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Darker Places #1
Desired
A man like me isn’t capable of redemption. I sell women. Abuse them. Demean them. The day I banged the gavel for the first time is the day I sold my soul, and there’s no coming back from that. I’ve never wanted to. Until she shows up.
She should be just another commodity, but I’m drawn to her in a way I didn’t think was possible. Against my better judgement, I take her for myself, convinced she’s an itch I have to scratch. But she has me under her spell and wishing for redemption instead.
The problem is, when you try to crawl out of Hell, the demons drag you back down. And I’m afraid my demons will drag her down with me.
Nicole Cypher delivers a dark romance that will leave you shuddering!
Desired is the first book in the interconnected standalone series Darker Places. It's a complete story with a guaranteed HEA and NO cliffhanger. This book contains dark subject matter. Reader discretion is advised.
She should be just another commodity, but I’m drawn to her in a way I didn’t think was possible. Against my better judgement, I take her for myself, convinced she’s an itch I have to scratch. But she has me under her spell and wishing for redemption instead.
The problem is, when you try to crawl out of Hell, the demons drag you back down. And I’m afraid my demons will drag her down with me.
Nicole Cypher delivers a dark romance that will leave you shuddering!
Desired is the first book in the interconnected standalone series Darker Places. It's a complete story with a guaranteed HEA and NO cliffhanger. This book contains dark subject matter. Reader discretion is advised.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2019
597 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
May 27, 2019
I loved it! For a first time author, I thought she did really well. I loved Katie and her eternal optimism and I was intrigued by Kevin and what made him derail in life the way he did.
Katie is only nineteen and basically pawned off by her father as payment for his gambling debts. From there she ends up in a holding facility for sex trafficking run by Kevin and his brother. But Katie isn't like all the rest, Kevin sees something in her that illuminates him and has him enthralled with her. And he wants more of it!
The story was good. The characters were well fleshed out and there was enough at play to keep me interested. It doesn't have that much sex for a dark romance or a sex trafficking story but still and all I absolutely enjoyed it!
Katie is only nineteen and basically pawned off by her father as payment for his gambling debts. From there she ends up in a holding facility for sex trafficking run by Kevin and his brother. But Katie isn't like all the rest, Kevin sees something in her that illuminates him and has him enthralled with her. And he wants more of it!
The story was good. The characters were well fleshed out and there was enough at play to keep me interested. It doesn't have that much sex for a dark romance or a sex trafficking story but still and all I absolutely enjoyed it!
April 28, 2019
When i found Nicole’s request for reviewers,and saw the blurb of Desired,i immediately reached out.
And even though i’m not on Amazon,she was kind enough to send me a copy.
After reading Desired,i have to say i am impressed. If this is her first,she is good,and i want to read more of the series.
This one,Desired,tells us the story of Katie. Her father sells her to Kevin’s organization to settle his debt. Kevin is intrigued by her innocence and demeanor,and decides to keep her himself instead of selling her. Katie is afraid of this man with an angels face,but cold eyes and cruel behaviour. But slowly he starts to show her another side of him. She’s changing him,making him remember the man he used to be,and that’s a side she starts to care about.
Is it Stockholm? Or is it real? And if it is,do they have a future with his background?
As i said,a good story. One that read smoothly and kept my interest throughout.
Not too long,but with enough detail to see the full characters.
This review is my honest opinion of the ARC i received.
And even though i’m not on Amazon,she was kind enough to send me a copy.
After reading Desired,i have to say i am impressed. If this is her first,she is good,and i want to read more of the series.
This one,Desired,tells us the story of Katie. Her father sells her to Kevin’s organization to settle his debt. Kevin is intrigued by her innocence and demeanor,and decides to keep her himself instead of selling her. Katie is afraid of this man with an angels face,but cold eyes and cruel behaviour. But slowly he starts to show her another side of him. She’s changing him,making him remember the man he used to be,and that’s a side she starts to care about.
Is it Stockholm? Or is it real? And if it is,do they have a future with his background?
As i said,a good story. One that read smoothly and kept my interest throughout.
Not too long,but with enough detail to see the full characters.
This review is my honest opinion of the ARC i received.
October 22, 2019
I really enjoyed the first book I read by this author called "Unhinged" and I suppose I had high expectations for this one. I enjoyed it okay but it didn't hold my interest like Unhinged did.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series though as I liked Snake's character and would love to hear his story.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series though as I liked Snake's character and would love to hear his story.
March 27, 2019
A ray of light may do the difference to someone who lives in the dark.
Katie has the ability to find goodness in evil, so she appreciates every gentle move of akevin.
There is pain, endurance, darkness and passion.
I loved it.
Katie has the ability to find goodness in evil, so she appreciates every gentle move of akevin.
There is pain, endurance, darkness and passion.
I loved it.
October 21, 2019
4.5 stars
Although I’ve read many, many, many sex trafficking stories similar to this one, from the start I was sucked in by the main characters. This book is eloquent with only one obvious typo in the entire manuscript. However, there are huge, major, gaping holes in the storyline. As I said, I’ve read other stories like this, so I understand how the Master/slave dynamic develops, but all of that is omitted. That is just one example; there are several other missing factors and parts of the storyline that did not add up. Regardless, I still enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading the rest of the series!!!
Although I’ve read many, many, many sex trafficking stories similar to this one, from the start I was sucked in by the main characters. This book is eloquent with only one obvious typo in the entire manuscript. However, there are huge, major, gaping holes in the storyline. As I said, I’ve read other stories like this, so I understand how the Master/slave dynamic develops, but all of that is omitted. That is just one example; there are several other missing factors and parts of the storyline that did not add up. Regardless, I still enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading the rest of the series!!!
August 24, 2019
Would have been 4.5 had the H remained celibate. Giving it 3⭐ because he was with OW and brought home some random w even though h was in his house
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 9, 2025🎁 FREE on iBooks today (8/13/2020)! 🎁
November 19, 2019
Hm... I'm sorry to say... but I'm ready to quit @ 50%??? This book isn't really working for me. He isn't convincing me as a Master... and she isn't convincing me as a slave. Bummer... I had such high hopes! I know it’s me.... apparently I have read too many M/s books in the past. I’m just really over reading those stories.
EE; BotM October 2019.
EE; BotM October 2019.
May 14, 2024
Good first round. Let's see what is next.
I definitely liked the story of Katie and Kevin. Some times it was great and some times it was a bit too, I don't know, unbelievable. I will read the next one in series.....snake 🐍. Let's see
I definitely liked the story of Katie and Kevin. Some times it was great and some times it was a bit too, I don't know, unbelievable. I will read the next one in series.....snake 🐍. Let's see
May 18, 2019
Fantastic story!!
February 23, 2025
Een zeer vrouwonvriendelijk boek met slavernij en veel hiërarchie. Zo spannend dat die met een paar dagen uit was…
April 1, 2019
This is a very dark romance and therefore has a lot of triggers – you have been warned! The two main characters meet when the female, Katie is sold to human traffickers. There are a lot of bad, nasty, evil men around and yet one of them, Kevin, decides he like Katie and keeps her for himself as his slave. Obviously, there is some conflict there especially as Katie is sweet and innocent preferring to look for the good in people but also because of this refuse to give in and change. This is a very emotional read and due to the plot and subject matter takes the reader at times to places they probably would rather not go!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 27, 2024
Kevin and Katie
I read a lot of Mafia romance,most of them are considered " dark".Nope.Not compared to this.I never read a book about human trafficking from the trafficker's perspective before.You got to see how impersonal,yet evil it is.Kevin started out cold,inhuman and scary and slowly was changing how he saw the women he sold,solely because of Katie.I just felt the hopelessness of the women trained to be sex slaves then sold to monsters.This was the first book I have read by this author.I liked it but was made too uncomfortable by the cruelty,hence 4 stars instead of 5.
I read a lot of Mafia romance,most of them are considered " dark".Nope.Not compared to this.I never read a book about human trafficking from the trafficker's perspective before.You got to see how impersonal,yet evil it is.Kevin started out cold,inhuman and scary and slowly was changing how he saw the women he sold,solely because of Katie.I just felt the hopelessness of the women trained to be sex slaves then sold to monsters.This was the first book I have read by this author.I liked it but was made too uncomfortable by the cruelty,hence 4 stars instead of 5.
April 10, 2022
★ Claimed by Mr Angel-Face ★
—>>> College freshman Katie Bradshaw is taken as payment for an unpaid debt and kept by a man named Kevin who looks like an angel but who has a heart of a trafficker…until he decides he wants to keep her for himself because her heart of gold reaches his soul already lost to darkness and the family business. Her innocence and life’s circumstances land Katie in his brutal grasp, but he becomes someone she finds she wants to stay for despite what he does.
—>>> College freshman Katie Bradshaw is taken as payment for an unpaid debt and kept by a man named Kevin who looks like an angel but who has a heart of a trafficker…until he decides he wants to keep her for himself because her heart of gold reaches his soul already lost to darkness and the family business. Her innocence and life’s circumstances land Katie in his brutal grasp, but he becomes someone she finds she wants to stay for despite what he does.
April 21, 2019
He takes and sell women like a shop sells goods. He never gave it a second thought until she appeared. He watched her on the screens but she would not be going to the auction as she will be his. What will she think of that? See what she will do
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 27, 2023
DNF - 9%
I am not sure if I should rate this book because I can't identify something specific that I dislike about it, but we are definitely not compatible (it's me, not you kind of thing), hence the 2 star rating.
I am new to dark romance - I am so new that this is the first one I started so... so definitely not what I expected. It was not fun, it was not interesting, it does not have that alluring thing that dark things can have (like *cough, cough* Draco Malfoy has for example *cough, cough*). I guess I like the idea of a dark romance and a morally gray hero when most of the questionable things happen outside the book, but in this one they were too explicit, too in your face, too something I definitely do not want in a romance book (and we are not talking kink here!). Plus our hero? Not gray at all, big big bad wolf without an ounce of remorse or emotions.
And yeah, I am sure she will change it because that's what 19 y/o wallflowers do, right? They change the big human traffickers (who btw unalived a girl in second chapter already). And then what? I will care for him? I don't think so.
I was not impressed with him, I did not care for the heroine either - when authors give sobbing backstories to the characters just to make me feel something for them it does not work for me. I have nothing against sobbing backstories if it's presented in a more authentic way, not just as information dump so I feel sorry and care for the heroine from the first chapters. Make that trauma mean something for the character, let me see if in another way than info dump.
So, yeah, not gonna finish this one. It's not for me. I cannot tell you anything about the spice because I did not get that far (and I am happy I haven't), I do not care for our MCs, and the fact that everyone's name is with K makes me think Kris Jenner wrote this.
I am not sure if I should rate this book because I can't identify something specific that I dislike about it, but we are definitely not compatible (it's me, not you kind of thing), hence the 2 star rating.
I am new to dark romance - I am so new that this is the first one I started so... so definitely not what I expected. It was not fun, it was not interesting, it does not have that alluring thing that dark things can have (like *cough, cough* Draco Malfoy has for example *cough, cough*). I guess I like the idea of a dark romance and a morally gray hero when most of the questionable things happen outside the book, but in this one they were too explicit, too in your face, too something I definitely do not want in a romance book (and we are not talking kink here!). Plus our hero? Not gray at all, big big bad wolf without an ounce of remorse or emotions.
And yeah, I am sure she will change it because that's what 19 y/o wallflowers do, right? They change the big human traffickers (who btw unalived a girl in second chapter already). And then what? I will care for him? I don't think so.
I was not impressed with him, I did not care for the heroine either - when authors give sobbing backstories to the characters just to make me feel something for them it does not work for me. I have nothing against sobbing backstories if it's presented in a more authentic way, not just as information dump so I feel sorry and care for the heroine from the first chapters. Make that trauma mean something for the character, let me see if in another way than info dump.
So, yeah, not gonna finish this one. It's not for me. I cannot tell you anything about the spice because I did not get that far (and I am happy I haven't), I do not care for our MCs, and the fact that everyone's name is with K makes me think Kris Jenner wrote this.
November 15, 2023
Desired by Nicole Cypher
Book 1 in the Darker Places series
Wow! This one was pretty dark, definitely check your triggers before reading.
I have finished the book now and would rate it 4*
The main characters are Kevin and Katie.
Kevin is not a nice guy, in all honesty he's a monster.
Katie is just a young woman, loving her life when her life is completely turned upside down.
Kevin is Katie's 'Master' she was taken as payment for debts that couldn't be paid and ended up in a s£x traffic ring. However, Kevin decided he wanted her for his own so took her home.
Without giving away too much, things work out for the better... or do they?!
Definitely not an easy read, however the storyline highlights points and is kind of educational as this sort of thing does happen (as much as it shouldn't) All in all is a good book. Plenty of drama, torment, lust, love and emotions. Worth a read for sure, but please check triggers.
The characters are diverse with very different personalities. Some are naive & sweet, others not so much. Kevin and Katie have a lot of personal growth in this story and both overcome things and grow as a person.
Trigger warnings; s£x trafficking, alcohol abuse, forced proximity, violence, death and drugs.
Book 1 in the Darker Places series
Wow! This one was pretty dark, definitely check your triggers before reading.
I have finished the book now and would rate it 4*
The main characters are Kevin and Katie.
Kevin is not a nice guy, in all honesty he's a monster.
Katie is just a young woman, loving her life when her life is completely turned upside down.
Kevin is Katie's 'Master' she was taken as payment for debts that couldn't be paid and ended up in a s£x traffic ring. However, Kevin decided he wanted her for his own so took her home.
Without giving away too much, things work out for the better... or do they?!
Definitely not an easy read, however the storyline highlights points and is kind of educational as this sort of thing does happen (as much as it shouldn't) All in all is a good book. Plenty of drama, torment, lust, love and emotions. Worth a read for sure, but please check triggers.
The characters are diverse with very different personalities. Some are naive & sweet, others not so much. Kevin and Katie have a lot of personal growth in this story and both overcome things and grow as a person.
Trigger warnings; s£x trafficking, alcohol abuse, forced proximity, violence, death and drugs.
March 12, 2020
Loved this dark, twisted tale!!
Kevin has been trafficking women for his family for about four years now. He started doing it after a rather dark period in his life due to a devastating loss he suffered. When Katie is brought in as payment for her father's gambling debt he takes notice of her, but treats her the same as any other slave. As time for the upcoming auction draws near Katie seems to be on Kevin's mind more and more. He ends up taking her as his own slave and so begins their twisted tale. Will Katie be able to bring Kevin back to understanding that trafficking women is a bad thing and they are people too, not just slaves meant to please their masters? Or is it far too late to save him? This is a great read and I highly recommend it!
Kevin has been trafficking women for his family for about four years now. He started doing it after a rather dark period in his life due to a devastating loss he suffered. When Katie is brought in as payment for her father's gambling debt he takes notice of her, but treats her the same as any other slave. As time for the upcoming auction draws near Katie seems to be on Kevin's mind more and more. He ends up taking her as his own slave and so begins their twisted tale. Will Katie be able to bring Kevin back to understanding that trafficking women is a bad thing and they are people too, not just slaves meant to please their masters? Or is it far too late to save him? This is a great read and I highly recommend it!
July 14, 2024
A nice quick read
I enjoyed this one, in spite of the “disturbing elements”. It is easy to get through, not too long and even though it’s a part of a series, it has a satisfying ending without any cliffhanger that “forces” you to continue to the next book in line.
I must admit that up until the final couple of chapters, I had a very hard time imagining how, it would be possible for this book to end up with a satisfying HEA.
The subject of the story is very controversial, and will make an impact on every human being capable of feeling empathy, so the idea of an entirely “happily ever after” between our two main characters, does not seem very likely, being that they are basically on opposing “teams”, but it works, for me at least.
I enjoyed this one, in spite of the “disturbing elements”. It is easy to get through, not too long and even though it’s a part of a series, it has a satisfying ending without any cliffhanger that “forces” you to continue to the next book in line.
I must admit that up until the final couple of chapters, I had a very hard time imagining how, it would be possible for this book to end up with a satisfying HEA.
The subject of the story is very controversial, and will make an impact on every human being capable of feeling empathy, so the idea of an entirely “happily ever after” between our two main characters, does not seem very likely, being that they are basically on opposing “teams”, but it works, for me at least.
September 21, 2024
Dark Romance? Really?
I had high expectations going into this book but turned meh very quickly, reading more like a soppy romance than "dark"
Katie was so naive as to be highly unlikely unless she'd never watched TV or read a paper. I'm pretty sure nuns in convents would know more of the world.
Kevin was confusing, veering between "call me Master" and hesitant bf so it's no wonder Katie was all over the place.
The most believable in the whole book was Rebecca although it seemed like a chapter was missing when it jumped straight from the auction to Snake.
I've read numerous books in this genre that are way more plausible with better characters and actual heat.
I'm kind of sad because it could have been so much better
I had high expectations going into this book but turned meh very quickly, reading more like a soppy romance than "dark"
Katie was so naive as to be highly unlikely unless she'd never watched TV or read a paper. I'm pretty sure nuns in convents would know more of the world.
Kevin was confusing, veering between "call me Master" and hesitant bf so it's no wonder Katie was all over the place.
The most believable in the whole book was Rebecca although it seemed like a chapter was missing when it jumped straight from the auction to Snake.
I've read numerous books in this genre that are way more plausible with better characters and actual heat.
I'm kind of sad because it could have been so much better
October 14, 2025
At the beginning of the book, I thought it would be the second book ever that I couldn’t finish but as I kept reading I found this book to have so much depth.
The book has loss by both male and female characters along with betrayal. The loss and betrayal Katie experienced should have broken her spirit but it seemed to make her stronger. Kevin handled his loss worse than most but in the end he could be redeemed.
The book delves into human trafficking with both those running it and the victims sides being covered. The book was complex and had many layers. It only lost a star in my eyes because it was difficult to like at first. It does contain extreme violence towards women, slavery and violent
The book has loss by both male and female characters along with betrayal. The loss and betrayal Katie experienced should have broken her spirit but it seemed to make her stronger. Kevin handled his loss worse than most but in the end he could be redeemed.
The book delves into human trafficking with both those running it and the victims sides being covered. The book was complex and had many layers. It only lost a star in my eyes because it was difficult to like at first. It does contain extreme violence towards women, slavery and violent
July 2, 2019
Absolutely hooked me
Desired kept showing up in my recommended reads. I thought it just looked like smut. But the blurb said sex trafficking AND HEA, and that seemed so unlikely I decided i would just skim it to see how that was going to happen. I read all for books in24 hours. I'm not saying there aren't some key intense sex scenes, but this is not a smut bin.
This series needs read. It will leave you disturbed, shocked, and unsettled. There are definitely some triggering scenes
Desired kept showing up in my recommended reads. I thought it just looked like smut. But the blurb said sex trafficking AND HEA, and that seemed so unlikely I decided i would just skim it to see how that was going to happen. I read all for books in24 hours. I'm not saying there aren't some key intense sex scenes, but this is not a smut bin.
This series needs read. It will leave you disturbed, shocked, and unsettled. There are definitely some triggering scenes
February 19, 2024
Omg AWESOMENESS
This book is absolutely awesome! plenty of steamy scenes and has a happy ending! No cliff hanger which I love. I hate and I mean HATE cliff hangers! I can't wait to buy and read the next one. It's my first dark romance book that I've read, so I didn't really know what to expect, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I would definitely continue reading books from her. Has violence and vulgar language (cuss words), but that is to be expected with a dark romance book. At least I thought so
This book is absolutely awesome! plenty of steamy scenes and has a happy ending! No cliff hanger which I love. I hate and I mean HATE cliff hangers! I can't wait to buy and read the next one. It's my first dark romance book that I've read, so I didn't really know what to expect, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I would definitely continue reading books from her. Has violence and vulgar language (cuss words), but that is to be expected with a dark romance book. At least I thought so
November 13, 2019
Amazing !!
What a great read , it was dark and twisted and I loved it !
I had my doubts that Kevin had any redeeming qualities but as the story progressed I changed my mind ❤️ Katie was smart and innocent and had so much heartbreak in her life and by the end you were cheering her on as she confronted someone who betrayed her . I can’t wait to read the next installment about Snake !!
What a great read , it was dark and twisted and I loved it !
I had my doubts that Kevin had any redeeming qualities but as the story progressed I changed my mind ❤️ Katie was smart and innocent and had so much heartbreak in her life and by the end you were cheering her on as she confronted someone who betrayed her . I can’t wait to read the next installment about Snake !!
June 12, 2022
I didn’t think I would like it this much. I liked how Kevin’s character had portrayed in the story. The conflict within himself had written interestingly. His development was good. As for Katie, other than her feelings for Kevin, I don’t think she got a lot of development. But, she played an essential part in Kevin’s life.
The conflict was classic. It is something we could find in stories with similar tropes. But, in this one, things were clear in the end.
The conflict was classic. It is something we could find in stories with similar tropes. But, in this one, things were clear in the end.
October 13, 2019
Desire is
It had a HEA. I don't know how she worked the magic over her master so he would fall in love with her and let her turn him into almost a good guy. He was mafia. Now we are going to think all Mafia men are really good on the inside. They just need the right woman. It was entertaining.
It had a HEA. I don't know how she worked the magic over her master so he would fall in love with her and let her turn him into almost a good guy. He was mafia. Now we are going to think all Mafia men are really good on the inside. They just need the right woman. It was entertaining.
March 2, 2020
Katie sees the good in everything including evil. Her light shines brightly even in the darkest corners. The sweet young woman was sold by her father in order to pay his debt.
Kevin and his brother run a sex trafficking operation for the organization. He's never shown interest in the girls until the innocence of Katie caught his eye.
A beautiful story.
Kevin and his brother run a sex trafficking operation for the organization. He's never shown interest in the girls until the innocence of Katie caught his eye.
A beautiful story.
August 1, 2023
Ended too soon
Just when the book got better it ends. As soon as I started reading thus knowing it has no cliffhanger (yes and yes), I was drawn into the characters and loved them. I was intrigued by lives of the MCs and wanted more. The chemistry between the KS (Kevin and Kathie) was real and
Just when the book got better it ends. As soon as I started reading thus knowing it has no cliffhanger (yes and yes), I was drawn into the characters and loved them. I was intrigued by lives of the MCs and wanted more. The chemistry between the KS (Kevin and Kathie) was real and
May 22, 2019
Awesome debut from dark romance author, Nicole Cypher.
Loved the premise, and an enjoyable read! Just wish there were more steamy scenes, but that's simply because I'm all kinds of fucked up in the head.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
Loved the premise, and an enjoyable read! Just wish there were more steamy scenes, but that's simply because I'm all kinds of fucked up in the head.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
October 18, 2019
This is definitely a dark romance. Poor Katie went from a bad situation with her dad to a horrifically worse situation as a slave in human trafficking. I am always intrigued by how this could actually happen to innocent people. This was a really good story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews