what and why behind the slow destruction of someone's will to lean on others and survive.

The characters were incredibly well defined, especially our main character and rockstar. We get a perfect look at his actions and how the world perceives him, but we also get to see the private side he keeps hidden. The side where chronic pain affects his life, his ability to cope, and further isolates him from the people who care about him.

This was also a fantastic portrayal of someone living with an unknown chronic illness while being gaslit by family, friends, and medical professionals with the whole "it's all in your head" routine. The search for answers can take years and countless doctors before you finally get a diagnosis that allows you to follow an appropriate treatment plan.

This is definitely the part of the story I resonated with most. I also deal with a painful chronic illness that, so far, none of the doctors I've seen have been able to diagnose. Going through it blind is scary and isolating. There are so many of us dealing with these kinds of undiagnosed conditions, and while I wouldn't wish chronic illness on anyone, seeing this experience portrayed in stories makes me feel seen. Sometimes, that representation means more than people realize.

Now, I listened to this one on audio, and I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend it. This isn't just a bedtime story being read to you. This is lived and performed. The voice actors bring their characters to life, infusing their performances with the emotions needed to pull you through the rollercoaster happening in the story. And they don't stop at the dialogue. We get additional sounds like throat clearing, sighing, and so much more.

But then the production team went above and beyond to create a fully immersive experience, adding background sounds like doors opening, crowds cheering, and other details that make you feel like you're right there in the middle of it all. Everything combined takes this far beyond a standard audiobook narration and into full on voice acting. It genuinely feels like you're watching the story unfold in real time. Phenomenal work!

And speaking of the audio, this is an emotional rockstar story. Rockstars tour, which means they sing. And we ACTUALLY get full on singing a few times! Fun fact: I was fooled and genuinely thought it was Brandon singing. But was informed they cast Jake McAskill for the singing parts, his voice blends perfectly. Well done to the production and casting teams for such a successful pairing!

One final audio recommendation: if you're like me and tend to speed up your audiobooks, I highly recommend bumping the speed back down to regular during the songs so you can enjoy the full effect. One of those songs had me tearing up.

[Michelle Munger · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She moved on, but I never stopped bleeding her name, and all the parts she broke are the ones I need to survive.”

Got me out of my current reading slump and couldn’t put this one down! 🤌🏻😘

This is probably my favorite book from Brooklyn Cross and there have been a handful of hers I have liked!

Toxic Kiss is about Haven and Cyrus and their toxic cycle that started when Havens dad married Cyrus’s mom after Havens mom passed away. Cyrus is a talented musician whose mom wanted him at the top and found Haven as someone who was basically in the way. Cyrus claimed Haven was a bad influence on Cyrus growing up when Cyrus straight up bullied Haven all through school and made her life hell. Behind closed doors though, Cyrus actually loved Haven. With the push and pull growing up and the trauma of their best friend passing away Haven moved away to New York for five years. While gone Cyrus spiraled while in the rockstar spotlight but Haven moved on and got engaged.

Haven gets a job offer from her dad as the band Venomous’s social media rep which throws her right back into Cyrus’s path. Can these two work peacefully together or will Cyrus’s bullying ways come back full swing?!

This book has so many good lines and quotes giving you all the feels! It’s a must read for sure!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cyrus & Haven

Toxic Kiss is going to take you on an emotional ride. These two have a lot to work out after the first chapters. We get glimpses of their past and it clicks. They both lost the same person but dealt with it in different ways. Cy turned to recreational habits and his music. Haven wrote in her journal and then escaped to NYC because she felt she didn't have anyone in her corner.

Cyrus not only used Haven as a verbal punching bag but treated his body like an afterthought. I really enjoyed seeing his progression as a character. The arc itself was beautiful to see. & it was also nice to see they forgave each other not to mention all of the chaos surrounding them both. Between the ex, their families and the people in their lives not related. By the end you see who you can trust and who you can't.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I really hope the whole band gets books because the start of this series was a legit banger.

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

[elle · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 51%

the MMC was so nauseatingly cruel to the FMC (like convincing the FMC to run into the ocean naked, causing her to get stung by jellyfish, and then having a bunch of other guys piss on her nude body… really?), and what happened after she was back near him for the first time in five years? immediate body betrayal syndrome. give me a fucking break 😭

with lines like, “‘if i was breakable, you would’ve left me as ash years ago,’” much of this book also reads like a mid-2000s, emo away message on AIM. making it even halfway through was a chore.

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quagmire of emotions, messy, dirty, sucking everyone down to the depths of hell....is how I'd describe this book. There's nothing pretty about it. The hero is obsessive, compulsive addict...of the girl he hates to love and loves to hate. His substance dependency issues maybe a thing of his m6rky past

“ Haven. My stepsister. My constant wrong note. From the second our lives collided, it’s been nothing but sabotage and a war between us. We’ve turned hating each other into a battlefield with no winner.”

Cyrus Vale's mother~Anita is the ultimate opportunistic leech. She moves from man to man in search of a richer life, dragging his teen boy along with. They land into the world of Haven Gaillard. Prospective heir to LG Records. Cyrus has the talent, Auguste has the wherewithal and thus starts this toxic family battle.
Haven is in love.
The breathtaking, Illogical, follow-the-heart kind of love for Cy. She absorbs all his spite, hatred, venom, lies and bullying. One day the last thread snaps and she flies away

“Cyrus will think he broke me, but really, he set me free. There’s strength in hate, the kind that burns hotter than grief and sharper than hope.”

Now she's back and he's the lead singer of Venomous, the band she'll manage and babysit Cy.
He's spiralling.
Turns out his venom hasn't dissipated...it's concentrated now, into vial of pure disdain & contempt

“She’s not here to save me, Jack. Don’t let the sweet, doe-eyed act fool you. Haven Gaillard is a Grade-A bitch. A leech in lip gloss. She plays innocent well, but she’s poison. She wraps herself in morality while stabbing you in the back with a smile. Haven Gaillard isn’t some industry fixer, she’s poison. She’s the kind of person who watches you drown just to write a blog post about it. If this is supposed to be our redemption, I’ll take damnation. I bet she won’t even last a month.””

The story follows jerky Rollercoaster with a gauntlet, roadblocks, Snap ropes, more hard hits & choking tugs I've ever read. Brooklyn keeps the characterization perfect. Cy remains Cy, till the very end.
He never smells like roses & flowers. He doesn't ride glitter and rainbows. He is like a poisonous toad in the pond. Pretty to look at, with widening nuclear level radioactive energy around him.
I stay away from lust driven hate, hence the story fell half a star short. The heroine becomes a slave to physical cravings and that makes me like her even less. Haven still keeps forgiving, still follows him with her heart eyes, still gives him time of the day and that for me, is a red flag. I wish more writers write heroines who match punch for punch, thorn for thorn in both main characters equally.
I loved the illness part, often authors rush through it, cross takes her time explaining it in detail, humanizing Cy.
Overall I loved the book.
I hated Cy with a Vengeance, his mother more so. I was pissed at his band brothers who never took time out for him. Haven I disliked a lot, and her father. Charles was incompetent Stalker and deserved his FaFo moment
I'll pick one more book from BC and see if she's consistent in her writing to decide to be a nagging, obsessive reader or not
“4.5 stars for Operation Wrecked Rockstar Commences”
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[Nikki Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay….. I have said this many times before but…. There are books that entertain you… and then there are books that leave you emotionally wrung out long after you’ve turned the final page. Toxic Kiss was absolutely the latter.

This story consumed me from beginning to end. Every chapter pulled me deeper into a relationship built on pain, anger, longing, and undeniable chemistry. There were times where I wanted to fight Cy myself and other times where I wanted to wrap him up and give him a hug and honestly, that’s what made him such a compelling character. He’s deeply flawed, makes frustrating choices, and spends much of the story battling demons that feel painfully real.

It was so heartbreaking to read about how he hid his pain behind the abuse to Haven growing up. Going back and reading of all the horrible and humiliating things he did to her but loved her so much it scared him was gut wrenching.

Haven completely stole my heart. Her strength isn’t loud—it’s found in the way she refuses to let heartbreak, manipulation, or impossible circumstances define who she is. Watching her stand her ground and demand the respect she deserved made me root for her every step of the way.

This isn’t just a dark romance filled with angst and obsession. It also shines a light on grief, mental health, chronic illness, trauma, and the invisible battles people fight behind closed doors. Those themes added so much depth to the story and made the emotional moments hit even harder.

The tension between these two was magnetic. Every confrontation, every vulnerable moment, and every unexpected twist had me flying through the pages because I needed to know what would happen next. The emotional highs and lows were relentless in the best possible way.

By the time I reached the ending, I was completely wrecked—in the best sense of the word. My jaw was on the floor, my heart was in pieces, and I couldn’t stop thinking about these characters even after I finished.

If you enjoy dark, emotionally intense romances with morally gray characters, messy healing journeys, unforgettable chemistry, and a love story that fights its way through the darkness, Toxic Kiss deserves a spot on your TBR.

This was my first Brooklynn Cross book and I NEED MORE!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An unforgettable, emotionally charged read that will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you Smuthood and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. These are my honest thoughts.

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toxic Kiss, is one of those books that sinks its teeth into you and refuses to let go, even after you’ve turned the last page.

As a dark rockstar romance, it doesn’t hold back on the toxicity, obsession, or the raw, messy edges of forbidden desire, and I was completely hooked.

Cyrus Vale is the kind of anti hero who lives up to the “wrecked” in the series title. He’s magnetic on stage, worshipped by fans, but beneath the rock god persona is a man consumed by something far more dangerous….his fixation on Haven!

Their history as stepsiblings adds a sharp, taboo layer that makes every interaction crackle with tension.

What starts as hatred and a twisted pleasure in her pain slowly morphs into a deeper, all-consuming need. Cyrus doesn’t just want Haven, he needs her in a way that feels both romantic and terrifying. His internal monologue is intense, poetic in its darkness, and brutally honest about his inability to love without destruction.

Haven is a strong heroine who doesn’t crumble easily, which makes her dynamic with Cyrus even more compelling. She’s been burned by him before and knows exactly how dangerous he is, yet the pull between them is undeniable.

Their chemistry is scorching, laced with anger, longing, and that addictive push/pull that defines the best toxic romances.

The author does an excellent job showing how obsession can masquerade as love, and how two broken people can both heal and ruin each other at the same time.

The rockstar world feels authentic, gritty, loud, and seductive without falling into clichés. The music itself becomes another character, with Cyrus’s songs serving as raw confessions of everything he can’t say out loud.

The author’s writing is atmospheric and emotional, pulling you deep into the characters’ heads and hearts. There were moments that made me wince at the toxicity, moments that made my heart race, and moments that genuinely hurt in the best way.

This isn’t a light or fluffy read. It’s dark, possessive, and unapologetically intense, which is exactly what I was craving.

If you love rockstar romances that lean heavily into the “dark” side with obsession, emotional damage, and that delicious forbidden tension you’ll devour Toxic Kiss.

It left me eager for the rest of the Wrecked Encore series and still thinking about Cyrus and Haven days later.

A solid, addictive start to what promises to be a wild ride.

🦋

[Rachel Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬…𝐂𝐲𝐫𝐮𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤. 𝐒𝐨. 𝐅*𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬.

I would like to thank those who recommended this book to me. May your coffee always be hot and the side of your pillow be cold.

This is my first book by Brooklyn Cross and I can guarantee that it will not be my last. What a ride. This book was addictive and I could not stop once I started. Up until 4 AM this morning getting in a few more chapters because I love Cyrus and Haven. Then just finishing it now. Please tell me that there is going to be a second book. I need to know more about the other members of this band.

Whenever a book promises to be toxic I am usually let down by a few harsh names and a little bulling but Toxic Kiss more than delivered on the bully and toxic romance. Good lord I was on the edge of my seat throughout this entire book.

I've read bullying scenes in so many other books but Brooklyn took it to a whole new level with Cyrus. That man waves around so many 🚩🚩🚩 that he his picture should be next to it in the dictionary 😂 Cyrus is not the typical hero and he never claims to be because he is brutal. He is toxic. He sees a line and not the recreational drug kinda line and he just sails right over it giving the middle finger.

He's an a$$hole and god I am here for it. I've bought a front row ticket to that show. There is so much covered in this book and not just the toxic relationship between Cyrus and Haven. But there is mental health, abuse of power, abuse within the family, blackmail and so much more. There is not a box that Brooklyn hasn't ticked with this masterpiece of writing.

The story was heartbreaking at times and its not a fairytale romance with a shining white knight. Its dark, degrading and yet by the end you feel at peace with how it ended but yet still want more. This book is definitely in my top ten books that I've read this year and I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Please tell me that we get a book about Vex. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would.

[Gretel A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my honest, voluntary review.

Bully romance indeed. The FMC, Haven, is pulled back into the rockstar world of her step-brother, Cyrus, after she escaped to New York to build a life for herself.
She survived her mother's passing, her father's neglect as a busy record producer, and a childhood spent under crippling bullying by her step-mother and step-brother. She has come back to LA to try and reclaim her promised place at her father's record company, only to be thrust back into Cyrus's cycle of torture. Pain from their past traumas, feelings unexpressed and regretful choices spiral into a fall that threatens everything they know to be true.

I typically enjoy a morally gray man, but for some reason i could not find it in myself to root for Cyrus. Some of the bullying scenes felt so reprehensible, I questioned Haven's mental state even considering any contact with Cyrus. I did not want to give him a pass or understanding about any of his actions, regardless of his own trials that may have pushed him to act that way. I truly did not know how Haven could allow or make excuses for things that were done to her. Also, Haven's father was presented as a relatively good man, but as the story developed I couldn't get over how annoying absent and blind he was to his daughter's plight. I know it's an all too common occurrence for a man to lose their wife and then remarry and act like the child no longer needs special attention since there is a mother figure fill in. It's been proven time and again this is the farthest thing from the truth. I guess this was written very realistically, but I hated reading it cause it hit too close to home.

What I did enjoy about the book:
I'm always impressed with song lyrics in books. I feel like writing songs is incredibly difficult so I liked that element added in.
Haven's character was likable, even if I couldn't fathom how she could ever give these people the benefit of the doubt after all that transported, especially the beach flashback, I mean come on!
The venomous bandmates were interesting supporting characters. I loved the found family and bonds those men shared and wished we'd have more in depth scenes showing those relationships.

Overall, I struggled to get through this book for some reason. I don't think it was bad, I just did not connect with it.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toxic kiss is just like your favourite breakup song. It speaks to you on a soul crushing deeper level, it captivates you, draws you in and grips your heart, never letting go. Hauntingly beautiful, It rips you open, exposing all of the sharp and bloody edges, only to piece by piece stitch you back up. Remembering the scars, owning your trauma and healing you for the better.

Cy + Haven’s journey is tumultuous, chaotic and filled with deep seeded pain, trauma and sorrow.
Everyone deals with their grief differently. Cy used his pain and turned it into a weapon. Destroying everything in his path, targeting Haven for his complicated feelings for her and refusing to understand why.
Haven standing up for herself, standing up to Cy and his vindictive mother, refuses to let them break her. Even when they’ve turned everyone against her.

Toxic Kiss is such an emotional rollercoaster. I was instantly invested. A true bully enemies to lovers, I was hooked and devoured this read in one day. The mental wreckage each character goes through. Mental health and chronic illness get a spotlight throughout Toxic Kiss. The pain, the paranoia, always having to advocate for yourself when others are disbelieving, thinking the worst. If you’ve ever dealt with mental health or chronic illness, this book really helps to bring awareness and bring a level of clarity and understanding, validating the inner workings, symptoms and struggles of people who suffer.

A Butterfly being the perfect metaphor for transformative change, evolving and rejuvenation. Cy, chooses Haven. When everything around him, including his own mind and body, deceives him. She walks back into his life…He hones into the one feeling that never went away. Haven is home.

Breathing new life into their connection. Cy + Haven work uphill, against everyone and everything life throws at them…
Recalibrating how he sees Haven, his body and his illness.
Learning to take accountability, owning up to his mistakes, trying to be better.

It’s them against the world.
Anyone in their way better watch out,

Highly recommend 🫶🏻

Thank you Literally Yours PR + Brooklyn for this ARC!

Happy Reading
😊🎶💋

[spicybookmama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time and time again, Brooklyn Cross’s books hit emotionally deep and dark but Toxic Kiss takes us to a whole other level. Bully romance is one of my favorite kind of reads and boy this hits the mark. My goodness, Haven is put through some unfathomable traumatic experiences, from many angles, but her spirit is strong and she is a fighter. Somehow through it all, she remains true to herself, retaining her generosity, kindness, and beautiful soul. Once again, Brooklyn has given us a character in Cyrus that should be so hard to love and yet through his emotional and character evolution it’s impossible not to fall so hard for him. His struggles, while not enough to justify his horrendous behavior, gives understanding to who he is and how he became this way. His evolution is epic and an emotional heart scalding journey. Toxic is the perfect word to describe their relationship throughout the story. What is unwavering is the chemistry and undeniable pull Haven and Cyrus have towards one another. The tension is high, full of raw emotion and vulnerability. This road to redemption it’s perfectly written and takes us through the full gambit of feels. The members of Venomous are each charismatic in their own way and their devotion and loyalty to one another adds multiple layers to the story. This book is so much more than a rockstar romance. It is a true redemption story, showing what it means to know how you deserve to be loved and the willingness to do what’s necessary at all costs to make that happen for the one you love. I don’t have enough words to express my love for this book and I cannot recommend it enough.

[Leigh Cleary · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️.5

I wasn’t overly impressed with Toxic Kiss, to the point where I considered whether I could muster the gall required to continue (I did, obvs, but it was a long hard slog).
In the main, I couldn’t get past the misrepresentation of the word ‘bully.’ The MMC wasn’t a bully, he was a criminal. I’ve read lots of bully romances, and look, I get it—they’re always way meaner because it’s fiction. But this didn’t feel like that, it went beyond humiliating to danger of life, but of course—and this was probably the worst of it for me—the FMC forgives him!!

My thoughts are a little scrambled as I’ve literally just finished reading, but I’ll try and organise them a little here:

1. The reason for the bullying just wasn’t enough for me, nor was it plausible even in fiction—somebody should’ve called the police or child services.
2. The FMC (whilst written as overly forgiving) was way too soft with every single person that wronged her. ‘Oh you tried to drown me, stripped me naked and pissed on me in front of the entire school, allowed your mother to be extremely cruel to me…and now you want to have sex??? 🤔 Ok!’
3. Point 2.
4. Well written, only spotted one or two minor typos missed in editing but that didn’t take away from the author’s intent. Not overly descriptive, characters internal dialogue well represented, would’ve appreciated more show less tell (wasn’t too bad but worth mentioning).
5. Some plot points were wildly unrealistic, but aside from a couple of eye rolls it wasn’t too much to distract.

Overall, this IS an emotionally charged romance, with some depth of character and a smattering of spice. It didn’t grab me emotionally the way some books in the genre have, but it wasn’t terrible either—an average rockstar story and perfect for anyone out there with a humiliation kink.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolute perfection! I was completely hooked from page one, stayed up way too late, and physically could not bring myself to put it down. I had a feeling from the dedication page alone that I was going to love it, but it exceeded every single expectation I had.

Cyrus and Haven are the ultimate forbidden, enemies-to-lovers pair. High-school or college bullying storylines can sometimes turn me off, but Brooklyn handled it brilliantly here—it had enough edge to feel truly cruel without crossing into being over-the-top or irredeemable. Plus, I completely fell in love with all the band members and how much they cared for both Haven and Cyrus.

What impacted me the most, however, was the autoimmune disease representation. While I don't have an autoimmune condition myself, I live with chronic daily pain from a car accident, so I deeply relate to the frustration of not being believed just because you "look fine" on the outside. The way Brooklyn wrote about Cyrus’s pain, invisible struggles, and daily reality was so painfully accurate and deeply validating.

I literally ate this book up and left no crumbs! Easily a top read of the year.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶🌶🌶

[Maddy Matos · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since a book pulled me in from the very first chapter. Cyrus & Haven did exactly that.

Cyrus is a walking, talking collection of bad decisions, jealousy, hatred…and yes, love. As a stepbrother, he’s an absolute nightmare. The cruelty he inflicts on Haven is heartbreaking, and reading her journal was painful—not just for Cyrus, but for me as well.

Haven is beautiful, kind, sweet, and incredibly strong-willed. Cyrus is determined to break her, trying every cruel idea his twisted mind can come up with. He turns her teenage years into a lonely, heartbreaking experience filled with pain.

They’ve both suffered the devastating loss of a parent, but Haven handles her grief with so much more strength than Cyrus. His anger consumes him, and instead of admitting how deeply he loves her, he spends years pushing her away.

This is a true love story that spans years of heartbreak. The one night they finally spend together should have changed everything, but Haven overhears Cyrus on the phone saying terrible things about her. Heartbroken, she leaves for New York that very night. Cyrus never knows why she disappeared, and her absence only adds to his misery.

I loved seeing every terrible thing Cyrus put Haven through come back to haunt him as he secretly reads the journal he stole from her. Watching him finally understand the pain he caused made every page worth it.

I also loved every member of Venomous, Cyrus’s band, especially Vex. They each bring something unique to the group, and I can’t wait to read a book about every one of them.

This book is scorching hot. Every scene between Cyrus and Haven could practically set my Kindle on fire. Their chemistry is intense, fueled by years of denial, longing, and emotional conflict. I couldn’t put this book down. If I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it or trying to figure out when I could pick it back up.

The hardest part was wanting to race to the ending because I desperately needed answers about Cyrus’s condition and, of course, my happily-ever-after. At the same time, I didn’t want the story to end because I knew my next read would have a hard time living up to this one.

Some of Cyrus’s internal thoughts had me laughing out loud—the man has absolutely no filter. Haven’s inner dialogue was just as entertaining. Together, they created an unforgettable mix of humor, heartbreak, and undeniable chemistry.

I’m a sucker for a happy ending, and this one absolutely delivered. Every loose end is tied up beautifully, and I finished the book with a huge smile on my face.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five stars! I highly recommend this emotional, addictive, and unforgettable romance.

[angelictaleslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was already OBSESSED with Toxic Kiss when I first read the ebook, so I was ridiculously excited to experience it all over again in audio. And honestly? THE AUDIO DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
I already knew I loved this story, but listening to it brought a whole new level of enjoyment. The obsession, the toxic love, the forbidden desire and all that deliciously dark rockstar energy... I was just as hooked the second time around!
And can we PLEASE talk about Audrey Obyen and Brandon Francis?!
These two absolutely smashed it. Their narration brought the characters and emotions to life in a way that made me fall in love with the story all over again. The voices, the delivery, the emotion... everything just worked. They made an already addictive story even more immersive, and I genuinely didn't want to stop listening.
It's not often an audiobook makes you appreciate a story you already love even more, but this one absolutely did.
Already loved the ebook. Completely obsessed with the audiobook.
Five massive stars from me!
Brooklyn Cross, you did it again. And Audrey and Brandon, take a bow because THAT was an incredible listening experience!

[Sammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this forbidden, step-siblings, rockstar romance! Add in the bullying trope and it really was a perfect toxic combo!

Cyrus and Haven are red flags for each other but can’t seem to stay away. The story follows as their parents get married when they’re teenagers, Cyrus makes it in music and Haven moved away, and then eventually she comes back into the picture and how they try to coexist years later as adults. There is a lot of intense history between them and strong feelings on both sides that come to light… this was addicting! And really easy to get lost in. I flew through their love story, even though it was hard to read at times.

Thank you Smuthood for the ARC!

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ALC from the author via NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

- 🗣️ Duet narration
- ✌️Dual POV
- 🎧Enhanced audio with sound effects
- 📕 Standalone in planned interconnected series
- 🖊️ Epigraphs
- ❌ Taboo step-siblings
- 🎸 Bully, rockstar romance
- ⭐️Mental health, addiction, & chronic illness rep
- 💪🏻 Resilient MFC
- 🌶️Spicy
- ❤️ HEA

I came into this FULLY aware that this was a TOXIC bully rockstar romance. I love Brandon's narration and rockstar romances, so I figured, why not? The trigger warnings were a second reminder of just how toxic this story would be. I came in with realistic expectations! Also, many of the things I loved about this book are things that would be HUGE red flags in real life. But this is fiction, and I can enjoy things in fiction that I would absolutely hate in reality.

WOW! 🤩 The audio for this book was one of the best I have ever heard. I was blown away! Also, what was in the water? This toxic bully rockstar romance was so exciting and intriguing, I couldn’t stop listening, I needed to know what would happen!

Seriously, the audio was fantastic from the very beginning. There was music and a variety of sound effects incorporated into the narration that added so much to the story and elevated the entire listening experience. We had music, background noises like people chatting and car horns, and effects that made it sound like someone was talking on a cell phone or through a microphone. The attention to these details was incredible. The sound effects were FANTASTIC!

The book opened with Brandon's narration, and OF COURSE he brought so much passion. I fully believed this character was angry, traumatized, and burnt out. Brandon has an incredible ability to bring the characters written on the page to life, and his approach is so different from most male narrators. I am always blown away! His ability to portray dark, brooding, emo, angry, and sexy men is extraordinary. He even incorporated little details, like a huff or clearing his throat, when they were written into the story, as well as when they weren't explicitly written but fit the scene. I was so impressed. Great job, Brandon!

Audrey also did a phenomenal job! She narrated the MFC so well. Chapter 3 was the first chapter from the MFC's POV, and I FELT everything. She was so sad and devastated, and I believed it. Then she became angry, and I believed that too. As the book progressed, I couldn't believe how much Audrey brought this female character to life. Her inflections, tone, and added energy created the feeling of an actual person experiencing these moments rather than someone simply reading words from a book. SOOOO GOOD!

And Audrey and Brandon together? WOW! They made me believe everything!

Jake had a smaller narrative role in this book, but he still rocked it. His voice was distinctly different from Brandon's, and his addition to the story was seamless. He also brought a lighter tone to the overall narration.

The Characters & Story

The book started five years in the past, introducing us to the characters and establishing the beginning of their story before flashing forward to the present. The author's writing created depth immediately, which is something I LOVE. These were not flat characters. They were people with histories, experiences, and layers. We were shown who they were and, more importantly, WHY they thought, felt, and behaved the way they did. The author took the time to develop complex and nuanced characters, and I appreciated that so much.

Let me tell you, the author did an incredible job creating an MMC who was a complete emo, lashing-out, dramatic bully. He was mean and toxic (shocking, right?). I loved to hate him, all while somehow having empathy for him. The author did such a great job developing his backstory and explaining why he became the person he was. I didn't like him at all, yet I still felt for him. As I learned more about him throughout the book, I actually started to like him. But let me tell you, that journey was ROUGH. I think that was intentional, and I absolutely loved it as a fictional experience.

Something else I loved, which I would absolutely hate in real life, was his persistence. He was obsessed with the MFC and did everything and anything to show her she was his. The author did a great job writing that obsessive, possessive side of him.

Similarly, the MFC had a backstory that gave her so much depth. I understood her motivations and behaviors because the author took the time to establish who she was from the beginning. I had a lot of empathy for her, too. I wanted her to stand up for herself earlier, but I understood why she didn't. And when she finally did? I was SO proud of her!

Overall, she was resilient, compassionate, empathetic, and intelligent. She had a backbone, could read the room, and demonstrated strong emotional intelligence. I loved watching her grow throughout the story. I will go more into the characters in a little bit.

A Little Background on the Characters and the Beginning of Their Story:

⭐️ MFC: the MFC‘s father owned a record label. When MFC was a teenager, her mother died of cancer. Her father married the MMC's mother soon after her mother died, leaving to her becoming step-siblings with the MMC. Her best friend, Patrick, then became best friends with the MMC, leaving the MFC behind. Tragically, Patrick later died while driving intoxicated. The MFC always loved the MMC, but he was awful. All she wanted was for him to see her, but instead, he bullied her repeatedly. Eventually, he gave her the attention she had always wanted, only to emotionally abuse her again. He would always pull the rug out from under her after he was really nice to her.

⭐️ MMC: His father died, and his mother married the MFC's father. Because the MMC was a musician and the MFC's father owned a record label, he was given an opportunity to pursue music to an all star level. He also became best friends with Patrick, the MFC's best friend. When Patrick died, people blamed the MMC. The deaths of both his father and best friend contributed to his unhealthy and toxic coping mechanisms. He lashed out, used drugs, and slept with everyone. Deep down, he loved the MFC, but instead of dealing with those feelings, he chose to bully her.

At one point, the MMC finally shared some of his feelings, and the MFC set aside all the bullying she endured. She lost her virginity to him, only for him to take a phone call and say some absolutely nasty things about her. This becomes the catalyst for the MFC to finally stand up for herself and leave. I LOVED the moment she walked away. GOOD FOR HER!

The book then picked up five years later. I really appreciated that the author took time to not only develop the characters, but also develop the story so that, when we got to the current timeline, it all made sense. The hate, the tension, the resentment, the trauma reactions, the spice, it all made so much more sense.

In the current timeline, the MFC found herself having to work with the MMC. She wanted to take over her father's company, and managing the MMC's social media became her opportunity to prove she could handle even the worst of the worst. If she could manage him, she could manage the company (what her father said).

As the story progressed, the author further demonstrated even more of the incredible character depth. I truly understood how each character was thinking and feeling because of the author's attention to their individual experiences and perspectives. I could feel how lonely and numb the MMC was. I could see and feel him being a grade-A emotionally abusive bag of crap. And the MFC? I could see and feel the fire she had within her because of how he burned her. I LOVED her strength! She was so resilient, strong, intelligent, and humanistic. She was messy and flawed, but also had a backbone. She was excellent.

The flashbacks to the MMC bullying the MFC were BRUTAL. He truly was a POS. My empathy for him definitely decreased when he made the choice to pull the senior prank. And these flashbacks only got worse. I did not believe that author could redeem him, as he really sucked as a teenager.

One thing I particularly enjoyed was watching BOTH MCs begin to stand up for themselves. I loved when the MMC finally stood up to his mother and the MFC's father. And WOW, the twist involving the MMC's mother and the MFC's father! 🤯 I absolutely loved that the MMC called them out.

The MFC also started finding her voice and standing up for herself. She had always pushed back against the MMC, but now she was also sparring with her father and stepmother. YES! I absolutely loved seeing her do that.

And when the MMC was finally ready to be vulnerable, she essentially said absolutely not and walked out. GOOD FOR HER! He didn't deserve her at that point. He needed to grovel for everything he had put her through.

The back-and-forth between these two was fantastic. The MMC eventually owned his behavior and repeatedly told AND showed her how sorry he was. Of course, the MFC was hesitant for quite some time, and he had to earn her trust. Normally, in real life, we'd say RUN and never look back. But this is fiction, and I loved watching him work to earn her back and seeing her eventually move forward with him.

The MFC was such a well-rounded character, and I enjoyed watching BOTH MCs work through and heal from their trauma. It was a rough journey, but ultimately a highly satisfying one. And again, his persistence in showing her that she was his? DELIGHTFUL in the context of this fictional romance!

As a clinical psychologist, I thought the author did a really great job writing the crisis hotline worker. However, the psychiatrist misusing his position of power to threaten the MMC was gross. I see why the author wrote that, but it still gave me the ick as a professional in the psychology/psychiatry field.

Other Thoughts:

There were SO many characters in this book whom I loved to hate. For a while, that included the MFC’s father, for the whole book the MMC's mother, and there were other characters I despised. The MMC's mother with the MMC really reminded me of Britney Spears and her father. It made me wonder whether that was an inspiration for the storyline surrounding the MMC.

And the spice! WOW. Doors were kicked in, and jail cell bars were involved. That's all I'll say about that. 🔥

I also really enjoyed the mystery surrounding what was medically wrong with the MMC. It was an interesting thread woven throughout the story, and I found myself invested in figuring out what was happening. It actually made me wonder whether the author had personally experienced a medical condition being dismissed by doctors. That storyline was a significant part of the book, and I connected with it personally, as a doctor dismissing my medical condition has happened in real life. I think many readers will find it relatable, too.

There was a twist toward the end that was SHOCKING! I absolutely did not see that coming. The information revealed was needed to help explain the earlier behavior by Patrick towards the MFC. It made sense, but I still thought Patrick sucked for his choice. I loved that Patrick developed insight and had closure with the MFC before he died.

The overall pacing was perfect, it wasn’t too fast, nor too slow. The writing was descriptive and had depth. There was grit to the overall story, and so many emotions were provoked. The ending wrapped everything up and resolved all the major conflict. It was an HEA that was difficult to get to, but the author did it and I loved it.

Overall, this was an incredibly entertaining listening experience. The narration was phenomenal, the enhanced audio was next-level, and the characters were complex, messy, and deeply flawed. I loved watching both MCs navigate their trauma, confront their pasts, and grow throughout the story. It was toxic, angsty, spicy, and emotionally complicated, exactly what I expected going in!